School is back in session, along with more community, church, and youth sport events, all which sometimes have bake sales to raise funds for a good cause. This cookbook is perfect for bake sales as most recipes make larger amounts to sell. The book even has suggestions for packaging items to make them more appealing.
Since the book title indicates it uses favorite brand names, like Nestlé’s, Hershey’s, popular cake and brownie mix brands, Smucker’s jams, Carnation milks, and more, you know all the recipes have been tested in their professional kitchens which I have found makes them more reliable and consistent, and not randomly found online and unknown if they have been tested. Many recipes are also all from scratch and don’t use mixes at all.
The chapters are divided by bar cookies, brownies, cupcakes, muffins, cakes, quick breads, coffee cakes, and pies, all perfect for bake sales. Since fall is upon us and pumpkin items are starting to pop up everywhere this time of year, I decided to make the “Harvest Pumpkin Cookies,” a soft cookie filled with seasonal spices, pecans, and canned pumpkin.
My granddaughter Eliza went crazy for these as they are nice and soft so she can chew them with all her new teeth coming in, plus she loves anything with cinnamon. I just remove the whole pecan on top for her and cut the cookie into smaller pieces. They look pretty darn cute too!
Speaking of Eliza, pumpkins, and things pretty darn cute, here are some photos of Eliza at a pumpkin patch in Wisconsin.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup unsalted stick butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup dried cranberries (optional)
- Pecan halves for topping cookies (about 45 or more)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and allspice in a medium bowl; stir to combine and set aside.
- Beat butter and sugar in large bowl of electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture and beat at low speed until well-blended. Stir in chopped pecans, and cranberries if using.
- Drop by heaping Tablespoonfuls of dough, or use a small cookie scoop, 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Don't use too much dough or the cookies will spread too much. Press one pecan half into the center of each cookie. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
- Let the cookies stand on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes approximately 3-1/2 dozen cookies.
Thank you, Margaret from Tennessee for this cookbook! Margaret has been so kind to me over the years sending boxes of cookbooks for The Culinary Cellar.
You are absolutely right saying that Eliza is adorable in her October outfit at the pumpkin patch! What a doll! Also, in stating it is the time of year for various Fall events. Our church has an annual Artisans Fair coming up soon & I am in charge of the lunch Cafe once again. It is a marvelous event that draws people from all over for 2 days with over 40 various artists displaying & selling their beautiful creations from woodworking, cards, glassware, sterling jewelry, knitting, sewing, salsas, oils, soy candles, stain glass, & so much more, & don’t forget the Women’s Ministry Bake Sale table filled with Homemade goodies. Fri. night our brother Russian Church sells their amazing savory or sweet crepes & all day Sat. the Cafe will be selling Homemade cinnamon rolls & a latte for those early birds, & for lunch we will serve 3 different Homemade soups with warm cornbread. Even hayrides & events for kids! Wish you could bring Eliza! People come & stay the whole day or evening shopping, visiting, enjoying musical artists & all the yummy Homemade food! So thank you for the timely Bake Sale Cookbook ideas since I will be baking & cooking up lots of soup very soon. You & all your girls would love it & I would love seeing you there!
Wow, Kim! What an event you have for the Artisans Fair! It sounds amazing. I wish I could experience it with you. I love hearing that this sort of event still happens with homemade baked goods and original artist creations. Have a great time!