Pecan Pie Bars

Happy belated Thanksgiving! There are so many things for me to be thankful for, and to name a few: my pre-husband, Adam, who is the absolute greatest, my amazingly awesome and loving family that's about to grow even bigger next year (!), my great friends, my cozy apartment in Portland, really good food, the internet, the ability to travel, and of course....dessert!

I was also lucky enough to get to make a dessert dish for yesterday's feast. I knew someone wouldn't fail to bring pumpkin pie, so I decided to take a different traditional route and make pecan pie bars. I love pecan pie, but haven't had it in years so I was really excited to make these and have a couple bites!

Oh, and have you heard? There's this new awesome game out in the App store, called Popped.! If you like puzzle games (like Candy Crush), then I think you'd get a kick out of this one: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popped./id689051137?mt=8. Download, play, and give a rating!

What You Need
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 cup cold butter
- 1 tablespoon ice cold water

Topping
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup golden brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups roughly chopped pecans

What You Do
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9X13 inch baking pan

2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour (2cups), sugar (1/3cup), and salt (1/4tsp).  Cut in butter (or if you're like me, grate the butter) and rub within mixture until the butter is about the size of peas. Add in water (1tbsp) and mix until incorporated.

3. Firmly press in dough on the bottom of the pan and bake for 20 minutes.

4. In the meantime, mix in the corn syrup (1cup), brown sugar (1/2cup), and sugar (1/2cup) until combined. Beat in eggs (3) one at a time and then add the vanilla (1 1/2tsp). Fold in the pecans (2cups).

5. Pour mixture over prepared crust. Place back in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.

Pumpkin Apple Bread

Happy fall! This is most certainly my favorite time of the year. The leaves turn different colors, the air is crisp, delicious fall foods make their appearance. So I must apologize for my absence because I've just been enjoying all the activities and festivities this fall season has had to offer.

I've been seriously been itching to get back into the kitchen and bake, though. Luckily, I did get a chance to bake a delicious Pumpkin Apple Bread just this last weekend. Pumpkin bread on its own is good, but adding apples to it is even better! And as an added bonus, the bread while baking gives off an warm, fuzzy, pumpkiny, fall aroma. To get a better idea of what I'm talking about, go ahead and make one for yourself and a loved one!

**Because it's only the pre-husband and I in the house, I actually cut this recipe in half and used one loaf pan. Luckily everything could be easily be divided!**

What You Need
Topping
-1 tablespoon flour
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

Bread
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 15oz. can pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 granny smith apples: peeled, cored, and chopped

What You Do
Topping
1. Blend together everything with your fingers until mixed thoroughly. Set aside.

Bread
1. Preheat your oven to 350 and grease two 9X5 inch loaf pans.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour (3cups), salt (3/4tsp), baking soda (2tsp), cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp), nutmeg (1tsp), and allspice (1/4tsp).

3. In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree (15oz. can), vegetable oil (3/4 cup), sugar (2 1/4cup), and eggs (4) until blended.

4. Add in the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.

5. Fold in the apples until evenly incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the pans and sprinkle the topping evenly between the two. Bake for 60 minutes, or until the knife comes out clean when inserted into the middle.

6. Let cool completely. Then prepare some tea, cut up a slice or two, curl up on the couch, and enjoy your favorite movie!

**Recipe found from One Perfect Bite**