I love gingerbread. Now, I have never made rolled out decorative gingerbread men cookies, that’s way too much patience and detail for me. And honestly, when I think gingerbread, I don’t really mean those cookies. I prefer a rich, sticky molasses, spice-laden cake. (I mean, if you give them to me I will devour the cookies). From a sheet cake like this one with cookie butter icing or a gingerbread brownie with buttermilk glaze, even these overnight muffins. I just think it’s warm and cozy and comforting, and somehow seems old-fashioned and homey. Everything you want during t ..read more

What is more classic at a Christmas party than spinach artichoke dip? Remember when serving it from a hollowed out round of bread was the height of party innovation? I wanted to create a familiar classic with an updated twist, so I added in creamy brie cheese for a little extra punch and richness (it is the holidays after all). A spritz of lemon, a little garlic, leafy parsley and you’ve got a flavorful new variation on an old favorite. And as it is Christmas, I added in pimentos for some red pops in the green. It has been a hit, especially since I molded into the shape of a Christmas tree fo ..read more

Little pieces of sausage in a tangy glaze are always a huge hit parties. Seriously, I have never had leftovers after a big gathering. So here is a perfect holiday party recipe to have in your back pocket. It is barely a recipe at all if I am honest, but it is delicious and packed with flavor. Stock up on the ingredients before the holidays and you always have something on hand. It may not be the fanciest or most elegant of dishes, but it’s a crowd pleaser, and that’s what we really want at the holidays, isn’t it. I use a red pepper jelly that is not too spicy (Braswell’s is my standard), but ..read more

Peppermint Angels Food is always a welcome gift, so I have rounded up some of my favorite edible treats that make a great gift for anyone on your list, or even just for yourself! As always, these are just some personal favorites – no one has asked me to promote any products or compensated me in any way, though I may earn a small commission from Amazon sales. Photos used are from the vendors. And for more gift ideas, check out my Amazon store. Any Ted Lasso fans (and who isn’t?) will get a real lift from a box of biscuits with the boss shortbread. If you’ve ever wished you c ..read more

It’s that time again! I’ve put together my annual list of gifts for the food lover in your life (and that includes you)!  As always, these are just some personal favorites – no one has asked me to promote any products or compensated me in any way, though I may earn a small commission from Amazon sales. Photos used are from the vendors. And for more gift ideas, check out my Amazon store. And check back tomorrow for my Festive Food Finds! If you’ve got an ice cream lover on your list, up their game. Drop a pint carton into this ice cream chiller and serve it up wit ..read more

I am not sure anything could be more Thanksgiving than cranberries and sweet potatoes. I have to have both on the table, or it just isn’t Thanksgiving. So as an additional treat, I created this lovely cake that is seasonal, delicious and lovely to look at. Butter and sugar on the bottom of the dish create a lovely caramel coating for the tangy cranberries, which burst creating a thin line of almost pudding like cake resting atop a tender cake-y crumb, all flavored with earthy  sweet potato and autumnal spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg. Turn this beauty out onto a pl ..read more

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is about to roll up again, but I am ready. I love Thanksgiving. As the food holiday I have claimed it pretty much as my own. I start thinking about decorations and menus pretty much the minute the dishes are cleared away. I test Thanksgiving recipes in the middle of summer! I freeze farmers market green beans and corn in at the height of August in preparation. Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, cranberries! I love it all, and I use them in both sweet and savory dishes. Pie plays a central roll on the Thanksgiving table, so this year I present a lovely cranberry ..read more

Testing recipes can get fraught at times. I hate to waste food, so I generally try to arrange for someone to eat what I cook. The first time I made this recipe, I had planned to have a group of people over for dinner to eat the results of several recipe tests, but some last-minute regrets meant that few of us there just snacked on the appetizers and dessert. I wrapped this up and took it to my brother’s family for dinner the next day. They gave me a positive critique, but as I hadn’t really tried much of it myself, I made it again, only for me this time. It met with my approval, and as a bonu ..read more

Pumpkin season is upon us and I wanted to create something seasonal and special, with a modern and unique twist. I love the simple idea of whipping cheese to a creamy spread and topping it deliciously, like my Whipped Feta with Za’atar Roasted Tomatoes. Here I’ve given it a perfect seasonal touch, salty, tangy feta blended with earthy pumpkin. The burnt umber color looks lovely on the autumnal table, perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Its great spread on lightly toasted baguette bites or scooped up with pillowy pita or naan. But this is really two recipes in one, the lovely pumpkin f ..read more

I love cheese dip in all it’s forms. Beer cheese is such a fall classic and to be honest I started this process thinking I would create some kind of Oktoberfest beer dip, but I’ve already hit that note with delicious Bubbling Beer and Bacon. It struck me that hard cider would add a really interesting sweet and savory contrast that would be delicious with salty pretzels and sweet apple slices for dunking. And it is a very nice twist. It has all the cheesy goodness, but is a bit sprightlier. It’s been a hit when I serve it, with everyone guessing at the special flavor. If you want some mor ..read more