Author: Ali

Snickerdoodle Blondies

This snickerdoodle blondies recipe is irresistibly rich, buttery, tangy, and sprinkled with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping. Yes, they’re just as good as you would imagine. ♡♡♡ Turns out that everyone’s favorite cinnamon-sugar cookie (with its signature slight hint of tanginess) is a dessert mashup match made in heaven with rich, buttery, caramelized blondies. I simply […]

This snickerdoodle blondies recipe is irresistibly rich, buttery, tangy, and sprinkled with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping.

Yes, they’re just as good as you would imagine. ♡♡♡

Turns out that everyone’s favorite cinnamon-sugar cookie (with its signature slight hint of tanginess) is a dessert mashup match made in heaven with rich, buttery, caramelized blondies. I simply added some extra cinnamon and cream of tartar to my favorite blondies recipe, tossed the batter with white chocolate chips, sprinkled the tops with a thin layer of crunchy cinnamon sugar and popped them in the oven until they were just ever-so-slightly underbaked (the key with blondies!). And oh my goodness, they were so much better than I even expected.

We absolutely loved these snickerdoodle blondies, as did everyone who happened to be passing through out house during the weeks that our first batch…the second batch…then third batch were available for the sampling. Highly recommend adding them to your baking bucket list this holiday season!

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Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo

This creamy garlic mushroom orzo pasta recipe is easy to make and always so comforting and delicious. Say hello to one of my favorite back-pocket recipes that’s elegant enough to dress up for a dinner party or date night…yet also totally easy enough to whip up for a busy weeknight dinner in. ♡ This comforting […]

This creamy garlic mushroom orzo pasta recipe is easy to make and always so comforting and delicious.

Say hello to one of my favorite back-pocket recipes that’s elegant enough to dress up for a dinner party or date night…yet also totally easy enough to whip up for a busy weeknight dinner in. ♡

This comforting creamy garlic mushroom orzo works for just about any occasion. And here in our house, it is always such a winner. It’s made with a full pound of mushrooms, which we’ll sauté in butter with garlic and shallots until browned and extra-flavorful. To those, we’ll layer in a creamy basil sauce made with lots of umami-rich Parmesan, plus some (optional) lemon juice and zest if you’d like. And just before serving, everything is mixed together with al dente orzo and fresh spinach to create a well-balanced, comforting, and beautiful pasta dish that everyone is certain to love.

We generally serve this dish vegetarian in our house, but feel free to add in an extra protein (Italian sausage, chicken, shrimp, etc) or some meatballs if you would like. You’re also totally welcome to add in some extra veggies or sun-dried tomatoes, or change the seasonings here completely (ideas below). The dish itself is quite flexible and versatile, so it’s a great one to bookmark and customize with whatever ingredients you happen to be craving and have on hand.

Let’s make some orzo!

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Homemade Dog Treats (3 Ingredients!)

This 3-ingredient homemade dog treats recipe is quick and easy to make and cut into whatever shapes you love. This holiday cookie season, we can’t forget about our furry friends! I don’t know about your dogs, but our sweet elderly pup, Fiona, has been sniffing eagerly around the kitchen all season long as we’ve been […]

This 3-ingredient homemade dog treats recipe is quick and easy to make and cut into whatever shapes you love.

This holiday cookie season, we can’t forget about our furry friends!

I don’t know about your dogs, but our sweet elderly pup, Fiona, has been sniffing eagerly around the kitchen all season long as we’ve been baking up a storm. So I decided to whip up a simple batch of pet-safe dog treats to keep on hand for her so that she wouldn’t be left out of the sweet cookie fun.

After a bit of research, I decided to play it as safe as possible and limit the ingredient list to three basic AKC-approved ingredients for dogs — natural peanut butter, oat flour and bananas. Simply mix all three together until you have a dough that is firm enough to roll out. Cut out your desired shapes, like these cute little dog bones. Bake until crispy, and drizzle with a little extra peanut butter if you’d like. Then get ready to make your pup’s day. ♡♡♡

Lol, Fiona was convinced she won the lottery with these peanut butter cookies and jumps and twirls and wags her tail a million miles per hour each time we bring another one out for her to enjoy. So hopefully your pup is a big fan too! Enjoy!

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Kimchi Beef Noodle Soup

This kimchi beef noodle soup recipe is made with your choice of noodles, veggies, and a richly seasoned sesame kimchi broth. Stovetop, Instant Pot and Crock-Pot options included! When we were living in Barcelona, our flat happened to be a block away from my absolute favorite Korean restaurant in the city. And on cold winter […]

This kimchi beef noodle soup recipe is made with your choice of noodles, veggies, and a richly seasoned sesame kimchi broth. Stovetop, Instant Pot and Crock-Pot options included!

When we were living in Barcelona, our flat happened to be a block away from my absolute favorite Korean restaurant in the city. And on cold winter days when I returned home chilled to the bone after walking all around town running errands, their kimchi soups were always some of my favorite ways to warm up. I tended to alternate between soondubu jjigae or yukgaejang or their various Korean ramens — basically anything that came with their richly-flavored kimchi broths. And to say those soups sparked joy would be an understatement. I absolutely loved them.

Well, fast forward to our first winter now living back in the States, and I have to admit I’ve been missing Barcelona and these particular kimchi soups lately something fierce. So I’ve been experimenting with making my own kimchi broths here at home and have recently landed on this one as a favorite. I want to note that it’s just loosely inspired by some of the soups I have tried, so if you’re looking for an authentic recipe for a traditional Korean dish, please turn instead to any of the talented Korean food bloggers out there. But if you’re looking for an incredibly cozy and flavorful soup to try this winter, this broth is loaded up with lots of fresh kimchi, spices, garlic, ginger and sesame. And when slow-cooked with beef until it’s fall-apart-tender, lots of mushrooms (plus the veggies from the kimchi), and your choice of noodles, this soup has quickly become one of my new favorite comfort foods. It’s so cozy and flavorful!

I’ve included options below for how to make this soup using either the Instant Pot, Crock-Pot or a simple pot on the stovetop — all great options. Feel free too to add whatever other types of veggies and noodles (or rice!) that you love best here. And if you feel like adding an egg on top, that’s never a bad idea either.

Let’s simmer up a big pot of soup together, friends!

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Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is the perfect cozy cocktail to warm you up on a winter’s night and perfect for easy entertaining. Another warm cocktail recipe that needs to be in your winter rotation — hot buttered rum! ♡ I have to admit I was late to the party when it came to this classic rum […]

Hot buttered rum is the perfect cozy cocktail to warm you up on a winter’s night and perfect for easy entertaining.

Another warm cocktail recipe that needs to be in your winter rotation — hot buttered rum! ♡

I have to admit I was late to the party when it came to this classic rum cocktail, having spent years usually turning to mulled wine or a hot toddy once the weather grew cold. But while living in Europe, we were (re)introduced to various versions of this creamy spiced cocktail and were quickly reminded why it’s been such a favorite now for centuries. It’s absolutely delightful! And, as it turns out, a super convenient cocktail for large groups if you happen to be entertaining around the holidays.

This colonial-era cocktail is said to have originally been made by floating a pat of butter atop a mug filled with hot water and rum. But most modern versions usually kick things up a notch by adding a spiced butter batter to the cocktail, made with warming spices, sugar, a pinch of salt, and — the surprise starring ingredient — a few scoops of vanilla ice cream. It only takes a few minutes to mix up a batch of the butter batter, then you can pop it in the freezer to have on hand all season long to mix with rum and hot water for an impromptu single cocktail or a big batch for a dinner party with friends. We’ve found it to be such a fun drink to serve at winter gatherings and everyone always loves the creamy, frothing topping served with a cute cinnamon stick for garnish.

So if you’re looking for a cozy cocktail to warm up with this season, grab a bottle of rum and let’s make a batch!

Hot Buttered Rum Ingredients

Here are a few quite notes about the hot buttered rum ingredients you will need to make this recipe:

  • Dark rum: I really recommend using dark rum in this recipe, which has a more complex and intense caramel flavor than light rum. That said, light rum will also totally work here, or you can use a spiced rum which will add to the spices in the butter batter.
  • Spiced butter batter: Our spiced butter batter butter is quick and easy to make with creamy vanilla ice cream, white and brown sugars, a mixture of warming spices (ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) and a pinch of sea salt. We’ll freeze the mixture, and then you’re welcome to just dip in for a scoop whenever you’d like to make a cocktail!
  • Boiling water: We’ll add boiling water to the rum and frozen butter batter mixture to ensure that the drink is nice and warm.
  • Garnish (optional): Finally, you’re welcome to garnish your drink with a cinnamon stick or star anise if you’d like, or you’re also welcome to add a swirl of whipped cream on top.

Hot Buttered Rum Tips

Full instructions for how to make hot buttered are included in the full recipe below, but here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

  • Use a good-quality rum: The flavor of your rum will really shine through in this cocktail, so I recommend a mid- to higher-priced dark rum whose flavor you love.
  • Adjust ingredient ratios to taste: Feel free to give the cocktail a taste and add more rum, butter batter or water to taste.
  • Sweeten to taste: I find this cocktail to be plenty sweet as written, but you’re welcome to stir in some extra sugar or maple syrup (or your desired sweetener) if needed.
  • Serve in pre-warmed mugs: To keep the cocktail nice and hot, I recommend warming your mugs beforehand.

Hot Buttered Rum Variations

Here are a few optional variations that you are welcome to try when making this hot buttered rum recipe:

  • Add ginger: Stir a thin slice of fresh ginger into your cocktail for an extra kick of ginger spice.
  • Add citrus: Add an orange slice to the cocktail or add some orange zest to the spiced butter batter for extra citrus.
  • Use a different liquor: Use your favorite whiskey, brandy or cognac in place of the rum.
  • Use tea: Use your favorite tea (I would recommend a black tea) in place of the water.
  • Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream and butter in the spiced butter batter.

More Warm Winter Drinks To Try

Looking for more cozy warm drinks and cocktails to try this winter? Here are a few of our favorites:

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Hot Buttered Rum

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  • Author: Ali
  • Prep Time: 1 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 3 mins
  • Yield: 1 serving
Print Recipe

Description

Hot buttered rum is the perfect cozy cocktail to warm you up on a winter’s night and perfect for easy entertaining.

Ingredients

Individual Cocktail Ingredients (Single Serving):

  • 2 ounces (1/4 cup) dark rum
  • 2 tablespoons spiced butter batter
  • 6 to 8 ounces boiling water
  • optional: cinnamon stick or star anise, for garnish

Spiced Butter Batter Ingredients (32 servings):

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream, lightly softened
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Make the spiced rum batter. Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir (or use an electric beater to mix) until evenly combined and smooth. Freeze the batter in an airtight container until ready to use.
  2. Mix the cocktail. Briefly stir together the rum and 2 tablespoons of the spiced rum batter in a heat-safe mug. Add your desired amount of boiling water and stir until the batter is melted and evenly combined.
  3. Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Prep time: Prep time listed above is for a single cocktail, with the spiced butter batter previously mixed. The butter batter takes about 10 minutes to prep on its own.

Gingerbread Cake

This gingerbread cake recipe is easy to make, perfectly moist and fluffy, and made with a delicious blend of molasses and warming spices. This is one of those recipes where I so wish I could just pop over and serve you a warm slice to try. ♡ Because if you love gingerbread as much as […]

This gingerbread cake recipe is easy to make, perfectly moist and fluffy, and made with a delicious blend of molasses and warming spices.

This is one of those recipes where I so wish I could just pop over and serve you a warm slice to try. ♡

Because if you love gingerbread as much as I do this time of year, I’m telling you, this gingerbread cake needs to be part of your life. It’s made with the classic rich mix of molasses and warming spices that we all love in a good batch of gingerbread. And I’m partial to this particular gingerbread cake recipe because it bakes up to be incredibly moist and fluffy. You can either serve it up solo, dust it with some powdered sugar, or go all out and top it with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting — all will be delicious. And of course, cake for breakfast the next morning is always an excellent idea too.

I’ve included a few extra customization ideas below, if you would like to mix in some orange zest, chocolate or bourbon for a slightly different twist on this recipe. But however you make it, you can count on the fact that this cake is going to make your home smell extra cozy and festive this time of year…and taste even better.

Alright, let’s make some gingerbread cake!

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Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

These espresso chocolate chip cookies are made with a soft and chewy espresso-vanilla dough, melty chocolate chips and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Basically…heaven. In all my years of baking, I don’t know if I’ve ever received a more enthusiastic response to a new cookie recipe. My friends and family are absolutely obsessed with […]

These espresso chocolate chip cookies are made with a soft and chewy espresso-vanilla dough, melty chocolate chips and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Basically…heaven.

In all my years of baking, I don’t know if I’ve ever received a more enthusiastic response to a new cookie recipe. My friends and family are absolutely obsessed with these espresso chocolate chip cookies lately! ♡

We made our first batch a few weeks ago as an experimental riff on my tried-and-true classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, swapping in some espresso powder in place of the usual flour. And while an initial taste test of the dough had me a bit nervous that we had overdone it with the extra coffee flavor, the cookies themselves ended up baking to perfectly-balanced mocha perfection.

There’s just the right amount of espresso here to announce that these are decidedly coffee-flavored cookies, without being too subtle or too overblown. And the espresso — as coffee flavor is always faithful to do — brought out an even richer depth of flavor in the semisweet chocolate chips and paired beautifully with the buttery-vanilla flavor of the dough as well. I made sure that the texture of the dough remained perfectly soft and chewy, just the way I like it. And the finishing pinch of flaky sea salt adds the perfect salty crunch to each bite.

My husband has proclaimed these my “cookie of the year” and suggests that we make another batch as often as possible. Friends have made requests for the recipe and polished off plates of these cookies in record time. And I’ve already had to restock my jar of espresso powder to keep up with demand, lol. ♡ So suffice it to say, I think this recipe is a keeper.

Let’s make some espresso cookies together!

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Easy Kettle Corn

This homemade kettle corn recipe is super-easy to make on the stovetop with 4 simple ingredients. For over a decade, my friends have known me as the girl who brings nooch popcorn to just about every gathering. But this year, I have officially entered my homemade kettle corn era. ♡ I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit […]

This homemade kettle corn recipe is super-easy to make on the stovetop with 4 simple ingredients.

For over a decade, my friends have known me as the girl who brings nooch popcorn to just about every gathering. But this year, I have officially entered my homemade kettle corn era. ♡

I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that I actually had no idea how incredibly easy it is to make kettle corn from scratch! Turns out all you need is a saucepan and 4 basic ingredients — popcorn kernels, sugar, salt and oil — and this irresistibly salty-sweet snack can be ready to go in just 10 minutes. Who knew?!

That said, after practicing for the past few months, I’ve found that there are a few subtle but important preferences that can emerge when it comes to the type of oil and sugar you use and the ratios of salt and sugar. I’m personally partial to the neutral flavor and high-heat versatility of refined coconut oil (although unrefined works just as well, with slightly more coconut flavor). And while you can arguably use just about any type of sugar here, I prefer turbinado sugar (a.k.a. “raw” sugar) whose natural molasses flavor is downright heavenly paired with the sea salt. I’ve included my favorite ingredient ratios in the recipe below, along with a handful of simple tips I’ve learned along the way.

So if you’re looking for a fun new party snack to impress your friends, or just a deliciously salty-sweet snack for a cozy night in, grab a saucepan and let’s make some homemade kettle corn together!

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Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

These brown butter mashed potatoes are easy to make with a short list of ingredients and swirled with rich and nutty brown butter. I mean, do we really need any convincing to make this one?! ♡ Deliciously nutty, caramelized, rich brown butter is naturally a match made in heaven when it comes to enhancing creamy […]

These brown butter mashed potatoes are easy to make with a short list of ingredients and swirled with rich and nutty brown butter.

I mean, do we really need any convincing to make this one?! ♡

Deliciously nutty, caramelized, rich brown butter is naturally a match made in heaven when it comes to enhancing creamy mashed potatoes. But when combined with a generous amount of garlic, freshly-grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of fresh chives, these potatoes are simply divine. I’m always tempted to toss in a half dozen other extra add-ins when making mashed potatoes, but I highly recommend exercising some restraint in this case so that the flavor of the brown butter can be front and center here when it comes to flavor. Trust me, you are going to love them!

As always, I recommend making mashed potatoes with a mix of Russets and Yukon Golds, for the optimum mix of starchy and buttery textures. And while I kept things simple for this recipe with plain milk to make them nice and creamy, you’re welcome to add in some extra sour cream or cream cheese if you prefer more of a tang.

Let’s cook up a quick batch of brown butter and take our mashed potatoes to the next level, shall we?

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Brussels Sprouts Arugula Salad with Pomegranate and Parmesan

This festive Brussels sprouts arugula salad is tossed with pomegranate, Parmesan, avocado, candied pecans and a lemony shallot vinaigrette. Say hello to my favorite new salad of the season. ♡ I’ve been bringing this festive salad to just about every gathering this season and couldn’t love it more. It’s surprisingly quick and easy to throw […]

This festive Brussels sprouts arugula salad is tossed with pomegranate, Parmesan, avocado, candied pecans and a lemony shallot vinaigrette.

Say hello to my favorite new salad of the season. ♡

I’ve been bringing this festive salad to just about every gathering this season and couldn’t love it more. It’s surprisingly quick and easy to throw together with a gorgeous mix of jeweled pomegranate arils, candied pecans, salty Parm, shredded Brussels, creamy avocado, peppery arugula and my favorite shallot vinaigrette. And the mix of salty and sweet, crunchy and creamy, tangy and peppery flavors here is absolutely delightful! Friends keep asking for the recipe, which is always the best sign!

I’ve gotten in the habit of reaching for a few store-bought shortcuts to speed things up — a bag of pre-shredded Brussels, pre-seeded pomegranate arils, and occasionally store-bought candied nuts — which shave the prep time here down to just 20 minutes. But feel free to make this salad with whatever ingredient swaps and add-ins you love best here. And while it would be a wonderful side dish for the holidays, we’ve also happily made a meal out of this one and find it to be so lovely and filling.

I know you’re going to love it!

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