Cajun Pumpkin Faves + Festival Fun

It's that time of year again for all things pumpkin and with the cooler weather, I just can't seem to get enough of these heavenly pumpkin treats. Here is my latest creation along with a few more of my favorite pumpkin recipes that are all so totally decadent, cher, and will surely be a huge hit with your family and guests. Enjoy!

  Pumpkin-Pecan Cupcakes w/ Praline Glaze and Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 (1/2) cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp.'s baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each, ground cinnamon and nutmeg
a sprinkling of ground cloves
1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups or use paper liners. Mix all ingredients, except pecans, until just mixed.

Fold in pecans and stir gently. Fill muffin cups, 3/4 full, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack and meanwhile, make the praline glaze.

Praline Glaze #2

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans


 

In heavy saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, and pecans, on medium heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool slightly and spread over cupcakes.

And for another little touch of decadence, top with my Bourbon Whipped Cream.

Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbs. bourbon


Mix the wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk in the confectioners sugar. Whip the mixture with an electric mixer until raised peaks form. (about 4 minutes)

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  (click on title to view recipes)

Pumpkin Bread Pudding w/ Chocolate Bourbon Sauce

Pumpkin - Chocolate Chip Cake w/ Praline Glaze

Pumpkin-Praline Squares

Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Festival Fun

We had an absolute bon temps last weekend at Festival Acadiens et Creole. Here's a little clip that I took of Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars rockin' the crowd on Saturday afternoon. Crank it up and let the good times roll, cher! Merci for stopping by!

Cajun Pumpkin Delights + A Cajun Two-Step

Here are a few of my favorite pumpkin recipes that are just perfect for your Halloween party or anytime you want a sinfully delicious treat. The pumpkin-chocolate combo is my fave and is out of this world and the Kahlua or bourbon adds a bit of decadence. And both are so easy too, for those busy days. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes  w/  Kahlua Fudge Frosting

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans




Place paper baking cups in 24 muffin cups. In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil, eggs, and spices. Beat on low with electric mixer for 30 seconds to blend ingredients. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in pecans.

Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and frost with Kahlua Fudge Frosting. (recipe below), and garnish with seasonal candies or sprinkles.

Kahlua Fudge Frosting

 2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tbs. Kahlua

Combine first three ingredients in heavy saucepan and stir in milk. Add butter and bring to a boil. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and Kahlua and beat on low with an electric mixer, until desired consistency. Frost cooled cupcakes. 

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And here is another one of my family's faves that is just heavenly and will have you going back for seconds. The Chocolate Bourbon Sauce compliments the pumpkin perfectly and is totally worth the calories, cher! Fab!

 Pumpkin Bread Pudding w/ Chocolate Bourbon Sauce

1 -1/2 cups evaporated milk

1/2 cup each, sugar and brown sugar

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. cinnamon

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 - 15 oz. can pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 loaf "day old" French bread, torn into pieces

Whisk together the first seven ingredients, in large bowl. Add bread and mix well to coat. Spoon into a buttered 9x13 baking dish and cover with foil. Place into a larger baking pan, filled with 1 inch of water. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Serves 8.

Chocolate Bourbon Sauce

8 (1 oz.) squares semisweet chocolate
1 tbs. butter
6 tbs.'s whipping cream

1 shot of bourbon

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and stir and cook over low heat, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and drizzle over warm bread pudding and top with whipped cream. Divine!

I am sharing these at~

Potpourri Friday @ 2805

Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sister's Stuff 
Sweet Indulgences Sunday @ A Well Seasoned Life

Tuesday Talent Show@ Chef in Training

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Here's another little clip that I took of the crowd, dancing to a Cajun two-step at Festival Acadiens. Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys were rockin' the crowd. Crank it up and let the good times roll, cher!

A Cajun Two-Step

Wishing ya'll a fab and fun weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Happy Halloween!