Holiday

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

October 13, 2022 by Debbie Leave a Comment

These creamy mashed potatoes are super smooth and buttery. They super easy to make if you follow a few tips and tricks. I know how to make mashed potatoes is very controversial because everyone has their own method and tips. I have been a food photographer since 2015 and have made mashed potatoes many different ways . I have used golden potatoes , added cream cheese , warm the milk and butter, cream or half and half . I have also used a hand mixer , and potatoes mashed and my wire whisk on my kitchen aid. Using a Ricer is by far my favorite method . You will always have a lump free , fluffy mashed potato every time. These potatoes are easy enough for everyday but special enough to appear on your holiday table. If you like this recipe you will love these Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

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Patriotic Star Brownies

June 26, 2022 by Debbie Leave a Comment

These patriotic star brownies are chocolate dipped and then drizzled with red , white and blue . Topped with sprinkles this is a super cute dessert for all of your summer events. I don’t know about your family but mine loves brownies in any shape or size . Dipping just about anything in chocolate is always welcomed at my house. I wanted something a little different for the upcoming 4th of July weekend and got inspiration from Chocolate dipped heart brownies. These brownies can be enjoyed anytime of year but especially those holidays you want to show a little patriotism like 4th of July or Memorial Day.

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Southern Cornbread Dressing

November 16, 2021 by Debbie 27 Comments

This classic southern cornbread dressing is deliciously moist , has the perfect balance of flavor , and packed with fresh veggies. It is a staple during the holidays and Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without it . This recipe is exactly the way my Mother taught me to make it, so it is a family recipe for sure. In my opinion heirloom recipes are the best , pure comfort food. Plus they are tried and true . Here in the south we don’t do “stuffing” and we don’t put strange things like cranberries or chestnuts in our dressing . I think if I did something strange to our dressing I would be banned from making it. This dish could take center stage for sure , the one thing you do need with it is Turkey Gravy and Homemade rolls. Forget the turkey bring me the cornbread dressing !

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Pumpkin Bread

October 26, 2021 by Debbie Leave a Comment

This is a great basic Pumpkin Bread that is tender and loaded with warm pumpkin flavor and spices. I adore quick breads, they come together easily and are very versatile. They can be served as a light dessert , breakfast with a cup of coffee , or an afternoon snack with a cup of tea. If you love this type of bread you need to check out my Chocolate chunk Pumpkin Bread or Apple Butter Banana Bread. …

Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham

March 20, 2021 by Debbie Leave a Comment

Super easy but so impressive this Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham is a beautiful centerpiece for any meal. The glaze is sweet and sticky and mingles perfectly with a savory ham. This old fashioned glaze is so easy you will want to use nothing else and it is so easy you will want this for every holiday. This is basically how I grew up eating ham . My mother would smoother hers with a ton of pineapple rings and cherries . It would be beautiful when it came out the oven and my brothers and I would fight over those candied sticky rings. To this day that is still my favorite part of baking a ham. If you are looking for a side dish my Southern Candied sweet potatoes go beautifully with this ham.

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Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies

November 21, 2020 by Debbie 2 Comments

These Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies are the perfect chewy cookie for any occasion. Sprinkles are optional and can be added to make these festive for any holiday. This recipe is perfect for the Christmas season , especially if you are going to a party or for a cookie exchange. I originally developed this recipe during Valentine’s a few years ago and I was making sweet boxes for my both of my son’s girlfriends . That year I chocolate dipped anything that would hold still from strawberries to these cookies. I kind of have a little obsession with dipping things in chocolate ,check out these Chocolate peppermint cookies I dipped in white chocolate, they are so good.

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Pecan Tassies

November 17, 2020 by Debbie 21 Comments

Pecan Tassies are a cute name for a bite sized pecan pie . These tarts have a flaky crust and gooey filling with a crunchy pecan top. These little gems are a southern tradition and usually served right along with the cookies. Even though they look and taste like their larger counter part they do have some differences. The first thing is the crust is more dense and crumbles like a cookie , but almost has a richness to it. The filling is gooey but is made with brown sugar instead of a corn syrup.

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Apple Pie Monkey Bread

October 6, 2020 by Debbie 25 Comments

Apple pie filling sandwiched between tender cinnamon rolls held together with a gooey brown sugar glaze. This Apple Pie Monkey bread is the perfect breakfast for a special occasion. Who needs a special occasion? This decadent monkey bread is perfect anytime ! I feel like I have made this 556 times , ok a little exaggeration on my part. When I was developing and tweaking this recipe I made it three times, which is pretty normal. Baking time needed adjusting and techniques and photographs taken. My SD card that stores all of my photos literally fell apart and all of my photos were lost. I quickly remade several of my recipes that the photos were lost to but this one was the one I really didn’t mind making over again. Just the smell of it baking is intoxicating .

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Pumpkin Crisp

September 3, 2020 by Debbie 22 Comments

This Pumpkin Crisp has a pumpkin pie type filling and a spicy buttery crisp topping. Easier than pie this will soon be a fall favorite served with whipped cream or ice cream. While I love pumpkin pie a crisp is much easier not only to make but this recipe can serve a crowd. I have made a ton of crisp in my kitchen, when I was playing around with making an Apple Crisp I incorporated crushed ginger snaps in the crisp. While I loved it on my Apple Crisp it just wasn’t right and I knew this would be a good combination for pumpkin. Boy was I right , I could have eaten this whole pan. Fall food is my favorite and I have a special place in my heart for pumpkin.

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Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

August 29, 2020 by Debbie 21 Comments

These creamy mashed sweet potatoes are savory and slightly sweet. They are rich and buttery , the perfect side for all occasions especially a holiday meal. I just love sweet potatoes cooked just about anyway there is . Believe me I just adore Candied Sweet Potatoes and sweet potato casseroles but sometimes I want something not so sweet , these babies are the winner. Growing up we never had a holiday that didn’t consist of a sweet potato pie and some other type of side dish but I never really thought I would like a savory sweet potato. It turns out I adore the natural flavor , I could literally eat this entire pot of sweet potato goodness.

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