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.

Salted Caramel Cinnamon Cookie

Dessert December 1, 2025 Leave a comment

An amazing cookie with a salted caramel finish. Add to your cookie menu for the holidays or just enjoy throughout the year for a special treat.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 3/4 cup of brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tarter
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cup of flour
  • ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1/2 cup caramel squares, cut into quarters.

Cookie Finish

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • Coarse Sea salt for sprinkling

Directions

  1. In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and set aside.
  2. To brown the butter, heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat. Add the sliced butter. It does not take long for the butter to begin browning on the bottom. When the butter begins to froth, watch carefully and stir. Once the butter turns light brown, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. The butter will burn fast, so don’t walk away.
  3. While the butter is cooling, cut the caramel squares into quarters and set aside
  4. In a stand mixer, combine the brown butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until blended and smooth.
  5. Beat in egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined.
  6. Form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  7. Once you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350°F.
  8. Measure about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball, or use a cookie scoop.
  9. Flatten and place a quartered caramel square on top, wrap the cookie dough over the caramel and roll back into a ball.
  10. Mix ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the mixture. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
  11. Flatten slightly with a fork, and sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt
  12. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges turn light brown. The centers will be soft. Allow it to cool for 2-3 minutes and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Moist Banana Nut Bread You’ll Love

Bread, Breakfast, Dessert November 28, 2025 Leave a comment
Banana Streusel Bread

There are so many recipes for Banana Nut Bread and truthfully, they are all pretty good. I found this recipe about 10 years ago and discovered it is hands down the best recipe I have ever made for Banana Nut Bread, moist, dense with an intense banana flavor highlighted by toasted walnuts or pecans and a cinnamon streusel topping.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup butter, softened
  • 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups of all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 with dark spots)
  • 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy
  2. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just blended after each addition
  4. COMBINE flour and next three ingredients
  5. Gradually add butter mixture at low speed until blended
  6. Add bananas, vanilla and nuts
  7. Spoon batter into two greased and floured 8 x 4-inch bread pans
  8. Top with streusel topping
  9. Bake for 1 hour in a 350°F. degree oven or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan.
  10. Cool pans on wire rack for 10 minutes and remove from pan
  11. Cool completely before slicing

STREUSEL TOPPING

Stir together ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar; ½ cup chopped toasted nuts; 1 tablespoon melted butter; 1 tablespoon flour; 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter before baking. It may be necessary to cover the last 15 minutes with foil to prevent overbrowning.

Glazed Sweet Pearl Onions

Dinner Ideas November 27, 2025 Leave a comment

These glazed onions are versatile and pair well with a variety of savory entrees such as roasted meats, grilled steaks, or hearty vegetable dishes. They can be served as a side dish or used as a topping to enhance the flavor of the main course. The sweetness of the brown sugar glaze complements the savory elements of the entree, creating a balanced and satisfying dish that appeals to a broad range of palates. I started making these for my family 30 years ago, I am asked to bring them to every holiday dinner celebration. Start your own traditions!

Ingredients

  • 2 12-ounce bags of frozen pearl onions
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • ¼ teaspoon Koren Red Pepper Powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

Process

  1. Defrost onions for about an hour before cooking, it’s okay if they are still partially frozen before cooking.
  2. In a heavy 12” frying pan or cast-iron pan melt the butter on medium heat, add the pepper flakes and the rosemary and stir into the butter to infuse the flavors.
  3. When the melted butter begins to foam, add the onions.
  4. Spread the onions out in the pan and let cook slowly, releasing the water from the onions.
  5. Cook for about 5 – 7  minutes on medium heat and stir. The water that has been released from the onions will begin to evaporate, leaving the butter. At this point turn the heat up to medium high and let the onions brown. Stir occasionally until they become a nice golden color. Start to finish this should take about 10 to 12 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium low and add brown sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar has melted and the onions are fully coated.

Note: Onions can be made a day in advance of the meal, just reheat and serve.

Pineapple Gravy for Ham

dinner, Dinner Ideas November 24, 2025 Leave a comment

If you’re preparing a ham for the holidays, consider adding a special dish to your table. I recommend trying a pineapple gravy. This flavorful gravy can enhance your holiday meal, making it more delicious and memorable. Pineapple gravy is easy to prepare and adds a sweet and tangy touch that complements the savory ham perfectly. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or a small family dinner, this recipe is a great addition to your holiday menu, providing a unique and tasty accompaniment to your main dish.

Ingredients

  • 8.5 ounce can of crushed pineapple
  • ½ cup orange juice (or pineapple juice)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Process

  1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and stir until well combined.
  2. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Boil for 1 minute or until thickened.

Tirokafteri Dip (Spicy Feta Dip)

appetizer, Dips November 23, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled well
  • 2 jalapeno peppers or chili peppers, stem, seeds & membranes removed
  • 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sweet red pepper paste (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, mashed (Optional)
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Process

  1. Place feta cheese in a large bowl.
  2. Place green peppers in a food processor and blend into a paste, transfer to the bowl of feta.
  3. Add Greek yogurt, olive oil, red pepper paste, vinegar, garlic, and cayenne pepper to the dip. Stir until well blended, and smooth.
  4. Garnish with chopped red bell pepper, chopped chilies, or sliced olives.

Serve with chips or raw vegetables such as cucumber slices, green or red pepper chunks, any crusty bread.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Dinner Ideas November 20, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 10 slices applewood smoked bacon (cooked crisp and chopped)
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
  • ½ cup scallions, chopped

Process

  1. Beat cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper with a hand mixer until smooth.
  2. Add in 1-1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, half of the cooked bacon, half of the minced jalapeño peppers, half the green onions and fold gently until mixed. The remainder of these ingredients will be used for the coating.
  3. Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, using plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
  4. In a bowl mix the remainder of the cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeño pepper and green onions. Refrigerate.
  5. 20 minutes before serving, unwrap cheese ball and roll into the leftover topping mixture to coat entirely.

Smoked Salmon wrapped Cheese balls

Dinner Ideas November 19, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce cream cheese block
  • 8-ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons chives, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 4-ounce package of Smoked Salmon
  • 1 English cucumber sliced into 1/2-inch rounds for garnish

Process

  1. Bring cheeses to room temperature.
  2. In a mixer, mix cream cheese, cheddar, Garlic salt, and onion powder.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  4. Remove plastic wrap and using a ¾ inch cookie scooper, scoop cheese into small balls.
  5. In a small bowl, mix parsley and Parmesan cheese together.
  6. Roll each ball in the parsley and cheese mixture.
  7. Separate the salmon layers and cut 1-inch circles of smoked salmon and wrap around each ball. Place the balls in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  8. Before serving, dip the top of each ball into chopped chives.
  9. Place cheese ball on top of cucumber slice and secure with a toothpick.

1970’s Party Cheese Ball

Dinner Ideas November 19, 2025 Leave a comment

Here is a wonderful throwback to the 1970’s. This cheese ball was my first introduction to the world of different kinds of cheeses. It would be a great appetizer for the upcoming holidays, serve with crackers, pretzels, or toasted pita chips.

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce cream cheese block
  • ¾ cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • ¼ cup yellow or sweet onion, minced
  • ½ cup chopped, toasted pecans
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped

Process

  1. Bring cream cheese, blue cheese, and cheddar cheese to room temperature.
  2. Crumble the blue cheese and shred the cheddar cheese.
  3. Put cheeses in a mixer and beat on medium speed until fluffy, scraping sides and bottom of bowl. Stir in chopped, toasted pecans.
  4. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
  5. Shape chilled cheese mixture into a large ball and roll in the chopped parsley. Keep chilled in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Roasted Stuffed Dates

Dinner Ideas November 17, 2025 Leave a comment

The holidays are fast approaching and you may need to consider appetizers for your guests, or perhaps you volunteered to bring something to a gathering. Why not something sweet and elegant? Roasted Stuffed Dates. Filled with goat cheese topped with a walnut, and herb mixture and drizzled with honey. Simply amazing.

Ingredients

  • 1 12-ounce package pitted Medjool dates
  • 1 4-ounce log goat cheese, softened to room temperature. I love the honey flavored
  • 1/3 cup very finely chopped walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest plus 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Hot honey for garnish

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. Slice the dates open lengthwise, do not cut all the way through.
  3. Fill each date with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the goat cheese.
  4. Arrange dates in a 9” x 9” baking pan.
  5. Combine walnuts, rosemary, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, salt, and olive oil in a small bowl. Mix well.
  6. Spoon walnut mixture over dates. Bake for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before transferring to a platter.
  8. Drizzle with hot honey.