Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pin It Happy Halloween!  What better way to celebrate than by carving a pumpkin and getting a delicious, nutritious snack out of it as well.  The smell of roasting pumpkin seeds reminds me of fall and being a kid and carving pumpkins with my family.  Even though we don't have kids, my husband and I still carve a pumpkin to welcome all of the trick-or-treaters to our home.  You don't have to actually carve the pumpkin to enjoy these delicious seeds, but it is an added festive bonus.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
1 pumpkin for carving
1 tsp olive oil
seasoned salt to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut off top of pumpkin and scoop out seeds and goo.  Separate the seeds from the goo.
3. Arrange seeds in a single layer on a foil covered baking sheet.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently.
5. Sprinkle with seasoned salt to taste.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes, tossing every 5, until golden brown.
7. Cool slightly and enjoy!

Candy Corn Cookies

Pin It Just in time for Halloween, perfect 2-bite cookies.  Great for taking to a party and definitely a crowd pleaser.   The original recipe can be found at Life as a Loft House, one of my new fave food blogs.  Lots of good ideas and recipes.   Note - you need to let the dough chill for at least 3 hours, so plan accordingly.

Candy Corn Cookies

2 sticks of butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Zest of 1 medium lemon

Juice from half of lemon

1/8 tsp salt

3 cups flour (all purpose)

1/2 tsp baking soda

red food dye

yellow food dye

1/2 cup sugar for rolling

 

1. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.

2. Add egg, lemon juice and zest.  Beat until smooth.

3. Slowly add flour, salt and baking soda.  Mix until combined.

4. Divide dough into 3 equal parts.  Leave one piece white, dye one piece yellow and the other piece orange.

5. Line a loaf pan with foil.  Press white dough in an evn layer on the bottom.  Then layer orange dough.  Top with yellow dough.

6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.  Dough must be firm.

7. Preheat oven to 325.

8. Remove dough from loaf pan and foil.  Slice off a 1/2 inch think slice from the short end of the loaf.

9. Lay flat and cut slice into 6 triangles.  Roll each triangle in sugar.

10. Arrange dough on a parchment paper covered baking sheet.

11. Bake 8-10 minutes or until slightly golden.

12. Cool and enjoy.