Chai Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies

Yesterday was just one of those days where I felt like baking for no reason. I've been wanting to make these Chai Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies that I found via Pinterest  for the past year, and I'm so glad I finally did! I love chai (both authentic and the Americanized lattes), so if I can make a cookie out of one of my favorite drinks, then I'm all about it!

What You Need
-1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup chai concentrate
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flower
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chai spice mix
- 24 pumpkin spice Hershey's Kisses

What You Do
1. In a medium-sized bowl, cream together butter (1/2cup) and sugar (1/2cup) until well combined. Add the chair concentrate (1/4cup), egg (1), and vanilla extract (1tsp) until blended together.

2. Mix the flour (1 3/4cup), baking soda (1/2tsp), salt (1/8tsp), and chai spice mix (1/2tsp) with the wet ingredients until incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Pop them into the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the bottom edges turn golden brown. In the meantime, unwrap them pumpkin kisses.

5. Remove cookies from oven and immediately place the pumpkin kisses in the center of each cookie.  Let cool completely and have a couple while watching your favorite holiday movie!

Recipe from Pass the Sushi

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**