Classic Candy Cane Cookies to Celebrate the Holidays

 Christmas, Recipes  1 Response »
Dec 192015
 

This shop and my candy cane cookies recipe have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayWithGlade #CollectiveBias

There are a lot of times I’ve missed my Gram in the last year and a half since she passed, but this time of year it’s especially so.  Gram was all about Christmas and everything it entailed from making our own fresh wreaths in her barn to baking up fat stacks of cookies to deliver to friends and family to decorating her house from top to bottom.

Classic Candy Cane Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for the holidays

One of the cookies that she made every year were her Candy Cane Cookies.  They were probably my favorite holiday treat that she baked and she would bring them to our house by the dozen.  I’m pretty sure there may have been times I ate them by the dozen, too. Continue reading »

Spread Cheer with Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Recipe

 Recipes  17 Responses »
Nov 302015
 

Baking cookies and other treats has long been one of my favorite holiday activities.  My Gram always turned it into a real occasion, filling her kitchen with dozens of different bars, squares, cookies, drops, brownies, and fudge.  She would put a few of each sweet on a platter or in a box and deliver them to friends and family all over town.

Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups recipe to share during the holidays

While my Gram personally delivered most of her treats, some of them were done as an anonymous drop off.  It’s a fun and easy way to add a little joy to someone’s day and it’s also a great way to teach kids the spirit of giving. Continue reading »

Baking Up Memories with Hallmark Northpole + Free Printable

 Christmas, Gift Ideas  2 Responses »
Nov 102014
 

This Hallmark Northpole #NorthpoleFun shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Last year when we went to Maine to visit my family I also was excited to see my friend Em.  Em was one of my best friends in high school and even though we don’t get to talk every day, it’s still the kind of friendship where we text each other when our favorite movie is on TV.  And when we do have the chance to get together, it’s still an easy conversation.

Baking Across the Miles with Hallmark Northpole Gifts

 

Em has a sweet (and super-smart) daughter named Cam. Cam is 10 and when her mom came to visit at the house where I was staying, Cam came along.  It was actually great because Cam and Bubbles played together while we got caught up on each other’s lives.  (By the way, if you happen to be the aforementioned Em – stop reading here, please). Continue reading »

Mandarin Orange Rolls Recipe

 Recipes  26 Responses »
Dec 162013
 

This Orange Rolls recipe is a sponsored campaign on behalf of Halos.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My grandmother makes a lot of delicious sweets that I love.  Don’t ask me to chose just one – they’re all my favorite.  But at Christmas each year she puts together a plate (well, sometimes large box) filled with my most favorite treats.

Each year her food care packages include orange sweet rolls and they’re something I greatly look forward to.  Sweet and sticky, I always reach for them first.  I decided that since I love them so much, I might as well learn to make them myself so I could share them with others.

Mandarin Orange Rolls Recipe #halosfun

One thing about recipes that come handed down from my Gram is that there’s a lot of trial and error involved for those who haven’t made them before.  She doesn’t really follow a recipe; she reaches for a pinch of this and a splash of that.  She can’t even tell you how long to cook or bake something, her reply is always “It’s done when it’s done.” Continue reading »

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

 Recipes  13 Responses »
Nov 152013
 

Pompeian provided the Grapeseed Oil Spray that inspired my Banana Nut Bread Recipe.  All words and opinions are my own.

Banana Nut Muffins are something I’ve been making for a few years now.  During the holidays, though, I often switch over to making Banana Nut Bread.  I think it makes a great treat for Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings as it’s a different flavor than you’ll likely have during your holiday feasts.

Wrapped up and tied with a pretty ribbon, Banana Nut Bread also makes a nice gift to send home with family and friends that drop in during the holidays.  Each year I put together a food gift basket for some of our extended family – my husband’s aunts and uncles, my in-laws, some of our friends, etc. – and I usually include a couple of mini loaves for each recipient.

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

My Banana Nut Bread recipe is a bit different than most.  I use the same topping on the bread that I do on my muffins.  It adds a nice contrast in texture and adds another level of flavor that my family enjoys. Continue reading »