Halloween Pumpkin Spook Treats

Happy Halloween!  I'd say a holiday is a fine excuse to whip up another batch of rare and treatie-type goodies.  As always, these kind of baked goods are low volume foods, so bake with care and make sure they truly are just an occasional treat.

So, aren't they just hecka cute?  Kinda granola bar-like, but I spiced them up to taste like pumpkin pie.

If you don't like pumpkin pie, then I think you're crazy, but you COULD omit the flavorings I added and still have a very passable granola treat.

The pictures speak for themselves.  And they're saying "YUM."

Leaning Tower of Pancakes

This is, I believe, one of HMRs classic recipes, so don't think I came up with this one, because I didn't.  I just thought that maybe, if you're crazy and haven't tried this recipe yet, you'd like to see some pictures of the pancakes before you give it a shot.  So.  Here's some pictures.  Go give it a shot.

As far as how I use the pancake recipe, I respect it.  I mean, I know it's another one of those dreaded low volume recipes, but on Sunday morning, when my family is having pancakes (that I cooked and couldn't eat), well, now I can join them.  And that is very very important to me.

Also!  Tuesday is weigh in day for me, and I lost 1.5 pounds.  68 more to go!  I refuse to say that I only lost 1.5 pounds, because any loss is precious and to be celebrated.  You hear that, folks?  As long as that scale went negative, you smile and pat yourself on the back, because you deserve it. 

Dream Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Gourmand wisdom:  When you have the time, and as often as you can, eat slooooooowly.  Chew your food mindfully and think about the taste, the texture, the spices and flavor.  Don't eat in front of the tv.  Sit down at your table, put your food on a plate instead of eating it out of the plastic tray, and enjoy it with deliberately small bites.  Make it last.  I cannot stress how much more enjoyment you will get out of the same food if you actually pay attention and give time to what you're eating.  Plus, you're giving your stomach more time to realize that there's food in there.  Give that food a little respect!

________________
There is nothing better than the smell of baking in a house.  There is something about the molecules that are released during cooking that just feed the soul when they fly up your nose (now that's a romantic image, yeah?)

So these are vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting.  I'll tell you right now that I cooked them too long.  I've put a reduced time in the recipe to reflect that.  In spite of their dark color, they weren't burnt, just not as moist and soft as I would have liked.

See?  They still look yummy, no?

I feel compelled to let you know that this is a low volume recipe, and intended as a once-in-a-while treat.  I got a cool dozen out of this batch, and that means you can eat four of these at a time, and it will count as one meal replacement.  I know what I'm having for breakfast the next three days.  Mmmm.