Recent Posts

Meatball Sub Casserole
November 13, 2023

Meatball Sub Casserole

My children loves meatball subs, meatballs and spaghetti, and meatballs in general. This easy to prep casserole is a tasty weeknight meal that is sure to warm you up and keep you satisfied. Ingredients: 1/2 onion diced 2 bell peppers diced 2 cloves garlic 1 …

Entrees
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by Ashley
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
November 13, 2023

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This is a perfect soup dish to enjoy on a cool day when you are craving something tasty and satisfying. My children devour baked potatoes and gave this soup recipe five stars. Ingredients: 5 russet potatoes 6-8 slices thick cut bacon 1/2 cup all purpose …

Entrees
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by Ashley
Vanilla Whoopie Pies with Chocolate Buttercream
November 13, 2023

Vanilla Whoopie Pies with Chocolate Buttercream

Whoopie pies are one of my favorite bite size treats. These feature a soft vanilla cookie with a delectable chocolate buttercream in the center. If you want to make these truly indulgent you can add a little peanut butter on one of the cookies before you sandwich them together or roll them in sprinkles to add color and texture.

Ingredients:

Cookies-

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

2/3 cup buttermilk

Buttercream Filling-

1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-6 tablespoons milk

Directions:

  1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Beat the granulated sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the egg and beat until combined.
  5. Reduce the speed to low and alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk in small batches.
  6. Scrape the sides of the bowl and cover to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Use a small cookie scooper to form balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
  8. Bake 7-9 minutes until cookies are set and beginning to brown.
  9. Slide parchment paper off the baking sheet and allow cookies to cool.
  10. Add the confectioner’s sugar and butter to the stand mixer and whisk beginning on low and increasing speed once the powder is mixed in.
  11. Add the vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and milk.
  12. Whisk and add more milk or powdered sugar if needed to get the desired consistency.
  13. Flip over half of the cookies.
  14. Use an icing tool to pipe the buttercream on half of the cookies.
  15. Gently press another cookie on top to assemble the whoopie pies.
  16. Store in an air-tight container.
  17. Enjoy!
Desserts
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by Ashley
Cookies and Cream Popcorn
November 13, 2023

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

This was a dessert I made for a soccer party for my son. I was looking for a tasty treat that featured colors black and white that would appeal to preteen boys. Confession- This dessert was so good I didn’t think there would be enough …

Desserts
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by Ashley
Dorito Casserole
November 10, 2023

Dorito Casserole

This is an easy to prep casserole similar to some other taco casseroles I have made in the past. The nacho Doritos add crunch and flavor. Ingredients: 1/2 large bag of Nacho Doritos 1 pound lean ground beef 2 tablespoons tomato paste 3-4 bell peppers …

Entrees
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by Ashley
Pumpkin Cream Pie
November 10, 2023

Pumpkin Cream Pie

If you like pumpkin pie topped with lots of whipped cream then you should try this pie. This pie has all of the flavors of a traditional pumpkin pie with a cheesecake like texture under a fall flavored whip cream.

Ingredients:

1 store bought pie crust

Pie-

4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese at room temperature

15 ounces pumpkin puree

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

3 large eggs

Brown Sugar Whipped Cream-

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

  1. Roll pie crust out to cover a pie plate.
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
  3. Add cream cheese, pumpkin, cream, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar to a stand mixer. Mix on medium to combine.
  4. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix in on medium.
  5. Pour the pie filling over the pie crust.
  6. Bake for 45-55 minutes. The center will look loose and the crust should be beginning to brown.
  7. Let pie cool on a wire rack.
  8. Add cream, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice to a stand mixer. Whisk on high until a fluffy whip cream forms.
  9. Spread the whipped cream over the pie.
  10. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  11. Enjoy!
Desserts
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by Ashley
Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Candy Toppings
November 4, 2023

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Candy Toppings

I always make these cookies after Halloween. The traditional recipe for peanut butter cookies uses Hershey Kisses as the topping. I like to mix things up and use an assortment of chocolate candies such as Reese’s, Snickers, KitKat, Hershey Bars, Milky Ways, etc… Ingredients: 1 …

Desserts
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by Ashley
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
November 4, 2023

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Whoopie pies are a treat I didn’t discover until I was an adult. If you have never had one imagine a pillowy soft cookie with a delicious filling in the middle. These are a perfect fall treat with a pumpkin cookie and cream cheese frosting …

Desserts
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by Ashley
Slow Cooker Sauerbraten with Cabbage and Roasted Potatoes
October 30, 2023

Slow Cooker Sauerbraten with Cabbage and Roasted Potatoes

One of my son’s has been researching our ancestry and has fallen in love with German culture and history. He found this dish in his reading and asked me to make it for him. The original recipe boiled potatoes, but we prefer roasted potatoes so we adapted. The meat was tender and full of flavor and the cabbage was a hit too.

Ingredients:

Marinade-

3 pound beef roast

1 pound frozen onions

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons pickling spice blend

1 tablespoon honey

8 peppercorns

Sauerbraten-

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup red wine

Red Cabbage Kraut-

4 cups beer (I used ginger ale instead)

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke

4 cloves garlic

1/2 cup chopped Vidalia onion

1 head red cabbage thinly sliced

Potatoes-

1-2 pounds red and russet potatoes peeled and halved/quartered

2-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning blend

Directions:

Marinade-

  1. Season the beef all over with salt.
  2. Place beef in plastic bag or container.
  3. Add onions, red wine vinegar, pickling spice, honey, peppercorn, and 1 cup water to the beef.
  4. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.

Sauerbraten-

  1. Remove the beef from the marinade.
  2. Pat the beef dry. Sprinkle flour all over the beef.
  3. Add oil to a pan and heat oil on high.
  4. Sear the beef on both sides for 6-8 minutes.
  5. Add the beef to the slow cooker.
  6. Pour marinade over the beef.
  7. Add red wine to the slow cooker.
  8. Cook on low 8 hours.

Cabbage-

  1. Add beer, sugar, vinegar, liquid smoke, and garlic to a Dutch oven.
  2. Turn the heat to medium high to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Stir in the onions and cabbage and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Turn the heat down to simmer. Allow cabbage to cook and soften for 35-45 minutes.

Potatoes-

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Rinse potatoes with water and pat dry.
  3. Add potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil and ranch seasoning over the potatoes and shake/mix to coat the potatoes.
  4. Roast for 35-45 minutes.

To serve-

  1. Slice beef in the crock pot. Dish out slices of beef and cover with cooked onions.
  2. Drain cabbage with a slotted spoon to serve.
  3. Use a spatula to dish out potatoes.
  4. Enjoy!
Entrees
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by Ashley
Raspberry and Blueberry Custard Kuchen
October 29, 2023

Raspberry and Blueberry Custard Kuchen

My son has been reading a lot about German culture and history. In his reading he discovered a few dishes he wanted to try. This is a German dessert I made in his honor. Ingredients: Crust- 1 1/2 cups flour divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 …

Desserts
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by Ashley