Almost-Homemade Pumpkin Squares

Tis the season where the hours fly by even though you need every minute to last longer in order to get everything done. Although, I’m a ‘from scratch’ baker, I never turn down a recipe that turns out great, tastes very homemade yet limits my spare time in the kitchen.
Pumpkin Squares

1 Spice Cake Mix
3/4 Cup mayonnaise
1 16 ounce can pumpkin
3 Eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 8oz. Package Cream Cheese (softened)
1/4 Cup Butter, (softened)
3 Cup Confectioners Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Mix all of the pumpkin bar ingredients in a bowl just until combined well. Pour in a greased 13×9 cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until toothpick comes out of the center clean. Cool completely.

While the cake is cooling, cream the cream cheese and the butter together in your mixer bowl until quite fluffy. Mix in the powdered sugar ½ cup. at a time until well blended. Add vanilla, orange zest, and mix well. Chill in refrigerator until the cake is completely cool, frost and serve.

Homemade Cafe Coffee Mocha Drink

Homemade Cafe Mocha Coffee Drink

2 cups ice cubes
1/2 cup very strong, freshly brewed coffee
1/4 cup cream or half and half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate drink mix of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put all ingredients into a blender and process until combined and mixture is thick and creamy. Top with whipped cream and make sure you serve with a colorful straw to make it special. Makes about two largish servings or three smaller ones.

Ideas:
Want chocolate coffee mint? You can either add a few drops of peppermint extract or throw in a hard mint candy along with the rest of the ingredients.

A bit of fresh orange zest included at the mixing is a nice change.

Always, always, various kinds of sprinkles to decorate the whipped cream topping never go amiss!