Kid Sized Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

These go GREAT with Halloween black bean soup! Another alternative to the old tomato soup and grilled cheese.

8 slices whole wheat bread
1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
2 TBSP canned pumpkin
1 TBSP cream cheese
1 TBSP margarine

Use a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to cut the centers of the bread slices into pumpkins (mine is just big enough to get most of the bread but not the crust).

In a small bowl mix up the other ingredients until its a fairly smooth spread (you will still have the cheddar shreds). Divide equally on 4 pumpkins, and top with the rest. Spray each side well with cooking spray and put on a hot griddle on medium heat. Cook until toasted and golden, spray the tops with cooking spray and flip.

My kids don't even know there is pumpkin with the cheese!

Throw your leftover crusts into a bag in the freezer for bread crumbs, stuffing or croutons later.

Mummy Dogs

1lb turkey hot dogs
3 cup baking mix
1 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 375 degrees.



Cut the hot dogs in half the short way, and again the long way if these are for tikes. Set aside.


Mix the baking mix and buttermilk until blended. On a well floured surface, roll the dough into about 1/8" thickness. Sprinkle top with flour. Use a pizza cutter to cut long thin strips in the dough, about 1/4" wide.

Wrap each  dog in the biscuit dough strips, leaving some exposed for the face. Use a short strip to wrap around the top.

Bake 15-25 minutes until dough is cooked and lightly browned. Serve with blood and stomach bile for dipping... I mean ketchup and mustard.

Crusty Old Monster Fingers

These creepy treats are good to serve with spiderweb pizza and mummy dogs!

3-4 large sweet potatoes, washed and peeled (look for the pointiest ended), and cut in half (the short way)
grated Parmesan
salt, pepper, chili powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cut potatoes into 1/2" strips, like french fries. Spray a cookie sheet with baking spray, and make a single layer with the potatoes. Spray potatoes with cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with the salt and pepper, and a little more generously with the chili and Parmesan.

Bake 25-40 minutes until potatoes are cooked through and crispy.

Easy 5 Ingredient Pecan Pie Muffins

These are not healthy, but not as bad as real pecan pie. I love to make them for company or a brunch so we don't eat them all!

1/2 c unsalted butter, softened

3/4 c packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c chopped pecans + 6 whole pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 2 1/2 6 muffin tin.

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. Add flour and stir just until moistened. Gently stir in pecans. Evenly divide into muffin cups and top with whole pecan. Bake about 20-25 minutes.

Apple Spice Muffins

2 cups baking mix

1/4 cup raw/turbinado sugar (white works too if that's what you have)

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 cup unsweetened applesauce OR 1 cup apple butter

1/4 egg beaters OR 2 egg whites OR 1 egg
1/4 cup apple juice

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 16  2 1/2" muffin cups with cooking spray; set aside. Combine baking mix, sugar and pie spice (if using) in large bowl; set aside. Beat egg, applesauce/apple butter and apple juice in small bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add to baking mix mixture; stir just until moistened. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Spoon evenly into prepared cups.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown and wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove to wire racks.