Pumpkin Spice Harvest Collection

We have been making a special spice blend for the fall and winter season since about 2001. It contains cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and my secret ingredient lemon peel -- which makes it perfect for pies, mixed drinks, and baking. I have called it many things in the past (Spicy Dessert Blend, Cinnful Dessert Blend, and Pumpkin Spice Blend.)  We are currently using Pumpkin Spice Blend because folks tend to know what that means when they see it. This is a great substitute for Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice in your seasonal baking with much less bitterness.  

The exciting thing to me about this blend is its versatility.  You can use it to make cinnamon toast, sprinkle it in your latte for that seasonal spice flavor, or you can use it in baking recipes.

In fact, we created an entire selection of baking products using this blend as the main flavor.  We have scones, muffins, pancake mix, oatmeal cookies and even an instant latte.  To make them easier to shop we collected them all with our fall teas and cider seasonings into a collection- Pumpkin Spice Harvest Collection and you get all the details on our website: www.backyardpatch.com

In the mean time here are a few great recipes you can try with our Pumpkin Spice Blend.  Although the flavor won't be nearly as fun, you can substitute ground cinnamon until your Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend arrives.

Perfect Cinnamon Toast

• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. BackyardPatch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix

Blend together, then use as a sprinkle on rice pudding, unbaked muffins, and especially on buttered toast.

Outdoor Party Punch

• ½ gallon apple cider
• ½ gallon cranberry juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbls. Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix
• 1 lemon, sliced    
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 cup raisins (optional)

Add spice mixture and sugar to cider and juice.  Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add fruit slices and raisins (if used) and simmer slowly for 30 minutes.  Strain.  Serve in mugs steaming hot.  For added fun provide cinnamon stick stirs.

SOFT SPICE BARS

• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbls. sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix
• 1/2 tsp. salt

In a mixing bowl, combine butter, 1 cup sugar and molasses.  Beat in egg until smooth.  Combine flour, baking soda, BYP Pumpkin Spice Blend and salt in another bowl.  Stir into molasses mixture  Spread into greased 15"x10"x1" baking pan.  Sprinkle with remaining sugar and bake at 375 degrees or until lightly browned.  Do not over bake. Cool on wire rack.  Yield 2 1/2 doz. bars. 

And if you still cannot get enough, check out our previous recipes shared on this blog using Pumpkin Spice Blend when it was called -- Cinnful Dessert Blend