Chocolate-dipped Toffee Pretzels

These are one of my favorite treats to make at Christmas time.  You can drizzle them with red, white, and green candy melts, or top them with anything from toffee bits to crushed Oreo.   Delish! ...

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White Chocolate Peppermint Oreos

The knife block set we got for our wedding conveniently came with a whacker.  You know, one of those long rods that you use to whack things like candy canes or Oreos to crush them? Okay, so it turns out the "whacker" is actually a knife sharpener.  Yes, I just figured that out today. Who knew? Everyone needs a good whacker in their knife set.  Otherwise you couldn't make these babies....

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Chewy Hot Fudge Sauce {& Peppermint Hot Fudge}

I've read that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. In actuality, I think the definition of insanity is realizing you're brushing your teeth in the stainless steel kitchen sink and you have no idea how you got there or why you're even brushing your teeth. Apparently, the holidays are quite literally making me crazy.  This obviously has nothing to do with fudge sauce,...

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Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookies

Who is Terry and how did she invent the magical deliciousness that is a chocolate orange? I know some families always get an orange in the toe of their stocking, but I always get a Terry's chocolate orange.  Santa's definitely got my number.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without that chocolate orange.  So I figured why not chop up a chocolate orange and throw it in a dark chocolate cookie for a Christmas treat this...

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Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Since today is the last day of November I figured it's probably nearly time to say farewell to pumpkin until next year.  There are too many delicious Christmas flavors to be wallowing in pumpkin.  These babies are the perfect farewell. Plus your kids will think you're magical because you can make donuts.  Who does that, anyway? These are baked in a donut pan so they come out perfectly every time and you don't have...

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Razzleberry Pie

Since I'm posting Thanksgiving recipes today,  here are my thoughts on Black Friday as well: I don't really get why people go to movies over Thanksgiving weekend. An even better idea is to grab some popcorn and stake out a spot at Walmart in view of the doorbusters. Watching 100 adolescents and adults in a frenzy over the PS3 display?  Easily the most entertaining part of my Thanksgiving weekend. And free. I couldn't...

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Rustic Pie Crust {Flakiest pie crust ever}

This pie crust is SO flaky and crumbly and has a wonderful texture.  I do think it is more difficult to work with than my easy flaky pie crust, so if you are a beginner, you may want to try that one. Once cooked, this crust has a beautiful rustic look to it.  It is perfect for fruit pies that use a double-crust...

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Banana Cream Pie

When my husband and I got married, I warned him I have big plans for family reunions when we are old and have grown up kids and grandchildren.  These plans involve family trivia games and lots of cream pies which will obviously be thrown in the face of anyone who gets a question wrong. He thinks I am joking, which I don't really understand, because this is obviously a very serious plan. Fun people like to get pies thrown in...

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Coconut Cream Pie

   Thanksgiving for me is about the pie. And having enough pie leftovers to eat for the next two days. In the spirit of this conviction I have a whole bunch of pie recipes to share with you this week.  I made 5 new pies this Thanksgiving and only one of them was not blog-worthy. Save these recipes for next year.  It's always good to have great pie recipes in your arsenal. This coconut cream pie is delicious. ...

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Lindt Chocolate RSVP Preview Party

A few weeks ago Lindt & Sprungli (Swiss chocolatiers) contacted me and invited me to host a preview party for a new program they have called Lindt RSVP.   This is a home party program where consultants lead taste testings in someone's home and guests who are interested can order products from their catalog.  This party was a preview so in my case, there was no consultant. I just lead a little taste testing of some Lindt products...

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Strawberry Shortbread Bars

How many cats is an appropriate amount to own?  Like twelvish? One for each month? Exactly.  I've been telling people this for years. Just kidding, we only  have one cat, but sometimes when I go to Petsmart I like to pretend I am the mother of all cat lady's. Like, "Do you think Snuffliekins would like this Reindeer outfit or this Elf outfit better for family pictures?" "What about Cuddly-boo-boo?  Should...

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Frosted Animal Cookie Gender Reveal Cupcakes

I have been dying to make gender reveal cupcakes and last week I got the chance to make some for one of Tim's coworkers.  The jist is that you gather friends or family and everyone chooses a cupcake decorated like the gender they believe the baby is.  (Pink or blue).  The cupcakes are filled with pink or blue frosting which reveals the gender the baby actually is once you bite into it.  This baby was a girl so...

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Hot Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider

Is anyone else feeling the sting of holiday craziness yet? I know it's only mid-November but my to-do list is a mile long.  I mean that literally. Like, I have to fold it into fiftuplets to fit it in my purse. Like, people probably think I'm Santa Clause cause I have a list cascading out the back side of my purse when I go out.   Which I obviously scribble on MEANINGFULLY whenever kids crash into me wearing those...

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Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Spread

This spread tastes like pumpkin pie and you can eat it for breakfast.  That's all you really need to know.  It's perfect on a cinnamon crunch bagel! ...

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Caramel Apple Oatmeal Crisp

This is one of those desserts that I make every single year.  It just wouldn't be Fall without some caramel apple crisp.  I highly recommend topping with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce. Pull out your stretchy pants.  Skinny jeans will be "out" in a few years anyways....

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Raspberry Swirl Rolls {& Sweet Roll Tips!}

I used to not be a good sweet roll maker.  Mine always turned out dense and dry.  After lots of trial and error I discovered I was adding WAY too much flour, especially in the rolling out process. My mind-frame of what the dough should look and feel like was totally wrong. I thought if it was sticky at all I hadn't added enough flour. Lately I've discovered the secret to good sweet rolls is actually adding the least amount...

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White Chocolate Berry Burst Bread

So, I'm wondering, is it normal to have a whole shelf in the pantry that's your shelf??  (Aka- "Children if you eat this I will personally throw all your nerf guns into the wilderness and escort you to the orphanage.") I walked in to our secondary pantry yesterday and realized I had an entire shelf of hidden food.  Banana Nut Crunch (Dude, children, that stuff is expensive.  No, you cannot have a bowl), Chocolate Peppermint...

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Rocky Road Caramel Apples

A girl like me can't just make regular old caramel apples for Halloween.  I'm all about the toppings.  How many calories can we load on one apple anyway?  These Reeses apples are my favorites. This year I made a rocky road version. Totally Disneyland worthy! Pretend you don't notice I forgot the almonds. ...

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Apple Pie Caramel Apples

 Pie.  In apple form. It's a good idea....

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Gooey Chewy Caramel Popcorn Balls

Chewy popcorn balls are a Halloween tradition for us.  I highly recommend eating them while watching a Halloween movie.  Like maybe a cheesy 90's one with a cat named Binx and references to 'yabos'.  If you know what I'm talking about, I love you. These popcorn balls are very sweet and heavy on the caramel.  If you like a higher popcorn ratio you can add an additional half bag of popcorn. These stay soft and...

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Candy Corn Krispy Treat Bites

The Christmas music is playing at my house today and the 4 boxes of Christmas decor are all hanging out in the laundry room waiting for that pesky Thanksgiving holiday to be over.  (kidding.  but not entirely.)   Christmas is great.  People are nice and I get to buy lots of things and travel and husband gets to take off work.  I am religious so more than anything I love that most of the Christian world...

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Hidden Candy Corn Cupcakes

I learned something today.  Which is,  If you don't like random people talking to you and staring at you, don't go out in public with a kid dressed up like a mad scientist with white-dyed hair standing 6 inches out in all directions and freaky black eyebrows.  Obviously.  Right? Next year I will pre-arrange my grocery shopping and other errands around children's Halloween parties and the need thereof for them...

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Halloween Sugar Cookies

Nom Nom Nom.  I think my favorite thing about holidays is the sugar cookies that can be adapted for them.  This is the same recipe I used for Firework Sugar Cookies and if you haven't tried it, you need to! They're sweet and satisfying and addictive. I love this method of piping cookies with regular frosting.  They turn out super cute and it's SO much easier than the royal icing/pipe & flood method. ...

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Vampire Bat Bark

Halloween is in... 1 1/2 days, and I still have tons of treats to post. No matter what I do, I seem to always be behind these days. The pictures just keep piling up.  Life has been so crazy lately I can't blog every day or two like I want to.  This week for example I've been busy watching my 2 year old throw up all over the table at Chick-fil-a, cleaning up my 4 year old after he peed his pants at a movie night at our friends'...

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Trick or Treat Skewers

Wanna talk about how many bags of candy you've bought to "put away for Halloween"  (but then actually eaten and had to go buy more) ? Yeah, me neither. But if you miraculously have some candy laying around, this is a cute idea for it.  You can even wrap the whole stick in a long piece of clear wrap and tie it with a spooky ribbon. If you live in a friendly neighborhood where your neighbors like you and don't think...

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Candy Corn Bark

I've been such a bad blogger lately.  I blinked my eyes and it went from September to October 19th.  Seriously.  I had plans to celebrate reaching my half-a-million views milestone. Yeah, pretty much missed that days ago.  Can we pretend I made this bark in honor of that? Thanks to all of you who read along, try my recipes, and leave me comments, emails, and facebook messages to keep me going.  Blogging...

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Hot Orange Cinnamon Cider

Thought I'd share our favorite cider with you.  It's the perfect drink for a rainy Fall day and it's a snap to make...

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Spiced Apple Cider Streusel Muffins

It's officially Fall.  I know because I caught my first nasty illness of the season.  I'm not sure if it's strep or just a monster sore throat but it's preventing me from eating and that just makes me grumpy.  Boo.  My secret cure to a sore throat is that Alpine sugar-free hot spiced cider that comes in little packets.  Seriously nothing cures a sore throat better than that.  Try it out!  Turns out...

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Candy Corn Soda

My 4 year old had surgery this last week so I disappeared from the world for a little while.   I decided to clean the house like mad beforehand, make some easy meals and avoid emails, blogging, texting, etc while he was recovering.  Honestly, the last few days have been wonderful.  My mom took my littlest guy and I just got to play with Chase.  We colored dinosaur coloring pages, cut out a pumpkin patch and taped...

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Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Pie {Cadbury Chocolate Ice Cream}

Sometimes I feel the need to put things in perspective for my husband. Like sending him a link to this moisturizer.  And reminding him that some women buy this on a regular basis.  And then talking a lot about how lucky he is to have such a frugal wife who doesn't spend $275 on a small jar of moisturizer. This conversation almost always happens right before he looks at our RedCard statement.  He always acts suspicious...

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Pina Colada Cupcakes

Here's the thing.  I keep finding pictures of treats I made this summer and forgot to post, so forgive me for going back into summer mode for a few days. I made these for Tim's sunday school kids and you can probably guess what their favorite part was.   Everything is better with an umbrella. ...

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Lemon Cream Pie Cupcakes

After I made the Lemon Creme {Cheese} Cupcakes, I had some leftover lemon curd and lemon cupcakes and decided to try a cream pie variation.  I loved both variations so I decided to post them both.  Pick whichever you fancy! These ones have a graham cracker pie crust and are topped with sweetened whipped cream....

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Lemon Creme {Cheese} Cupcakes

  These yummies have lemon filling inside and a delicious lemon cream cheese frosting on top. Goodbye summer!! ...

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White Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Chews

These would be a great addition to a Christmas cookie plate. The white chocolate really makes them. They have a nice chewy texture from the coconut. Mine came out a bit flat so I upped the flour 1/4 cup in the recipe below.  Next time I'll try adding some dried cranberry bits too. Mmmmm. PS- You can't really taste the coconut, so if you're looking for a coconutty cookie, this isn't it....

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Mummy Oreo Pops

Want to see some of our treats from our Africa unit?  We ended up doing a lot of Egyptian stuff, because there's really only so much you can do with elephants, savannahs, and soccer.  I looked forEVER for molds I could use to make rice krispy treat pyramids and finally resorted to pressing them into a pan to make 3D triangles instead.  We sprayed them gold with Duff cake spray and placed them on a tray of crumbled graham...

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