The first time I ordered gnocchi, I had no idea that it was dumplings. I was under the impression that it was some rice like dish, but after ordering, my husband informed me that is risotto. What is it with all these fancy and weird names? Anyway, we were at an elegant restaurant and I did not want to cause a scene and reorder my food, so I just figured I would give it a go. Finding out it was potato based reassured me a little more because I knew I would enjoy it at least a little. When the food arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with the presentation. Then came the moment of truth.

I popped one into my mouth and as I chewed it up, I think I went to heaven and came back. This is the heavenliest dumpling dish I have ever tried. Full of cheesy goodness, these are like little raviolis, but shaped prettier than that. Well, as soon as we got back home, I looked up how to make this at home and realized that these came frozen, so I got to work and created this. It is a soup with chicken some gnocchi inside… a variation of what I was served that evening at the beautiful restaurant.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Pinch of Yum.

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Quick Tip: Easily half this recipe for less servings.

I had never even heard of the term poke cake until one day that I was just relaxing with a friend of mine on a couch and she told me about the new poke cake she discovered. You see, she is a great baker and loves to try her hand at new recipes that are usually plain and make them a little more exciting. One of her favorite new styles of cakes is poke cakes and I had no idea what they were.

I asked her what in the world that was, and with a laugh she explained that it is simply a cake baked in a brownie dish and then poked to infuse with some sort of delicious liquid or frosting. It is almost the same process of making a Tres Leches (a vanilla cake that is poked to infuse cow’s milk, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk), but even easier. This specific one she was referring to was chocolate and I was amazed at all the amazing tastes that could come together from one simple poke cake. This was almost like two cakes in one here and I was thrilled to give it a try! I was elated and could not wait to get my hands on that recipe!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Spend With Pennies.

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Quick Tip: Feel free to top it off with chocolate chips and festive sprinkles.

My dad cannot eat chocolate because of his arrhythmia. The caffeine in chocolate alters his heart in a way that can be very detrimental for him. He has even passed out because of eating a bit of chocolate. So, for that reason, we always try to look for recipes that cut back on the chocolate. Instead of making brownies for dessert, we make cheesecake. Instead of making chocolate chip cookies, we make sugar cookies. These little habits help my dad stay healthy and all of us as well.

I am a lover of cookies so I am always looking for a new and improved recipe that is different than the last I made. I love the classic chocolate chip cookie, but sometimes I just feel like enjoying a nice oatmeal cookie or raisin bran. I know, it is weird, but I get bored easily. I need to switch it up.

That is how I found this recipe that really helps me satisfy my cravings. It is a bit strange, very nutty and totally delicious! I know it is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love all kinds of nuts, so this is a perfect cookie. Give it a try, whether you are a nut lover or not. You might find yourself becoming one!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Sally’s Baking Addiction.

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Quick Tip: If you’d like, feel free to add white chocolate chips.

Hello, everyone! I don’t know about you guys, but I love cake. I love making cake, eating cake, and finding new and exciting cake recipes for my growing pastry collection. When I came across this Italian pear and ricotta cake, I just knew I had to make it for myself.

At first, I was apprehensive in terms of the ricotta filling, but wow, did it ever turn out good!  I suppose it’s no different than using sour cream in your cake batter. If you are looking for a new and simple cake recipe, look no further because this one is the cat’s meow. Will you be trying it any time soon?

Recipe courtesy of Food52.

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Quick Tip: For best results, use a high-quality, full-fat Ricotta.

A couple of weeks ago I organized a special dinner for 5 people. The guests were some of our closest friends and one of them had a birthday coming up, so I wanted to serve something extra delicious for dessert.

At first, I thought of making a bunch of cupcakes with frosting and pretty decorations. But then I came across this cake recipe and I just couldn’t resist trying it! Creamy whipped frosting sandwiched between rich chocolate, make this deliciously decadent dessert irresistible. The topping really brings the whole dish together wonderfully.

This cake is also perfect for those who would like to make their dessert ahead! After removing from cake pans, wrap them in foil and pop them into the freezer until ready to fill and frost. This will help keep the cake moist, as well as prevent crumbs from getting into the frosting.

Then just thaw the cake, make the frosting and you’re done. How easy is that?

Recipe and photo courtesy of Stetted.

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Quick tip: You can use buttermilk instead of milk, if preferred.

Have you been searching for a great cookie recipe that’ll wow you and your guests? Look no further because this is it! These white chocolate cranberry cookies would work particularly well for a holiday treat, though with that flavor, you could enjoy them most any time of year.

Believe it or not, I was not as familiar with the white chocolate cranberry flavor combination as I was with the white chocolate raspberry one, prior to baking some of these. I have to say, it works out nicely – richly sweet, with just the right amount of tartness from the cranberries to put everything in balance. The addition of cornstarch to the dough ensures that the cookies will remain soft, even the next day. And the use of dark brown sugar instead of light brown gives the flavor of the cookies that much more depth and ensures that they have a more chewy, less crispy texture.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Sally’s Baking Addiction

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Quick tip: These cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

The English get a bad rap for bland food, but I happen to like many English dishes. People seem to have the wrong impression and they’re afraid to even try some of these dishes, in fear of it tasting bad (or not tasting like much at all). This hearty and delicious English cottage pie is definitely worth trying! It’s an easy one to cook – especially if you happen to have leftover mashed potatoes from last night’s dinner.

This dish is very similar to a shepherds pie, and it is sure to be a big hit with all of your family members! I often like to add more vegetables, not because the dish needs them but simply because I enjoy them. If your kids are not the greatest fans of greens, this is a great dish for trying to hide them! (The greens, not the kids!)

Original Recipe 12tomatoes

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Quick Tip: Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days.