Baked Spice Cake Doughnuts are the perfect fall treat. Just add glaze and enjoy with coffee, tea, or me. Baked Spice Cake Doughnuts Makes about 18 regular-size cake doughnuts. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1/2 cup (or one stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup buttermilk […]
Apple Pie. Please let me introduce you to the perfect apple pie. Why This Pie Works We follow all the finicky rules that make a buttery, flakey pie crust like using high-quality butter, keeping it cold, not over-processing the butter & flour, not playing with it too much, and letting it rest. We use Honeycrisp […]
Learn How to Make a Butter Turkey so you can dazzle your family this holiday season. How to Make a Butter Turkey 1 cup butter 1 turkey mold Remove the butter from the refrigerator and let it sit out so it can soften to room temperature. Press half a cup into one side of the […]
Learn How to Make a Checkerboard Cake How to Make a Checkerboard Cake Make one batch of each kind of cake and divide the batter for each one into two 8-inch pans. When they have cooled after baking, wrap each one in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, unwrap and trim across the […]
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are, perhaps, the very best way to welcome fall. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Makes 12 large pumpkin cinnamon rolls. You will need cooking twine to cut the rolls. 1/4 cup water at 110°F or lower 2 packages (or 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons) yeast 1/2 cup scalded milk (heat […]
How to Brine a Turkey Below you will find the recipe for a fantastic brine and charts to help you prepare your turkey. How to Brine a Turkey 2 quarts boiling hot water 1 1/2 cups kosher salt 1 cup brown sugar 2 gallons cold apple cider 2 quarts cold water 2 oranges Leaves from […]
Norwegian Potato Lefse. The pounding of the rolling pin onto the pastry-cloth-lined 25-foot long table was comforting. The eight grills all in a line warmed me yet scared me as I walked by. The “Lefse Ladies” as we lovingly referred to them were always there with the best gossip and glorious giggles as they flooded […]
These Loaded Potato Pancakes are made from mashed potatoes. This is the perfect day after Thanksgiving breakfast. It’s simple yet fancy. Plain yet flavorful. Loaded Potato Pancakes 2 cup mashed potatoes 2 eggs 1⁄2 cup flour (plus more for breading) 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced garlic 2 green […]
Some top their homemade pumpkin pie in Cool Whip. Some prefer theirs with real whoop cream. No matter which team you’re on, you can never go wrong with this Thanksgiving classic. Homemade Pumpkin Pie Preheat oven to 375°F. 1/2 recipe of homemade pie crust 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 […]
Mrs. Deanna did it… with the pastry cutter… in the kitchen. Her crime? Pumpkin Scones With Maple Frosting. How to Make Scones Scone dough, just like pie crust dough, doesn’t like to be played with after the wet ingredients are added. Just mix the wet & dry ingredients until they can be formed into scones. […]
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake With Apple Brandy Whipped Cream is the perfect fall treat. A moist, dark cake with a delightful, light whipped topping. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon […]
Banana Cream Pie. Delightful vanilla pudding topped with fresh bananas. It’s a classic and you don’t need a box to make it. Banana Cream Pie Vanilla Pudding Makes about 4 one-cup servings. 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 cups half and half or milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla paste […]
Once you have a great basic pie crust recipe, instead of a nightmare, pie becomes something one dreams about. Well, wait no longer. I got you. It’s easy and once you read through the tips, you’ll have a lovely, flaky crust every time. Here are some pies you can make using this crust recipe. Tips […]
Here’s a list of Five Awesome Party Games for you & your loved ones. Tired of the same old holiday routine? Pull simple supplies together to surprise your family and friends with these Minute to Win It style games and fun challenges. Make sure everyone gets a try. Although the main point is to connect with […]
Canned soup is a nice way to welcome your family home from a long day but homemade turkey noodle soup is outta this world delicious. I still reminisce about my first memory of grandma’s turkey noodle soup and how much better it was than even chicken soup. Turkey Noodle Soup Makes about sixteen 14-ounce servings. […]
Sweet potatoes have grown up in the Great Northwest. Fondant Sweet Potatoes With Balsamic Reduction 3 large sweet potatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 4 cloves garlic, minced Sea salt Fresh ground pepper 3/4 cup chicken broth 2 cups balsamic vinegar Preheat oven to 425°F. Place balsamic vinegar in a saute pan. Bring […]
Pumpkin Pie Cookies. With Thanksgiving right around the corner and through the woods to Grandmother’s house, these little pretties are the perfect treat for your work, friends & family, and school parties. Placed in a cute clear bag with a bow, it’s like, well, a personal turkey day Valentine. The pumpkin spice frosting makes them […]
Have you signed up for your free “Turkey for Twelve” eBook yet? It’s the perfect Thanksgiving guide for the new holiday host. –> In it, you will learn: How long it takes to defrost & cook your turkey How to make stuffing & gravy without harming packaged mixes How to make sure your mashed potatoes […]
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Well, you will want it to arrive even sooner after you see these adorable, edible place settings. get a leg up on your turkey day prep now… To make these darlings, you will need to order these little plastic bones in advance: Rubie’s Costume Bag’O Bones Costume Package (10 Piece) These are fantastic […]
Salted Caramel Sauce. You need this sauce in your life just like you need a pumpkin spice candle, and a maple leaf wreath, and decorative gourds. Yes, you do. And you can have it in just five minutes. Lookie here for Salted Caramel Sauce featuring Pumpkin Pecan Cream Cheese Bread Pudding or, you know, Pumpkin […]
I’ve always disliked squashed squash. Pumpkin ravioli? Meh. Soup? Even more meh. Overcooked? There are not enough mehs in the world. But I’ve wanted to like it. I’ve tried with my whole heart. I’ve even ordered it at fancy restaurants to be sure I wasn’t judging my squash over a bad recipe. But, I’m not […]
Peanut Butter Pie. This post is simply a classic peanut butter pie presented in a very spectacular mini and high-calorie fashion. But, you know, calories don’t count if the dessert is a mini. And you share it with a friend. And you square dance enough. Mini Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pies With Maple Whipped Cream Peanut […]
Waldorf Salad. It appears I am not the only person on the planet who has the gift of making incredibly healthy food unhealthy. I am happy to carry on the tradition which has obviously been going on for decades. The proof? The Waldorf Salad – a must for every holiday table and a perfect snack […]
The leaves are almost gone but fear not, for I bring you glad tidings of fallish, mapley joy which shall last you throughout the Christmas cookie season called Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies. Move over acorns and junipers… it is time for the maple leaf sandwich cookie to shine. Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies Preheat oven to […]
Sweet and Spicy Cornish Game Hens With Cornbread Stuffing. When I was single, I used to go for long drives in my pumpkin-orange, ’76 Chevette. I would drive until I got lost and then find my way back, making stops along the way to experience new stores and new restaurants. In losing myself, I would […]
Sometimes there are just not enough words to describe the good things in life. This especially applies to butterscotch desserts. These pretty pumpkin-spiced butterscotch pudding parfaits made their debut this week at the Puyallup Fair. I demonstrated these and a few other cozy fall recipes in the home arts department. If you were there, thank […]
Homemade Blackberry Pie. If there’s one thing a girl needs to know how to bake, it’s a Homemade Blackberry Pie. The good news is that it’s easier than it looks. Not to mention, it’s practically free if you have berries growing nearby. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make it perfect. There is something, well, […]
Sweet Red Cherry Pie. Summer at its best. That is unless you count the time I used dish soap so I could go faster on our Slip & Slide. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen our kids laugh as hard as they did that day nor have I embarrassed myself more – at least not […]
These Cinnamon Rolls With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are being brought to you after lots of practice. Practice making the dough. Practice making the filling. Practice making the frosting. And, well, you know. The practice of eating them warm out of the oven. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve always been good at the […]
The proof of a delicious Chocolate Pudding Parfaits is in the pudding. And the graham cracker crust. And the Irish cream enhanced whipped cream. These little sweethearts are lovely for a party. Individually decorated pudding parfaits topped with a wee bit-o-cocoa powder. You’ll need one pie pan or 8 eight-ounce mason jars or oven-safe ramekins. […]
Was there ever a potluck where the seven-layer salad was not present when we were kids? Although similar, it seems everyone has their own special take on how a seven-layer salad should look. Mine? Well, I prefer 3 times 7 – hence an abundant 21 layers. The trifle bowl is the very best bowl for layered […]
Mud Pie or How to Make Friends and Influence People. My treasured mud pie recipe as seen on TV. Years ago, I decided to have a Christmas party. I didn’t realize it then, but the party would become a tradition and I’m convinced my friends are still in my life because of the dessert. Memorize […]
Maple Boy Doughnuts. If you’re looking for a special Christmas morning breakfast, you have come to the right place. These adorable little boys have become a tradition at family gatherings. Everyone loves them and all of their mapley goodness. This recipe makes about a dozen Maple Boys. These are perfect for making on Christmas Eve […]
What would the holidays be without a perfect gingerbread boy cookies recipe? Sugar, spice, and everything nice… we could all use a little more of these things in our lives. Start celebrating today with these Gingerbread Boy Cookies which win in the category of “Most Likely to Make Someone Smile.” Gingerbread Boy Cookies Preheat oven […]
Today we’re making Creamy Mashed Potatoes – the traditional holiday potato. Creamy Mashed Potatoes 5 pounds russet potatoes 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 2 teaspoons sea salt 2 teaspoons pepper or white pepper 4 cloves fresh garlic cloves, minced or smashed (optional) 1/4 cup butter, sliced (for the top) Do […]
I learned how to make dinner rolls from Mrs. Jensen in 7th grade. I learned to never add hot liquids ingredients to yeast since hot liquids will kill the yeast’s ability to rise. I wish I could say that I caught on quickly, but I can remember at least two more times after Mrs. Jensen’s […]
Pumpkin Cheesecake. This New York treat turned fall will wow your guests. And with the butterscotch topping? Well, fo’get aboud it! Pumpkin Cheesecake With Butterscotch Topping Preheat oven to 350°F. Graham Cracker Crust 12 long (4 sections on each) graham crackers 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick unsalted butter, melted Crush graham crackers in […]
This Breakfast Sub Sandwich is a super fun breakfast idea for when you have overnight guests. Breakfast Sub Sandwich Makes about 12 servings. 1 four-foot loaf of French bread (or two two-feet loves with one end trimmed off so they can be pushed together) 1 stick of unsalted butter 1/2 pound high-quality cheddar cheese, thinly […]
In this post, I’m showing you how to make turkey gravy. Making lump-free gravy easier than one might think. How to Make Turkey Gravy 1 ⅛ cup turkey fat, butter, or olive oil 1 cup flour 2 quarts turkey broth or juices 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Turkey or Chicken Base or bouillon (optional) Sea […]
One of the wonderful things about How to Make Cranberry Sauce is that you can make it ahead of time and save it in the fridge for your turkey dinner. Your friends and family might miss the can-shaped cranberry sauce but you will win them over with this easy recipe made from scratch. How to […]
How to Cook a Turkey and Stuffing. There are too many videos of turkeys gone wrong to count. If you’re nervous about roasting a turkey for the first time, I think you might appreciate how easy it really is to do. See the charts below for defrosting and roasting times. How to Cook a Turkey […]
Mini Pecan Pies. One of the most beloved pies of all time… the Pecan Pie. Pecan Pie Makes 12 mini pecan pies or 1 large pie. Preheat oven to 400°F. 1 recipe Basic Pie Crust 3 eggs 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla […]
How to Make Pumpkin Puree. As convenient as it is to go pick up a can of pumpkin at the store, there is great satisfaction in making your own. And if you’re not into having the largest pumpkins in the neighborhood, you can just buy cute little sugar pumpkins a week before Halloween, carve them, […]
A few years ago I learned a craft project and How to Make Wool Pumpkins quickly became one of my favorites. There are a few things I am clever at but sewing and working with wool are not some of them. I think that is why this project made me so happy. It made me […]
Looking for a beautiful and unique fall treat to make on a rainy day? Why not try caramel pears? They are super yummy and very pretty. Just follow the steps for caramel apples on the package of Kraft Caramel Bits only, you know, use pears that are perfectly ripe. I found these caramel bits at […]
A Lovely Cozy Fall Tea. I just love fall! As I write this, the weather is sunshiny with a touch of fall crispiness – perfect! Last weekend we hosted a fall tea at The Old Hen. It was so fun to host for these ladies. They were hilarious. Yes, I do hear what people talk […]
