Frozen Rose Cocktail

Frozen Rose

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Summer Berry Trifle

Ingredients

1 Fresh Angel Food Cake, cubed into bite size pieces

1 Pint Blueberries

1 Container of Strawberries, sliced

1 Vanilla Pudding Mix, prepared according to package

1 Container of Cool Whip

Directions

1.)  Prepare vanilla pudding according to package and place in fridge to set

2.)  Slice strawberries and cut angel food cake into bite size pieces

3.)  Begin layering Trifle with angel food cake, pudding, cool whip, strawberries and blueberries.  Repeat layering until you end with Cool Whip on top.  Then create design with fruit on top

Red White and Blue Fruit Cookies

Ingredients

1 Package Store Bought Sugar Cookie Dough

1 Container Cool Whip

1 8 oz. Block of Cream Cheese

1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 Cups Fruit of Choice (I used a mix of Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries)

Directions 

1.)  Bake Sugar Cookies according to package and let cool

2.) Mix together Cream Cheese, Cool Whip, Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla using a hand mixer

3.)  Spread Icing on the Cookies and Decorate with Fruit of Choice

Spring has sprung and Easter is just a few weeks away so it is the perfect time for a table refresh!  We were in need of some new plates and I found these blue gingham and floral plates that will be great all through the summer!  They are durable will be a great addition to your entertaining!

I took my spring tablescape and updated a few pieces to create a simple look for Easter!  I have everything linked below and the prices are amazing!

Spring Tablescape

Blue Gingham Plate

Floral Salad Plate

Woven Placemat

Gold Silverware

Linen Napkins

Hurricane Candle Holder

Tablecloth

Easter Tablescape

Wooden Tray 

Similar Bunny Vase

Blue and White Vase

Gold Candle Holder

Easter will be here very soon and I like to start planning out my recipes and putting together my menu.  I like to have fun and festive food that is easy to make ahead.  Here are two easy appetizer and snack recipes that will be a hit with adults and kids!  I always like to have a signature drink for each party.  Here is a really easy champagne punch recipe that you can throw together last minute.

Carrot Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 Packages of Cream Cheese

3 Slices of Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Bunch of Parsley

Crackers of Choice

Directions

1.)  Cook Bacon, I like to place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 Degrees.  Let cool and crumble

2.)  Mix together Cream Cheese, Crumbled Bacon, Garlic Powder, Salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and half of the Cheddar Cheese

3.)  Form Cheeseball into Carrot and place on serving platter.  Cover with remaining Cheddar Cheese

4.)  Place Parsley in the top of the carrot cheese ball

5.)  Refrigerate until ready to serve

6.)  Serve with crackers of choice

Bunny Trail Mix

This fun and festive trail mix is perfect for Easter!  Plus it is a super easy snack for kids to help make!  You can also add anything you want to create your own signature mix!

Ingredients

1 cup Annie’s Bunny Grahams

1 cup Pretzels

1 cup Mini Marshmallows

1 cup M&M’s

1 cup  White Chocolate Chips

Directions

*Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

*You can adjust the amount if you are making this snack for a large party!

Champagne Punch

Ingredients

1 Can of Frozen Pink Lemonade

1  2 Liter Bottle of Sprite Zero

1-2 Bottles of Champagne (I used 2 Bottles of Prosecco)

1 Bag of Frozen Strawberries (they add flavor and act as ice)

Directions

1.)  Mix all ingredients in a beverage dispenser or pitcher

2.)  Add frozen strawberries for ice

Ingredients

1 Box Lucky Charms Cereal

1 Bag of Marshmallows

3 TBSP. Butter

Directions

1 Cup White Chocolate Chips (Optional)

1.)  Melt butter and marshmallows on stove top then pour over Lucky Charms and white chocolate chips

2.)  Press into a 9×13 pan and let cool

3.)  Cut into squares

As you know by know my Mom was a great cook and growing up she  was always sharing her recipes with family and friends.  I still have people telling me a certain recipe of my Mom’s is one of their favorites and when they make her famous dish it reminds them of her.  Her Peach Pie was always one I remember growing up and now it is a favorite of my sisters to make for the family.

Recently I found her Chicken Marsala recipe which is in her handwriting which brought a smile to my face but it also reminded me of the first meal I ever made for Nick back in high school.  On Valentine’s Day with my Mom’s help I made Nick Chicken Marsala and Fettuccine Alfredo.  This meal has become a meal we make together on special occasions.  We open a bottle of wine and enjoy a night together of cooking one of our favorite meals.

Enjoy these three recipes that bring many memories to our family.

Peaches and Cream Pie

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Flour

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Box of Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding

1 Egg

1/2 Cup Milk

1 Can Peach Slices

1 8 oz. Cream Cheese

1/2 Cup Sugar

3 TBSP. Peach Juice

For Topping

1 TBSP. Sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions

1.)  Mix Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Vanilla Pudding Mix, Egg, and Milk together using hand mixer

2.)  Pour into a greased pie pan

3.)  Drain Peaches (reserving 3 TBSP Peach Juice) and place in single layer in pie dish

4.) Using hand mixer mix Cream Cheese, Sugar, and Peach Juice until creamy

5.)  Spread over peaches leaving a 1 inch edge around pie dish

6.)  Mix Sugar and Cinnamon together and sprinkle on top of Cream Cheese Mixture

7.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 30-35 minutes

Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Ingredients

1 Box of Fettuccine Noodles

1 Stick of Butter

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

2 Cups Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1.)  Cook Pasta according to package

2.)  In saucepan over medium heat melt Butter and add Heavy Cream

3.)  Bring to simmer and add in Parmesan Cheese, stir until melted, remove from heat

4.)  Add cooked Fettuccine Noodles and Salt and Pepper

5.)  Mix together and top with Parmesan Cheese

Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

1 Package of Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts

3 Eggs, beaten

1/4 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Flour

1 1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

3 TBSP Olive Oil

3 TBSP Butter

1 small Onion, Diced

1 Package of Mushrooms, Diced

1 Clove of Garlic, Mashed

1 Cup Marsala Wine

1/2 Cup Chicken Broth

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Grated

Directions

1.)  Flatten Chicken Breasts between two sheets of wax paper using meat tenderizer

2.)  Combine Egg and Milk in Shallow Dish.  In separate dish combine Flour, Salt, and Pepper

3.)  Dip Chicken in Egg Mixture then Flour

4.)  Heat Olive Oil and Butter in skillet.  Brown Chicken pieces on both sides and remove to single layer in baking dish

5.)  Saute Onion, Mushrooms, and Garlic in pan drippings

6.)  Add Marsala Wine and Chicken Broth.  Bring to a boil to reduce liquid

7.)  Pour onion, mushrooms, and wine mixture over chicken

8.)  Top with Mozzarella Cheese and Bake at 350 Degrees for 20-25 minutes

9.)  Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo

By now you know I love to put together fun and creative food and desserts for parties and holidays.  With Valentine’s Day just around the corner I made a dessert board that would be a great addition to your Galentine/Valentine’s Day parties!

All of the cookies were super easy to make and I added some of the kids favorite candy too!  This is your chance to be creative and design a fun platter of your own!

**The XoXo gummies are from Trader Joes and the heart gummies are Valentine’s Day Sour Patch Kids

**I also used the leftover vanilla chocolate to make chocolate covered pretzels

Strawberry Cookies

Ingredients

1 Box Strawberry Cake Mix

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup of Vegetable Oil

1 Bag of Ghirardelli Vanilla (or Chocolate) Melting Wafers

1 Container of Valentines Day Sprinkles

Directions

1.)  Mix Strawberry Cake Mix, Eggs, and Vegetable Oil together using mixer

2.)  Once mixed scoop dough into 1 inch round balls and place on baking sheet

3.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 10-12 minutes

4.)  Remove from baking sheet and place on cooling rack

5.)  Melt vanilla wafers in microwave until smooth

6.)  Dip half of the cookie into the chocolate, place on cooling rack and add sprinkles

**You can also frost the cookies with Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting and add sprinkles

Cake Pops

Ingredients

1 Box of Funfetti Cake Mix (You can use chocolate or vanilla too)

1 Container of Vanilla Frosting

1 Bag of Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers

1 Container of Valentine’s Day Sprinkles

1 Bag of Baking Sticks (Or I used festive straws here)

Directions

1.)  Bake Funfetti Cake according to box in 9×13 baking pan

2.)  Once cake is cool crumble cake

3.)  Add 2-3 Tablespoons of Vanilla Frosting to cake crumbles, Mix together with handheld mixer

4.)  Roll into 1-2 inch balls

5.)  Melt vanilla wafers in microwave until smooth

6.)  Dip the end of the sticks into white chocolate and place into the center of the cake pop

7.  Place cake pops in fridge 30 minutes to allow the pops to harden

8.)  Dip cake pops into the white chocolate and add sprinkles

9.)  Let cake pops harden 20-30 minutes

Heart Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 Cup of Butter flavored Crisco

1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Sugar

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons Milk

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 3/4 Cup of Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

Pinch of Salt

1 Bag of Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts (or Hershey Kisses)

Directions

1.)  Using a mixer cream together, Crisco, Peanut Butter, Sugar and Brown Sugar

2.)  Add in Egg, Milk, Vanilla, and mix together

3.)  In a separate bowl mix together Flour, Baking Soda, and Salt

4.)  Slowly add in dry ingredients to peanut butter mixture

5.)  Once combined roll into 1 inch balls

6.)  Roll cookie balls into sugar and place on baking sheet

7.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 10-12 minutes

8.)  Remove from baking sheet and place onto cooling rack and gently press chocolate hearts into cookies

9.)  Let cool and harden for 30 minutes

Peyton loves pepperoni rolls so I made my own and he loves them!  He is now requesting them all the time.  Here is a really easy recipe that would be perfect to have at your next party or a weeknight meal!

Ingredients

1 Bag of Rhodes frozen Bread Dough or Rolls

10-12 Slices of Sandwich Pepperoni (or a bag of pizza size pepperoni)

1 Bag of Grated Mozzarella Cheese

2 TBSP. Melted Butter

1 tsp. Garlic

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 Jar Pizza Sauce

**NOTE:  You can also use Refrigerated Pizza Dough, and other toppings

Directions:

1.)  If using frozen dough let it thaw and knead it into a ball

2.)  Flour rolling pin and roll out dough

3.)  Once dough is rolled out sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni

4.)  Tightly roll dough into a jelly roll log

5.)  Melt butter and mix in garlic and italian seasoning

6.)  Baste butter and seasonings onto the top of the dough

7.)  Gently cut dough into 1 inch pieces and place on baking sheet

8.)  Bake at 350 Degrees for 15-20 minutes (you want to make sure the dough is golden brown)

9.)  Serve with your favorite pizza sauce

Growing up one of my Grandma’s speciality meals was her homemade chicken noodle soup.  There was nothing better than her bringing over a big plastic butter container that was filled with her famous soup. (Anyone else’s Grandma save all the plastic containers from food and use as Tupperware?!)

Ingredients

1 Whole Chicken

2 Medium Onions (1 diced, 1 cut in half)

1 Bag of Carrots (half diced, half whole)

1 Bag of Celery (half diced, half whole)

2 Sprigs of Thyme

2 Bay Leaves

Salt and Pepper

1 Tablespoon Garlic

1 Bag of Egg Noodles

**NOTE: If you don’t want to make your own chicken or stock you can use a store bought Rotisserie Chicken and Chicken Broth

Homemade Chicken Stock

1.)  Pat whole chicken dry with paper towel and remove giblets.  Season with Salt, Pepper, and Garlic

2.) Stuff Chicken with half of the Onion, Thyme, and Bay Leaves

3.)  Fill stock pot with warm water and place whole chicken, carrots, celery, and the rest of the onion in the pot

4.)  Bring to boil and simmer for 1 hour

5.)  Once chicken is fully cooked, remove from stock and let cool.  Remove all vegetables and bay leaves

Chicken Noodle Soup

1.)  Dice Carrots, Celery, and Onions

2.)  Place vegetables in Chicken Stock and bring to a simmer

3.)  Shred Chicken and add to stock

4.)  Add in Egg Noodles and salt and pepper to taste

5.)  Once Noodles are cooked remove soup from heat

New Years Day is usually a lazy day at home full of yummy food to close out the holiday season.  Here are some easy breakfast casseroles to the day before and pop in the oven in the morning!

Overnight French Toast

This Overnight French Toast from the Magnolia Table Cookbook is a family favorite!

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Ingredients

Loaf of Hearty Bread (I used Italian)

1 lb. of Ground Sweet Italian Sausage

1 Onion, diced

1 Package of Mushrooms, diced

2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

10 Eggs, beaten

4 Cups of Milk

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1-2 Sprigs of Rosemary, Chopped

Directions

1.)  Brown Ground Sausage and diced Onions and Mushrooms over medium heat

2.)  Spray baking dish with Pam and layer with cubed Italian Bread

3.) Mix Eggs, Milk, Salt, Pepper, Dry Mustard, Garlic Powder, and Rosemary

4.)  Add Cheddar Cheese and Ground Sausage, Onion, and Mushrooms to Egg Mixture

5.)  Mix all together and pour over bread

6.)  Let chill overnight in fridge

7.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until bubbling on top

Holiday Breakfast Sausage Casserole 

Ingredients

Loaf of Hearty Bread (I used Italian)

1 lb. of Ground Sweet Italian Sausage

1 Onion, diced

1 Package of Mushrooms, diced

2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

10 Eggs, beaten

4 Cups of Milk

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1-2 Sprigs of Rosemary, Chopped

Directions

1.)  Brown Ground Sausage and diced Onions and Mushrooms over medium heat

2.)  Spray baking dish with Pam and layer with cubed Italian Bread

3.) Mix Eggs, Milk, Salt, Pepper, Dry Mustard, Garlic Powder, and Rosemary

4.)  Add Cheddar Cheese and Ground Sausage, Onion, and Mushrooms to Egg Mixture

5.)  Mix all together and pour over bread

6.)  Let chill overnight in fridge

7.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until bubbling on top