Food Gift Recipes
Mango Macadamia Muffins
My kids are crazy about mangos. When I made Mango-Peach Smoothies recently, I marveled at the thick, velvety texture the mango created. With their wonderful texture and incredible sweetness, I started thinking mangos would make a great muffin. Yet, we seldom (never?) see mango muffins! I was also thinking that pureed mango could be incorporated…
Crusty Pecan Raisin Cider Bread
Bread baking may not be an every day event, but it can be a fun weekend project with delicious rewards. This recipe delivers a gorgeous, crusty loaf with a tender crumb and makes great French toast too! Earlier this week, I saw a friend’s photo of a piece of crusty peasant bread with a…
Basic Marinara
Years ago, I was inspired by a recipe in Cooking Light magazine that offered a basic marinara sauce and suggestions on how to use the sauce well beyond spaghetti. I absolutely love a recipe I can stretch into several meals, and I often cook that way. Many nights I wouldn’t get dinner on the table…
M&M Pretzel Bark
With just three easy ingredients, a salty-sweet treat is simple to make and will rival your favorite store-bought candy! I originally discovered this deliciously easy treat in an effort to use leftover chocolate from my annual Easter candy-making ritual. For those who may be wondering, I’m referring to what countless family, friends, and…
White Chocolate Cranberry Scones (Gluten-Free Option)
Tender on the inside with the traditional crumbly exterior, you’d never know these irresistible scones are made with whole grains and a modest amount of sugar. Scones are such a yummy snack with a cup of tea or coffee. Scones also tend to be lower in sugar that many baked goods, yet they don’t tend…
Healthy Cornbread Muffins (Gluten-Free Optional):
Cornbread is one of my husband’s favorites. Over the years, I have acquired a rather hefty collection of cornbread recipes–sweet, savory, with-a-jalapeno-kick, muffins, breads…the list goes on. Many of them, however, rely on butter and added fats to impart moisture, as many of the traditional recipes are inherently dry. So, I got to tinkering with…
Chocolate Letters
Homemade chocolate letters add a special touch to birthday cakes and any celebratory dessert–and they’re easy to make! My dear friend and incredible baker, Lisa, gave me this idea recently and I thought it was so very clever! When I served this cake, smiles were on every face and all the kids proclaimed that…
Slow-Baked Banana Bread
An unconventional baking temperature creates perfectly tender, foolproof banana bread every time. The recipe makes two large loaves－perfect for freezing or sharing! I just returned from a wonderful afternoon volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club. We read a lot, shared some good stories, and enjoyed a yummy snack. I…
Ginger Cumin Almonds
Before I eat every last nut and forget all about them, I have one more snack recipe–a holdover from yesterday. My son helped me make these, which is probably why they taste so good: ) Truly a tasty bite, these almonds have a spicy flavor with a salty/sweet kick!
