Pumpkin Dip

This is a great dip to serve with apples and pears, but you can also use it as a spread for pumpkin bread.

2 C powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese
2 C or a 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 1/2 t Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice mix

Whip together sugar and cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients.

Enjoy!

Banana Bars with Toasted Frosting

Chris really liked these!
Makes 48 bars

Bars:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
2 eggs
2 large (1 cup) ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted OR
2/3 cup toasted coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream together butter, sugars, sour cream (or yogurt) and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add bananas and vanilla and mix well. Add remaining bar ingredients and beat until well mixed.

Spread batter in a greased (10"x15") jelly roll pan. The Pampered Chef bar pan is perfect.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

For frosting, melt the butter in a 1 quart pot over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until butter just starts to golden (5-6 minutes). Butter will bubble and foam. Remove from heat and cool.

Combine cooled toasted butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Beat until smooth.

Spread frosting over bars. Sprinkle with pecans or coconut. Cut into bars.

I couldn't find my coconut, so the bars are plain with the frosting in the photo. =)

Herb Cheese Dollars

I saw these crackers on Tammy's Recipes blog, and decided to try them. When I made them, I added extra cayenne pepper, and Chris and I both really liked the extra kick. They really do taste like cheese-its! When I went to cut mine after I chilled the dough, I used a knife instead of dental floss. The crackers really were so fast and easy, and we really liked them.