In an effort to keep things simple... I made you a dump cake! An Apple Cinnamon one to be exact because, you know, it's Fall. I have only one other dump cake recipe on the blog...it's a Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake which is my grandma's recipe and it's downright amazing. I am thinking we need to add a few more...I'll work on that for you... Now onto this Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake! This recipe could not be ANY easier. There are no bowls and no stirring. You simply chop up some apples and … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato Casserole
What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? Is it sweet potato casserole? Ok good. Because you're going to love this post then! I have to admit, I haven't been the biggest fan of sweet potato casserole - I just didn't grow up with it. We were the cheesy potato side dish kind of family. BUT, I got married and celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband's side of the family a few times and his Aunt made a mean sweet potato casserole. I asked her for the recipe and it of course was one of the great … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Ravioli with Sausage, Kale, Pine Nuts, Parmesan Cheese & Brown Butter
We are getting really Fall today. First off, I can't get over this pumpkin ravioli! It's just too pretty! I got it from Trader Joe's. Don't you just LOVE Trader Joe's during the holiday season? They always have the best and most unique products that taste GOOD. This Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli is no exception. It's delicious and hearty. I paired the pumpkin ravioli with sausage, kale, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, sage and topped it with browned butter. Brown butter goes SO well with … [Read more...]
Angel Food Cake
I have the prettiest dessert for you! Isn't it so gorgeous? And how perfect is it for the 4th of July? I just can't even with this angel food cake. It's a very typical recipe for angel food cake. It's light, fluffy and perfectly sweet - it's even better topped with whipped cream and berries. The recipe instructions may seem a bit daunting - I totally understand. Not all baking is easy, but what I can say is, everything gets easier with practice! I made this twice and it didn't fail on me, … [Read more...]
French Toast Casserole
Does anyone else feel like they can live on french toast for the rest of their life? I'm not alone? Whew. I have been loving french toast since I can remember. I have very fond memories enjoying french toast at my childhood friend's house - her mom made the BEST french toast ever. I also remember ordering it as a kid when we went out to breakfast. Who am I kidding? I still order it now! With all the brunch festivities coming up...Mother's Day, Father's Day, plus Spring in general, … [Read more...]
Coconut Cupcakes
Oh what a lovely day it is. For these unbelievable coconut cupcakes. Ya know...when I think of Easter I think of three things...lemon, coconut and pastels. Oh and mimosas. What do you think of? I've actually been craving coconut. It's Spring. I am kind of over the warm and comforting stuff. I say that while currently slow cooking a chuck roast as we speak. I needed something easy for tonight, okay? I guess what I'm saying is...I am turning gears...at least in the dessert arena. It's … [Read more...]
Peppermint Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
One more recipe before Christmas! I know. I know. I'm cutting it pretty close. Pretty pretty please tell me you're still planning? If you are, add these peppermint brownies to your dessert list! You will be very happy. Promise. Do you like peppermint? It's one of those flavors that you either love or hate. I actually don't love or hate it. I like it and that is totally fine with me. I really do love these brownies though! They're not overpowering with peppermint flavor so don't worry … [Read more...]
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
You need this fancy recipe! Why? Because it's so easy! Oh my gosh I'm in love with this roasted beef tenderloin. It's.so.fancy. but it's really not. I mean...it is, like it looks fancy and tastes fancy, but it's a no fuss recipe. Marinate the meat, sear the meat, then roast the meat in the oven. I can't believe I'm saying this, buuuuuuut I think it's kinda pretty. Right? I don't love photographing meat...it's just not all that photogenic but I think this is really beautiful. Maybe … [Read more...]
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Tis' the season for all the cookies!!! I could eat all the cookies in the world over the holidays. I freaking love love love cookies. All different kinds - I think we have talked about this before? They're my favorite "treat." I have been wanting to make chocolate crinkle cookies for some time now because I think they're so pretty and so Winter. We are heading out tomorrow to visit my brother and his family in Pittburgh! I can't even wait...I've never been and I haven't seen them in a … [Read more...]
Cranberry Bars
Oh my gosh, how gorgeous are these? I'll be honest. I don't bake with fresh cranberries that often. I often use dried cranberries - see these white chocolate almond cookies and this cranberry orange bread. I love snacking on dried cranberries and using them in salads...like all the time. I love a burst of a sweet in a salad, but they are lacking something...the looks. They're just not as beautiful as fresh cranberries. I am SO glad I decided to bake these cranberry bars up because they're … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Stuffing
Holidays = stuffing. Stuffing = holidays. It's just part of the deal. There's no getting away from it. Stuffing is just as important as the Turkey or the ham or the roast. It's what I go back for seconds for and it's what compliments every other dish on the plate. It needs to be good. And pretty! Yes, I think stuffing it pretty. It's a casserole which isn't always the most eye appealing dish, but with herbs, spices, and pretty ingredients like cherries, stuffing can look beautiful. I … [Read more...]
Green Bean Casserole
With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm thinking you may need some side dish ideas. Am I right? I know I know. It's not even Halloween yet but the holiday talk is already happening in our family. We go back to Iowa to visit my parents for Thanksgiving and now that we are older, we try to all help in the kitchen instead of leaving the daunting cooking task on just my mom. It only makes sense for me to help cook and bake, right? I love to cook in my parent's kitchen because it was the first … [Read more...]