recipes Archives - Everyday Edits

CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT KISSES COOKIES

December 21, 2020

this chocolate and peppermint Kisses cookies recipe is a favorite at our house

Is anyone starting to panic right about now? Christmas is in just a few days and my son keeps eating (testing) my cookie recipes.

My goal for this year’s holiday baking was to make the classics, with mostly stock ingredients, and I wanted them neat and pretty for a cookie tray. And, yes, it’s not like these cookies were going to any parties this season.

But I did want to give some cookies to some neighbors! This time of year I pretty much double the recipe. I just double it. If it’s got a base of butter, eggs, powdered sugar and chocolate I am going to eat it. So I just commit to a double batch of butter and sugar oh and Peppermint Kisses.

And, they look so pretty friends and family will think you spent a lot of time in the kitchen.

This recipe calls for almost a cup of unsweetened cocoa. The Hershey White Chocolate Peppermint Kisses offer the perfect contrast to the dense, chocolate base.

CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT KISSES COOKIES

The recipe is below, but I would point out the one and only change I made to the instructions. Okay, maybe two changes but both were related to timing; baking and cooling.

And, it might be my new oven that appears to trend hotter than the dial states.

The recipe suggests the Hershey kiss be added immediately after removing from the oven. However, my sister pointed out the Kisses were melting and sliding off the edge of the cookie.

So on the second batch, I let the cookies set on the cooling rack for a minute. I played with the timing of the Hershey kiss. I either let the cookie set for a minute before adding the kisses or removed the cookies from the baking sheet onto a cooling rack and then added the Hershey kiss.

It is all about the Kiss.

CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT KISSES COOKIES

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 CUPS FLOUR
3/4 CUP UNSWEETENED COCOA
1 TSP. BAKING SODA
1/2 TSP. SALT
1 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP BUTTER
2 EGGS, ROOM TEMP
2 TSP. VANILLA
1 PACKAGE HERSEY'S WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT KISSES
1/4 CUP ADDITIONAL WHITE SUGAR TO ROLL DOUGH BALLS

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350
2. IN MEDIUM BOWL MIX DRY INGREDIENTS, SET ASIDE
3. IN LARGE MIXER BEAT THE SUGARS & BUTTER UNTIL LIGHT & FLUFFY
4. ADD EGGS. MIX WELL. ADD VANILLA
5. SLOWLY ADD FLOUR MIXTURE & BLEND
6. ROLL THE COOKIE DOUGH INTO 1" BALLS
7. ROLL EACH COOKIE DOUGH BALL IN THE SUGAR.
8. PLACE ON PARCHMENT PAPER.
9. BAKE 8-10 MINUTES ** I REMOVED MINE AT 8 MINUTES
10. LET COOL FOR A MINUTE ( I PLAYED WITH THIS BECAUSE RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN MY KISSES MELTED ONTO THE COOKIE). I REMOVED THE COOKIES FROM BAKING SHEET TO COOLING RACK AND THEN ADDED THE HERSHEY'S KISS.
11. THESE PACK AND FREEZE WELL. PERFECT FOR GIFT GIVING YEAR ROUND!

PEANUT BUTTER HERSHEY KISSES

December 16, 2020

these peanut butter Hershey kisses may have broken my baking curse

The struggle is real for me to both follow and finish a recipe AND for it to look the way it was intended. You know, like the pinned cookie recipes on my PINTEREST PAGE.

Finally, I made a batch of peanut butter cookies with a Hershey kiss on top that look as yummy as they taste.

If I burn every other tray of cookies this season I can end the Christmas season that I can add peanut butter Hershey Kisses cookies to my line up for favorite cookie recipes!

Can we all agree that almost every cookie and sweet treat tastes better with a Hershey Kiss? Like this seasonal favorite.

This year I ditched the Crisco bars and used butter. And, after how many years of baking, I finally realized the importance of room temp butter. I thought it was just for the real bakers. But it turns out it makes everything creamier-like a good moisturizer.

I probably could have saved a ton of money on our new oven if I had just learned to bake with softened butter and eggs at room temperature.

All these years I blamed it on my oven. #wink

PEANUT BUTTER HERSHEY KISSES RECIPE

My favorite part of this recipe is when it is time to remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press the kiss into the warm peanut butter cookie.

Tip: Always unwrap your Kisses before you put your cookies into the oven.

You only have seconds to time the placement of the Kiss on the warm peanut butter cookie. If that cookie cools those Kisses are not going to stay on the cookie.

Do you use butter or Crisco sticks for your peanut butter cookies?

PEANUT BUTTER HERSHEY KISSES

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

3/4 CUP BUTTER, ROOM TEMP
1 1/4 CUP CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
1 1/2 CUP LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
1/2 CUP SUGAR
2 LARGE EGGS
2 TSP. VANILLA
1/2 TSP. BAKING SODA
1 TSP. BAKING POWDER
1/4 TSP. SALT
2 3/4 CUP FLOUR
1 BAG HERSHEY MILK CHOCOLATE KISSES UNWRAP BEFORE BAKING

Instructions

WASH HANDS
1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350
2. LINE BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER
3. IN LARGE BOWL CREAM BUTTER, PEANUT BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR & SUGAR.
4. IN SEPARATE BOWL ADD THE FLOUR, BAKING SODA, BAKING POWDER + SALT.
5. ADD THE DRY INGREDIENTS TO BUTTER MIXTURE AND MIX WELL.
6. SCOOP DOUGH WITH TABLESPOON, AND ROLL INTO 1" BALLS.
7. PLACE ON PARCHMENT, SPACE ACCORDINGLY BASED ON DOUGH BALL SIZE
8. BAKE 10-12 MINUTES UNTIL THE TOP OF COOKIE "SETS"
9. REMOVE FROM OVEN ADD HERSHEY KISS TO TOP AND PRESS EVER SO GENTLY.

I shared these cookies on my Instagram.

Sharing one more recipe for peanut butter and chocolate bars. Yes, that one.

Hershey Kisses & M & M Pretzel Bites

December 7, 2020

a super easy, fail-proof holiday snack with Hershey Kisses, M & M’s stacked on a pretzel

The only thing that would make these Hershey Kisses, M&M pretzels any more delicious is if you smeared a tablespoon of super chunky peanut butter on top.

Seriously, I am so happy I snagged a few photos of these Hershey Kisses pretzel bites because someone ate my “to be photographed” stash behind the cookbooks.

That’s how yummy these little bites are and they are just so easy to make it’s hard to file them under my recipes.

Why? Because it’s hardly called baking when the oven temperature is set at 175-200 degrees.

And if you have followed me for three days you know I cannot follow a recipe. It is not possible for me to follow each step of any recipe. There are always detours or skipped ingredients or last-minute substitutions.

Always. My girlfriends just about flipped when I told them I often leave the mixer blending to run upstairs and toss in a load of laundry.

What? It’s multi-tasking! Okay, back to these yummy, bite-size Hershey Kisses, M&M’s and pretzel bites.

But these Hershey Kisses & M&M pretzel bites are a bites size amount of salt and chocolate and a little candy coating crunch mixed into the middle. They remind me of these two-ingredient-turtle-bites

I included the recipe, but it’s pretty much pretzels + Hershey Kisses + one M&M. I prefer the waffle-shaped pretzels because it reminds me of “plating” a meal or in this case a chocolate kiss.

HERSHEY KISSES & M&M PRETZELS

HERSHEY KISSES & M&M PRETZEL BITES

A seasonal favorite treat for the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

30 bag pretzel squares or the crossover ones I prefer the squares to "plate" the Hershey Kiss.
30 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped
30 M&M candies (plain, chocolate)

Instructions

PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 175-200 DEGREES
PLACE 30 PRETZEL SQUARES (WAFFLE SHAPE) ON A BAKING SHEET
ADD PARCHMENT PAPER TO COOKIE SHEET
PLACE 30 PRETZELS ON COOKIE SHEET
ADD HERSHEY KISS TO EACH PRETZEL
BAKE AT 175-200 FOR 2-3 MINUTES (MY KISSES WOULD NOT MELT SO I INCREASED TEMP TO 200 AND KEPT THEM IN FOR A GOOD 3 MINUTES)
REMOVE BAKING SHEET AND PLACE 1 M&M IN THE CENTER OF THE HERSHEY KISS + PRETZEL BASE. THIS STEP CAN GET MESSY IF KISSES ARE TOO SOFT. I LOST A FEW HERSHEY KISSES + M& M PRETZEL BITES IN THE BETA TEST VERSION #wink
COOL. POP IN FRIDGE FOR A 1/2 HOUR TO SET. STORE AWAY FROM FAMILY MEMBERS AND HIDE BEHIND THE BREADCRUMBS.
EVERYDAYEDITS.CO

This is a fun read of the history behind the Hershey brand created by Milton Hershey. The Kisses were introduced in 1907 and the history of the name “kisses” is not what you may think.

You can read the history with a little pretzel bite!

Here is one more easy-peasy peanut butter and chocolate treat.

These turtle pretzels are just as good!

5 FAVORITES FROM MY SPROUTS HAUL

November 19, 2020

My friend Heather from Our Life in a Click regularly posts on her Trader Joe’s finds. But with a 25-minute drive to the closest Trader Joe’s, Sprouts is the winner for my 5 must-have purchases. For me, Sprouts is the runner up for a beauty pageant. They may not get all the press and appearances online, but they are secretly building their fan base one Medjool date at a time.

I included the photo that I texted my husband when I asked him to pick up a container of date rolls. I was tempted to let him wander for 30 minutes just to give me some alone time! #wink

With our boys at college, our shopping cart is healthier and smaller these days. No more 24 snack packs of assorted chips strapped to the top of the cart with boxes of drink pouches.

What I love about Sprouts and other regional, smaller grocery stores is the convenience of limited choices and a smaller footprint.

I don’t have to walk half a mile to grab a dozen eggs.

Sprouts have maybe eight aisles in total.

But over the summer I discovered Sprouts had my favorite staples and with a smaller store, I was not grabbing stuff I didn’t need.

5 FAVORITES FROM MY SPROUTS GROCERY HAUL

So here are my must-haves from Sprouts.

1. Olive Oil I love lots of fun bottles next to my oven because it looks like I can actually cook. What’s the saying, fake until you learn how to bake it?

But, I don’t want to spend a ton of money on olive oil for my cooking skill set. An $8.00 16 oz bottle of olive oil is good enough for my kitchen.

2. A close second is the balsamic vinegar. I also shop here for balsamic vinegar which really bothers my sister.

3. Lemon & Lime Juice: I am loving fresh lemon juice in my water in the morning. I pay a little more for the organic, pure lemon and lime juice, but it lasts a good long time.

It is just one of the strategies I used to kick my soda habit.

4. Medjool dates. I never liked dates. Their squishy texture used to bother me. BUT! The Medjool dates, with cocoa powder or almonds squash my sweet tooth cravings at two in the afternoon.

Somedays I add walnuts or almonds with a date in the middle to make an almond date sandwich. #yummy

5. Cleaning products take up half a shelf at Sprouts. That’s it. If you want 12 versions of Pine-Sol, Sprouts is not the store for you.

But if you want this new favorite cleaning product or an all-purpose cleaner Sprouts has what you need.

Sometimes less is more

6. Okay I bought this cleaning vinegar because I loved the name (I buy wine for the same reason) and it has a citrus scent.

Thanks for stopping by today! What are your favorites at Sprouts?

Here are a few favorites for the kitchen too!

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

November 14, 2020

Sharing an easy recipe for homemade pumpkin dog treats

How do you greet your dog(s) in the morning? Just for fun greet your spouse with the same greeting and you will both have a laugh. I giggle at the thought of my husband’s face if I greeted him with, “Who is mama’s big boy?” If I told him I just want to kiss his smushy face he would walk out the door and call my sister to tell her I was having a medical emergency. So what better way to show our love to our four-legged family members than with homemade pumpkin dog treats!

This fall I turned into a dog mon. With my soon to be empty nest I have turned all of extra time and attention into spoiling Chloe and Elliott.

So, now? Instead of baking chocolate chip cookies on a Friday afternoon, Chloe and Elliott get pumpkin dog treats for the Thanksgiving season.

Sidenote: if you are new t0 Everyday Edits, Chloe and Elliott are our Bernese Mountain dogs.

These pumpkin dog treats were super-easy to make and only needed one bowl to mix the ingredients!

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

I started something new by prepping my ingredients first.

I hope it will reduce my baking errors. Apparently, I tend to get distracted and skip much-needed ingredients like baking soda or eggs.

If you don’t have a dog theme cookie cutter I don’t think your dogs will mind. However, I found these Made in the USA cookie cutters.

The directions could not be easier. It’s a dump and mix kind of recipe.

I roll my cookie dough keeping it on the thicker side to give the bones a little more weight.

When I make dog treats I use the dry crumbly leftover dough at the bottom of the bowl and make these treats.

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS RECIPE

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

Easy recipe for a batch of homemade pumpkin dog treats!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 CUP PUMPKIN PREE
1/2 CUP PEANUT BUTTER (SUGAR AND SALT FREE)
1/4 CUP OATS
2 CUPS WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR OR BROWN RICE FLOUR

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
2. PREP BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER
3. COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS. DOUGH WILL BE A CRUMBLY
4. ROLL DOUGH IN SMALLER PORTIONS TO FLATTEN FOR COOKIE CUTTER
5. USE YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE CUTTERS
6. BAKE FOR 10-12 MINUTES. ADJUST BAKING TIMES TO YOUR OVEN.
7. LET COOL. SERVE WITH A BIG BOWL OF COLD WATER.

Hope your four-legged family members enjoy! If you have a few minutes check out this to-do list for dogs. And if want to get head start on your dog’s stocking stuffers check out these fun finds.

How to Make Halloween Donuts in Minutes

October 26, 2020

a last-minute idea to make Halloween donuts for dessert or breakfast

Halloween may look a little different this year which makes these Halloween donuts all the more special. The last week of October is packed with social events and school-related deadlines. In Colorado, Halloween usually brings snow and frigid temps! With a few Halloween parties on the calendar, I always include Halloween theme donuts in the dessert lineup. Here is how to make Halloween donuts in a minute.

HALLOWEEN DONUTS IN A MINUTE

Every year, I plan to make a Pinterest worthy Halloween dessert. And, every year I realize I lack the patience or maybe it’s talent. And, that is how I made these these fun and inexpensive Halloween donuts.

These Halloween Donuts take a minute to prepare and you only need 2-3 items from the baking aisle.

These Halloween donuts are fun, easy and guaranteed to get a reaction from a crowd of teenage boys. And, kids and families of all ages can join in the fun. It’s foolproof and fun-packed for all ages and stages.

GHOST APPROVED DONUTS

no oven required to make these donuts
the ingredient list is in two aisles (bakery & baking aisles)
flexible ingredients
inexpensive
all ages and stages can enjoy this fun
makes for a fun Halloween, bite-size dessert

The best part? All you need is a bag of mini donuts. I bought a few bags of Hostess donuts, icing gel and a tub of icing.

If you buy the donut holes in the plastic containers in the bakery they are $3.49 or you can head towards the English muffins and buy the Hostess bag of cake donuts for $1.99.

I used Halloween themed cupcake liners to serve as a plate/napkin for the donuts. The cupcake liners reign in the powdered sugar and minimize sticky fingers!

So easy. No cleanup. No sticky counters.

Happy Halloween! Hope these Spooky Donuts show up in your kitchen!

Looking for a fun autumn cookie, check out this recipe! It’s an easy alternative to sugar cookie cutouts! And this Halloween theme Chex mix was a winner in my boys’ college care packages for them and their roommates.

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX

October 12, 2020

Bugles, pumpkin spice and candy corn make this Halloween Chex Mix a new favorite treat.

I made five pounds of Halloween Chex mix and shipped four pounds to eleven college boys at three different universities.

It’s okay if you have to re-read that sentence. Not only is it closing in on Halloween, but it is also a care package season. I was happy to make (and sample) this easy to ship salty-sweet combination of cereal, pretzels, chocolate and the autumn staple; candy corn.

The Gouhl M&M’s make this a Halloween theme Chex Mix as opposed to a harvest Chex mix.

With my boys away at school and in semi-isolation in the midwest, I wanted to send them a “shelf-stable” homemade treat. Versus, something they could order on our family’s Amazon account.

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX

This Halloween mix includes the standard base of rice cereal, pretzel twists and peanuts. But this recipe adds Bugles, M&M’s and candy corn to give it the tastiest of flavors.

It is addictive. It’s like Bugle and candy corn crack mix with pumpkin spice flavors.

I ate 1 cup of the 2nd batch in the time it took to write the first paragraph.

The secret to this recipe is the pumpkin spice coating. It is a melted combination of butter, brown sugar and a generous serving of pumpkin spice. Yum!

Make sure you have pumpkin spice in your pantry and no substitutions on this spice. If you have read my blog for a minute you know I love an ingredient substitution.

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX RECIPE

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX

The perfect combination of cereal, pretzels and peanuts with M&M's and candy corn.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Ingredients

4 CUPS CHEX RICE CEREAL OR GENERIC
3 CUPS MINI PRETZELS MINI PRETZEL STICKS WOULD WORK
3 CUPS BUGLES NEAR THE PRINGLES
1 CUP DRY ROASTED PEANUTS
1/2 CUP M&M CANDIES
1 CUP HARVEST MIX CANDY CORN

PUMPKIN SPICE COATING

1/2 CUP BUTTER
1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR
2 TSP. VANILLA
3 TBSP. PUMPKIN SPICE

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 275. PREPARE WITH BAKING SHEET FOR EASY CLEANUP. TRUST ME
2. IN LARGE MIXING BOWL COMBINE THE CEREAL, PRETZELS, BUGLES & PEANUTS
3. IN GLASS BOWL, MICROWAVE BUTTER AND BROWN SUGAR FOR 1 MINUTE (ISH).
4. REMOVE FROM MICROWAVE, STIR IN VANILLA & PUMPKIN SPICE
5. POUR PUMPKIN SPICE MIX OVER THE CEREAL MIX AND STIR TO COAT
6. POUR ONTO PREPARED BAKING SHEET & BAKE FOR 30 MINUTES, STIR AFTER 15 MINUTES (IT'S MORE LIKE A GENTLE FOLD BECAUSE THE PAN IS FULL).
7. REMOVE FROM OVEN AND COOL COMPLETELY. TRUST ME.
8. TOSS THE M&M'S AND HARVEST MIX CANDY CORN

Tip: Double the batch. Trust me.

This Chex mix medley is easy (and lightweight) to ship for care package season.

Here are a few favorite Halloween treats.

Ombre Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

October 5, 2020

Growing up sugar cookies were a holiday tradition at our house. The only difference is when I discovered these sugar cookie bars. This recipe for sugar cookie bars reduced a three-hour commitment down to like 20 minutes. It was a baking epiphany in my kitchen.

Frosted sugar cookie bars are a modern-day twist on the classic cookie cutter sugar cookie. I still love cookie cutouts, but these cookie bars are perfect when you want a homemade cookie without the long term kitchen commitment.

The recipe is below, along with credit to the blog who inspired me by his charm.

The only thing that takes a little practice is the length of time in the oven.

I set my timer for 12 minutes and watched over these cookies for another two minutes.

That was the only tricky detail with these sugar cookie bars.

For the frosting, I made an ombre frosting trio, like when I made these spring bars. The ombre frosted sugar cookie bars took my skills up a notch..

kinda/sorta.

I was going for a fall seasonal ombre effect, but let’s just say orange is a finicky color to tint icing.

FROSTED SUGAR COOKIE BARS

adapted from Inspired by Charm

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Line baking sheet with foil (for thicker bar use a smaller baking sheet).
In a large bowl: sift flour, baking powder & salt.
In separate bowl cream butter, sugar for about 3 minutes.
Add egg, sour cream and vanilla
Slowly add the flour mixture
Press the dough onto the baking sheet, bake for about 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup half and half or whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Food Coloring & sprinkles
Once cookie bars are cool spread the frosting on the cookie bar.Frost as desired the flour mixture
Press the dough onto the baking sheet, bake for 14-17 minutes until edges are lightly golden.FrostingOnce cookie bars are cool spread the frosting on the cookie bar.Frost as desired

I love everything about these sugar cookie bars; the frosting, the simplicity and the taste! They still taste and smell like the traditional frosted sugar cookie!

I tried the ombre effect with frosted sugar cookie bars with pink icing here.

JUST ONE S’MORE CUPCAKE RECIPE

October 1, 2020

a fun cupcake twist on the classic S’ more

I never would have found this recipe if I had a digital cooking timer on the counter. Our new oven, from our recent kitchen remodel, intimidates me. And, the built-in digital timer is a p.i.t.a to operate. So I read anything within arms reach during the last 3 minutes of oven time. In those minutes I stumbled upon the S’ more cupcake recipe on the side of Betty Crocker’s chocolate fudge cake box.

Just stick with me. I always try to bring you back with me to the point of my story.

If I did not have a persnickety oven timer I never would have had the time to read the S”more cupcake recipe.

Instead, I would have watched Frasier reruns on the new Peacock network.

I set a few cupcakes aside to make this twist on the classic S’ more.

The best part was I almost had all the ingredients from a S’more filled summer.

S’ more Cupcake Recipe Details

I substituted the white frosting with a batch of buttercream frosting.

I forgot about this step (until just now) that the white frosting was supposed to be combined with 1/3 cup marshmallow creme.

Oops! I bet that is why I opted to make my own frosting.

I don’t love the marshmallow creme out of the jar so it worked out just fine. Don’t tell Betty.

Yummy!

I totally missed that ingredient and just went on my merry way to frost a dozen cupcakes with my favorite buttercream frosting.

If you follow my baking segments (recipes) for a minute you know my recipes tend to go off the rails.

Just ask my sister!

These cupcakes were easy to prepare and frost.

The crushed graham crackers and chopped chocolate disguised by sloppy frosting skills.

S’more Cupcake Toppings

Crushed graham crackers (or the graham cracker crumbs work!

S’More Cupcake Recipe

S'MORE CUPCAKES

Betty Croker

A fun twist on the classic S'more.

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 BOX CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE (FOLLOW BOX INSTRUCTIONS)
1 CONTAINER WHIPPED WHITE FROSTING + 1/3 CUP MARSHMALLOW CREME
1/3 CUP MARSHMALLOW CREME + 1 CONTAINER WHIPPED WHITE FROSTING
1 CUP CRUSHED GRAHAM CRACKERS
1/2-1 CUP BROKEN CHOCOLATE PIECES OR CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Instructions

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
PREPARE CAKE MIX PER BOX INSTRUCTIONS + BAKE CUPCAKES
COOL
COMBINE FROSTING + MARSHMALLOW CREME
ADD GRAHAM CRACKER + CHOCOLATE PIECES ON TOP

P.S. This recipe could easily be adapted if you are one of those bakers who need to whip out all of the ingredients to make what Betty Crocker combined into one convenient bag. If you want to know the history of the Betty Crocker brand this is a short read.

No judgment.

I love to make cakes from scratch like this new favorite chocolate cake.

What do you think?

Do you want to make S’ more cupcakes? Or, here is another S’ more bar recipe!

Before you go if you are looking at new ovens (with friendly timers) here were a few of my favs.

Butter Pecan Shortbread Hedgehog Cookies

September 22, 2020

These butter pecan shortbread cookies should come with a warning. You cannot stop with just one …or three.

Between the butter and the pecans, these shortbread cookies just melt in your mouth. The hardest part of these cookies (for me) was to form small rounded shortbread cookie dough into a hedgehog.

This is not my first time to make animal theme desserts using pecans. These are my favorite turtle recipe.

I made a second batch to practice making hedgehog bums.

After two batches I decided my shortbread hedgehog cookies looked more like non-descript woodland creatures.

Either way, these pecan filled cookies taste amazing and are a fun cookie to serve or bring to a party.

I made a second batch to try to give them bigger bums.

I almost called these shortbread woodland creatures since these cookies could be either hedgehogs or porcupines. You could call these cookies any type of nocturnal critter and no one would care. Why?

Because the classic butter and pecans base in these cookies taste amazing!

No one is going to comment about the size of the hedgehog’s bum.

The recipe for these butter pecan shortbread hedgehog cookies is below.

Here are a few notes on what I would do on my next batch.

Double the batch. Just do it.
I used what I had on hand and who knew I had chocolate sprinkles in the pantry. However, I would use smaller chocolate chips for the eyes. My hedgehogs resemble our Berner rescue, Elliott. A little wide-eyed and wonky. #elliottthebernerrescue
Use a spoon to flatten the hedgehog’s face. This is supposed to make their bums look bigger.

No matter how the hedgehog bums turn out, these butter pecan shortbread cookies are delicious.

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD HEDGEHOG COOKIES RECIPE

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD HEDGEHOG COOKIES

YOU HAD ME AT BUTTER PECAN

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1/3 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED
1/4 CUP POWDERED SUGAR
1/2 TSP. VANILLA
2/3 CUP FLOUR
2/3 CUP GROUND PECANS
1 DASH SALT
1/2 CUP CHOCOLATE BAKING CHIPS
1/4 CUP CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES

Instructions

AND POWDERED SUGAR
COMBINE FLOUR, PECANS AND SALT
SHAPE INTO 1 TBSP SIZE DOUGH BALL
PINCH THE DOUGH TO FORM A FACE
PLACE ON GREASED BAKING SHEET.
BAKE AT 325 DEGREES FOR 12 ISH MINUTES
MELT CHOCOLATE IN MICROWAVE STIRRING EVERY 30 SECONDS
SPOON CHOCOLATE ON TOP OF COOKIES AND COVER WITH SPRINKLES.

Want to make sugar cookie hedgehogs? Here is an adorable MADE in the USA hedgehog cookie cutter.

Click here (and pin) if you want a head start on a Christmas or Valentine cookie?

Tailgate Breakfast Casserole

September 18, 2020

Even though our tailgates may not be outside a stadium this year, this tailgate breakfast casserole is a crowd-pleaser.

We are at the start of the football season at our house! On both sides of our families, we have generations of Denver Bronco & CU fans. We might have a few Texas fans too. So even if this season we are not in the stands, we can still tailgate in our backyard (or kitchen). For late morning or afternoon kickoffs, this tailgate breakfast casserole recipe is my favorite to feed a crowd.

Tailgate Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This tailgate breakfast casserole cooks overnight (on very low) or in the morning on medium low. This crockpot casserole and can be served on the back end of a truck or in the back of my eight year old “newused” Audi. Just add chairs and mimosas or blood Mary’s! Or a nonalcoholic beverage for those, like myself, that cannot drink before noon!

The best part ofthis tailgate breakfast casserole recipe is the flexibility with the ingredients and the crockpot. Crockpots are the best time management appliance in the kitchen!

For this breakfast casserole, I added bacon and salsa to give it a little Colorado kick. Hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon round out the ingredients in the casserole. I describe this recipe as a breakfast burrito in a crockpot.

CROCKPOT SETTINGS

The only tricky part of this recipe is the settings on your crockpot. Despite, the the multiple heat settings, my crockpot tends towards the high heat setting.

Tip: Make sure to generously spray a cooking spray to keep the scorching and cleanup to a minimum.

The first time you make this breakfast casserole just keep an eye on it until you get an idea of how quickly your crockpot heats up the egg, hash browns and cheddar mixture.

Just layer the ingredients starting with the hash browns followed by the eggs. Add as many layers as you want to include. Finish the layers with a cup of milk. Fold the ingredients occasionally to keep them from cooking unevenly. My crockpot usually heats this casserole in about 90 minutes or so.

I serve this casserole in the crockpot, buffet style with the crockpot with a stack of my bowls. I include sides of bacon, salsa, cheese and fresh green onions. A stack of tortillas turns this into a breakfast burrito. In Colorado, we love our burritos!

Enjoy this tailgate breakfast casserole dishes at your next tailgate or tv viewing type of tailgate. What teams are you cheering for this season?

Oh, and here is an easy apple crumble recipe to serve as a side!

TAILGATE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

CROCKPOT

Ingredients

1 DOZEN EGGS
3/4 BAG FROZEN HASBROWNS
2 CUPS CHEDDAR CHEESE
1 CUP MILK
1/2 CUP SCALLION CHIPPED
1 CUP SALSA
1 DASH SALT & PEPPER
1 CUP BACON, CHOPPED ADJUST TO LIKING

Instructions

CROCKPOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
APPLY COOKING SPRAY
LAYER INGREDIENTS WITH EGGS, HASHBROWNS, BACON, CHEESE, MILK, SALSA ETC.
COOK APPROXIMATELY 75-90 MINUTES ON LOW DEPENDING ON CROCKPOT SETTINGS.

Rhodes Cinnamon Pecan Breakfast Rolls

September 6, 2020

The best part of a holiday or long weekend is the opportunity to linger over breakfast and a cup of coffee. These Rhodes cinnamon pecan breakfast rolls are the morning treat to kick off a long weekend.

These overnight cinnamon pecan breakfast rolls need just six ingredients and 1/2 of those ingredients are baking staples.

A friend’s mom shared this cinnamon pecan breakfast rolls recipe with me years ago when we lived in Ohio. Some of my favorite recipes are from my friend’s mom. I think of here every time I bake one of her recipes.

I make it every Christmas morning and Thanksgiving weekend. But Father’s Day deserves an easy cinnamon roll treat either on Sunday morning or maybe the morning of Father’s Day Eve. Or both!

Warning these cinnamon pecan breakfast rolls are addictive. And, the best part is the bottom of the bundt pan where the cinnamon, pecans and butter pool after 25 minutes of baking. Yummy! Just grab a spoon and scoop up the gooey goodness.

The kids or grandkids could make these with you for a relaxing night in the kitchen. Because of this recipe, I keep a bag of Rhodes frozen dinner rolls in my garage fridge… just in case. And, a box of butterscotch pudding!

OVERNIGHT CINNAMON & PECAN BREAKFAST ROLLS

My favorite breakfast rolls for the holiday and long weekends.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 pound Rhodes frozen dinner rolls
1 box butterscotch pudding (not low fat or instant) I use larger box
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 stick butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

GREASE PAN OR BUNDT PAN.
SPRINKLE 3/4 OF DRY PUDDING PACKET AROUND PAN
ADD 1/2 OF THE PECANS.
LINE PAN WITH FROZEN DINNER ROLLS
BRING BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR & CINNAMON TO BOIL
POUR OVER ROLLS
SPRINKLE WITH REMAINING PUDDING & PECANS
COVER PAN WITH CLING WRAP AND PLACE IN OVEN OVERNIGHT (UNHEATED)
REMOVE PAN IN MORNING & PREHEAT OVEN TO 350. BAKE APPROX. 25 MINUTES
**LESS BAKING TIME MAKES ROLLS MORE GOOEY!

If you are looking for a family-friendly bread recipe try this challah bread recipe.

Thank you for stopping by!

Butter Substitute for Baking

September 1, 2020

I have a baking confession. I rarely follow a recipe from start to finish. Every time I call my sister about a new recipe she asks, “Did you follow the recipe?” The truth is I have a bit of a habit of making split-second, last-minute baking substitutes. And, then I discovered Libby does it too. Here is a simple tip for a butter substitute for baking.

I found this baking substitute tip while grocery shopping. I grabbed a few cans of pumpkin (’tis the season).

It wasn’t until I got home to unpack my groceries when I noticed the lid on the Libby’s pumpkin can.

The best part is this is a shelf-stable item so it can sit in your pantry until you crave these cookies or you need a last-minute baking substitute for butter or eggs or oil.

It is a genius idea on behalf of Libby’s to put the suggestions on the can and include the measurements for the substitute.

This butter substitute works with sauces, muffins and cookies. In some recipes, pumpkin can be used as an oil and egg substitute too.

An added bonus is pumpkin is vegan friendly and loaded with vitamins. Curious of the benefits? You can check out all the benefits of pumpkin here.

Here is that pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

August 4, 2020

sharing a yummy alternative to cauliflower

Hi friends! Sharing a quick and fun buffalo cauliflower bites recipe. These spicy cauliflower bites make a great snack or side dish.

I grew up with my mom’s version of cauliflower bites. You know the ones that came in a plastic bag and were in the frozen food section. Over the last few years, cauliflower has made an impressive climb in the produce section.

My kids have embraced the cauliflower craze. My husband does not eat vegetables. So I thought maybe, just maybe, these lightly browned and mildly spicy buffalo cauliflower might be added to his list of new foods.

This is a simple recipe. And, if you have followed Everyday Edits for awhile you know I can screw up a three-ingredient recipe. I rarely have “in-process” photos, because I cannot have distractions of a photoshoot for a head of cauliflower. How many of you can relate? Anyone?

I prefer to share a few photos of the finished recipe.

The other great thing about these cauliflower bites is the ingredient list is simple, not fussy. It is an easy recipe for someone who is new to the kitchen. Like me. #wink

SPICY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES

SIDE DISH OR SNACK

Print Recipe

Course Side Dish

Ingredients

1 COOKING SPRAY
3/4 CUP ALL PURPOSE OR GLUTEN FREE FLOUR
1 CUP WATER
1/2 TSP. GARLIC POWDER
1 PINCH SALT & PEPPER
2 HEADS CAULIFLOWER, CUT INTO BITE-SIZE PIECES
2 TBSP. BUTTER
1/2 CUP HOT PEPPER SAUCE
1 TSP. HONEY

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 450 DEGREES. LIGHTLY GREASE BAKING SHEET W/COOKING SPRAY
2. MIX FLOUR, WATER, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, PEPPER IN BOWL. WHISK UNTIL SMOOTH.
3. ADD CAULIFLOWER TO BATTER UNTIL COATED, SPREAD ONTO BAKING SHEET.
4. BAKE IN PREHEATED OVEN UNTIL LIGHTY BROWN, 20-25 MINUTES.
5. MELT BUTTER IN MICROWAVE, REMOVE & ADD HOT PEPPER SAUCE & HONEY INTO BUTTER. BRUSH HOT SAUCE MIXTURE OVER CAULIFLOWER PIECES.

The Food Network is all over the cauliflower craze with this collection of cauliflower recipes. Oh, and these healthy cauliflower bites pair well with this refreshing drink alternative.

Please pin for the future ;0)

Spinach Tots

July 10, 2020

Do you want an easy, warm appetizer for the fall? I know, I know. Once July 4th passes I cannot help but turn to thoughts of pumpkins and candles. I found this recipe via Carson Daly’s wife, Siri. Maybe you have seen her cooking segments on the Today Show? It only took me 25 + years to open a cookbook more than once! And, with an approaching empty nest, it’s ironic that I am just now dipping my spatula into the kitchen. This spinach tots recipe is a new favorite at our house and with my girlfriends.

These spinach tots will definitely make an appearance at the social distancing happy hours this fall. The staples include frozen spinach (so easy), a couple of eggs and seasoned bread crumbs. I keep these staples in my kitchen just for this last-minute appetizer.

Seriously, these spinach tots have eight ingredients! The most important part of this recipe is to drain, drain, drain the excess water from the spinach.

I used an oversized wood spatula to press the water out of the colander. If you have any additional tips to remove the water I would love for you to mention in the comments.

These spinach balls are so close to being a vegan option with egg substitute. These spinach tots are so yummy I have had them for an easy dinner when it’s just me at home.

They reheat easily. I serve with a side of mustard and toothpicks.

Let me know what you think! They are always a hit. Oh, and they freeze well too!

SPINACH TOTS

adapted from Siri Daly’s Cookbook

EASY SIDE DISH OR APPETIZER OR DINNER FOR ONE

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Ingredients

2 10 oz packages frozen, chopped, spinach, thawed, drained & drained of moisture
2 cups Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1 yellon onion diced
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
4 eggs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.
Stir together the spinach, breadcrumbs, onion, butter, Parmesan, salt, pepper and eggs in a large bowl.
Using a tablespoon roll the mixture into 48 balls and place on greased baking sheet.
Bake until edges are golden, about 30 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through cooking

I made these cookies featured in her cookbook. The cookies tasted great even though I forgot one of the main ingredients.

Here is one of my favorite, go-to dinner recipes from Siri Daly’s cookbook.

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

March 19, 2020

This recipe had me at dump. Why? Because a dump cake means easy. A Dump Cake implies no fussy instructions and no temperamental batter; just dump and bake. And, this chocolate cherry dump cake does not disappoint. It is perfect for this recipe challenged girl!

chocolate-cherry-dump-cake-everydayedits

I first saw this recipe over at Kristen’s blog. I thought I had all the ingredients; doesn’t everyone have a chocolate cake box mix in the pantry? And, I thought I had the cherry pie filling for when I crave my favorite summer dessert.

But, sadly I could not make this cake on the spot. I had to make a run to the grocery store.

Of course, I still found a way to screw up this recipe because I only bought one can and when I pulled up the recipe online I realized it required two cans of cherry pie filling.

Does anyone else have recipelexia?

Every time I share a new recipe like this one or this one, my sister’s first question is; “Did you follow the recipe?” She knows me better than anyone.

So yes I screwed up a three-ingredient recipe, but it still tasted amazing. I can only imagine how cherry delicious a second can of cherry pie filling would taste! Yum! Oh, and pick up ice cream or whipped topping!

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DUMP CAKE

3 INGREDIENT DUMP CAKE

Print Recipe

Ingredients

BOX CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX, DRY DRY
2 CANS CHERRY PIE FILLING
3/4 CUP BUTTER, MELTED

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°F
2. SPRAY 9X13 BAKING DISH WITH COOKING SPRAY
3. ADD 2 CANS OF CHERRY PIE FILLING TO BAKING DISH
4. EMPTY DRY CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX OVER THE CHERRY PIE FILLING
5. DRIZZLE 3/4 CUP MELTED BUTTER OVER THE CAKE MIX/FILLING LAYERS
6. BAKE 40-45 MINUTES DEPENDING ON YOUR OVEN.
7. IT WILL NOT BE A FIRM CAKE; IT WILL HAVE A LITTLE JIGGLE

Before you go here is another favorite cherry based dessert.

CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT KISSES COOKIES

CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT KISSES COOKIES

Ingredients

Instructions

PEANUT BUTTER HERSHEY KISSES RECIPE

PEANUT BUTTER HERSHEY KISSES

Ingredients

Instructions

HERSHEY KISSES & M&M PRETZELS

HERSHEY KISSES & M&M PRETZEL BITES

Ingredients

Instructions

5 FAVORITES FROM MY SPROUTS GROCERY HAUL

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS RECIPE

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

Ingredients

Instructions

HALLOWEEN DONUTS IN A MINUTE

GHOST APPROVED DONUTS

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX RECIPE

HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX

Ingredients

PUMPKIN SPICE COATING

Instructions

FROSTED SUGAR COOKIE BARS

Ingredients

Instructions

S’ more Cupcake Recipe Details

S’more Cupcake Toppings

S’More Cupcake Recipe

S'MORE CUPCAKES

Ingredients

Instructions

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD HEDGEHOG COOKIES RECIPE

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD HEDGEHOG COOKIES

Ingredients

Instructions

Tailgate Breakfast Casserole Recipe

CROCKPOT SETTINGS

TAILGATE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

OVERNIGHT CINNAMON & PECAN BREAKFAST ROLLS

Ingredients

Instructions

SPICY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES

Ingredients

Instructions

SPINACH TOTS

Ingredients

Instructions

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DUMP CAKE

Ingredients

Instructions

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