Food
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Candy Cane Cookie
My boys like to help make cookies, but they aren’t too keen on the decorating sugar cookies…which is perfectly fine with me, because I’m not too keen on the mess clean up after decorating sugar cookies. So instead of cookie cutting, frosting, sprinkling; we like to make candy cane sugar cookies. It still allows them to be involved, but it isn’t nearly as messy. Between you and me, I think they prefer the candy cane cookies because rolling out and shaping the dough is quite a bit like playing with playdoh. These cookies can easily be decorated as well with sprinkling of powdered sugar or addition of crushed candy canes…
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Microwave Peanut Brittle
I am on a microwaving candy kick at the moment. After mastering fudge in the microwave, I decided peanut brittle was the next only choice. Anything with toffee flavors is a love in my book. So peanut brittle has always been a must during the holiday baking season. No candy thermometer, no stirring like crazy while the sugar and corn syrup boil on the stove top. This recipe takes less than 20 minutes. If you love peanut brittle and want to try your hand at making it in the microwave, then check this recipe out. Do you love peanut brittle too? Have you ever tried making it in the microwave?…
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Amaretto Fudge
I LOVE the combination of chocolate and cherry flavors. Any dessert I can create with these flavors is a win. While chocolate fudge is typically a staple for most holiday baking, I knew I wanted to create a twist. The best part of this recipe is it is all made in the microwave. No double boilers on the stove, no candy thermometers. It is seriously the easiest fudge ever. Also, if you aren’t a fan of amaretto or cherry flavoring, you can totally omit the amaretto flavoring, or even switch it out for a different flavoring like peppermint. What are some of your favorite fudge flavor combinations? Have you ever…
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Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Any time peanut butter and chocolate are thrown together mouths become VERY happy, my mouth included. I grew up calling these cookies peanut butter blossom cookies. To which I never knew why, and whenever I chat with someone about these cookies their face forms a confused look and don’t know what I am talking about. Does anyone else called these peanut butter blossom cookies? While I make these cookies throughout the year, for some reason I grew up with them on the holiday baking lineup. Which is a tradition I have continued with my children. The basics of the peanut butter kiss cookies are peanut butter cookie batter and Hershey…
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Norwegian Krumkake
Holiday baking continues in my house, and now I am on to a treat that my family almost always made around this time of year as I was growing up. Krumkake (pronounced kroom-kah-kuh or kruhm-keyk), is a thin wafer-like cookie that is immediately rolled into a cone or cylinder as soon as it comes off the iron. You can eat it plain, or fill it with fresh whipped cream or custard. I’ve also dipped one opening in melted chocolate. Essentially krumkake is the Scandinavian version or the cannoli. Personally, though, I prefer them plain so I can dip them in a creamy mug full of hot cocoa. A special iron…
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Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs are all the rage right now on social media. I think the craze began on TikTok, but it’s spread far and wide in just a few short months. AND…Of course, I had to dive in and try it out for myself. While I do love me some candy making/art, I do not have the patience to create perfect pieces. If you search, there are some truly beautiful hot chocolate bombs that have been created. Making the hot chocolate bombs isn’t difficult at all, it is just time-consuming with having to wait between some steps. HUGE TIP: Use an electric griddle to not only melt the edges of…
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Holiday Baking: Christmas Crack
Before moving to Las Vegas, I had never in my life heard about Christmas Crack…and to be completely honest the name makes me cringe. Several years ago, I was on a mission to try to change the name to Christmas Chex Mix, but to no avail. Whatever you call this yummy goodness, it is definitely a crowd pleaser. It can easily make a lot for a crowd and it takes less than 30 minutes to make, start to finish. Be careful though, it is addicting…which is probably why it is called Christmas Crack. Have you ever tried this recipe before? Have you already been woke to what Christmas Crack is…or…
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Scottish Shortbread
My family usually celebrates our Norwegian heritage during the holidays through baking various goodies such as lefse (potato tortilla served with butter and sugar), krumkake (Norwegian version of a cannoli), and aebleskievers (pancake balls sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with jam). My husband’s heritage is rich in Scottish and Irish roots. So to honor and celebrate his ancestors, I like to make Scottish Shortbread. There are many recipes available for shortbread, but each recipe’s main ingredients are butter, sugar, and flour. Shortbread is a crisp cookie with a sweet buttery flavor. With this recipe, I like to add a little something special not normally found in shortbread recipes, maple…
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Hidden Kiss Meringues
Holiday baking is in full swing right now and my kitchen has exploded with all things of tasty goodness. Hidden kiss meringues have been a holiday favorite of my family’s for decades. While working with meringue can be intimating, this recipe is nearly foolproof. To top it off, this recipe has 5 ingredients, including the Hershey Kiss center. This recipe is super quick and easy. Bonus is that it is a crowd pleaser and extremely easy to mass produce for a party or to give as a holiday goodie. Have you ever made meringue candy before? Do you find it easy or difficult to create? Stay tuned for more holiday…
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Meatless Monday: Mushroom Stroganoff
I’ve really been on a roll with making meatless meals. I decided to take a stab at mushroom stroganoff and see what the boys thought. Even Matthew decided it was just as tasty as beef stroganoff. Stroganoff is typically made with large pasta, like egg noodles. I prefer pappardelle pasta. They are still egg noodles, but on steriods. It makes for more fun eating the meal. An added benefit with this meal is that it is cheap to create. Cutting out the beef causes the price per serving to be below $1.25. Using the beef consommé instead of beef stock also gives it the beefy flavor without the meat. Plus…
