Tag Archives: Holiday Recipes

Christmas Cookie Bars

Last year I volunteered to bake Christmas goodies for troops stationed overseas. Each home cook was given two recipes to contribute to a larger care package for military crews who would not be home for the holidays. At first I was surprised that I was given recipes instead of being allowed to make my own homemade treats. But, I later found out that some of the care packages were going to soldiers with specific food allergies (peanuts, mint, etc.). The other reason I was given the following recipes for cookie bars is that apparently they travel well. Since these recipes … Continue reading →

How to Have a Choco-licious Christmas

Have you ever experienced the decadence of a chocolate molten lava cake? The devilishly good treat is comprised of a miniature cake with a hidden warm chocolate center that oozes out like lava from a volcano when pierced with a fork. It is sinfully delicious and now I’ve discovered a way to replicate the magic in a cookie. While I can’t take credit for creating the recipe (I got it from a holiday cookie swap), I can definitely attest to its phenomenal taste and ease of preparation. Ditto for another holiday classic that I traditionally prepare this time of year—-Chunky … Continue reading →

How to Make Homemade Peppermint Bark and Other Sweet Holiday Treats

If you are looking for an affordable edible gift to present to friends and family members this holiday season I highly recommend Peppermint Bark. Interestingly, I didn’t get my first taste of this delicious holiday treat until I was in my 20s. I was anchoring a local morning TV news show and a local chef came into the station to demo the recipe for a Christmas cooking segment. One bite and I was hooked. Chocolate and mint… who can resist that combination? What’s more, the recipe is fantastically simple to make. The other edible gift I like to pass out … Continue reading →

Making Edible Reindeer and Other Holiday Treats with Your Kids

Cooking with young children may take twice as long, but it has the potential to be ten times as fun if you are working with kid-friendly recipes. The following holiday-themed recipes are among my 4-year-old’s favorites. Not only does she delight in getting to add ingredients, mix, scoop and stir, but the Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies also allow her to exercise her creativity in the decorating process. As for the Candy Cane Ice Cream Sandwiches, well, one look at the ingredients and you’ll see why this is a holiday classic in our home. PEANUT BUTTER REINDEER Ingredients: 1/2 cup creamy … Continue reading →

Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes for Kids

After preparing a huge Thanksgiving meal you might not be motivated to get back into the kitchen to begin the monumental task of Christmas cookie baking just yet. However, as we all know, time flies and before you know it we’re halfway through the month and Christmas is knocking at our door. I haven’t fired up the oven just yet, but I have begun collecting recipes that I plan to make during my annual cookie baking marathon. This year (like last) I plan to devote an entire day baking with my young daughter. Last year we made sugar cookies, which … Continue reading →

Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake

I love peppermint and of course, my darling spouse hates it. He was only too thrilled when they started making orange and cinnamon flavored toothpaste so that he never had to endure the minty taste of peppermint again. So as much as I hate to say it, this dessert will never grace my table. On the other hand, today marks the beginning of a massive, several days long, menu planning session that will include feeding a crowd of fifty, as well as a couple of potlucks and some other gatherings that require food. So if I want a taste of … Continue reading →

Roast Goose with Wild Rice

Every Christmas, I love to watch the 1938 version of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” I think it is funny where everyone gets so excited about the Christmas goose. I think it would be cool to have a truly traditional Christmas dinner like that, so I went out and found this recipe. Now, if I can just find a goose at the grocery store, I will be set! For this recipe, you will need a 12-pound goose, salt, wild rice, hazelnuts, two Granny Smith apples, one small onion, ground savory, fresh parsley, black pepper, and all-purpose flour. To prep for … Continue reading →

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Here’s another Paula Deen classic that is just right for Halloween or Thanksgiving. For this recipe, you will need cake flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground allspice, eggs, granulated sugar, golden brown sugar (packed), canned pumpkin (packed), salt, powdered sugar, unflavored gelatin, orange juice, whipping cream, English toffee pieces, and caramel sauce. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Sift 3/4 cup of cake flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1 1/4 teaspoons of ground ginger, and 3/4 teaspoon of ground … Continue reading →

Easter Side Dishes

I always cook the same side dishes for Easter. But, this year, I am going to do something a little different. My husband will probably think he is in the wrong house when he sees these scrumptious sides on the table. Buttered Peas and Pearl Onions For this recipe, you will need 1 1/2 pounds of pearl onions, chicken broth, unsalted butter, fresh dill (chopped), fresh sweet peas (enough for two cups), a lemon, a small bunch of watercress, and kosher salt. Fill a large pot about half way full of water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. … Continue reading →

A St. Patrick’s Day Treat

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and it is the one time of the year when everyone feels Irish. There are parades, pub-crawls, and celebrations all over the country. If you are not sure why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you are probably not alone. Few people know that is it actually to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in Ireland around 385 AD and was responsible for converting many people in Ireland to Christianity. For thirty years, he helped build schools and churches throughout the land. He died on March 17, 461 AD and that … Continue reading →