A New Challenge + Fall Shortcuts
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.
Those looks delish! I need to make them!
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!
That sounds like a really awesome challenge! I cant wait to hear more 🙂
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 😉
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!:)
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!
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!!
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!
I like making pumpkin bread/muffins. SO good. Especially when there’s chocolate involved…
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!