cream cheese

Pumpkin Spice Roll

By in Cakes, Recipes, Sweets, Thanksgiving 11 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Pumpkin Spice Roll

I was planning on sharing a Thanksgiving side dish with you today, but it was a royal flop so I decided to make something pumpkin instead. Pumpkin heals all wounds. And, let”s face it, the whole (north american) world, including myself, is pretty much obsessed with pumpkin right now. And, I was in need of a guaranteed win.

I”ve made this Pumpkin Spice Roll quite a few times over the years and it”s always a winner no matter where I serve it. It”s so extremely easy to make and yet looks so impressive. I made it in our first years of marriage, when I was just learning to cook, and it turned out a great success, so you know it”s easy. ;)

A soft pumpkin spice cake coated in a layer of walnuts, with a creamy yet light, cream cheese filling – it”s pretty much an inside out spice cake rolled up into one pretty presentation. It would be perfect for Thanksgiving but you can save it for any special day, like maybe the first snow fall? Hopefully your snow holds off a little longer than ours. :)

Pumpkin Spice Roll

You can sub 1.5 teaspoons pumpkin spice for the combination of spices in the recipe, if you prefer.

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

  • 3/4 cup icing (confectioners) sugar, divided

  • 1/2 cup (4 oz.) cream cheese, softened

  • 3/4 cup cold whipping cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grease a 15x10x1 inch pan, line it with waxed or parchment paper. Grease and flour the paper as well. Whisk together the flour, spices, baking powder and salt. Set aside.Whisk together eggs and sugar until pale and thick. Whisk in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle walnuts over evenly. Bake at 375°F for for 15 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when touched.

While cake bakes, sprinkle a clean kitchen towel with 1/4 cup icing sugar. As soon as cake comes out of the oven, invert onto prepared towel, remove the pan and gently peel of the paper. Starting at a short side, gently roll up the cake and towel together to form a log. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling.

To make the filling, beat together 1/2 cup icing sugar and cream cheese until smooth with an electric beater. Gently mix in the cream and vanilla, scraping up any cream cheese stuck to the bottom of the bowl (mixture will be lumpy). Beat on medium-high speed until mixture is smooth and stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted.

Gently unroll cake, spread filling evenly over entire cake, leaving a 1 inch gap on both short ends (so filling won”t squeeze out as you roll it back up. Re-roll the cake, firmly but gently. Wrap cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. To serve, dust with additional icing sugar if desired.

Makes: 10 servings

Adapted from Kraft.

Blueberry Cheesecake Coffee Cake

By in Breakfast, Cakes, Sweets 5 Comments Tags: , , , ,

blueberry cream cheese coffee cake

The air is getting cooler. We’re waking up to the furnace coming on in the mornings. The kids are getting snuggled up in their pj’s before bedtime, instead of sleeping in their undies and diapers with the windows wide open. We’re donning sweaters in the cool of the morning and at the setting of the sun. But, I still refuse to say the f word (starts with “f”, ends with “all”). It’s still summer and I’m going to enjoy every last ounce of it while I can. So, no mentioning the f word around here, ok? I’ve seen it thrown around too much lately. Let’s enjoy the season that’s here, while it’s still here. Even if it does lack the intense heat and crazy awesome thunder storms.

One thing I appreciate about a bit of cooler summer weather is that I don’t have to dread turning my oven on. Baking with summer berries is one of the best things ever! And this blueberry cheesecake coffee cake is about as good as it gets. Think dense, lightly sweet, coffee cake topped with a thin layer of rich cheesecake, fresh blueberries and crisp streusel topping. I don’t really think it needs much of a description, besides yum! We’ve been enjoying our’s with iced coffee and I’ve saved a few slices in the freezer just in case another heat wave decides to hit and I’m avoiding the oven again. But, even if that never happens it will most definitely not be going to waste!

Blueberry Cheesecake Coffee Cake

Coffee Cake
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
Cheesecake Topping
  • 8 oz. (250g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups blueberries
Streusel Topping
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Coffee Cake: Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until incorporated. Spread evenly into a greased 9 inch cake pan (a springform pan works best for easy removal).

For the  Cheesecake Topping: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar until incorporated. Add vanilla and egg. Beat just until blended. Spread on top of coffee cake layer. Sprinkle with blueberries.

For the Streusel Topping: Mix together sugar, flour and cinnamon. Using your hands, incorporate the butter until the mixture clumps together easily (the butter should be mixed in with no visible lumps). Sprinkle on top of blueberries.

Bake at 350ºF for 45-55 min. or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Adapted from Sugar.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By in Cakes, Fall, Sweets, Thanksgiving 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is a great last-minute dessert for company or when your craving something pumpin-y. I got this recipe from my cousin Rachel. It comes together in one bowl with simple ingredients and results in a comforting moist yet fluffy spiced cake.

This is the kind of dessert that I can eat way to much of. The cake itself is so delicious that we”ve enjoyed it even without the cream cheese frosting. But as everyone knows cream cheese frosting and spice cake go hand in hand and it definitely puts this over the top.

I know everyone has a different definition of sheet cake. A sheet cake to me is a one layer square or rectangular cake, any size. They are simple to make for last-minute company but since you”re serving them cake they”ll feel like you”ve laboured.

Its natural orange color (which is more vibrant when using canned pumpkin) makes it a perfect dessert for any Halloween parties in your future. For a simple decoration make a spiderweb pattern on the frosting with chocolate syrup. You could either do it over the whole cake or on individual pieces. The frosting stays soft so there should be no problems doing it just before serving (but you could also do it ahead if you prefer).

Whatever event you serve this at, be assured that people will be asking for more.


Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Double this recipe for a 9×13 pan.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

  • 1/2 cup canola oil

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

Whisk together oil, sugar and eggs. Whisk in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, until no lumps remain. Stir in pumpkin puree until evenly distributed. Pour into a greased or parchment lined 8×8 baking pan. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 oz. (1/4 cup) cream cheese, softened

  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons icing (confectioners) sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoons heavy cream (or 1/2 teaspoon milk)

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Stir in vanilla. Whisk in icing sugar until smooth. Stir in cream until evenly distributed. Spread onto cooled cake.

Makes: 9 servings

No-Churn Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

By in Cool, Sweets 29 Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

bluberry cheesecake ice cream 2

Homemade ice cream is one of those things that leaves me drooling when I visit other sites. I have so many recipes bookmarked that if I ever bought an ice cream maker I wouldn’t even know where to start. The only thing that has kept me from making them is the extra effort it takes to make it yourself, without an ice cream maker. Not that it’s hard work, but on hot summer days when we’re practically living outside I have no desire to sit inside and babysit my ice cream with a bowl and whisk.

This recipe is the perfect compromise. It takes absolutely no babysitting and is a great alternative for lovers of ice cream who don’t have an ice cream maker.

I’ve seen variations of this ice cream on both Martha Stewart and Good Food. The sweetened condensed milk replaces the typical custard base making this smooth and luxurious as it melts in your mouth. My only issue with it, is that it doesn’t soften up as quickly as regular ice cream, so it’s a bit hard to scoop. But honestly, there’s none of the icy-ness that’s usually associated with no-churn ice cream and as soon as you start eating it you won’t even think about the fact that it wasn’t made in a more traditional way.

I took Martha’s basic No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream added some cream cheese and swirled in some fresh blueberry syrup. It turned out rich, smooth and creamy. Heaven in a cone… or in a bowl. :)

No-Churn Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

  • 200g spreadable cream cheese (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups heavy (whipping) cream, cold

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Slowly add condensed milk, creaming between each addition to avoid lumps. Stir in vanilla extract and heavy cream. Switch to the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted.

Spread half into an 8×8 inch, square baking dish. Dollop with half of blueberry syrup. Top with remaining cream mixture, spreading evenly. Dollop with remaining blueberry syrup. Using a knife, swirl the syrup into the cream mixture. Cover with foil and freeze for 6 hours or until firm.

Makes: 9 servings

*Allow to sit out for 20-30 minutes before serving.

*This is best eaten within one week.

Adapted from Martha Stewart.

Three No-Bake Thanksgiving Appetizers

By in Appetizers, Fall, Thanksgiving 53 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

three no-bake thanksgiving appetizers

I’m not a simple person by nature. The simple life has always appealed to me but I tend to over complicate things and end up going overboard. That ‘s partly why this blog is so important to me. It helps to remind me to keep things simple and enjoy life. I try to think of ways to help simplify others lives and in turn it helps to simplify mine. So thank you for being my inspiration!

I think the most important thing I have learned this year is to just be myself and not try to fit into the crowd.  I am who I am and I will never live up to someone else’s standards (including my own). I’ve really tried to share things on here that our family truly enjoys and not things that I don’t actually put into practice myself. Sometimes I wish I would put certain things into practice but I’m trying to steer clear of appearing to be and do something I’m not.

All that being said, these no-bake thanksgiving appetizers come straight from my heart. I’m a big believer in make-ahead dishes and at this point in my life the easier and quicker it is to throw together, the better. I do love my time in the kitchen but I love my family more. :) These three recipes can be thrown together in minutes and will hopefully relieve a little bit of holiday meal stress.

Mini “Pumpkin” Cheese Balls

Contrary to their name these don’t actually have any pumpkin in them, but they do have a cute pumpkin shape. I have shared one of my favourite cheese ball recipes below but feel free to use your own and just follow the shaping instructions.

My cheese balls were a little loose because I had to use spreadable cream cheese. I haven’t been able to find the firm blocks here in Norway yet. One day I will find some and then be prepared for baked cheesecakes galore!

Mini “Pumpkin” Cheese Balls

recipe adapted from Kraft Canada

  • 1 (250g/8oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions
  • paprika, or dusting
  1. Beat cream cheese, red peppers, garlic and cayenne until well blended. Stir in cheddar cheese. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to handle.
  2. Roll into 1 inch balls and then coat in paprika. Make indents in the side of each one with a knife to make a pumpkin shape (refrigerate longer if needed  before shaping with knife).
  3. Slice green onion into 1 inch pieces (green parts only). Slice each piece in half lengthwise. Roll each half back into a circular shape and stick into the top of the cheese ball. Refrigerate until serving.

Makes: 24 cheese balls (4-6 servings each, depending on the size of crackers.)

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Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

We had something similar to these at a taste-testing at the grocery store and I quickly took stock of the ingredients they were using so I could try to re-create them at home, rather then run off with the tray like I wanted to. Although they didn’t turn out exactly the same, they still are delicious. The dijon/honey mixture really compliments the smoked salmon. It’s such a quick and easy recipe to throw together but they look so elegant your guests will never know.

Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

  • 1 teaspoon dijon
  • 2 tablespoon mayo
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • pinch of dried dill
  • 100g thinly sliced smoked salmon
  • 3 (6 inch) flour tortillas
  1. Mix together djon, mayo, sour cream, honey and dill. Spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto each tortilla. Top with a thin layer of salmon, leaving a 1 inch gap on one side (to leave room for the shifting fillings when rolling). Roll up toward the gap and wrap firmly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
  2. To serve: Trim the ends and slice each roll into 6 slices. Serve immediately.

Serves: 6 (3 pinwheels each)

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Creamy Pumpkin Pie Dip

I have been having major problems finding pumpkin of any form here. Whether it be canned or whole. I have seen pumpkin pie filling (which is what I use in this recipe) but have only seen canned pumpkin puree once, and they were sold out. Needless to say, as soon as I see some I am buying a wackload to last me through the winter. Now you know why I make so many ingredients from scratch. I’m too lazy to search the city, I’d rather do the work in my kitchen. :)

This pumpkin dip is probably my favourite of the three. James said he liked it even better then pumpkin pie! It’s cool and creamy with a hint of those spicy fall flavours we all love so much. I served mine with Cinnamon Almond Crisps, which I purchased from the store. I have to find a recipe for those soon because the combination is addictive!

Creamy Pumpkin Pie Dip

  • 1 (250g/8oz) package spreadable cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  1. Cream together cream cheese and pie filling until smooth. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and sour cream. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.
  2. Serve with graham crackers, ginger snaps, cinnamon cookies or fruit such as apples and pears.

Makes: 2 cups

* If using plain pumpkin puree ADD: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or: 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice). PLUS: 3/4 cup icing sugar.

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I hope all of my fellow Canadians have a wonderful and stress free Thanksgiving weekend! (And, everyone else too.) :)

Zucchini Carrot Cake with Maple-Brown Sugar Frosting

By in Cakes, Fall, Sweets 20 Comments Tags: , , , , , , ,

zucchini carrot cake Banner

First of all I want to thank you all so much for your sweet comments last week on my Blogversary post. It really made me wish that each and every one of you could win the giveaway. Unfortunately it cannot be so and I had to pick only one lucky winner.

I considered writing out each persons name and drawing out of a box but I didn’t want to be held personally responsible for anybody’s dashed dreams. So instead, I assigned each entry with a number and ran the numbers through random.org. So, you can take up your quarrel with them. :)

I know you would all love to know if you won so I will cut to the chase. The winner of the giveaway and a $60 gift certificate to csn stores is… CookTeen! Congratulations!! You’ll be getting an e-mail from me shortly. ;)

For the rest of you, I have made cake.

Moist and spicy Zucchini Carrot Cake smothered in a dreamy layer of Cream Cheese Frosting with a hint of maple and brown sugar. To be exact. Feel a little better now?

I have been a long time fan of Carrot Cake and to me it’s just not the same without a Cream Cheese Frosting. The fact that this recipe has zucchini in it, is what originally piqued my interest. Zucchini means moist. And, moist means delicious.

The headiness of the spices and the deep flavours of maple and brown sugar makes this the perfect cake to enjoy that fall produce.

P.S. I got the poll working for Colorful Mondays so make sure to head over and vote for the next weeks color (and submit your tomato reds for next monday)!

One year ago: All About Eggs, Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Zucchini Carrot Cake with Maple-Brown Sugar Frosting

Zucchini Carrot Cake

adapted from TasteofHome

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  1. Beat sugar and eggs until frothy. Whisk in canola oil.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in a separate bowl. Beat into egg mixture until well combined.
  3. Fold in carrots, zucchini and walnuts.
  4. Pour into 2 greased 8 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  5. Let cool 5-10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely before frosting.
Maple-Brown Sugar Frosting
  • 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  1. Cream together cream cheese, butter and brown sugar. Beat in maple syrup and vanilla until well blended. Spread onto cooled cake.

* This has a very light maple and brown sugar flavour. Feel free to add more of either to suite your taste.

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