A sweet, creamy concoction... lovely color. Serve with apple slices, gingerbread, ginger snaps or with my favorite Morbidly Addictive Molasses Cookies

4 cups Confectioner's Sugar
1 16 oz tub whipped cream cheese
1 30 oz can pumpkin pie filling
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ginger
dash of nutmeg, cloves or allspice to taste
Blend sugar and cream cheese
Add pumpkin, mix well
Add spices, chill
Serve up in small hollow pumpkin with apple slices, gingerbread cookies or ginger snaps for dipping - YUM!

A tried and true recipe that I brew any time I plan to entertain a large crowd. I got it from a group of senior citizens at a craft show in Fort Worth, Texas eons ago. And it smells divine... if you brew this just prior to your gathering -- there's no need for scented candles or potpourri. I've included a ten cup recipe, too.

1 Gallon Apple Cider
1/2 Bottle Gingerale
1 Package Red Hots (Cinnamon Candy)
24 Whole Cloves
5 Cinnamon Sticks
Combine cider and gingerale in Large Urn,
brew like coffee with other ingredients in basket.
Recipe for 10 cup drip pot:
8 cups Apple Cider
2 cups Gingerale
1/4 Package Red Hots (Cinnamon Candy)
6 Whole Cloves
2 Cinnamon Sticks
Note: Use a pot/urn specifically set aside for brewing this cider... as flavor will linger.

Recipe # 3
Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

This recipe is a favorite in my family. The cookies are soft and full-flavored. Friend Tina shared it with me years ago. Great recipe for beginning bakers because the recipe has four ingredients and doesn't call for flour. My husband has baked this one in years past to help out in a pinch and enjoyed it.

1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Sugar (granulated)
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Make cross hatches in dough with fork dipped in sugar (to prevent sticking).
Bake in 325 degree oven for approx. 9-10 minutes.

Recipe # 4
Witch-Easy Popcorn Balls

I said easy... not too sticky and the gelatin adds color and flavor. This recipe adapts well to decoration. Kids can help with this one. They love it!

5 Quarts of Popped Corn
1 cup Light Corn Syrup
1/2 cup Sugar
1 3oz Package of Jello
(Orange, Green or Purple)
Pop corn in microwave, set aside in large bowl to cool. Combine corn syrup and sugar, microwave on high until mixture is bubbly, dissolve jello into this mixture. Pour mixture over popcorn, mix well. When it is cool enough to handle, butter hands and shape into balls or other spooky shapes. For more spooky fun... Quickly add small candies for features. Wrap in cellophane or zip-loc treat bags.
Makes about 8-10 popcorn balls.

Recipe # 5
Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater's Spicy Butter

YUM! There's nothing I like better than spicy butter on warm rolls, breads, pancakes and more. This recipe works up in the micro-wave, keeps several weeks. Makes a great Hostess gift!

1/4 cup Brown Sugar (dark or light)
2 tablespoons Sugar (granulated)
1/4 cups Water or Apple Juice
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
1/4 teaspoon Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1-1/2 cups Canned Pumpkin (not pie filling)
Combine sugar, water/juice and spices in glass mixing bowl. Mix well. Microwave on high 3 minutes, then stir. Add pumpkin, mix well. Microwave on high 5 minutes, mixture should be bubbly. Pour into airtight container. Let cool slightly, refrigerate. Will keep several weeks in refrigerator. Makes a great hostess gift! Perfect to serve with warm breads, biscuits, cakes and muffins.

Recipe # 6
Morbidly Addictive Molasses Cookies

Seriously Addictive. Friend Linda from Ohio shared this recipe with me and graciously allowed me to post it at The Wyching Well. She bakes these for the Historical Society's fund-raiser and once you've tasted them -- you'll know why. It's gotta be a money-maker... Easy to make... easier to gobble.

1-1/2 cups shortening
3/4 cups molasses (dark or full flavor)
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
4 cups flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon
4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Melt (soften) shortening in microwave and cool. Add sugar, molasses, eggs and mix well. Sift together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well. Let chill 1 hour. Roll dough into 1-1/4 inch round balls and roll top in a dish of sugar.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes at 375 on ungreased cookie sheets.
FYI: Do not use dark cookie sheets.
Makes about 6 dozen 2 inch cookies

Recipe # 7
Hallowmas Soul Cakes

Begging at the door or trick-or treating has roots in an ancient British custom of knocking at doors to beg for a Soul Cake in return for which beggars promised to pray for the dead of the household. Some say soul-cakes were given to priests to buy Masses the dead. Others believe they were offerings to the dead. Soul cakes are a form of shortbread but more spicy.

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons malt vinegar (or cider vinegar)
1 cup sugar (granulated/fine)
3-3/4 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vinegar. Sift flour and spices, add creamed mixture to make a stiff dough. Knead well. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on surface sprinkled with powdered sugar. Cut into 3 inch rounds. Prick cakes with fork.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar while still warm.

Recipe # 8
Sausage & Apple Skillet Casserole

Grey Poupon anyone? This recipe is Southern Comfort Food... pure and simple. Easy recipe, very aromatic. Tangy and tasty. I make this recipe in a cast-iron skillet. It's one of our favorite camping recipes. But it can be made in a crock pot or baked in the oven with no adjustments.

1 pound cooked Echrich Kielbasa Sausage Link
1 cup sliced bell pepper
1 cup apple jelly
1/2 cup Grey Poupon Country Style dijon mustard
3 medium apples, sliced
Use tart apple like: Jonagold or Braeburn
Slice sausage into 1/2" pieces, slice pepper into 1/2" strips, brown sausage and peppers in skillet (I use cast-iron), add apple jelly, stir until melted, add dijon mustard and stir until sausage and peppers are coated well, add slice apples and simmer about 15-20 minutes. Apples should be firm, not mushy.
Serve with garlic cheese toast and buttered noodles.

Recipe # 9
Pleasantly Pumpkin Cheese Ball

What's a party without a cheese ball? Or rather, all it takes is a cheese ball and a party sort of just happens -- doesn't it? This one has just enough of the season's taste and color. Perfect for the veggie/cracker platter. Come on! Let's stick Young Frankenstein in the DVD player and have a munch-fest!

1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup shredded fresh carrots
1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 8 oz. package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
(Optional)1 package 2.5 oz. dried beef finely chopped*
*or substitute real bacon bits or ham
Celery leaves or broccoli or fat pretzel (for stem)
Combine cream cheese and pumpkin, mix well. Add well-drained pineapple. Mix well. Add cheddar cheese, carrots, onion and meat Shape into a pumpkin ball, score sides to resemble ribs Add celery stalk or broccoli for stem, Serve with crackers, pretzels & fresh veggies for dipping.

Baked apples... yum! The perfect Autumn side dish, dessert, snack. And so simple and quick! This recipe is a spicy spin on the classic -- add a few red hots (cinnamon candies) and put some zing into your meal!

4 tart baking apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons red hots (cinnamon candy)
chopped nuts
Without cutting all the way through, scoop out core of apple. Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, add 1/2 teaspoon red hots (cinnamon candy), add 1 taplespoon of butter over sugar. Arrange apples in baking dish or in individual ramekins on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped nuts.
Bake in 350 degree oven for approx 15 minutes.
Cool for about 5 minutes and serve.

3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
2 cups apple butter
1/2 cup hot water
2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 cup chopped nuts (walnut, pecan)
1 cup chopped dates (optional)
Dissolve soda in hot water, set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, mix well. Add apple butter, water and soda, mix well. Mix dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture. Mix well, add nuts and dates, stir. Grease and flour Bundt pan.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Two Loaf pans = 35 minutes.
Cool cake completely. Drizzle with Caramel Icing.

Caramel Icing
1/4 cup butter or magarine
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/3 cup light cream
dash of salt
chopped nuts (optional)
In top of double boiler heat butter, brown sugar, salt until dissolved, add cream. Mix well. Beat in confectioner's sugar until smooth. Drizzle over Old-Tyme Apple Butter cake. Sprinkle with chopped nuts (optional)

Recipe #12
Kooky Kreamy Witches Brew

Great seasonal punch or drink. Creamy and not too sweet. Easy to make. And spike... just add light rum or Irish creme. Don't forget the frosted mugs! And light the fire. This is the perfect drink for cozy hearth-side conversation.

2 cups apple cider
2 cups frozen yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup light rum (optional)
Blend all ingredients until creamy smooth. Sprinkle with dash of cinnamon and nutmeg Serve immediately in frosted mugs.

Recipe #13
Mummylicious Ginger Bread

Talk about saving the best for last! This is an old recipe from my Mom. It is a bread or cake. Smells great when it's baking. Serve warm with butter or whipped cream. it's pure indulgence. Enjoy!

1/2 cup sugar (granulated)
1/2 cup butter or lard (shortening)
1 Egg
1 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups sifted flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice (optional)
1 cup hot water
Cream butter and sugar, add beaten eggs and molasses. Mix well. Add dry ingredients and water. Mix well.
Bake in greased cake pan 35 minutes in 350 degree oven.