1. Homemade Candy Corn Butterfinger Bars
2. Homemade 3-Musketeers
3. Homemade Almond Joy
4. Best Homemade Candy Recipes
5. Tie-Dye Halloween Cake
6. Coolest Bone Food

In today’s naptime webisode I am canning apple pie filling with my Dad. As most of you know, I love canning with my Dad. And, despite the fact that he bought me my very own canning equipment for our home in Connecticut, I still like to do it with him when we visit Cooperstown. In this webisode you’ll notice my lips moving while I talk over the picture, that is because Dad and I were chatting the entire time we did this project. We were catching up on all the news around town and, of course, all the happenings at pre-school here in Connecticut. Our canning projects are more than just the chance to preserve delicious food, they are our time to catch up with each other.

The Occasion: Daughter’s pre-school bake sale!

Menu: Gingersnap Caramel Sandwich Cookies, Molasses Cookies from Cookies for Kids’ Cancer cookbook and 1 batch pumpkin bars.

Attendees: The masses.

Naptime Goals: Bake everything!

I have done a banner job of overcommitting myself this year. The second I am done with one event it is on to the next. I am not complaining in the least, but I do get tired once in a while. Last week was a particularly strenuous one. I prepared for a Halloween cupcake decorating party, immediately followed by my daughter’s school bake sale. For my contribution to the sale I baked a sweet snappy cookie that reminds me of fall, the gingersnap. To give it an extra flavor boost I sandwiched some caramel buttercream in the middle and bagged them up.

This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.

Today’s Powernap: I need to develop a delicious fall cocktail for a friend’s upcoming birthday party. Given the fall mood, and her known love for White Russians, I want to make something smooth and a tad sweet with a truly spooky appeal to match the season.

I am not really much of a heavy cocktail person. If and when I drink it is usually a glass of wine with dinner. However, when it comes to throwing parties I make an exception. I think a signature cocktail can be a fun way to set the mood for a party or celebration. Last New Year’s I was all about Filthy Fizz and in the summer I am happy to spike the lemonade. For this occasion I was thinking about a friend’s upcoming birthday and wanted to make something smooth and silky with just the right amount of sparkle to fit the mood.

Congratulations to Molly, the winner of the Pumpkin Week Challenge!  Be sure to tune in next month for another fun naptime cooking challenge and great giveaway!

1. 25 Best Sweet Treats with Pumpkin
2. Superhero Cake Fails
3. Halloween Pop Tarts
4. 20 Delicious Vegetarian Dinners
5. BOO: Ghostly Food Ideas!
6. Pumpkin Milk & Sprinkles Shooters

Naptime Chef Pumpkin Week!: Don’t forget this week’s challenge to cook or bake at least one awesome dish with pumpkin this week. See official Pumpkin Challenge rules below and enter to win the awesome King Arthur Flour Halloween baking kit giveaway!

To cap off Naptime Chef Pumpkin Week I am psyched to share a last, truly amazing, pumpkin recipe, as well as some great pumpkin recipes from fellow friends and bloggers. This Pumpkin Pie Fudge recipe was sent to me by my friend Char of Margarita & Chicken Salad fame. It is SO easy to pull together and is the absolute perfect seasonal treat this time of year. I whipped it up while my daughter was at school. Though, it takes so little time you can do it just about any time of day. I plan to make a big pan next week and serve at a casual dinner we’ll be hosting. These are perfect for entertaining!