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Tag: recipes

  • Give Budget-Friendly Gifts Made with our Christmas Recipes for Desserts

    Christmas Day is just around the corner. It is time to start making a gift list for friends, family, neighbors and coworkers that won’t break the bank. Fortunately, edible gifts carefully packaged in hand decorated wrapping are a Christmas staple and can help you stay on budget. To survive the season with a cheerful spirit and money in the bank, we’ve put together a list of crowd-pleasing Christmas recipes for desserts that are absolutely delicious, easy to make and budget-friendly. From decadent truffles to chocolate bonbon pops, these Christmas recipes for desserts are sure to delight everyone on your list.

    No-bake desserts

    Oreo Cookie Truffles

    These delectable little morsels only have three ingredients and are deceptively easy to make. Factor in a little mid-prep refrigeration time to ensure the cream cheese and Oreo cookie center sets properly. As a treat, dip the truffles in chopped nuts, sprinkles, toffee pieces or crushed candy canes before the white chocolate layer cools. Package the truffles in a decorative tin tied with a fancy ribbon to showcase your gift.

    Snowman Cookie Balls

    Everyone will love these adorable snowman delights. This no-bake recipe takes a little bit of decorating and prep time, but the laughter you get when delivering these silly snowmen makes it all worthwhile. Line the snowmen up in a single layer in small cardboard boxes lined with waxed paper to prevent sticking and tie the box with a curly ribbon.

    Candied Candy Canes

    This easy recipe makes for a delightful, budget-friendly gift that almost everybody can enjoy. It only takes minutes to coat the top of each candy cane in chocolate, decorative sugar or sprinkles. To make this holiday present even more special, wrap several candy canes in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon or twine and pair them with a cute mug and some hot chocolate mix.

  • Top 10 Homemade Gifts from the Heart: Holiday Baking for Friends and Family

    Not quite sure what to give loved ones this year? Why not turn some of your favorite holiday baking recipes into delicious gifts that friends and family will adore? There’s nothing quite like opening a platter or basket filled with homemade treats. If you’re lucky, they’ll share with you.

    Chocolate-covered cookies

    For a quick and easy addition to a gift platter, roll out your favorite pre-packaged sugar cookie dough and bake it. Choose from any cut out shape or simply place dough onto a baking sheet. If you choose this second option, cut the cookies into small squares before baking. Once the cookies have cooled, dip them in melted chocolate and lay them on wax paper to harden. For an elegant look, dip half of the cookie in chocolate and coat it with crushed peppermint candies or sprinkles.

     

    Dark chocolate walnut fudge

    The holidays present the perfect opportunity to indulge in decadent baking recipes like this one for dark chocolate walnut fudge. If you’re gifting this fudge on its own, try presenting it in a cute box topped with a bow. Make sure that recipients do not have a nut allergy.

  • Decadent Carrot Cheesecake with Butterscotch Maple Glaze

    When in need of a sweet treat that will spark your taste buds or something to bring smiles to the faces of your guests, this delicious carrot cheesecake will do the trick! Take a bite, and let the flavors melt in your mouth. Follow this recipe, and everyone will be savoring over your homemade treat.

    Decadent Carrot Cheesecake Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • 1 box carrot cake mix (Duncan Hines)
    • 1 cup hot tap water (for soaking carrots and raisins)
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for garnishing

    For the maple cheesecake:

    • 2 (8 oz. packages) cream cheese
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs

    For the butterscotch maple glaze:

    • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
    2. Place carrots and raisins included in cake mix in 1 cup of hot water and soak for 5 minutes. Drain and squeeze out any excess water.
    3. Combine dry mix, eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil in a bowl.
    4. Add in the drained carrots and raisins and walnuts. Combine well.
    5. In a separate large bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla until a smooth consistency is achieved. Beat in the eggs.
    6. Add 2 cups of the cake batter to the bottom of springform pan.
    7. Spread 1 cup of the cheesecake batter on top of the carrot cake in the pan.
    8. Add in remaining carrot cake batter, and top again with the remaining of cheesecake batter.
    9. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until cake is cooked through when a toothpick is put in center comes out clean.
    10. Cool at room temperature. Remove the side off from pan, transfer to a platter.
    11. To make the glaze, put into a small bowl the chips, syrup, and butter. Melt in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
    12. Glaze top of the cake as desired and sprinkle chopped walnuts.

  • Chilly and Refreshing Iced Coffee Popsicle Recipe

    When you’re in the mood for a jolt of java without the heat, try a homemade iced coffee popsicle. They’re quick to make and even easier to devour! Feel free to change up the recipe to fit your preferred cup of coffee, and if you want a little more sweetness, top your popsicles with a squirt of whipped cream just before they get served.

    Iced Coffee Popsicles Recipe

    Serves: 8

    Ingredients:

    • 3 cups fresh-brewed coffee
    • ¾ cup half-and-half cream (10% cream)
    • ½ cup sugar

    Steps:

    1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl until everything is completely dissolved.
    2. Carefully pour the coffee mixture into each popsicle mold until full.
    3. Cover with tin foil and insert sticks, or cover with a lid and handle (if provided with your molds).
    4. Freeze until solid, approximately 2 hours.
    5. To unfreeze, add some hot water into your sink and submerge the mold without going over the top of the molds. After 15-30 seconds, your iced coffee popsicles should slide right out.