Homemade Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

Why use canned pumpkin puree when you can make your own? It really is very simple and easy. If you are anything like us, my house is overrun with pumpkins. It seems every event we attend, we come home with a free pumpkin. I really hate for those pumpkins to go to waste. First I remove the pumpkin seeds and roast them, then I make my pumpkin puree.

Ingredients:

• 1 pie pumpkin
• Pumpkin Scoop {Amazon link}
• Food processor {Amazon link}
• Instant Pot {Amazon link}

Instructions

First I remove the pumpkin seeds and roast them for eating.

Next I scrape out the insides from the pumpkin "meat" and cut the pumpkin into pieces. I've learned after several times that you really don't need to cut the pieces as small as shown.

Place 1 cup of water and a trivet into the Instant Pot. Add the pumpkin pieces into the Instant Pot.

Put the lid on and make sure the valve is on sealing (not venting). Hit the 'manual' button and then make sure it is on high pressure, 10 minutes cook time.

When the 10 minutes of cook time is over, do a quick pressure release. Be careful of any splatter coming from the vent. I like to put a towel over the vent just in case that happens. I also use an oven mitt on my hand. Once the pressure has released, open the lid. Turn off the Instant Pot and remove the pumpkin piece. Let cool.

Remove the skin from the pumpkin, which should come off very easily. Place the pumpkin pieces into a food processor and process until pureed. Then use your puree in all your favorite recipes - chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are my favorite!

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Homemade Scented Halloween Playdough

Move over pricey stinky playdough! I know that the store bought store says "non-toxic", but I don't know what the heck is in there. And the smell turns my stomach. DIY playdough is not only super soft and cheap to make, but is non-toxic and safe (in case you have that kid, like me, who eats everything). You can even customize the scent to your liking. Best of all, you probably already have all the ingredients right there in your own home.

You will need:

• 1 cup of flour {Amazon link}
• 1/3 cup of salt {Amazon link}
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar {Amazon link}
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil {Amazon link}
• 4-8 drops Young Living essential oil of choice
• 1 cup water
• Pint size wide mouth jar {Amazon link}
• Felt, ribbon or material for stem (optional)
• Sharpie marker or cut vinyl for jack-o-lantern
• Halloween cookie cutter (optional){Amazon link}

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir. Heat over med-high heat until the playdough thickens up a bit. This should just take a few minutes. Take off of stove and let cool. Knead in your essential oil.

This recipe will make enough to fill a 16oz jar. To decorate your jar, use a sharpie marker, some cut vinyl, etc. You could use some felt for a stem if you'd like. Super fun and easy to make. Great for all the kiddos on your list. You can also add a cute cookie cutter for them to play with the dough.

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Homemade Toxic Free Candles

I love candles. They are calming and romantic, but not when they are emitting harmful chemicals into my air. No thanks! But thanks to some toxic free ingredients, you can make your own toxic free candles at home.

A fun option would be to use the 16oz colored mason jars for candles: purple {Amazon link}, blue {Amazon link} or green {Amazon link}. Just make sure you purchase longer wicks if using a larger or taller jar. The newly released blue wide mouth 8oz elite jars {Amazon link} would be neat. I made some 4oz and 8oz candles as shown.

You will need:

• Soy wax {Amazon link} or organic white beeswax {Amazon link}
• Natural candle wicks {Amazon link}
• Essential oils of choice
• Jumbo wood craft sticks {Amazon link}
• 2 cup glass measuring cup {Amazon link} or 8 cup measuring bowl {Amazon link}
• 4oz glass jars {Amazon link} or 8oz glass jars {Amazon link} or 16oz glass jar {Amazon link}

Instructions

I purchased candle wicks that fit the 8oz jelly jar. If you are using a taller jar, you will need longer wicks. The soy wax will melt down to half of what you measure in a measuring cup. If you measure 2 cups of wax flakes, it will melt down to 1 cup. You can use beeswax instead of soy wax, but it is more than double the price.

Fill the measuring cup with soy wax flakes. When filling my 4oz small jar, I measured 8oz of soy wax flakes. Melt wax in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir with a wooden stick. The wooden stick makes it easy for clean up since these are perfect for stirring and cheap to throw away. Microwave for 20-30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time until all the wax is completely melted. Stir in 8-15 drops of essential oils per 4oz candle. You can change this amount more or less to your preference.

You can anchor the wick to the bottom of the jar with some hot glue if you’d like, which makes things a little easier. If not, you can use a little of the melted wax, though the wick will move when more hot wax is poured in the jar. Wrap the top of the wick around a pencil or wooden stick and set the pencil across the top of the candle to hold the wick in place. Pour the melted wax into the jar, being careful not to overfill the jars. Position the wick in the center of the candle if it has shifted. You might have to move it again while it dries if it moves from center. Let sit out for a few hours to harden, then trim the wicks to an inch from the candle.

Want more amazing recipes in a 160 page pdf? Check out my new eBook here.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

For years I’ve entertained the idea of making homemade vanilla extract. I’ve watched friends make it as Christmas gifts for years, but now it is my turn. I finally decided to take the leap to make my own batch. I cannot believe how easy it is to make or why I waited this long to try. This picture shows what it looks like when first bottled. One was made using burbon and one with vodka.

You will need:

• 8.5oz clear glass bottles {Amazon link}
• Madagascar Vanilla Beans {Amazon link} or Variety pack {Amazon link}
• Funnel {Amazon link}

Instructions

You will need 3-4 vanilla beans for each 8oz jar. If you purchase vanilla beans in bulk {Amazon link}, you will pay about $1 or less per vanilla bean. In the grocery store, they sell them for more like $5 each bean. Cut each vanilla bean in half and place the half pieces into the jars. Each jar will contain 6-8 vanilla half pieces. I put 6 vanilla bean half pieces in each of my jars for this batch. Fill each jar with vodka. Cover the jars tightly and store in a dark, cool place. Give them a good shake about once a week.

The longer the vanilla extract ages, the more intense the flavor will be. I used Madagascar vanilla beans for this batch, however there are many different types of vanilla beans. I decided to start with the most popular, but you can also purchase a vanilla beans assortment pack {Amazon link}.

In about 2 months, your homemade vanilla extract will be ready. When your batch is ready discard the vanilla beans and your extract is ready. Homemade vanilla extract is great to package into cute bottles and give as gifts. I purchased cute 8.5oz clear glass bottles {Amazon link} and will make personalized labels to go on each bottle for Christmas gifts this year. You could also make some smaller ones using these 5oz jars found on Amazon {Amazon link}. To create unique extracts, use bourbon, brandy or rum instead of vodka for your homemade vanilla extract.

Want more amazing recipes in a 160 page pdf? Check out my new eBook here.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!