Pumpkin Party

Pumpkin Crumb Cake, left, and Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake


Ok, the purpose of the get together was not actually in honor of pumpkin... but with Britney and I, it always turns out that way. She invited us over for dinner on Saturday night and we had some delicious Tortilla Soup and two pumpkin desserts!

She told me she would be out all day, so I thought she wouldn't have time to make a dessert, as well as homemade soup. (What was I thinking? Of course she could, she's Britney) Therefore, I thought I would surprise her and make a pumpkin treat since we share an obsession with pumpkin. We died laughing when she told me that she had also made a pumpkin cake. Hey, neither of us was complaining! It was great.

The kids and I were so excited to see Britney and her family. We lived just 4 or 5 houses down the street from them in Provo, and we grew to love them like our own family. Austin and Anders went to preschool together, played indoor and outdoor soccer, were in Sunbeams together, later went to BYU preschool, as well as playing together almost every day. Olivia and Max were also good buddies. We loved how Max used to call her "Wee-a" because he couldn't say her name. Then, both Britney and I were pregnant with our third babies at the same time. She delivered Isabella in October of '05 and I had Ashley in February of '06. We shared maternity clothes and pregnancy woes.



Here's Max (front), Austin, and Anders (back) eating their dinner at the table.

It's so good to be with an old friend again. There is no replacement for a good friend. Someone that you can talk to about ANYTHING. Someone who shares similar interests and opinions. Someone who does not judge you. Someone who loves you, just for being YOU! Thank you for being a great friend Britney. Love you!



For those who share our pumpkin obsession, here's the recipes:

Pumpkin Crumb Cake
4 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 lg. can pumpkin
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Add one can evaporated milk and stir. Pour into 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with one box yellow cake mix. Dot with 1 cup butter. Add pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake
3 c. flour
2 tsp. bkg. powder
1 tsp. bkg. soda
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
1 3/4 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest
3/4 c. raisins (opt)
3/4 c. flaked coconut
1 c. pecans, chopped (opt)

Frosting
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
10 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Butter and flour two round cake pans. Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl. In another bowl, mix sugars and oil. Then add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and orange peel. Beat until well blended. Add flour mixture, beat just until incorporated. Stir in raisins, pecans, and coconut. Divide batter between pans and smooth tops. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. *I baked them about 30 min and they were done, so I recommend watching them closely* Cool on racks. Once cooled completely, place one layer on cake stand and frost. Add top layer and frost all around. Spread a handful of pecans over top for garnish.