Pumpkin Project: Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream

So I've been a bit of a slacker on the pumpkin project this week. Not that I have not had anything pumpkin, but both were repeats (Corner Bakery's Pumpkin Whoopie Pie and a Pumpkin Pie bagel from Panera). Lucky for me, Jenn at Cupcake Crusaders was happy to send along her review of Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream.

Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream

Hi! I’m Jenn, from the Cupcake Crusaders. When I heard that Between a Breath and a Blink was blogging about seasonal pumpkin items, I wanted in. I’m OBSESSED with fall flavors, but surprisingly I’m not a big pumpkin pie fan. That doesn’t mean I don’t love pumpkin flavored things, though. Coffee, cupcakes, cookies, beer, soup…I want it all. While scanning the ice cream selection for my weekly quart, I spotted Edy’s Limited Edition Pumpkin Ice Cream. At first I thought, “I don’t know about that…” but then figured that if I drink pumpkin spiced lattes, how could ice cream be anything but good? Curiosity got the best of me, and I added it to my basket.

I tried the ice cream 4 different ways: plain, with Limited Edition Candy Corn Oreos, topped with chocolate chips and walnuts, and drizzled with caramel. The ice cream by itself has an interesting contrast between the warmth of the spice and the coolness from the temperature. I preferred it with some extra sweetness, so my favorites complements were the Candy Corn Oreos and drizzled in caramel.

All-in-all this ice cream might not be for everyone. My husband, who does like pumpkin pie and loves ice cream, didn’t enjoy it as much as he enjoys other ice cream flavors. But, since it’s limited and seasonal, I think it’s worth letting your taste buds give it a try.

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Pumpkin Project: Boheme Cafe's Pumpkin Muffin

I am a HUGE fan of cornbread, so when I discovered how yummy Boheme Cafe's was, I became hooked. I try not to go too often, but enough that they know exactly what I want when I peek my head through the door. This morning I took the cashier by surprise by simply asking if they had anything pumpkin, which happened to be a muffin. I must say, if they hadn't had anything I had plans to go pick up a whoopee pumpkin pie from The Corner Bakery again, just can't resist those!

Pumpkin Muffin from Boheme Cafe

This muffin was actually pretty good, though I'm not certain it was pumpkin-y enough to be considered pumpkin. The flavor wasn't really spice or pumpkin,  but I still enjoyed it. It wasn't cooked all the way through which is okay by me, I like my cookies/cake/brownies on the undercooked side. There was just  alight dusting of powdered sugar on the top which was satisfactory. 

There was something about it that I couldn't quite put my finger, but then it came to me. I'd found a recipe on Pinterest for pumpkin muffins, using only pumpkin puree and cake mix, and bought ingredients to make them the other day. I imagine this is what they will taste like, but won't be able to say for certain until later in the week.

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Bucket List, First published Dec 2011

So a few months ago I started constructing a bucket list for the hell of it. I might have been bored, or feeling silly, but it is what it is. Anywho, here is the start of my list. Some of the things are ridiculous (as are to be expected) and some are genuine. Obviously this will be an ongoing post, updating as I think of new things and crossing things out as they are accomplished (ha!)

• Eat Spaghetti with Giant's pitcher Brian Wilson**
• Meet Hugh Hefner and/or visit the Playboy Mansion
• Attend a Red Carpet Event- Emmys, Tonys, Oscars, Victoria Secret Show
• Serve on the jury of a high profile case
• Walk on hot coals
• Learn "it's the end of the world as we know it" by REM by heart
• Visit Hawaii
• Stay overnight in an extremely haunted building
• Fall in love and be loved in return equally
• Running of the Bulls (not sure I would actually run, more just observe!)
• Sex with a gigolo
• Go to a Madonna concert
• Ride in a hot air balloon

**Update: I went to San Francisco July 2012 and tried my damnedest to meet up Brian Wilson (meaning I constantly harassed him via Twitter, ha). Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity to meet him, let alone eat spaghetti with him, but that is still the plan eventually.

Pumpkin Project: Pumpkin Mini Bundt Cake

Today we've got a guest review for the Pumpkin Project. The ladies at Cupcake Crusaders were kind enough to allow me a spot on their blog, so I wanted to return the favor! Plus they have been passing along suggestions of pumpkin items to try, without them I may never had tried the glorious whoopee pumpkin pie from The Corner Bakery. 

Today Stacy is reviewing a mini bunt cake from Au Bon Pain, and Jenn is on deck to review Edy's Pumpkin Ice Cream. Be sure to check out their fantastic cupcake blog as well!

Pumpkin Mini Bundt Cake from Au Bon Pain

Hi everyone! I'm Stacy from the Cupcake Crusaders. I'm very happy that Between and Breath and a Blink has let me join in her quest to taste all things pumpkin this fall. I recently found myself in an Au Bon Pain (which doesn't happen often… if ever) to get my coffee fix, when I noticed a sign advertising pumpkin cake. I immediately thought of Between a Breath and a Blink's pumpkin quest and knew I had to try it. After scouring all the baked goods and finding nothing, I decided to ask for some help. Lucky for me, they had some in the back that were frozen, but assured me that it would thaw quickly. I often do this with cupcakes so know that freezing is the best way to keep cake moist (when it's not baked fresh daily). After letting it thaw back at the office, it was time to dive in. I was really surprised that the cake was actually moist and light. The flavor seemed to lean a little more towards the "spice" side than "pumpkin," but since I don't discriminate when it comes to fall flavors, it was fine with me. Of course, being a Cupcake Crusader, I was missing the frosting on top, but still, this was a very tasty afternoon treat (unlike the vanilla cupcake I also purchased… but that's another story...)

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Pumpkin Project: Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Creme Blend

For the record, I didn't even mean to get anything pumpkin today. I went to B&N in the Inner Harbor with the sole intention of getting a stuffed pretzel before my soccer game. However I'd been hearing all the amazing things about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and felt like it'd be wrong to not give it a try, for the sake of this blog of course. I don't often drink coffee/lattes though, and especially try to avoid caffeine this late in the day, so went with the Pumpkin Blended Creme instead, which is basically a frappachino without the coffee aspect. 

Pumpkin Spice Creme Blend from Starbucks

This surely is the epitome of liquid cocaine, holy smokes. Though really that can be said for any of the Starbucks creme blends (big fan of hazelnut myself). It is the absolute, perfect version of pumpkin pie in liquid form, you can't get any better. Seriously, out of this world. The only way to make it better? Add alcohol. I'd suggest Kahlua or Baileys, something along the lines of a pumpkin mud slide. Pumpkin Mudslide, hm...

Afterword: This is a bit on the sweet side (I suppose having coffee in it would have helped in that aspect) so I'm putting 1/3 of it in the freezer for tomorrow.

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