Tag: #Dessert

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60 Best Valentine’s Day Desserts

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I can’t help it: I love Valentine’s Day. (No, not because my name is in the holiday!) It’s the perfect time to tell someone—platonically or romantically—how much they mean to you. Showing love looks a little different to everyone, but for me, it means baking Valentine’s Day desserts. The fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right? That’s what all those Marry Me recipes are for!

If you’re also the “cooking is my love language” type, here are the perfect Valentine’s Day desserts for the holiday. Of course, there’s no shortage of chocolate desserts, like truffles and confections, mousses, cookies and chocolate lava cake. But there are also other romantic desserts, such as white chocolate raspberry cake, red velvet cookies, cheesecake-stuffed strawberries, decadently layered trifles and heart-shaped desserts galore. Many of these can feed a crowd (perfect for a Galentine’s Day party!), but more are desserts for two.

Whether you’ve booked a table or you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home, end your romantic dinner with one of these sweet desserts. (By the way, anyone manifesting for something special to happen should try Ina Garten’s engagement chicken—it worked for Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt!)

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30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

While I love making a special meal on Valentine’s Day, my real food love language is snacks. But I don’t mean a handful of baby carrots or a half-stale granola bar. Whether sweet or savory, the little nibbles that carry us through the day until that romantic date-night dinner can be just as thoughtful as the main course. That’s what this collection of Valentine’s Day snacks celebrates.

Here, you will find a mix of sweet and savory festive treats, so you can still enjoy a pink cupcake, a few chocolate-covered tuxedo strawberries or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day dessert without feeling as if you’ve gone overboard on sugar all day. For something that you can graze on all afternoon, try a snack board loaded with a combination of cheese, crackers and cured meats.

You can even turn these snacks into a meal by making a variety of dishes. Pair shrimp skewers or crab-stuffed mushrooms with steak bites for surf-and-turf vibes, along with a few different types of bruschetta for color and texture. The best part about these Valentine’s Day snacks is that they’re elegant and delicious yet easy enough to prepare so you still have time to spend with your Valentine.

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White Pizza Dip

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I think we can all agree that a hot, cheesy pizza is the ultimate party food. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or gathering around the TV for a big game, nothing beats a fresh slice—except maybe some ooey-gooey pizza-inspired snacks.

This white pizza dip is the perfect shareable appetizer. It’s creamy, loaded with melty mozzarella, and bursting with all the garlic and herby flavor of a sauceless pizza. It comes together in just a few simple steps, and there’s no dough rolling required. Serve it with crispy toasted baguette slices or fresh veggies for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

White Pizza Dip Ingredients

A baking tray with toasted baguette slices sits on a counter next to bowls containing diced pepperoni, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. A red-striped towel and a small bowl of dried herbs are also visible.
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  • Sour cream: Tangy sour cream gives the dip a silky, spoonable texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, but reduced-fat can be used if needed—just expect a slightly looser dip.
  • Ricotta cheese: Mild, milky ricotta adds body and balances the tang of the sour cream. Whole-milk ricotta is our choice for an extra-rich pizza-like dip, but you can use part-skim for a lighter version. If your ricotta is a little watery, drain it first in a fine-mesh sieve before mixing it with the sour cream.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts in the oven, giving the dip its classic pizza-style stretch and gooey finish.
  • Pepperoni: Use your favorite variety to add savory, meaty bites throughout the dip—regular, spicy and turkey pepperoni all work well here. Chop the slices finely for even distribution, or use mini pepperoni for a shortcut.
  • Soup mix: This recipe calls for a packet of Lipton Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix. It’s a convenient all-in-one seasoning option that includes dried herbs, garlic and onion with no measuring required. If you can’t find it, you can experiment with other varieties or substitute a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Baguette: Slice and toast a fresh baguette to create crisp, sturdy dippers for scooping up the warm, cheesy dip. Crackers, crostini, crunchy breadsticks and raw veggies are also great options.

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45 Sweet Potato Recipes to Make All Year Long

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When I moved to Texas, I was introduced to new-to-me foods, like sun tea, chess pie and sweet potatoes. Though I had loved the easy potato recipes my mom whipped up, I quickly realized sweet potatoes were not the same. I watched friends load them up with butter, brown sugar and even marshmallows, finding room for sweet potato recipes at every meal. Although it took a few attempts, I came to love sweet potatoes too, and now I always have some at home for making baked goods, sides and hearty dinners.

This collection features the naturally sweet, nutrient-dense spuds in a variety of recipes, from skillet breakfasts and quick satisfying lunches to easy sides, dinners and sweet treats. If marshmallows and sweet potatoes aren’t for you, there are plenty of savory sweet potato recipes with beans, herbs, cheese and spices. Or, you can embrace the root vegetable’s sugary edge with recipes for sweet potato desserts, including cookies, pies and cakes.

When shopping for sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm with taut, unbroken skin. And don’t be confused by signage at the market: Sweet potatoes are different from yams, but many places still use the words interchangeably. If it has a thin, mostly smooth skin, it’s a sweet potato. Whether you already know how you love to eat sweet potatoes or you are looking for new flavor combinations, you’ll find inspiration here for sweet potato dishes to enjoy year-round.

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40 Pear Dessert Recipes Full of Warm Spices and Sweet Flavor

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pears are one of fall’s quiet baking heroes. With their mild sweetness, firm texture and floral aroma, they soak up warm spices and syrups in a way only a few fruits can. These pear dessert recipes transform the humble fruit into something that tastes and smells like the season.

You’ll find pear recipes for baking that layer with cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger, each one showing how well this fruit pairs with spice and adds texture. There are gingersnap pear pies, fall cakes that stay moist for days and poached pears that feel like velvet on a spoon. For something deeper, simmer them in red wine and cranberry reduction or bake them into a golden pear tarte Tatin, where the fruit melts into the caramel beneath crisp pastry.

Once you’ve baked with pears, it’s hard to imagine a fall menu without them. These easy pear desserts pair naturally with cozy fall dinners, cheese boards, potluck casseroles and fall harvest salads. To get the best texture, start with Bosc or Anjou pears that are shy of ripe; they hold their shape while drawing in every last bit of flavor. And if a few over-ripen on the counter, turn them into a fragrant batch of pear jam that brings a touch of fall to toast, thumbprint cookies and pastries all year long.

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41 Cozy Winter Dessert Recipes to Warm You Up

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When the temperature drops and snow covers the sidewalk, there’s nothing quite like winter dessert recipes to warm your soul. Whether you’re grabbing a spoon for bread pudding or slicing into a fruity crumble, these popular dessert recipes will make you forget about the cold outside.

If you’re new to baking, don’t worry—many of these treats can be made with pantry staples and minimal effort. Other recipes let you take your time, filling the house with the dreamy aromas of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla.

Ready to bake? Pull out your mixing bowl, preheat your oven (or grab your slow cooker) and gather your friends or family. With so many different ways to keep cozy, you’re bound to find a dessert (or two) that fits your mood. Once you taste how comforting these desserts are, winter might just become your sweetest season yet.

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34 of Our Best Copycat Dessert Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Surprise your family by making these copycat dessert recipes of sweets made famous by The Cheesecake Factory, Bakers Square and more.

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37 No-Bake Christmas Cookies and Treats

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Baking isn’t everyone’s forte—we get it! But just because you’re oven-averse doesn’t mean you can’t make great desserts at home, especially during the holiday season when every hour is sweets-o’clock. Here’s proof: This list has our best no-bake Christmas cookies and treats that are still indulgent and super festive.

There’s a range of Christmas desserts in this list, so there’s a little something for everyone. Of course, Christmas no-bake cookie recipes dominate the list, with cute reindeer, thumbprints, Christmas wreath cookies and even a no-bake version of the iconic peanut butter blossoms. But there are lots of other treats in store, too, like peppermint pies, fudge and frozen desserts, all sorts of chocolate-covered bites and balls, no-bake bars and even a glorious Christmas trifle that feeds a crowd.

While these are easy no-bake holiday cookies, some require a stovetop or microwave and a few require baking tools like a food processor or mixer. Others are truly no-heat with zero baking tools involved, so read through the recipes that catch your eye before claiming them for Christmas dinner.

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30 Best Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food: decadent Christmas mains and sides, festive appetizers and cocktails, and, of course, Christmas cookies. But if you have a gluten allergy, at times it can feel as if your options are limited or nonexistent.

Our gluten-free Christmas cookies are here to save the day because no one should miss out on the fun of making and decorating cookies because of an allergy! In this collection, you’ll find gluten-free holiday cookies like snowballs, pumpkin cookies and crinkle cookies to bake and enjoy worry-free. You’ll even find allergy-friendly recipes for classic Christmas cookies, including gingerbread men, spritz and shortbread.

These gluten-free festive cookies will be welcome additions to your gluten-free dessert spread and will have even your non-allergic family members coming back for more.

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27 Traditional Holiday Cookies You’ll Want To Bake Every Year

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Traditional Christmas and Holiday Cookie Recipes

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics.

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics. We’re talking buttery shortbreads, all different types of sugar cookies and, of course, plenty of gingerbread. If looking for a handful of recipes that rely on classic flavors and tried-and-true techniques, these are the ones to add to your repertoire. You’ll find snowballs, thumbprints, biscotti and more. No matter which cookies you decide to bake, spritz are a holiday must. The green and white tie-dye effect gives these classic cookies a modern-retro look, and the red sprinkles add a bit more holiday cheer.

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