Fall Foliage

In celebration of the beautiful foliage in Bloomington this time of year, this post will be dedicated to the foliage around Union Street Center!


I have always loved autumn here at IU. In my mind, there is no better place to enjoy the change of the seasons!


Sadly, most of the trees around the new complex are little guys with only a few leaves on them, but in a few years this courtyard will be aglow with the reds, oranges and yellows that paint a mural over campus.


Autumn always inspires me to cook foods and make drinks that only ever seem appropriate in the fall! This evening's dessert menu? Warm apple cider and pumpkin cheesecake bars! Sound yummy? Here's a recipe to get you started!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

1 (16-ounce) package white pound cake mix
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl on low speed, combine cake mix, 1 egg, butter and 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice until crumbly. Press into bottom of 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk, remaining 2 eggs, pumpkin, remaining 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and salt. Mix well. Pour over crust, sprinkle nuts on top.

Bake 30- 35 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature, then chill in refrigerator. Cut into bars. Courtesy of http://www.seasonrecipes.com


Enjoy autumn wherever you are! I'm off to play in the leaves before the winter wind blows them all away!