Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

From Bon Appetit/November 2000, found on epicurious.com

1 3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temp
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole milk
3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour 9X5X2 1/2 inch metal loaf pan.

Sift first 5 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Gradually be in sugar, then beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Beat dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture alternately with milk. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

Bake loaf cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack; cool completely. Can be made 2 days ahead. Wrap in plastic; store at room temperature. Makes 12 servings.

Brandy's Note: I greased and floured mini-muffin tins. I baked at 35o for 15 minutes. Makes perfect bite sized cupcake/muffins to dredge through some cool whip! It made about 5 1/2 dozen, I think.

Garlic Cheese Bread

Here is the cheese bread recipe that I brought to group last night. Again, it's Pioneer Woman so just click the link. No one can give a recipe like she does with all the pictures and commentary.

I will say that this is better than the cheese bread we had at a five-star restaurant when David proposed. We left out the green onion (by accident) but it was still amazing.

Breakfast Bread

This is from the Southern Living Christmas Book. They call it "orange bread" but I don't think it is very orangy, and sometimes I use lemon instead. I am killing two birds with one stone by posting here, because I am going to use this recipe while we're in Oklahoma.

3/4 c sugar
1/2 c chopped pecans
1 T grated orange rind
2 11oz. cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 3oz. package cream cheese cut into 20 tiny little squares
1/2 c butter, melted
1 c powdered sugar
2 T orange juice

Combine first 3 ingredients and set aside. Separate each biscuit into 2 halves. Place a cream cheese square between halves, press edges to seal. Dip each biscuit in melted butter and dredge in the reserved sugar mixture. Stand each biscuit on end in a lightly greased bundt pan, spacing evenly. Drizzle with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden. Invert onto a wire rack. Whisk together powdered sugar and juice, drizzle over the warm bread. YUM.

Rolls from Scratch and Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

This is from a note from David's head director, Manuel San Luis. They're AWESOME. Sorry about the lack of exact measurements later on. I am certain these are not good for weight watchers, but with Thanksgiving coming up I'm planning on making a lot of these.

Basic Roll Recipe:

• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 2 pkg. dry yeast (fast rising works)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 6 cups flour

Put yeast and 1 tsp sugar in water and let dissolve. (This will also serve to proof the yeast. If it does not foam in the water, pour it out and start over.) Scald the milk and allow it to cool to room temperature. Cream 1/2 cup sugar, salt and 1/2 cup butter. Beat in the egg, then add the milk and yeast. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time and mix. The mixture should be sticky. If too much flour is added, the rolls will not be light (hockey puck time)!

Let the dough rise in bowl until double in size. Punch down. Cover with a thin layer of oil and place in refrigerator. Refrigerate at least overnight but not more than 2 days. (This is optional)

On floured surface, knead dough slightly. Roll out and cut with biscuit cutter. Dip in melted butter; fold in half. To make folding easy, pull on the dough slightly. Place on ungreased pan. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 400ºF for 10 min. or until golden brown. Watch them carefully to avoid burning.

For Cinnamon Rolls:
Add more sugar and a teaspoon of each of vanilla and almond extract to the dough. Roll out on floured surface into a rectangular shape. Spread softened butter or margarine over the top of the dough. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over buttered dough. Add pecans or walnuts on top of everything.

Roll up the dough, length-side first, very carefully and tightly. Pinch ends of rolled up dough and cut into 1-inch rolls. Place rolls on greased cookie sheet and brush with butter. Bake at 350ºF for about 25 min. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

Drizzle mixture of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Top with more pecans.