Forget Starbucks – This Homemade Bread Will Carry You Into The Clouds

There was a time when I used to think applesauce bread was a mandatory item at the holiday dinner table. Don’t get me wrong – I still think it’s delicious. But after my mother mentioned this recipe, it changed my life. You think I’m being over-dramatic? Well, you haven’t tasted this cranberry bliss bread yet.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying a Starbucks cranberry bliss bar, you may have an idea of how awesome this recipe is. I mean, you get the same, incredible flavors – but a whole loaf of them!

They say the holidays are about sharing, but I kind of don’t feel like sharing a single piece of this loaf. I think I’m just going to make 2, right away. One for the guests and one, all for me! The bread itself is super juicy and tasty on its own, but when you cover it with frosting, decorate with craisins and drizzle with white chocolate? It. Is. To. Die. For. It doesn’t matter how many helpings you got at dinner, there’s always room for a slice of this!

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Quick Tip: You serve the bread without the frosting to make it lighter – but who would want to do that?

I Thought I Had The Best Brownie Recipe In The World But This One Proved Me Wrong!

I had tried about a gazillion brownie recipes in my life and I thought I knew the secret to the tastiest ones on the planet. It was a recipe I got from my aunt and I was the only one in the family she ever shared her famous recipe with. Needless to say, I was honored, and that recipe is still the best EVER for so-called “regular brownies”. Although I’m not sure if any brownies can be called that!

Anyway, unfortunately I’m not going to share my aunt’s recipe with you. But I do have the greatest recipe for “special” brownies! These are packed with such incredible flavor that they may sweep you off your feet!

Yummy, toasted coconut and a touch of instant coffee are bringing in a little bit of a tropical vibe – it’s like having a tiny vacation right in your home kitchen, when you sink your teeth into these! I would suggest you make a double batch of these because these are going to be gone faster than you’d ever think!

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Quick Tip: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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.

Are you looking at your package of chicken thighs in the fridge and want to try something new with them? This chicken in creamy bacon sauce recipe will turn those thighs into a juicy flavorful dinner your family will request again and again.

Crispy chicken with a yummy garlic sauce makes a cozy dinner paired nicely with any side. Serve up some potatoes and veggies with this delicious chicken dish and your family will be thanking you!

Image courtesy of Center Cut Cook

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The other day I was bored. This is seriously big news if you know me and are aware of my usual work schedule! I don’t have too much free time, but this was an exception. So I thought, how about I make a nice, big cake now that I have the time? The problem was, I hadn’t made a single cake in weeks (months even), so I was a little lost with what recipe I should use. I didn’t want to go with the most ordinary ones, but I certainly didn’t want to spend the whole day in the kitchen, either.

After a moment (or two) of online searching I came across this beautiful Caramel Pumpkin Italian Cream Cake and decided to give it a go! As with so many recipes, the formula for Italian cream cake is open to a lot of modification according to the season and to your own tastes. This rich flavor combination is particularly good for Thanksgiving but I would most definitely use it for any special occasion.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Lorie’s Mississippi Kitchen

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Quick tip: If you want to make this a little faster, use store-bought frosting.

This Chicken-Fried Steak With Country Cream Gravy has classic down-home country flavor and makes use of a few simple but clever tricks to yield a dish with a restaurant-grade, thick, unbroken, delicious crust. I just love some of these country-style recipes, don’t you? Of course, it doesn’t hurt that this recipe only takes about an hour and yields a creamy, savory gravy that tastes great on a number of different things aside from the chicken-fried steak itself. And it’s a great way to make good use of a rather inexpensive cut of beef.

You’ll need a large skillet and some large cooling racks for this recipe. Other than that, you won’t need any extra-special skills or equipment to put this yummy country meal together. The gravy would go nicely over mashed potatoes, boiled new potatoes, or even certain crisp green veggies, though I just couldn’t resist really getting into the country spirit and having some sweet potato fries with it. Whatever you choose, you need not make it too complicated to put together a hearty full meal.

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Midnight Baker

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Quick tip: You can use the same method and ingredients to cook chicken!

This Pumpkin Sausage Bowtie Pasta makes for a creative and festive-looking fall meal, and yet it takes little time to put together. This is a great choice for those midweek fall and winter evenings, when you are particularly pressed for time (and perhaps already thinking about the weekend) and want something seasonal but just don’t have the time or energy to make a really elaborate meal.

The splash of white wine is what gives this dish that amazing extra bit of flavor. Stay away from any wine that is super-sweet, or you may have a main course that is a bit TOO sweet. Otherwise, there’s nothing too difficult about this recipe. You do have to brown the sausage and cook the pasta (al dente) to start, but that doesn’t take all that long, and everything goes really quickly after that. You basically have a full meal with this, though it does go nicely with a bit of bread and a simple salad.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Jo Cooks

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Quick tip: Adjust the amount of garlic to your taste.