Cranberry Orange Bread

I’m back from my mini vacation!  My husband and I had a lovely time in Quebec City  and I’m sure I’ll be talking more about our travels in some upcoming posts.     🙂 I love making quick breads because you don’t need to spend a lot of time on it (which would obviously be why they’re called that).  Although they do typically require a long time in the oven, so maybe they’re not that quick from start to finish.  Compared to a yeast bread that takes at least twice as long they’re downright speedy.  I love my Lemon Blueberry …

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Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

Have you noticed that we tend to associate holidays with candy?  You receive heart shaped chocolate for Valentine’s Day, chocolate bunnies for Easter, assorted candy for Halloween, and red and green chocolate for Christmas.  You know what that means, right?  Chocolate rules!     😉 I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Halloween but with these festive truffles.  They are a ball of Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Reese’s pieces wedged in all over and covered in chocolate. Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (Makes about 30 truffles ) Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (equivalent to 1 stick) 1/2 cup light brown …

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Pasta Fagioli Soup

My husband and I like to lead a simple life.  Some people strive for drama and chaos, but not us.  I generally make simple meals because I find that small ingredient lists of delicious things make the best meals.  This time however, I wanted an extra simple meal.  There is nothing complicated about a hearty pasta fagioli soup.  This version tastes nearly identical to Olive Garden’s Pasta e Fagioli, full of assorted beans, beef, pasta, and wonderful seasoning. Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe (Makes about 8 servings) Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 1 small onion, chopped (equivalent to 1 cup) 1 large …

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Shortbread Cookies

Buttery goodness.  Crumbs that melt in your mouth.  Decadent vanilla flavor.  Do I have your attention?  These shortbread cookies may look boring, but they are quite the contrary.  After one bite, these cookies will become one of the most irresistible cookies that you’ve ever had.  To quote my taste tester and husband extraordinaire, “Yea, these don’t suck.”  Which was said while eating several pieces after the one I’d handed him as a taster. Shortbread Cookies Recipe (Makes 16 cookies) Ingredients: 1 cup (equivalent to 2 sticks) butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups cake flour 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 …

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German Chocolate Cake Doughnuts

I’m funny sometimes.  I had no problem spending $100 on a new pair of heels the other day, but I didn’t want to spend $9 on a doughnut pan.  I guess I have my priorities.     😉 I’ve seen so many wonderful doughnut recipes out there and I finally broke down and bought a doughnut pan so I could join in on the fun of creating my own doughnut flavor. Since these doughnuts are the first ones I’ve made, I wanted them to be memorable.  I think I nailed it with these German chocolate cake doughnuts.     🙂  These doughnuts  reflect the traditional flavors of a …

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