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 … [Read more...] about Cranberry Gingersnap Pie
Christmas
Gingerbread Baked Apples
For my family, Christmas day brunch is part of our tradition. A nice, big spread with biscuits and jam, grits and egg casserole, maybe country ham or bacon or homemade sausage. Maybe a French toast casserole, or one with hashbrowns. And fruit. Sometimes a baked fruit casserole with canned fruit, sometimes a fresh fruit salad. I like to mix it up a … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Baked Apples
Eggnog Sheet Cake
I recently extolled the virtues of sheet cake with my Thanksgiving post on Sweet Potato Sheet Cake with Caramel Icing. Now I want to move into the holidays with this decadent eggnog version. It still feeds a crowd, looks lovely, can be made ahead and easily transported. And it is absolutely brimming with seasonal cheer. I made this twice last year and got many requests for … [Read more...] about Eggnog Sheet Cake
Orange Clove Caramel Spread
Do you remember pushing whole cloves into an orange to use as a Christmas decoration? We called them pomanders and I just love the smell of orange peel and clove. It speaks to me of Christmas. With a pretty ribbon pinned to the top to tie to the tree or sitting on the counter fragrancing the kitchen. But pushing those cloves into the oranges with your thumb really hurt. I … [Read more...] about Orange Clove Caramel Spread
Festive Fruit Bars
We all have those events, particularly at this time of year, when we need to bring something. Bake sales, cookie swaps, parties. And you want to bring something other than the brownies or chocolate chip cookies everyone always brings (not that there is anything wrong with that). I find myself in that situation at lot. I created this alternative to be a holiday friendly, unique … [Read more...] about Festive Fruit Bars