Pumpkin Crumble Bars

I got this recipe from Our Best Bites.

1 boxed yellow or white cake mix
1-2 sticks butter (see notes in instructions)
1 16 oz can pumpkin*
2 eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t ginger
1/8 t cloves
1/8 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
1/3 C chopped pecans
1/2 t additional cinnamon for topping

*This makes a dessert about an inch thick or less. That’s because I like a high topping-to-pumpkin ratio. If you’d like it thicker, use a large can of pumpkin and double the rest of the filling ingredients (Eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and spices). Leave the rest of the recipe the same.

Preheat oven to 350.

Place 2 C of the cake mix in a bowl. Cut in 3 T chilled butter. Just use your fingers to crumble the butter until it’s in small crumbly pieces. Place mixture in a 9×13 baking dish and press flat with your fingers.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and spices until smooth. Pour on top of the cake mixture in the pan.

Now take the rest of the dry cake mix and mix in 1/2 t cinnamon. Sprinkle it all over the top of the pumpkin mixture. Use a measuring cup so you have a rough measurement of how much you’re putting on. Here’s why:

Here’s a little something I learned after making the dump cake a gazillion times. Cake mixes all have different amounts in them! Different brands, different flavors, etc. Each one is slightly different in volume. I found one mix to have almost double the normal amount. Measuring the amount of cake mix you’re sprinkling on top will help you get the perfect topping ratio in the last step.

Next sprinkle on the chopped pecans. You’ll have 3 distinct layers now:

Here’s the trick: For every 1 C of cake mix you sprinkled on top, you’ll need 3 T of melted butter. Drizzle it right on top.

That butter is going to combine with the cake mix and make magic in the oven. Pop it in your 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes or so. A knife should come out without globs of pumpkin on it and the topping should be nice and golden.

You can eat it warm, at room temp, or chilled! My favorite is actually at room temp. Put a dollop of sweetened whipped cream on top. It’s also great with vanilla ice cream.

Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c very warm water (should feel about as warm as a hot shower)
1 1/2 Tbs yeast
1/4 c sugar

1 whole egg plus 1 yolk
1/2 Tbs salt
1/4 c oil
4-5 c flour

1/4 c butter, melted
1 c brown sugar
2 Tbs cinnamon
1/2 c cinnamon chips (optional)

4 oz Cream Cheese (low fat is ok)
1/4 c butter, softened
1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-3 Tbs milk, to desired consistency

Directions:

1. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and allow the yeast to proof for 5-10 minutes until it looks foamy (if you have a kitchenaid, use that bowl)

2. Add the eggs, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Slowly add the flour. The dough should be soft, but pulling away from the edge of the bowl.

3. Beat or knead the dough for 10 minutes.

4. Allow dough to rise for 40 minutes in a draft-free place.

5. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Cover the dough evenly in melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cinnamon chips.

6. Roll the dough into a long log shape (rolling it hot dog way rather than hamburger way)

7. Slice into 1-2 inch thick discs and place in a greased pan (round cake or square pans work great).

8. Allow rolls to sit for 15-20 minutes

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Watch them close! You want them light golden brown but done in the middle (I definitely over-cooked them a little last night because...I wasn't watching them)

10. While the rolls are baking, combine the frosting ingredients. Smother on top shortly after pulling the rolls out of the oven.

Note: This dough makes REALLY good dinner rolls. After step 4, roll the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut out circles with a cookie cutter or cup. Then dip the dough in butter. Fold the circles in half and pinch them ( half moon shape) and place on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise for 15-20 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.