Only Baking Today

Tonight at our church, the Lenten Supper is being done by the choir. Joel sings in the choir. They are doing baked potatoes with toppings. Joel is making chili so I am not going to be cooking again today, BUT... Carl (our 17 year old) is in the play (Anything Goes) at school. On performance nights, they do food so the kids don't have to run around trying to eat and get back on time, etc. You only have to "pitch in" food one night and your child gets to eat every night. Tonight is our night to "pitch in". The e-mail said that they kids LOVE desserts (I've always sent regular food) so I am baking desserts.

Cinnamon Pumpkin Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
15 oz can solid-pack pumpkin
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c egg beaters
1/3 c water
1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
2 1/2 t cinnamon, divided
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
1-2 T skim milk

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, egg beaters, water, applesauce, 1 t cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour into Bundt pan coated with Pam.

Bake at 350 for 65-75 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before turning out onto wire rack to cool completely.

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla, remaining cinnamon and enough milk to achieve drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake.

Yield: 14 servings at 7 PointsPlus each.

Spiced Brownies with Cream Cheese Swirl

3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c sugar
1 egg yolk
1 T all-purpose flour
18.3 oz box of brownie mix
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground ginger
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1/8 t ground cloves
1/4 c water
2/3 c melted butter
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Line 9x13 baking dish with foil, extending foil over the pan edges. Lightly grease foil. Set pan aside. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined. Beat in egg yolk and flour; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Follow instructions on brownie mix box, substituting melted butter for the amount of oil called for. Spoon batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Spoon cream cheese mixture in small mounds on top of brownie batter. Use a table knife to swirl cream cheese mixture into brownie batter.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set (cream cheese swirl will be lightly browned). Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover and chill until serving time. Using the foil, lift the uncut brownies out of the pan. Cut into bars.

Yield: 32 TINY brownies at 4 PointsPlus each.

Note: This is NOT something I would normally bake for having around the house. If I did, I would substitute fat-free cream cheese and use "No Pudge" brownie mix, light butter and egg beaters.

I will be baking one more thing, but haven't decided what it will be yet. I was thinking of a recipe I have for Cranberry Vanilla Blondies since I have all those ingredients.