• 1 - 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Organic Corn Grits Polenta or their coarse cornmeal
  • 1 - 1/2 cups King Arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup low fat buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 stick of salted butter, melted
  • Maple Butter
  • 1 - 1/2 cup sticks softened salted butter
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon or so of molasses
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

If you’ve been here before, you know that both of my boys are students of Campbell University. If this is your first time visiting, welcome! Before everyone heads home for Christmas, many of the students, particularly from Ignite, a Christian ministry my oldest son is president of, will be coming over for dinner before the evening of caroling in our neighborhood begins. We are caroling for food! Our local food banks, like many hundreds of others in our states, are unfortunately very low this year. I thought it would be fun to organize something special for my boys, their friends from Campbell and our friends and neighbors.

Christmas Caroling Food Drive

Each of our neighbors and friends received by email and/or flyer a Season of Giving invitation. Our good friends, the Bradley family, are bringing their trailer filled with hay bales and we’ll be off spreading a joyful noise and good cheer throughout our neighborhood while hopefully collecting an abundance of non-perishable items for With Love from Jesus! Everyone will head back to our home for some festive fun and Christmas goodies! Be sure to tune in on Friday to see all the pictures from our evening!

What’s cookin’ for tomorrow’s event?

I’m making my Chili con Carne with lots of cocoa and spices and serving it up with a side of these Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins! What could be better? How about Maple Butter to go with the muffins? I’ve also made my Gingerbread Cookies, Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, Biscotti and my homemade Peppermint Whipped Cream for everyone.

Now I must admit that this was not my own idea. As the North Carolina spokesperson for BJ’s Wholesale Club, I was invited to a special holiday gathering at BJ’s in North Raleigh yesterday. Meredith Mitchell, the local CRS from BJ’s told me about the Pumpkin Cornbread she had enjoyed the night before at a restaurant. I said, “I’m on that!” I decided to experiment this morning and if they came out well, I’d serve them up with my Chili con Carne tomorrow evening. Well, the recipe came out fabulous and the addition of Maple Butter was the perfect touch! Thanks so much for the great idea, Meri! I hope everyone loves these tomorrow – including YOU!

I like to use coarse cornmeal, but I had Bob’s Red Mill’s corn girts and thought “why not?” Well, I just loved the coarse texture! Combine flour, corn grits or coarse cornmeal, aluminum-free baking powder, kosher salt, ginger, cloves and nutmeg in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, eggs, pumpkin puree, sugar and melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and just until combined. Scoop the batter into greased muffin pan or your preferred baking dish or pan. If baking muffins bake for 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is slightly golden. Loaves will take a little longer. Serve with Maple Butter.

Maple Butter

 

Combine butter, maple syrup, molasses and cinnamon in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Beat with paddle attachment until light and fluffy.

Spoon into butter jar or butter dish, cover, and refrigerate. Spread over warm Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins and open wide! Sweet cornbread recipes like this work very well with spicy dishes.

Saving money during the holidays especially

Speaking of BJ’s, I get ALL of my baking items there and save a bundle! Don’t forget that they also take manufacturer’s coupons in addition to their in-club coupons! Here’s a video that shares strategies to help you save BIG at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs!

Also, look at the adorable gifts they gave each guest at the party yesterday…

Doughnuts are the new cupcakes and the babycakes non-stick coated Donut Maker is a really hot item this Christmas season and only costs $24.99 at BJ’s! What a great Christmas gift! The 3 pack Gingerbread men are only $9.99 and include the frosting and decorations, too. What a fun thing to do with your children! Unlike other packages gingerbread men, these are nice and soft. the christams Crackers are a fun party item filled with a differnt samll gift inside. They looked lovely as a table decoration! Christmas is a great time for making memories with your family!

G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y!!

In the spirit of giving, I am giving away my babycake donut maker to one of you! Simply leave a comment here telling me what your favorite kind of doughnut or topping is. You can also leave a short story. I’ll begin: When I was a child, my dad and I would sometimes make weekend runs to Dunkin Donuts. My favorite kind of doughnut is the kind with chocolate glaze and the yummy Boston Cream filling inside! Oh, yes!!

Now it’s your turn.

Tell me your favorite kind of doughnut, topping or story by leaving a comment in the comment section below and please help let others know about this giveaway by sharing this post on facebook with your friends and family and tweeting! Good luck everyone!The babycakes donut maker will be shipped to the winner by Christmas.