Pumpkin Butterscotch & Chocolate Chip Bars

Finding a need to get rid of some butterscotch chips before they expired, I made Pumpkin Butterscotch & Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for Thanksgiving dessert today. Took this recipe and adapted it slightly. They turned out quite nicely, in my opinion. Warm and gooey, with no one flavor overpowering the others.

Sorry for the picture quality, but we were anxious to eat them.

Anyway, the recipe is as follows if you'd like to give them a try!

[Adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars recipe, which they adapted from Martha Stewart]

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon (I'm a fan of guesstimation, obviously)

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp apple pie/pumpkin pie spice if you are so inclined

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

Assortment of butterscotch and chocolate chips, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. With a stand or electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Add pumpkin puree and mix well. The mixture will look somewhat curdled. Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake bars for 35-40 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

4. Cool bars completely in pan. Cut into squares and serve. [Or just devour them from the pan without regard for presentation]

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has come at last and it did not disappoint. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, food, and family, what more could I ask for?

Watching the parade is a tradition in my family, although I only really watch for the Broadway shows and Rockettes! I really enjoyed the performances today, particularly Cinderella's. I'm looking forward to its revival, especially with Laura Osnes in the lead. She is one of my biggest role models. I wasn't enamored with Annie's performance, though, as I'm not a huge fan of the musical. Bring It On was enjoyable...wondering if I'll get a chance to see it before it closes on December 30! The best thing for me, however, was Elf's performance because I hadn't realized a former teacher of mine was in the show again! What a nice surprise to turn on the television and see her on the screen!

Besides the parade, my day has been fairly uneventful; just cooking, eating, and relaxing. And when I say eating, I mean it. I've probably gained 5lbs today, but it was worth it!

Thanksgiving cards for my parents to thank them for all they do.

Dad and his turkey

Dessert is the best part of Thanksgiving, in my opinion.
Above: 7 layer cookie bars courtesy of my father

 Below: Pumpkin pie, an absolute must on T-Day

Our other dessert offerings included: Dutch Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Butterscotch/Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, Flourless Chocolate Cake & Gingerbread Cakes

Can you say FOOD COMA?

But of course, the best part was spending Thanksgiving with family. My lovely sister took this picture, but asked not to be included in any photos on the blog. Alas, you will not get to see her beautiful face yet.

Outtake! My dad and his antics. He's rather proud of that fig he has in his mouth as he grew it himself!

All in all, a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I have so much to be grateful for: a healthy family, friends around the world, loving pets, being able to take a few days to relax, the opportunity to study at university, the opportunity to perform, the material luxuries my family has been able to enjoy, delicious food on the table...the list goes on and on. And I truly am thankful for it all, each and every day.

I hope everyone had as pleasant a Thanksgiving as I did and that an immense amount of delicious food was enjoyed with people you love! xo

Dressed in Burgundy for Break

As I type this, I'm sitting at home, surrounded by cats, dogs, birds, family, and food! I am content.

Since I knew the next few days would be full of eating and lounging, I thought I'd dress up for the last day before break. 

Took pictures around the kissing bridge near Gordon Wilson today.

Outfit details:

Dress - Forever 21

Tights - Discount Dance

Combat Boots - DOTS

Lion Belt - Street Scene

Necklace - Vintage

Pretty sure this is the last time for a few weeks that I'll be able to wear this dress, because of how much I'll be eating over the holidays!

~

On a separate note, the feasting has begun! Went out to dinner at The Village Idiot with my parents tonight.

Duck and Waffles

My dad with his gargantuan Idiot burger.

My mom and her Duck and Waffles.

Crab cakes! Also had some delicious baked brie and pomme frites for appetizers.

~

Hope everyone who went home for break had a safe trip! Enjoy the days off!