Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017

Calling all holiday foodies to enter the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017. Prizes and Giveaway. Find tasty recipes for the holiday season. #Recipe #Contest #Giveaway #MTCRC

Tis the season to indulge in great food for every occasion. With all the end-of-year celebrations and festivities, we are always being asked to bring a dish or goodie of some kind. So, why not share your recipes and be inspired by others? And even better, you can put on your competitive cap and have a chance at winning the recipe contest.

We have three prizes, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, so, bloggers, enter as many recipes as you would like among the various categories. You will find everything you need to celebrate the holidays with great taste.

EVERYONE is welcome to enter the GIVEAWAY! We have a $100 CASH Prize for the giveaway. That is above and beyond our recipe contest prizes. So, let’s have some holiday fun!

 

Sugared Cranberries and Cranberry Syrup Recipe

A Sweet and Tangy Recipe for the Holiday Season

 

To start off this yummy event, I am sharing my Sugared Cranberries and Cranberry Syrup. One recipe, two sweet and tangy holiday treats. This super easy Sugared Cranberries recipe also makes a delicious Cranberry Syrup. They are perfect for snacking, light and refreshing. They make a great takeaway gift for guests and are a fabulous addition to a holiday cookies and goodies exchange. Find the full RECIPE HERE!

Now, onto the contest and giveaway!

 

Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017

 

A big Thank You! to the co-hosts for supporting the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017, and making this event possible. Please check out their blogs and follow them on social media!

 

LorelaiLife With LorelaiFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

AlliAn Alli EventFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

EmilyDomestic DeadlinePinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

LeannaOf Faeries & Fauna Craft Co.Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

AudreyThat RecipeFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

JenniferSatsuma DesignsPinterest / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

AshleySweetpea LifestyleInstagram / Pinterest / Facebook

JeanneeCentsably CreativeFacebook / Instagram / Twitter

KristenThe Road To DomesticationFacebook / Twitter

LynnBack To The SouthPinterest / Instagram

 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this delicious recipe contest. With 548 recipes entered, this is a fantastic resource for your holiday cooking, as well as all year long. So, now, it is our pleasure to announce…

The WINNERS

3rd Place: $50 Prize

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe from Jenna @ The Urben Life

 

2nd Place: $75 Prize

Sour Cream Cookies Recipe from Kris @ Big Rigs ‘n Lil’ Cookies

 

…and drum roll please…

1st Place: $150 Prize

White Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle with Spiced Pears Recipe from Deb @ Just Short of Crazy

 

 

Our GIVEAWAY WINNER is Michael Hurt — $100 PayPal CASH

Congratulations to ALL of our winners!

 

Recipe Contest Details:

  • Contest OPEN for Entries – October 15, 2017, through November 8, 2017.
  • One recipe from each category will be selected as a Finalist.
  • Finalists will be announced on November 10, 2017.
  • Winners (1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place) will be announced November 15, 2017.

Prizes:

  • All prizes paid USD via PayPal.
  • 1st Place – $150
  • 2nd Place – $75
  • 3rd Place – $50

Rules for Recipe Entries:

  • Must be a Blogger to Enter.
  • Recipe must be linked to the direct blog post where the full recipe is published.
  • You may enter as many Recipes as you like.
  • You may enter in various categories. Be sure the recipe fits the category.
  • You must include your Email when linking recipes. Winners will be notified via Email.
  • If you are a winner, you must be able to accept prize via PayPal.
  • Recipe photos may be used for promotional purposes. All credits will be given to the original source.

Giveaway:

  • No Blog necessary to enter the Giveaway!
  • ENTER the GIVEAWAY at the bottom of this post!
  • Chance to WIN $100 USD PayPal CASH!!!

The Finalists

Congratulations to the finalists! One recipe was chosen from each category. These recipes have the chance of winning the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prize! Good luck. The Winners will be announced on November 15, 2017.

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Look below to see all the recipes entered in the contest and be inspired for your holiday celebrating!

APPETIZERS

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SALADS & COLD SIDE DISHES

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HOT SIDE DISHES

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MAIN DISHES

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DESSERT

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COOKIES

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CANDIES

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DRINKS & COCKTAILS
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Giveaway!

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Thanks for having fun with us at the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017. It’s great to get everyone ready to celebrate the holidays with delectable food and drink. Happy Holidays!

What are some of your favorite recipes?

 

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S’mores Cookies Recipe

Turn a traditional summer treat into a cookie you can’t resist with this S’mores Cookies Recipe! These were a big hit at our mini family reunion a couple of weeks ago.

 

S’mores Cookies Recipe

You know you’ll want s’more…

 

A couple weeks ago, Luke’s cousin and his family drove down from Idaho for a visit, and of course, Disneyland. Will has two kids, 7 and 4. It was so much fun meeting Will and his family, and listening to the remembered stories they shared. Luke hadn’t seen his cousin, Will, in decades.

In fact, the last Luke and his brother had spent time with Will was a road trip, when Will was 12-years-old. They were all heading to Luke’s aunt’s house (Will’s grandma). It was the typical kids stuff on the trip–the picky eater stopping at dive diners on the road, and having to be convinced it was the only food for miles and miles. The highlight of the trip was when Luke and his older brother let Will drive on the open roads of Kansas, with a promise of silence. Of course, the first thing out of Will’s mouth when they arrived… “They let me DRIVE!”

There were loads of laughs and plenty of great food. All us local family’s brought tasty dishes. I took my Spinach, Strawberry & Pine Nuts Salad with Strawberry-Jalapeño Vinaigrette, and I was also in charge of cookies. My thoughts turned to the flavors of summer, bright refreshing citrus and one of my childhood favorites, S’mores. (My sister and I used to stick a marshmallow on the end of a fork and toast it over the electric stovetop burner, to make these yummy treats at home. Mmm…so good. LOL)

I decided to make Lemon Ricotta Cookies, S’mores Cookies, and good old-fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies. Nobody could walk by the cookie display without grabbing at least one, if not more.

Today, I’m sharing my recipe for S’mores Cookies. I know you will love them, because one isn’t enough!

S’mores Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

All-purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, light Brown Sugar, Butter, Graham Crackers, Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Marshmallows, Chocolate Candies.

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

  • Grind or Crush Graham Crackers into fine crumbs. (Start with one package,  8 rectangles. You may need a few more).
  • Unwrap and / or break Chocolate Candies, if needed.
  • In a bowl, add Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt. Whisk to mix well.
  • In a large bowl, or stand mixer, cream softened Butter, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar.
  • Add 3/4 Cup fine Graham Cracker crumbs, mix well.
  • Crack Eggs open and add one at a time, stirring slightly after each.
  • Pour in Vanilla Extract, and mix.
  • Add Flour mixture a little at a time, and mix until combined.
  • Spoon out about 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons of dough. Roll into a ball.
  • Roll the dough ball in the remaining graham cracker crumbs, until lightly coated.
  • Place coated cookie dough on prepared baking sheet, 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart.
  • Bake ONE sheet at a time!
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are just starting to crack a bit. They should still be soft.

  • While the cookies are baking, cut Marshmallows in half using kitchen shears. You will need one half per cookie.
  • When cookies come out of the oven, you will need to work fast.

  • Turn off the oven, and set it to Broil, make sure the oven rack is close, but not too close.
  • Top each cookie with marshmallow, cut-side down.
  • Place the marshmallow-topped cookies under the broiler. WATCH carefully. Let the marshmallows toast to golden brown.
  • Take the cookies out of the oven, and IMMEDIATELY push chocolate candy into the center of the hot toasted marshmallow.
  • Switch oven back to Bake, and repeat with the next cookie sheet.
  • Allow cookies to cool, and chocolate candy to set-up again on wire racks.

 

Will’s 4-year-old daughter, Abigail, LOVED these S’mores Cookies! Luke’s brother snapped this photo after all the kids and their parents returned from spending a little time at the beach. Isn’t it a great shot? He even caught cookie crumbs in Abigail’s teeth. LOL

 

You’ll want s’more… better grab the Printable Recipe!

 

5 from 1 reviews
S'mores Cookies Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Traditional summer treat turned cookie! You're going to love these S'mores Cookies.
from:
Type: Dessert
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
  • 1-1/4 Cup - All-purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup - Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup - Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 Sticks - Butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 8 Rectangular Graham Crackers - about 1 Cup. (Grind or Crush into fine crumbs)
  • 2 - Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon - Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon - Baking Powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon - Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon - Salt
  • 12 large - Marshmallows (cut in half) may need a few more.
  • 24 - Chocolate Candies (unwrapped and / or broken) may need a few more.
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Grind or Crush Graham Crackers into fine crumbs. (Start with one package, 8 rectangles. You may need a few more).
  4. Unwrap and / or break Chocolate Candies, if needed.
  5. In a bowl, add Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt. Whisk to mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, or stand mixer, cream softened Butter, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar.
  7. Add 3/4 Cup fine Graham Cracker crumbs, mix well.
  8. Crack Eggs open and add one at a time, stirring slightly after each.
  9. Pour in Vanilla, and mix.
  10. Add Flour mixture a little at a time, and mix until combined.
  11. Spoon out about 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons of dough. Roll into a ball.
  12. Roll the dough ball in the remaining graham cracker crumbs, until lightly coated.
  13. Place coated cookie dough on prepared baking sheet, 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart.
  14. Bake ONE sheet at a time!
  15. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are just starting to crack a bit. They should still be soft.
  16. While the cookies are baking, cut Marshmallows in half using kitchen shears. You will need one half per cookie.
  17. When cookies come out of the oven, you will need to work fast.
  18. Turn off the oven, and set it to Broil, make sure the oven rack is close, but not too close.
  19. Top each cookie with marshmallow, cut-side down.
  20. Place the marshmallow-topped cookies under the broiler. WATCH carefully. Let the marshmallows toast to golden brown.
  21. Take the cookies out of the oven, and IMMEDIATELY push chocolate candy into the center of the hot toasted marshmallow.
  22. Switch oven back to Bake, and repeat with the next cookie sheet.
  23. Allow cookies to cool, and chocolate candy to set-up again on wire racks.
3.5.3208

 

 

Make these amazing cookies for your next get-together or just beacuse… enjoy!

 

 

 

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Caramel Creme Pie Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Kraft. All opinions are mine alone. #SweetenTheSeason #CollectiveBias

Caramel Creme Pie

Inspired by the Movie

Christmas With the Kranks

I am so excited to bring you this delicious Caramel Creme Pie recipe. I love the holidays, Christmas and Halloween being my favorites. Part of my every year traditions is watching as many of the wonderful Christmas movies as I can. One of my most loved Christmas movies is Christmas With the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. If you haven’t watched it, put it on your MUST SEE list for this season!

In the movie, the daughter, Blair, is coming home unexpectedly for Christmas, and her parents have to throw together a fabulous Christmas Eve party in a few short hours. Unaware of what has been going on at the house while she has been away, Blair, makes a request for her favorite Caramel Creme Pie, and that is the inspiration for this scrumptious recipe.

So, I made a quick trip to the Holiday Bake Center at my local Walmart, and picked up the few items I needed. This is such an easy and inexpensive recipe–only 6 ingredients, plus one optional.

I already had a pie crust at home along with some milk and heavy cream, so I grabbed these items off the shelves…

… Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme, Kraft Caramel Bits, and a Baker’s Premium White Chocolate Bar. Now, all that was left was to make my pie!

Caramel Creme Pie — easy as can be!

The Ingredients:

1- 5.1 oz. box Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding, 1- 11 oz. bag (approx. 1-1/2 cups) Kraft Caramel Bits, 1/4 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme, 2 teaspoons Heavy Cream, 1-1/2 cups Milk (cold), and 1- Pie Crust (baked or ready-to-eat).

NOTES: Save out a few Kraft Caramel Bits for garnishing the finished pie. You will use the rest of the Heavy Cream to make whipping cream for pie decoration and / or serving. Use whatever type of pie crust you desire.

OPTIONAL: Shave some Baker’s Premium White Chocolate to garnish the finished pie.

 

The How-To:

  • Melt Kraft Caramel Bits with 2 teaspoons Heavy Cream in a double boiler
  • Pour melted caramel into a bowl
  • Add Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme and combine (leaving some streaks is just fine)

  • Add Pudding Mix to a large bowl
  • Add cold Milk
  • Whisk briskly for 2 minutes
  • Add Caramel Mixture to the Pudding
  • Mix well. (If caramel has cooled too much, heat in microwave for 15 seconds at a time, until it is soft enough to combine).

 

  • Pour pie filling into baked or ready-to-eat Pie Crust
  • Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours
  • Whip Heavy Cream into Whipping Cream
  • Pipe Whipped Cream onto pie as desired for decoration. (I used a zippered plastic bag with a hole cut in one corner as my piping bag).
  • Top whipped cream with the set aside Kraft Caramel Bits
  • Top pie with strips and curls of Baker’s Premium White Chocolate

 

Here’s a Holiday Baking Hack just for you…

We all know just how beautiful strips or curls of chocolate look atop your favorite desserts–not to mention tasty too. So, make easy work of stripping and curling your Baker’s Premium White Chocolate or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bars by using your handy-dandy Vegetable Peeler! Now, that’s a great Holiday Baking Hack!

See how lovely the Caramel Creme Pie looks on a Christmas table. This would be the perfect dessert for your next holiday party, Sunday Dinner with the family, or anytime.

 

Here’s a Printable Recipe for the Caramel Creme Pie:

5 from 1 reviews
Caramel Creme Pie Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Caramel Creme Pie inspired by the movie Christmas With the Kranks. A delicious, easy, and budget friendly dessert for your Holiday Parties, Sunday Dinner with the family, or anytime.
from:
Type: Dessert
Ingredients:
  • 1- 5.1 oz. box Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding
  • 1- 11 oz. bag (approx. 1-1/2 cups) Kraft Caramel Bits
  • 1/4 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
  • 2 teaspoons Heavy Cream
  • 1-1/2 cups Milk (cold)
  • 1- Pie Crust (baked or ready-to-eat).
  • NOTES: Save out a few Kraft Caramel Bits for garnishing the finished pie. You will use the rest of the Heavy Cream to make whipping cream for pie decoration and / or serving. Use whatever type of pie crust you desire.
  • OPTIONAL: Shave some Baker's Premium White Chocolate to garnish the finished pie.
Directions:
  1. Melt Kraft Caramel Bits with 2 teaspoons Heavy Cream in a double boiler
  2. Pour melted caramel into a bowl
  3. Add Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme and combine (leaving some streaks is just fine)
  4. Add Pudding Mix to a large bowl
  5. Add cold Milk
  6. Whisk briskly for 2 minutes
  7. Add Caramel Mixture to the Pudding
  8. Mix well. (If caramel has cooled too much, heat in microwave for 15 seconds at a time, until it is soft enough to combine).
  9. Pour pie filling into baked or ready-to-eat Pie Crust
  10. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours
  11. Whip Heavy Cream into Whipping Cream
  12. Pipe Whipped Cream onto pie as desired for decoration. (I used a zippered plastic bag with a whole cut in one corner as my piping bag).
  13. Top whipped cream with the set aside Kraft Caramel Bits
  14. Top pie with strips and curls of Baker's Premium White Chocolate
Notes
Holiday Baking Hack!
Use a Vegetable Peeler to shave Chocolate Bars into Strips and Curls.

This recipe is inspired by the movie Christmas With the Kranks -- a MUST SEE for any holiday movie watch list.

#SweetenTheSeason
3.5.3208

 

Be sure to check out more yummy Recipes and Holiday Hacks at Kraft. How do you like to use Kraft Caramel Bits and Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme?

 

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2015 Ultimate Cookie & Goodies Virtual Party and Giveaway!

Welcome to the second year for the Ultimate Cookies & Goodies Virtual Party and Giveaway!

We can’t wait to see what cookies and goodies you are preparing for this holiday season! We know you’ve been busy cooking, decorating and snapping adorable photos of the treats you plan to serve your family and guests throughout the holiday season! Show them all off with us now! Go here to see the 2014 Ultimate Cookies & Goodies Virtual Party and Giveaway party.

Please share the party with our hashtag! #ultimatecookieparty

What to link up

Link up you very best cookies, candy, cupcakes, cakes, goodies and even free printables posts. Old or new posts related to the winter holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Enter to win $220 in Paypal Cash! Giveaway is open worldwide. Must be 18 to enter.

Follow our Ultimate Cookies & Goodies Party Board on Pinterest for hundreds of new ideas and recipes! We’ll be pinning your post throughout the party! Please stop by and repin your favorites!

Meet all 23 of our hosts for 2015

Although it isn’t required, we’d love for you to follow along on your favorite social media.

Party Rules

  • Link up cookies, candy, cake, sweets and Free Printables from the winter holidays especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. No crafts.
  • Share the party on social media using #ultimatecookieparty
  • Link no more than 3 post per day over the course of the party
  • No Roundups
  • Link to your post and not your page
  • By linking to this party you agree that we may use your post and one image in a future promotion or seasonal round up

Let’s Party!

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ENTER TO WIN $220 Paypal Cash!!

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Follow intelligent domestications’s board Ultimate Cookie & Goodies Party on Pinterest.

Don’t Forget to Stop back by and Add more Recipes!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

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Candy Corn Cookies Recipe

If you are a regular reader of Life With Lorelai, you will remember that we put out a Call for Contributors & Guest Posters a while back. Well, I am thrilled to welcome the first of our Regular Contributors today, Deborah Ward, with Candy Corn Cookies. See her brief bio at the end of the post.

 

Deborah is bringing a frightfully delicious recipe to us… Are your taste buds ready?

Candy Corn Cookies

With the change in months comes a change in mindset. Yesterday, my mind was still in summer, but today all I can think about is Halloween and everything fall. And, since a girl (or boy) cannot live on pumpkin spice lattes alone, I decided to bake up some cookies.

For these amazing Candy Corn Cookies I used a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, left out the chocolate chips, and added chocolate candies in candy corn colors in their place. I also decided to jazz them up a little bit by melting down some white chocolate with candy corn colored flecks candy bars and drizzling it on top. The results are out of this world. So delicious their scary. So amazing they’ll haunt your dreams. You get the picture.

Ingredients:

 

1 8oz bag of Orange, Yellow, and White Chocolate Candies

1 bag small size White Chocolate Candy bars (with yellow and orange flecks)

½ cup shortening
½ cup butter

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp baking soda

 

How to:

(Preheat oven to 375 F)

  1. In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of your stand mixer) beat butter and shortening on medium for 30 seconds.
  2. Add half of the flour, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until combined.
  3. Beat in remaining flour.
  4. Divide candies (not bars) in half. Chop up one half and leave the others whole. Add to cookie dough mixture and stir by hand.
  5. Drop dough onto an ungreased cookie pan in 2 inch balls.
  6. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  7. Cool on wire rack.

Real Life Candy Crush! I used my hand chopper for this task.

Chopping up half of the candy will make the cookies less dense and easier to munch on.

 

For Chocolate Drizzle Topping:

  1. Remove candy bars from their wrappers, break apart, and place in a medium sized microwaveable bowl.
  2. Microwave for 15 seconds on high, then stir. Repeat this process until all of the chocolate are melted.
  3. Dip a large spoon into the chocolate and then wave it back and forth over the cookies.
  4. Allow chocolate to harden.

 

 

Here’s a Printable Version of the Recipe:

5 from 1 reviews
Candy Corn Cookies Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A frightfully delicious Halloween Cookie recipe.
from:
Type: Dessert
Ingredients:
  • 1 8oz bag of Orange, Yellow, and White Chocolate Candies
  • 1 bag small size White Chocolate Candy bars (with yellow and orange flecks)
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ tsp baking soda
Directions:
  1. (Preheat oven to 375 F)
  2. In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of your stand mixer) beat butter and shortening on medium for 30 seconds.
  3. Add half of the flour, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until combined.
  4. Beat in remaining flour.
  5. Divide candies (not bars) in half. Chop up one half and leave the others whole. Add to cookie dough mixture and stir by hand.
  6. Drop dough onto an ungreased cookie pan in 2 inch balls.
  7. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. Cool on wire rack.
Notes
This recipe is from Life With Lorelai's Regular Contributor, Deborah Ward from the blog, Kentucky to Cali.
3.4.3177

 

Just a warning: Your family will be banging at the kitchen door with their torches and pitchforks, so make extra.

Happy October,

Deborah

 

Visit Deborah at her blog, Kentucky to Cali!

Do you have a favorite Halloween Cookie?

 

 

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Biscuits And Gravy – A Healthier Recipe

The first sip of fall is yours! Receive early access to all things pumpkin at Starbucks online now!

 

It’s Biscuits And Gravy Week!

A Healthier Recipe for the Southern Favorite

 

I had no idea there was such a thing as Biscuits and Gravy Week. Did you? Well, apparently there is, and it’s this week.

Now, let me tell you why I just couldn’t resist sharing this silly little fact with you. Labor Day weekend in Central Park here in Huntington Beach, the largest group of enthusiasts in Southern California gather to Reenact the Civil War. While Luke and I went to the Labor Day Cruise Hot Rod Show that I told you about here, Rory went out to Central Park to take in a little history and a whole lot of fun.

After spending the day checking out her new want-to-be hobby, she had made some friends, and was even invited back to the dance that night. And that, led to this Status Update on facebook Monday morning…

So, Rory’s got a date with a boy named, Biscuit. Well, his nickname is Biscuit, and their friends are calling them…what else, Biscuits & Gravy! This morning I popped through The Daily Meal website, and guess what I found out? It’s BISCUITS & GRAVY WEEK!!!!!! Oh, we are rolling on the floor and laughing tears!

Well, me being me, I could not pass up a fabulous opportunity that just leapt into my lap so willingly. Tuesday morning, Rory was heading off to school and then to her date. Like any good mother would do, I made her breakfast. And, I had to share the deliciousness with you…

Biscuits and Gravy

I pulled out my handy dandy Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Biscuits, and my Jennie-O Lean Turkey Breakfast Sausage Roll, and got cooking with my cast iron skillet.

The biscuits just got popped into the oven according to the package directions.

With Rory’s special dietary needs, the Jennie-O Lean Turkey Breakfast Sausage is a good choice. It is well seasoned, and it can be cooked up with out using any oil. I heated the skillet a bit before putting the sausage into it, and chopped the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it cooked.

 

After the sausage is fully cooked, remove from the skillet and make the gravy. I added about one-quarter cup of flour to the sausage drippings. Letting the flour cook and soak up the drippings, I then added a little water. Be sure to stir the flour roux constantly with a whisk, so your gravy doesn’t get lumpy. Keep adding liquid (water or milk) and stirring until your gravy reaches the consistency you desire. You can always make more gravy or re-thicken the gravy by adding a little more flour. Add the sausage back to the skillet and mix well with gravy.

Once your gravy is done and the biscuits are baked, pull apart or cut the biscuits open, place on a plate, and ladle on the gravy. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Here’s a Printable Version of the Recipe

5 from 1 reviews
Biscuits And Gravy - A Healthier Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
from:
Type: Breakfast
Ingredients:
  • 1 Can - Buttermilk Biscuits
  • 1 - Jennie-O Lean Turkey Breakfast Sausage Roll
  • Flour
  • Water
  • Milk (optional)
Directions:
  1. Pop Biscuits into oven according to package directions
  2. Warm skillet (I used a cast iron skillet)
  3. Add Sausage to skillet (no need for oil)
  4. Break sausage into bite-sized chunks as it cooks
  5. Remove fully cooked sausage from the pan
  6. Add 1/4-cup flour to the sausage drippings and make a roux
  7. Add water and or milk
  8. Stir constantly to keep lumps away
  9. adjust liquid and flour to desired gravy thickness
  10. Open biscuits on a plate and ladle gravy over them
3.3.3077

Happy Biscuits and Gravy Week!

Have you made healthier versions of your favorite classic recipes?

 

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~Lorelai

 

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Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

A Low Fat Recipe

 

Last week I needed just a little something as a treat for a birthday gift. I wanted to bake something, but I didn’t want to make a trip to the store. I could have made some yummy Mexican Wedding Cakes, but I was looking for something super fast. Checking my cupboards, I found a box of Krusteaz Fat Free Cranberry Orange Muffin Mix and a partial bag of Chocolate Chips. So, I decided to create these wonderful Low Fat Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins!

 

 

This recipe is quick and easy, and bonus, it uses up those leftover chocolate chips that keep tempting you. All you have to do is follow the directions on the muffin box, toss in your chocolate chips (I had about 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips), mix well, and load up your mini muffin tin.

 

 

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Once out of the oven, I turn my mini muffins out of the pan and onto tea towels in the middle of the table. This was always my kids favorite part when they were young. They’d sit down and pluck the muffins right off the table for breakfast. Serve the muffins with some eggs and yogurt, and you have a healthy and nutritious start to your day.

 

Now, even though a few of these muffins were devoured in our traditional manor. I had to keep it to a minimum–these tiny treats had another future to meet. They were a birthday gift.

So, I grabbed a clear cellophane bag along with some sparkly starred twisty cord and package my Low Fat Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins in festive style.

 

 

Here’s a Printable Recipe, so you don’t forget this fantastic idea!

5 from 1 reviews
Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
from:
Type: Low Fat Muffins
Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch, Snacks
Serves: 3 - 4 dozen
Ingredients:
  • 1 Box - Krusteaz Fat Free Cranberry Orange Muffin Mix
  • Chocolate Chips - whatever you have leftover in the bag. (I had about 3 Tbs)
  • 1 Cup - Water
Directions:
  1. Follow the instructions from the Muffin Mix Box for Mixing the Batter.
  2. Add Chocolate Chips
  3. Mix well
  4. Spoon into prepared Mini Muffin Tin
  5. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes
Notes
Package these mini muffins to make great little gifts.
3.3.3077

 

 

Do you have any fun Baked Treats you use for Gift Ideas?

What flavor of Muffins is your favorite?

 

 

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Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe – Romantic and Impressive

Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe – A deliciously simple dessert that’s both romantic and impressive!

Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe

A Deliciously Simple Dessert

 

The first thing you may be asking is, “What the heck is a galette?” A galette is similar to a tart. Like a tart, a galette can be sweet or savory, but where a tart is usually made in a tart pan, a galette is free-form. You can learn more about Tarts vs. Galettes here.

I wanted to make a simple dessert for Valentine’s Day that Luke and I could share. Since I love raspberries, and they are red, this Raspberry Ricotta Galette sounded perfect. The complete idea popped into my head as I roamed the aisles of my neighborhood Trader Joe’s store. I began tossing items into my cart.

This would make a tasty addition to any meal, and its beauty lends itself nicely as a romantic dessert.

Let’s get baking…

Ingredients:

Pie Crust, Ricotta Cheese, Raspberry Jam, Honey, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Heavy Cream, Fresh Raspberries,

Directions:

The rustic galette is very easy to put together. First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and layout your pie crust.

 

Stir together the Ricotta cheese and honey

 

Spread Ricotta and honey mixture on the pie crust leaving a wide edge for folding. Top Ricotta with raspberry jam. Fold edge over the top, leaving the center open, and pinch together as needed.

 

Give the top crust edge a cream wash and dust with sugar and chocolate if desired.

Bake the galette at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. After baking, allow galette to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for cooling.

 

Make the ganache.

 

Pipe whipped cream around the center crust edge. I piped a heart in the center of the galette since it was Valentine’s Day. Top with fresh raspberries, and drizzle with ganache.

 

Cut and serve.

 

Enjoy!

Be creative with your galette and try different flavor combinations.

Here is a printable recipe for you.

5 from 1 reviews
Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A deliciously simple dessert with raspberries and ricotta cheese.
from:
Type: Dessert
Ingredients:
  • The measurements for this recipe are also rustic -- rough approximations by taste
  • 3/4 Cup - Ricotta Cheese (I used Fat Free)
  • 2 Tablespoons - Honey
  • 1/2 Cup - Raspberry Jam
  • 1 Pie Crust (store bought or make your own)
  • Sugar and Chocolate (to sprinkle on crust)
  • Heavy Whipping Cream (to coat crust top edge, whip, and ganache)
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Fresh Raspberries
Directions:
  1. FOR THE GALETTE:
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  3. Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper
  4. Layout pie crust on parchment
  5. In a medium bowl mix Ricotta Cheese and Honey
  6. Spread ricotta mixture in the center of pie crust, leaving a wide edge to fold over the top
  7. Spread Raspberry Jam over the ricotta cheese
  8. Fold crust edges over the top of spreads, but leaving the center open
  9. Pinch crust edges together as needed
  10. Paint top crust edge with cream and dust with sugar and chocolate
  11. Bake at 375° F for 45 minutes
  12. NOTE -- After Baking, let galette stand on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for further cooling.
  13. FOR THE GANACHE:
  14. In a double boiler add Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and a splash of Heavy Cream (The ganache is just for a garnishing drizzle, so you do not need a lot. Start with smaller amounts of chips and cream, you can always add more).
  15. Add cream to thin the chocolate as needed and stir until smooth and glossy.
  16. GARNISHING THE GALETTE:
  17. Garnish with a ring of whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Drizzle with ganache.
Notes
We made this galette for Valentine's Day, so we piped a whipped cream heart in the center of the galette and topped with a fresh raspberry.
3.5.3208

 

Have you ever made a galette?

What flavors would you use?

 

 

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Mexican Wedding Cakes or Snowball Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cakes

or Snowball Cookies

A Recipe for
The Ultimate Virtual Cookie & Goodies Party & Giveaway
#Ultimatecookieparty

I am Co-hosting the virtual Cookie & Goodies Exchange party with several of my blogger buddies, I hope you will pop by for a visit and exchange a few recipes with us.

This cookie recipe has been a forever family favorite in my house. Delicious barely describes these melt-in-your-mouth wonders, and the recipe is super easy too! We have always called them Mexican Wedding Cakes, but some people call them Snowball Cookies. Because these cookies do look like little snowballs, they make a perfect holiday cookie.

The recipe has six ingredients: Butter, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla, Flour, Salt, and Nuts.

You bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, then roll the cookies in powdered sugar.

Easy right? So, onto the Directions and Recipe.

Mexican Wedding Cakes

Slightly soften the butter. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and whisk until smooth and creamy. Add flour, salt, and finely chopped nuts (I used walnuts, but have also used pecans). Mix well.

The dough is soft and crumbly. It seems like it’s on the dry side, but it’s not. It will stick together easily. Roll the mixed dough into small balls, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake until lightly golden  and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Drop into powdered sugar and roll around to cover the cookie. Place cookie on wax paper. Once the entire sheet of cookies has been dusted with powdered sugar, dunk them through the powdered sugar a second time. Return to wax paper to finish cooling.

Don’t these look scrumptious?

5 from 1 reviews
Mexican Wedding Cakes or Snowball Cookies
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A scrumptious cookie recipe that is good all year round, but particularly lends itself to the winter holidays since the cookie looks like a tiny snowball.
from:
Type: Dessert
Serves: 3-6 dozen
Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1-3/4 Cup Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Nuts (finely chopped walnuts or pecans)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • Additional Powdered Sugar for rolling after baking.
Directions:
  1. Use slighty softened Butter. Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla
  2. Whisk until smooth and creamy
  3. Add Flour, Salt, and Nuts, mix until well blended
  4. Roll Dough between the palms of your hands to make small balls
  5. Place Dough Balls on UNGREASED cookie sheet
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden
  7. Let cookies cool on sheet for 1-2 minutes
  8. Drop individual cookies into the additional Powdered Sugar and roll around to coat.
  9. Place cookie onto Wax Paper
  10. When all cookies from the baking sheet are coated, go back and coat a second time with Powdered Sugar
Notes
This recipe yields 3-6 dozen cookies depending on how large or small you roll you dough balls.

I bake my cookies for 10 minutes to start and add a minute at a time if needed.

This recipe is part of The Ultimate Virtual Cookie & Goodies Party & Giveaway, found at https://lifewithlorelai.com/2014/11/09/ultimate-cookie-party-giveaway/
#Ultimatecookieparty

A Life With Lorelai Recipe 2014 https://lifewithlorelai.com/
3.2.2802

 

I hope you will enjoy the Mexican Wedding Cakes as much as we do. Be sure to stop by The Ultimate Virtual Cookie & Goodies Party & Giveaway and link up some of your holiday favorites! It’s a cookie and goodie exchange, so take away some great new recipes to try.

What are your family favorite holiday cookies?

#Ultimatecookieparty

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

~Lorelai

 

 

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Mississippi Pecan Pie – Printable Recipe

Perfection in Pie

This pecan pie recipe has been in our family for generations. I remember my great-grandmother making this delectably delicious dessert when we would go back for a visit to the farm in Mississippi. It has always been a favorite of mine and it is Kirk’s all-time favorite. He wants this every year for his birthday.

So here, without any further ado…

Mississippi Pecan Pie
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1-Cup Dark Corn Syrup (Karo Syrup)
  • ¾ Cup Sugar
  • 3 Eggs, slightly beaten
  • 3 Tbs. Butter
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla
  • 1-Cup Pecans, coarsely broken
  • 1 Pie Shell (see Non-Soggy Pie Crust)

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Line a 9-inch pie tin with the pie dough. Allow the dough to extend over the edges of the pan about an inch to pinch into a stand-up-crust rim around the pie.
  • Boil Syrup and Sugar together about 2-minutes.
  • Pour syrup mixture slowly over slightly beaten Eggs, stirring as you pour.
  • Add Butter, Vanilla, and Pecans. Blend well.
  • Turn mixture into the pie shell.
  • Bake at 350° F, about 40-50 minutes.
  • Cool before cutting.

Mississippi Pecan Pie – A Featured Recipe in The Tastiest Thanksgiving EVER!

This beautiful Decorative Printable Recipe is available for download.
Created by Kristen at The Road to Domestication.

Do you have a favorite Family Recipe?

What’s your favorite pie for Thanksgiving?

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~Lorelai

Linking to these fabulous parties:

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