Tag Archives: dessert

With Easter right around the corner, I want to share a few fun ideas for your celebration.  I’m strictly sticking with dessert, cocktail, and snack options here.  You don’t need me telling you what to bake for brunch or cook for dinner (or where to go out to eat if you prefer) 😊 My family has the same conversation every year about what we’re going to eat…and we always go with the exact same thing as the previous year.  It’s tradition, we know what to expect, and everyone looks forward to the meal.  I think the same applies to a lot of families out there.  So, that’s why I like to focus on the “sides” if you will.  It’s themed food that’s delicious, easy to make, and adds to the celebration in a way that doesn’t break tradition yet lets us enjoy something new.  So please enjoy the “treats” I’m sharing with you … Continue reading

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Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21 this year.  It’s traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday” which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  It’s a wonderful celebration filled with plenty of food and drink…New Orleans style!  We like to celebrate Mardi Gras every year with a fun and festive meal at home.  Sometimes we are with friends and family and sometimes it’s just us.  Either way, the drinks are flowing, and the food is plenty.  Any reason to make a themed meal, right? I like to have a big entrée that allows us to have plenty of leftovers.  This year we are making Spicy Gumbo.  To keep us lubricated, we’ll be enjoying a cocktail while we cook.  And for an appetizer and dessert, we’ll be snacking on a simple themed treat.  It’s an easy menu that I’ll walk you through how to make! Mardi Gras White Chocolate Covered Pretzels – These are a wonderful finger food … Continue reading

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Valentine’s Day is a few short days away.  Do you have plans or know how you’re going to celebrate?  A lot of people have set traditions each year and like to go out to dinner or prepare a fun meal at home with their friends and/or loved ones.  We prefer staying in and making a meal at home.  We feel less rushed, it’s fun to cook together, and we can make something special to celebrate the holiday.  Two things I like to focus on when creating new Valentine’s Day recipes is desserts and cocktails.  Both will enhance your dinner and make the event more memorable and are required to complete the meal (in my opinion).  So, let’s walk through my new recipes and hopefully something will catch your eye to prepare for Valentine’s (or Galantine’s) Day! I’m going to start with the cocktails because 1) they are easy to make, 2) they are delicious, and 3) you need … Continue reading

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I previously posted a blog called Individual Dessert Cups where I discuss easy, no bake desserts that are mini-sized and served in 2oz cups.  They are perfect for a holiday gathering (especially with Christmas and NYE coming up) or would make great treats for a birthday party, picnic, or even a bake sale.  I think they are JUST the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth yet are small enough that you can have more than one without feeling bad about overindulging. You can make them in a variety of flavors, complete with cookie base, creamy filling, and themed toppings.  Here are the recipes I’ll be walking you through today: Individual Cookies & Cream Dessert Cups Individual Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Cups Individual Pumpkin Spice Dessert Cups   Let’s start with Individual Cookies & Cream Dessert Cups.  These are easy to make, delicious, and perfect for any Oreo lover! There is an Oreo crust, creamy … Continue reading

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Chocolate Peppermint Trifles are a wonderful no bake dessert for the holidays!  Think layers of cookie crumbs, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes…it’s delicious!  It’s a simple recipe that takes about 15 minutes to make and then sets in the fridge until ready to serve.  I like to serve mine in 4-8oz trifle containers, but you could divide the pudding between 8-4oz containers to stretch it further. The recipe can be found here. Start by adding the Oreos to the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse into fine crumbs then divided between 4 8oz trifle dishes (or 8 4oz dishes) and use the back of a spoon to press into the bottom.  If you don’t care for mint flavoring, you can use regular Oreos for the base. Add the milk, chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, and peppermint extract to a large mixing bowl.  Whisk to combine and set aside.  The mixture will become thick.  Same as before if you … Continue reading

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We are fast approaching my favorite time of year – Christmas!  The decorations, lights, and carols all put me in a festive mood.  And one of my favorite things this time of year is Christmas cookies and other goodies.  It’s a busy time of year for most and sometimes the stress of baking or spending hours in the kitchen is just too much for some.  That’s why I want to share with you a few recipes for QUICK yet delicious holiday treats.  Chocolate is involved (lots of chocolate is involved).  And the kids can help with decorating if you need an extra hand or 2. You’ve probably seen some of these treats around before or perhaps you’ve made them yourself but here are the recipes if you are interested: Holiday Rolo Pretzels Holiday Peppermint Pretzels Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Clusters Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers   Let’s walk through how to make them! Holiday Rolo Pretzels These are super simple to … Continue reading

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Loaded Brownie Ice Cream Cake screams indulgence!  The bottom is a thick fudge brownie that is topped with hot fudge, caramel sauce, ice cream, Oreo cookies, whipped cream, and more cookies.  It’s a rich dessert that you won’t want to share, lol! I think ice cream desserts can be enjoyed year-round.  Sure, they are necessary during summer months but every now and again I do crave a yummy ice cream dessert during fall or frigid winter months.  It’s dessert…it’s for any time of year.  This recipe in particular is a showstopper.  It’s rich, indulgent, sweet, and you don’t need a big slice to feel satisfied because it’s so dense. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing the brownie mix according to package instructions, using a 9×13 baking dish.  Don’t over bake the brownies!  But do let them cool completely.  If you have a deeper 9×13 baking dish, use that.  The ingredients get piled high!  If you have a standard 9×13 baking dish that … Continue reading

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bars are one of my top 10 favorite desserts.  They are essentially cream sandwiches you make on a rimmed baking sheet.  A combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes up the flavors in the cookie with a hint of sea salt sprinkled on top.  The filling is basic vanilla ice cream.  However, you can use any ice cream flavor of your choosing.  Chocolate ice cream would make the perfect chocolate extreme dessert.  Salted Caramel ice cream would pair nicely with the chocolate/peanut butter cookies.  You get the idea!  Make this dessert your own. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.  Generously spray an 18×13 rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.  Please do not forget this step or you will have quite a hard time removing the bars! Melt 2 sticks of butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.  Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. … Continue reading

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Homemade Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert is one of those desserts you can’t get enough of!  It’s loaded with peanuts, vanilla ice cream, an Oreo crust, and a chocolatey-fudgy topping.  It’s perfect on a hot summer day…or really any day because ice cream isn’t limited to summer enjoyment 😊 It’s a dessert I would recommend for a dinner party or birthday party.  It has something for everyone, is filling, and will feed a crowd. The recipe can be found here. Start by softening the ice cream so it’s easier to work with.  Do this by placing the quart of ice cream on the counter for 15-20 minutes to soften while you prepare the other ingredients. Add the Oreos to the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse until you have fine crumbs.  Pour the crumbs into a mixing bowl and add 1 stick of melted butter.  Stir to combine.  The mixture will resemble wet sand.  Press this mixture into the bottom of … Continue reading

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As colder weather sets in you are probably looking for something warm and filling to satisfy your cravings.  It is apple season (so move over pumpkin spice) and I think apple is one of the best flavors of the season because it pairs well with many dishes.  There are so many varieties of apples you are sure to find one that is your favorite and tastes great on a salad, or in a sandwich, or perhaps baked into a dessert. I like to create new recipes each fall that are themed around apples and have a few to share with you today: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken & Apple Melts with Honey Mustard Gouda, Apple & Bacon Naan Flatbread Caramel Apple Cupcakes   Slow Cooker Apple Cider is completely homemade.  The base is water, you add chopped fruit and some mulling spices, turn on the slow cooker, and forget it overnight.  Your house will … Continue reading

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