Monday, December 22, 2025

Russian Tea Cake

 


Photo source: Crazy For Crust

"A classic Christmas Cookie, tea cakes are buttery cookie balls filled with nuts, also called Snowball Cookies. They only have a few ingredients and are rolled in powdered sugar after baking. They’re delicate and practically dissolve in your mouth."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

This cookie goes by many names, but it looks like they are a little different.  I remember similar cookies from my childhood, but it was formed more like a crescent and I loved them.  The cookie itself is very delicious and one that you can't just have one, they are very addicting.

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





Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

 


Photo source: The Recipe Rebel

"Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes are an easy and impressive slow cooker side dish – the best of both worlds! Tender potatoes are served in a garlicky, cheesy, and deliciously seasoned cream sauce. Using the Crockpot makes this classic side dish so easy!"  Comment from The Recipe Rebel

Ashley at The Recipe Rebel has put together an outstanding article to go along with the recipe that includes everything you want to know about scalloped potatoes.  

Click here to go to The Recipe Rebel recipe page.



Sunday, December 21, 2025

Cattle Drive Casserole

 


Photo source:  Southern Living

"The savory biscuit bottom of this casserole acts as a nice base for a taco-seasoned beef mixture. A layer of mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese is saucy and creamy. The diced tomatoes and chiles add pops of sweetness, tang, and brightness."  Comment from Southern Living

This casserole has the combination of items that speaks to me, especially the biscuit bottom.  Looks good!!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.






Alice Springs Chicken


Photo source:  Favorite Family Recipes


"Make Alice Springs Chicken at home with this easy Outback Steakhouse copycat recipe. Bacon, cheese, and mushrooms, with a homemade honey mustard sauce – the perfect savory dinner!"  Comment from Favorite Family Recipes

I've never had this chicken although people I went to Outback with had it and loved it.  The aroma from the chicken was delicious.  Would like to make this!

Click here to go to the Favorite Family Recipes recipe page.





Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

 

Photo source:  Simply Recipes

"To tell if these brownies are done, you want the end of the skewer or toothpick to come out a little moist, but not dripping with batter. When you take the pan out of the oven, make sure the brownies cool completely before slicing. They need time to set up, or they'll fall apart when you cut them." —Simply Recipes Editors

It seems like these brownies are much more decadent and richer than normal brownies.  Sounds delicious.

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.




Hummingbird Cake


Photo source:  Simply Recipes

 
"Hummingbird cake is a classic Southern cake that originated in a pamphlet released by the Jamaican tourism board; hummingbirds are an national symbol in Jamaica, thus the name. The cake is indeed nectar-sweet, with mashed bananas and pineapple studding moist layers that alternate with cream cheese frosting."  Comment from Simply Recipes

Hummingbird cake is one of the most delicious cakes I ever had a couple of times.  This cake at a bakery is super expensive but worth it.  Better to make it yourself.

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.
  








Grandma Dot's Stuffing Balls

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"Stuffing balls are exactly what they sound like — balls of stuffing! This recipe is a great option for people looking for a bite-sized appetizer or side dish that has all the traditional Thanksgiving flavor (with a fun twist)."  Comment from All Recipes

What an awesome idea!  Stuffing is one of my favorites and I never thought of making them into balls for an appetizer or snacking.  An idea is to use leftover stuffing.  Gotta try it!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.




Bisquick Apple Coffee Cake

 


Photo sources:  Simple Recipes

Perhaps you grew up eating or making this coffee cake, just as our founder Elise Bauer did. "A favorite family ritual growing up was this apple coffee cake on Sunday mornings," she writes. "My father would prepare it for his six greedy kids, all of us begging for him to pile on the brown sugar streusel topping." Elise says that her dad usually doubled the recipe to better feed their large family.  Comment from Simply Recipes

I've used Bisquick in my cooking since I was a young adult.  The many magazines I subscribed to had numerous recipes that included Bisquick, so I decided to try it.  Now I use it routinely for biscuits and pancakes and love it.  I've also adapted recipes using Bisquick, like a banana bread that took me years to perfect.  So I am anxious to try this apple coffee cake.

Click here to go to the Simple Recipes recipe page.





Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

 


Photo source: All Recipes

"An easy slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe for a filling, comforting meal on a cold, snowy day. I have four children who are picky eaters, and they love this!"  Comment from All Recipes

Chicken and Dumplings is one of my favorite meals that I never thought of preparing in the slow cooker.  Great idea!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.






Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

 


Photo source:  Maria's Mixing Bowl


"Over the years, we’ve made our fair share of sugar cookies, but this recipe with cream cheese might just be our favorite. Let us tell you, you haven’t lived until you’ve had these cookies!  Comment from Maria's Mixing Bowl

Sugar cookies are already delicious, but adding cream cheese is outstanding!  This has got to be the ultimate Christmas cookie.

Click here to go to Maria's Mixing Bowl recipe page.





Saturday, December 20, 2025

Baklava from The Pioneer Woman

Photo source:  The Pioneer Woman


Baklava always takes me back to my childhood and the Greek family friends who were our neighbors.  I was blown away the first time I had a chance to try these syrupy sweet delicacies, I had never had anything like them.

It was a treat to see The Pioneer Woman prepare this delicious pastry on the Food Network.  While it is a rather tedious process, the results are well worth it.

Click here to go to the recipe page.





Chocolate Éclair Dessert

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"This chocolate éclair dessert is a no-bake pudding dessert that's so quick and easy to make — everyone loves it! I always keep the ingredients on hand in case I need a quick dessert. It's best if it sits overnight before serving."  Comment from All Recipes

Love that it is quick and easy.  How can you go wrong with chocolate éclair?

Click here to go to All Recipes recipe page.





No Bake Oreo Pie

 


Photo source:  Southern Living

"This no-bake Oreo pie recipe is an absolute dream for cookies and cream lovers—rich, decadent, and intense. Plus, it’s super easy to make using just seven readily available ingredients. The crust holds up well despite not being baked, and the filling is creamy, light, and packed with bits of cookies for an irresistible texture."  Comment from Southern Living

This pie is made from scratch, not a instant pudding recipe.  It gets my attention when the filling contains whipping cream and cream cheese and the whole recipe calls for a family size pack of Oreos.  Delicious and sounds easy too!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.




Dr Pepper Sheet Cake

 


"This is a magical dessert that combines Dr. Pepper and spice cake. Tender, moist, and perfectly spiced, this Dr. Pepper cake is like a ginger chocolate cake with the added pizzazz of arguably the best soda out there. Bonus: This recipe uses a whole 12-ounce can for the cake and icing."  Comment from All Recipes

Sounds delicious and interesting!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.






Pecan Cheesecake Pie

 


Photo source:  Southern Living

"This pecan cheesecake pie looks like a classic pecan pie at first glance, but cut in, and you'll find a layer of cheesecake that magically rests between a traditional, gooey pecan pie filling and crunchy pecan topping. Pecan pie may be "the South's most popular pie," but this version balances the rich sweetness of the original with its tangy cheesecake filling, and brings it all together with a buttery, flaky crust for an irresistible end to any meal. With only 15 minutes of prep time, you'll be making this pie all season long."  Comment from Southern Living

Pecan cheesecake pie looks beyond delicious.  This pie is genius.  I have no words!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.





Friday, December 19, 2025

Peppermint Mocha Cake Balls

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"These peppermint mocha cake balls are perfect for holiday parties and family get-togethers since there's no cake slicing required. Cake balls are also perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned holiday bakers alike because it doesn’t matter how pretty your cake looks coming out of the oven. You’ll crumble the cake and form them into tasty, bite-sized treats anyway, so you don’t have to worry about making anything look perfect."  Comment from Southern Living

These are the perfect party cookies.  They make an awesome presentation, can be set out individually and sound like very delicious little treats.  

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.



Sparkling Linzer Cookies


Photo source:  Southern Living
 

"Try this versatile recipe with other fillings, such as cranberry preserves or orange marmalade. For the chocolate lovers, there's always Nutella. You can also customize the center cut-outs. You could keep it simple with a smaller circle or punch out a mini snowflake. It’s easy to put your own creative spin on these festive sandwich cookies."  Comment from Southern LivingEditor's Note: This recipe was developed by Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman; the recipe tips were written by Alana Al-Hatlani.

I have heard of Linzer Cookies, but never had them.  They look delicious and festive.  Great presentation for any special occasion.

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.





Italian Cream Cake

 


"While the exact origin of Italian cream cake is unclear, it likely emerged in the mid-20th century in the Southern United States. Made with buttermilk, coconut, pecans, and cream cheese frosting, the popularity of this cake quickly expanded beyond the Southern states as it became a favored offering at weddings, holidays, and more.

You might be wondering where its name came from. While we can't say for sure, it may be that the richness of the cake was associated with the type of luxurious desserts often found in Italian cuisine, or that an Italian baker in the South was its original creator." Comment from Southern Living

This is one cake I have never had and really never heard of it growing up.  Maybe it was known as something else in my part of the world.  Anyway, it has a nice presentation and sounds delicious.  This is a made from scratch cake.

Click here to go to Southern Living recipe page.









Chocolate Lasagna

 


Photo source:  Southern Living

"The prep for chocolate lasagna is simple: It's just crumbled chocolate cookies and butter for the crust. For the layers, you'll mix up one spread of cream cheese, sugar, milk, and whipped topping; then you'll make a chocolatey topper made from instant pudding and milk. To finish it all off, you'll add a layer of airy whipped cream and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips."  Comment from Southern Living

Looks cute.  Would you call it a pudding cake?  Very interesting.  Nice Presentation!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.



Slow cooker breakfast casserole

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Slow-cooker breakfast casserole is a low-effort, utterly irresistible overnight recipe packed with breakfast favorites like eggs, sausages, hash browns and cheese. Kids and adults alike are going to love it."  Comment from Taste of Home

Why didn't I think of this?  Breakfast is what I cook the most - morning, noon and night.  Love it so much any time of day.  How convenient to throw everything in the slow cooker and breakfast is ready with no hassle.  I'm going to try this one for sure!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.