Pumpkin Loaf

This yummy loaf is the perfect autumn dessert! Why not serve it up at a halloween party!

Ingredients:

200g Plain Flour

1 1/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

255g Pureed Pumpkin

200g Dark Brown Soft Sugar

110ml Buttermilk

1 Egg

2 Tbsp Butter

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180c

2. Sift the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl.

3. Mix the pumpkin, sugar, butter and egg and buttermilk until well mixed.

4. Pour into a loaf tin.

5. Bake for about and hour.

6. Enjoy this baked treat warm, or cool and have the next day.

White Chocolate Fondue

There are so many different things that you could do with this recipe - the possibilities are endless! If you were to take the 'Halloween Themed' approach, you could even find a large pumpkin and serve in a bowl that will fit inside the pumpkin for the ultimate table show-stopper at a Halloween party!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup double/whipping cream

12 oz white chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until hot, about 2 to 3 minutes.

2. When hot, add the chocolate and stir until it is just

melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla. Transfer to a warm fondue pot.

3. Serve with your choices of fresh strawberries, bananas, apple wedges, pound cake, ladyfingers, and biscotti. Serves 6 or more.

Variations:

At Halloween/Autumn - try adding a splash of orange food colouring and perhaps a little orange flavouring in the place of the vanilla, for a pumpkin colour-inspired Halloween mess!
At Easter - try adding a dash of pink or pastel yellow food colouring for that baby-pastel coloured Easter time colour theme!
At Christmas - substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons of kirsch, brandy, rum, or orange liqueur for the vanilla. You could even add a little pinch of cinnamon or a quick zesting of a fresh Clementine for that exceptionally distinct Christmas taste!