easy recipes

Easy New Year’s Eve Rotel Dip Recipe

December 30, 2020 by Rachel 13 Comments

I know we’re all ready to put 2020 behind us. And I know that this year has been draining on all of us in so many ways. My hopes for this New Years Eve is that we all can collectively use this night to stay home and hope for a brighter and better 2021. Instead of having lavish parties and big NYE bashes, we’re opting for the socially responsible at-home celebrations. And what better (and easier!) dish to make than this easy New Year’s Eve Rotel Dip!

The coziest comfort food

Remember those times I gave up dairy entirely? Yeah, they were hard times, friends. I am such a big fan of cheese. It’s my comfort food, for sure. But warm, cheesy, rotel dip? It’s basically the ultimate cozy comfort food. And couldn’t we all use a little extra comfort right now? (Yes, the answer is YES.).

Honestly, there’s nothing easier than this dip. And the entire family loves it so much. Best yet? There are only two ingredients: Velveeta and Rotel. That’s absolutely it. So hurry up and add those ingredients to your grocery pickup, stat! And try out this Easy New Year’s Eve Rotel Dip Recipe now!

How to Make this recipe

Rotel Dip

Ingredients

1 - 16 ounce package of Velveeta Cheese, cut into cubes
1 - 10 ounce can of Rotel Original, drained

Instructions

Step 1:

Cut the Velveeta into squares and drain the liquid from the Rotel tomatoes.

Step 2:

Place the Velveeta and tomatoes in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.

Step 3:

Stir frequently until the cheese is completely melted and both ingredients are well-combined.

Easy New Year's Eve Rotel Dip

Step 4:

Serve warm with chips or veggies.

Easy New Year's Eve Rotel Dip

Notes

if you prefer a thinner texture to the dip, do not drain the Rotel tomatoes -- or drain just some of it.

Tell me — what’s your go-to NYE recipe?

Last Minute Easy Rudolph Brownies Recipe

December 23, 2020 by Rachel 7 Comments

We’ve been watching Christmas movies non-stop in this house. One of our all-time favorites is Elf. And, near the beginning of the movie, there’s a line where they call Santa’s elves and Christmas “The Big Game.” Well, folks. We’re here. We’re at ‘the big game’! Christmas is nearly upon us. If you’re like me you may be a little behind the eight ball. If you need a super last minute treat for your kids, you absolutely must try this last minute easy Rudolph brownies recipe!

What you’ll need for these fun brownies

As mentioned, these easy peasy treats are mostly pre-made.

1 sheet of premade Brownies. I picked up mine from Walmart bakery, but you can find similar brownies at Target or Meijer as well.
Large Candy Eyes like these.
Pretzels
Red M&Ms. I know that it’s not easy to buy just red M&Ms, but you can buy the holiday M&Ms and separate them out.

How to make Last Minute Easy Rudolph Brownies Recipe!

Easy Rudolph Brownies

Ingredients

1 sheet of premade Brownies from Walmart bakery
Large Candy Eyes
Pretzels
Red M&Ms

Instructions

Step 1 :

Cut the brownie into squares.

Step 2 :

Place two pretzels at each top corner for reindeer antlers.

Step 3 :

Take two eyes and place them on the brownies.

Step 4 :

Add a red M&M for a nose.

Last Minute Easy Rudolph Brownies

Step 5 :

Serve & enjoy!

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Holiday Bourbon Glazed Ham Recipe

December 20, 2020 by Rachel 10 Comments

Okay, so hear me out — We all know this holiday is going to look majorly different. On a personal and private level, I’ve hemmed and hawed about this holiday season. I’m bummed that our extended family won’t be together, but I’m trying my darn best to lean in to this crazy time. But here we are — less than a week out — and I have yet to complete most of my holiday tasks. The one thing I do have ready is my delicious holiday bourbon glazed ham recipe!

The Christmas Ham

The Christmas Ham, also known as the Yule Ham, comes from the English-German tradition of where a wild boar was supposedly the sacrifice of choice to the Norse god Freyr. In the 2,000 years since, the Christmas ham has become a staple of the holiday meal.

This comfort food has been a staple in our home for the last 8-plus years. And, this year, we’re doing things a tad bit different. Because, well, 2020, am I right?! Instead of a traditional Christmas ham, we’re making a delicious holiday bourbon glazed ham recipe that is to die for!

Why Bourbon?

I’m a big fan of cooking and baking with wine, beer, and liquor. It gives food a flavor that can’t otherwise be duplicated.

What you’ll need for this Bourbon Glazed Ham Recipe

One (8 to 10 pounds) fully cooked, bone-in ham
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup bourbon (I use Jim Beam)
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon prepared ground mustard

Bourbon Glazed Ham

Ingredients

1 (8 to 10 pounds) fully cooked, bone-in ham
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon prepared ground mustard
¼ cup bourbon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush the ham with 2 tablespoons of bourbon.

Bake the ham for 2 hours.

Just before the timer expires, stir together the brown sugar, molasses, prepared ground mustard, and remaining bourbon.

Carefully remove the ham from the oven and brush or spoon the glaze over the ham.

Return the ham to the oven and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 degrees.

Allow the ham to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

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Holiday Peppermint Truffles Recipe

December 17, 2020 by Rachel 5 Comments

We’re nearly a week out from Christmas and I’m still not quite ready. By that I mean that I have all of our gifts purchased; nothing has been wrapped and nothing has been shipped. I have a lot of work left to do. But that won’t stop me from baking up a storm with my littlest loves in an effort to bring some normalcy to this holiday season. And this holiday peppermint truffles recipe is the most perfectly delicious holiday treat!

What you’ll need for this recipe

You’ll need a few pieces of equipment for this holiday recipe. The first of which is either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. I used to have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, but now I use a KitchenAid hand mixer simply because it takes up less space, storage-wise. But you’ll also need a food processor. If you are in the market for a food processor or blender I highly recommend just getting a Vitamix. The company itself is a awesome because they have an incredible 10-year guarantee on their product. But it is also super versatile.

Besides equipment, you’ll also need:

White Cake Mix
3 eggs
⅓ cup of oil
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermints
White Chocolate Melting Wafers, Almond Bark or Candy Coating

How to make this treat

Peppermint Truffles

Ingredients

White Cake Mix
3 eggs
⅓ cup oil
1 cup water
1 tsp peppermint extract
Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermints
White Chocolate Melting Wafers, Almond Bark or Candy Coating

Instructions

Prepare Cake Mix according to box directions.

Add in the peppermint flavoring to the cake mix.

Bake the cake according to mix instructions.

Let the cake cool completely.

Prepare the truffles:

Place the fully cooled peppermint cake into your food processor on the thickest setting to begin with. Once the cake is broken up and forms crumbs, move the processor down to the smallest setting.

Let the cake mix until it turns into a dough.

*If your food processor is unable to mix the cake into a dough, let it mix until you can effortlessly squeeze the processed cake into a ball.

Using the cookie scoop, roll small, evenly-sized balls of cake dough and let rest on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Prepare the Chocolate:

Put the white chocolate wafers into a heat safe bowl.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave by melting for 30-second intervals and stirring in between.

Once the chocolate is fully melted you will want to test how fluid it is. The chocolate should flow off a spoon, If it doesn’t it's too thick. Add ½ tsp of vegetable or melted coconut oil to thin out the chocolate until it flows off a spoon.

Dip all of your cake balls into the melted chocolate. Use the aid of a spoon to scoop them out of the chocolate and tap lightly on the inside rim to release any excess chocolate.

Place on parchment and allow to harden at room temperature.

Have sprinkles and or crushed peppermint ready to be added to top of cake truffles while they are still warm and not yet cooled.

Holiday Peppermint Truffles Recipe

Let cool completely and ENJOY!

Notes

The Peppermint Cake can be made in advance if you’d like to split the project into two different days.

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Kid Friendly Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

December 15, 2020 by Rachel 12 Comments

As a kid, one of the most memorable parts of Christmas was baking cookies with my mom. My sister and I would gather in the kitchen for what seemed like hours — making some of our favorite cookies. From holiday cutouts, to snowball cookies (my dads personal favorite), to thumbprints, and then candy cane cookies — it just seemed to make the holidays magical. I am trying to keep up the holiday magic with my own family by creating the same traditions. And one of those traditions is making this delicious candy cane cookies recipe!

Candy Canes and Nostalgia

My mom has always been an excellent baker. And, for as far back as I can remember, baking has always been an important way for us to bond. Unlike myself as a parent, my mom didn’t shy away from having us kids in her kitchen. She invited the chaos! I, on the other hand, am a bit nervous about letting my kids in the kitchen with me. It’s just so… messy!

But what better time to learn to embrace the chaos than this year, am I right? So I’ve invited my kids to take a step back into my childhood with these candy cane cookies!

What you’ll need to make this Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

1 Cup of Butter (softened)
1 Cup and 2 Tablespoons of Granulated Sugar
¼ Cup of Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1 Egg
2 ½ Cups of All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon of Peppermint Extract
1 teaspoon of Baking Powder
½ teaspoon of Salt
Red Gel Food Coloring
2 Tablespoons of Crushed Candy Canes (2 Candy Canes)

The recipe itself is super easy. Just be sure to reserve the 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar for the second part of the recipe, and you’re good to go!

Here’s how to make this Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients

1 Cup of Butter (softened)
1 Cup of Granulated Sugar
¼ Cup of Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon of Peppermint Extract
1 Egg
2 ½ Cups of All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon of Baking Powder
½ teaspoon of Salt
Red Gel Food Coloring
2 Tablespoons of Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons of Crushed Candy Canes (2 Candy Canes)

Instructions

With an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar, add in the egg, vanilla, and peppermint and mix until well incorporated.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and powdered sugar.

Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture and mix until well incorporated.

Remove the dough and form it into ball or log and cut it in 2 equal halves.

Add red gel food coloring to one half and gently knead it to mix the color in. Add more if needed to achieve a nice deep red.

Wrap each dough color in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

To make the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl mix together 2 Tbsp. of sugar and crushed candy cane, set aside.

Scoop out a teaspoon of each color dough.

Roll the dough into 5 inch long ropes.

Twist the ropes together and shape into a candy cane shape and place onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the candy cane and sugar mixture, allow to cool on cookie sheet for about 3 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

Cool and ENJOY!

Notes

Between batches of baking, scrape the excess sugar/candy cane off the cookie sheet so that it doesn’t melt.

Store cookies in an airtight container.

Tell me — what’s your favorite family baking tradition?

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How to Make Easy and Delicious Candy Cane Cookies

Holiday Peppermint Fudge Recipe

December 8, 2020 by Rachel 5 Comments

Confession: I am not a big fan of chocolate. In fact, I kind of don’t much care for it at all. But I do, however, love peppermint. And I love making chocolate goodies for my friends and family. And what more perfect holiday treat than crafting the perfect-for-gifting and perfect-for-eating delicious holiday Peppermint Fudge Recipe!?

Delicious Holiday Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Why fudge?

When I said I’m not a fan of chocolate, I mean that in the candy bar and peanut butter cup kind of way. If I eat sugar, it’s the candied variety. You know — red licorice, sweet tarts, and all that jazz. But when my husband and I first started dating we had a chocolate tasting with a local chocolatier. She emigrated from Croatia to the United States in the late 1980s and brought all of her expertise on specialty chocolate and candy making with her. Because of her, I became a fudge convert.

Fudge isn’t just chocolate. It’s sugar, butter, milk, and chocolate combined to make the most perfect texture. Also? Peppermint is the most beloved flavor in all of Christmas. Heck! I wish peppermint would be a year-round staple in all desserts. In fact, I’m about to petition for Peppermint Ice Cream year round! Who’s with me?!

What you’ll need to make Peppermint Fudge

For The Chocolate Layer

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoon of vanilla

For The Peppermint Layer

2 cups of pink melting chocolate (or white chocolate chips)
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
½ teaspoon of peppermint extract
1 teaspoon of vanilla

For The Topping (optional)

Crushed candy canes
Mini chocolate chips

Other than these ingredients, this recipe is basically easy peasy. There is no candy thermometer, no special gadgets (like my beloved Instant Pot). Just simple, no fuss, no nonsense ingredients and delicious Peppermint Fudge!

How to make Peppermint Fudge

Yield: 2 pounds

Peppermint Fudge

Prep Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Layer

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons of vanilla

Peppermint Layer

2 cups pink melting chocolate (or white chocolate chips)
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
½ teaspoon of peppermint extract
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Topping (optional, but recommended)

Crushed candy canes
Mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Begin by preparing the chocolate layer. Combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat. When the chocolate chips are almost melted, keep stirring them so they finish melting. You don’t want to overheat the mixture.

Add in the vanilla and stir. Pour into an 8x8 inch pan that has been lined with parchment paper.

Combine the pink melting chocolate along with the sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave and stir.

Continue the process until chocolate is almost entirely melted, then keep stirring. Once melted, add in the peppermint extract and vanilla and mix again.

Pour over chocolate layer.

Sprinkle crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips on top.

Let the fudge set up for 3-6 hours at room temperature or 2-3 hours in the fridge.

Notes

The semi-sweet chocolate layer will be pretty thick. This is totally normal.
The pink layer is going to be fairly thin and runny but will set up as it sits.
Feel free to swap out the pink candy melts for any other color or simply use white chocolate chips.
You can add chopped candy can to the fudge mixture if you want.