Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Made these for my future in-laws, who will be visiting this weekend. We tried one and they are fabulous. I think toasting the nuts really helped the flavor as well (see my note below).

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 5 tablespoons white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons chopped pecans (toasted these briefly first on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees, for about 10 minutes. Just)
• 2 1/2 cups flour (I used half white, half whole wheat)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease and flour 18 muffin cups.
3. FILLING: Beat cream cheese until soft.
4. Add egg, vanilla and brown sugar.
5. Beat until smooth.
6. Set aside.
7. STREUSEL TOPPING: Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon and pecans.
8. Add butter and cut it in with a fork until crumbly.
9. Set aside.
10. MUFFIN BATTER: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
11. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and gradually incorporate eggs, pumpkin, olive oil and vanilla.
12. Beat together until smooth.
13. Fill cups with pumpkin mixture until they're about 1/2 full.
14. Carefully add one tbsp of the cream cheese mixture right in the middle of the batter.
15. If you're using paper cups, try to keep cream cheese from touching the paper.
16. Sprinkle on the streusel topping.
17. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

I found this recipe online, and was hesitant to try it. I don't always like cooking crock pot recipes that contain pasta, because the few times I have tried, the pasta came out gummy. Gummy pasta, for me, is inedible. Gross. But I finally decided to give it a try, and I sure am glad that I did. Very easy, tasty, and the kids love it -  which is always a plus for me. I think you will enjoy this one
Ingredients

16 ounces macaroni
16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
16 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
16 ounces Velveeta (cubed)
1 stick of butter, cut into slices
16 ounces milk
salt & pepper, to taste


Directions

Spray crockpot lightly with cooking spray. Layer 1/3 of the macaroni in bottom. Layer half of cheese, butter, salt & pepper. Repeat, ending with last 1/3 of macaroni on top. Pour milk over mixture.
Cook on low for about 4 hours and stir about mid-way.

Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread

This is my grandmother's cornbread recipe and it's the best - sweet and moist!
Ingredients

•     1/2 cup butter
•     2/3 cup white sugar
•     2 eggs
•     1 cup buttermilk
•     1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•     1 cup cornmeal
•     1 cup all-purpose flour
•     1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.