Bread Recipe #39 - Crunchy Peanut Butter Muffins

Peanut butter rather than pumpkin fills this week's bread recipe-peanut butter, peanut oil, and crushed peanuts. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth, 1/4 cup peanut oil, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 very ripe banana, mashed, 3/4 cup milk, 1 egg. Topping: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped. Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12-cup muffin pan; set aside. In a large bowl, stir flour with baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter with peanut oil, sugar and banana. Add in milk and egg and beat until smooth. Pour this mixture into center of dry ingredients and stir with a large spoon just until moistened (do not overbeat). Fill prepared muffin pan 2/3 full with batter. For topping, stir cinnamon into sugar. With a pastry blender, cut butter into sugar/cinnamon mixture until crumbly. Lightly stir in peanuts. Sprinkle topping evenly over each batter-filled cup. Bake in preheated 400 oven for 18-20 minutes or until muffins spring back if lightly pressed in center. Makes 12-15 muffins. "Rolling in the dough!"

Bread Recipe #38 - Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Another pumpkin recipe; this one includes mini chocolate chips. Yummy in the tummy!! Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup water, 1 can (15 ounce)pumpkin, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons miniature chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (I used raw). Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of two 8x4-inch loaf pans with shortening; lightly flour (or spray bottoms of pans with cooking spray; do not flour). In medium bowl, stir flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg until mixed; set aside. In large bowl, beat 2 cups sugar and the butter with electric mixer on medium speed 1-2 minutes or until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in water and pumpkin on low speed. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed about 1 minute or until moistened. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Spread evenly in pans. Sprinkle tops with remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, the pecans and 2 teaspoons sugar. Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Pillsbury.com. "Rolling in the dough!"

Bread Recipe #37 - Cake Doughnuts

This is one of those recipes I've had in my cookbook for years, don't know its origin, only that it's been used over and over again. These can be dipped in or topped with your favorite sweetness. Ingredients: 4 beaten eggs, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup milk, 1/3 cup melted shortening, 3 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Glaze ingredients: 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 3-4 tablespoons (or more)milk, 1/4 cup cocoa (for chocolate glaze). Assorted sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, mini chocolate chips, etc. Instructions: In large bowl beat eggs and sugar until light; add milk and cooled shortening. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg and mix until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. Heat cooking oil in deep pan (375 degrees). On floured surface roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out doughnuts with cutter, re-rolling dough until all is used. Fry in heated oil, 3 or 4 doughnuts at a time, turning once until browned. Drain on paper towels briefly if covering with granulated or confectioners' sugar. For glazed, allow to cool completely. To make glaze: In small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk; continue to add milk until of right consistency for dipping. Place doughnut in glaze, covering top and halfway down sides, pick up and place unglazed side down on plate. Immediately sprinkle with topping of choice. Don't forget to fry and either glaze or sugar-dip the doughnut holes, too! They're easier to pop in your mouth! Makes about 2 dozen. "Rolling in the dough!"

Bread Recipe #36 - Pumpkin Butter Pinwheels

These remind me of cinnamon rolls but with the addition of that wonderful autumn flavor, pumpkin. They are fairly easy to make especially if you can find pumpkin butter already made in your favorite grocery store. I chose to make my own-recipe follows. Ingredients: 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls, 1/2 cup pumpkin butter, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional, 1/2 cup vanilla frosting. Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a baking sheet; set aside. Unroll the crescent dough into one long rectangle; seal seams and perforations. Spread pumpkin butter to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired, saving a few for the tops of rolls. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seam to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet. Cut into 8 slices with serrated knife. Place rolls 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Spread with vanilla frosting (or a simple glaze); sprinkle with remaining pecans, if desired. Serve warm. Pumpkin Butter Recipe: 1 15-ounce can pumpkin, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons apple juice, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a medium saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently. Transfer to sterile containers and chill in the refrigerator until serving. Makes about 3 cups. "2013 Taste of Home Annual Recipes", Reiman Media Group, LLC, Greendale, WI, 2012, pg. 93. "Rolling in the dough!"