Pumpkin Love

Some people have asked for some of my "recipes."  Maybe I will try and post some of my new creations. Nothing is truly original, I get all sorts of ideas from other blogs, cookbooks, and of course cooking shows.  So. . . right now, I am loving pumpkin.

First I made Pumpkin Spiced Coffee.  This was based off of a recipe that someone else posted on Facebook.
1- Brew some strong coffee, with pumpkin spices in your filter basket.  I like to make my own combo, and I don't measure, I just put in what smells good.  I used cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger.  Probably about a teaspoon of cinnamon and allspice and half teaspoon of nutmeg and ginger.
2- Fill your mug about 1/4 of the way with milk (or if you are feeling naughty, half and half) and warm it in the microwave.  Add about a teaspoon of vanilla, and sweetener of your choice to taste.  I used agave or brown sugar.  I don't like sweet coffee, so I used about 1/2 tablespoon.
3- Pour in your coffee and enjoy!

Then I made Pumpkin pancakes, which was another idea from a facebook friend.  Just make pancakes like you normally would.  Instead of adding oil, use pumpkin.  One of my recipes didn't call for oil, and I just added pumpkin to the batter and it turned out fine.  I also add my own mix of pumpkin spices like above.

Lastly, I made a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, which I borrowed from the Pioneer Woman.
1- Freeze a cup of pumpkin puree.
2- In blender, combine 1 cup of vanilla yogurt (I love greek), 1 cup frozen pumpkin puree, those magic pumpkin pie spices, and milk to your liking.  If you like the smoothie thick, don't use a lot....
3- Pour into glasses and top with some crushed graham crackers.  Yum!