I love challenges. I’ve been working on my half marathon training, and it’s been fun literally running towards a goal. I knocked out 7 miles over the weekend, which is the farthest I’ve ever gone! My Brooks shoes seem to be working out really well, because my shin pain is basically gone. (Thank you to the sales staff at Roadrunner in Carytown for helping me pick those out!)
All this fun around challenges makes me even more excited to tell you about this new opportunity! I was selected to participate in the “Get Well Challenge” sponsored by Ellwood Thompson.
We have the kick off meeting (and a yoga class!) tonight, so I can’t wait to tell you more about it. I promise I’ll be passing along some healthy tips and tricks that I learn along the way.
Anyways, since it’s Monday, and everything seems harder on Monday, I’m going to share a fall short cut with you, because I’m super nice.
Ready for this?
You can instantly transform your everyday desserts into festival fall treats, with this one simple trick…
Pumpkin.
Don’t believe me? Check out these cupcakes that my roommate and I made last night:
[Festive] Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- 1 box yellow cake mix (prepared as directed)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 can prepared frosting (about 1 cups)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- sprinkle of nutmeg (optional)
Yep, it’s your traditional cupcakes… pumped up with pumpkin. You just prepare the cake mix as directed, but add in cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Then take your standard frosting, and add a little pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the frosting and voila. You’re ready for a fall potluck.
As recipe suggestions are flooded with pumpkin, let me tell you, just take your favorite recipe, and add some pumpkin pie spice.
Yay for pumpkin! I’ve just had four tins of pumpkin puree land on my doorstep so I’m going to be making pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin cupcakes… and many more! Send ideas please!
Have you ever tried the box of brownie mix + can of pumpkin trick? It makes amazingly delicious (and kind of low calorie) fudge!
I like making pumpkin bread/muffins. SO good. Especially when there’s chocolate involved…
In a latte! lol… Actually after pumpkin pie (which I can polish one by myself) I love it in beans. My grandma makes the best pinto beans with pumpkin in them. Its delicious!
Haha I think I’m the only one in the world who hasn’t had a pumpkin spice latte!
The cupcakes look wonderful, Liz! Just got a WW pumpkin muffin recipe on Saturday and I may give it a try this week. Good luck with your challenge!!
I just made the cake mix + canned pumpkin cupcakes last week and they were amazing! The frosting I tried was terrible though so I’ll have to use your recipe next time.
I love that trick! So easy, and so much healthier!
I can’t wait to start making pumpkin recipes! My favorite way to eat it? Probably in healthy pumpkin enchiladas or pumpkin pie…I shouldn’t look at blog before breakfast!:)
Love that little trick to make desserts more festive! I’d have to say that my favorite way to eat pumpkin is in some kind of chili. I’ve never been a big fan of pumpkin pie and always tended to go more towards the savory side with pumpkin, but after making a chocolate chip pumpkin bread this weekend, I think I may be coming over to the sweet side
That sounds like a really awesome challenge! I cant wait to hear more
Hi! I follow your blog and I was selected to be participate in the challenge too….SO EXCITED! How lucky are we?!?!?! Looking forward to meeting you tonight!
It was so great meeting you!!!
I can’t wait to do these challenges!
Those looks delish! I need to make them!
Congrats on the 7 miles! Distance PRs are so empowering.
Not sure of my fav pumpkin spice dish… perhaps chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. Yup. Probably muffins.
Oh those cupcakes luck so good!!
Can’t wait to hear more about the challenge
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite for fall. As soon as it cools down in Santa Barbara, I’m going to make them.
Pumpkin is by far one of the best things about the fall season. These muffins look delicious! My favorite way to eat pumpkin is in pumpkin protein pancakes or I’ll add some to my oats in the morning!
Ahaha, I totally agree, pumpkin and/or pumpkin spices automatically makes something “fall”
And love that you got the right shoes for you! Always feels good when you finally get “that” pair.
Definitely! The right shoes make running WAY better!
I love pumpkin in just about anything, it doesn’t matter if it’s sweet or savoury! These muffins look perfect!
Those cupcakes look delicious! I am holding off on pumpkin until October 1 – don’t ask lol but I just am. Saw a recipe for pumpkie pie white hot chocolate today that just might have to be my first pumpkin adventure soon tho!!!
Haha it’s so easy to overdose on pumpkin. I’m not even a HUGE pumpkin fan. But I love that it means it’s fall!
mmm cupcakes!
Ohh, I bet those little cakes would be even better with chocolate or…SPICE cake mix! Yum! And I can’t believe it, but I never thought about making pumpkin frosting before! What a great (and quick) idea!
Yay for your first 7 miler! That’s AWESOME!
I use pumpkin to thicken my smoothies, I throw it in my oatmeal, I bake deeeelish pumpkin bread with it — I just can’t get enough! I really want to try making a pumpkin curry or something this fall. I’ve never tried to make a curry before, and I have so much squash to play with!
ps: pumpkin frosting?! Marry me.
I don’t go too fancy with the pumpkin–I like to stir it into my AM oatmeal and also add a can to chili. Yum.
Those cupcakes look too good! I’m loving all the pumpkin inspired recipes right now.
These look delicious! I can’t wait for all the pumpkin recipes this fall!
Those look so yummy! I like to put pumpkin in, well, everything…but one of my favorite ‘recipes’ is a fake-out pumpkin butter that is basically pumpkin spice, applesauce, and pumpkin blended in a food processor and then reduced on the stove for a bit.