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    Home » Page 15

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

    Feb 11, 2021

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs are meatballs cooked with onions and mushrooms in a delicious savory sauce! All cooked in the slow cooker and it starts with frozen meatballs to make it even easier. Such a great weeknight dinner!

    I have a delicious Slow Cooker Steak Bites recipe as well!

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs - meatballs cooked with onions and mushrooms in a delicious savory sauce! All cooked in the slow cooker and it starts with frozen meatballs to make it even easier. Such a great weeknight dinner!

    I love taking frozen meatballs and turning them into a delicious, easy dinner. Some days you just don’t have the time and energy for homemade meatballs, you know?

    These and Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs are favorites in my house and get requested constantly! And I love them because they both start with frozen meatballs which makes my day so much easier!

    Starting with frozen meatballs means I can get all the ingredients in the slow cooker in minutes and then I don’t have to think about dinner again for hours. 

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs - meatballs cooked with onions and mushrooms in a delicious savory sauce! All cooked in the slow cooker and it starts with frozen meatballs to make it even easier. Such a great weeknight dinner!

    Ingredients

    • Butter
    • Tomato paste
    • Low-sodium beef broth
    • Salt
    • White onion
    • Mushrooms
    • Frozen meatballs – you can use your own homemade meatballs if you prefer.
    • Cornstarch – this is used to thicken the sauce.
    • Fresh parsley – optional but I love the pop of green on the finished dish and it adds a nice brightness.

    Instructions

    • Make sauce. Stir together butter, tomato paste, beef broth, and salt in the bowl of the slow cooker
    • Add veggies. Add sliced onions, mushrooms, and meatballs and toss to combine everything
    • Slow cook. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 – 8 hours
    • Make slurry. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water. Mix into the meatball mixture and stir to combine
    • Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving
    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs - meatballs cooked with onions and mushrooms in a delicious savory sauce! All cooked in the slow cooker and it starts with frozen meatballs to make it even easier. Such a great weeknight dinner!

    How Long Are They Good For?

    These meatballs will be good in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh as long as possible. 

    Can You Freeze Them?

    Yes, you can freeze them! 

    Let them cool completely and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a freezer ziploc bag (squeeze as much air out as possible) and then place in the freezer. 

    They will be good for up to 3 months. 

    When you’re ready to serve them, let them defrost overnight in the fridge and then you can heat them on the stovetop or in the slow cooker! If the sauce is too thick, a splash of water or beef broth will help get it back to it’s original state. 

    What To Serve with Salisbury Steak Meatballs?

    I served these with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes because the sauce is so yummy on the potatoes. If you don’t want to do potatoes, rice also soaks up the sauce really well. 

    I also usually serve a green vegetable with them, like roasted broccoli or a simple side salad. 

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs - meatballs cooked with onions and mushrooms in a delicious savory sauce! All cooked in the slow cooker and it starts with frozen meatballs to make it even easier. Such a great weeknight dinner!

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Apple Kielbasa Bites
    • Crockpot Pesto Ranch Chicken Thighs
    • Slow Cooker Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 6 servings

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 4 hours
    Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon butter, melted
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 ¼ cup low-sodium beef broth
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 (8 ounce) container mushrooms, sliced
    • 1 pound frozen meatballs, beef or turkey
    • 2 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoon cold water
    • fresh parsley, for serving

    Instructions

    1. Add butter, tomato paste, beef broth, and salt to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
    2. Add sliced onions, mushrooms, and meatballs and toss to combine everything.
    3. Cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 7 - 8 hours)
    4. After the 4 hours is up, whisk together cornstarch and cold water in a separate bowl
    5. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the meatballs and stir
    6. If your slow cooker has a sauté function, turn it on and let it cook until the sauce thickens, only a couple minutes
    7. If your slow cooker doesn't have a sauté function, continue to let it cook on high for about 10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened
    8. Serve hot with fresh parsley sprinkled on top

    Recommended Products

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    6

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 862mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 21g

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    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Category: slow cooker

    Spicy Ranch Saltines – Fire Crackers

    Feb 09, 2021

    Spicy Ranch Saltines are such an addictive snack! Saltines crackers coated in buttery spicy ranch sauce and baked until crispy. 

    If you love crackers like this, try my Dill Pickle Saltines!

    And if you are in the mood for even more ranch, these Parmesan Ranch Oyster Crackers should probably also be added to your plans this week!

    Saltines coated in ranch seasoning, herbs, and spices in a white bowl

    You guys, these are my new favorite thing.

    I don’t even like ranch that much but I’m obsessed with these crackers. Like grabbing handfuls every time I walk through the kitchen.

    Some people know them as Fire Crackers but we just call them Spicy Ranch Saltines in my house.

    They are the tiny Saltine crackers coated in a buttery spicy ranch mixture and then they get baked until the crackers are extra crispy. I’m telling you, you won’t be able to stop! They’d also be great for a party or a fun addition to a cheese board. 

    Ingredients for Fire Crackers

    Ingredients

    • Mini Saltines – if you can’t find the mini ones, you can use approximately 3 sleeves of the regular size Saltines. I would start with 2 sleeves and if you have a lot more sauce, add the last sleeve.
    • Unsalted butter – make sure it’s unsalted or the crackers will turn out too salty.
    • Ranch dressing mix – the powdered seasoning mix, not the liquid salad dressing.
    • Crushed red pepper flakes – this is what makes them spicy! You can adjust the amount of the red pepper flakes based on your own preferences. Add more if you like extra spicy or add less if you want a more mild cracker.
    • Onion powder – this just adds a little extra flavor to the crackers.
    • Garlic powder – extra garlic flavor is never a bad thing.
    White bowl of saltine crackers coated in ranch mix, herbs, and spices

    Instructions

    • Prepare. Place mini Saltines in a large mixing bowl.
    • Make sauce. Melt butter and stir in ranch dressing mix, crushed red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder.
    • Combine. Pour butter mixture over Saltines and gently toss to coat.
    • Transfer. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake. Bake at 250F for 20 minutes, stirring after every 5 minutes.
    • Cool. Cool completely before serving and storing.
    Baking tray of mini Saltine crackers in a buttery spicy ranch sauce

    How Long Are Spicy Saltines Good For?

    These will stay crispy for up to 5 days if you store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will be good for several more days but might not be as crispy.

    Can You Freeze Them?

    I don’t recommend freezing them. I think you would lose most of the crunch if you tried freezing and then defrosting them.

    Overhead shot of mini Saltine crackers coated in ranch seasoning, spices, and herbs on a plate white

    Variations

    • You can, of course, use regular size Saltines – I haven’t tested it but I’m guessing you would use about 3 sleeves of the regular size crackers.
    • If you like extra spicy Saltines, use the spicy ranch dressing mix instead of the regular. You can also just add a ton more crushed red pepper flakes to make them extra spicy.
    • You can substitute oyster crackers, Goldfish crackers, Cheez-Its, whatever crackers you like. Just try to find a box about 11 ounces in size.

    How To Serve Fire Crackers?

    My kiddos and I like to have these by themselves just by the handful. But you could serve them with thinly sliced cheddar cheese if you’re looking for something a little heartier. A little cheese and cracker situation!

    You could also put them on a charcuterie board for a party!

    Mini Saltine crackers in buttery spicy ranch seasoning on a baking sheet

    More Snack Mix Recipes

    • Dill Pickle Chex Mix
    • Chex Party Mix
    • Salt and Vinegar Popcorn
    • Dirt and Worms Chex Mix
    • BBQ Ranch Popcorn
    • Cheesy Taco Chex Mix

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    You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for even more! 

    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 15 servings

    Spicy Ranch Saltines

    Spicy Ranch Saltines

    Spicy Ranch Saltines are such an addictive snack! Saltines crackers coated in buttery spicy ranch sauce and baked until crispy. 

    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 (11 ounce) box mini Saltines
    • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
    • 1 (1 ounce) packet Ranch dressing mix
    • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 250F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Place Saltines in a large mixing bowl.
    3. Melt butter over low heat in a saucepan.
    4. Add Ranch dressing, crushed red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder to the melted butter; stir to combined.
    5. Pour butter mixture over Saltines and toss gently to make sure all the crackers are coated.
    6. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
    7. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
    8. Cool completely before serving and storing.

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    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • Ranch Dressing Mix
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    • Rimmed Baking Sheet
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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    1

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 342Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 932mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 2gProtein: 7g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: appetizer

    Classic Cheese Ball – Easy Cheese Ball

    Feb 08, 2021

    Easy cheese ball recipe made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, parsley, and rolled in chopped pecans! Classic Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for a party or holiday dinner.

    Try Pineapple Cheese Ball or Garlic Parmesan Cheese Ball if you are looking for something a little less traditional!

    Cheese ball rolled in pecans surrounded by crackers on a white plate

    I love cheese balls. Whether it’s an easy cheese ball like this one or an Everything Cheese Ball or Bacon Cheese Ball – I love them all!

    They just make the perfect appetizer for a holiday party or watching football or just hanging out with your family!

    This Classic Cheese Ball is just like the name says: a classic! It’s cream cheese and cheddar cheese mixed with herbs and spices and rolled in pecans. You can serve it with crackers or sliced carrots and celery – whatever you want! 

    …

    Read More

    Beef Jerky for Dogs

    Jan 31, 2021

    Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs is the easiest dog treat you will ever make! Thinly sliced beef baked super low until it’s jerky. My dogs go crazy for this and it’s so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. 

    Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs - the easiest dog treat you will ever make! Thinly sliced beef baked super low until it's jerky. My dogs go crazy for this and it's so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. 

    Y’all know by now that I love making homemade dog treats but I especially love making homemade jerky for the dogs because it is THE EASIEST thing ever to make. 

    This beef jerky recipe and the chicken jerky are both only 1 ingredient: just the meat!

    If you’ve ever bought jerky for your dogs, you know how expensive it is. I made this batch (about 2 pounds of meat) for 8 bucks! 

    And the dogs go crazy for it. I’m pretty sure they like jerky better than any of treat!

    German shepherd/husky mix

    I don’t know if I ever mentioned it here but we adopted a dog back in September. We went to the shelter to meet another dog I had seen posted on their Facebook page and my boyfriend ended up falling in love with this giant German shepherd/husky mix. 

    He’s just over 1 year and we named him Scar. He’s a big fan of jumping in mud, chasing birds, and treats of all kinds.

    This is his modeling debut on the blog! 

    Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs - the easiest dog treat you will ever make! Thinly sliced beef baked super low until it's jerky. My dogs go crazy for this and it's so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. 

    Ingredients

    • Lean beef – something like flank, round, or sirloin. My store has “thin cut beef for sandwiches” that makes it very easy since it’s already sliced super thin for me!

    How To Make Beef Jerky for Dogs

    • Prep. Place thinly sliced beef on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between the pieces.
    • Bake. Bake at 275F for 2 hours, until the beef is dehydrated.
    • Cool. Cool completely before serving.

    Tips and Tricks

    You’re going to need a wire cooling rack for this recipe and I highly, highly recommend you either buy a cheap one or use an older one that you don’t care about. I have a designated jerky wire rack because they’re just not the same after making jerky. Definitely still usable but they just don’t look the same. 

    If you’re having trouble getting super thin slices, pop the beef in the freezer for 5 – 10 minutes and it will make it so much easier!

    How Long is Homemade Beef Jerky Good For?

    This beef jerky should stay good for up to 1 week. I think it’s best to store it in a ziploc bag (make sure it’s one of the thick ones with a double zipper) and squeeze as much air out as possible. 

    If it starts to look or smell funny, go ahead and toss it. 

    Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs - the easiest dog treat you will ever make! Thinly sliced beef baked super low until it's jerky. My dogs go crazy for this and it's so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. 

    More Homemade Dog Treats Recipes

    • Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
    • Bacon Cheddar Dog Treats
    • Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream
    • Peanut Butter Pupcakes
    • Pumpkin Apple Dog Treats

    Make sure you subscribe to my email list to get all my new recipes delivered right to your inbox!

    You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for even more! 

    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 20 servings

    Beef Jerky for Dogs

    Beef Jerky for Dogs

    Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs is the easiest dog treat you will ever make! Thinly sliced beef baked super low until it's jerky. My dogs go crazy for this and it's so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. 

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 2 hours
    Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds lean beef (flank, round, sirloin)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 275F. Place a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Spray lightly with oil.
    2. Thinly slice beef into jerky size pieces. It may help to put the meat in the freezer for 5 - 10 minutes before cutting. You want very thin pieces.
    3. Place on wire rack, leaving plenty of space between each piece.
    4. Bake in preheated oven for about 2 hours. The meat should be cooked through, shrink slightly, and be bendy but not soft.
    5. Cool completely before serving.

    Recommended Products

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    20

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 104Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 39mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 13g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: dog-friendly

    Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

    Jan 29, 2021

    Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are baked Hawaiian roll sliders with ground beef, bacon, cheese, onion, and pickles. The buns get brushed with a delicious buttery glaze. These are an easy and delicious game day snack!

    Try our Cheeseburger Quesadillas, too!

    Originally published June 27, 2017. Updated January 29, 2021. 

    I think if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Hawaiian rolls are a top 10 food. Like I’ve never met a person who doesn’t love Hawaiian rolls. 

    We use them as a side for Thanksgiving, we make every day sandwiches with them, and we love, love, love making baked sliders like these on them.

    These Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are made on those Hawaiian rolls and they’re layered with cheddar cheese and a meat mixture that includes chopped pickles, ketchup, mustard, everything you love about burgers! 

    And then they’re topped with a buttery glaze and sesame seeds before they’re baked until golden brown!

    They’re so delicious and always a hit!

    Ingredients

    • Hawaiian rolls – you are going to slice the entire loaf of rolls horizontally so that you have tops and bottoms of the rolls but all the rolls are still attached.
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Ground beef – you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Pickles – I suggest dill pickles but if you are a sweet pickle person, go for it.
    • Ketchup
    • Yellow mustard
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Salt and pepper
    • Bacon
    • Butter – the butter gets brushed over the slider buns because butter makes everything better!
    • Brown sugar – this is going to add just a hint of sweetness to the sliders glaze but not make them overly sweet.
    • Dijon mustard – for the glaze that goes on top of the sliders.
    • Sesame seeds – these go on the top. You can skip them if you want but it really adds to the cheeseburger look.

    How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

    • Cut rolls. Without separating the rolls, cut them in half horizontally and place the bottoms in a 9×13-inch pan
    • Add cheese. Sprinkle half the cheese on top of the bottoms of the rolls
    • Cook beef. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is cooked through. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds
    • Combine everything. Stir in pickles, ketchup, mustard, worcestershire, and salt and pepper
    • Assemble. Spoon the meat mixture onto the bottom of the rolls. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and remaining cheese. Place the roll tops on top
    • Make glaze. Make the glaze by melting the butter and then stirring in brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and dijon mustard. Brush the glaze on top of the rolls
    • Top sliders. Sprinkle with sesame seeds
    • Bake. Bake at 350F for 15 – 20 minutes until rolls are golden brown.

    How Long Are They Good FOr?

    These sliders are best the day they are made as the bread will get soggy as they sit but they are fine to eat for up to 3 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Can You Make Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders Ahead?

    Don’t try making these ahead because they will end up soggy and not great tasting. 

    If you need to, you can prep the meat filling the night before and just reheat it before proceeding with the recipe. But that is the only prep I would do for these. 

    More Sliders Recipes

    • Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
    • Chicken Parmesan Sliders
    • Sloppy Joe Sliders
    • Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
    • Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 12 sliders

    Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

    Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

    Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are the easiest way to serve burgers to a crowd! Everything you love about burgers on Hawaiian rolls and covered in the most delicious glaze.

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 package, 18 ounces Hawaiian rolls
    • 2 c sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 1 pound lean ground beef, or ground turkey
    • 1 small white onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ⅓ c pickles, diced
    • ½ c ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 1 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

    For the glaze:

    • ¼ cup butter
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
    • 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoon teaspoon sesame seeds

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. Without separating the rolls, cut them horizontally and place the bottoms in a 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Set aside.
    3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion until the meat is cooked through and the onion is translucent. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
    4. Spoon the meat mixture over the bottom halves of the rolls. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and remaining cheese. Put the tops of the rolls on top.
    5. To make the glaze, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and dijon mustard. Pour over the sliders and sprinlke with sesame seeds.
    6. Bake uncovered for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 522Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 813mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 28g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: beef

    Valentine’s Day Pudding Cookies

    Jan 28, 2021

    Valentine’s Day Pudding Cookies are the perfect soft and chewy cookies with white chocolate chips, Valentine’s Day M&Ms, and sprinkles. Your Valentine is going to love them!

    Other cute Valentine’s Day ideas: Cupid’s Crunch and Pink Velvet Funfetti Cupcakes!

    Valentine's Day Pudding Cookies - the perfect soft and chewy cookies with white chocolate chips, Valentine's Day M&Ms, and sprinkles. Your Valentine is going to love them!

    I say this every holiday but Valentine’s Day is truly my favorite. I love all things cute and pink and I especially love hearts. Plus, an excuse to wear a red dress and go somewhere fancy?! The best. 

    I also really love pudding cookies. Some of my favorite are my Butterscotch Pudding Cookies and the classic Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies!

    What makes pudding cookies so great? They are so soft and they stay soft for days after you make them! The pudding mix just gives them the most perfect texture.

    This Valentine’s Day version has the classic pudding cookies base but has white chocolate chips, Valentine’s Day M&Ms, and Valentine’s Day sprinkles. They are just so cute and so delicious!

    Cookie dough with Valentine's Day M&Ms and heart sprinkles

    Ingredients

    • Butter – make sure to soften your butter to room temperature before you start baking.
    • Brown sugar – the brown sugar helps to keep the cookies soft.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Instant vanilla pudding mix – this is what keeps the cookies nice and soft!
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla
    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking soda
    • White chocolate chips – you can use milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate if you don’t have white chocolate chips
    • Valentine’s Day M&Ms – you can order these online if you can’t find them in store
    • Valentine’s Day sprinkles – most stores will have Valentine’s Day sprinkles around Valentine’s Day but you can also order them online
    Valentine's Day Pudding Cookies - the perfect soft and chewy cookies with white chocolate chips, Valentine's Day M&Ms, and sprinkles. Your Valentine is going to love them!

    How To Make Valentine’s Day Pudding Cookies

    • Combine butter and sugars. Beat together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy
    • Add pudding. Add instant vanilla pudding mix; beat until combined
    • Combine all wet ingredients. Beat in eggs and vanilla
    • Combine dry ingredients. Whisk together flour and baking soda to remove any lumps
    • Combine. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until just combined
    • Add mix-ins. Add white chocolate chips, Valentine’s Day M&Ms, and sprinkles; beat on low until everything is incorporated
    • Roll. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
    • Bake. Bake at 350F for about 12 minutes, until the cookies just begin to turn golden brown
    Valentine's Day cookies with pink, red, and white M&Ms and heart sprinkles

    How Long Are Pudding Cookies Good For?

    Pudding cookies will stay fresh for up to 4 days if you store them in an airtight container at room temperature. 

    Can You Freeze Pudding Cookies?

    Pudding cookies freeze perfectly! 

    Make sure to cool them completely first. Then put them in an airtight, freezer-safe container (I like freezer ziploc bags for this – make sure to squeeze as much air out as possible!) and freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. 

    Let them defrost on the counter for several hours before serving. 

    A stack of cookies filled with Valentine's Day M&Ms and heart sprinkles

    More Valentine’s Day Recipes

    • Flourless Chocolate Cake
    • White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Sauce
    • Red Velvet Brownies
    • Valentine’s Day Pretzel Hugs

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    You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for even more! 

    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 24 cookies

    Valentine's Day Pudding Cookies

    Valentine's Day Pudding Cookies

    Valentine's Day Pudding Cookies are the perfect soft and chewy cookies with white chocolate chips, Valentine's Day M&Ms, and sprinkles. Your Valentine is going to love them!

    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes
    Total Time 27 minutes

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 ¼ cups all-prpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup white chocolate chips
    • 1 cup Valentine's Day M&Ms
    • 2 tablespoon Valentine's Day sprinkles

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy
    3. Add in pudding mix and beat until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla.
    4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour and baking soda to remove any lumps.
    5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until just combined.
    6. Add white chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles. Beat on low (you don't want to break too many M&Ms) just until everything is incorporated.
    7. Roll into 1-inch balls and place a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    8. Bake in preheated oven for 8 - 12, until they just start to turn golden brown.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    24

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 131mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: cookie

    Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes

    Jan 27, 2021

    Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes are the most delicious turkey sloppy joes! The sauce has just a hint of sweetness and they are extra delicious with cheddar cheese on top. 

    Sloppy joe meat with shredded cheddar cheese on top, all on a toasted bun. With broccoli in the background.

    Originally posted August 4, 2015 – updated January 27, 2021

    I went back in my archives to update an old post today because these Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes were a dinner favorite years and years ago. We were all obsessed with them and I’d even double the recipe so we’d have enough for lunch the next day!

    You really can’t beat how fast and easy they are. Seriously, there’s nothing easier than browning meat, stirring together a sauce, and putting it on a bun.

    They are scrumptious! I love my sloppy joes a little bit sweet and the maple gave just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, for whatever reason, the cheddar on top made them even yummier. Maple and cheddar? I don’t know either but it works. 

    I’ll definitely be making them on a regular basis now again!

    White pot of turkey sloppy joe meat

    Ingredients

    • Ground turkey – you can use ground chicken or even beef if you prefer! Be sure to drain the meat if you use a higher fat ground meat.
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Tomato sauce – this is the base of the sloppy joe sauce.
    • Maple syrup – the maple syrup does not make the sauce sweet, it adds just the right amount of maple flavor.
    • Soy sauce – this adds a little depth to the sauce.
    • Apple cider vinegar – this adds the perfect amount of acidity to the sloppy joes.
    • Dijon mustard
    • Toasted burger buns
    • Shredded cheddar cheese – you can stop it with a slice of cheese if you prefer.

    How To Make Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes

    • Cook meat. Cook ground turkey and onion in olive oil until turkey is cooked and onion has softened. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, only 30 seconds or so.
    • Make sauce. Stir in tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and dijon mustard.
    • Simmer. Let simmer until thickened.
    • Serve. Spoon meat onto toasted burger buns and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
    Maple BBQ sloppy joes topped with cheese on a toasted bun with broccoli on the side.

    How Long Are They Good For?

    Sloppy joes are good for up to 3 – 4 days after making them. Make sure to store them in an airtight container (these containers are my favorite!) in the refrigerator. 

    I recommend reheating them on the stove but you will probably need to add a little water to loosen up the sauce a bit. 

    Can You Freeze Them?

    You can freeze the meat for Sloppy Joes but don’t try to freeze them assembled on buns. 

    To freeze the meat, cool it completely and then put it in a ziploc freezer bag (or other freezer safe container) and make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before closing it. Then just pop it in the freezer!

    The sloppy joe meat will be good in the freezer for 2 – 3 months. 

    When you’re ready to reheat it, defrost in the fridge overnight and then you can reheat it on the stovetop. It will be thicker than you want but a splash or 2 of water will help to get it back to it’s sloppy state. 

    More Sloppy Joes Recipes

    • Sloppy Joe Sliders
    • Hawaiian Sloppy Joes
    • Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
    • Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 8 servings

    Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes

    Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes

    Maple BBQ Sloppy Joes are the most delicious turkey sloppy joes! The sauce has just a hint of sweetness and they are extra delicious with cheddar cheese on top. 

    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 cup tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • 8 burger buns, toasted
    • shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

    Instructions

    1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add turkey and onion; cook, breaking up the turkey, until the meat is cooked through and the onion is translucent.
    2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, cider vinegar, and dijon mustard. Simmer on medium-low until the sauce has thickened slightly, just a few minutes.
    3. Serve immediately on toasted buns and topped with cheddar cheese.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    8

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 419Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 776mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 28g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: sandwich

    Dill Pickle Dip

    Jan 13, 2021

    Creamy dip full of chopped dill pickles and fresh dill. Serve this Dill Pickle Dip with potato chips or vegetables for the perfect snack or appetizer!

    We are obsessed with all things dill pickle in my house. I can’t tell you how many times I made my Dill Pickle Chex Mix and Dill Pickle Saltines this summer!

    This Dill Pickle Dip is a cool and creamy dip filled with fresh dill and chopped dill pickles. You can serve it with potato chips, crackers, pretzels, fresh vegetables, pretty much whatever you want! 

    It’s the perfect poolside dip or great for a vegetable tray at your next office potluck or holiday party.

    Ingredients

    • Cream cheese – the block kind, not the kind of tubs. Make sure it’s plain flavored and you want it at room temperature before you start preparing the recipe.
    • Sour cream
    • Dill pickle juice – just from the pickle jar
    • Garlic powder
    • Fresh dill
    • Dill pickles – make sure they are dill pickles and not the sweet kind. If you like spice, feel free to use the spicy dill pickles.
    • Potato chips, crackers, or vegetables – for serving. I think it’s tastiest with plain rippled chips but you can use any flavor of chips, crackers, or even carrots and celery sticks!

    Ingredients

    • Beat. Beat cream cheese until smooth
    • Combine. Add sour cream, pickle juice, garlic powder, and fresh dill; beat until well combined
    • Add pickles. Beat in diced dill pickles
    • Serve. Serve immediately with crackers, chips, pretzels, or fresh veggies. Or store in the fridge until ready to serve.

    What Kind of Pickles?

    Make sure they are DILL pickles. You don’t want to accidentally use bread and butter and end up with a weirdly sweet dip. You want the nice, sour dill pickles for this recipe.

    How Long Is Dill Pickle Dip Good For?

    This dip will be fine in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. Make sure to use an airtight container.

    Before serving, I would let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes or so (depending on how warm your house is) to get the chill off. Otherwise it will be too firm to scoop with chips! 

    What To Serve with Dill Pickle Dip?

    I served this dip with plain ripple potato chips and they were perfect with it!

    Other options are pretzels, crackers, or even cut fresh veggies like carrots, celery, or sliced bell peppers. You could even stuff those little mini sweet peppers with the dip for a portable option!

    Or if you are doing low carb, try pork rinds! That would be really delicious.

    Can You Freeze Dill Pickle Dip?

    I don’t recommend freezing this dip. Cream cheese and sour cream both tend to change textures when frozen and defrosted. It might not be as smooth and creamy once frozen.

    More Dip Recipes

    • Layered Ranch Dip
    • Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • Crockpot Bacon and Swiss Dip
    • Chicken Burrito Dip
    • Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Dip
    • Crawfish Dip

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 8 servings

    Dill Pickle Dip

    Dill Pickle Dip

    Dill Pickle Dip is a creamy dip full of chopped dill pickles and fresh dill. Serve it with potato chips or vegetables for the perfect snack or appetizer!

    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 (8 ounce) block plain cream cheese, at room temperature (low fat is fine)
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
    • 1 cup diced dill pickles
    • potato chips, crackers, or vegetables, for serving

    Instructions

    1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth.
    2. Add in sour cream, dill pickle juice, garlic powder, and fresh dill; beat until well combined.
    3. Add diced dill pickles; beat until just combined.
    4. Transfer to serving bowl. serve with potato chips or vegetables.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    8

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 299mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: appetizer

    Buckeye Fudge

    Dec 15, 2020

    Buckeye Fudge is rich peanut butter fudge topped with a layer of chocolate ganache! It’s like the buckeye candies in fudge form. Super easy recipe, made completely in the microwave!

    Fudge is one of my favorite things to put in holiday cookie tins. Some of my other favorites are Bourbon Praline Fudge, Eggnog Fudge, and Pumpkin Pie Fudge!

    Buckeye Fudge - rich peanut butter fudge topped with a layer of chocolate ganache! It's like the buckeye candies in fudge form. Super easy recipe, made completely in the microwave!

    Don’t you love those buckeye candies?  You know the peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate? 

    I love them. Love, love, love them. You know what I don’t like? Dipping a million peanut butter balls in chocolate. 

    This fudge tastes just like buckeye candies but there’s no dipping in chocolate!

    It’s a rich peanut butter fudge with a crunch from chopped peanuts, topped with a chocolate ganache. All the cooking is done completely in the microwave and it is so easy! No candy thermometer needed!

    They’ll make a great addition to your holiday cookie tins!

    Buckeye Fudge - rich peanut butter fudge topped with a layer of chocolate ganache! It's like the buckeye candies in fudge form. Super easy recipe, made completely in the microwave!

    Ingredients

    • peanut butter chips
    • Sweetened condensed milk
    • Creamy peanut butter
    • Salted dry roasted peanuts
    • Semisweet chocolate chips
    • Heavy whipping cream

    Instructions

    • Prepare. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
    • Melt peanut butter chips. Microwave peanut butter chips in 1 minute increments, stirring after each minute, until melted and smooth.
    • Combine. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and peanuts.
    • Transfer. Press mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    • Make ganache. Microwave chocolate chips and heavy cream for 60 seconds; stir until smooth. If it’s still not smooth, microwave for another 30 seconds.
    • Spread ganache. Spread chocolate over the chilled fudge.
    • Chill. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, preferably overnight.
    • Serve. Cut into 36 pieces. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

    How Long Is Homemade Fudge Good For?

    Homemade fudge will be good for several weeks if stored in the fridge in an airtight container. 

    Can You Freeze Homemade Fudge?

    You can freeze Buckeye Fudge for up to 3 months. I recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer ziploc bag. 

    When you are ready to serve it, just let it defrost in the fridge overnight. You can serve it straight from the fridge.

    Buckeye Fudge - rich peanut butter fudge topped with a layer of chocolate ganache! It's like the buckeye candies in fudge form. Super easy recipe, made completely in the microwave!

    More Fudge Recipes

    • Cookies and Cream Fudge
    • Birthday Cake Fudge
    • White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
    • Maple Bacon Fudge
    • Candy Corn Fudge
    • Butterscotch Peanut Fudge

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 36 servings

    Buckeye Fudge

    Buckeye Fudge
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Additional Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups peanut butter chips
    • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ⅓ cup salted dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

    Instructions

    1. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
    2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave peanut butter chips in 1 minute increments, stirring after each minute, until melted and smooth.
    3. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and peanuts.
    4. Press mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    5. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips and heavy cream for 60 seconds; stir until smooth. If it's still not smooth, microwave for another 30 seconds.
    6. Spread chocolate over the chilled fudge.
    7. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, preferably overnight.
    8. Cut into 36 pieces. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    36

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 157Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 5g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: candy

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee

    Dec 11, 2020

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee is the classic saltine toffee with a peanut butter layer! So easy and delicious – Santa is going to love them!

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee - the classic saltine toffee with a peanut butter layer! So easy and delicious - Santa is going to love them!

    Originally posted December 16, 2014. Updated December 11, 2020.

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee is one of my favorite holiday treats. We make it every year because it is quick and easy, uses really simple ingredients, and everyone loves it!

    It’s layers of crispy saltine crackers coated in butter and brown sugar (and baked to create the toffee part), peanut butter, and chocolate. All topped with cute holiday sprinkles! Perfect for holiday cookie tins or to leave out for Santa!

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee - the classic saltine toffee with a peanut butter layer! So easy and delicious - Santa is going to love them!

    Ingredients for Peanut Butter Saltine Bark

    • Saltine crackers – just the regular Saltine crackers
    • Brown sugar
    • Salted butter
    • Creamy peanut butter – you can use crunchy if you want the crunch of the peanuts
    • Semisweet chocolate chips
    • Holiday sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Lay saltine crackers down in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet
    • Boil butter and brown sugar together for 3 minutes
    • Pour brown sugar mixture over saltines and bake at 400F for 5 minutes
    • Remove from oven and dollop with peanut butter
    • Return to oven for 1 minute
    • Remove and spread peanut butter over crackers
    • Top with semisweet chocolate chips and return to oven for 1 minute
    • Remove and use a spatula to spread chocolate over top
    • Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles

    How Long Is Saltine Toffee Good For?

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee will be good in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. 

    You may want to bring it to room temperature before serving but I like it best right out of the fridge! 

    More Holiday Treats

    • Rum Balls
    • Crockpot Candy
    • Italian Sugar Cookies
    • Almond Bark Drop Cookies
    • Eggnog Fudge
    • Cranberry Orange Cookies

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 30 servings

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee

    Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes

    Ingredients

    • ¼ pound one sleeve salted Saltine crackers
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 cup salted butter
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
    • holiday sprinkles

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a large, rimmed cookie sheet with parchment.
    2. Lay the Saltine crackers down in a single layer on the parchment paper.
    3. Put the brown sugar and the butter in a small saucepan. Melt the butter and bring to a good boil. Boil for 3 minutes without stirring.
    4. Pour the mixture over the crackers. Put in oven for 5 minutes.
    5. Remove from oven and dollop spoonfuls of peanut butter over the crackers. Return to oven for 1 minute. Remove and spread the peanut butter all over the crackers. Top with the semisweet chocolate chips and return to oven for 1 minute. Remove and use a spatula to spread the chocolate all over the top. Top with the chopped M&Ms.
    6. Let set completely (I let mine sit overnight) before breaking apart.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    30

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 175Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 80mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Category: candy

    Glazed Ranch Carrots

    Nov 16, 2020

    Glazed Ranch Carrots are the perfect side dish for any dinner! Baby carrots tossed in a delicious buttery ranch glaze.

    Roasted Ranch Broccoli is another one of our favorite vegetable side dishes.

    Glazed Ranch Carrots - the perfect side dish for any dinner! Baby carrots tossed in a delicious buttery ranch glaze.

    These Glazed Ranch Carrots are my current favorite dinner side dish. It’s bordering on obsession. 

    It’s one of those things I make “for the kids” and then I grab one each time I walk past the stove. The buttery ranch glaze is just so delicious and perfect with the slight sweetness of the carrots. 

    It’s also a really easy side dish and takes only a few simple ingredients! 

    Glazed Ranch Carrots - the perfect side dish for any dinner! Baby carrots tossed in a delicious buttery ranch glaze.

    Ingredients

    • Baby carrots – you can use large carrots as well, just peel and slice them before cooking
    • Butter
    • Brown Sugar – this adds just a hint of sweetness to the carrots
    • Dry ranch dressing mix

    Instructions

    • Boil baby carrots until fork tender, about 8 – 10 minutes; drain and set aside
    • Melt butter and brown sugar together
    • Whisk in dry ranch dressing mix
    • Add carrots and toss to coat
    • Cook until sauce thickens and glazes the carrots, about 5 more minutes

    How Long Are Cooked Carrots Good For?

    These Glazed Ranch Carrots will be good in the fridge for about 3 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container. 

    Because the glaze is made up of a good bit of butter, it will become thicker as it sits in the fridge. It should thin out fine once heated. You can reheat the carrots on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. 

    Can You Make It Ahead?

    Yes, you can make these carrots ahead of time. Make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

    When you’re ready to serve it, just warm it over low heat until the sauce goes back to the original consistency. If it’s too thick, a splash of water or chicken broth will help loosen it up.

    What To Serve With Glazed Carrots

    • Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
    • Mini Turkey Meatloaves
    • Crispy Onion Chicken Tenders
    • Chicken and Biscuits

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Green Beans Almondine
    • Ranch Macaroni and Cheese
    • Cole Slaw Pasta Salad
    • Fritos Corn Salad
    • Pimento Mac and Cheese
    • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Spicy Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: about 6 servings

    Glazed Ranch Carrots

    Glazed Ranch Carrots
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound baby carrots
    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix

    Instructions

    1. Place baby carrots in a small pot and cover with 1-inch of water. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and let cook under fork tender, 8 - 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
    2. In the same pot, melt butter and brown sugar together over low heat. Whish in ranch dressing mix. Add carrots and toss to coat.
    3. Cook until the sauce thickens and glazes the carrots, about 5 more minutes.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    6

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 493mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Category: Sides

    Rum Balls

    Nov 15, 2020

    Rum Balls is a classic holiday treat! Crushed cookies, ground pecans, and spiced rum make a delicious no bake dessert. Really cute in cookie tins!

    Overhead shot of rum balls rolled in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and chopped pecans

    Holiday cookie tin season is my favorite season.

    Especially this year when we can’t really hang out with people. So a cute cookie tin filled with delicious treats left on the front porch is a great way to make fun holiday memories with your family and friends. 

    My cookie tins always have my favorite cranberry orange cookies, some kind of fudge (maybe eggnog or cookies and cream), and these rum balls! 

    Rum balls are so easy and so delicious! They’re completely no bake so you really just have to combine all the ingredients, roll it into balls, and roll the balls into your desired toppings, like powdered sugar or chopped nuts. They’re a holiday classic and a must make!

    Rum balls rolled in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and chopped pecans

    Ingredients

    • Crushed vanilla wafers
    • Ground pecans
    • Powdered sugar
    • Cocoa powder
    • Spiced rum
    • Honey

    Ingredients

    • Mix together crushed vanilla wafers, ground pecans, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together dark rum, honey, and water
    • Stir rum mixture into vanilla wafer mixture and combine well
    • Shape into 1-inch balls
    • Roll in additional powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and chopped pecans

    What Kind of Rum Do You Use For Rum Balls?

    Look for something that says spiced rum. You should be able to find it at any liquor store. 

    How Long Are Rum Balls Good For?

    These rum balls will stay good in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to store them in an airtight container. 

    More Holiday Treats

    • Crockpot Candy
    • Almond Bark Drop Cookies
    • Bourbon Praline Fudge
    • Italian Sugar Cookies
    • White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
    • Christmas Confetti Cookies
    • Peanut Brittle

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 36 rum balls

    Rum Balls

    Rum Balls

    Rum Balls is a classic holiday treat! Crushed cookies, ground pecans, and spiced rum make a delicious no bake dessert. Really cute in cookie tins!

    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 60 cookies)
    • 1 cup ground pecans
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
    • ¼ cup spiced rum
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chopped pecans (for rolling)

    Instructions

    1. Mix together crushed vanilla wafers, ground pecans, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk together dark rum, honey, and water.
    3. Stir rum mixture into vanilla wafer mixture and combine well.
    4. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chopped pecans.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    36

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g

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    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: candy

    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Nov 12, 2020

    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are buttery mashed potatoes with roasted garlic. An easy side dish that goes with any meal!

    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes - buttery mashed potatoes with roasted garlic. An easy side dish that goes with any meal!

    I love mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes of all kinds. I even love those little cups of mashed potato flakes that you add water to and microwave. Are those even real potatoes? Who knows. 

    These Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are my favorite though. (Okay, these or Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. I can’t choose between them.)

    They are easy enough to do on a weeknight but fancy enough for a dinner party or a holiday meal.

    I have every single ingredient in my pantry or fridge at all times and I’m sure you do too! It’s just potatoes, garlic, butter, and milk! But they’re so flavorful and just perfect.

    Roasted garlic in foil

    Ingredients

    • Garlic – you need a whole bulb of garlic for this recipe. The entire bulb is getting roasted and then added to the potatoes.
    • Olive oil – this is for roasting the garlic. It gets rubbed on the garlic to help it roast and add flavor.
    • Red or yukon gold potatoes – red and gold potatoes make the creamiest mashed potatoes. Plus, you don’t have to peel them!
    • Butter – the most important ingredient for mashed potatoes! You can use salted or unsalted. Just adjust the amount of salt you add based on whether you use salted butter or unsalted.
    • Milk – dairy or non-dairy, it doesn’t matter.
    • Salt and pepper – make sure you taste before adding seasoning. Potatoes usually need a lot of salt.

    How To Make Roasted Garlic

    • Prep. Keeping the entire garlic bulb in tact, cut off about ½ inch from the top, exposing the tops of all the individual cloves
    • Add oil. Rub olive oil over exposed cloves
    • Wrap. Wrap in aluminum foil
    • Bake. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, until the garlic is browned

    How To Make Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    • Boil potatoes. Boil red or yukon gold potatoes in salted water until fork tender; drain.
    • Mash. Mash potatoes with roasted garlic, butter, and milk
    • Season. Season to taste with salt and pepper
    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes - buttery mashed potatoes with roasted garlic. An easy side dish that goes with any meal!

    Can You Make It Ahead?

    Yes! You can roast the garlic the day before you plan on serving the potatoes if you need to! Just pop the roasted cloves out of the bulb and place them in an airtight container.

    You can also make the mashed potatoes the day before (or earlier in the day) but they will probably thicken up as they sit and made need more liquid to get them back to their original consistency.

    Make sure to keep them in the fridge in an airtight container. I recommend reheating on the stovetop, stirring constantly.

    Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?

    Yes, you can freeze them mashed potatoes!

    Let the cooked mashed potatoes cool completely and then transfer them to an airtight freezer bag, making sure to squeeze out as much air as possible.

    They will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them sit in the fridge overnight before you serve them and reheat on the stove or microwave. If the potatoes have thickened up, add a splash or 2 of milk to get them back to their original consistency.

    What To Serve with Mashed Potatoes

    • Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
    • Apple Mustard Chicken Tenders
    • Slow Cooker Apple Kielbasa Bites
    • Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
    • Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
    • Mini Turkey Meatloaves

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Spicy Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Green Beans Almondine
    • Twice Baked Potatoes
    • Corn Casserole
    • Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
    • Roasted Ranch Broccoli

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    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 6 servings

    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    Prep Time 15 minutes 1 second
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Additional Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 1 second

    Ingredients

    • 1 bulb garlic
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil
    • 2 pounds red or yukon gold potatoes
    • 4 tablespoon butter, melted
    • ¾ - 1 cup milk
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. To roast garlic, preheat oven to 400F.
    2. Keeping the garlic bulb intact, slice off about ½ inch of the top, exposing each of the cloves.
    3. Rub exposed cloves with 2 teaspoon olive oil.
    4. Wrap whole garlic in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 30 - 35 minutes, until garlic is browned.
    5. Let cool; squeeze all the garlic out and set aside
    6. To make potatoes, halve (or quarter) potatoes depending on size.
    7. Place in a large pot and cover with water. Add salt.
    8. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes.
    9. Drain potatoes and either mash with a potato masher or transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
    10. Add , roasted garlic, butter and ¾ cup milk; continue mashing until smooth.
    11. Add milk to meet desired consistency.
    12. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Recommended Products

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    • Dutch Oven
      Dutch Oven
    • Stand Mixer
      Stand Mixer

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    6

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 141mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g

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    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Category: Sides

    Butter Pecan Coffee

    Nov 02, 2020

    This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Kraft Heinz

    Butter Pecan Coffee - easy homemade recipe! It tastes like you dropped a scoop of butter pecan ice cream in your coffee!

    The holidays, and life in general, feel so different this year. I think we all appreciate the little things so much more these days. 

    Like a warm, comforting drink with family or friends. 

    This Butter Pecan Coffee is an easy holiday coffee drink that you can make in the comfort of your own home with just a few simple ingredients. It would be perfect for a holiday meal or a cookie exchange party or just a get together with your best friend. 

    Make sure to enter the #ShareTheHolidaySweepstakes by clicking here for a chance to win daily prizes of $100 Walmart gift cards and a grand prize trip to visit loved ones (a $2,500 value). Plus as a special gift from Walmart, you’ll be emailed a link to download a free digital cookbook of holiday favorites (including this recipe!).

    …

    Read More

    Halloween Confetti Cookies

    Oct 07, 2020

    Halloween Confetti Cookies are soft and chewy sugar cookies rolled in Halloween sprinkles. The perfect sweet and spooky treat!

    Sugar cookies with Halloween sprinkles in a stack with plastic spiders as decoration

    One of my favorite treats to make for every holiday is a confetti cookie. They’re basically just soft sugar cookies (my favorite!) rolled in whatever holiday sprinkles. 

    So these Halloween Confetti Cookies are rolled in a Halloween sprinkle mix that had candy eyeballs throughout and they just turned out so cute!

    Sugar cookies covered in Halloween sprinkles on a white plate

    Ingredients for Halloween Confetti Cookies

    • Unsalted butter – make sure to bring it to room temperature before beginning.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Egg
    • Vanilla
    • All-purpose flour
    • Cream of tartar – this is what is going to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
    • Baking powder
    • Baking soda
    • Halloween sprinkles – I found this specific mix of sprinkles in the Halloween section at Walmart but here’s a similar one.

    Directions for Halloween Confetti Cookies

    • Wet ingredients. Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined.
    • Dry ingredients. Whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • Combine. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until just combined.
    • Add sprinkles. Working with 1 rounded tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball and then roll in sprinkles until covered.
    • Transfer. Place on prepared pans.
    • Bake. Bake at 350F for 8 – 10 minutes until they are just beginning to brown on the edges.
    • Cool. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    What Kind of Sprinkles for Confetti Cookies

    You can really use whatever sprinkles you like for these cookies. I look for Halloween sprinkle mixes that are mostly brightly colored jimmies and then some spooky sprinkles like the eyeballs in this one. 

    How Long Are Confetti Cookies Good For?

    These sprinkle cookies are good for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

    Can You Freeze Confetti Cookies?

    Confetti cookies can be frozen either as dough or already baked.

    Freeze the baked cookies by putting them in a plastic ziploc bag and squeezing out as much air as possible. They’ll be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, just let them sit at room temperature until defrosted. 

    To freeze the dough, go all the way through the instructions, stopping before baking. Freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet for about an hour and then transferring the dough balls to a freezer ziploc bag. The dough will be fine in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    To bake the frozen balls, follow the recipe instructions but add a couple minutes to the total bake time. Just keep an eye on them. 

    Sprinkles cookies on a wire cooling rack

    More Halloween Recipes

    • Ghostly Snack Mix
    • Halloween Sugar Cookies Bars
    • Candy Corn Fudge
    • Mummy Oreo Truffles

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    You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for even more! 

    📖 Recipe

    Yield: 18 cookies

    Halloween Confetti Cookies

    Halloween Confetti Cookies

    Halloween Confetti Cookies are soft and chewy sugar cookies rolled in Halloween sprinkles. The perfect sweet and spooky treat!

    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup Halloween sprinkles

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
    2. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined.
    3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    4. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until just combined.
    5. Working with 1 rounded tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball and then roll in sprinkles until covered.
    6. Place on prepared pans. Repeat remaining dough, leaving about 2 inches between dough balls.
    7. Bake 8 - 10 minutes until they are just beginning to brown on the edges.
    8. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Recommended Products

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • Parchment Paper
      Parchment Paper
    • Halloween sprinkles
      Halloween sprinkles
    • Rimmed Baking Sheet
      Rimmed Baking Sheet

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    18

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 1g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

    © Amanda Livesay
    Cuisine: American / Category: cookie

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    Amanda Livesay
    Hi, I'm Amanda! DFW food blogger, mom of boys, and crazy dog lady.
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