Shortbread and Eggnog Pudding Trifles

Beside tomorrow being Christmas Eve, it's also Nation Egg Nog Day... so to celebrate... here's a fun recipe I love... and hope you will too...

Shortbread and Eggnog Pudding Trifles

The BEST Caramel Corn... EVER...

It's that time again for one of my favorite things to make during the fall season... Caramel Corn! I've so many recipes... but this is my all time favorite because it's so stink'n easy... take very little time... and everyone just loves it!

It really is one of my go to party and gift recipes! It goes with everything... and you make it the way you want it... with or without nuts... maybe add some chocolate chips... or M&M's... however you make it... it's sure to be a hit!

MICROWAVE CARAMEL CORN
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1/2 Cup Corn Syrup
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 16-24 Cups Popped Popcorn
• 1 Cup Salted Peanuts (optional)
• Cooking Spray
• 1 Large Paper Grocery Bag
• Cookie Sheet

Instructions: Spray the inside of one large grocery bag thoroughly. Place popped popcorn in bag... set aside. Combine butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cooking in Microwave for 2-2 1/2 minutes... bringing to a boil. Stir in baking soda... it will foam... this is normal... stir mix together. Add this syrup mixture to popped popcorn... stir and mix in with popcorn. Roll bag down and place in microwave for 1 minute. Take bag out, open carefully and stir again; roll down bag again; return to microwave again for 1 more minute. Open bag and pour onto cookie sheets (be careful here, the popcorn is hot). Let the popcorn cool. Once cool. break apart, store in air tight containers.... and enjoy!!!

can you say... yum...

My daughter would eat pizza for every meal if I let her... It truly is her favorite food. If she's had a snack, then dinner rolled around and she was full, she'd only eat a little bit of her dinner... BUT... same scenario... and it's pizza for dinner... she'll eat every bite... and ask for seconds! She is my pizza girl!!!

So, at our house there are 2 special thing we do every Friday... one is Friday Night Campout... and the other is... pizza for dinner. The pizza can be frozen... Little Caesars... homemade... or even english muffin pizzas... but it has to be pizza. Well, last night I surprised my daughter with this recipe from Tasty... Pizza Bombs!

She loved them... I think they're one of our new favorite ways to share pizza Friday! yum!

can you say... yum...

Okay... so one of my favorite things to eat is s'mores... I don't care how you make it, or what spin you do with with it... I love s'mores... and this is my latest delight which I found on Tasty...

They are wonderful... If you love s'mores like I do... you're going to love this recipe! yum!

Tiny Bites...

I thought I go with along with the Diner Party theme this week... and share something I received from FoodNetwork... Tiny Bites... 

I love this idea!!! It's great for any party... you can use the recipes from FoodNetwork... or how about making your party desserts into mini desserts... tiny bites!

Too fun!

Homemade Cracker Jack Recipe...

My friend is having a Diner Party... and not only did she ask me for some party printables... but she wanted my 'Homemade Cracker Jacks' Recipe. This recipe is soooooo stink'n yummy and need I say... super EASY!

It's one of my go to party and gift recipes! It goes with everything... and you can make it with nuts or without... I know it's going to be a fun addition to her party... 

Anyway... here's the recipe... which I know you'll just love love love...

Homemade Cracker Jacks
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1/2 Cup Corn Syrup
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 16-24 Cups Popped Popcorn
• 1 Cup Salted Peanuts (optional)
• Cooking Spray
• 1 Large Paper Grocery Bag
• Cookie Sheet

Instructions: Spray the inside of one large grocery bag thoroughly. Place popped popcorn in bag... set aside. Combine butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cooking in Microwave for 2-2 1/2 minutes... bringing to a boil. Stir in baking soda... it will foam... this is normal... stir mix together. Add this syrup mixture to popped popcorn... stir and mix in with popcorn. Roll bag down and place in microwave for 1 minute. Take bag out, open carefully and stir again; roll down bag again; return to microwave again for 1 more minute. Open bag and pour onto cookie sheets (be careful here, the popcorn is hot). Let the popcorn cool. Once cool. break apart, store in air tight containers.... and enjoy!!!

What's cooking today...

My friend, Pam shared a photo of bacon pancakes a few years ago... and it's become a family favorite... bacon pancakes... my family really enjoys it when I surprise them with these yummy pancakes! love... I would LOVE...

So, if you are a pancakes & bacon lover, like we are... you'll enjoy these...

Make pancake batter (see below for recipe) & set aside... cook bacon until it's mostly done... heat griddle... when griddle is hot, put on a piece of bacon, then cover the bacon with pancake batter... turn the pancake when ready...  plate... add syrup... and enjoy!!!

These were duh-mazing... can't believe I didn't think of this myself... Let me know what you think??

PANCAKES
2 Cups Milk                   1 tsp Lemon Juice
2 Eggs                          1/8 Cup Veg Oil OR Applesauce
2 Tbsp Sugar                1 3/4 Cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder     1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt

Pour lemon juice in milk and set aside until milk curdles. In a large bowl place all dry ingredients. Add egg, milk, eggs. Mix together. DO NOT OVER MIX... Mixture should be lumpy for for best pancakes. Heat griddle, place pancake batter in griddle... when they bubble and get a bit dry around the edges... it's time to turn them... finish cooking. Add butter & syrup to taste... enjoy!!! 

BTW... HAPPY BACON DAY!!!

Cookie Recipe...Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle...

FOR RECIPE CLICK HERE

Another great recipe for my Cookie Repertoire... Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles... just what I needed.... to start my Christmas Cookie baking...YUMMO!

S'mores... No Sticks Required...

So, last week I found this brilliant idea about s'mores which requires no sticks... S'more Nachos... Not sure about the name... but this was soooooo easy... who cares what the name is.

Take foil and scatter... graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows... curl up the edges... place in oven on broil and wait until the marshmallows are golden brown.... than all that's left is to eat away.! 

This would be great for an out door party... glam camp... camping party... or what about a Lumberjack & Jill party... wilderness friends... even a pool party in the summer... the skies the limit on this one...

It's a fuss fun party treat!!!

I've been told... it's better than Starbucks...

Since this week was National Coffee Day I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes that goes really well with coffee... and is perfect for any party, holiday... or just getting together with friends... it's my Better Than Starbucks Coffee Cake... 

Whenever I make this I always here... the oooo's... aaaahhhhh's and mmmmmmmm's! Everyone raves about this simple, easy to make Coffee Cake... and then I hear it... "This Coffee Cake is better than Starbucks!!"... which always makes me smile and I take as a great compliment!

I love serving it at parties... holidays... or just getting together with friends. I recently I made it and received the same ooooo's and ahhhh's... and yummmmm's! It's nice to hear that and old family recipe still makes you savor every bite. I think recipes which have been passed down through generations are the BEST! They never fail... they're always the best... are easy to make... turn out perfect... and always taste delicious!! And as my husband always says... "This is a keeper!"

So, enjoy this coffee cake next time you are having a party... enjoying coffee with friends... or just want something delicious for your family!!  It really is something to be shared! And, now I'm off for another cup of coffee... and maybe some coffee cake too! 

Coffee Cake
Batter:
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
1 Egg
1 Cup Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Salt

Topping:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
4-5 Tbsp. Melted Butter over top

• Preheat oven to 350º. Prepare 11"x17"x2" baking pan OR a bunt pan.
• In medium bowl, using an electric mixer, mix above ingredients together.
• Pour batter in the prepared pan.
• Combine together and sprinkle it over the top of the batter
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Apples... Apples... Apples... & More Apples...

This is my favorite time of year.... for APPLES... and the best by far are Honeycrisp!!! It really is an apple worth talking about. They're green, yellow and pink skin yield a very sweet... slightly tart center for a perfect crunch! They're amazing to snack on! These beauties aren't around long... and they're not reasonably priced... but, they are the one thing I do spoil my family with... because they're worth every bite!

Mini Caramel Apples

 I made today's theme about apples, because there is so many different ideas you can do with an apple.... Take this first one... 

It's party treat perfection in one small bite... Caramel Apple Bites... using a melon baller, you make apple balls, add a stick, then cover them with caramel!!! Neat huh?

Apple Votive Candles

This next party decorating idea is something I do every year for my Thanksgiving Table... Apple Votive Candles... an easy thing to make and always look incredible on a table! This is one is worth trying... it's fantastic for any party or family get together!

One last thing... I don't often use Honeycrisp beauties for anything other than snacking on... but occasionally, I make chicken salad sandwiches with them... and this... Chicken Salad with Honeycrisp Apples & Candied Walnuts is... oh my... it's delish!!

Get Recipe Here... From The Cozy Apron

Did these wet your whistle for more ideas? Well, in this week's newsletter I shared several more APPLE gift and party ideas, and freebies. Sign up and check it out. 

That's it for today... now, color your day happy with an apple or two... enjoy!