Tag: family recipes

12 Easy Make-Ahead Ideas for Christmas

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12 Easy Make-Ahead Ideas for Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, as the song says. Christmas also goes by in a blur. Time seems to speed up, leaving us gasping & wondering how we are going to get it ALL done! Betty Crocker to the rescue with a selection of recipes you can make ahead. Being able to prepare dishes ahead of time calms me. I feel a bit more in control of the situation, whether or not I really am. So take a breath & take moment to decide which of these delicious recipes might give you more time to celebrate Christmas! Enjoy!

Make Ahead

66 Festive Christmas Cookie Recipes for the Best Cookie Swap Ever

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I LOVE making Christmas cookies. Sometimes, however, I get a bit tired of the same old cookies. How wonderful that Country Living has come up with such an extensive list of recipes for Christmas cookies. This should keep me busy for awhile! And inspire you to begin your baking! Enjoy!

Christmas Cookies

6 Santa Cookie Creations

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6 Santa Cookie Creations

Kids LOVE making Christmas cookies. Making cookies with my mom is one of my favorite Christmas memories. I always made cookies with The Child when she was growing up to continue the tradition. Both Katy & I share our creations with friends during the Holidays, passing the joy of baking along!

Betty Crocker shares her baking traditions with these darling Santa cookies. Your kids are going to enjoy making each of these sweet treats. Start your own tradition this year or continue an ongoing one when add these cookies to your Holiday baking schedule!

Santa Baby

40 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Treasure

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40 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Treasure

Cookies are a traditional treat for Christmas. Whether you only bake a batch for Santa or prepare dozens for friends & family, it’s always fun to add a new recipe to the mix!  Midwest Living offers us a BIG selection of cookie recipes from which to choose this Christmas! Pick one or two. Let your kids pick a new cookie to make. However you decide, it’s guaranteed to be a Simple Joy!

Christmas Cookies

40 Thanksgiving Potluck Recipes

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40 Thanksgiving Potluck Recipes

Hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year? Wondering how you are going to prepare all that food without losing your mind? Who says you have to provide all the food? Simple Joy Rule #2 says “Ask for Help.” If you are having a crowd, there is no need to wear out yourself or your wallet. Make dinner a potluck! Provide the turkey & let your guests each bring their favorite Thanksgiving dish. You can always fill in the gaps but this makes sure everyone has their favorite dish on Thanksgiving.

Midwest Living has provided you & your guests 40 recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving potluck. Use one of these recipes or use one to help you decide what to prepare. A Thanksgiving potluck allows everyone to take part in dinner preparation. What is someone complains about you hosting a potluck? Well, give them a hug & thank them, LOUDLY, for offering to host Thanksgiving dinner NEXT YEAR !

Thanksgiving Potluck

Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies 

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Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies

Growing up in St. Louis, Gooey Butter Coffee Cake was one of my favorite things. Years later, I enjoy creating & making cake mix cookies. Imagine my delight when I saw that Betty Crocker had combined 2 of my very favorite things! I admit I haven’t tried this recipe yet but I promise I am going to make them as soon as we get settled in our new home. If you make them before I do, let me know what you think of them. Enjoy!

Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies

30 Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Get You Pumped for Fall 

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Nothing says Autumn like pumpkins. This time of year, there are dozens of pumpkin products in stores & restaurants for us to enjoy. I love the way my home smells when I make pumpkin bread. What a wonderful, welcoming fragrance for any home!

I always pick up a few pumpkin products to enjoy but I also like making my own pumpkin goodies. Therefore, I am ALWAYS looking for new recipes that use pumpkin. How wonderful that Good Housekeeping offers, not just a few but 30 pumpkin recipes for all of us to try!

What is your favorite pumpkin recipe? I invite you to share it with me & other women. It’s always fun to learn all the creative ways we use such a basic ingredient like pumpkin. Enjoy!

Sweet & Savory Pumpkin Recipes

9 Poke Cakes Perfect for Fall from Betty Crocker 

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9 Poke Cakes Perfect for Fall

I remember the first time I tried poke cake. HEAVEN! Poke cake allows you to combine flavors, creating moist unique cakes for family & friends. Poke cake are great for potluck events, parties, & small get togethers. Now that the weather has turned cool, it’s the perfect time to begin baking & poke cake is a great way to begin.

Betty Crocker offers you 9 wonderful cakes including the Salted Caramel Apple Cake in the photo above. Enjoy!

9 Poke Cakes Perfect for Fall

Betty’s Best Fall Slow-Cooker Ideas 

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Betty's Best Fall Slow-Cooker Ideas

If you have been following this site, you know I LOVE my slow cookers. I love them so much that I have THREE of them! I am always looking for new recipes to try in my slow cooker. Preparing dinner in my slow cookers allows me to make great meals early in the day & then focus on other tasks. too many times in the past, I have gotten wrapped up in what I was doing only to realize it was close to dinnertime & I hadn’t planned anything! Anyway, Betty Crocker offers me (& YOU!) some fabulous recipes to help you plan & prepare meals this Fall. Enjoy!

Betty’s Best Fall Slow-Cooker Ideas