Playgroup Goodies

All the mommies and kids just left and I just realized - I didn't get a picture! Today I hosted a Christmas playgroup with some of the coolest mommies. (I say some because not all in our group could attend and also because there are some really cool mommies that have kids older than Sarah.) I made Pumpkin Bread and Natalie's Apple Pie Cider for treats. I even had cinnamon sticks to put in the cider. And since I don't have a picture of my super cool friends to go with this post I think I will just put the recipes online for you to share in some of the holiday goodness.

Pumpkin Bread
1 1/3 c. vegetable oil
5 eggs
1 (16 oz) can pumpkin
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. bakng soda
1 (3 oz) pkg. vanilla pudding mix (regular or instant)
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1 c. chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix oil, eggs, and pumpkin in mixing bowl and beat well. Sift together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking soda. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix until blended. Stir in pudding mix and nuts. Pour into greased large loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves. (I like to do mini-loaves and this recipe makes 6 mini-loaves.)

Natalie's Super Tasty Apple Cider
1 1/4 quarts apple cider (any kind)
3 Tbsp. firmly packed light-brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Pince ground cloves
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg (or canned)
Pinch salt

Whisk all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat. Remove from heat. Strain into a pitcher, discard solids. Serve in mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick.

Yeah for the holidays and all the yummy treats.