Christmas

Mom’s Easy Fudge Recipe

I can’t imagine celebrating the Christmas holidays without one of my all-time favorite recipes: My mom’s homemade fudge that is basically the best fudge I’ve ever sunk my teeth into.

My mom makes this fudge every single Christmas—and only at Christmas—and while every year she makes it to give as neighbor gifts, she always keeps a stash for herself, usually eating it for breakfast with her coffee.

Yes, it’s THAT good and yes, she is THAT smart to eat chocolate for breakfast. Hey, you only live once.

This recipe is a family legend, and originally comes from my grandma. But to me it’s all my mom’s. It’s rich, fudgy, and delivers a solid bite your teeth will easily sink into.

I first shared this recipe way back in 2011, the first year I started blogging. But when my mom stopped by when I was making the fudge, I asked her to step in and really worked her for the details of her secret fudge-making ways, because she IS the master.

Let’s make fudge!continue to the recipe… about Mom’s Easy Fudge Recipe

31 Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Holiday Recipes to Make in December

These 31 Instant Pot and slow cooker holiday dishes are perfect for easy meals when company calls, hearty breakfasts when extended family crashes, and fun treats for all of your holiday mingling this month.

Happy December!

Are you scurrying around like little elves, trying to get your holiday shopping done? Is the Instant Pot on your wish list? If not, it should be! It was the most sold item on Amazon last year, and it’s expected to do the same this year. That’s because this appliance is a beast. It functions as a slow cooker or a pressure cooker, slashing most cooking times in half, and leaving you with minimal cleanup.

Isn’t that magic to the ears, especially during the holidays?

That’s why our latest and last installment of the 31 day what to cook series is all about holiday dishes you can whip up effortlessly in your Instant Pot or or slow cooker. From crowd favorite appetizers and hearty breakfasts to soul-warming soups and beverages, we’ve got you covered this holiday season.

continue to the recipe… about 31 Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Holiday Recipes to Make in December

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip and Macadamia Nut Cookies

These easy, wonderfully chewy cookies are loaded with chunks of macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries in an oatmeal batter good enough for breakfast too.

See these cookies? They are chock-full. Chock-full of all kinds of flavors and goodness that go together like peas in a pod. But they’re much sweeter—and most everyone says much better—than peas. Obviously.

But they’re missing one thing for too many people.

They’re missing a giant glass of cold milk for some kids not as fortunate as mine to dip these still-warm-from-the-oven cookies into before setting a glass next to Santa’s plate to wash them down and then wipe from his frosty mustache.

But that doesn’t have to be the case, because I’m doing something about that fact, and you can too. continue to the recipe… about Cranberry White Chocolate Chip and Macadamia Nut Cookies

4-Ingredient Pretzel Turtles Treats

Store bought caramels pretzel bites are dipped in chocolate and topped with nuts for a super fast, no-bake gooey caramel treat.

“You need to try one of these.”

“Mooooom! You know I can’t eat pretzels. Or caramel. Or nuts.”

“But, you’ve been helping me make them. Your braces will be fine. The warm chocolate totally softens the caramel. You still need to try one. They’re insane.”

“Oh. These are really, really good, mom.”

Yes, yes they are good. And easy. And there’s nothing better than that combo when you’re in a race against Santa’s sleigh.

continue to the recipe… about 4-Ingredient Pretzel Turtles Treats

20 Spirited Holiday Punches

These 20 festive punch recipes are a fun way to spread holiday cheer and ring in the New Year with friends!

Single serving cocktails are standard holiday fare. They’re bubbly and colorful, and we can adorn them with festive garnishes like cranberries and sprigs of rosemary.

But it can be difficult to please the masses and can too-often blow the budget when offering a variety of alcohols and mixers. Plus, wouldn’t you rather rather be cheers-ing your guests as the hostess-with-the-mostess rather than acting as the de facto bartender behind the bar?

Making big-batch cocktails for your party crowd is the way to go, and punches in particular have made a comeback. And no, we’re not talking about the soupy, non-alcoholic sherbet punch you might’ve grown up with.

We’ve found 20 sophisticated tipples that are guaranteed to impress your party guests, and fill you with holiday cheer from head to toe!

continue to the recipe… about 20 Spirited Holiday Punches

Friday Faves Christmas Edition

‘Tis the last Friday Faves of the season because next week I’ll be prancing and dancing my way through all of the holiday jingles with my family.

As of today, Smudge is out of school and it’s time to celebrate and chill. My sister and fam arrive the day after Christmas and oh what joy we will have! I hope you’ll all be living it up with your family or loved ones too. Pay attention to it. It goes too fast and too soon becomes merely a memory.

On a side note, thank you to so many of you who sent condolences and warm wishes on the loss of our sweet 13-year-old chow/shepherd “puppy”, Chewy.

He was the light of our life and loved by all, especially Smudge and her gaggle of pals (taken just 2 days before he passed). It just isn’t the same around here without him underfoot, waiting for just one morsel of food to fall to the floor. We’ve lost 2 of our dogs in just one year and it’s not been easy for this family of dog lovers. Our chihuahua Pippa is still under the covers keeping me warm at night. Whether I want her to or not. I’ll take it.

This week’s Friday Faves has a happy holiday vibe. We may not have snow, but I do have presents in links for you to see!

continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves Christmas Edition

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn and Cashews

White chocolate, salty cashews, and refreshing peppermint oil make for a surprising trifecta of flavors for this festive popcorn you won’t be able to stop snacking on! It’s also perfect for stocking stuffers and gift giving.

December brings out the best in all of us with the bestest of intentions.

We overcommit. “Yes! We’d love to get together with friends we haven’t seen all year! I’ll host!”

We overindulge. “Oh why not? I already had one **___fill in the blank here___**, what’s the harm in just one more?”

And we overspend and overdo. “I just need to get a little something for the mailman, their teachers, my hairdresser, their coach, his clients, my Secret Santa, the neighbors, the dogwalker and the list never ends. never ends. never ends.”

At this stage of the gift giving game, your time to be a jolly old elf is slipping away like stealthy Santa and his reindeer-led sleigh. If you eschew gift cards (“they’re convenient but so lame!”) and Chia pets aren’t really your thing (Duck Dynasty, really?), jump into the DIY gift giving scene with an easy enough lesson from me.continue to the recipe… about White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn and Cashews

20 Make-Ahead Holiday Breakfasts

Spend more time with your fam and enjoy not cooking on Christmas morning, because you can prep these easy 20 holiday breakfasts the night before so all you have to do come morning is pop them in the oven!

You don’t actually have to slave away in the kitchen all morning on Christmas day to enjoy a decadent breakfast or brunch. It is totally possible to have a relaxing, leisurely meal on Christmas morning without barely lifting a finger.

Twas the night before…

These recipes require all of the prep the night before, so all you have to do in the AM is turn on your oven. Your impressed family will think the elves did it. You can savor watching the kiddos open their presents, stay in your pajamas until noon (at the very least), and enjoy more of the magic that is Christmas morning.

continue to the recipe… about 20 Make-Ahead Holiday Breakfasts

Chocolate Dipped Almond Cookies and Santa’s Milk Drive

These simple and decadent almond cookies are sandwiched between a layer of rich dark or milk chocolate filling and are then dipped in dark or white chocolate and sprinkled with chopped nuts or crushed peppermint candy for a delicious crunch.

This whole thing started with my wish to teach my 10 year old daughter a little bit about the true spirit of Christmas. To reinforce to her and her friends that it’s better to give than to receive. And I have to say, my wish was granted in spades.

My daughter is an only child. And let’s face it, she is totally and utterly spoiled. And I am 100% okay with that.

We’re, ahem, “more mature” parents who’ve lived a lifetime of pre-kid fun, travel and experiences. So when she surprised us and showed up in utero with an unanticipated pee test (which is a whole ‘nother story for another day,) it was no surprise to us or those around us that she’d have 100% of our attention, our love, and the keys to our wallet.

But in turn, my husband and I agreed that this girl was in no way going to grow up a prima donna. A spoiled brat. A young adult who doesn’t appreciate the love and luxuries she’s been lucky enough to receive. And in my opinion, that’s our job as parents. To be sure to instill the work ethic and gratitude that damn well better be drilled into our children’s core.

And because of that, the idea of Santa’s Milk Drive was born.

continue to the recipe… about Chocolate Dipped Almond Cookies and Santa’s Milk Drive

Crushing On Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell and Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

An interview with Deborah Harroun of the blog Taste and Tell, and her amazing, from scratch Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies.

I can’t think of a better way to start off the holiday baking season than with a festive cookie recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers Deborah Harroun, author of the food blog Taste and Tell, and her new cookbook Red Velvet Lover’s Cookbook.

If you don’t already follow her blog, Deb might still be a familiar face to FoodieCrush readers. She and her husband Josh along with their three children, Abbi, Easton and Camden (in utero!) joined me two years ago at the State Fair for an article in my summer issue of FoodieCrush magazine. They rode rides, hit the games and noshed on favorite fair food which Deb took back to her own kitchen and created fair-inspired recipes you can see here.

Deb has always been a huge supporter and inspiration to me and to FoodieCrush. So when she offered to send me a copy of her new cookbook, Red Velvet Lover’s Cookbook, I knew before even seeing it that I’d be finding plenty of delicious influences. These Cream Cheese Thumbprint cookies are pretty much just the start.

continue to the recipe… about Crushing On Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell and Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

NEW! FoodieCrush Magazine 2013 Holiday Issue

Helllllo holidays, and a ho-Ho-HO!

It’s time to don your baking hat and dress yourself up in your most festive holiday apron that you’re surely ashamed of but can’t possibly give away because your mother-in-law will notice when she shows up Christmas morn. Why all the celebrating? Because the Holiday issue of FoodieCrush mag is here. Break out the champs, it’s time to clink clink and get our merry on.

And while you’re at it, make sure you have your wallet in the pocket of that merry apron because with the launch of this issue comes with some serious holiday moola to add to your holiday stash. Like $250 stash you don’t want anyone else to find.

This issue is, almost, all about desserts because let’s face it, as we thoughtfully celebrate the potential of peace on earth, helping others though philanthropy and good will toward man, it all gets our sweet tooth in a lather. And those cravings are in need of some quenching.

continue to the recipe… about NEW! FoodieCrush Magazine 2013 Holiday Issue

12 Traditional Christmas Recipes

We’re on the final countdown. Just days away from a twinkle in his eye, a squinch of the nose, scarf up those cookies and up the chimney he goes.

As a young kid, I spent every Christmas Eve at my aunt Marilyn and Uncle Tom’s house where I would gorge myself on those pastel hard candy covered licorices as I tracked the jolly old elf’s progress toward our home, hoping against hope he’d find me and my sister all nestled in our single set beds. I was glued to the radio, (this was pre-NORAD ) raptly listening to the DJ’s talk of the man in the red suit fighting his way through the clouds toward the twinkling lights of my little old Utah neighborhood.

Later in my teens we moved the party to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, where everyone was greeted by Grandma’ MJ’s coveted ceramic lit Christmas tree holiding court in the foyer, her collection of Avon holiday plates nestled in evergreens and boughs artfully adorning the mantle, and where I would gather the younger cousins in front of the fire to read to the younger kids from Grandma MJ’s coveted edition of The Santa Claus Book.

As Grandma and Grandpa grew older we moved the party to Aunt Jill and Uncle Ben’s, where I spent most of my time either helping dish out Aunt Jill’s famous lasagna or arm wrestling my studly football playing boy cousins—and beating them—while reciting every word from my all-time favorite Christmas movie.

continue to the recipe… about 12 Traditional Christmas Recipes

NEW! FoodieCrush Magazine Holiday Issue & Gift Guide GIVEAWAY

And a happy ho-ho to you too!

Here it ’tis, the holiday ala winter issue of FoodieCrush magazine, complete with mouth-watering images, the stories behind some of your favorite food bloggers and favorite recipes, recipes, recipes.

Thank you so much to Denise of TLT-The Little Things for creating the cover image of her lush Mini Pavlovas with Pomegranates, a recipe that will add a delectable taste to any wintery féte.

And to celebrate the issue’s launch I’m doing a Food Blogger Gift Guide giveaway.

Last week I posted some great food blogger gifts that go well beyond the kitchen, creators of products other than delicious delicacies. And now it’s one reader’s chance to win all 5 of these fun products.

But more about that at the end of the post. First, let’s take a look at the new issue.continue to the recipe… about NEW! FoodieCrush Magazine Holiday Issue & Gift Guide GIVEAWAY

Friday Faves and White Chocolate and Peppermint Christmas Wreath Cookies

Sensory overload and I love every minute of it.

Freshly cut pine boughs as you brush by the tree. Cinnamon and cloves gently lollying in a saucepan of hot apple cider. The overwhelming wall of perfume spritzers as you enter the department store. And hot deliciousness baking in the oven.

They’re the smells of Christmas.

Between creating homemade gifts for the neighbors and keeping up with Smudge’s cookie cutter creation requests, I’ll be baking up a storm this month.continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves and White Chocolate and Peppermint Christmas Wreath Cookies

Happy Happy and Merry Merry

Wishing you and yours a fantastic Christmas day filled with much love, good food & spirits and loads of laughter.

XOXO, Heidi

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