Saturday, February 14, 2026

Fudge Lover's Cream Cheese Cake

 


Photo source:  Betty Crocker

"Pockets of sweet cream cheese bake in a rich chocolate cake slathered with fudgy frosting. Yum!"  Comment from Betty Crocker

Chocolate and cream cheese with a fudgy frosting sells this recipe for me!

Click here to go to the Betty Crocker recipe page.



Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 


Photo source:  Crazy For Crust

"Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a favorite in our house.  The recipe for how to make these is so simple, but it’s good to have a few tricks up your sleeve because working with chocolate can be finicky! With just 3 main ingredients you’ll NEVER buy chocolate strawberries again when you learn how to make them."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

I haven't made chocolate covered stawberries in years, but love them so much!

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.



Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles

 


Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"This creamy chicken and mushroom dish with egg noodles comes together in one straight-sided skillet. The sauce combines Dijon mustard, chicken broth, and cream cheese, adding richness to the chicken and noodles."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

They look delicious, especially with those mushrooms and cream cheese.  Can't wait to try.

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com recipe page.




Chicken Cheesesteak

 


Photo source:  Easy Chicken Recipes

"These chicken cheesesteak hoagies are an easy, flavorful twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich. I cook tender slices of chicken breast with caramelized onions and peppers, then top them with melty cheese and pile it all onto toasted hoagie rolls. Quick, satisfying, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or game day meal, this Philly cheesesteak with chicken hits all the right notes of flavor and comfort!"  Comment from Easy Chicken Recipes

These sandwiches look delicious and I'm sure I am going to love them since they have all ingredients I really like.

Click here to go to the Easy Chicken Recipes recipe page.




Brussels Sprouts in Alfredo Sauce

 

Photo source:  Natasha's Kitchen

"Brussels Sprouts in a creamy parmesan garlic alfredo sauce topped with crispy bacon is our favorite way to eat them. This Brussels sprouts recipe is a fun way to dress up classic roasted Brussels sprouts. It’s a quick and easy side dish that comes together in one-pan!"  Comment from Natasha's Kitchen

Those brussels sprouts look delicious and so fancy!

Click here to go to the Natasha's Kitchen recipe page.







Mole Poblano Chicken

 


Photo source:  Simply Recipes

"Mole poblano is chocolate-forward, bold, and utterly swoon-worthy. The sauce gets all the glory, with raisins for sweetness, dried ancho chiles and chipotles in adobo for depth and spice, unsweetened baker’s chocolate for that intoxicating richness, and almonds for silky body, all blended into an unforgettable, velvety sauce."  Comment from Simply Recipes

This recipe sounds delicious and I would like to make it.

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.




Turtle Cake


Photo source:  Kraft


Love this recipe!  It is quick, easy and delicious.  Made easy by using a cake mix and Cool Whip.

I first found this recipe in a magazine back in the 80's, then found it on the Kraft website when I created this blog.  The website no longer lists this recipe.

This recipe was originally posted to this blog in 2011.






INGREDIENTS

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip 

1 package (2-layer size) devil's food cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounce) Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding

38 Kraft Caramels

1-1/2 Tablespoons water

6 ounce (3/4 of 8 ounce package) Cream Cheese, softened

16 Vanilla Waters

16 Pecan Halves

5 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided


DIRECTIONS

Spoon half the Cool Whip into bowl, refrigerate to thaw.  

Return remaining Cool Whip to freezer.

Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 9-inch round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients.

Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks.

Cool cakes completely.

While cakes are cooling, microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 45 seconds.  Cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy.

Add caramel sauce and mix well.

Blend in thawed Cool Whip.

Place 1 cake layer on plate, spread half of cream cheese mixture.

Cover with second cake layer, frost top with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Microwave frozen Cool Whip and 3 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl for 3 minutes or until well blended, stirring after each minute.

Cool 10 minutes.

While cooling, melt the remaining chocolate squares as directed on package.  

Dip half of each vanilla wafer in chocolate and place on waxed paper covered baking sheet.  Top with nuts.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Spread Cool Whip mixture onto top of cake.

Garnish with wafers.

Keep refrigerated.



Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake - 2 Versions - From Scratch and Semi-Homemade

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken


You have a choice . . . semi-homemade using a cake mix or made from scratch

I hope you like having both versions!



VERSION 1 - SEMI-HOMEMADE

"Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake Recipe – all the cozy cinnamon-sugar goodness of your favorite cookie baked into a soft, tender cake! Cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, butter, sour cream, cinnamon, water, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Great for holidays, brunch, potlucks, or an anytime treat. A simple, comforting cake everyone will love!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

This cake looks and sounds delicious.  Love that it is semi-homemade starting off with a cake mix, making it quick and easy.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.


VERSION 2 - SCRATCH RECIPE


Photo source:  Recipe Girl

"Unlike traditional snickerdoodle cookies, this snickerdoodle bundt cake is drizzled with plenty of sweet cinnamon icing. This is the kind of cake you make when you’re looking for something new."  Comment from Recipe Girl

Click here to go to the Recipe Girl recipe page.






Friday, February 13, 2026

The Best Rice Pudding

 


Photo source:  Sip and Feast

"The very best Rice Pudding is incredibly creamy, a little bit sweet, and perfectly balanced with vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon. Since it relies on kitchen and pantry staples, it can be made whenever the mood strikes you!"  Comment from Sip and Feast

In spanish, they call it arroz con leche.  My abuela made the best I have ever had and I wish I would have gotten the recipe.  I'm anxious to try Jim's recipe.

Click here to go to the Sip and Feast recipe page.




Chicken Tetrazzini

 


Photo Source:  Natasha's Kitchen

"This Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is a comforting, supremely creamy, and cheesy pasta bake loaded with tender chicken and plump mushrooms. This meal is a crowd-favorite casserole dish perfect for casual family dinners, holiday potluck parties, bringing a meal to a new mother, and every occasion in between. Watch the video below to see how simple it is!"  Comment from Natasha's Kitchen

Looks delicious!  Natasha provides a video and excellent instructions that include ideas for variations to the recipe.  Check it out!

Click here to go to the Natasha's Kitchen recipe page.



Air Fryer Blooming Onion

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"Use your air fryer to prepare this blooming onion, a fun appetizer resembling a flower. Serve with dipping sauce as a shared appetizer."  Comment from All Recipes

It is always a treat to get a Blooming Onion when I go to Outback Steakhouse.  Love it!  Happy to see a recipe I can make at home in the air fryer.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.



Air Fryer Turtle Cheesecake

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"Did you know that you can use your air fryer to make turtle cheesecake? The flavors of chocolate, caramel, toasted pecans, and creamy cheesecake are a perfect match."  Comment from All Recipes.

The photo says it all . . . delicious!  And it bakes in the air fryer that makes it so fast and convenient.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.



Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata

 


"This air fryer breakfast frittata is easy to make using a cake pan that fits in the air fryer basket. Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste. If you are worried about the frittata sticking to the cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper."  Comment from All Recipes

Love the recipe ingredients and the ease of cooking in the air fryer.  One of my favorite meals!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.



Crispy Caesar Chicken Cutlets

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"This crispy chicken cutlets recipe takes flavor inspiration from the classic Caesar salad. The breadcrumb mixture includes crushed croutons for added flavor and crunch, plus store bought Caesar salad dressing is what adheres that crispy crust to the juicy chicken beneath. It's cooked right in the air fryer for an easy dinner as is, or slice them up to serve over a salad or in a sandwich or wrap."  Comment from All Recipes

It is amazing how these chicken cutlets are so crispy after they are cooked in an air fryer!  They look delicious and easy to make.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.



Air Fryer No Knead Bread

 


Photo source:  Jo Cooks

"Yes, your Air Fryer is perfect for making No Knead Bread! This bread requires just 4 ingredients and no kneading required. Perfect for sandwiches, toast or just about anything you’d want to eat bread with. So unbelievably delicious, you’ll never want to make this butter slathered crusty bread any other way."  Comment from Joanne of Jo Cooks

I must try this bread recipe!  It looks delicious and easy in the air fryer.

Click here to go to the Jo Cooks recipe page.



Thursday, February 12, 2026

Valentine's Day Recipes

 



Since I was a kid, Valentine's Day was always a special day.  The graphic reminds me of the valentines we would give each other in elementary school.  One for everyone in the class.  Special times that I'm afraid the young people of today do not experience.  I'm sad for them because there was nothing like it.

As I grew up, it because a special romantic day.  The Valentine's cards, boxes of chocolates, special dates and going to a fancy restaurant . . . that is what Valentine's Day became for me.  As an adult, it was a day to make a very special dinner and a sweet treat for my sweetie and I usually got a box of chocolate that came with lots of love.  

Chocolate is a recurring theme and I'm going to have to order myself some chocolates.

Below is a listing of Valentine's recipes I hope you will enjoy.  I will add more as I find them.  

Happy Valentine's Day!




Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes from Martha Stewart

Heart Shaped Treats from Martha Stewart


Happy Valentine's Day from Recipe Girl

DINNER IDEAS:

CHOCOLATE:

OTHER SWEETS:

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

 


Photo source: The Southern Lady Cooks

"This recipe has everything we love, chocolate, cream cheese, nuts (optional) and our favorite chocolate frosting. So these cupcakes are a winner! They take a little time to put together but they are worth the effort. If you want to make something special for a birthday or a gathering, put these on your dessert table!"  Comment from The Southern Lady Cooks

I don't have to make these cupcakes to know they are perfection.  The photo alone says it all, but the ingredients are all among my favorites.

Click here to go to The Southern Lady Cooks recipe page.




Cherry-and-Cream-Cheese Hand Pies

 


Photo source:  Martha Stewart


"A delicious mix between our 
sour cherry pie and a traditional cheese Danish, these flaky pastries are easily customizable to use other fruits. We like to enjoy them as a morning treat or with an afternoon tea."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

Love these sweet treats made with puff pastry and are so versatile.  The recipe page lists instructions on how to make other fruit fillings.

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com recipe page.






Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

 


Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe – tender, juicy chicken brushed with a rich garlic-butter Parmesan sauce. Easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or party appetizer. Serve with your favorite sides for a simple meal everyone will love!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Love this recipe so much . . . all ingredients I love and so happy to find another air fryer recipe!

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.




Ribs - Informative Info and Recipes UPDATED



Click here for an excellent article on cuts of pork ribs.  Also cooking tips from Pork.net.

Click here for an article on country ribs and more recipes from Spend With Pennies.

from Food Network, Giada De Laurentiis

Pork Ribs 
a collection from Woolworths.com, Australia

Oven Pork Ribs with Barbeque Sauce
from recipetineats.com

from Southern Living

I will be adding more info and recipes for ribs.