Love, Life and Truth tells

Hey, I'm Taylor, and I blog over at The Presutti's!

I'm so glad Ashton gave me the chance to be a guest blogger for her!

I was so happy when she asked me and I totally agreed to do it, no questions asked..

Well actually one question was asked, what to write about.

We quickly agreed a dessert recipe would be magnificent!

So, not only am I going to share one, two, or three
but they are going to be amazing and fall inspired for Y'all!

Pull-Apart Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread with Buttered Rum Glaze

Bread2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 cup milk

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups bread flour

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Buttered Rum Glaze

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/8 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp milk

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp rum *

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown 2 tablespoons of butter, letting it bubble up and turn a dark golden brown but being careful not to allow it burn (turn black). Once browned, remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the milk, return to stove and heat through. Pour the milk and butter into the bowl of standing mixer (fitted with a dough hook) and allow to cool so it is no longer hot but also not cool (about 100-110 degrees F). Once it has reached a warm but not hot temperature add the yeast and 1/4 cup of sugar and allow to proof. Then add the the pumpkin, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Stir until combined then add the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time and knead for 6 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic and just slightly sticky. If the dough is too moist, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Move dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean towel. Allow to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size.

While dough is rising, brown another 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.** Making sure sugar evenly absorbs the butter. Set aside. Next, grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan and set aside.

When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and flip out onto a clean floured surface and knead with hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll dough into a 20x12 inch rectangle.*** Evenly sprinkle the dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture and press into dough with palms of the hand. Cut the rectangle into 6 strips. Lay strips on top of each other and cut each strip into 6 even squares (cut in half then each half into thirds). Stack strips vertically into the loaf pan. Cover the pan with a clean towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

In the meantime preheat an oven to 350 degrees. After rising in the pan bake for 30-40 minutes (mine took 37 exactly) or until top is a very deep golden brown.

To prepare the glaze, heat the butter, milk, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to boil then immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum and powdered sugar.

**Of course I didn't properly read this section of the directions... I was supposed to melt the butter and brush the dough with the butter then adding the sugar on top of the butter (instead of mixing it all together and sprinkling) but it worked my way so that's how I am listing it. It's really your call!

*** If dough is difficult to roll out, cover with a towel and allow to relax for a few minutes then try again.

Yummy in my tummy folks!

FILLING:

1/3 cup finely chopped unpeeled apple

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

DOUGH:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

TOPPING:

1 package (14 ounces) caramels

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Green toothpicks

1 cup chopped walnuts

In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Flatten and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated; allow excess to drip off. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set. Yield: about 3 dozen.

1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar

3/4 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter until fluffy. Add sugar and pumpkin puree and beat well. Mix in egg and vanilla, scraping down sides of the bowl to incorporate all of the ingredients.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Beat flour mixture into liquid mixture a little at a time just until incorporated.

3. Cover dough with plastic and chill at least an hour, or until dough becomes slightly firm.

4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or spray with nonstick spray). Mix rolling sugar ingredients in a small bowl.

5. Remove cookie dough from refrigerator. Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 Tablespoons) or a large spoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Use your hands to roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and make sure they're coated really well. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a glass with a nice, flat bottom to dip in sugar and flatten the balls.

6. Bake at 350°F. for 10 to 14 minutes, or until they are slightly firm to the touch. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes or so, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Third up,

Caramel Apple Bites

TOPPING:

1 package (14 ounces) caramels

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Green toothpicks

1 cup chopped walnuts

In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Flatten and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated; allow excess to drip off. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set. Yield: about 3 dozen.

Oh me, I love these things!

I sure hope you enjoyed these amazing, fall inspired, delicious recipes!

Now, go, not walk, but run to the store, get your ingredients,
and come home and make some of these yummies!
Thanks so much Ashton for letting me take over your blog and share some good eats!!

Be sure to visit me at The Presutti's, can't wait to hear from you

Taylor :)