Category Archives: Fun Stuff

How to Make Delicious Marshmallow Creme at Home

Dessert, Famous Recipes, Fun Stuff December 9, 2025 Leave a comment

Marshmallow creme is an American food item. It is a very sweet, spreadable, marshmallow-like confection. Marshmallow creme and peanut butter are used to create a Fluffernutter sandwich. In addition, marshmallow creme and Nutella can be spread on graham crackers to emulate s’ mores – a tasty fireside treat.  I have also used Marshmallow fluff to fill whoopee pies and icing chocolate cake.  You can take a pastry tip and fill cupcakes with marshmallow fluff for a yummy, sweet treat.  Or take a spoon and just dig in.  Enjoy

Ingredients

  • 3 large egg whites 
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter 
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • 3/4 cup golden corn syrup 
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar 
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a heavy duty mixer, with whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. 
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and beat until soft peaks form, set aside. 
  3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, add 1/3 cup water, corn syrup, and 2/3 cup sugar. 
  4. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture reaches firm ball stage (instructions below) or 248 degrees on a candy thermometer. This step will take about 15 minutes. 

(To test for firm ball stage:  Fill a glass with cold water and drop a small spoonful of the mixture into the cold water. Remove the mixture from the cold water and it should hold its shape, but quickly flatten)

  1. Once the corn syrup mixture has reached firm ball stage, turn the mixer onto medium and in a slow steady stream; pour the corn syrup mixture into the beaten egg whites. 
  2. Once all of the corn syrup mixture has been added, beat on high for 5 minutes. 
  3. Add vanilla extract and beat on high 1 minute 
  4. Store in a tightly sealed container

Edible Glitter

Dessert, Fun Stuff December 5, 2025 Leave a comment

Who doesn’t need edible glitter for holiday baking decorations? If you run out of sprinkles for your holiday cookies I came across this recipe and you can make all the colors of the rainbow. Have fun and happy baking! 

 Try this:

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of food coloring

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. degrees
  2. Mix sugar and food coloring together
  3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Dessert, Fun Stuff, Salads, Side December 3, 2025 Leave a comment

Everyone has tried this summer salad at least once. There are many different recipes for Ambrosia available online, making it difficult to choose which one to make. In this blog, I have included the traditional version of the recipe, as well as a new variation that uses Greek yogurt. Try both versions and decide which one you prefer. 

Traditional Version:

Ingredients

  • 2 cans of pineapple tidbits
  • 2 cans of mandarin oranges
  • 1 8–12-ounce container of Cool Whip (or fresh whipped cream)
  • 1 8-ounce container of sour cream
  • 1 bag of mini marshmallows
  • ½ bag of coconut

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors.

New Version:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of fresh pineapple cut into small pieces
  • 2 mandarin oranges or cuties (tiny oranges) sectioned, cut the sections in half
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • Optional add in fruit:
    • Strawberries (sliced)
    • Kiwi (sliced)
    • Blueberries
  • ½ bag coconut
  • 1 bag of mini marshmallows
  • 1 large container of Plain or Vanilla Greek Yogurt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together and serve immediately

Purgatory Meatballs

Appetizers, Dinner Ideas, Fun Stuff November 12, 2025 Leave a comment

Sweet & Hot Meatballs

Sweet & Hot Meatballs

Purgatory Meatballs, yes the heat factor is there, but the pineapple and apricot preserves dial it down to a spicy sweetness. You can add additional hot jalapenos to dial up the heat factor. Start with this recipe and then add if it is not spicy enough.

I needed a fast, quick entrée to bring to work for an impromptu party. Off to the market I went to try and figure it out. Here is what I walked out with, I put it all together and decided it is yummy and great enough to post. Great as an appetizer, party food, over rice or great for a last minute potluck. I put it in a crock pot and was all set for the event.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium sweet onion, diced
  • ½ cup of Italian parsley or cilantro, chopped fine
  • 1 jar of chili sauce
  • 1 large can of pineapple tidbits
  • 1 jar of apricot preserves
  • 1 jar of HOT Mango Chutney (I used half)
  • 1 can of HOT jalapeno peppers (diced)
  • 1 can of medium hot chilies peppers (diced)
  • 4 bags of frozen, fully cooked meatballs (about 15 in each bag),
  • 4 large green peppers, cut into chunks

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan, sauté the diced onion in 1 tablespoon of oil or 1 teaspoon of coconut oil until soft
  2. On medium heat, add the next 6 ingredients, I only used ½ jar of the HOT Mango Chutney, but you can use the whole jar
  3. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly for 10 minutes, remove from heat. NOTE; because there is sugar in this mixture it will come to a boil quickly so keep the heat on medium and stir so the bottom does not burn.
  4. After removing the pan from the heat, bring to room temperature if not using right away and refrigerate until you are ready to use.
  5. When you are ready to serve; about 4 hours before the event, put the sauce in a crock pot and cook on high until hot, turn down to low and add the peppers, and meatballs, stir to coat and put the lid on and heat until meatballs are heated through.

Smoky Jalapeno & Bacon Poppers

Appetizers, Fun Stuff, Side November 7, 2025 Leave a comment

Smoky Links Appetizer

Smoky Links Appetizer

These smoky treats are really easy to prepare, and you may even have most of the ingredients hanging out in your fridge already:

Smoky Jalapeno & Bacon Poppers

12 fresh jalapeno peppers
12 slices of bacon
24 little smoky links
1 package of cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Sweet barbecue rub

1.       To start the construction of these treats you’ll first want to wash and trim the jalapeno peppers. I highly recommend wearing plastic food prep gloves during the trimming portion to keep the jalapeno oils from soaking into your skin.

2.      Trimming jalapeno peppers is a relatively simple task. Simply chop the stem off and slice the pepper lengthwise to expose the seeds and vein. Using a spoon, scrape out the white vein and rinse under water to wash away the seeds.

4.       In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, paprika and cayenne pepper. Fill a pastry bag with mix.

5.        Using a pastry bag, fill each jalapeno half with a generous portion of the cream cheese mixture.

6.       Top each one of the filled peppers with a little smokey sausage link.

7.       Wrap each of the smoky links topped jalapenos with a half slice of bacon, making sure that the seam is directly on top.

8.       Secure the wrap by inserting a toothpick straight down through the overlapping edges of the bacon. Stop just short of going through the pepper, this will ensure the cream cheese will not melt through the hole.

9.    Mix ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper.   Season the treats with the sugar-based rub.

10.   Bake at 325 degrees for an hour or until bacon is crisp. Do not overcook – the peppers will become too soft and the cream cheese will melt all over your oven.

11.   Remove from oven, spread with a raspberry chipotle sauce, or brush on a sweet jam while hot. Let cool for about 10 minutes to set.

Glazed Smokey Links – Appetizer

Appetizers, Fun Stuff December 28, 2014 Leave a comment

Glazed Smoky LinksWhen my children were small we would host our annual New Year’s Eve party with close friends and their children.  The kids decorated the playroom downstairs with streamers, balloons and New Year decorations.  The grown-ups would eat shrimp and fondue upstairs. At midnight the grownups would join the kids in the playroom, open champagne for us and sparkling cider for the kids and bring in the New Year complete with confetti and plastic champagne flutes.  We would pass around fortune cookies and the kids would eat the gingerbread house I made for the holidays.  The New Year always started off on the right note with smiles and friends.  The most popular appetizer among kids were the little smokey links wrapped in crescent rolls. Here is another smoky link recipe.  Pass these around at your party, they are sure to be a hit!  Happy 2015 I hope it is prosperous, healthy and safe for all of us!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Bacon, Cut Into Thirds
  • 1 pound Smoky Links (small)
  • 1 stick Butter
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F.

  1. Cut the bacon into thirds and wrap each link.
  2. Place all the wrapped links in a single layer in a baking dish.
  3. Melt the stick of butter, add 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until mixed well.
  4. Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture on the links and bacon.
  5. Bake them for about 15-20 minutes and then turn the heat up to 400F for about 5 minutes or longer until the bacon becomes crispy. Watch them carefully because they will burn quick because of the glaze.
  6. Remove from oven, remove from baking dish and place on a plate for serving.

Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing

Dessert, Fun Stuff December 28, 2014 Leave a comment

This frosting would be great on just about anything from gingerbread, chocolate

Brown Sugar Frosting

Brown Sugar Frosting

cupcakes, or even white cake.  If you have a sweet tooth, give this a try!

 

Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing

Yield: makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 4 egg whites*
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix brown sugar, water and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil. (Be careful, as it will rise, so make sure the sides of your pan are taller). Let it boil at medium to medium high until the syrup drops like a hair from spoon (approximately 10 minutes). Remove from burner and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, beat egg whites until stiff.
  3. SLOWLY pour the hot syrup in a THIN stream into egg whites, beating constantly. Beat until icing holds peaks, and then blend in vanilla.
  4. Let cool to room temp, then store covered in the fridge until ready to use.
  5. Enjoy!

Baked Eggs in Ham Cups – easy

Breakfast, Dinner Ideas, Fun Stuff May 10, 2014 Leave a comment

baked eggs ham crispsNeed a great breakfast for mom that is easy and delicious? Try this recipe. You can leave your eggs whole or beat them with your vegetables and cheese.  Serve with a side of roasted red potatoes, steamed asparagus and fruit salad.  You can substitute the shallots with a small red or sweet onion, use your favorite vegetables, if you don’t have sour cream, substitute plain yogurt. The possibilities are endless. You can’t mess this up. Makes 6

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
• 2 cups of any vegetables you love, suggestions: chopped mushrooms, chopped red pepper (or jarred roasted red peppers)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil or butter
• ½ cup of your favorite shredded cheese
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream or yogurt
• 6 slices of Virginia Ham
• 6 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1. Melt and heat your butter, or coconut oil, or olive oil in a large pan on medium heat
2. Sauté your favorite vegetables, and the chopped shallots until soft. Stirring often.
3. If adding spinach, slice it into small pieces – add last after your vegetables are softened just to wilt it. You don’t want mushy spinach.
4. Spray your muffin tins with baking spray, this recipe makes 6
5. Line each muffin cup with a slice of ham, ends will stick up and hang over the sides. baked eggs ham crisps2
*If making scrambled egg cups: using an egg beater or fork, beat your eggs with 2 tablespoons of milk, a pinch of salt and pepper, divide your sautéed vegetables in each of the muffin cups and pour egg mixture into each cup using a ladle. Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheese on top of each cup.
*If leaving eggs whole, divide the sautéed vegetables among the 6 muffin cups 

  1. Crack one egg into each cup, sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper
  2. Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheese on top of each cup
  3. Bake for 15 minutes until eggs are set and cooked to your likeness

Maple Bacon

Appetizers, Breakfast, Dessert, Dinner Ideas, Fun Stuff April 24, 2014 Leave a comment

maple baconMaple glazed bacon, who doesn’t love the smell and taste of bacon, dress it up with a coating of pure maple glaze and you have a gourmet dish or appetizer. Glazed maple bacon can add a savory note to desserts, just crumble the bacon into maple flavored frosting for cupcakes.  Or consider sweet and savory appetizers; wrap maple bacon around sweet potato slices, or asparagus before baking. Wrap around prawns or cream cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers, or small smokey links before baking. Maple syrup adds a sweet note to thick-cut bacon slices, which are obviously delicious served right  alongside pancakes, eggs or waffles.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (use the real stuff)
  • 12 slices good-quality thick-cut bacon
  • coarse ground pepper (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

  1. Pour the maple syrup into a shallow bowl and give each bacon slice (both sides) a generous dip in the syrup.
  2. Lay the bacon on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with pepper if desired.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the bacon over and bake until it is crisp at the edges and caramelized on the bottom, another 10 to 15 minutes.*Note: this cooking time is depending on the thickness of your bacon, keep an eye on it while baking so it does not burn, especially if using a thinner bacon.
  4. Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
  5. Lift the slices from the liner so they don’t stick after cooling. Cool for about a minute, transfer to a long platter to serve.

Chocolate Coconut Clusters

Dessert, Fun Stuff March 29, 2014 Leave a comment

 

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil

In the never ending quest for healthy food and a healthier diet I have been convinced by my son and his wife to try Coconut oil in place of vegetable, or canola oil, and even butter. I did my research and have found that Coconut oil can positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood-sugar control. People who eat coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut oil can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol. Use Coconut oil to fry with, to bake with and to add to everyday dishes like Oatmeal, tea, or coffee. Use on vegetables in place of spreads or butter, Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for hair and skin, use organic if using on skin or for massage. Studies have shown that you can consume to 2 tablespoons daily for healthy benefits.

Chocolate Coconut Clusterscoconut clusters

Ingredients:

  • 1 (5 oz) bag Flaked or shredded coconut- unsweetened
  • 2/3 cup melted coconut oil + 1 TBSP
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. In medium bowl, mix coconut flakes, 2/3 cup melted coconut oil, vanilla, and almond butter until well mixed.
  2. Using hands, form into 1 inch balls and put on a plate.
  3. Put the plate in the freezer until the clusters harden completely.
  4. Once the clusters have hardened, melt the chocolate in a double boiler with 1 TBSP coconut oil until smooth.
  5. Dip the clusters into the chocolate and put back on a plate or in a small baking dish
  6. Put them into refrigerator and eat once they get cold.
  7. Enjoy the awesome mixture of crunchy chocolate shell and chewy coconut center!