Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hamburger Cookies (Fudge Filled Tea Cookies)

This is another Christmas favorite of my family.  My grandma would make these every year!  They are a soft tea cookie filled with delicious fudge.  And they look like cute little hamburgers.  Does it get any cuter than that? 


Follow along as I show you how to make these tasty treats:

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Old Fashioned Fudge

Ok, so I have to tell you a quick story.  Since we are talking about making fudge today, lets talk about candy thermometers. If you don't have one, buy one!  Unless of course you're an expert at reading the soft ball in cold water.

Not sure what I'm talking about?  Let me explain.  There is a way to tell if fudge is done without a candy thermometer.  I'm just not very good at it.  

In previous years I did not always have a thermometer and I would do the "cold water" test.  For this test you set up a glass of water with ice in it, ready for the fudge.  And when you think your fudge has cooked long enough, you drop a small amount into the cold water to see if it "balls" up.  It should then flatten as you remove it from the water.  

Well,  I thought at one time that I was capable of determining fudge this way.  But instead I learned something new!  If you perhaps tested your fudge wrong, like I may or may not have done in the past...  and it does not set up, you can pour in back into a pan and RE-cook it.  The problem is it may come out a bit dry, but it works.  (you also can't use this method if you used nuts, they get weird, just saying).  

So I'm telling you people, a candy thermometer is your friend.  They are relatively inexpensive and can save you some stressful candy making over the holidays!  

Ok, so now let's get to the recipe.  Follow along to learn how to make this amazing Old Fashioned Fudge:

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dad's Sugar Cookies

It just wouldn't be Christmas around my house without some good ole sugar cookie cut-outs to decorate with the kids.  My kids really went nuts with these babies!

My dad has been making these sugar cookies for years and he was kind enough to share the recipe with us.  I know, he's a pretty nice guy!
We make these every year at Christmas time but this sugar cookie recipe can be used for any occasion with any style of cookie cutter.  Use it for valentines day, Easter, birthdays, Halloween, or whatever.  So follow along as I show you how to make these tasty sugar cookes:

Monday, December 12, 2011

Star Cookies (Snowflurries)

These star shaped snowflake looking cookies have been a favorite of mine since I could eat real food (I'm talking about as a toddler).  When I learned to talk I always asked my grandmother for a "DAR" cookie (since I couldn't pronounce STAR).  

Today, these are still my favorite cookie.  This recipe has been in the family a long time and I hope my children will make this every year for their own children when they are older.  I think Santa is adding me to the "nice" list just for sharing this recipe with you.  Aren't I nice?

If you take the time to try these cookies, you may just make them an every-year tradition like we did.

Follow along as I show you how to make these amazing jam filled star cookies:

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies

I'm not sure if there is any Christmas treat that is easier to make than this one!  I absolutely have to make these every year because they take so little time, look so festive, and taste great!  Plus they only take 4 ingredients.  It doesn't get much easier than that. 

Follow along and I'll show you how to make these fantastic, tasty cookies:

Friday, December 9, 2011

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

There's something so impressive about a cherry covered in chocolate.  And when you bake it inside a cookie, you're just on a whole new level of cherry loving chocolateyness!  I may have just made up that word... chocolateyness?  

Anywho... this is a great treat to impress your friends and family for the holidays.  I make these every year for Christmas!

Lets learn how to make them:

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Peanut Butter Cups


Peanut butter cups are one of my favorite treats to make at Christmas time.  These cute little guys are easy to make and taste great!  I like to make mine in individual mini muffin cups or petit four sized paper cups.  

You can find colorful mini muffin cups at places like Michaels, Roberts and Hobby Lobby to wrap these cuties in to give away to neighbors and family.

Follow along and I'll show you how to make these tasty treats:

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

German Pfeffernusse (Pepper Nut) Cookies

It's always fun to make traditional cookies that have been in the family for years.  This is my grandmother's Pfeffernusse cookie recipe.  The Pfeffernusse cookie is a German pepper nut cookie containing several spices such as allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon along with anise extract that makes a tasty cookie that goes wonderfully with tea or coffee.  This is a well known Christmas cookie among Germans. 

I crave these now every Christmas.  I couldn't wait to get my batch made for the holidays!   One batch makes approximately 100 cookies and these will last all month on the kitchen counter in an airtight container.  They actually taste (get this) BETTER after sitting on the counter for a few weeks.  

Follow along as I show you how to make these tasty, spiced Christmas cookies:

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Traditional Pumpkin Pie with Braided Crust

My 7 year old has an obsession with Pumpkin Pie, so we have to have it around during the holidays.  The rest of us like it too of course!  This is a traditional style pumpkin pie made with a Classic Pie Pastry Crust. It's always a hit at a family gathering.

If making a regular pie crust, make a single-crust Classic Pie Pastry for this pie or use a store bought crust.  If making a decorative pie edge or using cut-out decorations, make a double-crust Classic Pie Pastry.  Follow along and we'll learn how to make it:

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Christmas Caramel Corn



Who doesn't love caramel corn at Christmas?  It's especially tasty when it's colored red and green, right?  
This recipe is very easy and fun to make.  You could make it any color you like or no color at all like in my previous post of Caramel Corn.  But I thought I would jazz it up for the holidays.  What a fun neighbor gift this would be!

Follow along as I show you how to make this tasty treat:

Friday, December 2, 2011

Cherry Cranberry Pie

This Cherry Cranberry Pie has the perfect blend of sweet and tart with that holiday cranberry flavor we love.  This pie works great for Thanksgiving or Christmas and it's simple to make.  You only need 4 ingredients for the filling.  I made this pie with a Classic Pie Pastry, recipe found HERE, or just use your favorite pie crust.  Follow along as I show you how to make this tasty pie:

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Classic Pie Pastry (Crust)


 This pie pastry is simple, takes very little time, uses only four ingredients and tastes great!  This is a very dependable crust recipe that could accompany nearly all your favorite pie flavors.

This recipe covers how to make a single-crust pie or a double-crust pie.  Follow along as I show you a few tips and tricks to making this tasty, flaky pie crust!  Come back in a few days when I post the recipes for these tasty looking pies pictured above: Cherry Cranberry Pie and Classic Pumpkin Pie!  

Monday, November 28, 2011

Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole (Candied Yams)

I know it's past Thanksgiving, but this recipe had to be shared!  It's the best.  Plus, you might want to make these for Christmas, or maybe this week just for kicks.  Or save it for next year.

 I made these with yams rather than sweet potatoes which is completely optional, and it was amazing!  This was a big hit at thanksgiving dinner!  Sorry for my lack of pictures but this was made on Thanksgiving just in the nick of time.  So taking pictures while loading the kids in the car and packing the pies wasn't really happening.  Follow along and I'll show you how to make these amazing, almost pie-like candied yams/ sweet potatoes.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge


I have probably mentioned this before, but I'll tell you again that I am Pinterest obsessed!  I love it!  And yes, I did find this recipe on Pinterest!  If you haven't yet checked it out, you should.  Just know that you will get hooked and may waste an excessive amount of time doing so. 


Want to know how to make these festive peppermint treats?  Follow along:

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Christmas Cookie Bark

Got 10 minutes?  That's all it takes to make this impressive treat.  Make it for friends, for a Christmas neighbor gift, or just make it for yourself.  I think I am becoming bark obsessed!  I made some for Halloween and learned how easy it is to make it for any holiday.  

Follow along and I'll show you how to make this simple, delicious cookie bark!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

So, I'm not gonna lie, I've been waiting to post this one for a while now.  Well... I've been waiting for Thanksgiving to be over so I can start posting everything Christmas!  No offense to Thanksgiving.  I love every holiday, Thanksgiving included, but it is the gateway holiday to an extra special time of year. This is my absolute FAVORITE time of year!

  Can you tell I'm excited? 

Christmas is the time of year that my grandma always shined.  She would start baking goodies right after Thanksgiving and go strong until every special treat was made and in the freezer to await the special day.  I have so many recipes to post and I'm sorry if you are coming by for dinner recipes this month... I will still be posting those, but my main focus is cookies, fudge, candy, etc.  

I thought I would start you off slow, with a simple recipe that everyone needs to get through the coldest time of the year.  Who doesn't love hot cocoa?  The base of this recipe came from my grandma, but I tweaked it a bit making what I think is the best ever hot cocoa mix!  Ok ok, I'll get on with it already...

Here it is:

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Caramel Brownies

Chocolate + Caramel + Brownies = Awesome Brownies!!  These didn't last long in my house.  They are so good!  Really, they are.  There are a few steps to making these tasty treats, but make them once and you'll love them forever.  Follow along and I'll show you how to make them:

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Cashew Chicken


I've recently become a huge fan of anything stir-fry!  I love cooking something up in one pan and throwing it over rice for an easy and relatively healthy meal.  The kids loved picking the honey roasted cashews out of this dinner because they were so good!  I liked everything about this one.  I found this recipe in my Rachael Ray Look and Cook cookbook - one of my favorite books.  Here's what you'll need for this dish:

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Weekly Menu

Here is the roundup of this weeks menu for my family.  Everything is now posted!  We loved everything and even had four new recipes to try!  I hope you find something to add to your list.  Let me know what you think and what you make.




Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Fig Bars (Fig Newtons)

Ever since I was a kid I have had an obsession with Fig Newtons.  Maybe it's because my grandma always kept them in the pantry for my grandpa and she would let us snack on them when we came by to visit (ok sometimes I snuck them without asking).  Occasionally I even hid in the pantry while playing hide and go seek just so I could grab a newton!  So when I found a recipe for Fig Bars buried in my grandma's cookbook I knew I had to make them!  

These taste like the traditional fig flavored bars.  I love the way they turned out and I'm excited to try this recipe with lots of different flavors!
Follow along and I'll show you how to make these tasty little treats! 

Chinese Orange Chicken Lightened Up

Boy was this tasty!  The flavor was amazing and if you make it the way I did, it will be spicy spicy spicy!  If you aren't much of a spicy lover, just omit the red pepper flakes or lower the amount to about a teaspoon.  It will still taste awesome! 

I got this recipe from a friend's blog Ashleigh's Kitchen.  She has lots of tasty recipes I want to try out, and she tends to cook very healthy foods.  Her blog is definitely worth checking out. 
Follow along and I'll show you how to make this tasty dish:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Pork Chops Braised in Country Gravy

Who loves country gravy?  Is there anything you couldn't put it on?  Ok, I'm sure there is... but you can definitely put it on pork in this tasty recipe.  The prep work is super easy, and you cook the pork slowly for a nice tender, juicy pork.  Let's learn how to make this dish:

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Pasta Carbonara

Sometimes I don't like to mess with main courses plus sides and a whole slew of dishes.  From time to time I like to make one large dish that serves as the entire meal with no sides needed.  Quite often a all encompassing meal will mean your sacrificing something, like health, or taste.  Both of which I'm not interested in giving up. 

 I found this tasty, light and easy pasta dish that is the healthy version of an all-time favorite to many.  Curl up with a bowl of this pasta for dinner or a quick and different lunch.  Give this one a shot.  It may become a regular.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Weekly Menu

Here is this last weeks menu, now that everything is posted.  The menu for the current week will be posted soon!!!  Hope you enjoy some of these delicious recipes!







Enjoy, and let me know what you think :)

Lasagna

When my husband and I first got married I was no pro in the kitchen.  I was desperate to find a recipe that would impress my husband but be easy enough for a beginner cook.  It can be frightening to make something new, using techniques you've never used before, and hope that it turns out right.  Well, this lasagna was one of the first REAL meals I ever made after being married.  Over the years I have tweaked the recipe slightly and I am very proud to introduce you to my go-to comfort lasagna that the whole family will eat!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Beef Bourguignon

Delicious!!!  This has been one of my favorite dishes since the first time I made it, over a year ago.  I altered the recipe from one I found at Allrecipes.com.  This tasty dish cooks slowly in the oven with only red wine as the liquid.  

You can step it up a notch and get a fancier wine than the grocery store cooking wine I used, and I'm sure it would be even better!  If you want a bit more liquid, you may need to add more red wine after an hour of cooking or at the beginning if it fits in your baking dish.  I like a thick saucy meat to put over rice or pasta.  

The flavor of this dish really is AWESOME!  You can also do half red wine, half beef broth, but I really love the flavor you get with all wine.  

Ok, ok, I'll stop typing and get to the recipe already!  I know you're all dying to try this one!  Come on, lets learn how:

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Snickerdoodles

 Yummy!  On of my all-time favorite cookies is the Snickerdoodle!  I will put cinnamon and sugar on anything I can get away with.  This recipe comes from my a stash of my grandma's handwritten recipes so I knew I HAD to try it!  So glad I did.  These were delicious!  Mine baked into a nice crunchy cookie (soft when still warm), but you can refrigerate the dough if you want for a few hours and cook for a shorter time to achieve a softer cookie. 
This recipe made about 4 dozen cookies and they were very easy and quick to make.   Here's what you'll need:

Crock Pot Chili

Mmm mmm mmm!  I have tried a new chili recipe every year and there is always something wrong with it.  Well, I finally found one I can't complain about.  Not too spicy, but spicy enough, plenty of meat and generally what you expect from your chili.  Did I mention I made this in the crock pot?  So it was practically effortless.  Follow along and I'll show you how to make it:

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Curried Pumpkin Soup

I didn't know that I like Pumpkin Soup until I tried this soup.  There is a mild pumpkin flavor that is not overwhelming with the perfect blend of spices such as curry powder and bay leaves that slowly simmer to make a beautiful creamy fall soup that will make the house smell heavenly.  
This soup can also be prepared a day before, refrigerated, and slowly reheated.  This is a nice soup to serve along with thanksgiving dinner; just make it early and reheat before serving.  

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Baked Chimichangas

 This has become a family favorite and frequently requested meal for our family.  These chimichangas are crunchy on the outside, with a tasty kick on the inside.  The creamy green chili sauce is the perfect dipping partner.  These are a must try!  Lets learn how to make them:
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