Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms- The classic! Cracked peanut butter cookies rolled in sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss candy.

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We make these every year during the holiday time.  They are easy to make, taste delicious and are perfect for a cookie swap!

Ingredients Needed

• Flour + Salt + Baking soda
• Peanut butter
• Shortening
• Sugars: Both white and brown
• Egg
• Vanilla
• Milk
• Coarse sugar
• Hershey's Kisses Chocolates

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Recipe Notes:

• Peanut Butter: This recipe will work with natural peanut butter and “regular” peanut butter. However, if you use the natural variety and your dough seems a bit too oily, simply add a smidgen ( about a tablespoon) extra of flour to absorb it.
• I use a raw sugar for these. However, regular, granulated sugar will also work for the coating. 
• Keep any leftover cookies in a covered container in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within 2-3 days.
• If desired, you can freeze these cookies. Let them cool completely. Then, store in an airtight container/storage bag (freezer safe) in the freezer. They will be good for a couple of months.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

Swedish Flop

Swedish Flop- A layered cake with a creamy filling and a crunchy streusel topping.  A final dusting of powdered sugar makes this irresistible! 

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My Mom never made this growing up.  She bought it from a local bakery during my childhood.  I thought everyone got to enjoy this delicious dessert when I was a kid.  But, as I got older, I realized it was something that was popular in the Chicagoland/Northern Illinois area, but not really anyplace else.

So, being the sweet lover I am, I decided to make my own version. Using a cake mix, of course ;)  Don't pass this one up, it's really good. 

Ingredients Needed

• Vanilla cake mix
• Eggs
• Milk
• Instant vanilla pudding
• Flour
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Powdered sugar

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Recipe Notes

• Cake Mix: Yes, you can use any brand of cake mix.  Stick with a standard size and a vanilla or yellow flavor.
• Pans: You will be using two 9 x 13 baking pans.  Yes, with just one cake mix.  The batter will be split evenly between the two pans.
• Streusel Topping:  Only top one of the cake batters with the streusel topping.  This will be the top of your cake.  The plain batter will be the bottom of your cake.

Raw Flour Note

→This recipe calls for the use of raw flour.  If you have concerns about this, you can use a heat treated flour or do the process at home. 

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Swedish Flop

Double Baked Potatoes

Double Baked Potatoes- Creamy potatoes baked up in a crunchy skin.  A perfectly dreamy side dish for the holiday season! 

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These were a holiday staple in our house growing up.  They take a bit of time, but, are sooo worth it!

Ingredients Needed

• Russet potatoes
• Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Butter

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Recipe Notes:

• Sour Cream: If desired you can use Plain Greek yogurt as a substitute.
• Cheddar Cheese: Not a fan?  Use your favorite flavor of cheese instead. A easy melting variety will work best.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within a week.
• Freezing? Yes! Prepare the potatoes and fill them. Do not bake them a second time!  Store them in a freezer safe, covered storage bag or container.  When you are ready, remove them from storage and let them come to room temperature.  Bake as noted in recipe.
• Topping Ideas:  Cooked bacon bits, green onions, additional sour cream, or additional cheddar cheese.

Do I Have to Bake the Potatoes in The Oven?

Honestly, no. If you want to cut back your time, pop them in the air fryer or microwave them for a bit before baking them in the oven.  You do want a crispy potato skin, so, avoid cooking them completely in the microwave. 

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Double Baked Potatoes

Cream Cheese Brownies

Cream Cheese Brownies- Fudgy brownies with a cream cheese swirl!

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Let's dress up our brownies today!

Ingredients Needed

• Cream Cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla
• Brownie mix
• Egg

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Do I Have to Use Boxed Brownie Mix?

Nope.  You can use your favorite brownie recipe, if you wish.  Just be sure it's for a 9 x 13 baking pan.  You can also use any brand/variety of brownie mix you want.  Again, it should be for a 9 x 13 pan or sometimes they are labeled "family size"

Cream Cheese

Be sure your cream cheese is nice and soft.  This will make your mixing easier and give your cream cheese layer much smoother.

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Cream Cheese Brownies

Simple Herb Stuffing

 Simple Herb Stuffing- Buttery stuffing baked up with a few simple herbs. A perfect side dish for whatever you are serving. 

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With Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to share this recipe.  We are kinda unique in our house, we eat stuffing quite a bit, not just for holidays.  My youngest is a huge fan.

This is a simple stuffing that can be made for a small group or a large gathering. Easy and so buttery good!

Ingredients Needed

• Stuffing cubes, herb seasoned 
• Butter
• Chicken broth
• Dried spices: Minced onion, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper

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Stuffing Cubes

If you don't wish to use stuffing cubes or can't find them, you can also use a classic stuffing mix. I do recommend using a herb seasoned variety. 

Dried Herbs

We are pretty basic when it comes to our herbs.  However, feel free to increase/decrease the amounts as you wish.  A few additional herbs you could try are rosemary, parsley or celery salt.

Can I Add Anything to This Stuffing?

This stuffing is a really basic recipe and can be used as a jumping off point to make it your own. You can add in cooked sausage, chopped celery, dried cranberries or roasted nuts...whatever suits your fancy!

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Simple Herb Stuffing

Kentucky Butter Sheet Cake

 Kentucky Butter Sheet Cake- The classic buttery cake served up in sheet cake form! 

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Like the Banana Buttermilk Cake, this recipe comes from mother in law.  She was an extreme lover of all things dessert.  Especially, cake.  All the recipes I have from her are for cake.  So, you've been warned...many more cake recipes of hers to come. 

Now, traditionally, Kentucky Butter Cake is baked in a bundt pan.  I normally have lots of success with my bundt cakes.  But, this one?  It never seems to come out of the pan for me.  It's a mess.

So, I take the same batter and bake it as a sheet cake instead.  Using a 17 x 12 sheet pan,  I get the same delicious cake, but, shorter baking time and it's much easier to get out of the pan. 

A win in my book. 🖒

Ingredients Needed

• Flour + Baking soda + Baking powder  + Salt
• Sugar
• Butter
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Powdered sugar + Milk
• Vanilla

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A Few Quick Notes:

• Make sure your butter is softened. This is going to give your cake just the right consistency.
• No Buttermilk on Hand? Whisk your 1 cup of milk with 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then, proceed with the recipe as noted.
• Bundt Pan: You can, in fact, bake this in a bundt pan, if you wish.  Spread the batter evenly into a 9-10 inch (well greased!) bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

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Kentucky Butter Sheet Cake