Pumpkin Doughnuts

Doughnuts? Donuts? However you spell it they are sticky gooey fried dough yumminess.  These are a great treat for this time of year when pumpkins are in the spotlight. 



What You Will Need-
1 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
2 Tblsp Brown Sugar
1 1/2 teasp Baking Soda
1 teasp Salt
1 teasp Cinnamon
1/2 teasp Nutmeg
1/2 cup Pumpkin puree
1/4 cup Cold Milk
1 egg
2 Tblsp Butter
1-2 cups Powdered Sugar (optional)

Step 1: Heat oil -
Heat oil on stove at medium/high heat (if you have one of those nifty pans you plug in to deep fry things even better, no clue what they are called I obviously do not have one).  You want a lot of oil, 1-2 cups depending on the size of the pan you are using.

Step 2: Mix Dough-
While oil is heating mix the dough.
In 1 large bowl combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Mix until well combined
In another bowl combine pumpkin, milk, egg, and butter.  Mix with a wire whisk until well combined and smooth.
Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture and mix with a spoon.  Dough will be thick and sticky, similar to bread dough.

Step 3: Cook Doughnuts-
Drop dough by the teaspoonful into hot oil. 
Allow to cook for 1-1.5 minutes on one side before flipping.  Metal tongs (salad tongs) are best for flipping.
Flip and cook for additional 30-60 seconds or until all sides are nice and golden brown.
Transfer to a towel lined plate to drain excess oil.

If desired, roll in powdered sugar.  Don't fret if it looks yellowish.  The pumpkin does something to the oil which causes it to look yellowish.  Some of this sticks to the doughnuts when done and turns the powdered sugar yellowish as well.  They taste amazing so who cares what color they are right.  Besides, yellow is a lovely Fall color.


Little Helpers can help with mixing the dough and rolling the finished doughnuts in powdered sugar-just make sure they have cooled off enough first so no little hands get burned.

* After making these your house will smell  like you have been burning a Pumpkin Spice candle all day long, YUM!


Love,
Christy

Sweet Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Careful, these are addictive, at least they are somewhat good for you as well.
The average sized pumpkin will yield 1-2 cups of seeds

What You Will Need:
At least 1 cup of Pumpkin seeds
For every 1 cup of pumpkin seeds you will need-
1 Tblsp melted butter
1 Tblsp Granulated Sugar
1 Tblsp Brown Sugar
1 teasp Cinnamon
1/4 teasp Nutmeg

Step 1: Prep the seeds-
Rinse seeds and remove all of the pulp
Allow seeds to sit and dry for at least 1 hour
Once seeds have dried out coat them in a large bowl with the melted butter
In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients (both sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg)
Pour sugary mixture into bowl with seeds and coat well.

Step 2: Toast Seeds-
Spread seeds out onto a foil lined baking sheet.  Spread out so they are not piled on top of each other.
Bake at 300 for 45-60 minutes flipping at least once. 

Sweet Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Seeds are done when they are nicely brown and crunchy to the taste.  Mine took 60 minutes















The Hubs does not care for pumpkin seeds and was so bummed last night when I made these.  The entire house smelled so yummy like a pumpkin pie baking and he was very sad when he discovered it was not a pie but just seeds.
The kids and I enjoy them though!
My 4 yr old says they are very yummy and my 2 yr old keeps rubbing her belly in circular motions while saying "mmm mmmm I love punkin seeds".


Love,
Christy