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    Home » Recipes

    Crock Pot Cheesy Hashbrowns

    Crock Pot Cheesy Hashbrowns

    November 12, 2022

    Close up photo of a white plate holding diced hashbrown potatoes covered in melted cheddar cheese

    Crock Pot Cheesy Hashbrowns: Tender potatoes and a seasoned cheese sauce are cooked low and slow in the crock pot, then topped with more cheese and broiled until they are bubbly and golden brown!

    A white plate holds a serving of cheesy hashbrowns while another plate and the baking dish of potatoes are visible in the background
    Crock pot cheesy potatoes

    With the holidays right around the corner, I am always looking for new side dishes to serve alongside our Instant Pot turkey, smoked Cornish hens, and roasted pork tenderloin. I can’t go wrong with potatoes and cheese cooked until ooey, gooey, and gloriously delicious!

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    Are you planning a big holiday dinner? Slow cooker recipes to the rescue! With oven space at a premium, this recipe for cheesy hashbrowns in the crock pot allows you to save the oven space for the other side dishes on your menu.

    Speaking of a big family dinner or potluck, this is the perfect side dish to feed a crowd. Whether you serve cheesy hashbrowns as a side dish with a main course or add it to your brunch menu, I can almost guarantee you won’t have leftovers. Much like this cheesy hashbrown and hamburger casserole.

    Cheesy hashbrowns are the ultimate comfort food. Have you ever heard them called funeral potatoes? Or, maybe you’ve heard of party potatoes too, and these are similar for sure.

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    Ingredients

    This cheesy potatoes recipe is made with simple ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store.

    Diced hashbrown potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese and several other bowls of ingredients are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients for cheesy hashbrowns
    • Two 26 oz. bags of diced frozen hashbrowns
    • One 10.5 oz. can of condensed cheddar cheese soup
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup unsalted melted butter
    • 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    When I say this is an easy slow cooker recipe, I mean it. Once you combine the potatoes and cheese mixture in your crock pot, you can set it and forget it until the last few minutes under the broiler. Here are the step-by-step instructions with photos.

    1. First, place the two 26 oz. bags of frozen diced hash brown potatoes into the insert of a 6 quart crock pot.
    2. Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the 10.5 oz can of condensed cheddar cheese soup, 1 cup of sour cream, ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted), 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
    3. Now, add the shredded cheddar cheese to the wet mixture. (Set the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese aside.)
    4. Add the wet mixture into the frozen hash browns and stir it to coat the hashbrowns completely. If you do not have room to stir the potatoes and cheese mixture in the crock pot, transfer it to an extra large bowl to mix it. Then, return the coated hashbrowns to the crock pot.
    A glass bowl holds a mixture of cream of chicken soup, shredded cheese, sour cream, Italian seasoning and butter to be mixed with potatoes
    Make the cheese mixture
    An oval slow cooker insert is shown with frozen diced hashbrown potatoes that have been mixed with a creamy cheese mixture
    Put coated potatoes in the crock pot
    1. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook the hashbrowns for 5 to 6 hours on the low setting until the hashbrowns have softened, the cheese has melted and the edges of the hashbrown mixtures are starting to brown.

    Optional but highly recommended!

    1. Next, preheat your oven to broil.
    2. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Transfer the contents of the crockpot into the baking dish.
    An oval slow cooker insert is shown with diced potatoes that have been cooked for several hours and are cheesy and golden brown
    Cook on low for 5-6 hours
    Diced hashbrown potatoes have been transferred to a 9x13 baking dish and are waiting to be topped with shredded cheddar cheese
    Transfer to a baking dish
    1. Then, sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the cheesy hashbrowns.
    2. Place the baking dish in the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the top layer of the cheese begins to bubble and brown. Watch this carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.
    3. Finally, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top of the hashbrowns before serving.
    A white 9x13 baking dish holds seasoned diced hashbrown potatoes that have been topped with shredded cheddar cheese
    Sprinkle with cheddar cheese
    A 9x13 white baking dish holds baked cheesy hashbrown potatoes that have been sprinkled with fresh parsley
    Broil until cheese is melted and golden

    Oh, man, just look at that pan full of cheesy goodness! The classic combination of ooey gooey cheddar cheese and tender potatoes is one my entire family loves. I bet yours will, too.

    A close up photo of a white baking dish holding golden baked hashbrown potatoes covered in melted cheddar cheese and sprinkled with fresh parsley
    Slow cooker cheesy hashbrowns

    Substitutions & Variations

    This easy slow cooker recipe is easy to make and even easier to adjust to your personal preferences or dietary needs.

    • Use your favorite cheese – Parmesan, Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheeses are delicious to try.
    • Add veggies – Diced yellow onions, bell peppers or small broccoli florets are easy additions to this crockpot hashbrown casserole recipe.
    • Add meat – To make this dish a little heartier, add cooked bacon, diced ham or cooked ground beef to the potato cheese mixture.
    • Switch spices – Omit the Italian seasoning in exchange for a more traditional blend of onion powder and garlic powder.
    • Swap soups – If you can’t find the cheddar cheese soup or prefer a different flavor, try cream of chicken soup.
    • Try toppings – To really take these potatoes to the next level, serve them with a variety of toppings. We like crumbled bacon, French fried onions, sour cream and salsa.
    A white plate holds a serving of cheesy hashbrowns while another plate and the baking dish of potatoes are visible in the background
    Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

    FAQs

    Can you substitute fresh potatoes for frozen hashbrowns?

    You can but it does require a little more work. Peel and dice potatoes into bite-sized pieces (about 6-7 cups). Place the potatoes in a large bowl, cover them with water for about 30 minutes and let the soak. Drain and dry the diced fresh potatoes before adding them to your crock pot.

    Can I use frozen shredded hashbrowns?

    For this recipe, we do not recommend using the shredded frozen hashbrowns as they don’t stand up to the amount of cooking time in the crock pot and they get soggy.

    What can you put on top of cheesy hashbrowns?

    Well, extra cheese of course! You can also add chopped cooked slices of bacon, crushed cornflakes for some crunch, or even french fried onions!

    Can cheesy hashbrowns be frozen?

    They sure can! This is actually a really great make-ahead freezer meal as this cheesy side dish can be stored in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months in the freezer. Allow the frozen potatoes to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or oven.

    What goes with cheesy hashbrowns?

    I love to search a rich ooey gooey cheesy dish with veggies or a salad. (That cancels out some of the calories, right?) I would suggest roasted broccoli, roasted brussels sprouts, candied carrots or the BEST little side salad ever.

    Storage

    Store any leftover cheesy hash browns in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the frozen potatoes to thaw in the fridge before reheating them in the oven or microwave.

    A white 9x13 baking dish holds seasoned diced hashbrown potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese
    Best crock pot hashbrown casserole

    More popular potato dishes

    If you are on the hunt for some of the most delicious side dish recipes to add to your menu, then you just scored! Here is a list of some popular potato recipes:

    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – This is another dish that will save you oven space and you’ll have mashed potatoes in just 25 minutes.
    • Air Fryer Baby Potatoes – These baby potatoes are seasoned and crispy and done in 20 minutes.
    • Amish Potato Salad – If you have never this dish before, you will love this slightly sweeter potato salad with a creamy dressing.
    • Baked Potato Wedges – Classic crowd pleasers, these potato wedges are tossed in ranch seasoning before being baked to perfection.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up photo of a white plate holding diced hashbrown potatoes covered in melted cheddar cheese
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Crock Pot Cheesy Hashbrowns

    Crock Pot Cheesy Hashbrowns: Tender potatoes are cooked low in a slow cooker, then topped with more cheese and broiled until they are ooey, gooey and golden brown!
    Course Breakfast, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 5 hours hours
    Total Time 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 15 servings
    Calories 311kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 2 – 26 oz bags of diced frozen hashbrowns
    • 1 – 10.5 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
    • 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 5 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (optional for garnish)

    Instructions

    • First, place the two 26 oz. bags of frozen diced hash browns into the insert of a 6 quart crock pot.
    • Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the 10.5 oz can of condensed cheddar cheese soup, 1 cup sour cream, ¼ cup melted, unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
    • Now, add 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the wet mixture. (Set the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese aside if you want to sprinkle on top at the end.)
    • Add the wet mixture into the frozen hashbrowns and stir it together to coat the hashbrowns completely. If you do not have room in the crock pot to stir the cheese mixture into the hashbrowns, transfer the hashbrowns into an extra large bowl, stir to coat them completely and transfer the coated hashbrowns back into the crock pot.
    • Place the lid on the crock pot and cook the hashbrowns on low for 5 to 6 hours until the hashbrowns have softened, the cheese is melting and the edges of the hashbrown mixture are starting to brown. (We don't recommend cooking the hashbrowns on the high setting as the cheese mixture will get grainy.)

    Optional, but highly recommended:

    • Preheat your oven to broil.
    • Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the contents of the crockpot into the baking dish.
    • Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the cheesy hashbrowns.
    • Place the baking dish in the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the top layer of cheese melts and begins to bubble and brown. Watch this carefully so the cheese doesn't burn.
    • Finally, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top of the hashbrowns before serving.

    Notes

    • For this recipe, we recommend using diced frozen hashbrowns. The shredded frozen hashbrowns will get soggy and not hold up in the crock pot.
    • We find that shredding a block of cheddar cheese with a cheese grater works best for this recipe. Pre-package shredded cheese often has a coating on it that prevents it from melting as well. 
    • Store the leftover crock pot cheesy hashbrown in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer safe, airtight container for up to 2 months. Allow the frozen hashbrowns to thaw in the refrigerator and then heat them in the oven or microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 457mg | Potassium: 434mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 683IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 311mg | Iron: 1mg

    Oreo Pizza Recipe

    November 10, 2022

    A close up of a slice of dessert pizza with a cookie crust, cream cheese icing and chopped Oreo cookies

    Oreo Pizza Recipe: With a chocolate chip cookie crust, a layer of rich cream cheese frosting and crumbled Oreo cookies, this dessert pizza recipe is as easy as it is decadently delicious!

    A delicate white plate holds a slice of Oreo dessert pizza and a fork while the rest of the pizza and several Oreo cookies are visible in the background
    Oreo Pizza recipe

    Ya’ll, when a dessert recipe calls for chocolate chip cookie dough, cream cheese and Oreo cookies? You know it is going to be good! I’ve decided that if it is an Oreo dessert recipe, I am in. Have you seen this Oreo dip? Divine. These Oreo Cupcakes with Oreo buttercream? Heavenly. And don’t get me started on Oreo Brookies. They are totally craveable and utterly addictive, just like this no bake Oreo Mousse.

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    This cookie pizza recipe is for cookie lovers! With a golden chocolate chip cookie crust and Oreo crumble sprinkled on top, get that big ol’ glass of milk ready!

    Our Oreo pizza recipe is the perfect sweet treat to make with the kiddos in the kitchen. Little hands can press the cookie dough into the pan, spread the frosting and sprinkle on the Oreo cookies.

    Once you make the Oreo version, you can try different cookie crusts and different toppings for lots of different dessert pizzas.

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    Ingredients

    Nope. There is no pizza dough in this sweet pizza recipe. But don’t worry, you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store!

    The ingredients used to make an Oreo pizza are laid out on a white marble background
    Dessert pizza ingredients
    • 16 oz. of refrigerated cookie dough (I used Pillsbury Chocolate chunk cookie dough)
    • ¼ cup butter (half of a stick), softened
    • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch of salt
    • 1 ½ cups of chopped Oreo cookies (about 12 Oreo cookies)

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    With our step-by-step photos and easy to follow instructions, you’ll be able to satisfy your sweet tooth with this tasty treat in no time!

    1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 12 inch round baking sheet or pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray.
    2. Press 16 oz. of chocolate chip cookie dough into an even circle into the pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cookie comes out clean. Allow the cookie base to cool completely.
    3. Next, in a medium or large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together ¼ cup softened butter and 4 oz. of softened cream cheese until it is light and fluffy.
    Chocolate chip cookie dough has been pressed into a 12 inch round tart pan and several other recipe ingredients are staged around it
    Press the dough into the pan
    Butter and cream cheese have been mixed together with a hand mixer to create a light yellow fluffy mixture
    Cream butter and cream cheese
    1. Then, add ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture. Mix it on low speed and then increase the speed to medium and beat the frosting until it combined and smooth.
    2. Now, chop 12 Oreo cookies into small pieces and set them aside. *Are you wondering how to crush Oreo cookies? You can use a knife to chop them into larger pieces or put them in a zip top bag and smash them gently with a rolling pin or wooden mallet for smaller pieces/crumbs.
    Powdered sugar and vanilla extract has been added to a glass bowl that contains a mixture of cream cheese and butter
    Add powdered sugar and vanilla
    Oreo cookies have been chopped into small pieces on a wooden board
    Chop the Oreo® cookies
    1. When the cookie crust is cool, use an offset spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting in an even layer on the cookie. Leave a 1 inch border unfrosted to give the dessert more of a pizza look.
    2. Then, sprinkle the chopped Oreo cookies on top of the cream cheese frosting. Chill the Oreo pizza for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
    A hand holding an offset spatula is spreading cream cheese frosting on a 12 inch round chocolate chip cookie base
    Spread the frosting
    Pieces of chopped Oreo cookies have been sprinkled on half of a chocolate chip cookie base spread with cream cheese frosting
    Sprinkle the Oreo crumble
    1. Finally, use a sharp knife or a pizza wheel to slice the dessert pizza into 8 large slices or 16 smaller slices.
    A round Oreo dessert pizza is in center of the photo while plates and forks and a pizza wheel wait nearby to serve it with
    Pizza cookie

    Wouldn’t this dessert pizza be fun to serve at a pizza themed party? Or at a Milk and Cookies Party? Really, this is pretty delicious served anytime. Just look at that glorious slice of cookie crust, frosting and Oreos!

    A metal spatula holds a slice of Oreo pizza above the dessert
    Easy Dessert: Oreo Pizza

    Substitutions & Variations

    I know you’ll love this Oreo pizza recipe, but here are few creative suggestions for this sweet treat!

    • I love the ease of pre-made refrigerated cookie dough in this recipe. However, you can absolutely make a batch of your family’s favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie dough for the cookie crust.
    • Do you eat gluten-free? You can use a gluten-free cookie mix, full fat cream cheese and gluten free Oreos to make the Oreo pizza gluten free friendly.
    • Go to town on the toppings! Along with the Oreos, you can top this dessert pizza with chopped fruit like berries and bananas, caramel sauce, hot fudge, white chocolate or dark chocolate chips and sprinkles
    • With such an easy recipe, you can change the types of cookie crust and frosting for great flavor combos. Try a sugar cookie crust with strawberry frosting. Or a peanut butter cookie crust with chocolate frosting. A double chocolate cookie crust with coconut pecan frosting would make an awesome German chocolate version of this dessert pizza.
    A close up picture of a dessert pizza made with a chocolate chip cookie crust, cream cheese frosting and cut up Oreo cookies
    Oreo Cookie Dessert Pizza

    Storage

    Store any uneaten Oreo pizza wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. While the Oreo cookie pieces will soften, it will still taste delicious.

    A slice of Oreo pizza rests on a pretty white plate and the rest of the pizza, a few Oreo cookies and forks are visible in the background
    Dessert pizza with Oreos

    More Outstanding Oreo Recipes

    If you are like me and just can’t resist Oreo cookies, bookmark or pin these Oreo recipes right now!

    • Start the day off right with these Oreo pancakes, and win over your entire family with the sweet treat!
    • The BEST no bake Oreo dessert has a layer of Oreo cookie crust, chocolate pudding and fluffy whipped topping.
    • Oreo Rice Krispie Treats combine two of my favorite classic desserts.
    • Our Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls have Oreos in the dough, tucked into the rolls and sprinkled over the cream cheese frosting!
    • Go ahead and get to sippin’ this creamy Cookies and Cream Milkshake – you won’t regret it!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A close up of a slice of dessert pizza with a cookie crust, cream cheese icing and chopped Oreo cookies
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Oreo Pizza Recipe

    Oreo Pizza Recipe: With a chocolate chip cookie crust, a layer of rich cream cheese frosting and crumbled Oreo cookies, this dessert pizza recipe is as easy as it is decadently delicious!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 16 slices
    Calories 224kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz. refrigerated cookie dough
    • ¼ cup butter half a stick, room temperature
    • 4 oz. cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch salt
    • 12 Oreo cookies chopped

    Instructions

    • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Press the cookie dough into a even circle on a 12 inch round baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cookie comes out clean. Allow the cookie base to cool completely.
    • Next, in a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together ¼ cup softened butter and 4 oz. of softened cream cheese until it is light and fluffy.
    • Then, add ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture. Mix it on low speed and then increase the speed to medium and beat the frosting until it is combined and smooth.
    • Now, chop the 12 Oreo cookies into small pieces and set them aside.
    • When the cookie base is cool, use an offset spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting in an even layer on the cookie. Leave a 1 inch border unfrosted to give the dessert more of a pizza look.
    • Then, sprinkle the chopped Oreo cookies on top of the cream cheese frosting. Chill the Oreo pizza for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
    • Finally, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dessert pizza into 8 large slices or 16 smaller slices.

    Notes

    • You can substitute your favorite homemade cookie dough for the pizza base and you may need to adjust the baking time.
    • If you want to prep this recipe ahead of time, you can bake and cool the cookie and make the cream cheese frosting a few days in advance. Bring both the cookie base and frosting to room temperature to assemble the Oreo pizza.
    • Store any uneaten Oreo pizza wrapped in saran wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. The Oreo cookie pieces will soften, however it will still taste delicious!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 2mg

    Venison Spaghetti

    November 9, 2022

    Close up of venison spaghetti in

    Venison Spaghetti: A great way to use ground venison, and is delicious for a Sunday supper or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Quick Overview: Ready in about 20 minutes, this venison spaghetti sauce, poured over spaghetti noodles, may just become your new favorite meal! Then, if you have leftover spaghetti, make sure to make this fried spaghetti!

    Venison Spaghetti in White Bowl

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This venison meat sauce uses just a few, common ingredients that you may even have in your pantry already; tomato sauce and Italian seasoning (the salad dressing mix that comes in packets!) and dried diced onion, that’s even optional! It’s amazing how simple this recipe is but it can quickly become your new favorite sauce (or version of chicken bolognese sauce) for any kind of spaghetti recipe.

    Serve these Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs (that use the same sauce recipe) over this spaghetti and you’ll have an incredibly hearty dish!

    Almost every kind of pasta recipe is considered comfort food in our house, and this venison bolognese is no exception. When we’re craving hearty pasta dishes we either make this favorite pasta or will make something similar like this chili mac or this stroganoff recipe to use the ground deer meat that we have in our freezer. Have chicken? This chicken spaghetti recipe using Rotel is a must-make.

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    Ingredients

    Dinner recipes with simple ingredients are our favorite around here, so as you can see, it doesn’t take much to make this delicious recipe!

    Ingredients on white marble counter for venison spaghetti
    Ingredients
    • 1 pound of ground venison: a very lean wild game that works great in pasta dishes. (Ground venison is also amazing to use for deer burgers.)
    • 1 pound of uncooked spaghetti: I usually just grab a handful of uncooked spaghetti, enough to where my fingertips touch and this is approximately the same amount.
    • 2 – 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce: any brand will do and it’s great to stock up on this for spaghetti recipes, chili recipes and much more!
    • 2 – .6 ounce packages of Italian Dressing Seasoning: I only had one Zesty Italian and one regular on hand but you can use either kind, or both of the same kind!
    • 1 Tablespoon dried chopped onion: This is optional but can add more great flavor.

    Continue reading for step-by-step instructions for making this easy venison spaghetti or see the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

    How to Make Deer Spaghetti

    1. Brown venison and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and to save time, also boil water in a large pot for the spaghetti noodles.
    2. When the water comes to a rolling boil, add spaghetti noodles and cook for 8-12 minutes until al dente, or however long the package directions say to.
    ground venison and onion in white cast iron
    Brown venison & onion
    Spaghetti Noodles in Pot with Water
    Cook Noodles
    1. To save more time, while venison and noodles are cooking, mix together the tomato sauce and packages of Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
    2. When the ground meat has fully cooked (no more pink, and for about 5 minutes), it’s time to add the pasta sauce.
    tomato sauce in bowl with Italian dressing seasoning
    Make Sauce
    Browned ground venison in white cast iron
    Cooked venison
    1. Pour the (what is now) marinara sauce, in to the cooked meat and turn heat down to medium heat, and let cook/simmer for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
    Ground venison with marinara in dish
    Mix sauce and venison
    1. When the pasta has finished cooking, drain the pasta in a colander.
    2. Once fully drained, you can place cooked pasta in a serving bowl.
    Cooked spaghetti in strainer
    Drain Spaghetti
    Cooked spaghetti in white bowl
    Cooked Spaghetti
    1. If serving right away, you can pour the homemade spaghetti sauce on top of pasta.
    Deer Spaghetti in white bowl
    Deer Spaghetti

    If desired, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top or even fresh herbs!

    Sprinkled shredded parmesan cheese on spaghetti
    Sprinkle with parmesan

    Substitutions

    • Wild Game – Although this recipe uses ground venison, you can also use ground elk, ground beef, or ground pork, (or combine them like we did in the lasagna soup recipe) or even combine venison with different meats.
    • Onion – if you’d prefer to use raw onion, you absolutely can. Either white or yellow onion will be great, and you can use up to half of the fresh onion. Saute with the ground venison.
    • Tomato Sauce – if you prefer a really thick sauce, you can substitute one can of tomato sauce with one can of tomato paste.
    Close up of deer spaghetti in bowl
    Enjoy!

    How to Store

    If you have leftover spaghetti, we have the most delicious leftover spaghetti recipe coming to the blog very soon! It’s called fried spaghetti, and it’s incredible, so stay tuned!

    However, to store any leftover spaghetti, store it in an airtight container and enjoy it within 3-5 days.

    Bowl of deer spaghetti in white bowl next to garden salad
    Serve with Salad!

    Top Tip

    I learned this tip from my mom, and it has come in so handy over the years. If you’re not ready to serve the spaghetti noodles right away after they’ve finished cooking, leave them in the colander and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process.

    But when you’re ready to serve the spaghetti, run hot water over the noodles, to warm them back up, allow the water to fully drain, and then serve!

    FAQs

    Is ground venison deer meat?

    It is! But venison is also referred to as any meat that’s considered in the “deer” family. So this could include elk as well.

    Is ground venison good?

    It is. It’s considered a leaner meat so it works great in recipes such as spaghetti, lasagna, chili, etc, where it can crumble easy and doesn’t have to hold it’s shape. Although if used for recipes such as burgers, it’s best to mix it with a fattier meat, such as sausage.

    Is venison and ground beef the same?

    It’s not but can be commonly interchanged in recipes. Using ground venison in recipes that generally use ground beef is very common. Venison however, tends to have more of an “earthy” flavor, or some even say “gamey” flavor.

    Is deer meat healthier than hamburger?

    The fact that it tends to be more lean than hamburger, can make this a healthier option, fat-wise.

    What to Serve with Venison Spaghetti

    You can serve any side dish that you’d normally serve with pasta or even ground beef spaghetti. However, we love serving air fryer garlic bread and a side salad with this recipe!

    Related Recipes

    We usually have a deep freezer full of venison in our house, so you’ll find other venison recipes here as well that are reader favorites, such as deer steak, fried deer meat, and venison chili!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up of venison spaghetti in
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Venison Spaghetti

    Venison Spaghetti: A great way to use ground venison, and is delicious for a Sunday supper or a quick weeknight dinner.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 578kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground venison
    • 1 pound spaghetti noodles uncooked
    • 2 – 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce
    • 2 .6 ounce packets of Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix
    • 1 Tablespoon dried diced onion

    Instructions

    • Brown one pound of venison and 1 Tablespoon of dried, chopped onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and to save time, also boil water in a large pot for the spaghetti noodles.
    • When the water comes to a rolling boil, add 1 pound of spaghetti noodles and cook for 8-12 minutes until al dente, or however long the package directions say to.
    • To save more time, while venison and noodles are cooking, mix together the 2 cans of tomato sauce and 2 packages of Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
    • When the ground meat has full cooked (no more pink, and for about 5 minutes), it's time to add the pasta sauce.
    • Pour the (what is now) marinara sauce, in to the cooked meat and turn heat down to medium heat, and let cook/simmer for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
    • When the pasta has finished cooking, drain the pasta in a colander.
    • Once fully drained, you can place cooked pasta in a serving bowl.
    • If serving right away, you can pour the homemade spaghetti sauce on top of pasta. Top with shredded parmesan cheese if desired!

    Notes

    Top Tip for Making Ahead:
    I learned this tip from my mom, and it has come in so handy over the years. If you’re not ready to serve the spaghetti noodles right away after they’ve finished cooking, leave them in the colander and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process.
    But when you’re ready to serve the spaghetti, run hot water over the noodles, to warm them back up, allow the water to fully drain, and then serve!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 640mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 7mg

    Sheet Pan Pancakes

    November 8, 2022

    A close up photo of a stack of cinnamon swirled pancake squares that were baked on a sheet pan

    These Sheet Pan Pancakes are made with a cinnamon roll swirl that makes breakfast something worth getting out of bed for. Made with a pancake mix, these pancakes are ready in 30 minutes!

    A fork rest on a plate stacked with squares of cinnamon swirl pancakes while a small pitcher of frosting and the pan of pancakes are in the background

    Forget flipping pancakes in a skillet or on a griddle! My fluffy sheet pan pancakes with a rich, brown sugar cinnamon swirl, are baked in the oven in just 20 minutes and served with homemade cream cheese icing!

    Have you seen all of the breakfast recipes here at Fantabulosity? What I love, is that I have so many pancake recipes on the blog, that even if you have to use almond milk to make pancakes or want to make something fun with cookies, this Oreo pancakes recipe is a must-make, or any of the other special pancakes here on the blog.

    We also think that breakfast can be the easiest meal of the day. With recipes like this simple cinnamon roll casserole, this baked French toast, and this easy cinnamon coffee cake, today’s recipe for sheet pan pancakes will fit right in!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Making pancakes on a sheet pan is my new go-to pancake-making method: no skillets, no hot griddle, no flipping, and no hassle! This is good food made easy.

    The whole family can eat breakfast together! No more waiting as individual pancakes are made one by one in a pan. Since the pancakes are baked in the oven, I love that we can all sit down to warm pancakes at the same time.

    Sheet pan pancakes are an easy way to feed a crowd. Two pans of pancakes yields 20 servings in about 20 minutes, so you easily double this recipe for a sleepover, a big family brunch or your holiday morning breakfast.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    There are no unusual or gourmet ingredients used in this pancakes recipe. In fact, most of the ingredients are baking basics and you probably already keep the dry ingredients stocked in your pantry and the wet ingredients in your fridge.

    The ingredients for pancake batter, a cinnamon sugar swirl and cream cheese icing are all displayed on a white marble background

    See the printable recipe card below for a list of all of the ingredients and the amounts. I’ve provided a few notes about some of the key ingredients:

    For the pancakes:

    • pancake mix – original flavor
    • milk – whole is preferred but your favorite type should work ok too.
    • butter – you can use salted or unsalted but make sure it’s softened

    Variations

    Here are a few ways to adjust the recipe for your preferences if you need a few ideas:

    • Pancake mix – Sheet pan pancakes from a mix (like Bisquick mix) are a great way to get breakfast on the table quick. However, you can also use your favorite homemade pancake batter to make these pancakes.
    • Milk – While we used whole milk in our sheet pan pancakes, you can use almond milk (or any nut milk), oat milk, or coconut milk in this homemade breakfast recipe.
    • Favorite Mix-Ins – You can sprinkle chocolate chips, frozen blueberries or even toasted pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking.
    • Toppings – I have a fabulous list of over 95 pancake toppings, but here are a variety of toppings to try the next time you make these sheet pan pancakes:
      • Any type of fruit – Sliced banana, fresh berries, sliced peaches and crushed pineapple are some of our favorites.
      • Fruit compote
      • Shredded coconut
      • Granola
      • Whipped cream – cinnamon whipped cream would be SO good to add to cinnamon swirl pancakes
      • Honey
      • Warmed jam
      • Caramel sauce
      • Peanut butter
      • Hot fudge
      • Ice cream – if you really want a treat or to serve these pancakes as a dessert, add a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream

    Instructions

    Once you see how easy it is to make a homemade breakfast of warm, cinnamon pancakes on a sheet pan, you may never make pancakes any other way. Here are the step-by-step instructions with photos:

    1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper greased with butter.
    2. Next, in a large mixing bowl, whisk 2 cups of pancake mix, 1 cup of milk and 2 large eggs together until the batter is smooth. A few small lumps is okay, but you don’t want any large clumps of unmixed pancake mix in your fluffy batter.
    3. Then, pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it in an even layer across the pan.
    Mix pancake batter
    Pancake batter has been poured into a prepared sheet pan for sheet pan pancakes
    Pour batter in prepared baking sheet
    1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 8 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon and stir until combined.
    2. Now, using a spoon, drop dollops of the brown sugar mixture on top of the batter in the pan.
    A sheet pan of pancake batter waits for a brown sugar butter cinnamon sauce to be swirled in for sheet pan pancakes
    Mix up cinnamon swirl
    Dollops of a rich brown sugar cinnamon butter mixture have been dropped into pancake batter
    Dollop cinnamon swirl on the batter
    1. Take a butter knife and gently drag it through the brown sugar dollops to create a swirl pattern in the pancake batter.
    2. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. (Insert a toothpick into the center of the pancake. If there is no wet batter on the toothpick and it comes out clean, the pancakes are baked.)
    3. While the pancakes are baking, make the cream cheese icing. First, beat 4 oz. of softened cream cheese and 1 teaspoon of vanilla in a medium-sized bowl until it is smooth. Then, add ⅔ cup of powdered sugar and mix it until it is thoroughly combined.
    Dollops of a cinnamon brown sugar mixture have been swirled into pancake batter on a large sheet pan
    Swirl the cinnamon mixture in the batter
    A small white bowl of smooth cream cheese icing is being stirred with a fork
    Make cream cheese icing

    Yummy pancakes are about 20 minutes away. Just bake and serve!

    A pan of sheet pan pancakes is being served with butter, syrup and cream cheese icing

    To serve this giant pancake, cut it into squares and serve them with butter, homemade cream cheese icing, and warm maple syrup to drizzle. The cream cheese icing paired with these cinnamon swirl pancakes reminds me of a cinnamon roll and it is beyond delicious!

    A metal spatula holds a baked square of sheet pan pancakes above a the full pan of the cinnamon swirled breakfast

    Storage

    Store any leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat them in the microwave.

    Can you freeze sheet pan pancakes? You sure can! Allow the sheet of pancakes to cool completely and cut it into squares. Separate the squares of pancakes with parchment paper. Store the pancakes in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to a month.

    A close up photo of the inside of a stack of soft, fluffy cinnamon swirled sheet pan pancakes

    More Homemade Pancake Recipes

    While we love the convenience of pancake mix in this recipe, our recipe for Fluffy Homemade Pancakes from Scratch is perfect for a leisurely weekend morning. Feeling fruity? Easy Blueberry Pancakes are right up your alley. If you love the warm comforting flavors of Fall, we think you’ll flip for our Pumpkin White Chocolate Pancakes.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A close up photo of a stack of cinnamon swirled pancake squares that were baked on a sheet pan
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Sheet Pan Pancakes – Cinnamon Swirl

    Sheet Pan Pancakes with a rich, brown sugar cinnamon swirl, are baked in the oven in 20 minutes and served with homemade cream cheese icing!
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 10 pancake squares
    Calories 325kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    To Make Cinnamon Swirl Sheet Pan Pancakes

    • 2 cups pancake mix
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 large eggs
    • 8 tablespoons butter softened
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

    For the Cream Cheese Icing

    • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ⅔ cup powdered Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    For the cinnamon swirl sheet pan pancakes

    • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a half sheet baking pan with parchment paper greased with butter.
    • Next, in a large bowl, whisk 2 cups of pancake mix, 1 cup of milk and 2 large eggs together until smooth.
    • Then, pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and spread it evenly across the pan.
    • In a microwave safe bowl, melt 8 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon and stir until combined.
    • Now, using a spoon, drop dollops of the brown sugar mixture onto the pancake batter in the pan. Take a butter knife and gently drag it through the brown sugar to create a swirl pattern in the pancake batter.
    • Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. (If there is no wet batter on the toothpick and it comes out clean, the sheet pan pancakes are baked.)

    To Make the Cream Cheese Icing

    • First, beat 4 oz. of softened cream cheese and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl until it is smooth. Add ⅔ cup of powdered sugar and mix it until it is thoroughly combined.
    • Serve the warm cinnamon swirl pancakes with cream cheese icing, butter and maple syrup.

    Notes

    • A half sheet pan is about 18″ x 13″ x 1″. If you use a 9×13 baking dish, only use half of the batter and make two batches of oven baked pancakes.
    • You can prepare the parchment lined baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray but I find that using butter to grease the parchment adds a little more flavor.
    • Store any leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1square | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 595IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 1mg

    Top 20 Spices Every Kitchen Needs

    November 7, 2022

    spices in glass jars on wooden shelf

    Top 20 Spices Every Kitchen Needs: Essential spices every home cook should have in their kitchen or walk-in pantry. Perfect for a beginner cook, a new homeowner, or someone looking to get organized!

    Spices in small glass jars with labels on wooden riser
    Top 20 Spices Every Kitchen and Pantry Should Have

    With all of the different spices in the grocery store these days, it can be overwhelming to know where to start if you’re stocking your kitchen for the first time.

    Spice rubs, spice blends, stand-alone spices… so many options. However, this list of basic pantry staples is a great place to start.

    Must have spices in the pantry

    If you’re a gourmet chef, you’ll probably already know or even have these spices on hand. However, if you’re like me, someone who is busy, and just wants simple and easy recipes to make for her family but loves flavor… then this list is for you!

    They’re affordable, the most used spices in my kitchen, and versatile spices (meaning, they can go in so many different types of dishes) that you’ll want to put on your grocery list today!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    What basic spices should every kitchen have?

    You’ll want a range of spices for savory dishes and sweet dishes as a great addition to your kitchen for everyday cooking. Adding a little bit flavor with spices and dried herbs in to a variety of dishes will help give a lot of flavor to dishes such as main dishes, Italian dishes, vegetable dishes, Indian dishes, meat dishes, poultry dishes, and much more!

    Get this printable spices list down below to use as a guide!

    1. Basil (although we sure prefer fresh basil in our recipes)
    2. Bay Leaves
    3. Black Pepper (or black peppercorns in a pepper grinder)
    4. Chili Powder (or cayenne pepper)
    5. Cloves
    6. Cinnamon
    7. Cumin Powder
    8. Garlic Powder (and/or Garlic Salt)
    9. Greek Seasoning
    10. Lemon pepper
    11. Nutmeg
    12. Onion Powder (and/or Dried Chopped Onion)
    13. Oregano
    14. Paprika (smoked or even regular sweet paprika)
    15. Parsley
    16. Red Pepper Flakes
    17. Rosemary
    18. Salt (table salt, kosher salt, sea salt flakes)
    19. Seasoned Salt
    20. Thyme
    Spices in small glass jars on wooden shelf
    Different Types of Spices

    Organizing Spices

    Depending on the space that you have, or plan to use for your spices, this can look different for each space.

    However, one thing I’ve found that works for me, no matter what my space looks like, is that I absolutely adore putting all of my store-bought spices in to clear jars with labels. I also put them in alphabetical order so when it comes time to find the spice I’m looking for, it’s as easy as pie. (Or, pumpkin pie spice.)

    Clear Glass Spice Jars

    If you’d like to use the same jars that I used to organize my walk-in pantry, you can get them at my favorite online store but make sure to use code: FANTAB10 to get 10% off your own! Here are the Spice Jars and Labels that I use!

    Wooden Can and Spice Jar Risers: I absolutely LOVE these for organizing my spices to create a spice rack!

    Rows of spices in glass jars on pantry shelf
    Best Spices

    FAQs

    Should spices go in pantry?

    A pantry is a great place to store spices because it’s usually a dry space, out of direct sunlight. However, if you don’t have a pantry space, a spice cabinet or drawer will be great too, as long as it’s a dark place. Or, you can utilize the back of the door with an over-the-door organizer if needed.

    How long are spices good for?

    Usually, 6 months is the lifespan for dried spices. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t use them past 6 months, it just may mean that spices aren’t as flavorful. A good way to test them is to smell them and if you no longer smell anything, it’s probably time to toss and replace them.

    When should you add spices when cooking?

    If you put them in early, in the cooking process, they can lose flavor. So it’s best to add them in about halfway or toward the end to really let the flavor shine!

    Feel free to add other spices or your favorites to your spice collection if they’re not on this list! This is just a great starting point for your spice shelf!

    💡 More Planning and Organizing Tips

    You’ll also love this cheat sheet to keep in your kitchen for questions come up like “How many ounces in a gallon,” and more!

    Recipe

    spices in glass jars on wooden shelf
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Top 20 Spices Every Kitchen Needs

    What basic spices should every kitchen have? Get this printable spices list to use as a guide!
    Prep Time 0 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Servings 20 spices
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • Basil
    • Bay Leaves
    • Black Pepper
    • Chili Powder
    • Cloves
    • Cinnamon
    • Cumin
    • Garlic Powder (and/or Garlic Salt)
    • Greek Seasoning
    • Lemon Pepper
    • Nutmeg
    • Onion Powder (and/or Chopped Dried Onion)
    • Oregano
    • Paprika
    • Parsley
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    • Rosemary
    • Salt
    • Seasoned Salt
    • Thyme

    Instructions

    • Arrange spices in alphabetical order to keep things streamlined!

    Notes

    Feel free to add other spices or your favorites if they’re not on this list! This is just a great starting point for your spice shelf!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1teaspoon

    How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust

    November 6, 2022

    A blind baked pie crust without any filling in it.

    How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust:  A lot of pie recipes call for “blind baking” the pie crust. Blind baking sounds confusing, but it’s a lot simpler than it seems!

    A blind baked pie crust on a counter with a rolling pin and some pie dough, rolled out, on a wood cutting board at the top of the image.

    Take your DIY to the next level and make your own butter before baking! I love using my Buttery Pie Crust recipe whether I need one crust or two, and then after learning to blind bake use it to make Banana Cream Pie.

    What is “blind baking” and how do you blind bake pastry crust?

    Blind baking is a culinary term that refers to pre-baking a tart crust or pie crust before any filling is added. This will keep your pie from having a soggy bottom crust.

    The process of blind baking involves putting a bottom crust into a pie plate, creating vent holes, weighing the dough down, and then baking it. It’s really quite simple, but we’re going to walk you through it step-by-step in this post.

    How long do you blind bake for a pie?

    This will depend on the recipe (it will tell you how long to blind bake a pie crust for that specific filling), but as a general rule it’s 20 mins with the weights in and 5 mins without the weights.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    You can use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe or store-bought dough to create a pie that calls for blind baking (we like this butter pie crust recipe, it makes a flaky pie crust that works for any filling).

    Whip up a batch of your favorite dough, or grab one at the store, and let’s get started.

    Pie dough rolled out on a lightly floured wood cutting board.
    Make pie dough or buy a pie crust.

    Equipment

    You will need a 9-inch pie plate (glass or metal will work best for blind baking) and something to weigh down your bottom crust.

    In this recipe we show you how to use sugar as a pie weight, but you can also use:

    • ceramic pie weights like these pie weights
    • steel pie weight chain like this pie weight chain
    • dry beans or uncooked rice / dry rice (we would recommend saving these and using them as your pie weights again – the dried beans and rice aren’t good for cooking once they’ve been baked)

    Instructions

    1. Make pie dough using this pie crust recipe, or if you are using a store-bought pie crust, you can skip to step 6. 
    2. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease a glass or metal 9-inch pie pan. Thick Ceramic pie pans tend to distribute heat unevenly and may not work for blind baking this pie crust.
    3. Remove the larger disk of your homemade pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    4. Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    Pie dough rolled out on a lightly floured wood cutting board.
    Roll out your bottom crust.
    1. Place the pie crust over your pie dish using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. This will help avoid any stretching or cracks. 
    Pie dough being rolled from a wood cutting board onto a wooden rolling pin.
    Roll dough onto pin.
    Pie dough half draped on a rolling pin being unrolled over a glass pie plate.
    Roll dough out onto pie tin.
    1. (For the store-bought crust, start here.) Gently press the pie crust down into the pie pan, fitting into the crease all the way around. Trim excess pie dough from around the pan with a small sharp knife and with the tines of a fork, poke holes around the bottom of the pie crust.

      These little holes allow venting and prevent air pockets from bubbling up. Place a piece of parchment paper over the bottom of the crust and fill with sugar, using the parchment paper as a barrier between the sugar and pie crust.
    A neatly trimmed pie crust pressed into a pie plate. The edges are trimmed.
    Press crust into pan & trim.
    An unbaked pie crust covered with parchment paper and filled with sugar.
    Line with parchment, fill with sugar.

    Tip: Wondering what to do with the sugar after baking? The yummy toasted sugar can be used in sugar cookies and quick breads for a nice toasty flavor!

    1. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, remove the sugar and parchment paper, and continue baking for 5 minutes or until the bottom of the pie crust is just starting to brown. Cool the blind-baked crust before adding any pie filling.

    **Keep in mind that baking time and oven temperature can vary from oven to oven.

    A blind baked pie crust without any filling in it.
    Bake till golden brown, then cool.

    Should I brush my pie crust with butter or egg?

    This depends on what kind of crust you are looking to create. If you want a nice golden brown crust, brush the top with an egg wash right before baking.

    If you want a deep, golden color and intense shine then an egg yolk wash is best! Mix one yolk with 2 teaspoons of water and brush it all over the top crust of your pie, then bake as directed.

    Brushing your pie crust with butter will add a bit of extra flavor, but it doesn’t do as much for creating a crisp golden crust as other washes will. Flavor counts, though, so brush away!

    Top Tip

    If you don’t want to use pie weights, it is possible to blind bake pie crust without weights. You can take a slightly smaller pie plate and set it on top of the crust. This will work the same and prevent the crust from bubbling up.

    We wouldn’t recommend baking it without anything on top of the crust as it will result in very large bubbles that will make it hard for you to fill the pie later.

    FAQs

    What temperature should I blind bake a pie crust?

    It’s best to blind bake a pie crust at a high temperature – we like to blind bake ours at 425° F.

    How do you blind bake a store bought pie crust?

    Blind baking a store bought pie crust is very similar to baking a homemade pie crust. You will need to prick the base of the bottom crust to allow for venting, fill the crust with weights of your choice, and bake for 20 mins at 425°. Remove the weights, bake another 5 minutes and then let the crust cool before you fill it!

    How to par bake a pie crust?

    Par baking crusts means partially baking them, whereas to blind bake pastry crust means to completely bake it. How long to bake pie crust depends on the type of filling you’ll be adding.

    Typically a recipe will ask you to blind bake the crust if the filling is not going to be baked, and to par bake a crust if the filling will need to be baked (to prevent over baking the bottom crust). Recipes like pumpkin pie and custard pies usually call for a partially baked crust (par baking).

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Related Recipes

    Now that you know how to blind bake a pie you can get to the fun part…making the pie! This easy Banana Cream Pie Recipe would be a great place to start. Or if you’ve made a pie crust and have extras, keep this easy pie crust cookies recipe in mind.

    And if you’re looking for some easy, no-bake pies you should definitely check out this Chocolate Cream Pie and our No Bake Peanut Butter Pie. This butterscotch cinnamon pie recipe is absolutely delicious and so easy to make for the summer or for the holidays.

    Recipe

    A blind baked pie crust without any filling in it.
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust

    How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust: A lot of pie recipes call for "blind baking" the pie crust. Blind baking sounds confusing, but it's a lot simpler than it seems!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 pie crust
    Calories 777kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Equipment

    • pie weights or dry beans/rice

    Ingredients

    • 1 recipe pie dough or store bought pie crust
    • 1 lb granulated sugar if not using pie weights

    Instructions

    • Make pie dough using this pie crust recipe. Or, if you are using a store bought pie crust, you can skip to step 6.
    • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease a glass or metal 9-inch pie pan. Thick Ceramic pie pans tend to distribute heat unevenly and may not work for blind baking this pie crust.
    • Remove the larger disk of your homemade pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    • Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    • Place the pie crust over your pie pan using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. This will help avoid any stretching or cracks. 
    • (For store-bought pie crust, start here)
      Gently press the pie crust down into the pie pan, fitting into the crease all the way around. Trim excess pie dough from around the pan with a small sharp knife and with a fork, make small holes around the bottom of the pie crust to allow venting and prevent the pie crust from bubbling up. Place parchment paper over the pie crust and fill with sugar, using the parchment paper as a barrier between the sugar and pie crust.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, remove the sugar and parchment paper, and continue baking for 5 minutes or until the bottom of the pie crust is just starting to brown. Cool the pie crust before adding any pie filling.

    Notes

    NOTES: If you don’t want to use pie weights, it is possible to blind bake pie crust without weights. You can take a slightly smaller pie plate and set it on top of the crust. This will work the same and prevent the crust from bubbling up. 
    We wouldn’t recommend baking it without anything on top of the crust as it will result in very large bubbles that will make it hard for you to fill the pie later. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1crust | Calories: 777kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Sodium: 695mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 4g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 4mg

    Buttery Pie Crust Recipe

    November 6, 2022

    An unbaked pie with a top crust. The pie has a design carved in the top to allow steam to escape.

    Buttery Pie Crust Recipe: This easy pie crust recipe can be used to make any pie recipe (a single crust pie or a double crust pie). With only 6 ingredients, this flaky pie crust is super simple to make and ready for a pie or this savory easy chicken pot pie recipe.

    A picture of a baked pie with a nice, golden brown crust.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    If you’re looking for the best pie crust recipe, this is it! This recipe uses butter to create a flaky, golden pie crust that’s perfect for all your favorite pies! (Especially this egg custard!)

    The best part is, you can use this for all your homemade pies – sweet pies (like fruit pies such as this peach and mango pie recipe) and savory pie (think chicken pot pie)! You can even see how to make cookies with a pie crust.

    Common Pie Questions

    What is the secret to a good pie crust? The questions below should help you uncover all the tips and tricks that can be used to make a pie crust that’s perfect for your tastes!

    Is pie crust better made with butter or shortening?

    If you’re asking yourself this question, you’re not alone! A lot of people have a strong preference for one or the other.

    In my experience, butter makes for a sturdier, flakier crust with a nicer flavor, but shortening makes for a more tender crust that holds its shape better.

    What does butter do in a pie crust?

    Butter adds flavor to a pie crust (and who doesn’t want that?), but it also helps make the layers light and fluffy. Since butter has a high water content, that water evaporates as you bake and incorporates air into the crust!

    Should I brush my pie crust with butter or egg?

    This depends on what kind of crust you are looking to create. If you want a nice golden brown crust, brush the top with an egg wash right before baking.

    If you want a deep, golden color and intense shine then an egg yolk wash is best! Mix one yolk with 2 teaspoons of water and brush it all over the top crust of your pie, then bake as directed.

    Brushing your pie crust with butter will add a bit of extra flavor, but it doesn’t do as much for creating a crisp golden crust as other washes will. Flavor counts, though, so brush away!

    My favorite apple pie crust recipe calls for brushing the crust with milk and then sprinkling it lightly with granulated sugar. There’s really no wrong answer, so feel free to experiment until you find what you like best.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    Making this homemade pie crust recipe doesn’t require anything fancy – just a few simple ingredients that you likely have on hand at all times!

    Ingredients needed to make a buttery pie crust laid out on a counter with labels on the image.
    Ingredients
    • flour
    • granulated sugar
    • salt
    • butter
    • water
    • egg

    See the printable recipe card below for exact quantities and step-by-step instructions.

    Instructions

    To Make the Pie Dough

    1. In a food processor, combine 2 ½ cups flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt until well blended.
    Flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor
    Put flour, sugar, and salt in food processor.
    1. Add half of your butter (½ cup) to the food processor and blend with the flour mixture. Add the second half (other ½ cup) of the butter and blend again. The mixture should be a powdery sand texture.

      The butter should be very cold, if your room is warm you'll need to place it back into the refrigerator between adding it to the food processor. Room-temperature butter will melt too quickly and the result will be pie crust that isn’t as flaky.
    Butter cubes on top of flour mixture in a food processor.
    Add ½ the butter.
    Top shot of food processor after butter has been blended with flour.
    Add the other ½ butter and blend.
    1. Add 2 tablespoons of ice cold water into your food processor and blend between each set. Repeat this until the texture of the mixture is a rough crumble and when you pinch it, it holds together.

      When this happens, you know you’ve added enough water. This usually takes about 6 tablespoons depending on the type of butter you use. You need the water to remain very cold, add ice cubes to your cup of water if needed.
    Top shot of a food processor with a flour and butter mixture in it.
    Add water till dough comes together.
    1. Pour your pie crust dough mixture onto a flat surface and divide it into 2 halves, one half being slightly larger than the other.
    Crumbly pie crust dough poured out onto a wood cutting board.
    Pour dough out.
    1. Form the dough into 2 round disks by squeezing it together and kneading it lightly. Do not overwork the dough or it will become very solid and tough to work with.
    Two discs of dough on a wood cutting board.
    Shape into disks.
    1. Wrap your 2 dough disks tightly in plastic wrap making sure that no air is touching the dough. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough can remain in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours if needed.
    Two discs of dough covered in plastic and resting on a wood cutting board.
    Wrap & refrigerate.
    1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease a glass or metal 9-inch pie pan. Thick Ceramic pie pans tend to distribute heat unevenly and may not work for blind baking this pie crust.
    2. Remove the larger disk of pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    3. Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    Pie dough rolled out on a lightly floured wood cutting board.
    Roll out your crust.
    1. Place the pie crust over your pie pan using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. This will help avoid any stretching or cracks. 
    Pie dough being rolled from a wood cutting board onto a wooden rolling pin.
    Roll dough onto rolling pin.
    Pie dough half draped on a rolling pin being unrolled over a glass pie plate.
    Unroll dough on pie plate.
    1. Gently press the pie crust down into the pie pan, fitting into the crease all the way around. Trim excess pie dough from around the pan with a small sharp knife and with a fork, make small holes around the bottom of the pie crust to allow venting and prevent the pie crust from bubbling up. 
    A neatly trimmed pie crust pressed into a pie plate. The edges are trimmed.
    Press into pie tin, trim edge.

    Blind Baking

    If your recipe calls for blind baking, preheat your oven to 425°. Roll out your bottom crust dough, line it with parchment paper, and weigh it down (with the weight of your choice). Bake for 20-25 mins, then cool before filling.

    (See how to blind bake a pie too!)

    For Top Crust

    Note: Exact time and temperature will depend on filling instructions for each individual pie.

    1. Fill bottom of the crust with desired pie filling and preheat your oven by the pie filling instructions.
    2. Remove the smaller disk of pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    3. Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    4. Place the pie crust over your pie pan using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. Vent your pie crust by making slits in the top of the pie, all the way around with a small sharp knife. 
    A top crust being rolled over an apple pie using a wooden rolling pin.
    Add top crust.
    1. Trim the excess pie dough from around your pie pan and create a seal around the edge of your pie by rippling and pinching the pie dough between your index finger, thumb, and middle finger.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this egg-wash mixture over your pie crust in a thin layer.
    A small bowl of butter or egg white being held over an unbaked pie.
    Whisk egg & water.
    A pastry brush brushing an unbaked pie.
    Brush over pie crust.
    1. Bake your pie by the filling instructions or until the pie crust is golden brown. If the edges are browning too quickly, wrap them in aluminum foil or a pie saver. 
    A baked pie with a design cut into the top for venting.
    Bake till golden brown!

    NOTE: This recipe makes enough dough for a double pie crust recipe. If you only need a bottom crust, you can wrap the other half of the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a week or put that wrapped dough ball in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag and freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it on the counter and continue on with the recipe. 

    Substitutions

    If you need to make your pie crust suit your dietary needs, there are a few changes you can make!

    • Dairy-Free – use your favorite dairy-free butter alternative to make this pie crust dairy free!
    • Gluten-Free – use your favorite gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour to make this pie crust gluten-free! We recommend using a blend that contains xantham gum for the best results.
    • Egg Free – if you need to omit the egg in this recipe, you can replace it with a cornstarch egg (2 tablespoons of cornstarch blended into 3 tablespoons of cold water will replace one egg).

    Equipment

    You will need the following supplies: 

    • 9-inch pie plate (metal or glass)
    • Parchment paper
    • small knife
    • food processor (if you don’t have a food processor, you can “cut in” the butter with a pastry cutter, aka a pastry blender)
    • rolling pin
    • small bowl
    • plastic wrap
    A slice of baked pie on a white plate.
    Enjoy!

    Storage

    This pie crust can be stored in your refrigerator in airtight plastic wrap for up to 48 hours before baking.

    After baking the crust can remain fresh in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days and frozen for up to 4 months. The blind-baked crust can also be frozen before adding any filling.

    To freeze a pie crust (baked or raw), be sure to make it in a freezer-safe pie dish and then wrap the pie crust (cooled, if you’ve blind-baked it) in plastic wrap and then tin foil before freezing.

    Top Tip

    Make sure your water and butter are both very cold. The longer it takes your butter to melt in the oven, the lighter and flakier your crust will be!

    FAQs

    What is blind baking?

    Blind baking a crust means you are baking the bottom of a pie crust so that a soft pie filling doesn't create a soggy layer. You would usually blind-bake a pie crust if you are using a filling that doesn't need to be baked, such as fruit filling, pudding filling, or pre-made fillings (although some recipes with cooked filling will ask you to partially or par bake the bottom crust).

    What type of pie pan should I use?

    You should use a 9-inch pie pan that is made of glass or metal. A ceramic pie pan can be used if not blind baking your pie. The ceramic tend to heat unevenly during the blind baking process. 

    What texture should the dough be?

    When adding water to your dough, it should be a smooth texture without cracks. If you have a lot of cracks in your dough you'll want to slowly add a tablespoon of water at a time until it is smooth and easy to work with. Do not overwork the pie dough, this can make it tough and too thick. 

    My pie dough is tough and thick, what did I do wrong?

    Some things that will cause a pie dough to become thick and tough are:

    – Adding too much flour to your workspace. Only add enough flour to avoid the dough sticking to your surface. 

    – Melted or soft butter. You want your butter to remain as cold as possible throughout the entire process. You can even put your butter in a freezer for 10 minutes before using it if you are working in a warm room.

    – Not rolling the dough thin enough. You want to make sure the dough is nice and thin, about ⅛ inch thick all the way around.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Related Recipes

    Now that you know how to make a butter pie crust recipe, you can use it to make some delicious pies like this easy banana cream pie or this classic pecan pie! Or this butterscotch cinnamon pie recipe.

    Recipe

    An unbaked pie with a top crust. The pie has a design carved in the top to allow steam to escape.
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Buttery Pie Crust Recipe

    Buttery Pie Crust Recipe: This easy pie crust recipe can be used to make any pie recipe (a single crust pie or a double crust pie). With only 6 ingredients, this flaky pie crust is super simple to make!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 2 (9 inch) pie crusts
    Calories 1437kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Equipment

    • 9" pie pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups flour + more for flouring work surface
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar + 2 lbs if blind baking
    • ½ teaspon salt
    • 1 cup very cold butter diced into ½-inch cubes
    • ½ cup ice cold water divided
    • 1 egg

    Instructions

    To Make Pie Dough

    • In a food processor, combine 2 ½ cups flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt until well blended.
    • Add half of your butter (½ cup) to the food processor and blend with the flour mixture. Add the second half (other ½ cup) of the butter and blend again. The mixture should be a powdery sand texture.
      The butter should be very cold, if your room is warm you'll need to place it back into the refrigerator between adding it to the food processor.
    • Add 2 tablespoons of water into your food processor and blend between each set. Repeat this until the texture of the mixture is a rough crumble and when you pinch it, it holds together. This usually takes about 6 tablespoons depending on the type of butter you use. You need the water to remain very cold, add ice cubes to your cup of water if needed.
    • Pour your pie crust dough mixture onto a flat surface and divide it into 2 halves, one half being slightly larger than the other.
    • Form the dough into 2 round disks by squeezing it together and kneading it lightly. Do not overwork the dough or it will become very solid and tough to work with.
    • Wrap your 2 dough disks tightly in plastic wrap making sure that no air is touching the dough. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough can remain in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours if needed.
    • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease a glass or metal 9-inch pie pan. Thick Ceramic pie pans tend to distribute heat unevenly and may not work for blind baking this pie crust.
    • Remove the larger disk of pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    • Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    • Place the pie crust over your pie pan using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. This will help avoid any stretching or cracks. 
    • Gently press the pie crust down into the pie pan, fitting into the crease all the way around. Trim excess pie dough from around the pan with a small sharp knife and with a fork, make small holes around the bottom of the pie crust to allow venting and prevent the pie crust from bubbling up. 

    Blind Baking

    • If your recipe calls for blind baking, preheat your oven to 425°. Roll out your bottom crust dough, line it with parchment paper and weigh it down (with the weight of your choice). Bake for 20-25 mins, then cool before filling. 
      (We wrote an entire blog post dedicated to blind baking pies, so if you need a few more details be sure to head over there and check it out.)

    For Top Crust Note: Exact time and temperature will depend on filling instructions for each individual pie.

    • Fill your bottom pie crust with desired pie filling and preheat your oven by the pie filling instructions.
    • Remove the smaller disk of pie dough from your refrigerator and let it sit for 5 minutes or long enough for it to become workable but still cold. Sprinkle a flat workspace with flour as well as your rolling pin.
    • Starting in the center of the dough disk, roll the dough outward in all directions from the center to the edge until you have a ⅛-inch thick round pie crust.
    • Place the pie crust over your pie pan using your rolling pin by rolling the pie crust over the rolling pin and allowing it to carry the weight of the pie crust, and then rolling it gently across your pie pan. Vent your pie crust by making slits in the top of the pie, all the way around with a small sharp knife. 
    • Trim the excess pie dough from around your pie pan and create a seal around the edge of your pie by rippling and pinching the pie dough between your index finger, thumb, and middle finger.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this egg-wash mixture over your pie crust in a thin layer.
    • Bake your pie by the filling instructions or until the pie crust is golden brown. If the edges are browning too quickly, wrap them in aluminum foil or a pie saver. 

    Notes

    This recipe makes enough dough for a double pie crust recipe. If you only need a bottom crust, you can wrap the other half of the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a week or put that wrapped dough ball in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag and freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it on the counter and continue on with the recipe. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1crust | Calories: 1437kcal | Carbohydrates: 125g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 96g | Saturated Fat: 59g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 326mg | Sodium: 864mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2955IU | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 8mg

    What to Pack for Mexico – Free Printable Checklist

    November 5, 2022

    What to Pack for Mexico – Free Checklist that you can print and check off items while you pack, that’s perfect for an all inclusive resort vacation.

    Whether it’s your first time going to Mexico or you’re not sure what to pack for, you’ll find this list of things and essential items really helpful!

    El Dorado Resort in Mexico
    El Dorado Resort in Mexico

    Post and printable checklist originally published in 2016.

    What should I pack for Mexico?

    If you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas or any of the beach towns soon, this is the ultimate Mexico packing list of items that I always pack, and recommend that you do too.

    Then, make sure to also get my tips for a Mexico Vacation, where I go in to more detail about what to expect when vacationing there.

    Over there, you’ll find the answers to questions like:

    • Why an ink pen is important to take?
    • Why you should pack a bathing suit in your carry-on.

    …and so much more. I can’t WAIT to jot all of my thoughts and advice on the subject. It may just take me back to vacation.

    What should you not forget to take to Mexico?

    Your passport! That’s the one thing I always check my bag for, about 5 times before we even get to the airport. You can usually get anything else you may need at the store!

    What items do I need to travel to Mexico

    Your passport (a must!) and credit cards are highly recommended.

    Mexico Resort Entrance
    Mexico Resort

    Packing Checklist For Mexico Vacation

    When you’ve been dreaming of this beach destination, the last thing you want to do is get there, realizing you’ve forgotten something really important! So make sure to consider some or all of these things when packing:

    Travel Documents:

    • Passport
    • Drivers License
    • Travel Documents (boarding passes, transportation confirmation, phone numbers, addresses, travel insurance papers, etc.)

    Travel Accessories:

    • Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Card (Dollar bills for tips! We like to take about $100 with us for tipping,$50 in ones and the rest in $5, $10, and $ ’20s.)
    • Books/Magazines
    • Wifi downloaded movies, etc. for the long flight
    • Laptop/ipad/cell phone
    • Headphones
    • Chargers
    • Ink Pen (to fill out forms on the plane)

    Personal Items:

    • Makeup
    • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
    • Mouthwash
    • Floss
    • Body Wash
    • Contacts/Glasses
    • Contact Solution
    • Face Wash
    • Lotion
    • Anti-Bacterial Cream (Never know when you may get a scrape and want to doctor it!)
    • Blow Dryer (Check to see if your hotel room has one, to save room in your luggage!)
    • Straightener
    • Curling Wand/Iron
    • Brush/Comb
    • Hair Oil/Protectant
    • Hair Clips/Ties
    • Hair Spray
    • Mousse
    • Shampoo/Conditioner
    • Pain Reliever

    Clothes:

    • Pajamas
    • Workout Clothes
    • Tennis Shoes
    • Socks
    • Dress Shoes (High Heels)
    • Tops and Shorts for Day Outings (Casual Clothing)
    • Dresses/Dress Clothes
    • Jewelry
    • Purses
    • Light Jacket

    Outdoor Essentials

    • Swimming Suits
    • Flip Flops
    • Sun Hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Bug Spray
    • Sunblock
    • Aloe Vera

    Other Items for Your Travel Bag

    I included the most important things above and usually don’t pack the following items, and they’re not on the packing list but I wanted to provide them in case you see something you don’t want to forget, that may be a good idea :

    • beach bag
    • rain jacket (depending on the time of year, especially if you’re visiting during a rainy season)
    • dry bag (if you plan to explore the area and hike
    • water bottle
    • first aid kit
    • lip balm
    • travel umbrella
    • comfortable shoes (if you plan on doing outdoor activities and walking a lot)

    Feel free to print off this free packing list to check things off as you go!

    Download Packing List Here!
    Free Mexico packing list download.

    I’m assuming you’re here because you’re going on vacation to Mexico soon. I so hope you have a great time. But before you go, check out my posts, to give you a better idea of what the All-Inclusive Resorts look like:

    • See our El Dorado Casitas Royale Resort Vacation
    • Take a look at how I surprised my husband for his 30th birthday at Excellence Resort

    If you’re heading to the beach, here’s a list of beach picnic snack ideas that may be helpful too!

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

    November 1, 2022

    A rectangular white platter holds charcuterie in the shape of a Christmas tree

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board: It doesn’t get more festive than your favorite meats, cheese, fruit, vegetables and nuts displayed in a Christmas tree shape. This holiday charcuterie board is the perfect appetizer for all of your Christmas parties, or holiday movie nights!

    Nuts, fruits, meats and cheeses have been arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree on a white rectangular serving platter

    I don’t know about you, but for our family, the holiday season means our calendar fills up with holiday gatherings, Christmas parties, our big family dinner, a brunch or two and the occasional cocktail party. That means I need to have some go-to appetizer recipes and Christmas dessert trays ready to go for all these events. And I think this Christmas tree meat and cheese tray is the perfect appetizer!

    Why You’ll Love This Idea

    Charcuterie boards are a no-brainer for entertaining! I don’t see the charcuterie craze ending anytime soon, especially with all of these fun charcuterie boards. Everyone makes a stop to grab a plate of their favorite meat, cheese and fruit.

    You can make this Christmas tree cheese board as simple or gourmet as you want by changing the ingredients that you use. If you omit the meat, this charcuterie tree can easily be vegetarian.

    This easy festive cheese board can be prepped a few hours before your event so you can spend time right before the party making the punch and putting out the finishing touches.

    Our simple appetizer is a festive way to add tons of holiday cheer to any table with the recognizable Christmas tree shape and adorable star topper!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    This simple recipe starts with your favorite ingredients displayed on a pretty platter or wood board. You can grab basic staples from your grocery store or local gourmet store.

    Bowls fruit, cheese and nuts and a wooden board holding different types of meat are displayed
    Holiday snack board ingredients
    • 12-15 mini pretzel sticks
    • 4-5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
    • 8 oz. yellow cheddar cheese
    • 4 oz. prosciutto
    • 1 cup fresh raspberries
    • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese pearls
    • ⅔ cup Kalamata olives
    • 4 oz. salami slices
    • 4 oz. white cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup green grapes
    • ½ cup pecan halves
    • 1 slice Havarti cheese

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes. We have lots of Christmas tree charcuterie board ideas below, too!

    Instructions

    Here are the step-by-step instructions with photos to walk you through putting together a festive charcuterie board!

    Prep your ingredients:

    1. Drain the mozzarella pearls on a paper towel lined plate.
    2. Cut the cheddar cheeses into ½ – ¾ inch cubes and set aside.
    3. Use a 2-3 inch star cookie cutter to cut a star shape from the slice of Havarti cheese.
    4. Then, tear the prosciutto into smaller pieces and set aside.
    5. Remove the stems from the green grapes and wash and dry them if necessary.

    Assemble Charcuterie Tree

    1. Now, at the bottom of a large rectangular platter or oval serving platter, group the pretzel sticks together vertically to form the Christmas tree trunk.
    2. Then, lay 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary horizontally directly above the pretzel sticks to create the bottom edge of the Christmas tree.
    A large rectangular white platter has pretzel sticks together forming the trunk of a Christmas tree charcuterie board
    Pretzel stick trunk
    Sprigs of rosemary have been laid in a horizontal line, forming the bottom edge of the Christmas tree shaped charcuterie
    Add rosemary sprigs
    1. Add a slightly shorter row of yellow cheddar cheese cubes above the rosemary. As you build the Christmas tree charcuterie board, each row will get a little shorter, creating the triangular tree shape.
    2. Next, arrange the prosciutto pieces in a row on top of the yellow cheese cubes.
    A row of cheddar cheese cubes have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Add a row of cheddar cubes
    A row of prosciutto has been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Place prosciutto in the next row
    1. Now, place a row of fresh raspberries above the prosciutto.
    2. Next, add a row of drained mozzarella pearls.
    A row of bright red raspberries have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Add raspberries
    A row of small fresh mozzarella cheese balls have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Layer mozzarella pearls
    1. Now, add a row of Kalamata olives.
    2. Now, fold the salami slices in half and in half again. Add the folded salami in a layer above the olives. They’re folded in a certain way to give a ruffled look. If you have leftover salami, you may want to practice making salami roses for a charcuterie board too.
    A row of pitted black kalamata olives have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Next, add Kalamata olives
    A row of folded salami slices have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    A row of salami is next
    1. Now, add a row of white cheddar cheese cubes.
    2. Arrange the grapes in a row above the white cheese cubes.
    A row of white cheddar cheese cubes have been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Add white cheese cubes
    A row of green grapes has been added to continue creating the shape of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Grapes are in the next row
    1. Now, use the pecan halves to form the top of the tree, angling them into a triangle.
    2. Place the cheese star at the top of the Christmas tree shape.
    Pecan halves have been added to form the pointed top of a Christmas tree on a rectangular white platter
    Shape pecan halves
    A star shaped piece of havarti cheese has been added to the top of the Christmas tree shaped charcuterie
    Add a cheese star
    1. Finally, tuck small sprigs of fresh rosemary in and around the tree to create the look of greenery. You can also use fresh dill or parsley.
    Additional sprigs of fresh rosemary have been tucked into the fruit, nuts, meats and cheese of a Christmas tree shaped platter of charcuterie
    Easy Christmas charcuterie board

    Grab some tongs and cheese knives and serve your Christmas tree snack board immediately with an assortment of dips, jams, honey, bread and crackers.

    A white rectangular serving platter holds meats, cheese, nuts and fruit that has been arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree
    Festive charcuterie board

    Variations

    This charcuterie Christmas tree recipe is SO flexible. You can use different meats, your favorite cheeses, nuts, fruits and vegetables to make the rows. Here are some different ingredients to build your tree shaped charcuterie:

    • Cubed ham
    • Sliced turkey rolled up and sliced
    • Summer sausage or kielbasa cut into cubes
    • Peppered salami
    • Baby carrots
    • Pepperjack cheese cubes
    • Swiss cheese cubes
    • Cauliflower florets
    • Blue cheese crumbles
    • Grape tomatoes
    • Red grapes
    • Strawberries
    • Green olives
    • Broccoli florets
    • Black olives
    • Blackberries
    • Blueberries
    • Chocolate covered blueberries or cherries
    • Dark chocolate morsels/chips
    • Cinnamon glazed pecan halves
    • Rosemary roasted mixed nuts
    • Roasted walnuts
    • Dried fruit like apricots, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries
    • Sprinkle pomegranate seeds to look like seasonal berries
    Close up photo of meat, cheese, fruit and nuts that has been arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree with a star shaped piece of cheese at the top

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board FAQs

    What’s typically on a charcuterie board?

    A savory charcuterie board is normally put together with various meats, cheeses, nuts, olives, pickles, spreads or dips and served with different kinds of crackers, chips, crisps and breads.

    You can also make a dessert charcuterie board with various types of cookies, candies, sweets, chocolate, cupcakes, fruit and sweet dips and spreads.

    What can I use as a charcuterie board instead of wood?

    Get creative! Large platters, food safe chargers, glass cutting boards and even a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper can be used to make a charcuterie board.

    What is a charcuterie tree?

    Simply put, a charcuterie tree is a variety of meat, cheese, nuts, olives, fruit and vegetables placed on a large platter or board in the shape of a Christmas tree!

    What is the base of a charcuterie tree?

    We use pretzel sticks as the base of our charcuterie tree (the tree trunk), but you could also use a piece of pumpernickel bread, brown crackers or large pretzel rods to make the trunk of the tree.

    Storage

    Store the individual ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    Close up photo of meat, cheese, fruit and nuts that has been arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree with a star shaped piece of cheese at the top

    More Christmas Appetizers

    If you are looking for another adorable Christmas tree shaped appetizer, how about our Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer? If you need a few sweet treats to nibble on before dinner or between red martini cocktails, this Christmas Tree Cake Dip or this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball are crowd pleasers.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A rectangular white platter holds charcuterie in the shape of a Christmas tree
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

    A Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a simple and festive holiday appetizer for all of your seasonal parties and get togethers!
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 428kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 12-15 pretzel sticks
    • 4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary
    • 8 ounces yellow cheddar cheese
    • 4 ounces prosciutto
    • 1 cup raspberries
    • 4 ounces mozzarella pearls
    • ⅔ cup Kalamata olives
    • 4 ounces salami slices
    • 4 ounces white cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup green grapes
    • ½ cup pecan halves
    • 1 slice Havarti cheese

    Instructions

    Prep Your Ingredients

    • Drain the mozzarella balls on a paper towel lined plate.
      Cut the cheddar cheeses into ½-¾ inch cubes and set aside.
      Use a 2-3 inch star cookie cutter to cut a star shape from the slice of havarti cheese.
      Then, tear the prosciutto into smaller pieces and set it aside.
      Remove the stems from grapes and wash and dry them if necessary.

    Assemble Charcuterie Tree

    • Now, on a large rectangular or oval serving platter, group the pretzel sticks together vertically in a pile to create the trunk of the Christmas tree.
    • Then, lay 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary horizontally to create the bottom edge of the Christmas tree.
    • Add a slightly smaller row of yellow cheddar cheese cubes above the rosemary. As you build the Christmas tree charcuterie board, each row will get a little shorter, creating the triangular tree shape.
    • Next, arrange the prosciutto pieces in a row on top of the yellow cheddar cheese cubes.
    • Now, place a row of raspberries above the prosciutto.
    • Place the drained mozzarella pearls in a row above the prosciutto.
    • Then, add a row of Kalamata olives.
    • Now, fold the salami slices in half and in half again. Add the folded salami in a row above the olives.
    • Add a row of white cheddar cheese cubes.
    • Arrange the grapes in a row above the white cheese cubes.
    • Now, use the pecan halves to form the top of the tree, angling them into a triangle.
    • Place the cheese star at the top of the Christmas tree shape.
    • Finally, tuck small sprigs of fresh rosemary in and around the tree to add the look of greenery.
    • Serve the Christmas tree charcuterie board immediately with dips, jam, honey, bread and crackers.

    Notes

    • The number of ingredients and quantity of ingredients may vary depending on the size of your platter. Keep additional ingredients stored in the fridge and replenish them as necessary.
    • This recipe is very flexible, so you can substitute your favorite cheeses, fruit, vegetables and olives when building the Christmas tree shape.
    • If you make the board in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator. Add the pretzel sticks just before serving.
    • We don’t recommend leaving the board out at room temperature for more than two hours.
    • To store, disassemble the tree and store individual ingredients separately in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 993mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 621IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 412mg | Iron: 1mg

    Chocolate Covered Pecans

    October 31, 2022

    white chocolate covered pecans in gray bowl

    Chocolate-Covered Pecans: A white chocolate pecans recipe that is a delicious treat and also makes a great gift! The pecans are seasoned with sweet spices and coated in chocolate! Nuts and white chocolate just seem to go together so well, and that’s why we also think you’ll love this white chocolate crock pot candy, too!

    white chocolate pecans in gray bowl
    White Chocolate Covered Pecans

    Whether you are looking for a sweet snack or a dessert idea, these can be a perfect solution. They’re also a simple treat to make and package up and give as an easy gift idea during the holiday season!

    Ingredients:

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below, along with step-by-step instructions.

    • 1 pound pecan halves
    • 1 egg white
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 bar Ghirardelli white chocolate
    spiced pecans on white plate
    Spiced pecans

    Instructions

    1. Beat egg white and vanilla in a large bowl.
    2. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
    3. Coat pecans first in egg mixture, and then stir them into spice mixture.
    4. Spread in greased shallow pan or baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 40 minutes to 1 hours, stirring every 10 minutes.
    5. Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, in the microwave at 50% for 30 seconds. Repeat until chocolate is melted.
    6. Dump the pecans into the melted chocolate, and using a slotted spoon, lay out on a cookie sheet (covered with parchment paper for easy clean-up!), or cooling rack that will allow the excess chocolate drip to drop.
    7. When chocolate hardens, enjoy this great snack!
    Pecans covered in white chocolate on cooling rack
    White Chocolate Pecans

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Chocolate – If you prefer different flavors of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate, you can absolutely use that instead! Just follow the recipe as stated, simply switching out any flavor of delicious chocolate.
    • Sprinkles – to make these specifically for a holiday, you can add some sprinkles to match the occasion! Right after coating with chocolate, before it hardens, sprinkle your favorite color of sprinkles on to the pecans.
    • Plain pecans – you can skip seasoning the pecans if you’d like, and simply just cover them in melted white chocolate but the flavor of the pecans paired with the chocolate, is amazing!

    How to Store

    If you have leftover pecans after making them, or if you make them in advance, store them in an airtight container once they have cooled off and fully hardened, for best results.

    Gift Giving

    If you plan to make these and give as gifts, some of our favorite food containers to package these up in are these kraft treat bags with windows!

    Related Recipes

    If you love these, then you’ll also love these hot chocolate muddy buddies, this Texas trash, and this homemade caramel corn! And, if you want something that the kids will love, these chocolate covered teddy bear graham crackers are just perfect.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    white chocolate covered pecans in gray bowl
    Print Pin
    4.50 from 4 votes

    White Chocolate Pecans

    Chocolate-Covered Pecans: A white chocolate pecan recipe that is a delicious treat and also makes a great gift! The pecans are seasoned with sweet spices and coated in chocolate!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes minutes
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 250kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound pecan halves
    • 1 egg white
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 bar Ghirardelli white chocolate

    Instructions

    • Beat egg white and vanilla in a large bowl.
    • Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
    • Coat pecans first in egg mixture, and then stir them into spice mixture.
    • Spread in in a greased shallow pan and bake at 200 degrees for 40 minutes to 1 hours, stirring every 10 minutes.
    • Melt white chocolate in the microwave at 50% for 30 seconds. Repeat until chocolate is melted.
    • Dump the pecans into the melted white chocolate, lift out using a slotted spoon to allow excess chocolate to drip back in to the bowl, and lay the pecans out in a single layer, on a cookie sheet, covered with wax paper, or cooling rack that will allow any access chocolate to drip off.
    • When chocolate hardens, enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.7mg

    Turkey Cranberry Sliders

    October 30, 2022

    A metal spatula holds a cranberry and turkey slider above a pan of the same slider sandwiches

    Turkey Cranberry Sliders: Take Thanksgiving leftovers from boring to brilliant! Tuck turkey, creamy Brie cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce into soft Hawaiian rolls, brush them with a savory poppy seed butter, and bake them until toasty and golden!

    Slider recipes are a favorite around here because they’re easy, perfect for entertaining and bite-size appetites. If you’re looking to try multiple slider recipes, these salmon sliders are not only delicious but they’re a great protein twist. Or these roast beef sliders are easy to make and so full of flavor too!

    A metal spatula holds a cranberry and turkey slider above a pan of the same slider sandwiches

    Let’s talk turkey! Whether you made a whole bird or cooked a turkey breast in the Instant Pot or turkey breast in the air fryer, odds are, you will have leftover turkey.

    Are you someone who cooks a larger roasted turkey and makes extra sides just so there are leftovers for the next couple of days? Me too! And boy, do I have one of the best leftover turkey recipes for you today!!

    You can also extend cranberry season by stirring some dried cranberries into fresh scones.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Let’s say it again: holiday leftovers! These baked mini turkey sandwiches are my new favorite way to repurpose leftovers (even that leftover cranberry sauce) into a whole new meal! (Or if you have leftover chicken, you can make chicken sliders too!)

    Turkey sliders are the perfect quick meal to refuel after Black Friday shopping. Just pop them in the oven while you are reheating all those Thanksgiving side dishes.

    You can channel your favorite Thanksgiving flavors any time of the year with this recipe. So, go ahead and make these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders whenever the mood strikes!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    Even if you are low on leftovers, a quick trip to the grocery store will produce all of the simple ingredients needed for this slider recipe.

    Small bowls hold various ingredients and rolls, turkey, cheese, cranberry sauce and fresh thyme are all laid out on a white marble background
    Ingredients
    • 12 King’s Hawaiian rolls – Savory Butter variety
    • ¾ lb. sliced turkey
    • 1 cup whole cranberry sauce
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • ¾ teaspoon poppy seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • fresh thyme, optional for garnish

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders

    We just a few minutes of prep and our easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step pictures, you will have a pan full of the best turkey cranberry sliders ready to eat in no time!

    1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare the bottom of an 8×11 or 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Next, using a bread knife or serrated knife, slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, taking care not to slice the bottom buns too thin.
    3. Then, place the bottom buns into the greased baking dish.
    12 Hawaiian rolls have been sliced horizontally in preparation to assemble Thanksgiving slider sandwiches
    Cut rolls in half
    The bottom buns of 12 slider rolls have been placed in a 9x13 glass baking dish in preparation to assemble slider sandwiches
    Place in dish
    1. Add the sliced turkey on top of the buns in an even layer.
    2. Next, spread the cranberry sauce over the turkey.
    Sliced turkey has been layered on top of the bottoms of slider buns to begin assembling turkey cranberry slider sandwiches
    Top with turkey
    A layer of vibrant red cranberry sauce has been added on top of sliced turkey to build a pan of slider sandwiches
    Add cranberries
    1. Top the cranberry sauce with the slices of Brie.
    2. Then, place the tops of the buns over the cheese.
    A layer of brie cheese has been added to the slider sandwiches in a 9x13 glass baking dish
    Add cheese
    The top buns of 12 sliders have been replaced and the small sandwiches are waiting to be brushed with a flavorful butter sauce before baking
    Add top buns
    1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, mustard, poppy seeds, and salt. Microwave until fully melted and stir to combine.
    2. Now, use a silicone or pastry brush to spread the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the buns, making sure to scrape any poppy seeds from the bottom of the bowl.
    A small white bowl holds melted butter and a fork is placed in the butter to stir it as other ingredients are added
    Butter
    A glass baking dish holds 12 assembled turkey cranberry slider sandwiches
    Brush on
    1. Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
    2. Finally, cut the sliders into individual sandwiches, garnish with fresh thyme and serve out of the oven.
    A glass baking dish holds 12 slider sandwiches that have been baked to golden brown and brushed with a savory butter sauce
    Thanksgiving sliders

    Oh my word! The tender turkey, that melty Brie, the gorgeous bright red cranberry sauce and the baked butter topping have me wishing it was Thanksgiving every day!

    A turkey cranberry slider sandwich rests on a white plate with a pan of the same small sandwiches in the background
    Baked turkey cranberry sliders

    Variations

    Everyone’s Thanksgiving table and pantry may look a little different, so here are a few ways to adapt this recipe to your favorite flavors and preferences!

    • Rolls – We use the savory butter variety for these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders, but you can use the original sweet Hawaiian rolls for a slightly sweeter slider.
    • Turkey – This is the perfect recipe to use that leftover Thanksgiving turkey! But deli turkey slices will work in a pinch if you have already nibbled all of that turkey away.
    • Cheese – While we used Brie cheese, use your favorite cheese for these turkey and cheese sliders. Havarti cheese, provolone cheese, sliced Swiss cheese or any mild melting cheese will be delicious.
    • Mustard – You can use yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard or stone ground mustard for a little different flavor.
    • Flavor the butter – Speaking of flavor, you can add onion powder, garlic powder or minced garlic to the butter. A dash or two of Worcestershire sauce adds a little tang and depth to the savory butter sauce as well. If you like a sweeter glaze, mix a tablespoon of brown sugar into the butter mixture.
    • Stuffing – I love the idea of adding a little leftover stuffing on top of the cranberry sauce to add one more layer of Thanksgiving flavor to these sliders!
    • Toppings – For a little extra wow factor, sprinkle the tops of the sandwiches with more poppy seeds, sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning before popping them into the oven.
    Two small white plates hold a slider sandwich with a pan of the same sliders in the background
    Cranberry turkey sliders

    FAQs

    What is a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich called?

    You may hear a sandwich made with Thanksgiving leftovers called a Gobbler or The Pilgrim.

    How long can you eat leftover Thanksgiving turkey?

    We recommend eating or freezing Thanksgiving leftovers in 3 or 4 days, so keep Monday on your radar to eat or share all of that great food! These Thanksgiving sliders are perfect for eating it up in time!

    Storage

    These delicious turkey cranberry sliders are really best when eaten fresh and toasty from the oven. While you can store leftover sliders in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, we find the bottom buns do soften and can get a little soggy.

    We don’t recommend freezing the leftover sliders, but once you taste them, I really don’t think you’ll have to worry about leftovers.

    Two small white plates hold a slider sandwich with a pan of the same sliders in the background

    More Slider Recipes

    We are huge fans of sliders around here, and are constantly trying to find a way to make new ones!

    Reader favorites are these sloppy joe slider sandwiches, these cheeseburger sliders in the oven, hot Italian sliders (or smoked Italian sliders), and these breakfast sliders!

    More Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner

    From appetizers to desserts, we have your Thanksgiving dinner menu covered!

    • Pumpkin Deviled Eggs – don’t worry, these deviled eggs just look like pumpkins!
    • Our Pumpkin Fluff Dip is a little sweet treat to tide everyone over until dinner is ready.
    • This really is the BEST green bean casserole – you can’t go wrong with bacon and cheese, right?!
    • Our corn casserole and Southern broccoli casserole are family favorites for Thanksgiving, too.
    • Pass on the pumpkin pie and make these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars or Pumpkin Patch Brownies instead!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A metal spatula holds a cranberry and turkey slider above a pan of the same slider sandwiches
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Turkey Cranberry Sliders

    Turkey Cranberry Sliders: Soft Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with Thanksgiving favorites like turkey, cranberry sauce and Brie cheese before being brushed with poppy seed butter and baked to golden perfection!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 sliders
    Calories 248kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 12 Hawaiian Rolls
    • ¾ lb sliced turkey
    • 1 cup whole cranberry sauce
    • 8 oz. Brie cheese sliced
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • ¾ teaspoon poppy seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • fresh thyme optional for garnish

    Instructions

    • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare the bottom of an 8×11 or 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Next, using a bread knife or serrated knife, slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, taking care not to cut the bottom buns too thin.
    • Then, place the bottom buns into the greased baking dish.
    • Add the sliced turkey on top of the buns in an even layer.
    • Next, spread the cranberry sauce over the turkey.
    • Top the cranberry sauce with the slices of brie.
    • Then, place the tops of the buns over the brie.
    • In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, mustard, poppy seeds and salt. Microwave until fully melted and stir to combine.
    • Now, use a brush to spread the butter mixture evenly over the top of the buns, making sure to scrape the poppy seeds out of the bottom of the bowl.
    • Cover the pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
    • Finally, cut the sliders into individual sandwiches, garnish with fresh thyme and serve hot out of the oven.

    Notes

    • This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
    • You can use yellow, dijon or stone ground mustard for the butter mixture.
    • If you like garlic, you can add a little garlic powder or minced garlic to the butter as well.
    • These are best eaten fresh and do not reheat well. If you store the leftovers, refrigerate them for up to 3 days. (The bottom buns may soften or get a bit soggy.)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slider | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich

    October 28, 2022

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich: A couple of bologna slices, an egg, a couple of slices of bread, and a pat of butter, and you’re set for a delicious breakfast recipe!

    It’s fun to mix things up for breakfast, like with these breakfast egg rolls, how they use bacon, eggs, and cheese, inside of the wrappers.

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich, cut in half, sitting on white plate

    Whether you’re looking for more affordable breakfast ideas, or just quick and easy breakfast recipes, this bologna and egg sandwich is one of the best sandwiches!

    The heartiness of egg and bologna sandwiches will hold you over until lunchtime, making this a perfect option for before school or work.

    Rotate this sandwich with others like our Hawaiian breakfast sandwich, this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, and these breakfast sliders, and you’ll never tire of the same thing!

    Why you’ll love this recipe:

    • It’s quick – It can be made and ready to eat in minutes, only dirtying one dish!
    • On-the-go – Make it, wrap it in aluminum foil or a paper towel, and send it with the kids, or your spouse, or take it yourself to eat on the way to work or school!
    • Protein-packed – Much better than filling your stomach with a ton of sweets and carbs to start your day, this sandwich has protein to help start your day right!
    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients for these bologna sandwiches

    Here’s what you need to make this easy and delicious bologna and egg sandwich. (With the addition of butter for cooking!)

    Ingredients for a fried bologna and egg sandwich

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

    • Bologna: grab your favorite kind from the store but if you’d like our recommendation, we love the thick slices of bologna. You can even get your own sliced bologna from the deli department at your local grocery store!
    • Egg: Large eggs are what we opt for but you can use any size eggs. We also fry the egg, flat; yolks and all but you can do a sunny side up egg to allow the yolk to spread on the sandwich like we did with our waffle burger!
    • Sliced bread: There’s nothing better than classic white bread for this sandwich. However you can use whole wheat bread, brioche buns, sourdough bread, or your favorite type of bread.
    • Butter: You may not need/want to use butter if you have a nonstick pan. However, we prefer using butter to cook our eggs in, and to toast our bread with. So this is optional. (See substitutions below.)

    How to make a proper fried bologna sandwich

    Nothing fancy here… but definitely a childhood favorite that’s simple and easy to make!

    1. Melt Butter (if desired): In a large skillet (or at least one big enough to cook about 2 slices of bologna at the same time if possible) melt about a tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
    2. Cook Egg: Next, crack the egg in to the skillet and bust the yolk if necessary. Cook for about 1 minute and then flip to cook the other side for an additional minute, or at least until the yolk and whites of the egg are fully cooked. Set aside.
    Cracked egg in skillet
    Crack egg in to buttered skillet
    Egg that has been flipped in skillet
    Flip egg
    1. Cook Bologna: Remove the red ring (if this is on your bologna) from the bologna and place both slices in the same frying pan. Cook bologna for about a minute on each side until it has that golden brown, glistening look! Set aside the cooked bologna slice with the cooked egg.

      Not Toasted: Place egg and bologna on two pieces of white bread and enjoy if you prefer the sandwich not to be toasted.
    2. If you Prefer a Toasted Sandwich: Place another tablespoon of butter in the hot skillet and melt. Then add a slice of bread and cook for about one minute until golden brown. Place bologna and egg on top, and then add the second slice of bread and flip the sandwich, like you would a grilled cheese.
    2 slices of bologna in frying pan
    Fry both sides of bologna
    Slice of bread with bologna and egg on top in skillet
    Toast bread with bologna and egg

    Top Tip:

    Enjoy warm! Serve immediately, or wrap in aluminum foil or a paper towel to stay warm until ready to eat, when you’re on the go!

    Fried bologna and egg sandwich on white plate

    Substitutions

    • Type of Bread: You can use your favorite type of bread for this recipe but we love white sandwich bread.
    • Different Meats: Feel free to switch out the type of lunch meat if you’d like, or even add other meats in with the bologna, such as ham, turkey, chicken (like in our chicken grilled cheese) spam, and more!
    Fried bologna and egg sandwich cut in half on white plate

    Variations

    • Add Cheese Slices: Some will also love a slice of cheese on their sandwich. For instance, a slice of cheese like American cheese would be good. Or even another melty cheese such as provolone or swiss would be incredible as well!
    • Toppings: If you’d like to add toppings to your sandwich, you may want to consider black pepper and salt, cream cheese, tomato slices, onion slices, dijon mustard, or even something like hot sauce for a kick!
    Fried bologna and egg sandwich on white plate

    Storing Tips

    This recipe makes one sandwich so the odds of you having leftovers is rare. However, if you’re wanting to make a few sandwiches in advance, so they can be easy to grab and go in the morning, you can assemble the sandwich, allow it to fully cool, and then wrap in aluminum foil or a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator until later.

    To reheat: We love reheating foods like this in our air fryer! However you can also reheat the sandwich gently, by adding it to a warm skillet to let it slowly warm back up. (Or the microwave can be a quick option but be careful warming bread up in the microwave, as it can get hard it cooked too long.)

    Hand holding fried bologna and egg sandwich

    What to Eat with This Simple Sandwich:

    It’s delicious by itself but if you’re looking to round out breakfast or even lunch, this pairs so nicely with so many other things.

    • Fresh Fruit: If you’d like to make this honey lime fruit salad ahead of time, it’s a great thing to keep on hand for another fast option in the morning. Or, this fruit platter to snack on, if entertaining is super easy to put together!
    • Fries/Chips: If you’re making this protein-packed sandwich, something like seasoned potato wedges, air fried breakfast potatoes, air fryer sweet potato fries, or even chips go great with a sandwich like this, even for lunch!

    More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love:

    • Fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sliced on white plate.
      Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
    • Hot ham and cheese sandwich on white plate
      Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
    • Peanut butter and syrup sandwich sliced in half, stacked on top of each other.
      Peanut Butter and Syrup Sandwich
    • Close up of peanut butter and jelly sandwich
      How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

    FAQ’s

    Is fried bologna a southern thing?

    It is! Although enjoyed all over, it’s commonly a sandwich you’ll find in the south.

    What does fried bologna taste like?

    Bologna is similar to hot dogs or even spam. It’s a saltier lunch meat that is processed.

    What condiments do you put on a bologna sandwich?

    Common condiments that you may put on a bologna sandwich are ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich

    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich: A couple of bologna slices, an egg, a couple of slices of bread, and a pat of butter, and you're set for a delicious breakfast recipe!
    Course Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 sandwich
    Calories 571kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 2 slices white bread
    • 1 egg
    • 2 slices bologna
    • 2 Tablespoons butter, for cooking

    Instructions

    • Melt a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet, over medium heat.
    • Crack egg in to skillet and bust egg yolk if necessary. Cook for one minute, flip and cook the other side of the egg for another minute, or until egg whites and yolk are fully cooked. Set egg aside.
    • Place both slices of bologna in hot skillet, and cook on each side for one minute, or until the bologna is heated through. Set aside with egg.
    • Melt the additional tablespoon of butter in the same skillet and add a slice of bread. Place egg and bologna on top of bread and place remaining slice of bread on top. Flip the sandwich after about one minute and toast the other slice of bread. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Enjoy warm! Serve immediately, or wrap in aluminum foil or a paper towel to stay warm until ready to eat, when you’re on-the-go!
    • Add Cheese Slices: Some will also love a slice of cheese on their sandwich. For instance, a slice of cheese like American cheese would be good. Or even another melty cheese such as provolone or swiss would be incredible as well!
    • Toppings: If you’d like to add toppings to your sandwich, you may want to consider black pepper and salt, cream cheese, tomato slices, onion slices, dijon mustard, or even something like hot sauce for a kick!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 257mg | Sodium: 1019mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg

    Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable

    October 27, 2022

    A popcorn ball that has been rolled in red and green sprinkles has been placed in a cellophane bag that is tied closed with red ribbon.

    Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable: A classic childhood favorite, these marshmallow popcorn balls get all dressed up for holiday gift giving with a free gift tag printable!

    A Christmas popcorn ball has been wrapped in a cellophane bag that is tied closed with a red ribbon and a festive holiday gift tag

    We love popcorn around here! If you follow my social media, you may have seen that our boys have become young entrepreneurs selling popcorn and lemonade in our neighborhood and at our local farmers market.

    So, it’s no surprise that this homemade popcorn in the microwave (that can easily become a delicious popcorn treat, much like this caramel corn recipe) is near and dear to my heart.

    Needless to say, Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable is my favorite way to give one of our favorite holiday treats to our friends and family at Christmas.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    There are only 5 ingredients use to make our homemade popcorn balls! Easy recipes like this one are perfect for this busy time of year.

    Just like these nostalgic cornflake wreaths, this recipe for old-fashioned popcorn balls takes me back to childhood. Anyone else remember these traditional popcorn balls from your family’s kitchen?

    There is no light corn syrup in our recipe and you don’t need a candy thermometer. We use basic pantry ingredients and the same process used to make rice crispy treats. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

    Christmas treats, like these Christmas popcorn balls, are perfect for gift-giving during the holiday season. You can make a batch for a holiday party, for your service workers or to treat your favorite people! (Make them along with this Candy Cane Pie to really get in the spirit!)

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    When a recipe starts with key ingredients that are easily found in my kitchen and pantry, I know I can whip it up at a moment’s notice. This recipe for popcorn balls in one to keep handy for any holiday or event.

    Bowls of popcorn, mini marshmallows, butter, sprinkles and vanilla extract and wrapping supplies are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients
    • 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
    • 8 cups of popped popcorn
    • 10 oz. mini marshmallows
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup Christmas colored sprinkles (optional: additional sprinkles for garnish)

    To wrap Christmas Popcorn Balls with free gift tag printable:

    • 6 striped paper straws cut in half
    • 12 cellophane bags
    • Ribbon
    • 12 Printed “Popping By to Say Happy Holidays” gift tags (or, here is the PDF version of the gift tag)

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    If you have made rice krispie treats, then you will have no trouble following this Christmas popcorn balls recipe. We’ve got step-by-step instructions with pictures below so you can easily follow along and make these sweet and salty treats!

    1. First, if necessary, prepare the popcorn. We love to make homemade popcorn in the microwave. Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Sort through it and remove any unpopped kernels and set the popcorn aside.
    2. Next, in a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and the butter and marshmallows are completely incorporated.
    A white dutch oven holds mini marshmallows and a pat of butter
    Marshmallows and butter
    A white dutch oven holds ooey gooey melted marshmallow
    Melt the butter and marshmallows until smooth
    1. Remove the pot from the heat and stir the vanilla extract into the marshmallow mixture.
    2. Then, pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the bowl of popcorn and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the butter/marshmallow coating to cool slightly.
    Vanilla extract has been added to a white dutch oven full of ooey gooey melted marshmallow
    Remove from heat and add vanilla
    Melted marshmallow has been poured over a bowl full of popped popcorn
    Pour over popcorn
    1. Then, using a spatula or clean hands, stir or mix the popcorn until the marshmallow mixture is evenly coated over the popcorn. *IMPORTANT: Be careful not to mix the popcorn mixture with your hands right after you’ve added the marshmallow mixture or you can risk being burned by the hot butter/marshmallow.
    2. Now, add the Christmas sprinkles to the popcorn and mix them in.
    3. Finally, with clean hands, form the popcorn mixture into 12 balls and place them onto a sheet of parchment paper.
    Two hands are mixing together a bowl of popped popcorn and melted marshmallow
    Mix popcorn
    6 round marshmallow popcorn balls have been placed on a piece of parchment paper
    Form popcorn into balls

    While it is optional, I love to roll the popcorn in extra sprinkles for easy Christmas popcorn balls. Who doesn’t love sprinkles?

    6 marshmallow popcorn balls have been sprinkled with red and green jimmies
    Add extra sprinkles
    A close up of a marshmallow popcorn ball that has been rolled in red and green Christmas sprinkles
    Christmas popcorn balls

    To package Christmas Popcorn Balls with a Free Gift Tag Printable

    1. First, insert a cut straw half into the center of each popcorn ball and let them cool fully.
    2. Then, place a popcorn ball pop in each cellophane bag. Punch a hole in each gift tag and be sure to fill out the “to and from”.
    A red and white paper straw has been cut in half and inserted into the center of a sprinkle covered marshmallow popcorn ball
    Insert a straw into each popcorn ball
    Gift tags that read "Popping By to say Happy Holidays" are displayed on a white marble background surrounded with colorful Christmas colored sprinkles
    Free printable gift tags
    1. Finally, tie each bag closed with a ribbon and gift tag.
    Close up photo of a marshmallow popcorn ball that has been wrapped in a cellophane gift tag that is tied closed with a red ribbon and festive holiday gift tag
    Christmas Popcorn Balls

    A tray of these Christmas popcorn balls all wrapped up would make a wonderful favor for guests to take home after a holiday party. I am a big fan of a little snack for the drive home!

    Or, I used popcorn on this Dessert Christmas Charcuterie and these popcorn balls would look amazing on a board too!

    Variations

    Here are a few more ways to make and decorate these Christmas popcorn balls:

    • We made these popcorn balls using a stove top method, but you can use a microwave-safe bowl to melt butter and the marshmallows. Either way, please be careful when handling the hot marshmallow mixture.
    • For some added festive flair, set the popcorn balls into Christmas cupcake liners before tucking them into the cellophane bags. A cupcake paper adds a little more color and provides a flat bottom when placed in the bag.
    • Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle white chocolate over the popcorn balls and add more sprinkles for a different way to decorate these holiday treats.
    • For a seasonal twist, add red or green food coloring to the marshmallow mixture for tinted popcorn balls.

    How to Store Christmas Popcorn Balls

    Store any leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. The popcorn will soften but the popcorn balls will still taste delicious.

    We don’t really recommend freezing these holiday popcorn balls. Honestly, they are so yummy that you won’t need to worry about leftovers!

    A marshmallow popcorn ball has been placed in a cellophane bag that is tied closed with a red ribbon and a festive holiday gift tag
    Easy Popcorn Balls

    Easy Christmas Recipes

    Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable are an easy, no-bake Christmas dessert. Here are a few more of our favorite easy Christmas recipes:

    • This Christmas Tree Cake Dip is a sweet dessert dip made with Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and is a big time crowd pleaser!
    • Our Cornflake Wreaths start with cornflakes and an ooey gooey marshmallow mixture just like these popcorn balls. You’ll love decorating the cute little wreath cookies, or for a similar cookie, this cornflake candy will be a breeze to make!
    • A Christmas Chocolate Chip Cheeseball will make your holiday dessert table fun, festive and delicious!
    • This Sweet Christmas Chex Mix recipe is perfect for snacking on during the holidays, and it’s easy to make!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A popcorn ball that has been rolled in red and green sprinkles has been placed in a cellophane bag that is tied closed with red ribbon.
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable

    Christmas Popcorn Balls with Free Gift Tag Printable: A classic childhood favorite, these marshmallow popcorn balls get all dressed up for holiday gift giving with a free gift tag printable!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 popcorn balls
    Calories 143kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 8 cups popped popcorn
    • 10 ounces mini marshmallows
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup Christmas colored sprinkles optional: extra sprinkles for garnish

    To wrap the popcorn balls for gifting

    • 6 striped paper straws, cut in half
    • 12 cellophane bags
    • ribbon
    • 12 printed gift tags You can download the gift tags here!

    Instructions

    • First, if necessary, prepare the popcorn and set it aside in a large mixing bowl. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels.
    • Next, in a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring constantly.
    • Remove the pot from the heat and stir the vanilla extract into the marshmallow mixture.
    • Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the bowl of popcorn and let the popcorn sit for a few minutes to allow the butter/marshmallow coating to cool slightly.
    • Then, using a rubber spatula or clean hands, stir/mix the popcorn so that the marshmallow mixture is evenly coated over the popcorn. *SEE NOTES*
    • Now, stir in the sprinkles and mix them in.
    • Finally, with clean hands, form the popcorn into 12 balls and place them onto a sheet of parchment paper. While it is optional, I like to roll the popcorn balls in extra sprinkles.

    To package the popcorn balls for gifts

    • Insert a cut straw half into the center of each popcorn ball and allow them to cool fully.
    • Place a popcorn ball pop in each bag.
    • Punch a hole in each gift tag and fill out the "to and from". Tie each bag closed with a ribbon and a gift tag.

    Notes

    • IMPORTANT: Be careful not to mix the popcorn mixture with your hands right after you’ve added the marshmallow mixture or you can risk being burned by the hot butter/marshmallow.
    • You can use any type of popcorn for this recipe: stovetop popcorn, bagged microwaved popcorn, homemade microwave popcorn or pre-popped from the grocery store deli. If you use pre-buttered popcorn, the popcorn balls with have a slightly saltier flavor.
    • Store any leftover Christmas popcorn balls in an airtight, sealed container for up to 5-7 days. The popcorn may soften but the popcorn balls will still taste delicious.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1popcorn ball | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    October 26, 2022

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: The perfect easy side dish for weeknight dinners or an elegant side dish for a special occasion!

    This easy recipe for asparagus and bacon is right up there on our list of salty bacon and maple syrup favorites (it might even be tied with our baked brie with maple syrup and bacon recipe)!

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    I’m a big fan of asparagus (those deep green stalks are packed full of vitamins A, C and K), but it’s not exactly a family favorite.

    That’s where this savory side dish comes in- I think my family would eat just about anything if you wrapped it in a piece of bacon (and I don’t blame them)!

    Wrapping tender asparagus stalks in pieces of bacon is a delicious way to add some variety to the vegetables hitting the dinner table!

    Who knows, this tasty side dish might even end up becoming a family favorite and show up in one of your repeat spring dinner meals!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    Asparagus season runs from February to June, with the peak season hitting around April. That means that spring is the perfect time to be making ALL the asparagus appetizers because you’ll have access to the best asparagus out there.

    [Not to worry though- even during the “off” season you should still be able to find asparagus bundles in your local grocery stores.]

    This easy appetizer only requires 5 ingredients and is sure to be a hit all year round!

    • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears
    • 6 strips bacon
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    How to Make Baked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. and line your baking sheet with parchment paper (optional: if you don’t have parchment paper you can brush your baking sheet with olive oil to keep bacon from sticking).
    2. Wash your asparagus stalks & lightly dry them. Break off the ends, or cut 1" off the bottom (you do this to remove the woody ends of the asparagus). Divide asparagus into groups of 4-6. The number of spears you have will just depend on how big the individual spears of asparagus are.
    Asparagus bunches wrapped with raw bacon on cookie sheet
    Wrap asparagus with bacon
    1. Wrap one slice of bacon around 4-6 asparagus stalks, folding the end of the bacon wrap under the asparagus. Place bundles on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining asparagus and bacon slices. 
    Bacon wrapped asparagus being drizzled with sauce
    Drizzle sauce over asparagus
    1. Mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, & black pepper in a small bowl, and warm up for 15-20 seconds in the microwave. This will make it easier to stir together. 
    2. Remove your sauce mixture from the microwave and stir together. Drizzle the sauce mixture over your bacon-wrapped bundle of asparagus.
    Bacon wrapped asparagus bunches on cookie sheet
    Bacon wrapped asparagus ready for baking
    1. Place your baking sheet of bacon asparagus into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. 
    Cooked bacon wrapped asparagus
    Baked bacon wrapped asparagus
    1. Lastly, set your oven to broil and broil your bacon and asparagus for 3 minutes (be sure to watch closely so your food doesn’t burn). This will help to create a nice, crispy bacon strip. 
    2. Remove from the oven, being careful not to burn yourself on the bacon grease, serve and enjoy!

    Substitutions

    We hope you can find an easy way to make this delicious side dish work for your lifestyle and dietary needs. Here are a few suggestions for how to adapt this baked asparagus recipe…

    • Bacon – if you don’t eat pork, try using turkey or chicken bacon as an easy bacon replacement! Simply replace the 6 slices bacon called for in the recipe with turkey or chicken bacon and prepare the recipe as directed (you may need to add a minute or two to the broiling step to ensure your turkey or chicken bacon crisps up).
    • Gluten-free – regular soy sauce is not gluten-free, but don’t worry! If you follow a strictly gluten free lifestyle, look for a gluten-free soy sauce that uses rice instead of wheat (you should be able to find it in most grocery stores).

    Note: this is a great side dish for those looking to follow a low carb diet!

    Variations for Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    This asparagus dish would be super easy to experiment with; try these simple variations to create an entirely new flavor profile!

    • Sweet – coat your bacon wrapped asparagus with brown sugar before baking to create a sweet, caramelized sugar coating
    • Savoury – replace the sauce mixture in this recipe with a balsamic glaze
    • Kid friendly – coat your bacon wrapped asparagus with parmesan cheese before baking to add a cheesy flavor your kids are sure to enjoy
    • Spicy – try adding a few red pepper flakes to your sauce mixture before drizzling it on your bacon wrapped asparagus to take it to the next level!

    I think my favorite way to eat these would be with a few red pepper flakes added into the maple syrup sauce- sweet and spicy!

    Storage

    Store your bacon wrapped asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge once cooled and they will stay fresh for 4-5 days. To reheat them, place them back on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook in a 400 F oven until warmed through.

    Psst…bacon wrapped asparagus is a great option for a snack the next day!

    These ingredients don’t stand up well to freezing.

    Bacon wrapped asparagus bunches on white plate on counter

    Expert Tips and FAQs

    How long to bake asparagus in the oven?

    Asparagus cooks in about 10 minutes in the oven when the stalks are laid out in a single layer. In this recipe, we are bundling 4-6 asparagus stalks together and wrapping them in bacon (bacon cooks a bit more slowly than asparagus) which is why the cook time called for is 25 minutes with additional broil time at the end!

    Can I cook bacon wrapped asparagus on the grill?

    We haven’t tried it, but yes I think you could! Brush your grill/bbq with oil to keep them from sticking, place your asparagus bundles right on the grill and close the lid. Grill them for 5-8 minutes per side until the bacon slices look crispy and the asparagus is tender.

    Related Recipes

    If you liked this bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe, you’ll also like this air fryer bacon, these bacon-wrapped blue cheese dates, and this air fryer asparagus!

    Also, asparagus pairs nicely with a red meat main course like an oven-baked ribeye steak or grilled venison steak!

    Recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: The perfect easy side dish for weeknight dinners or an elegant side dish for a special occasion!
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 126kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears
    • 6 strips bacon
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees f. and line your baking sheet with parchment paper (optional: if you don't have parchment paper you can brush your baking sheet with olive oil to keep bacon from sticking.
    • Wash your asparagus stalks & lightly dry them. Break off the ends, or cut 1" off the bottom (you do this to remove the woody ends of the asparagus). Divide asparagus into groups of 4-6. The number of spears you have will just depend on how big the individual spears of asparagus are.
    • Wrap one slice of bacon around 4-6 asparagus stalks, folding the end of the bacon wrap under the asparagus. Place bundles on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining asparagus and bacon slices.
    • Mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, & black pepper in a small bowl, and warm up for 15-20 seconds in the microwave. This will make it easier to stir together. 
    • Remove your sauce mixture from the microwave and stir together. Drizzle the sauce mixture over your bacon wrapped bundle of asparagus.
    • Place your baking sheet of bacon asparagus into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. 
    • Lastly, set your oven to broil and broil your bacon and asparagus for 3 minutes (be sure to watch closely so your food doesn't burn). This will help to create a nice, crispy bacon strip.
    • Remove from the oven, being careful not to burn yourself on the bacon grease, serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    STORAGE: Store your bacon wrapped asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge once cooled and they will stay fresh for 4-5 days. To reheat them, place them back on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook in a 400 F oven until warmed through.
    These ingredients don’t stand up well to freezing.
    SUBSTITUTIONS:
    • Bacon – if you don’t eat pork, try using turkey or chicken bacon as an easy bacon replacement! Simply replace the 6 slices bacon called for in the recipe with turkey or chicken bacon and prepare the recipe as directed (you may need to add a minute or two to the broiling step to ensure your turkey or chicken bacon crisps up).
    • Gluten-free – regular soy sauce is not gluten-free, but don’t worry! If you follow a strictly gluten free lifestyle, look for a gluten-free soy sauce that uses rice instead of wheat (you should be able to find it in most grocery stores).
    NOTE: this is a great side dish for those looking to follow a low carb diet!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 581IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

    Peppermint Cupcakes

    October 25, 2022

    Peppermint cupcakes on baking rack

    Peppermint Cupcakes: A white cake mix that uses simple ingredients to make the cupcakes better than a boxed mix, with peppermint extract added for the perfect touch of flavor! Then, if desired, a homemade buttercream frosting with peppermint candies on top!

    Peppermint cupcakes on baking sheet
    Peppermint Cupcakes

    When one of our favorite chocolate cakes with peppermint went over so well, I knew it was time to add something like this to our easy dessert recipes. But this time, I wanted it to be a batch of cupcakes since so many seem to love our cupcake recipes too!

    Why you’ll love these:

    • They use a cake mix! But…I do a few things to it, to make them better than a cake mix cupcake recipe! I also love using a cake mix for this other holiday, eggnog tres leches cake.
    • The vanilla cupcake has a hint of peppermint flavor (like in our chocolate mint cupcakes) that gives an almost “cooling” feel when you bite in to it. They’re perfect any time of year but especially around the holiday season, or for holiday parties!
    • With the peppermint cupcake topped with this homemade buttercream and crushed peppermint candies, it’s a flavor combination that can’t be beat!
    • They’re perfect when entertaining for Christmas! The peppermint flavor, individual little cakes… it just makes perfect sense! (If you love peppermint, you’ll also want to try this candy cane pie recipe!)

    Ingredients:

    This recipe uses simple ingredients, that you can find at almost any grocery store!

    Cupcake Ingredients

    • 16.25-ounce white cake mix
    • ½ cup melted butter
    • 3 egg whites
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract

    Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

    • ½ Cup Vegetable Shortening½
    •  Cup Unsalted Butter (1 stick softened)
    • 4 Cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
    • 2 Tablespoons Milk (or heavy cream)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Pinch of salt
    • About 20 peppermint candies
    Ingredients for peppermint cupcakes
    Ingredients

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Peppermint Extract: We do not put peppermint extract in to the buttercream, as we think the peppermint in the cupcakes and the crushed peppermint candies on top of the cupcake, are the perfect amount of flavor. However, feel free to add a small drop (it’s very powerful!) to the buttercream for a strong peppermint flavor to make a peppermint frosting. You may even want to try our mint buttercream recipe for these!
    • Cupcake Flavor: You can use a yellow cake mix, or even chocolate to make chocolate peppermint cupcakes if you prefer. If using something other than a white cake mix, you can use the egg yolks too, instead of just the egg whites.
    • Melted butter vs. Oil for Cupcakes: If you don’t have butter for the cupcakes, you can use vegetable oil.
    • Peppermint Candies: Feel free to use crushed candy canes, or even mini candy canes for a special Christmas idea!

    Instructions

    First, you’ll want to make the cupcakes. Then, while the cupcakes are cooling, it’s a great time to make the buttercream frosting.

    TIP: If you plan to make this buttercream frosting recipe, go ahead and get the stick of butter out, so it can be softening while you’re baking the cupcakes.

    How to make the cupcakes:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
    2. In a large bowl, pour in cake mix, melted butter, egg whites, water, and peppermint extract.
    3. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. (If using a Kitchenaid mixer, use the paddle attachment if you have it. (I only had my whisk attachment, so I used that. Using this makes the cupcakes airier too.)
    cake mix and butter in white mixing bowl
    Make cupcakes
    Cupcake batter in mixing bowl
    Cupcake Batter
    1. Pour about 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter in to each cupcake liner, in the muffin cups. (Or ⅔ full.) I use a cookie scoop for this to make it easier.
    cupcake batter in cupcake pan
    Pour batter in liners
    1. Bake the cupcakes for 12 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes bounce back when your finger gently touches them. If it leaves an indention, the cupcakes need to bake longer.

      Remove from the cupcake pan and place cupcakes on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
    baked cupcakes on cooling rack with oven mit behind them
    Baked peppermint cupcakes

    How to make the buttercream frosting:

    1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the stick of softened butter and shortening until light and fluffy. You may need to use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides a couple of times to make sure the ingredients blend evenly. (Make sure to turn the mixer off before scraping.)
    2. Next, start adding the powdered sugar, making sure the mixer is on low speed, for about 1 cup at a time, mixing together completely before adding the next cup of sugar. Do this until all of the powdered sugar has been mixed in.
    butter and crisco in mixing bowl
    Butter & Crisco
    Powdered sugar pouring in to mixing bowl
    Add powdered sugar
    1. Add in vanilla extract, and mix in completely.
    2. Then, pour in the milk and mix on medium-high speed until the buttercream looks fully combined and fluffy.
    vanilla pouring in to mixing bowl
    Add vanilla
    Milk pouring in to mixing bowl
    Add milk
    1. Optional: Although optional, I do recommend adding a pinch of salt and mixing it in to the buttercream.
    hand pinching salt for buttercream
    Add salt
    Buttercream frosting in piping bag
    Buttercream in piping bag
    1. If you have a piping bag, it’s time to place the buttercream in to a large piping bag, and begin piping the frosting on to the cupcakes. You can spread the frosting on to the cupcakes instead, if that’s what you prefer!
    Buttercream piping on to cupcake
    Add buttercream
    Peppermint candies on top of cupcakes
    Add peppermints
    1. Unwrap peppermint candies and place them in to a small plastic, sealable bag, and crush them until fine.
    Peppermint candies in plastic bag
    Crush peppermints
    1. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies on top of the buttercream, on the cupcakes.
    Peppermint cupcakes on baking rack
    Finished Peppermint Cupcakes

    Storage

    If you have leftover cupcakes, leaving them out will result in the cupcakes and buttercream getting hard. It’s best to place them in a single layer in an airtight container, and place in the refrigerator (since it has milk in the buttercream).

    Peppermint cupcake sliced in half
    Airy peppermint cupcakes

    Related Recipes

    If you’re a fan of peppermint recipes, you’re going to love this peppermint latte recipe and these chocolate-dipped waffle bowls that are rimmed in peppermints, which are perfect to serve desserts in!

    Or, for an easy Christmas no-bake dessert recipe, you’re going to love this Christmas Tree Cake Dip!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Peppermint cupcakes on baking rack
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Peppermint Cupcakes

    Peppermint Cupcakes: A vanilla cake mix that uses simple ingredients to make the cupcakes better than a boxed mix, with peppermint extract added for the perfect touch of flavor! Then, if desired, a homemade buttercream frosting with peppermint candies on top!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time 32 minutes minutes
    Servings 24 cupcakes
    Calories 275kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    Peppermint Cupcake Ingredients

    • 16.25 ounce box white cake mix
    • ½ cup melted butter
    • 3 egg whites
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

    Buttercream Ingredients

    • ½ cup vegetable shortening
    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
    • 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
    • 2 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch of salt optional
    • 20 peppermint candies

    Instructions

    How to Make the Peppermint Cupcakes

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line the cupcake pan (or muffin tin) with cupcake liners.
    • In a large mixing bowl, pour in the cake mix, melted butter, egg whites, water, and peppermint extract, and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
    • Pour about 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter in to each cupcake liner. (Or ⅔ full.)
    • Bake the cupcakes for 12 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes bounce back when your finger gently touches them. If it leaves an indention, the cupcakes need to bake longer.
      Remove from the cupcake pan and place cupcakes on a wire rack to cool.

    How to Make the Buttercream Frosting

    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the stick of softened butter and shortening until light and fluffy. You may need to use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides a couple of times to make sure the ingredients blend evenly.
    • Next, start adding the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing together completely before adding the next cup of sugar. Do this until all of the powdered sugar has been mixed in.
    • Add in vanilla extract, and mix in completely. Then, pour in the milk and mix in until buttercream looks fully combined and fluffy.
    • Optional: Although optional, I do recommend adding a pinch of salt and mixing it in to the buttercream.
    • If you have a piping bag, it's time to place the buttercream in to the piping bag, and begin piping the frosting on to the cupcakes. You can spread the frosting on to the cupcakes instead, if that's what you prefer!
    • Unwrap peppermint candies and place them in to a small plastic, sealable bag, and crush them until fine.
    • Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies on top of the buttercream, on the cupcakes. Serve!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball with M&M’s

    October 24, 2022

    A sweet cheeseball that has bee rolled in colorful M&M's is centered with pretzels and sugar wafer cookies waiting for dipping

    Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball with M&M’s: The inside of this easy, no bake dessert cheese ball tastes like peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough and the outside is covered in colorful M&M’s!

    A sweet dessert cheese ball covered in colorful M&Ms is surrounded by pretzel twists and vanilla sugar wafer cookies

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Oh my word! This no bake chocolate chip cream cheese dessert is pretty much a mash-up of some of my favorite things: cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and M&Ms!

    This may be shaped like a ball, but it has the same wonderful dippability as those sweet dessert dips (such as this fruit dip with marshmallow fluff) that everyone loves! So if you love chocolate chip dip or cheesecake dip, then this dessert is going to be your favorite sweet treat!

    This sweet dessert cheese ball can be prepped the day before your event. So, this is a time-saving, no fail recipe for those special occasions like a birthday party, baby shower or holiday party.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    With simple ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store (and most likely, your pantry!) this chocolate chip cheeseball recipe is a must make!

    A block of cream cheese, a stick of butter and bowls of chocolate chips, peanut butter, powdered sugar are displayed on a white marble background
    The sweet ingredients
    • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened at room temperature
    • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup M&M’s for coating

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, instructions, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    If you’ve made a savory cheese ball, then you’ll be right at home making a sweet dessert version. If you’ve never made a cheese ball before, the step-by-step instructions with pictures below will make you a pro in no time.

    1. First, in a large mixing bowl, cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer until they are well combined.
    A glass mixing bowl holds a block of cream cheese and powdered sugar
    Cream cheese & powdered sugar
    A hand mixer is creaming together cream cheese and powdered sugar in a glass mixing bowl
    Mix well
    1. Add butter, vanilla, and brown sugar and mix again.
    2. Then, add peanut butter and chocolate chips to the cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined.
    A stick of butter, vanilla extract and brown sugar have been added to a mixing bowl with a cream cheese mixture and a hand mixer is poised to mix it all together
    Add butter, vanilla and sugar
    Peanut butter and chocolate chips have been added to a fluffy sweet cream cheese mixture in a glass mixing bowl and a hand mixer is waiting to mix it all together
    Add peanut butter and chocolate chips
    1. Now, lay a large piece of plastic wrap or wax paper on your counter or a flat work surface. Using a rubber spatula, gather the cream cheese mixture from the bowl and form it into a ball using your hands. (This may get messy but continue to work it until it makes a solid shape.)
    A glass mixing bowl holds a fluffy caramel colored mixture of cream cheese, peanut butter, chocolate chips, brown sugar, vanilla and powdered sugar
    creamy cookie dough mixture
    A sweet cream cheese mixture made with peanut butter and chocolate chips is formed into a ball
    shape into a ball
    1. Next, wash your hands and wrap the dessert cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap.
    2. Chill the wrapped ball for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
    3. Just before serving, spread the M&M’s on a plate or in a shallow dish. Unwrap the dessert cheese ball and roll it in the M&M’s to cover the surface. You can manually press M&M’s into any spots that still need to be covered.
    Sweet dessert cheese ball mixture has been formed into a ball and wrapped in plastic wrap
    wrap tightly & chill
    A chilled dessert cheese ball is resting on a white plate of colorful M&Ms
    roll in M&Ms
    1. Finally, place the dessert cheese ball in the center of a serving tray and add your favorite cookies, crackers, pretzels or fruit for dipping.
    Birdseye photo of a dessert cheese ball covered in colorful M&Ms plated with pretzels and vanilla sugar wafer cookies
    Easy cheese ball recipe

    Substitutions & Variations

    This is such an easy dessert cheeseball recipe that you’ll make it again and again. Here are a few ways to adjust the recipe for your preferences and get creative!

    • We used full-fat cream cheese, but you can use lower fat cream cheese to save a few calories.
    • You can use crunchy peanut butter instead of the creamy peanut butter we used for this sweet cheese ball.
    • Switch up the chips! Instead of regular semi-sweet chocolate chips, you can add the same amount of mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips.
    • For additional texture and flavor, add ⅓ cup-½ cup of chopped pecans, chopped honey roasted peanuts, graham cracker crumbs (trust me!) or toffee bits to the cream cheese mixture.
    • We served this easy dessert with pretzels and sugar wafer cookies. Try serving it with different dippers like vanilla wafers, graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, Ritz crackers, Teddy grahams, apple slices or strawberry halves.
    • To make this a no bake Christmas dessert, use seasonal red and green colored M&M’s! For Halloween, look for spooky orange and black M&M’s. Pastel Easter or Spring M&M’s are perfect for springtime sweet cheese balls. You can even order special colors of M&M’s online to match the colors or theme of any event you are hosting.
    • Try rolling this dessert cheese ball in mini M&M’s, dark chocolate M&Ms, the caramel flavored M&M’s or even peanut butter M&M’s.
    • Finally, you can roll the cream cheese mixture into mini sweet cheese balls for a bite-sized version of this sweet treat. If you are making mini dessert cheese balls, then we would recommend using miniature chocolate chips in the filling and mini M&M’s for the coating.
    A hand is holding a pretzel twist that has been dipped into a sweet cream cheese peanut butter chocolate chip mixture
    Dessert cheese ball

    What to Serve with this Dessert Ball

    So many things can go great with a dessert cheeseball like this. Here are our favorites:

    • graham crackers
    • Teddy Graham’s (especially these Chocolate covered Teddy Grahams)
    • cookies
    • apples
    • vanilla wafers
    • Biscoff cookies (and then use the rest to make these delicious Biscoff truffles.)

    Storage

    Wrap any leftover chocolate chip dessert cheese ball in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 1 week. The colors from the M&M’s may run a bit from the condensation, but it will still taste delicious.

    If you want to freeze this M&M cheese ball, I recommend wrapping the uncoated dessert ball in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and popping it in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then roll it in the M&M’s.

    A close up photo of a dessert cheese ball covered in colorful M&Ms and served with pretzels and cookies for dipping
    Sweet cream cheese dessert

    Related Recipes

    Chocolate chip lovers, this no bake dessert dip called Booty Dip will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth! And for my cheesecake fans, our Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries are the no bake treats for you! Don’t worry peanut butter people, this no bake Peanut Butter Pie will knock your peanut butter loving socks off!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A sweet cheeseball that has bee rolled in colorful M&M's is centered with pretzels and sugar wafer cookies waiting for dipping
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball with M&M’s

    Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball with M&M's: The inside of this easy, no bake dessert cheese ball tastes like peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough and the outside is covered in colorful M&M's!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time 1 hour hour
    Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 304kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened at room temperture
    • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened at room temperture
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup M&Ms for coating

    Instructions

    • First, in a large bowl using a hand mixer, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar. Mix until well combined.
    • Add butter, vanilla and brown sugar and mix again.
    • Then, add the peanut butter and chocolate chips to the cream mixture and mix until well combined.
    • Now, lay a length of plastic wrap on your counter or a flat work surface. Using a rubber spatula, gather the cream cheese mixture from the bowl and form it into a ball using your hands. (This may get messy but continue to work it until it makes a solid shape.)
    • Next, wash your hands and wrap the dessert cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap.
    • Chill the wrapped ball for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
    • Just before serving, spread the M&M's on a plate or in a shallow dish. Unwrap the dessert cheese ball and roll it through the M&M's to cover the surface. You can manually press M&M's into any spots that still need covered.
    • Finally, place the dessert cheese ball in the center of a serving tray and add your favorite cookies, crackers, pretzels or fruit for dipping.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can make this ahead of time and chill this treat overnight. Before rolling it in the M&M’s, let the cheese ball sit for about 10 minutes before unwrapping it.
    • To store any leftovers, wrap the cheesecake ball in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
    • If you want to freeze this M&M cheese ball, I recommend wrapping the uncoated dessert ball in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and popping it in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then roll it in the M&M’s.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

    Delicious Swedish Meatballs

    October 23, 2022

    Close up photo of a white plate full of cooked egg noodles topped with meatballs in a creamy sauce

    Delicious Swedish Meatballs: Tender homemade beef meatballs are tossed in a luscious cream sauce that can be served over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes in this classic comfort food recipe!

    A white plate holds cooked egg noodles topped with baked meatballs in a creamy sauce

    When I am planning main course for our family, meatballs are the star of some of my favorite recipes. These Easy Meatballs Stuffed Bell Peppers are one of our favorites for a quick week night meal. Our saucy Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs make a great meatball sub on a toasted roll or by themselves. Now, I’m so excited to share this easy Swedish meatball recipe with you!

    Why You’ll Love this Recipe for Swedish Meatballs

    This is quick and cozy comfort food in under an hour! Who needs IKEA meatballs when you can make them at home?

    You only need one bowl, one baking dish and one skillet to make this recipe. Less dishes mean more time spent with your friends and family!

    If you need to feed a crowd, you can easily double or triple this recipe for Swedish meatballs.

    Serve them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or rice for even more deliciousness, like we did with this chicken and gravy recipe!

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    Ingredients

    Recipes with simple ingredients are my favorite! All of the ingredients for this meatball recipe can be found at your local grocery store.

    Ground beef, an egg, bowls of spices and milk are displayed on a white marble background

    For the traditional Swedish meatballs:

    • ½ lb. ground beef
    • 1 large egg
    • 3 tablespoons of milk
    • ¼ cup plain bread crumbs
    • 1 tablespoon onion flakes
    • ½ tablespoon dried parsley
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    Milk, butter, flour and bowls of spices are displayed on a white marble background

    For the Swedish meatball sauce:

    • 3 tablespoons salted butter
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 3 teaspoons beef bouillon powder (or 3 beef bouillon cubes)
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 cups milk

    See the printable recipe card below for recipe instructions, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    Is this is your first time making homemade meatballs, it is easier than you think. (Now, we love a good frozen meatball recipe too but when you have time to make homemade like these… it’s hard to beat.)

    We’ve got step-by-step instructions with photos so you can make these Swedish meatballs at home!

    To make the meatballs:

    1. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    2. In a large bowl, use your hands or a spoon to mix together the beef, egg, milk, bread crumbs, onion flakes, dried parsley, black pepper and nutmeg until it is well combined.
    3. Next, use a spoon or a cookie scoop to shape the mixture into small (1-inch) meatballs. This recipe makes between 20 and 22 meatballs.
    4. Now, place the uncooked meatballs in the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes or until the center of the meatballs is no longer pink. You can also brown the meatballs in a large skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil until cooked through. If you cook the meatballs in a skillet, make sure to rotate the meatballs so they brown on all side and stay relatively round. Once cooked, set the meatballs aside and keep them warm.
    A glass mixing bowl holds ground beef, bread crumbs, an egg and spices to mix to make meatballs
    Combine meatball ingredients
    A cookie scoop in the foreground holds a scoop of meatball mix and a tray full of shaped meatballs is shown in the background
    Shape meatballs

    For the cream sauce:

    1. In a large skillet with sides, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour, bouillon powder and black pepper to the melted butter. Whisk until well combined. Add the milk slowly, whisking into a sauce that is well blended and smooth.
    2. Return the pan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the cream sauce starts to boil. Boil for about 1 minute and continue stirring. Remove the pan from the heat.
    A large black skillet has melted butter, flour and nutmeg
    Melt butter and add flour and bouillon
    A whisk is poised above a large black skillet that holds the beginning of a cream sauce
    Whisk in milk slowly until smooth
    1. Next, add the cooked meatballs to the pan of sauce. Stir to help completely coat the meatballs with the sauce.
    Cooked meatballs have been added to a large black skillet full of a rich creamy sauce
    Place cooked meatballs in the sauce
    Cooked meatballs have been coated in thick creamy sauce and are simmering in a large black skillet
    Creamy Swedish meatballs
    1. Finally spoon the Swedish meatballs and sauce over hot egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

    Just look at that luscious, creamy sauce! The butter makes it shiny and smooth and the beef bouillon adds a depth of flavor that really complements the flavorful meatballs. You may never make meatballs any other way again!

    A wooden spoons holds two meatballs and a rich cream sauce above a pan containing the sauce and more meatballs

    Variations

    Our recipe is a classic Swedish meatballs and creamy gravy sauce recipe. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t switch it up to meet your family’s dietary needs or preferences. Or, if you just want to try something new, we’ve got some creative additions to the sauce that you may love!

    • While we used ground beef for these juicy meatballs, you can use a mixture of ground beef + ground pork, ground pork, ground chicken or ground turkey.
    • If you use ground pork, chicken or turkey for the meatball mixture, you can use chicken bouillon powder instead of beef.
    • For a thinner sauce, use broth (beef broth or chicken broth (it can even be my homemade chicken broth recipe) depending on the ground meat you use) for some of the milk.
    • For an even creamier sauce, use heavy cream in place of some of the milk.
    • To amp up the flavor of the sauce, add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a dollop of sour cream.
    Swedish meatballs and sauce top cooked egg noodles on a white plate

    Swedish Meatballs FAQs

    How are Swedish meatballs different from regular meatballs?

    While Swedish meatballs are made with similar ingredients to regular meatballs (ground meat, eggs and bread crumbs), Swedish meatballs are typically smaller and have warm spices like nutmeg and allspice added.

    What is Swedish meatball sauce made of?

    The sauce is made with a base of melted butter and flour, seasoned with pepper and beef bouillon (or sometimes broth) and thickened with milk to a rich, creamy consistency.

    What goes good with Swedish meatballs?

    Traditionally, Swedish meatballs are served over buttered noodles or Instant Pot mashed potatoes. Lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce are a great accompaniment to provide some tartness to cut the rich sauce. You can also serve vegetables alongside the Swedish meatballs like green beans, roasted broccoli or fresh pickled cucumbers.

    Storage

    Store any leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    A close up photo of a white place holding cooked egg noodles and tender Swedish meatballs and cream sauce

    Top Tips

    Using a small cookie scoop results in evenly sized, perfect meatballs for this recipe.

    For easy clean up while make these delicious Swedish meatballs, wear gloves while mixing up the meat and line the baking dish with aluminum foil.

    More Comfort Food Classics

    Chicken and Dumplings made in the Instant Pot are the heart of warm and cozy comfort food, and so are these chicken and noodles! Our Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe is old-fashioned comfort food ready in just 30 minutes, like these Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steaks!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up photo of a white plate full of cooked egg noodles topped with meatballs in a creamy sauce
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Easy Swedish Meatballs

    Easy Swedish Meatballs: Tender homemade beef meatballs are tossed in a luscious cream sauce that can be served over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes in this classic comfort food recipe!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine European
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Bake/Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 410kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    For the meatballs

    • ½ pound ground beef
    • 1 large egg
    • 3 tablespoons milk
    • ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
    • 1 tablespoon onion flakes
    • ½ tablespoon dried parsley
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Ingredients for the sauce

    • 3 tablespoons salted butter
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 3 teaspoons beef bouillon powder or 3 beef bouillon cubes
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 cups milk

    Instructions

    To make the meatballs

    • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Using your hands or a spoon, mix together the beef, egg, milk, bread crumbs, onion flakes, dried parsley, black pepper and nutmeg until well combined.
    • Next, use a spoon or cookie scoop to shape the mixture into small (1 inch) meatballs. This recipe makes about 20-22 meatballs.
    • Now, place the meatballs in the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes or until the center of the meatballs is no longer pink. You can also brown the meatballs in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil until cooked through. If you cook them in a skillet, make sure to rotate the meatballs so they brown on all sides and stay relatively round. Set the meatballs aside and keep them warm.

    How to make the cream sauce

    • In a large saucepan or skillet with sides, melt the butter over medium high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour, bouillon powder and black pepper. Whisk until well combined. Add the milk slowly, whisking into a sauce that is well blended and smooth.
    • Return the pan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the cream sauce starts to boil. Boil for 1 minute and continue stirring. Remove the pan from the heat.
    • Next, add the cooked meatballs to the pan of sauce. Stir to help completely coat the meatballs with the sauce.
    • Finally, spoon the Swedish meatballs and sauce over hot egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

    Notes

    • We recommend making 1 inch meatballs because that size cooks through in the center without becoming too brown on the outside.
    • For the best results, eat this dish while the sauce is hot because it thickens quickly and may form a skin over the top as it cools.
    • Store any leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5meatballs | Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 651IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 2mg

    Brioche Croutons

    October 22, 2022

    close up of brioche croutons

    Brioche Croutons: The absolute BEST croutons because of the brioche bread, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese and fresh basil! Simple ingredients, and ready in only 20 minutes!

    Brioche croutons with parmesan cheese on cookie sheet

    Are homemade croutons better than storebought?

    Oh yes. 100% yes. Now this is coming from a gal who can sit and eat an entire bag of storebought croutons like a bag of potato chips.

    But when you have homemade croutons on your favorite salad recipes and soup recipes, you’ll understand my love for the homemade, seasoned, little cubes of bread.

    Why You’ll Love Brioche Croutons

    I love regular croutons (as in, croutons made out of regular bread instead of brioche) and have had some of the most delicious croutons at restaurants… but there’s just something about this brioche croutons recipe that’s hard to beat.

    The brioche bread already has such a buttery and a tad “sweet” taste, that drives so much flavor! Combine those flavors with the added savory ingredients in this homemade croutons recipe, and you’ll love it as much as I do!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    This recipe uses simple ingredients, or has easy subsitutions (see those below) so you can make these croutons in minutes, and have them ready for your classic caesar salad in no time!

    ingredients for brioche croutons
    • 1 loaf brioche bread (1 pound)
    • ½ cup butter (salted or unsalted – just be mindful of any added salt)
    • ¼ cup minced garlic
    • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 8 leaves fresh basil, chopped
    • sprinkle of salt, if desired

    See the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this post for ingredients and instructions all in one place!

    Instructions

    Making homemade croutons is incredibly easy! Here’s how to make them:

    1. Prehat oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Begin by cutting your brioche bread in to about 1 inch cubes. (Don’t worry if it’s not exact. Also, if you prefer smaller croutons, you can cut them smaller!)
    3. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. (Make sure the bowl is large enough for stirring later.)
    4. Next, add shredded parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and fresh basil to bread. Stir to combine.
    Brioche bread cut in to cubes on cutting board
    Cut in to cubes
    brioche cubes, cheese, basil and seasonings in white bowl
    Add cheese, seasonings and basil
    1. Add butter and minced garlic to a microwave safe dish and microwave for 2 minutes or until butter has melted. Stir and pour over bread.
    butter and garlic in measuring cup
    Make garlic butter
    garlic butter pouring in to bread cubes
    Pour butter over bread
    1. With a rubber spatula, carefully stir to coat bread with buttery mixture and other ingredients until it looks like most of the bread as been coated.
    2. Next, pour buttered and seasoned bread in a single layer, on to a baking sheet pan that’s lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
    buttered and seasoned bread cubes in white bowl
    Stir to combine
    Bread cubes on baking sheet
    Spread on baking sheet
    1. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the croutons, half way through. (We did 20 minutes for the croutons that you see here. However if you prefer a crispier crouton, you may want to check on them at 20 minutes and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until they reach the desired crispiness that you prefer. Be careful not to burn!)
    Baked croutons on baking sheet
    Baked croutons
    1. If desired, sprinkle a little salt on after baking. (I use kosher salt or flaked sea salt but you can also use table salt.) Then serve warm or allow to cool before serving on a cold dish like a salad!

    This makes about 8 cups of croutons!

    brioche croutons on salad
    Serve on salad or soup

    Substitutions

    • Basil – If you don’t have fresh basil, it’s ok to use about 1 tablespoon of dried basil.
    • Garlic – if you don’t have minced garlic, you can use chopped garlic or a little more garlic powder.
    • Bread – this recipe is specifically for brioche croutons, meaning you’ll use brioche bread. However you can also follow this same recipe for a different type of bread.
    • Seasonings – there is so much flavor with the garlic butter and basil but you can also use other seasonings if you’d like. Such as, black pepper, Italian seasoning, etc.

    Variations

    I’ve made this recipe two different ways, and wanted to include a variation that you may prefer as well.

    Extra Buttery Croutons

    If you don’t mind a croutons that’s not crispy, and love a big buttery flavor, then you may want to try the other way that I make these!

    • Keep the ingredients the ingredients and instructions the same, except for the butter! Melt 2-3 cups of butter instead of ½ a cup. This will make the bread soak up way more butter and may prevent the croutons from becoming super crispy but talk about FLAVOR!
    Brioche croutons on green salad with yellow napkin
    Homemade Croutons

    How to Store Croutons

    Store the croutons, after they have fully cooled, in an airtight container or ziptop bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you line the bag or container with a paper towel, it can help trap the moisture to prevent the croutons from getting soggy.

    You can also store them in the refrigerator for 6-7 days, or even in the freezer for up to 4-6 weeks! (Freezer Tip: flash freeze croutons on the baking sheet and then transfer to a plastic freezer bag or container and place back in the freezer so the don’t stick to one another.)

    NOTE: They do soften after being stored so if you plan to use leftovers, you may want to toss them back in the oven to crisp up or even in an air fryer for a quick refresh if you want them super crispy.

    FAQ’s and Expert Tips

    If the croutons are not as crispy as you prefer, you can allow them to sit out for a few hours/overnight and they will become more stale (crispy), or simply allow them to sit out for a few hours to harden.

    Recipes to go with Croutons

    I have a feeling you may already have an idea of what you want to put croutons. However, if you need some ideas, we love croutons on this side salad, this buffalo chicken soup, this clam chowder recipe, and on this chili recipe!

    Recipe

    close up of brioche croutons
    Print Pin
    5 from 8 votes

    Brioche Croutons

    Brioche Croutons: The absolute BEST croutons because of the brioche bread, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese and fresh basil! Simple ingredients, and ready in only 20 minutes!
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 cups
    Calories 377kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound brioche bread
    • ½ cup butter salted or unsalted
    • ¼ cup minced garlic
    • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 8 leaves fresh basil chopped
    • salt if desired

    Instructions

    • Prehat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Begin by cutting your brioche bread in to about 1 inch cubes, and place the bread cubes in a large bowl.
    • Next, add shredded parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and fresh basil to bread. Stir to combine.
    • Add butter and minced garlic to a microwave safe dish and microwave for 2 minutes or until butter has melted. Stir and pour over bread.
    • With a rubber spatula, carefully stir to coat bread with buttery mixture and other ingredients until it looks like most of the bread as been coated.
    • Next, pour the buttered and seasoned bread on to a baking sheet that's lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
    • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until they've reached the golden brown color that you prefer. Flip the croutons, half way through the cooking process.
    • If desired, sprinkle a little salt on the croutons after baking. Serve warm or allow to cool before serving.

    Notes

    If the croutons are not as crispy as you prefer, you can allow them to sit out for a few hours/overnight and they will become staler (crispy), or simply allow them to sit out for a few hours to harden.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 451mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg

    Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders

    October 21, 2022

    A close up photo of a stack of breakfast slider sandwiches

    Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders: Everyone’s favorite Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with sausage, bacon, eggs, and cheese brushed with a butter maple glaze and then baked until warm and toasty! Breakfast may never be the same again!

    Then, after breakfast, make these cheeseburger sliders or these salmon sliders for a hearty dinner. Or these roast beef sliders are amazing for a party appetizer or an easy lunch recipe.

    Breakfast slider sandwiches are stacked on a plate making it easy to see sausage, bacon, eggs and cheese on toasted Hawaiian rolls

    Breakfast recipes are a pretty big deal around here, and we think you’re also going to love making this Biscuit and Gravy Casserole and the breakfast egg rolls after these sliders but we also have something for every breakfast lover.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders with sausage, fluffy eggs, bacon and cheese tucked into a sweet roll are a delicious way to take breakfast on the go.

    These make-ahead breakfast sliders can also be frozen and reheated to make breakfast on those busy mornings a breeze.

    The sweet and savory flavors of these breakfast sandwiches make them a perfect addition to a breakfast buffet or brunch party, especially paired with something like these cheesy hashbrowns. And I’m pretty sure that you will be the MVP when you show up with these tailgate breakfast sliders.

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    Ingredients

    Our Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders are made with basic breakfast ingredients, so there is nothing fancy or intimidating about this breakfast sliders recipe.

    Hawaiian rolls, cooked bacon and sausage, scrambled eggs and shredded cheese are displayed on a white marble background

    We’ve included some notes about the ingredients below that you may find helpful! See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information, and detailed recipe notes.

    • 12 King’s Hawaiian rolls – we used the smaller rolls, not the larger slider buns.
    • 12 breakfast sausage patties, cooked (It’s easy to cook sausage patties in the oven since you’ll have to preheat the oven anyway!)
    • 12 eggs, scrambled
    • 6 strips of bacon, cooked (It’s fast to cook bacon in the air fryer or cook bacon in the oven too!)
    • 2 cups of shredded Colby jack cheese – pre-shredded or shred your own!
    • ¼ cup melted butter – salted or unsalted works!

    Instructions

    When I say a recipe is simple, I mean it. We’ve got pictures and step-by-step instructions below to walk you through preparing this delicious breakfast recipe.

    1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8×10-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    2. Using a bread knife (or a serrated knife), slice the soft Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping the tops and bottoms of the rolls connected together.
    12 Hawaiian rolls have been cut horizontally and are resting on a wooden cutting board.
    1. Place the bottom of the rolls in the baking dish.
    The bottom halves of 12 Hawaiian rolls have been placed in a 9x13 inch baking dish to begin the assembly of breakfast slider sandwiches.
    1. Next, place the breakfast sausage patties over the rolls in a single, even layer.
    Cooked breakfast sausage patties have been layered on the bottom halves of Hawaiian rolls to start building breakfast sliders.
    1. Now, top the sausage patties with the scrambled eggs and sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper.
    Cooked, crumbled bacon has been added to the breakfast slider sandwiches that are being assembled in a glass baking dish.
    1. Next, crumble the bacon and sprinkle it evenly over the eggs.
    2. Top the eggs and crispy bacon crumbles with an even layer of shredded Colby jack cheese.
    A layer of shredded cheese has been added to the breakfast slider sandwiches being assembled in a glass baking dish.
    1. Place the tops of the Hawaiian dinner rolls on top of the cheese.
    2. Now, combine the melted butter and maple syrup in a small bowl. Liberally brush the butter and syrup mixture over the tops of the rolls.
    A silicone brush is brushing melted butter over the tops of 12 breakfast sliders in a glass baking dish.
    1. Finally, bake the sliders uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and crispy.
    A glass baking dish is filled with breakfast sliders with toasted buns

    Cut the individual sliders apart and serve them warm. You are going to love the sweet maple butter glaze and the savory meat, melty cheese, and eggs inside a tender, toasted Hawaiian roll. I mean, what’s NOT to love about these Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders?!

    A single breakfast slider sandwich is balanced on a wooden serving spoon

    Variations

    Burger sliders are always a crowd favorite at any backyard get-together, right? There IS just something about your favorite things tucked in a soft Hawaiian roll. So, it’s time to give the people what they want and make this breakfast version!

    Here are a few ways to adjust our basic recipe to fit your family:

    • Buns – You can use regular slider buns instead of Hawaiian rolls if you’d like. But once you’ve had the sweet roll paired with a salty protein (like in this cheeseburger sliders and this cheesy sloppy joe sliders recipe) it’s hard to use anything else!
    • Breakfast meat – We used pork sausage patties and bacon for these sweet and savory breakfast sliders. Feel free to use turkey sausage, slices of deli ham, ham slices, fried chicken (similar to our crispy chicken sliders) browned and crumbled breakfast sausage (the ground pork sausage in the tube) or Canadian bacon. Or, make something similar to our fried bologna and egg sandwich, by using bologna!
    • Cheese – Our family loves Colby Jack cheese for this recipe, but try shredding provolone, Swiss, cheddar cheese, American, Monterey Jack or even pepperjack cheese. (Pre-shredded cheese actually has an added non-stick coating that prevents it from sticking together, so it doesn’t melt as well. Trust me on this one!)
    • Butter glaze – The maple syrup butter glaze is probably my favorite thing to brush on the tops of the rolls. However, you can make the butter sauce more savory if you use Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, everything bagel seasoning or poppy seeds instead of the maple syrup.
    A white plate in the center of the photo holds a breakfast sandwich made with a Hawaiian roll. Additional plates and sandwiches are seen in the background.

    FAQs

    What can I use in the glaze for breakfast sliders if I don’t have any maple syrup?

    You can substitute brown sugar, honey or agave syrup for the maple syrup in the butter glaze.

    What can I use instead of non-stick spray for baking?

    You can line the baking dish with parchment paper for another non-stick option, like butter or oil.

    I added salt and pepper when I scrambled the eggs. Should I still add the salt and pepper in the recipe?

    No. If you add seasoning when you scramble eggs, omit the salt and pepper listed in the recipe. Otherwise, you may have really salty sliders.

    Can breakfast sliders be eaten warm or cold?

    These sliders can be eaten warm or cold, but they are at their best when they are hot and toasty right from the oven!

    What should I serve with breakfast sliders?

    I don’t think anyone will turn down bacon cooked in the air fryer or air fryer crispy breakfast potatoes. Fresh fruit is a great side for breakfast slider. We think this Honey Lime Fruit Salad, Apple Salad or an easy-to-assemble Fruit Board are perfect for breakfast or brunch!

    Storage

    Store any leftover Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    To freeze, wrap individual sliders in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating and serving the sliders.

    Related Recipes

    If you are looking for breakfast sandwich recipes, you have hit the jackpot!

    • A classic Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich is always a great choice.
    • Our Hawaiian Breakfast Sandwich with a fruity twist may surprise you.
    • Mini Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches are bite sized, but they are big on flavor.
    • If you are craving a hearty, sweet and savory breakfast sandwich, try our Waffle Burger or Donut Burger!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A close up photo of a stack of breakfast slider sandwiches
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders

    Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders: Everyone's favorite Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with sausage, bacon, eggs and cheese and brushed with a butter maple glaze and then baked until warm and toasty!
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 sliders
    Calories 457kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 12 Hawaiian Rolls
    • 12 breakfast sausage patties cooked
    • 12 eggs scrambled
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 6 slices cooked bacon
    • 2 cups colby jack cheese shredded
    • ¼ cup melted butter
    • 2 tablespoon maple syrup

    Instructions

    • First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8×10 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Using a bread knife, slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping the tops and bottoms connected to each other.
    • Place the roll bottoms in the casserole dish.
    • Next, place the breakfast sausage patties over the rolls in a single even layer.
    • Now, top the sausage patties with the scrambled eggs and sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper.
    • Next, crumble the bacon and sprinkle it evenly over the scrambled eggs.
    • Top the eggs with an even layer of shredded Colby jack cheese.
    • Place the roll tops on top of the cheese.
    • Now, combine the melted butter and maple syrup. Liberally brush the butter and syrup mixture over the tops of the rolls.
    • Finally, bake the sliders uncovered for 20 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and crispy. Cut the sliders apart and serve warm.

    Notes

    • Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • You can wrap and freeze individual breakfast sliders in an airtight, freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator before reheating and serving the sliders.  

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slider | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 242mg | Sodium: 750mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 611IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg

    Toddler Lunch Ideas

    October 21, 2022

    Toddler foods in ice cube tray

    Toddler Lunch Ideas: If you’re on a mission to find an easy toddler lunch idea, you’ll not only find a list of ideas but a list of great recipes, too!

    toddler lunch idea in ice cube tray

    What you see in the photo above, in the ice cube tray:

    • Avocado
    • Chicken
    • Nuts
    • Carrots
    • Raisins
    • Animal Crackers
    • Apple Slices, or favorite fruit
      More Ideas that Would Fit in the Tray:
    • Pita Bread
    • Bell Peppers
    • Black Beans
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Whole Grain Crackers
    • Carrot Sticks
    • Tortilla Chips
    • Snap Peas
    • Cheese slices or cubes

    I have had a picky eater in the world! Trust me, I could TOTALLY put him in a contest for the pickiest eater, and win… hands down. His favorite diet consisted of PB&J’s, grilled cheeses, green beans, and carrots. Repeat.

    After a recent medical scare with him, it was time to change my son’s eating habits.
    So I’m sharing quick lunch ideas that rotate through our house, for normal toddler lunches, in hopes it helps you get through the toddler lunch “funk,” that you may be in. You may also find some snack ideas if you’re traveling on a road trip with your toddler!

    I’m also going to share some of the best recipes from of my blogging friends in case you’re looking to add more ideas to your rotation!

    Tips for Toddler Lunches

    • Ice Cube Trays: It’s kind of like a more organized way to create a small charcuterie board or a lunch bento box. I don’t know about you but when I arrange small amounts of different varieties of food on a platter, my kids seem to eat more of it! But with little ice cube trays, it’s easier to keep things separated for little hands, and we really think it’s a good idea.
    • Fun Shapes: Use fun-shaped cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes of foods to make eating veggies fun! For instance, cut a cucumber in half, the long way, and use a narrow cookie cutter (for example, a “train”) and the cucumber may be eaten more than normal!
    • Hidden Veggies: Using a blender, food processor, or juicer to mash up or minimize the vegetables or new foods your toddler may not like, is a great way to sneak them in to their favorite foods!
    • Dips for vegetables or crackers: Sometimes adding a simple dip can encourage young toddlers to try more; such as ranch dressing, almond butter or seed butter, cottage cheese, cheese dip, and greek yogurt.

    Toddler Meal Idea List

     I’ve also provided a free printable of toddler lunch ideas, in case you’d like to print this. Keep it handy for those days when your brain is fried and you don’t feel like getting creative in the kitchen. Plus… take a look at it, before you make your grocery shopping list, and add the items you need to get.

    Download the List HERE!
    Toddlerlunchpreview

    DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind that some of the food items that I mention, may not tickle your fancy. I get that. Before my son was diagnosed with epilepsy, and we took him to a nutritionist, I would have turned my nose up at some of these items as well. For instance… “hot dogs,” “lunch meat,” “chicken nuggets,” etc. But my little 4 year old, chosen vegetarian, was really lacking in the protein department, so I’ve since then, tried incorporating some meats in to his lunches. I just try to only buy the hot dogs and lunch meat without nitrates, artificial flavorings, etc., to do the best that I can with healthy toddler lunch ideas.

    Eeeek! Look how sweet he is! This is the first time he used the new plate. He ate every bit of his goodies, without a fight. (But he couldn’t take his eyes off of his favorite show on tv, long enough for me to get a photo.) 🙂

    Toddler holding ice cube tray
    Toddler Favorite!

    Toddler Lunch Recipes

    See some of our favorite lunch ideas for toddlers, from some of my favorite blogging friends that are a great option for lunches:

    How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
    How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich: Did you know that there's a certain way to make a pb&j even better? It's true. Keep reading!
    Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipe
    Close up of peanut butter and jelly sandwich
    Cream Cheese Pasta
    Cream Cheese Pasta: This linguine covered in cream cheese pasta sauce is the perfect recipe for a busy weeknight dinner! It's ready in 20 minutes, & only calls for 7 simple ingredients
    Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe
    Cream Cheese Pasta being scooped up and held above the plate.
    Mozzarella Wrap with Tomato and Basil
    You can also make a cheese quesadilla with just cheese and tortillas.
    Mozzarella Wrap
    easy caprese wrap recipe
    Pizza Monkey Bread
    This pepperoni pizza monkey bread is a delicious blend of bread, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and italian seasoning, baked in a bundt pan creating a delicious appetizer recipe!
    Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
    pizza monkey bread
    Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
    A fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich is your classic pb&j, cooked on the stovetop with butter, giving it a crispy outside with a warm and gooey inside.
    Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly
    Fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sliced on white plate.
    Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
    Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches: Hamburger buns, slices of cheese, and your favorite ham, toasted in the oven to create an easy lunch or dinner idea!
    Hot Ham and Cheese Recipe
    Hot ham and cheese sandwich on white plate
    Fresh Fruit Salad
    Honey Lime Fruit Salad: A refreshing fresh fruit salad that's always a hit! Serve this fruit salad as a healthy dessert or as a sweet side dish for any occasion!
    Honey Lime Fruit Salad
    Honey Lime Fruit Salad
    Hard-Boiled Eggs
    Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs: So quick, easy and it made the shells peel off so easily, with the 5, 5 & 5 method!
    Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Tutorial
    sliced hard boiled eggs on plate
    Pizza Bagels
    These pizza bagels are the perfect quick dinner recipe and are great for the pickiest eaters! Pizza night made easy with this recipe.
    Easy Pizza Bagels Recipe
    Bagel pizza topped with pepperonis on baking sheet.
    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich
    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich: A couple of bologna slices, an egg, a couple of slices of bread, and a pat of butter, and you're set for a delicious breakfast recipe!
    Fried Bologna Sandwich Recipe
    Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich
    Peanut Butter and Syrup Sandwich
    This peanut butter and syrup sandwich recipe is the perfect side dish for chili or your favorite soup or a great, sweet lunch idea!
    Peanut Butter and Syrup Recipe
    Peanut butter and syrup sandwich sliced in half, stacked on top of each other.
    Homemade Spaghetti O's (Allergy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan)
    These homemade spaghetti O's are allergy-free, gluten-free, and vegan! A super easy lunch or dinner that's kid-friendly and mom-approved!
    Check out this recipe
    Ham and Pea Pasta
    This Ham and Pea Pasta is a delicious change from the traditional mac and cheese. Filled with bits of ham and frozen peas and can be ready in just 20 minutes!
    Check out this recipe
    Veggie Muffins
    These veggie muffins taste sweet and chocolaty but they're loaded with hidden vegetables. They're an easy way to sneak some extra nutrients into a picky toddler's lunch.
    Check out this recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

    October 20, 2022

    Eight cooked chicken drum sticks are swimming in a sauce in a black crock pot

    Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks: Budget-friendly chicken drumsticks are cooked low and slow in a savory sauce until they fall off the bone tender!

    If you love chicken in the slow cooker, this Crock Pot Jalapeno Chicken and this crockpot chicken pasta, need to be next on your list!

    A white plate in the center of the photo holds two chicken drumsticks and mashed potatoes while a crockpot is off to the left and a platter of chicken is visible in the right corner

    As I’m sure you know, slow cooker recipes are my jam! These Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs are perfect for a party appetizer or game day spread. And don’t get me started on these super tender BBQ Pork Steaks in the Slow Cooker! Now, I’m super excited to add this recipe for crock pot chicken legs to our dinner rotation.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Since these crock pot chicken drumsticks are made with just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time, you can definitely add this to your easy family recipes file, along with these slow cooker chicken enchiladas.

    Chicken drumsticks are a budget-friendly cut of chicken, so this easy crock pot recipe is an inexpensive way to feed the whole family! I don’t know a more kid-friendly dinner recipe than slow cooker drumsticks.

    If you are looking for a healthy chicken drumstick slow cooker recipe, you’ll be happy to hear that our recipe has no butter or olive oil.

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    Ingredients

    This chicken drumsticks recipe only has 5 simple ingredients. And, you probably have every one of them in your kitchen right now! If not, your local grocery store should have everything you need to make these crockpot chicken legs.

    A wooden cutting board holds a bulb of garlic, bowls of sauces and 6 raw chicken drumsticks
    • 3 pounds of chicken drumsticks (about 6-8 drumsticks depending on the size)
    • ½ cup honey
    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
    • Optional: sesame seeds, sliced green onion or parsley for garnish

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed instructions.

    Instructions

    I am a firm believer in crock pot recipes for busy weeknight dinners. If you want a “set it and forget it” meal, then this slow cooker chicken recipe definitely fits the bill. Here are the instructions and step-by-step photos for our crockpot drumsticks.

    1. First, prepare the slow cooker with nonstick spray and place the chicken legs in a single layer inside of the slow cooker insert.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic together.
    10 raw chicken drumsticks are tucked into a black crockpot
    raw chicken
    A whisk is resting in a glass mixing bowl that holds a dark brown sauce with bits of garlic
    sauce
    1. Next, pour the sauce over the chicken and toss the drumsticks in the sauce to evenly coat them.
    A dark reddish brown sauce is being poured over raw chicken drumsticks in a crockpot
    pour sauce
    Raw chicken drumsticks have been tossed in a deep reddish brown sauce and are sitting in a crockpot waiting to be cooked
    ready for cooking
    1. Cook the chicken drumsticks for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low in your slow cooker.
    2. Finally, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve.
    A black crockpot holds cooked chicken drumsticks swimming in a dark reddish brown sauce

    Now, I don’t mind classic crockpot chicken drumsticks with BBQ sauce. But this sauce… a definite must to make. The honey is a natural sweetener, the soy sauce brings a depth and richness, the garlic adds a savory zing and the ketchup adds a tang that brings it all together.

    Finish Off in the Oven (Optional)

    If you’d love for them to have more of a crispy skin, something you can do is place them in the oven a baking sheet and cook on “broil” for just a couple of minutes to crisp them up! (See below)

    Cooked chicken drumsticks on baking sheet

    Variations & Substitutions

    We love sharing ways to adjust our recipes to fit the ingredients you have on hand and providing creative alternatives and suggestions to fit your family’s preferences.

    • Type of Chicken: You can use bone-in chicken thighs, chicken wings or chicken breasts for this recipe, too. Adjust the cooking time based on the cut of chicken you use and check it periodically. I use chicken tenderloins in this Orange Chicken Crockpot recipe, too.
    • Soy Sauce: If you prefer, use low-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos in place of the soy sauce in this recipe.
    • Honey: While we used honey, you could substitute maple syrup or brown sugar in the sauce to add sweetness.
    • Seasonings: This 4-ingredient sauce is delicious as is, but you can also season this chicken with your favorite spices to add additional flavor. Try garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, a spice rub or even a little chili powder for some heat.
    • Garnish: To serve, you can garnish the slow cooker chicken legs with sesame seeds, sliced green onions or fresh parsley.
    • Cook method: Even though this is a slow cooker chicken legs recipe, you can also boil chicken legs if you need a simple way to make the legs!
    Cooked drumsticks are displayed on a white serving tray surrounded by a bowl of mashed potatoes, a stack of plates and several forks

    FAQs

    Is it safe to cook raw chicken on low in a slow cooker?

    Absolutely! The temperatures in a slow cooker (both the low and high settings) are safe to cook chicken according to the USDA.

    Is it better to slow cook chicken on low or high?

    This really depends on how much time you have before you need to serve your meal. Either setting is safe as long as the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

    How long does it take for drumsticks to fully cook?

    I know I’ve said it before, but it depends. The length of time will vary with the size of your drumsticks. Check the doneness periodically with a meat thermometer to ensure that they are fully cooked.

    What can I serve with slow cooker chicken drumsticks?

    You can serve this with traditional side dishes like Instant Pot mashed potatoes or white or brown rice. Cauliflower rice or homemade fried rice also goes well with these juicy chicken drumsticks. We also suggest rounding out the meal with our favorite side salad, roasted broccoli or these candied carrots.

    A close up photo of cooked chicken drumsticks on a white serving platter

    Storage

    Leftover slow cooker chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    To freeze leftover chicken, remove the chicken from the bone and store it in freezer bags with the air removed for up to 2 months.

    A white plate holding two chicken drumsticks and a serving of mashed potatoes is surrounded by a serving platter of chicken and another plate of food
    Crock pot chicken drumsticks recipe

    Top Tip for Food Safety

    Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the drumstick and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken drumsticks, so check them periodically for the best results.

    More Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes

    Our easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is a star for meal prep. You can use it for tacos, nachos or pulled chicken sandwiches. This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is made with cherry cola – it is savory and sweet and SO delicious! We even make Venison Chili in the slow cooker for those chilly Fall and winter nights.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Eight cooked chicken drum sticks are swimming in a sauce in a black crock pot
    Print Pin
    5 from 10 votes

    Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks: Budget friendly chicken drumsticks are cooked low and slow in a savory sauce until they are fall-off-the-bone tender!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 4 hours hours
    Total Time 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 drumsticks
    Calories 338kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Equipment

    • slow cooker

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs chicken drumsticks
    • ½ cup honey
    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon garlic minced

    Instructions

    • First, prepare the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and place the chicken legs inside of the slow cooker insert.
    • In a small bowl, whisk the honey, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic together.
    • Next, pour the sauce over the chicken and toss evenly to coat.
    • Cook the chicken drumsticks on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
    • Finally, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve.

    Optional

    • If you'd like to crisp up the chicken drumsticks, you can place them on a baking sheet and place in the oven that's set to "broil" for just a couple of minutes!

    Notes

    • You can use bone in thighs or chicken breasts if you prefer.
    • Leftover slow cooker chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • To freeze, remove the chicken from the bone and store it in freezer bags with the air removed for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drumstick | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1028mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg

    Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups

    October 18, 2022

    Cheesecake cups are decorated to look like melting snowmen

    Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups: A rich cookie crust, creamy chocolate cheesecake and adorable melting marshmallow snowman decorations make these festive holiday treats absolutely irresistible!

    A batch of chocolate cheesecake cups have been decorated to look like melting snowmen
    Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups

    We are no stranger to easy desserts here at Fantabulosity, especially cheesecake. In fact, there are more than a dozen cheesecake recipes! These mini cheesecakes decorated to look like melting snowmen are a great addition to your holiday season baking list! (Check out all of our of no-bake recipes for when you’re in time crunch, too.)

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    You may have seen similar melted snowman treats like original melting snowman cookies or melting snowman Oreo cookie balls. I’ve even made Nutter Butter snowmen, but this melting snowman recipe is made with homemade chocolate cheesecake!

    This is one of my favorite desserts to make with kids for a holiday party! Older children can help mix the cheesecake and melt and pipe the ganache. Little hands can easily draw the faces, add the licorice scarves, the pretzel arms and the candy top hats.

    While these are absolutely perfect for any holiday gathering, you don’t have to stop at Christmas. You can make these snowmen cheesecakes all winter long!

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    Ingredients

    A quick walk down the baking aisle of your local grocery store is all you need to pick up the ingredients for this melting snowman recipe.

    The ingredients for Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups are displayed in bowls on a white marble background
    Ingredients

    For the Oreo cookie crust

    • 2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
    • 10 tablespoons butter, melted

    To make the chocolate cheesecake filling

    • 2 blocks (16 oz) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder

    For the white chocolate ganache

    • 2 cups white chocolate melting wafers
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

    Melting snowman decorations

    • 12 jumbo marshmallows
    • 12 Rolos, uwrapped
    • 12 pretzel sticks
    • 12 strands of pull apart red licorice candy
    • orange icing
    • black icing

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    With our step-by-step instructions and the photos below, making homemade cheesecake with snowman decorations is actually easier than you think.

    To make the Oreo cookie crust

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Oreo cookie crumbs and the melted butter.
    2. Then, scoop about 1 tablespoon of the cookie crust mixture into each muffin cup. Use your fingertips to press the mixture into an even layer untl it is firmly packed.
    3. Bake the cookie crust for 5 minutes and allow it to cool.
    4. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
    Make the cookie crust
    A metal cupcaketin holds 12 cupcake papers with an Oreo cookie crust pressed into the bottom
    Press the crust in the pan

    For the chocolate cheesecake filling

    1. In another large bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar using a hand mixer on low speed until well combined, light yellow and fluffy.
    A glass mixing bowl holds granulated sugar and cream cheese ready to be mixed
    Cream cheese and sugar
    Cream cheese and sugar has been whipped until fluffy in a glass mixing bowl
    Cream together until fluffy
    1. Now, add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract and mix for about 2 minutes.
    2. Add the cocoa powder to the cream cheese mixture and mix well until combined.
    Eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract have been added to a cream cheese mixture in a large glass mixing bowl
    Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract
    Cocoa powder has been added to a cheesecake filling in a glass mixing bowl
    Add the rich cocoa powder
    1. Next, using a cookie scoop, scoop the cheesecake filling into each cupcake liner until it is full to the top.
    2. Bake the cheesecake cups for 20-22 minutes.
    A glass mixing bowl holds a creamy chocolate cheesecake mixture that will be baked on top on Oreo cookie crust
    Creamy cheesecake filling
    A metal cupcake tin holds 12 baked chocolate cheesecake cups
    Baked cheesecake cups
    1. While the cheesecake is baking, use the black and orange icing to add eyes, a carrot nose and a mouth to each jumbo marshmallow. Set the marshmallow faces aside.

    To make the white chocolate ganache

    1. In a medium mixing bowl, melt together the white chocolate and heavy cream. You can do this in 30 second intervals in the microwave or over a water bath. Continue whisking the white chocolate mixture until the ganache is smooth.
    A glass mixing bowl holds creamy white chocolate ganache
    Melted white chocolate ganache
    Snowman faces

    Decorate the melting snowman cheesecake cups

    1. First, transfer the ganache to a piping bag and pipe ganache onto the top of each cheesecake cup into a smooth circle. (Once you pipe the ganache, work quickly to place the other decorations before the ganache sets.)
    2. Then, place a marshmallow towards the back of each cheesecake cup with the face looking forward.
    3. Wrap a strand of red licorice around the marshmallow and cross it in front of the marshmallow for the scarf.
    4. Now, break each pretzel stick in half and place the halves on either side of the marshmallow to make the snowman’s arms.
    5. Repeat for each snowman cheesecake cup.
    6. Next, use some of the icing to attach the Rolo to the top of each marshmallow for a hat.
    7. Finally, let the cheesecake cups cool and the decorations set. We recommend refrigerating the cheesecake overnight.
    A close up photo of chocolate cheesecake cups decorated to look like adorable melting snowmen with pretzel stick arms, a rolo hat and red licorice scarf
    Melted snowmen cheesecake

    These snowmen cheesecakes are the perfect pairing for a Peppermint Latte or mug of hot chocolate with chocolate melts.

    A white plates holds several chocolate cheesecake cups that are decorated to look like melting snowmen. In the background, a small Christmas tree sits off to the left
    Adorable snowman cheesecakes

    Substitutions & Variations

    If you need an alternative to an ingredient, prefer different candy or don’t have time to make ganache, here are a few suggestions so these little snowmen make it to your holiday dessert table.

    • Use your favorite flavor of Oreos to make the cookie crust. Mint oreos would be delicious to complement the chocolate cheesecake.
    • We used white melting wafers for the ‘melted snow’ on the top of each melting snowman dessert, but you can use vanilla almond bark, white vanilla frosting, white candy coating, whipped cream or whipped topping like Cool Whip to create the snow.
    • There are a few different ways you can decorate the melting snowmen faces:
      • Instead of icing, you can use food safe food coloring markers to draw the eyes and nose on the marshmallow.
      • Another option is to use mini chocolate chips, black sprinkles or black jimmies (long sprinkles) for the eyes.
      • Orange sprinkles, orange jimmies (long sprinkles) or any small orange candy can be used for the carrot nose.
    • Use a mini peanut butter cup or an unwrapped chocolate kiss for the top hat if you are not a big fan of Rolo candies.

    I mean, is there anything cuter than these little guys?! I love that you can see the layers of chocolate Oreo crust, chocolate cheese cake, white chocolate snow all topped with an adorably worried snowman.

    A chocolate cheesecake cup decorated to look like a melting snowman rests on a white plate. Behind the snowman cheesecake, a small Christmas sits in the center.
    Super cute Christmas snowman dessert

    How to Store Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups

    You can store these snowman cheesecake cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    To freeze them, place the cheesecake cups in an airtight, freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve them, let them thaw and enjoy!

    Close up photo of chocolate cheesecake cups decorated to look like melting snowmen with rolo hats, pretzel arms, licorice scarves and surprised faces
    Christmas cheesecake

    Top tips

    • To make Oreo cookie crumbs, whiz the cookies up in your food processor until they are fine crumbs or put them in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
    • To avoid lumps in the filling of this sweet treat, make sure the ingredients are at room temperature.
    • Be careful not to overbeat the cream cheese mixture as it will incorporate too much air and cause cracking while the cheesecake bakes.

    More Sweet Holiday Treats

    If you love holiday dessert recipes as much as we do, then be sure to try our festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Dessert Cheese Ball, these Rudolph cookies, this addictive Christmas Tree Cake Dip and these nostalgic Christmas Cornflake Wreaths!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Cheesecake cups are decorated to look like melting snowmen
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups

    Melting Snowman Cheesecake Cups: A rich cookie crust, creamy chocolate cheesecake and adorable melting marshmallow snowman decorations make these festive holiday treats absolutely irresistible!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 22 minutes minutes
    Decorating Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 52 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 cheesecakes
    Calories 677kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    For the Oreo cookie crust

    • 2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
    • 10 tablespoons butter melted

    To make the chocolate cheesecake filling

    • 16 ounces cream cheese (2 blocks) softened to room temperature
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 6 tablespoon cocoa powder

    For the white chocolate ganache

    • 2 cups white chocolate melting wafers
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

    Melting Snowman Decorations

    • 12 jumbo marshmallows
    • 12 Rolos unwrapped
    • 12 pretzel sticks
    • 12 strands pull apart red licorice candy
    • orange icing
    • black icing

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake papers.

    To Make the Oreo cookie crust

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the Oreo crumbs and melted butter.
    • Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the cookie crust mixture into each muffin cup. Use your fingertips to press the mixture into an even layer until it is firmly packed.
    • Bake the cookie crust for 5 minutes and allow it to cool.
    • Reduce the oven to 325 degrees F.

    For the chocolate cheesecake filling

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar using a mixer on low speed until well combined.
    • Now, add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract and beat for about 2 minutes.
    • Add the cocoa powder to the cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined.
    • Next, using a cookie scoop, scoop the cheesecake filling into each cupcake liner until full to the top of the liner.
    • Bake the cheesecake cups for 20-22 minutes.
    • While the cheesecake is baking, use the black and orange icing to add eyes, a carrot nose and a mouth to each jumbo marshmallow. Set the marshmallow faces aside.

    To make the white chocolate ganache

    • In a medium mixing bowl, melt together the white chocolate and heavy cream. You can do this in 30 second intervals in the microwave or over a water bath. Continue whisking the white chocolate mixture until the ganache is smooth.

    Decorate the cheesecake cups with a melted snowman

    • First, transfer the ganache into a piping bag and pipe ganache onto the top of each cheesecake cup into a smooth circle. (Once you pipe the ganache, work quickly to place the other decorations before the ganache sets.)
    • Then, place a marshmallow face towards the back of each cheesecake cup with the face looking forward.
    • Wrap a strand of red licorice around the marshmallow and cross it in front of the marshmallow for the scarf.
    • Now, break each pretzel stick in half and place the halves on either side of the marshmallow to make the snowman's arms.
    • Repeat for each snowman cheesecake cup.
    • Next, use some of the icing to attach a Rolo to the top of each marshmallow for a hat.
    • Finally, let the cheesecake cups cool and the decorations set. We recommend refrigerating the cheesecake overnight.

    Notes

    • To avoid lumps in the filling, make sure the ingredients are at room temperature.
    • Be careful not to overbeat the cream cheese mixture as it will incorporate too much air and cause cracking while the cheesecake bakes.
    • You can use food safe food coloring markers to make the face instead of icing.
    • Store these melting snowman cheesecake cups in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
    • To freeze, place the cheesecake cups in an airtight, freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve them, let them unthaw and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cheesecake cup | Calories: 677kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 948IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    October 17, 2022

    Round chocolate cookies have been decorated with candy eyes, a red candy and small pretzel twists to look like reindeer

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies: You will love these chewy fudgy chocolate cookies (that start with a cake mix!) that are decorated to look like adorably festive reindeer faces!

    A round white plate holds 6 round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces

    Desserts at Christmas are a non-negotiable for me (Calories don’t count at this time of year, right?!) and seeing these cookies on a cookie tray with these pecan snowball cookies, is one of my favorite sights to see during Christmas!

    This Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cake is a show stopper, and this sweet Christmas Tree Cake Dip is perfect for any holiday party.

    Not to mention these pretty Tree Forest Winter Cupcakes look like they are topped with snow-sprinkled Christmas trees, and these cute reindeer face cookies are the newest addition to our Christmas dessert spread!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    These cookies start with a chocolate cake mix! (Just like in our gooey butter chocolate cake mix cookies and these cake mix peanut butter cookies!)

    Cake mix cookies are so versatile! There is no fussy measuring, there are SO many flavor options and you probably already have all of the ingredients to make these cookies in your kitchen. We’ve made funfetti cake mix cookies, red velvet cake mix cookies, vanilla cake mix cookies, strawberry cake mix cookies, and even made a cookie from brownie mix!

    If you are looking for holiday treats for students, whether it is a cookie decorating party for the kids or a homeschool co-op activity, this is the perfect recipe. Each batch makes about 30 cookies and the decorations are simple to add for even little hands. (And honestly, crooked eyes and noses are pretty much the cutest things!)

    Do I need to even mention … chocolate! Each chewy cookie tastes like a brownie in cookie form. If you’re a chocoholic like I am, add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for chocolate chocolate cake mix cookies!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    With such simple ingredients, these Rudolph Reindeer Cake mix cookies are great to have on hand for the next snow day!

    Bowls of ingredients, butter, cream cheese and candy eyes are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients for easy Rudolph cookies
    • ½ cup (1 stick) of butter, softened
    • 8 oz. (1 block) of cream cheese, softened
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • One 15.25 oz. devil’s food cake mix
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 60 candy eyes
    • 30 red M&Ms for the reindeer noses
    • 60 mini pretzel twists for reindeer antlers
    • Icing or frosting to adhere the decorations

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    We think Christmas cooking ideas (like cake mix cookies) shouldn’t be difficult. So, here are the step-by-step instructions with pictures to make this easy cookie!

    1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
    2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
    3. Next, add the vanilla extract and egg and mix well to combine.
    A stick of butter and a block of cream cheese are shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    A light yellow creamy mixture is shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    1. Now, add the dry cake mix to the creamed mixture. Stir until well blended. The dough will be a little thick.
    A boxed chocolate cake mix has been added to a light yellow creamy mixture in a large metal mixing bowl
    Deep brown chocolate cookie dough is shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    1. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and form it into 1 inch balls.
    2. Drop each cookie dough ball into a ball of powdered sugar and roll it around to coat it.
    A metal cookie scoop is shown with a scoop of deep brown cookie dough
    A deep brown chocolate ball of cookie dough has been placed in a glass bowl of powdered sugar
    1. Next, place the sugar coated cookie dough balls on the lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    2. Now, bake the cookies for 10-13 minutes. They should be baked through, but not too crispy.
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 ball of chocolate cookie dough that have been rolled in powdered sugar
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 baked chocolate cookies
    1. Allow the cookies to cool completely. Use icing or frosting to attach two mini pretzels to the top of each cookie for antlers. Add two candy eyes and a red M&M in the center of each cookie for Rudolph’s nose.
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 round chocolate cookies in various stages of being decorated to look like reindeer
    Adorable reindeer faces
    1. Finally, let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes so the icing is set and enjoy!
    A black mesh cooling rack holds 12 round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces
    Rudolph Reindeer Christmas Cookies

    Whether you’re making just Rudolph or the whole reindeer gang, here are a few way to change up this recipe to suit your family and get creative!

    Substitutions

    • We used full fat cream cheese for this cake mix cookie recipe, but you can use reduced fat cream cheese.
    • Any 15.25 oz. chocolate cake mix will work in this recipe for reindeer face cookies. Grab an extra chocolate cake mix to make these Rocky Road Cookies for fun too!
    • While we love classic vanilla extract, you could use almond extract or even peppermint extract for a mint chocolate cake mix cookie. Peppermint extract is pretty strong, so we suggest reducing the amount of extract a bit.
    • You can add up to ½ cup of your favorite add-ins to this dough. Semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, toffee bits, crushed candy canes, cinnamon chips, crushed pretzels and toasted pecans are some of our favorites!

    Variations

    • Make reindeer sandwich cookies (reindeer whoopie pies) by covering one undecorated chocolate cake mix cookie with frosting and topping it with a reindeer face cookie. I think this is such a cute idea!
    • Another fun idea is to make reindeer sugar cookies. Just frost a sugar cookie with chocolate frosting and then add the antlers, eyes and nose. (You can use the same method to frost chocolate rice krispie treats for reindeer rice krispie treats.)
    • Make each reindeer cookie into a fun cookie pop! While the cookies are still warm, slide a lollipop stick or popsicle stick into the cookies. (Press the warm cookie around the stick if necessary to keep it stable.) Decorate and enjoy!
    A single round chocolate cookie decorated to look like a reindeer face is leaning against a bottle full of milk
    Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

    Decorate Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    Aren’t these the cutest Christmas cookies?! They are so simple to decorate as described in the original recipe, but here are some alternatives for some of the ingredients we used.

    • Instead of candy eyes, you can use white chocolate chips or white M&Ms. Or, use white frosting in a piping bag to pipe on white eyes.
    • You can use a cinnamon red hot candy or small pieces of maraschino cherries for Rudolph’s nose if you prefer that to a red M&M. If you have leftover red hot candies, save them to make this Christmas Chex Mix with them!
    • A brown m&m will make the perfect nose for Dasher and Dancer and all of the other reindeer.
    • Use standard sized pretzel twists for larger pretzel antlers.

    I’m pretty sure if you leave these Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies out on Christmas Eve, it will guarantee you a spot on Santa’s nice list!

    A birdseye photo of several round white plates holding round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
    Super cute cookies

    Storage

    How long do homemade cookies stay fresh? These cookies, like most homemade cookies, will stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

    To freeze these reindeer cookies, let them set and place them in a plastic freezer bag or airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    A close up photo of a white plate holding several round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces
    Fun Christmas Cookies

    More Fun Easy Christmas Cookies

    Get those cookie jars and cookie trays ready! Here are some simple Christmas cookie recipes the whole family will enjoy: nostalgic Cornflake Wreaths, classic Cut Out Sugar Cookies, the BEST no bake cookies and these adorable Christmas Gingerbread Cookies. Happy cookie making!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Round chocolate cookies have been decorated with candy eyes, a red candy and small pretzel twists to look like reindeer
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies: Chewy fudgy chocolate cookies (that start with a cake mix!) are decorated to look like charming reindeer faces.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time 23 minutes minutes
    Servings 30 cookies
    Calories 138kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
    • 8 oz cream cheese softened (1 block)
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 15.25 oz devil's food cake mix
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 60 candy eyes
    • 30 red M&Ms
    • 60 mini pretzel twists
    • icing

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.
    • Next, add the vanilla extract and egg and mix well to combine.
    • Now, add the dry cake mix to the creamed mixture. Stir until well blended. The dough will be a little thick.
    • Using a cookie scooper, scoop out the dough and form it into 1 inch balls.
    • Drop each cookie dough ball in a bowl of powdered sugar and roll it around to coat it.
    • Place the sugar coated cookie dough balls on the lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
    • Now, bake the cookies for about 10-13 minutes.
    • Allow the cookies to cool completely. Use icing or frosting to attach two pretzel twists to the top of each cookie for antlers. Add two candy eyes and a red M&M for the reindeer nose.
    • Finally, let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes so the icing is set and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    • You can use chocolate chips for the eyes if you can’t find the candy eyes.
    • Cinnamon red hot candies make a great alternate for the red reindeer noses.
    • Any 15.25 oz. chocolate cake mix can be used for this recipe.
    • You can make the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
    • Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze these cookies, place them in a ziploc bag or freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw the cookies overnight and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

    Brioche French Toast

    October 15, 2022

    Brioche French Toast slices on white plate with cream and berries

    Brioche French Toast: Simple ingredients and just a few minutes yield a sweet, buttery, special breakfast main dish everyone will love. It’s an easy recipe that you’ll be able to make over and over again!

    Soon, you too will think this is the best french toast recipe!

    2 slices of brioche french toast on white plate
    Brioche French Toast

    Images were retaken by Fantabulosity and post updated on October 16, 2022.


    Hi lovely Fantabulosity readers! Meg here from Meg's Everyday Indulgence. I'm so excited to be back and sharing my new favorite breakfast recipe, Brioche French Toast.

    Why You’ll Love this Recipe

    First, this luxurious french toast is really simple to make. We're talking 15 minutes max which even makes this a contender for school mornings, or even on the weekends when you want to make breakfast, but don’t want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen!

    Second, the ingredients couldn't get easier for this delicious french toast. I'm even betting you have everything in your house already except for the brioche bread. Brioche may seem fancy but it's surprisingly easy to find.

    What is Brioche French Toast?

    Brioche French Toast is a french toast recipe made using brioche bread. A few simple ingredients make a custard mixture, kind of with the same flavor of egg custard pie that you coat on buttery brioche bread and cook on the stovetop.

    Brioche is a French bread that contains lots of eggs and butter! Good start right? (The whole family is going to love it!)

    Because of the higher amount of those ingredients, the bread is much richer, softer and more tender than your average loaf.

    It's often braided and has a dark golden sheen. If you've never had it before, you need it in your life. Using brioche to make this French toast added a whole new level of buttery, rich goodness and is even delicious to use as breakfast toast.

    I'll never make French toast with any other bread again. That's how epic brioche is in this recipe.

    Ingredients

    • 6 slices brioche bread slices (Regular bread, fresh bread or stale bread also works great but it’s not necessary – however we think brioche is the best bread.)
    • 4 large eggs
    • ¾ cup whole milk (You can also use heavy cream)
    • ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
    • pinch of kosher salt
    • butter, for cooking
    ingredients for brioche french toast on table
    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Start off by preheating your griddle or a big skillet over medium heat. That way it's hot and ready to go when you're done with the super quick process of dipping the French toast.

    Now that you have your griddle heating up, it's time to assemble the French toast.

    Egg Wash for Dipping

    I like to use a pie plate or cake pan for this step (or a similar shallow dish). Because they are shallow, there's a lot of surface for dipping and it just makes the process easier.

    1. Crack the eggs in your pie plate and whisk them up with a fork. Once the eggs are uniformly yellow, add the milk, cinnamon, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
    eggs in pie plate
    eggs
    cinnamon, milk and vanilla added to eggs
    Add spices, vanilla & milk
    1. Mix until evenly combined.
    french toast batter mixed together
    Mix until combined
    1. Add the thick slices of bread to the egg wash, let it soak for a few seconds, and then flip and let it soak again.
    Dipping bread in to egg mixture
    Coat bread
    1. Melt about a tablespoon of butter in the hot skillet. When melted, it’s ready for a coated slice of brioche bread. (Or however many will fit in the skillet or on the griddle at one time.)
    butter melting in hot skillet
    Melt butter
    1. When the french toast is ready, and fully coated (meaning, the bread feels really soft and the egg wash has soaked in a bit — it doesn’t have to be super-soaked), add it to your hot, buttered griddle or skillet to cook in batches.
    French toast in cast iron skillet
    Cook
    1. Cook for a few minutes per side, until golden brown, and breakfast is served. You now have a homemade french toast recipe that you can count on!
    Cooked french toast stacked on white plate

    French Toast Topping Ideas

    There are so many ways you can serve this Brioche French Toast. If you like to keep things classic, go with pure maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

    If you want to get a little fancy, add whipped cream, fresh berries or other fresh fruit, or even chocolate chips as topping options. The best part about this recipe is that everyone can add their favorites! Here are some other favorite toppings to give you some ideas:

    • brown sugar
    • fruit syrup
    • chocolate drizzle
    • caramel drizzle
    • melted butter
    French toast with whipped cream and berries

    You could even set it up as a little food bar with a line up of options for your family or guests to mix and match as they please if you’re hosting a breakfast or brunch and need party ideas!

    Serve this Brioche French Toast with some eggs and delicious oven-cooked bacon. You'll quickly become the go-to home for Saturday brunch.

    French toast with bite taken out of it
    Brioche French Toast Recipe

    Storage and Leftovers

    If you happen to have leftovers, it’s best to store leftover french toast in an airtight container or plastic bag, and place in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

    Related Recipes:

    If you love french toast recipes, then you’re also going to love this baked french toast casserole, these EASY french toast sticks, the crazy-delish stuffed strawberry cream cheese french toast, my regular french toast, and similar easy breakfast recipe… cinnamon roll casserole!

    Recipe

    Brioche French Toast slices on white plate with cream and berries
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Brioche French Toast

    Become the star of brunch with this Brioche French Toast. Simple ingredients and just a few minutes yields a sweet, buttery breakfast main dish everyone will love.
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 slices
    Calories 114kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess
    Cost $8

    Equipment

    • Griddle or large skillet

    Ingredients

    • 6 slices brioche bread
    • 4 large eggs
    • ¾ cup whole milk
    • ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
    • pinch of kosher salt
    • butter, for cooking

    Instructions

    • Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, add eggs to a pie plate, cake pan or shallow bowl. Whisk well with a fork. Add milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt and whisk again.
    • Dip brioche bread in the egg mixture. Let soak for 2 seconds per side. Spread the hot griddle with butter then add dipped brioche. Cook each slice for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden.

    Notes

    Brioche bread can be easily found these days in the grocery store! Take a look in the bakery section first, in case that’s where they keep it!
    TIP: Double the recipe and freeze extras for a quick and easy weekday breakfast!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg

    Sausage and Egg Casserole

    October 14, 2022

    sausage and egg casserole being lifted out of baking dish

    Sausage and Egg Casserole: This easy recipe is filled with all your favorite breakfast ingredients: sausage, tater tots, eggs, cheese, and more! Perfect for Christmas morning or even busy mornings!

    You only need about 15 minutes to put this casserole together.

    Sausage and Egg Casserole being lifted out of baking dish

    Using similar ingredients, these breakfast egg rolls are a fun twist that you’ll also love!

    Meg here with another great recipe to share this month! We are big fans of breakfast recipes at my house and I hope you feel the same. (I also made this Instant Pot breakfast casserole too, in case you love Instant Pot recipes too!)

    Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

    I am all for breakfast food at any time of the day. How do you all feel about breakfast for dinner? We partake in it often at my house because it makes everyone happy and when that happens you just have to go with it.

    Breakfast casserole is definitely one of my go-to options when I need an easy, filling option for a great breakfast or dinner. Or sometimes I’ll even switch it out for this breakfast casserole with biscuits and gravy or this ham and cheese croissant bake, if we’re in the mood for something heavier!

    Let's talk about how easy this casserole is to make. It’s really similar to the easy quiche recipe that Jessica made but has a different spin on things with the hashbrowns, really tying in the breakfast flavor!

    The most work you put into the prep is cooking the sausage to brown, crispy perfection. And the great thing is you can prep all the remaining ingredients while the sausage is cooking.

    TIP: While this is baking, you could put frozen biscuits in the air fryer to serve them alongside this casserole.

    Ingredients for Breakfast Casserole

    This casserole is filled with simple ingredients, and it's just so good.

    Ingredients for sausage and egg casserole
    Ingredients
    • Breakfast sausage – we love using Jimmy Dean but any brand will do.
    • Tube crescent dough sheets – or crescent dough rolls with seams pressed together
    • Tater tots – frozen tater tots cut in half or hash browns
    • Shredded cheddar cheese – shredding block cheese can create a creamier casserole but pre-shredded is just fine.
    • Milk – 2% or whole preferably

    Make sure to check the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.

    Substitutions and Variations

    Although this recipe is delicious just the way it is, here are some ideas you can try if you’d like to:

    • Sausage: I use ground sausage for this recipe but if you’re in a pinch and you only have sausage links, you can use those too! Just bake sausage links in the oven and chop them up!
    • Add-ins: You can add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh spinach, dry mustard or your favorite casserole additions!
    • Cheese: Feel free to change up the type of shredded cheese or even add more! Pepper jack cheese is a great way to add a small kick of flavor!

    Instructions

    Not only does this recipe use simple ingredients but it’s simple to put together, too! Here’s how:

    Crescent Dough

    First, a layer of flaky crescent dough. I mean, it can't be bad if it starts with bread. Am I right?!

    I love using the crescent sheets in the tube but if your store doesn't carry them, simply press together the seams of crescent rolls into the bottom of the baking dish.

    crescent rolls spread in to baking dish
    Crescent rolls
    Sausage in baking pan on top of crescent rolls
    Add sausage & tater tots

    Sausage

    Next up is of course breakfast sausage which adds lots of bulk to the casserole.

    When I tested the recipe, I tried it the first time with regular 'ole breakfast sausage and it was delicious. The second time I went with spicy and I loved it even more. I think maple would be crazy good too.

    So, the moral of this story is, use your favorite variety of sausage. All options are great choices.

    Cheese sprinkled on baking dish
    Add cheese

    Tater Tots

    I think my favorite addition to this casserole is the mini tater tots. First, because mini things are so dang cute and always seem to taste better.

    Second, because they add that yummy, starchy potato goodness. I like that there's bigger chunks of potato rather than the usual shredded hash brown option. Again, if you can't find the mini version at your store, regularly sized tater tots will work too.

    Eggs and Cheese

    And like any good breakfast casserole, there's a healthy amount of eggs and cheese to round it all out. Because it just can't be casserole without cheese.

    eggs in bowl before whisking
    Crack eggs
    Eggs whisked in bowl
    Whisked eggs

    My cooking mantra is all about taking simple, easy to find ingredients and turning them into something different and special and this casserole is the epitome of that stance.

    eggs poured over casserole
    Pour eggs over casserole

    Casserole for a Crowd

    This recipe makes a big, hearty 13×9 pan full of breakfast casserole so you can feed a decent sized crowd with this one.

    Now that the holidays are upon us, I love casseroles like this for holiday mornings because they'll keep your crew full until the big meal.

    Another big selling point is that it doesn't take much work to put together in the morning since the last thing you need on a holiday is more food prep.

    Baked Sausage and Egg Casserole
    Baked Casserole

    Can you make breakfast casserole ahead of time?

    You could cook the sausage and whisk up the eggs the night before so all you would have to do in the morning is a quick assembly.

    Whether you're having a big holiday breakfast, a simple weeknight meal or brunch with your friends, this Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a great main dish option.

    Serving of casserole being lifted out of dish with spatula

    How to Store Leftover Breakfast Casserole

    If you have leftover casserole, allow it to fully cool to room temperature and then cover with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or a lid or store in a smaller airtight container. Place in the refrigerator and enjoy for 3-5 days.

    Reheat it the next morning by place it back in the oven for a little bit (covered) or reheat small portions in the microwave!

    Bite of sausage and egg casserole on fork

    What to Serve with Breakfast Casserole

    If you’re looking for something to serve with this dish, we love having this fresh fruit salad with it, as well as something sweet, like these blueberry buttermilk muffins.

    More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

    A recipe, similar to this one, in sandwich form is this breakfast sliders recipe! You’ll also love this Bacon Avocado Toast, this French Toast Casserole and the super popular Cinnamon Roll Casserole!

    Try baking sausage patties in the oven too, for an easy breakfast side dish!

    Or, if you love using your slow cooker, especially for brunch recipes, you’ll love these crock pot cheesy potatoes!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    sausage and egg casserole being lifted out of baking dish
    Print Pin
    5 from 8 votes

    Sausage and Egg Casserole

    Sausage and Egg Casserole: This easy recipe is filled with all your favorite breakfast ingredients: sausage, tater tots, eggs, cheese, and more! Perfect for Christmas morning or even busy mornings!
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour hour
    Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 440kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound breakfast sausage
    • 8 ounce tube crescent dough sheets (or crescent dough rolls with seams pressed together)
    • 2 cups mini tater tots (or regular tater tots cut in half)
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 ½ cups milk (2% or whole preferably)
    • 9 large eggs
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble the sausage into the hot skillet and cook until browned and crispy. Drain fat.
    • Meanwhile, spray a 13×9 baking dish with nonstick spray. Press crescent dough into the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle tater tots and cooked sausage over the dough. Sprinkle with cheese.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the sausage mixture. 
    • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 25-30 minutes, until cooked through and slightly browned. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 927mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 541IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 2mg

    Letter to Santa Template

    October 13, 2022

    letter to santa example

    Letter to Santa Template: A free printable template that makes writing a letter to Santa Claus easy, cute, and fun for kids for the holiday season for their Christmas wish list. Make it a tradition to fill out during a Christmas movie night, and really get in the Christmas spirit!

    Letter to santa template
    Letter to Santa Template

    Santa Letter Printable

    Writing letters to Santa Claus is one of our FAVORITE holiday activities every year, along with making these Pecan Snowball Cookies! (It’s also a fun thing to do when there has been really good behavior.)

    When the time of year rolls around, I print out this blank letter so they can start jotting down their Christmas wishes so we can keep track of them, early on! It’s even a fun list for older kids to keep track of their wishes too.

    So to add a little fun to the Christmas tradition, I LOVE having this free printable letter to Santa template that we can print off, over and over every year for the kiddos to fill out. It’s a simple letter, that’s easy for kids to fill out, (or easy for you to help younger children fill out) and a super cute letter at that!

    Each kiddo can fill out their own letter, every year, so make sure to save this to your Pinterest account!

    Tip: If you want to, take a photo or save a copy of the Christmas letter and put it in their memory books each year. It’s such a great way to look back at the last year or previous years.

    How to Mail a Letter to Santa

    After the letter(s) have been filled out and they’re ready, I absolutely love how the United States Post Office provides instructions on how to mail a letter to Santa! (You can also check your local library to see if they offer a drop-off location for letters!)

    They give the address of where to mail it to, and more details, making it extra special for kids at Christmas time! (Don’t forget to include your full name and return address!)

    More Printables You’ll Love:

    But first, if you’re looking for printables to help make the Christmas season even easier, make sure to take a look at our Christmas Bucket List printable, this Christmas scavenger hunt, and this Christmas Gift List free download, too!

    Or, if you love making your own printables, see how you can design your own birthday invitations and printables in Canva!

    How to Access Your Free Printable “Letter to Santa” Template:

    It’s easy! Just grab your free letter here:

    Download Letter to Santa Here!

    More Christmas-Related Posts You’ll Love

    If you’re feeling crafty, you’ll love making these DIY “Let it Snow” Christmas ornaments too!

    Looking for more Christmas ideas? Then you’ll love some of our favorite holiday activities, treats, Christmas crafts, decorations, parties and more…like:

    • fruit punch in glass with orange slice
      Fruit Punch Recipe
    • bread pudding in baking dish
      Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • I can SO do this!!! Coffee Bar Party: "You've Warmed My Heart," theme! LOVE what she did as a random act of kindness with her guests! DIY Coffee bar ideas galore, and SO easy! fantabulosity.com
      Coffee Bar Ideas for a Party (What to Serve + Easy Setup Guide)
    • Winter cupcakes sitting on kitchen counter.
      Tree Forest Winter Cupcakes

    Merry Christmas! I’m so appreciative of you for visiting Fantabulosity today!

    Easy Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

    October 12, 2022

    A white plate holds brightly decorated cut out gingerbread cookies in the shapes of gingerbread people, snowflakes, candy canes and Christmas trees

    Easy Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe: This classic gingerbread cookie recipe results in sturdy, perfectly spiced cookies to decorate for the holiday season!

    Love gingerbread fun for Christmas time? We do too. So we’ve also shared how to make gingerbread ornaments (you don’t want to eat those!) to give out as gifts or to hang on your own tree!

    A white plate holds brightly decorated cut out gingerbread cookies in the shapes of gingerbread people, snowflakes, candy canes and Christmas trees

    It’s cookie season! Holiday cookie exchanges are on our calendar and plates of Christmas cookies are wrapped up for friends, family and neighbors. Easy Cutout Sugar Cookies, Cornflake Wreaths, reindeer cookies, Snowball Cookies and these Chocolate Cherry Cookies are some of my favorite cookies to make for the holidays. And now, I can add these festive gingerbread cookies to our baking list!

    Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

    Is there anything that smells like Christmas more than the smell of freshly baked gingerbread cookies? Your kitchen will smell absolutely scrumptious as these cookies bake.

    This is the perfect cut-out cookie recipe to make for any themed holiday party. (You know how much I love hosting themed parties!!) You can make a herd of gingerbread reindeer for a reindeer-themed party, cut out gingerbread houses for a gingerbread decorating party or roll out some snowmen for a sweet snowman themed get together.

    Decorating these crisp, delicious gingerbread cookies is a family activity for holiday memory-making. Kids of all ages will love adding frosting, sprinkles, and their favorite candy to these tasty cookies. In the summer, we love making ice cream cone sugar cookies together.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    What are the ingredients for a gingerbread man? Well, regardless of the shape you choose for these cookies, the base is a sturdy cookie dough with the warm flavors of molasses and spices like ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.

    Bowls of ingredients and cookie cutters are displayed on a white marbled background
    Ingredients
    • ½ cup shortening
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup molasses
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ½ tablespoon ground ginger

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    This easy Christmas gingerbread cookies recipe is simple to follow, especially with the detailed instructions and pictures below.

    1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, cream together the shortening, sugar and salt on medium speed until smooth.
    2. Next, add the egg, molasses and white vinegar to the bowl and mix well to combine.
    Sugar and shortening and shown in a metal mixing bowl
    Cream shortening, sugar & salt
    A metal mixing bowl holds a creamed mixture, an egg and molasses ready to be mixed
    Mix wet ingredients
    1. Now, in a separate large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger.
    2. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time to the wet ingredients and mix well between each addition. The dough will be thick and smell absolutely glorious!
    A glass mixing bowl holds flour and various spices
    Sift dry ingredients
    A metal mixing bowl holds light brown gingerbread dough
    Gingerbread cookie dough
    1. Cover and chill the gingerbread dough for at least 2 hours. The dough should be cold to allow it to be rolled out properly.
    2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set them aside.
    3. Cut two squares of parchment paper at least 1 inch bigger than the size of the cookie cutters you are using. (Mine were about 3 inch cookie cutters.) These two sheets of parchment paper are going to be used to roll out the dough for each cookie, cut the shape and transfer the cookie to the lined baking sheet.
    4. For each cookie take a 1 inch ball of dough and place it in the center of one square of paper.
      You may want to sprinkle a little flour on the square first, just to make it easier to transfer. Then place the other square on top of the dough and then roll out the dough while it’s between the two pieces.
    5. Remove the top piece of paper and press the cookie cutter into the flattened dough and remove the excess dough from around the cookie cutter, leaving the cut out cookie on a parchment square. Remove the cookie cutter.
    Gingerbread dough is being removed from around a cookie cutter to reveal the shape made from a cookie cutter
    Cut out the shape
    1. Now, take the parchment square that the cookie is on, and flip the cut out cookie onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and peel the top paper off. This process ensures the cookie keeps it shape and will bake with clean edges.
    Deep brown cookie dough has been cut into the shape of a gingerbread man
    Cover with parchment
    A sheet of parchment paper is being lifted to reveal a cut out christmas cookie underneath
    Transfer using parchment
    1. Repeat for the remaining dough, spacing the cookies about 1 inch apart.
    2. Bake for 5-6 minutes just until firm. The cookies will become crunchy if they are overbaked, so just keep an eye on them in the oven.
    A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 cut out gingerbread cookies ready to be baked
    Ready to bake
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds a dozen baked unfrosted gingerbread cookies
    Baked cookies
    1. Allow the cookies to cool completely and decorate with the icing and candies of your choice.
    A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds beautifully decorated Christmas cookies
    Ginger molasses cookies

    How to Decorate Cutout Cookies

    • While royal icing may sound intimidating, I’ve got a great post on cookie decorating for beginners that will break it down and help you create cute decorated gingerbread cookies!
    • If you prefer, you can use a simple 2 ingredient glaze. Whisk 2 cups of powdered sugar with 2-4 tablespoons of milk (or gingerbread coffee creamer, eggnog or any other festive flavored liquid) until it is a smooth, spreadable glaze.
    • For an easy, family-friendly option, use purchased frosting and cookie icing tubes.
    • Use your favorite candy to decorate. Here are some festive suggestions:
      • Mini M&Ms or cinnamon red hot candies for ornaments on the Christmas trees and buttons for the gingerbread people.
      • Sugar pearls or silver dragees to accentuate the snowflakes.
      • Sprinkles and jimmies to add definitions to the stripes on candy canes.
      • Mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons on the gingerbread man cookies.

    Substitutions

    Gingerbread cookies recipes are a lot like people: there are different varieties and all of them are great! Some recipes may call for light brown sugar, lemon juice or vanilla extract. While we think we’ve nailed down the best gingerbread cookie recipe, here are a few other options for this recipe.

    • If you like a little heat, try adding a small amount (¼ teaspoon) of ground black pepper to the dough. Some people think it enhances the flavor of the other spices. What do you think?
    • If you don’t want to use cookie cutters to make decorative shaped cookies, you can roll the dough and cut it into squares using a knife or use a drinking glass to make round gingerbread cookies.

    Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft?

    Ah, the great gingerbread debate. In my opinion, it depends on your preference and what you are making with the cookies. For example, if you are making a gingerbread house, the finished cookies need to be crisp and well baked. And cut out cookies need to be a little more baked to stand up to frosting and decorations. But, if you like chewy gingerbread cookies or if you don’t plan to decorate them, then you can roll the dough a little thicker and adjust the baking time accordingly. Whether you want soft gingerbread cookies or ginger cookies with a little snap, this traditional gingerbread cookie recipe will taste amazing!

    A hand is holding a Christmas tree shaped gingerbread cookie with bright frosting and pearl sugar ornaments
    Gingerbread cut-out cookies

    Storage

    How long do homemade gingerbread cookies last? You can store undecorated baked gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperture for 2-3 weeks. Once they are decorated, the cookies do soften. So we recommend storing the decorated gingerbread in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    If you need to freeze the baked gingerbread cookies once they have cooled, wrap each cookie in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

    Brightly piped and decorated Christmas cookies shaped like gingerbread, snowflakes, trees and candy canes are displayed on a white background
    Easy gingerbread cookies

    Related Recipes

    Holiday entertaining is one of my favorite things about this time of year. So, whip up a bowl of this fun Christmas Tree Cake Dip, make these melting snowman cheesecake cups, add a festive Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer to your party menu and shake up a round of these Red Apple Martinis and you’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A white plate holds brightly decorated cut out gingerbread cookies in the shapes of gingerbread people, snowflakes, candy canes and Christmas trees
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Easy Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

    Easy Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe: This classic gingerbread cookie recipe results in sturdy, perfectly spiced cookies to decorate for the holiday season!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 1 hour hour
    Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cool Time 2 hours hours
    Total Time 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 45 cookies
    Calories 67kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup shortening
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup molasses
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ½ tablespoon ground ginger

    Instructions

    Making the Cookie Dough

    • In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer bowl), cream together the shortening, sugar and salt on medium speed until smooth.
    • Next, add the molasses, white vinegar and egg to the bowl and mix well to combine.
    • Then, in a separate large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger.
    • Add the dry ingredients, a little at a time, to the wet ingredients, and mix well between each addition. Note: the dough will be thick.
    • Cover and chill the gingerbread dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. The dough needs to be cold to allow it to be rolled out properly.

    Cutting Out the Cookie Shapes

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set them aside.
    • Remove the dough from the refrigeratorand keep the dough in 1 big pile.
    • Cut two squares of parchment paper that are at least 1 inch bigger than the size of the cookies cutters you plan on using. (The cutters seen in this recipe are about 3 inch cookie cutters.)
      These two sheets of parchment paper are going be used to roll out the dough for each cookie, and for transferring to the baking sheet.
    • For each cookie take a 1 inch ball of dough and place it in the center of one square of paper.You may want to sprinkle a little flour on the square first, just to make it easier to transfer. Then place the other square on top of the dough and then roll out the dough while it's between the two pieces.
    • Remove the top piece of paper and press the cookie cutter into the flattened dough and remove the excess dough from around the cookie cutter, leaving the cut out cookie on a parchment square. Remove the cookie cutter.
    • Now, take the parchment square that the cookie is on, and flip the cut out cookie onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and peel the top paper off. This process ensures the cookie keeps it shape and will bake with clean edges.
    • Repeat for the remaining dough, spacing the cookies about 1 inches apart.

    Baking the Cookies

    • Bake for 5-6 minutes just until firm. The cookies will become crunchy if they are overbaked, so keep an eye on them in the oven.
    • Allow the cookies to cool and decorate with icing and candies of your choice.

    Video

    Notes

    • When peeling the parchment paper off of the cookie, start from the bottom and peel the paper back nearly horizontally in the opposite direction. This angle will prevent the dough from sticking as much.
    • If you prefer, you can roll the dough out in a large thicker square and cut out multiple cookies at once and transfer them gently to the baking sheets with a thin offset spatula. The parchment paper method described above just helps the cookies keep their shape better. 
    • While the dough is rolled out relatively thinly, the cookies will puff up nicely in the oven.
    • You can make the dough ahead of time! Store it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator or up to 3 days.
    • Store undecorated baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. After icing or frosting has been applied, store the cookies in an airtight container and eat within a week.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

    Sliced Caramel Apples on a Stick

    October 11, 2022

    Sliced caramel apples on sticks, on white plate with different toppings

    Sliced Caramel Apples on a Stick: If you’re like me, I’m always looking for activities for my kids to do, especially around the holidays and when it comes to Halloween… candy apples and this pumpkin patch recipe are our faves!

    caramel apples on a stick, covered in candy
    Caramel Apple Slices on a Stick

    We started the tradition of making homemade caramel apples back in 2015, when my kiddos were just little bitty (as seen below) and even years later, they still love it! I truly hope to carry this tradition on for years to come because it’s a great way to keep them entertained and to share a moment in the kitchen together.

    Halloween Activities for Kids
    Halloween Activities for Kids

    Why you’ll love making caramel apple slices instead of the whole apple:

    • Slices are so much easier to handle for small hands (perfect for kiddos) and are such a fun treat!
    • It’s a much better way to decorate them, flat, as opposed to whole apples that are round and toppings can easily slide off when dipping the entire caramel apple.
    • Many more opportunities for different flavors! Instead of decorating one whole apple with the same toppings, many different varieties can be made with individual slices, making different caramel apple pops!
    Ingredients for sliced caramel apples on a stick
    Ingredients

    Items Needed:

    • Apples (as many as you’d like but we a bag of caramel bits, we had caramel left over after using a whole bag of apples, which was about 8!)
    • Caramel candies or caramel bits for easy melting (so you don’t have to unwrap all the caramels)
    • Toppings: This is where it gets fun! See topping ideas below!
    • Water for melting the caramels (check directions on package for amounts)
    • Lollipop sticks, popsicle sticks or wooden skewers
    • Wax paper: This comes in so handy when placing the apples on it, so it doesn’t stick when dry.
    • Wet Paper Towels: Because let’s face it… we’re playing with caramel so it will get on our hands and it will be easier to have these ready to go!

    How to Make Caramel Apple Slices

    For easy caramel apple slices, simple follow the steps below in this easy recipe:

    1. First, wash, slice, and allow apple slices to dry. You’ll want to make sure your apple slices are thick enough for a stick to be inserted in to the sides, without pushing through the white part of the apple.

    TIP: I run water over the apple slices after cutting them, to prevent browning. However, you want to make sure your slices are dry before dipping in caramel or the caramel will not stick. Some use a little lemon juice mixed in water to soak the apple slices to prevent browning as well, if slicing them ahead of time.

    sliced apples on parchment paper
    Sliced apples
    1. Next, insert a stick in to the center side of each apple slice
    Sticks in apple slices for dipping
    Insert sticks
    1. If using caramel bits, simply follow the instructions on the bag for melting the caramel. You will more than likely need to add water to these as well.

      If using individually wrapped caramels, there should also be directions on the packaging for how to melt them. However, if there are not, you can unwrap each piece of candy, place them in a large glass mixing bowl, and add about 2 tablespoons of water (or milk for creamier caramel) for melting. Melt the caramels in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between, until melted. (Be careful not to overcook caramel.)

      You may also prefer to melt the caramel on the stove top, using a double boiler but I found the microwave to be our favorite method.
    Water pouring over caramel bits in a bowl
    Melt caramel
    1. When the caramel has melted, the apples are ready for dipping! Simply grab an apple slice that’s on a stick, and dip in the bowl of caramel, making sure at least one side is covered. (Or both sides of the apple if you prefer!)
    2. Lift up the apple above the bowl, and allow the excess to drip off, before placing on wax paper.
    Apple slices being dipped in melted caramel
    Dip apples
    1. Once dipped, place on a sheet of wax paper. (You can even place the wax paper on a cookie sheet, baking sheet or sheet pan, for easy transporting.) Shortly after, start adding your favorite toppings. (We allow each apple slice to cool a few seconds to prevent as many toppings from sliding off, even though, as you can tell, when the kids are involved… toppings are going to go everywhere anyway.)
    apple slices decorated by kids
    Kids decorating!
    1. Allow caramel apple slices to dry for about 15 minutes, and enjoy!!
    apple slices dipped in caramel with toppings
    Caramel Apple Slices on a Stick

    Caramel Apple Topping Ideas

    Have so much fun with choosing toppings for your adorable caramel apple slices! Here are some of our favorite ideas:

    • Candy (M&M’s, Reese’s Cups, crushed candy bars)
    • Cookies (Oreos, Biscoff, Sugar, etc.)
    • Peanut Butter (Melt to make more a drizzle)
    • Chocolate fudge, chocolate drizzle or Caramel Drizzle
    • Chopped nuts (Make sure to check the ice cream topping section at the store for the perfect kind!)
    • Mini Marshmallows
    • Sprinkles
    • Mini Chocolate Chips
    • Candy Eyes (for that Halloween fun!)
    Reeses cups on caramel apple
    Reeses apple

    Substitutions and Variations

    You can absolutely change things up if you prefer for this fun fall treat. For instance:

    • Instead of melted caramel, you may have fun using melted chocolate!
    • Using milk instead of water in the caramel can create a more creamy caramel.
    • Different types of apples – You can use whichever crisp apples you think are the best apples! We used Fuji but you can use any kind that you like! Red Delicious, pink lady, and even Granny Smith Apples or other tart apples are fun to use too!
    sprinkles on caramel apple slice
    Sprinkles Apple

    How to Store Caramel Apple Slices

    We recommend storing any leftover apples in the refrigerator, in a single layer. Leaving them out at room temperature will cause the apples to turn brown, and the caramel will begin to thin out and spread out.

    Oreo and peanut butter on caramel apple
    Oreo and Peanut Butter Apple

    Related Posts

    If you love an easy recipe for fall, you’re going to love this caramel apple dump cake! It’s so easy, so comforting and so delicious! Or, try these caramel apple nachos for an easy fun twist on a classic! We have a lot of great fall recipes here on the blog for you to browse for the time of year, that the whole family will love!

    If your kids are loving this for Halloween, then they’ll also love these no bake mummy Halloween treats!

    Recipe

    Sliced caramel apples on sticks, on white plate with different toppings
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Sliced Caramel Apples on a Stick

    Sliced Caramel Apples on a Stick: Such a fun and easy way to make caramel apples for more variety and an easy way to enjoy a caramel apple pop in the fall!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 244kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Equipment

    • 32 lollippop sticks wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
    • large glass mixing bowl or microwaveble bowl

    Ingredients

    • 8 apples
    • 11 ounces caramel bits or caramel candies
    • water or milk for creamier caramel
    • preferred toppings see post for ideas

    Instructions

    • First, wash, slice, and allow apple slices to dry. You'll want to make sure your apple slices are thick enough for a stick to be inserted in to the sides, without pushing through the white part of the apple.
    • Next, insert a stick in to the center side of each apple slice
    • If using caramel bits, simply follow the instructions on the bag for melting the caramel. You will more than likely need to add water to these as well. I microwaved ours for 1 minute, stirred, and then microwaved one more time and then were melted.
    • When the caramel has melted, the apples are ready for dipping! Simply grab an apple slice that's on a stick, and dip in the bowl of caramel, making sure at least one side is covered. (Or both sides of the apple if you prefer!)
    • Lift up the apple above the bowl, and allow the excess to drip off, before placing on wax paper.
    • Once dipped, place on a sheet of wax paper. Shortly after, start adding your favorite toppings.
    • Allow caramel apple slices to dry for about 15 minutes, and enjoy!!

    Notes

    We recommend storing any leftover apples in the refrigerator, in a single layer. Leaving them out at room temperature will cause the apples to turn brown, and the caramel will begin to thin out and spread out.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1apple | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Clam Chowder Recipe

    October 10, 2022

    A close up photo of a spoon of clam chowder with bacon bits and parsley

    Clam Chowder Recipe: This classic clam chowder recipe uses pantry staples to make a comforting creamy soup full of tender clams that is ready to eat in just 40 minutes!

    Quick Overview: Ready to eat in only 40 minutes and it uses simple ingredients!

    A bowl of chowder is garnished with bacon bits, oyster crackers and parsley in the center of the photo

    Now that you’ve got this rich, thick clam chowder recipe for your meal plan, check out some of our favorite easy soup recipes for main course during soup season: the BEST chicken noodle soup, hearty taco soup, and Instant Pot broccoli cheddar soup!

    Why You’ll Love This Chowder Recipe

    Just like our lobster bisque and crab bisque, this delicious clam chowder recipe is a big hit with seafood lovers!

    Is there anything better than homemade soup? A loaf of crusty bread and a big pot of chowder ready to garnish with all of your favorite toppings will whisk you right away to the east coast.

    Made with simple ingredients from your pantry and grocery store, this New England style clam chowder goes from the stove top to table top in under an hour!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    These ingredients are all easy to find and prep, so don’t be intimidated if this is the first time you are making homemade clam chowder.

    The ingredients for clam chowder are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients
    • 2 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced – if you have more on hand, consider this baked potato soup recipe too.
    • 1 cup yellow onions, finely chopped
    • 1 cup leeks, sliced into half moons (or green onions if that’s all you have!)
    • ½ cup celery, finely chopped
    • ¾ cup butter
    • ¾ all-purpose flour
    • 1 quart half-and-half
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
    • dash black pepper
    • Two 6.5 oz cans of minced clams in clam juice, do not drain clams

    Substitutions

    Here are a few easy substitutes for some of the ingredients we used in this recipe:

    • If you don’t have russet potatoes, Yukon gold, yellow potatoes and white potatoes are good alternatives.
    • Don’t have half and half? You can use equal parts whole milk and heavy cream as well.
    • Use can use white pepper in this recipe if you want a slightly milder pepper flavor.
    • Did you accidentally drain the clams? Don’t worry! You can use bottled clam juice or even use some of my homemade chicken broth to add with the water to cook the veggies in.
    • Not sure about leeks or don’t have any? No problem. You can also use green onions if you prefer.

    Variations

    While I’m a little partial and think this is the best clam chowder recipe, don’t be afraid to try some of the variations below!

    • Get creative with your toppings! Red pepper flakes add heat, crispy french fried onions add texture and Goldfish crackers come in tons of flavors that complement this chowder!
    • Add vegetables and more seafood. This creamy chowder is perfect to add corn to for a clam and corn chowder. Chowders can easily become seafood stews with the addition of lobster meat and shrimp.

    See the printable recipe card below for the full instructions, nutritional information, and notes for this clam chowder soup recipe.

    Instructions

    Our creamy clam chowder recipe is easy to follow, especially with the step by step photos below!

    1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the potatoes, onions, leeks and celery. Pour the juice from the canned clams over the vegetables. Add water until the vegetables are completely covered and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
    2. While the vegetables are cooking, this is a good time to make the roux. Begin by melting the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Next, using a whisk, gradually blend the flour with the butter to make a roux.
    A dutch oven holds cubed potatoes, diced onions and sliced leeks ready to be boiled
    Cook vegetables
    In a large saucepan, butter and flour are being whisked to make a roux
    Make a roux
    1. Slowly add the half and half and continue whisking to get rid of any lumps. Let this mixture come to a slight bubble and continue cooking until the roux mixture becomes thick and creamy.
    2. Once the vegetables are done cooking and tender, add the roux to the large pot with the vegetables and mix well.
    Half and half has been added to a flour and butter roux in a large sauce pan as the base of chowder
    Add half and half
    A cream, flour and butter mixture has been added to a dutch oven with boiled potatoes, leeks and onions
    Add roux to vegetables
    1. Add the salt, sugar, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
    2. Finally, add the minced clams and stir until the ingredients are well combined and the chowder is heated through.
    Salt and pepper have been added to a dutch oven full of a creamy soup base filled with potatoes, leeks and onions
    Add seasonings
    Two cans of drained, minced clams have been added to a dutch oven filled with a creamy white soup base
    Add clams

    Are you drooling like I am over this creamy, dreamy New England clam chowder?

    A red dutch oven full of creamy clam chowder is centered in the photo surrounded by soft rolls for dipping
    Ready to serve

    Serve the clam chowder with your favorite toppings: fresh chopped parsley, oyster crackers, shredded cheese, or cooked bacon bits.

    A bowl of chowder is garnished with bacon bits, oyster crackers and parsley in the center of the photo
    Bowl of chowder

    The best bowls of clam chowder are served hot and topped with anything that makes you happy! Now, dig in!

    Close up of a spoon of clam chowder held over a bowl of the same soup garnished with parsley, bacon bits and oyster crackers
    Creamy Clam Chowder

    What to Serve with This Chowder

    So many things go well with this chowder but these Bisquick garlic cheese biscuits are our favorite! They’re easy to make and so good for dipping in!

    Close up of a bowl of creamy soup topped with oyster crackers, bacon bits and parsley

    Chowder FAQs

    Is clam chowder actually made with clams?

    While you could omit the clams and just use a bottle of clam juice, we absolutely love the clam flavor and texture that clams give to this chowder.

    How do you thicken clam chowder or how do I make my clam chowder thicker?

    The butter and flour roux are a natural thickener for chowder. You can also use starchier potatoes like russet potatoes that will break down slightly and thicken the chowder as well.

    Is clam chowder supposed to be thick or thin?

    This is really up to your personal preference. For thinner chowder, add the half and half mixture in the recipe to the pot of vegetables before it starts to bubble.

    What goes well with clam chowder?

    Here are a few of our favorite things to serve with this delicious chowder: a fresh green salad, cornbread, sourdough bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, steamed vegetables and corn on the cob.

    Storage

    Store any leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. (Anyone else like soup better the next day anyway?)

    More Soup Recipes

    We love chowders and soups around here. I think you’re going to also love this buffalo chicken soup, this easy chili recipe and this white chicken chili that’s so hearty and comforting!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A close up photo of a spoon of clam chowder with bacon bits and parsley
    Print Pin
    5 from 8 votes

    Easy Clam Chowder Recipe

    This classic clam chowder recipe uses pantry staples to make a comforting creamy soup full of tender clams that is ready to eat in just 40 minutes!
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 571kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups russet potatoes peeled and diced
    • 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
    • 1 cup leeks or green onions sliced into half moons
    • ½ cup celery finely chopped
    • ¾ cup butter
    • ¾ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 quart half and half
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
    • dash ground black pepper
    • 2 6.5 ounce cans minced clams in clam juice do not drain

    Instructions

    • In a large pot or dutch oven, add the potatoes, onions, leeks and celery.
      Next, pour the juice from the canned clams over the vegetables, and add water until the vegetables are completely covered and stir.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
    • While the vegetables are cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
      Then, using a whisk, gradually mix the flour with the butter to make a roux.
    • Slowly add the half and half to the roux and continue whisking to get rid of any lumps that it may have.
      Let the mixture come to a slight bubble and continue cooking until the roux mixture becomes thick and creamy.
    • Once the vegetables are tender, add the cream mixture (roux) to the large pot with the vegetables and mix well.
    • Add the salt, sugar and pepper and stir again until combined.
    • Finally, add the minced clams and stir until all ingredients are well combined and the chowder is heated through. Serve this clam chowder with your favorite toppings and add-ins!

    Notes

    • The half and half mixture will thicken quickly once it starts to bubble, so remove it from the heat once it becomes thick and there are no more lumps.
    • For thinner chowder, add the half and half mixture to the pot of vegetables before it starts to bubble.
    • For extra flavor, you can add additional can of clams to the chowder.
    • If you enjoy larger pieces of clam, used chopped clams instead of minced clams.
    • To avoid rubbery clams, add them to the chowder to warm through just before serving.
    • Store any leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 874mg | Potassium: 528mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1555IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 203mg | Iron: 2mg

    Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe

    October 7, 2022

    buffalo chicken soup in white bowl with green onions and chips

    Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe: A creamy, comforting soup that has all of the best flavors of the popular buffalo chicken dip appetizer and buffalo wings.

    buffalo chicken soup in white bowl

    When soup season rolls around, this is the first creamy soup that I make! Then next, it’s the lasagna soup recipe that’s equally delicious!

    Why You’ll Love This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup

    • This became a new favorite soup for my family, quickly! I’m not talking just my immediate family either… I mean, my whole extended family! I made it for them one day and they haven’t been able to stop making it themselves, ever since, and I know you’re going to love it too.
    • This recipe uses uncooked chicken but you can use leftover chicken if you have any on hand, a rotisserie chicken (and then you can make this rotisserie chicken stock recipe out of the bones), or whatever chicken you prefer!
    • It’s all the flavors of buffalo chicken, in soup form, that is amazing by itself or paired alongside these buffalo chicken sliders! Or, to tame the heat, you can make a sandwich like this tuna salad sandwich, chicken grilled cheese or this peanut butter and syrup sandwich.

    Ingredients

    This soup uses simple ingredients and you may even have all (most) of them on hand! Here’s what you need:

    • 4 cups chicken broth (you can make my homemade chicken broth)
    • 8 ounces cream cheese cut in to sections
    • ⅓ cup buffalo sauce (I like Frank’s Red Hot but you can use your favorite brand of hot sauce)
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 stick of butter (½ cup)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 pound of uncooked whole chicken breasts
    • ⅓ chopped celery
    • roux – optional (2 tablespoons of butter & 2 tablespoon flour or 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum)
    • corn chips optional; we use Fritos
    ingredients for buffalo chicken soup
    Ingredients

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Chicken: Don’t want to cook chicken? No problem! Use canned chicken or even a rotisserie chicken! If you like meal prepping, you will love this easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker for soup recipes like this!)
    • Dairy: We use heavy cream for this recipe but you can use milk if you prefer; whole, 2%, skim, etc.
    • Hot Sauce: We love using Frank’s hot sauce but you can use any type that you liked. I’d just stay away from green hot sauce, or different flavors of hot sauce until you’re for sure that you’d like it in the soup. Regular hot sauce really captures that traditional buffalo chicken flavor.
    • Seasonings: We love this just the way it is but as always, feel free to experiment with other ingredients if you have your favorites! For instance, using cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, may be fun to try in this recipe!

    Instructions:

    1. Cut chicken in to small pieces and place it, along with the chopped celery, in a large pot (you can drizzle a little olive oil in the stock pot to prevent sticking if you prefer) and cook over medium heat until the chicken has fully cooked through.
    raw chicken in stock post
    Cook chicken
    celery added to chicken in pot
    Add celery
    1. When the chicken is fully cooked, it’s time to add the heavy cream, broth, butter, buffalo sauce and cream cheese. Stir in and turn to low and allow everything to melt and combine, stirring occasionally.
    Cooked chicken and celery in stock pot
    Cooked chicken
    butter, cream, hot sauce added to stock pot
    Add butter, cream and sauce

    You can serve the soup right away after everything has melted but it’s best, if you have time, to allow the soup to simmer for at least 10 minutes or so, to allow all of the flavors to blend together.

    How to Make Buffalo Chicken Soup Thicker

    If you prefer a thicker soup, this is when you can add a roux or xanthan gum.

    Xanthan Gum

    On the day I made the soup to take photos for the blog, I used xanthan gum. If you’d like to try that, I recommend starting with a teaspoon first and allow it to simmer to see if it’s thick enough.

    I’ve added a tablespoon in the past and it was too much. It was really thick, and kind of lost that “soup” texture and became a chowder texture. But xanthan gum is a great choice, especially if you’re doing a low-carb diet.

    Roux

    If you prefer a thicker soup, you can make a roux in a separate pan (cooking 2 tablespoons of butter & 2 tablespoon flour for a few minutes and then whisk in to buffalo chicken soup) and then heat soup until thickened.

    xanthan gum added to soup
    Add xanthan gum if desired
    pepper added to soup
    Add pepper

    After allowing the soup to simmer for a few minutes, it’s ready to serve!

    buffalo chicken soup in a ladle
    Simmer soup

    Topping Ideas

    The soup is absolutely wonderful by itself but we do love adding our favorite toppings! Here are topping ideas if you’d like to add some too:

    • Fritos (corn chips)
    • Chopped green onions
    • Blue cheese crumbles
    • Hot sauce drizzle
    • Sour cream
    • Blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing drizzle
    • Croutons (you will love this easy homemade croutons recipe!)
    Buffalo chicken soup in white bowl with toppings
    Add toppings

    What Side Dishes Go With Soup?

    If you’re looking for a side dish to serve with this buffalo chicken soup recipe, our favorites (besides the sandwiches that I mentioned above) are this side salad, focaccia bread, or this Italian Chopped Salad.

    Buffalo chicken soup on spoon, holding above the bowl

    How to Store Leftover Soup

    If you have leftover soup, allow it to fully cool and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

    Can you freeze buffalo chicken soup?

    I do! I simply put it in to containers and free single portions so we can pull a container out, thaw, and enjoy!

    Related Recipes

    If you love hearty soups like this one, you’re also going to love this and this easy white chicken chili, crab bisque, and this easy chicken noodle soup!

    If you’re craving the famous dip now, I highly recommend this crockpot buffalo chicken dip!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    buffalo chicken soup in white bowl with green onions and chips
    Print Pin
    4.43 from 7 votes

    Buffalo Chicken Soup

    Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe: A creamy, comforting soup that has all of the best flavors of the popular buffalo chicken dip appetizer and buffalo wings.
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 391kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups chicken stock
    • 8 ounces cream cheese cut in to sections
    • ⅓ cup buffalo sauce I like Frank’s Red Hot
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 pound chicken breasts
    • ⅓ cup chopped celery
    • corn chips optional; we use Fritos
    • roux (2 tablespoons of butter & 2 tablespoons flour) Or Xanthan Gum – OPTIONAL, for a thicker soup

    Instructions

    • Cut raw chicken in to small pieces and place it in to a stock pot with the chopped celery. (You may also want to add a drizzle of olive oil so the chicken does not stick but this is optional.) Cook over medium until the chicken if fully cooked. (This usually takes about 4-5 minutes.)
    • Next, add the chicken stock, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, cream, and butter in soup pot.
    • Over medium heat, stirring often, heat until the cream cheese is melted and evenly distributed throughout. (I did use a whisk at times to help it along.)
    • Add salt and pepper and stir until combined.
    • Allow to simmer an additional 10 minutes and then serve unless you prefer a thicker soup, and then see next steps.

    Thicker Soup

    • If you prefer a thicker soup, you can make a roux in a separate pan (cooking 2 tablespoons of butter & 2 tablespoon flour for a few minutes and then whisk in to buffalo chicken soup) and then heat soup until thickened.
      Or, you can use xanthan gum to thicken it instead. Simply add about a teaspoon to the soup, stir and then allow to simmer for a few minutes to thicken. If it's still not thick enough, you can continue adding more xanthan gum until it has reached the thickness you prefer.
    • Top with your favorite toppings and serve! (See post for topping ideas!)

    Notes

    How to store leftover soup
    If you have leftover soup, allow it to fully cool and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
    Can you freeze buffalo chicken soup?
    I do! I simply put it in to containers and free single portions so we can pull a container out, thaw, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving (⅙ recipe) | Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 383mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg

    Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    October 6, 2022

    Close up photo of a spoonful of a creamy chicken and cheese casserole topped with crispy browned tater tots

    Chicken Tater Tot Casserole: Packed with tender shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, golden tater tots, and tangy ranch seasoning, this cozy baked chicken casserole recipe will become a family favorite!

    Love using other starchy items besides noodles in a casserole? Give this Stove-Top Stuffing Chicken Casserole recipe a chance because it’s full of deliciousness too! These two are definitely some of our popular casserole recipes.

    chicken tater tot casserole serving on spoon

    We love any dish made with the glorious combination of cheese, bacon and ranch mix, (like this chicken bacon ranch pasta) and this is a favorite casserole recipe for an main course, for sure!

    Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food for any meal of the day. For breakfast, you’ll love making this Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Casserole, and lunch is the perfect time for a hearty Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. We even have a Broccoli Casserole and Corn Casserole to serve alongside dinner. Finally, wrap up the day with a warm, gooey Cinnamon Roll Casserole topped with ice cream!

    Why you’ll love this casserole recipe

    There’s not an easier dinner recipe for busy days and busy weeknights than this casserole. (Well, maybe this one and this chicken and gravy recipe.) Just mix up the chicken mixture, pop it in a baking dish, and dinner is done in under an hour!

    This one bowl, one dish tater tot casserole is perfect for using leftovers, too. Use the leftover chicken from shredded slow cooker chicken and the leftover air fryer bacon from breakfast.

    A casserole is a great way to feed a crowd or large family because this chicken and tater tot casserole yields at least 8 generous portions!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    As you can see, this cheesy chicken tater tot casserole is made with familiar ingredients that you can grab on your next trip to the grocery store.

    Bowls of shredded chicken, cooked bacon, sour cream, chicken soup, shredded cheese, tater tots and a packet of ranch dressing are displayed
    Ingredients
    • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
    • 1 ½ cups sour cream
    • One 10oz. can condensed cream of chicken soup
    • One 1 oz. packet of ranch dressing seasoning mix
    • 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped into bite sized pieces
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
    • 32 oz. bag of frozen tater tots, divided

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, instructions and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    If you love easy recipes, you have come to the right place today! You will only need one mixing bowl, one baking dish and a spatula or spoon, so let’s get cooking!

    1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Reserve ½ cup of the shredded cheese and a few handfuls of the frozen tater tots for the top of the casserole.
    2. Then, in a large bowl, add the chicken, sour cream, soup, ranch powder, cooked bacon and 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese. Mix until well combined.
    Cooked shredded chicken is in a large glass mixing bowl
    Shredded chicken
    In a large glass mixing bowl, a spatula stirs together chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheeese and sour cream
    Mix casserole ingredients
    1. Next, add the remaining frozen tater tots and fold them into the chicken mixture.
    Frozen tater tots have been added to a glass mixing bowl with a creamy chicken mixture
    Add frozen tater tots
    Tater tots have been stirred into a creamy cheesy chicken mixture for a comforting casserole
    Mix well
    1. Now, add the casserole mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Place the reserved frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mixture. Then, sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.
    A white baking dish holds the unbaked contents of a creamy cheesy casserole ready to be baked
    Spread in baking dish
    In a white baking dish, frozen tater tots top the unbaked cheesy chicken filling of a comforting casserole
    Top with tater tots & cheese
    1. Finally, bake the chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole for 45 minutes or until the tater tots on top are golden brown and the whole thing is hot and bubbly. Serve and enjoy!
    Golden brown tater tots and melted cheese crown the top of a baking dish of creamy cheesy chicken casserole
    What goes good with tater tot casserole?

    We love to serve this chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole with mixed vegetables, roasted broccoli, canned green beans or candied carrots. A big green salad would also be a complimentary side dish.

    What meat goes with tater tots?

    I think tater tots are an easy staple to serve alongside oven baked burgers and hot dog recipes, most chicken dishes, and with BBQ or grilled meats.

    Whatever you decide to serve alongside this creamy dreamy casserole, I know your whole family is going to love it! I believe they’ll also love this taquito casserole too!

    A fork holds a bite of creamy cheesy chicken casserole above a plate portion of the same meal
    Easy dinner recipe

    Substitutions

    If you need alternatives to the ingredients that we used for this casserole, here are a few suggestions that you’ll find helpful:

    • You can also make this casserole with cooked ground beef instead of chicken.
    • We made this chicken tater tot casserole with cream of chicken soup. But, you can use a can of cream of mushroom soup, a can of cheddar cheese soup or your favorite condensed cream soup variety.
    • To save a few calories, you can make this casserole with low fat versions of the sour cream and cheese or substitute turkey bacon as well.

    Variations

    Here are a few of our favorite creative ways to put a delicious twist on this recipe for creamy chicken tater tot casserole!

    • Spice it up! Use shredded pepper jack cheese to add a little heat to this traditional tater tot casserole. Or, serve this with your favorite hot sauce so you can add as much or little heat as you would like.
    • Make it buffalo! Toss the shredded chicken in your family’s favorite buffalo sauce and substitute blue cheese crumbles for half of the shredded cheese and you’ve got a buffalo chicken tater tot casserole on your hands!
    • Serve with a topping bar! Let your family choose from a variety of toppings like chopped green onion, different cheeses, crispy french fried onions, bacon bits, fresh herbs, and extra sour cream.
    Birdseye photo of serveral plated servings of a creamy cheesy chicken casserole and a baking dish of the same meal
    Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Storage

    You can store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Can I freeze cooked tater tot casserole? Yes! Cover the entire baked dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap or freeze individual servings in airtight containers. You can freeze this for 3-4 months.

    How to freeze the assembled casserole before baking. First, cover the prepared casserole tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or store it in a freezer friendly covered dish for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. Then, when you are ready to bake it, remove the foil/lid and bake it in a 350 degree oven for about 60 minutes.

    Birdseye photo of a white baking dish with a creamy cheesy chicken casserole with several servings scooped out and plated
    Cheesy tater tot casserole

    Top tip

    If you don’t have time to cook and shred boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, grab a rotisserie chicken from your grocery store deli. (Then, see how to get the most out of your rotisserie chicken.)

    More Comforting Casseroles

    We are no strangers to casseroles around here. We think you’ll love our flavorful Taco Chicken Casserole, and this cozy French Onion Beef Casserole. Not to mention, how much you’ll love our homey Ham & Swiss Casserole!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up photo of a spoonful of a creamy chicken and cheese casserole topped with crispy browned tater tots
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Our Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is packed with chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon and tangy ranch seasoning. This cozy baked casserole recipe will become a family favorite!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 634kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
    • 1 ½ cups sour cream
    • 1 10 oz. can condensed cream of chicken soup
    • 1 packet ranch dressing mix seasoning (1 oz.)
    • 1 cup cooked bacon chopped into bite sized pieces
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
    • 32 oz frozen tater tots divided

    Instructions

    • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Reserve ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and a few handfuls of the frozen tater tots.
    • Then, in a large bowl, mix together the chicken, sour cream, soup, ranch powder, cooked bacon and 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese until well combined.
    • Next, fold the remaining frozen tater tots into the chicken mixture.
    • Now, add the casserole mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Place the reserved tater tots on top of the mixture. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.
    • Finally, bake for 45 minutes or until the tater tots on top are golden brown and casserole is hot and bubbly.

    Notes

    • No need to thaw the tater tots for this recipe – they are used frozen.
    • You can use cooked turkey bacon, low fat cheese and low fat sour cream to save a few calories.
    • If you prefer, you can use cream of mushroom soup or a can of cheddar cheese soup in the casserole filling.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • To freeze, cover the entire baked dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap or freeze individual servings in airtight containers for 3-4 months.
    • You can also freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Cover the prepared casserole tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or store it in a freezer friendly covered dish for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. When you are ready to bake it, remove the foil/lid and bake it in a 350 degree F oven for about 60 minutes.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1208mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 589IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 1mg

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

    October 4, 2022

    A stack of desserts bars with a graham cracker crust and swirled pumpkin cheesecake filling are in the center of the photo

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: These decadent Fall dessert bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust and a layer of rich creamy swirled pumpkin pie cheesecake!

    The pumpkin combined with the cheesecake flavors, is a combo that’s hard to pass up. We even have mini pumpkin cheesecakes that should be next on your list of fall desserts to make!

    A stack of desserts bars with a graham cracker crust and swirled pumpkin cheesecake filling are in the center of the photo

    Desserts are a huge hit at our house. Especially cheesecake! From baked versions like Coconut Cheesecake and Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake to no bake cheesecake recipes like our No Bake Cherry Cheesecake and S’mores Cheesecake, we love cheesecake in any form. Now, we’re sharing cheesecake in pumpkin bars!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    It’s pumpkin season! Get ready for all of the pumpkin recipes, pumpkin treats and pumpkin flavor. These pumpkin bars are no exception. They have a generous swirl of pumpkin pie cheesecake that will cure that pumpkin craving.

    Since this cheesecake is baked in a 9×13 baking dish, you don’t have to fuss with a springform pan or a water bath.

    These easy cheesecake bars are a delicious alternative to this no-bake pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dessert. I know we’ll be making them all holiday season, as well as this sweet potato pie recipe!

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    Ingredients

    These pumpkin cream cheese bars use simple, easy to find ingredients that can be picked up on your next grocery store run. Here are the ingredients for BAKED pumpkin bars:

    Bowls of ingredients, sticks of butter and eggs are displayed on a white marble background
    • 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
    • 16 oz. (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree
    • 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

    See printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    With the easy step-by-step instructions and photos below, even the most inexperienced bakers can have a pan of these decadent dessert bars ready today!

    See below for “No Bake” instructions instead!

    Steps 1-4 of how to make pumpkin cheesecake bars.
    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
    2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Then, combine it with the graham cracker crumbs until it forms a wet, sandy mixture. Spread the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the 9×13 pan and press it down firmly to form a crust. Set the dish aside.
    1. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until it is smooth. Now, mix in the sour cream and granulated sugar until they are fully incorporated.
    2. Then, add the eggs to the cream cheese mixture and mix once more until smooth and the eggs are fully combined. Pour ¾ of the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust.
    Steps 5-7 for making pumpkin cheesecake bars.
    1. Add the pumpkin to the remaining cheesecake mixture, add the salt, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and mix it until combined.
    2. Dollop spoonfuls of the pumpkin cheesecake mixture all over the top of the plain cheesecake layer. Use a butter knife to swirl the two mixtures together.
    1. Next, bake the cheesecake for 35-40 minutes or until the center is only slightly jiggly.
    2. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool for 30 minutes in the oven. Then, put it in the fridge and allow it to cool for 1 ½ hours.
    3. Finally, cut the cooled cheesecake into squares, serve, and enjoy!
    A hand holds a white and orange swirled pumpkin dessert bar

    Serve them on a pretty platter for an impressive dessert on Thanksgiving! (And save the leftover cut-away pieces to snack on until that turkey is done!)

    Substitutions & Variations

    Don’t have sour cream? Can’t find graham cracker crumbs in the grocery store? We’ve got easy alternatives and some fun ways to switch up this classic recipe for pumpkin cheesecake bars.

    • If you don’t have sour cream, you can replace it with plain greek yogurt.
    • Have you ever made homemade pumpkin pie spice? It is a great way to adjust the individual spices (more cinnamon, less ginger, etc.) to your taste and you can absolutely use it in this recipe.
    • Feel free to make your own graham cracker crumbs if you don’t want to buy them. Simply place your graham crackers in a large ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.
    • We made this recipe with a traditional graham cracker crust. However, you can make the crust with your favorite cookies and crumbs! Use vanilla wafers for a mild vanilla crust. Amp up the spice by using cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Crushed gingersnap cookies make an incredible gingersnap crust to compliment the pumpkin in this recipe. Chocolate and pumpkin are a surprisingly delicious combination, so you can try using chocolate graham crackers crumbs for the crust, too.
    • Finally, there are plenty of ways to top these creamy pumpkin cheesecake bars. Homemade whipped cream or whipped topping, crunchy streusel, pumpkin pie granola, scoops of ice creams and caramel sauce are some of our favorite suggestions!

    Storage

    Should you refrigerate pumpkin bars? How long do pumpkin bars last? Store these Fall dessert bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Top Tips

    • Allowing the cheesecake to cool in the oven before moving the dish to the fridge helps minimize cracks forming in the top of the cheesecake.
    • I like to use a plastic knife to cut these cheesecake bars into squares. For some reason, a plastic knife doesn’t seem to stick to the cheesecake filling as much, and results in cleaner edges for the cut pumpkin cheesecake squares.
    A wooden spatula holds an orange and white swirled dessert bar above a pan of the same swirled dessert

    No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

    Now, this is not a no bake dessert and these are not no bake pumpkin bars. BUT, you can use the same crumb + butter crust and make a no bake filling.

    Here’s How: To make an easy fluffy filling, whisk 1 small box of pumpkin spice flavored instant pudding into 1 cup of cold milk and then fold in 1 small tub of Cool Whip for a creamy dreamy no bake pumpkin dessert. Sprinkle the top with pumpkin pie spice and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

    More Pumpkin Recipes

    We are no stranger to pumpkin desserts around here! Our Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are bakery-style muffins with a decadent streusel topping and an icing drizzle. This Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake is a super simple 4 ingredient pumpkin dessert! If no bake is more your speed, our Pumpkin Fluff Dip is a crowd pleaser for all of your Fall get togethers.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A stack of desserts bars with a graham cracker crust and swirled pumpkin cheesecake filling are in the center of the photo
    Print Pin
    5 from 12 votes

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

    These decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars have a buttery graham cracker crust and a layer of rich, creamy swirled pumpkin pie cheesecake! Perfect for the fall season and Thanksgiving.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes minutes
    Rest Time 2 hours hours
    Total Time 2 hours hours 55 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 bars
    Calories 393kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • 16 ounces cream cheese (2 blocks) softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree
    • 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
    • In a medium sized mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave and combine it with the graham cracker crumbs until it forms a wet, sandy mixture. Spread the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the 9×13 pan and press it down firmly to form a crust. Set the dish aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until smooth.
    • Now, mix in the sour cream and granulated sugar until they are fully incorporated.
    • Then, add the eggs to the cream cheese mixture and mix once more until is smooth and the eggs are fully combined. Pour ¾ of the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust.
    • To the remaining cheesecake mixture, add the salt, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and mix it until combined.
    • Dollop spoonfuls of the pumpkin cheesecake mixture all over the top of the plain cheesecake mixture. Use a butter knife to swirl the two mixtures together.
    • Next, bake the cheesecake for 35-40 minutes or until the center is only slightly jiggly.
    • Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool for 30 minutes in the oven. Then, put it in the fridge and allow it to cool for 1 ½ hours.
    • Finally, cut the cooled cheesecake into squares, serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    For a No Bake Version of Pumpkin Bars:
    You can use the same crumb + butter crust and make a no bake filling.
    Here’s How: To make an easy fluffy filling, whisk 1 small box of pumpkin spice-flavored instant pudding into 1 cup of cold milk and then fold in 1 small tub of Cool Whip or 8oz. of the storebought cheesecake filling for a creamy dreamy no bake pumpkin dessert. Sprinkle the top with pumpkin pie spice and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
    More Notes: 
    • Use the bottom of a glass to press the graham cracker crumb mixture into the baking dish to form a firm, sturdy crust.
    • I like to use a plastic knife to cut these cheesecake bars into squares. (For some reason, it doesn’t seem to stick to the cheesecake filling so much!) If you use a regular knife, wipe it clean after every cut to keep the edges of the bars neat.
    • Allowing the cheesecake to cool in the oven before moving the dish to the fridge helps minimize cracks forming in the top of the cheesecake.
    • Store these cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 468mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 4027IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg

    Cowboy Queso

    October 2, 2022

    A tortilla chip is being dipped into a big bowl of cowboy queso.

    Cowboy Queso: This cowboy queso dip is loaded with cheese, sausage, beans and more and makes the perfect appetizer at a party or side dish for a southern-inspired meal!

    Ready in less than 30 minutes, this dip is quick and easy, and oh so satisfying.

    A tortilla chip is being dipped into a big bowl of cowboy queso.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Cheesy queso like this is a personal favorite of mine (like this jalapeno artichoke dip), but it has also proven to be a cowboy favorite- it’s loaded with black beans, three different kinds of cheese, Rotel tomatoes, chorizo sausage, and a bunch of other delicious (but simple) ingredients! My cowboy pasta salad has similar ingredients and makes a great side or main dish.

    This cowboy queso with chorizo is also the ultimate party dip or game day dip, along with this hot taco dip. Serve this up with some salty tortilla chips and watch it disappear at your next gathering! (Or you can make this Rotel cheese dip that only requires 3 ingredients.)

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    Ingredients

    Grab these simple ingredients next time you’re at the grocery store and whip up a batch of this Texas queso in less than 30 minutes!

    • ½ pound chorizo sausage, casing removed
    • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
    • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (I used a 3 cheese blend)
    • 4 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 – 12 ounce can evaporated milk
    • 1 can rotel drained
    • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can corn drained
    • 1 – 4 ounce can green chilies, chopped
    • juice from one lime
    • chopped cilantro and diced avocado for garnish (optional)
    • tortilla chips for serving
    The ingredients needed to make cowboy queso on a counter with labels on the image.
    Ingredients

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients and instructions all in one place!

    Instructions

    1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sausage and cook, breaking up into small pieces.
    Pork sausage being cooked in a large skillet.
    Cook chorizo.
    1. Add the Velveeta cheese, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and evaporated milk and stir until all the cheese is completely melted.
    Shredded cheese, cream cheese, and velvet cheese being added to the skillet.
    Add the cheeses & evaporated milk.
    1. Stir in the rotel, black beans, corn, and chopped green chilies with your wooden spoon and allow to cook 3-4 minutes, or until everything is heated through (you can reserve some black beans and corn for topping if desired).
    Rotel, black beans, chiles, and corn being stirred into the skillet.
    Add beans, corn, chiles, and Rotel.
    1. Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice, then garnish with chopped cilantro, avocado, corn, and black beans if desired.
    Cowboy queso in a large skillet garnished with lime wedges, cilantro, and a few black beans.
    Garnish & serve!
    1. Serve warm with tortilla chips.
    Close up of a tortilla chip being dipped in cowboy queso.
    Perfect with tortilla chips.

    Substitutions

    This queso cheese dip is pretty versatile. If you need to make an ingredient swap, you can do that without too much difficulty. For example:

    • Chorizo – if you don’t have/don’t want to use chorizo (a spicy pork sausage), you can use ground beef instead. Alternatively, you could omit the meat altogether! It will be delicious either way. (We love Chorizo so much, we even put it in our gravy – like in this jalapeno gravy and this chorizo gravy!)
    • Beans – instead of black beans, you could use kidney beans (or chili beans if you want to add a bit of extra spice).
    • Green Chiles – instead of green chilies, you could use chopped jalapeno peppers. Again, you could omit this altogether if you don’t want any spice and the dip would still be cheesy and delicious.
    • Corn – instead of a can of corn, you could use cooked fresh corn.
    • Evaporated Milk – instead of evaporated milk, you could use heavy cream.
    A close up of cowboy queso dip.
    Cheesy, melted goodness!

    Variations of This Dip Recipe

    Another beautiful thing about appetizer dips is that they can be changed up easily to create a customized dish! Try these…

    • Cheese – you can swap the cheddar cheese for a tex mex cheese blend for extra flavor and heat. You could also swap it out for 2 cup pepper jack cheese, which has a little heat.
    • Spicy – if you like a lot of spice, you can add some red pepper flakes in your dip, a pinch of ground cayenne pepper, swap the cheese for the tex mex as suggested above, and even add some extra green chiles or other hot pepper!
    • Meat – you can add a second ½ pound of meat (like ground beef cooked with some homemade taco seasoning) into this dip if your cowboy crew likes things really hearty.
    • Beans – if you like beans, go bean crazy! Add in some kidney beans, chili beans, pinto beans…the more the merrier.
    • Onion – fry up some red onion in butter and mix that into your cowboy queso for some extra flavor.

    What to Serve with This Cowboy Queso

    We love serving this recipe alongside something like these crock pot chicken enchiladas or this taco chicken casserole!

    Storage

    This cowboy queso recipe makes a lot of dip, and if you have a lot of leftovers it stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Simply reheat your dip in the microwave in 40 second increments, stirring well between each heat.

    An overhead shot of a skillet filled with cowboy queso. Around it are scattered ingredients and a bowl of tortilla chips.
    Queso cheese dip.

    Top Tip

    The texture is super creamy, and when it’s fresh off the stove it might seem a little runny. Don’t panic! It will firm up as it cools a little.

    FAQs

    Can I make cowboy queso without chorizo sausage?

    You can use ground beef instead of the chorizo sausage if desired, or skip it altogether. Either way, it will result in a delicious dip!

    Is cowboy queso dip really spicy?

    This is relatively mild. To add some heat you can add some cayenne pepper to taste to the dip when you add the corn and other mix-ins, or buy the "hot" Rotel tomatoes instead.

    What is “queso”?

    Queso in its simplest form is just melted cheese and chiles. Over the years queso has grown and there are now SO many recipes for unique recipes, but most still have melted cheese and chiles included.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Related Recipes

    This loaded cowboy queso recipe is similar to our smoked queso dip recipe (which is basically a beer cheese dip, by the way)! If you liked this one, you should definitely try it. And these BBQ white queso nachos are cheese and chips all in one.

    And if you’re looking for another easy, cheesy appetizer dip our cheese dip without Velveeta is another winner – trust me, you’ll want to eat it with a spoon, it’s that good! Our smoked queso dip and cheese dip without Velveeta are both cowboy favorites, too.

    Recipe

    A tortilla chip is being dipped into a big bowl of cowboy queso.
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Cowboy Queso

    Cowboy Queso: This cowboy queso dip is loaded with cheese, sausage, beans and more and makes the perfect appetizer at a party or side dish for a southern inspired meal! Ready in less than 30 minuets, this dip is quick and easy and oh so satisfying. 
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings 24 ⅓ cup servings
    Calories 147kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound chorizo sausage casing removed
    • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
    • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese I used a 3 cheese blend
    • 4 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 – 12 ounce can evaporated milk
    • 1 can rotel drained
    • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 can corn drained
    • 1 – 4 ounce can green chilies chopped
    • juice from one lime
    • chopped cilantro and diced avocado for garnish optional
    • tortilla chips for serving

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sausage and cook, breaking up into small pieces.
    • Add the velveeta, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and evaporated milk and stir until all the cheese is completely melted.
    • Stir in the rotel, black beans, corn, and chopped green chilies and allow to cook 3-4 minutes, or until everything is heated through (you can reserve some black beans and corn for topping if desired).
    • Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice, then garnish with chopped cilantro, avocado, corn, and black beans if desired.
    • Serve warm with tortilla chips.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.33cup | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 176mg | Iron: 1mg

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

    September 30, 2022

    A tortilla chip being dipped in a bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip: This 6 ingredient creamy dip uses cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, parmesan, jalapeños, and artichokes to create a creamy baked dip that everyone will want the recipe for! It’s easy to make and ready in 30 minutes!

    A tortilla chip being dipped in a bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Is there anything better than a scoop of warm, cheesy dip with a bit of a spice kick? This jalapeño artichoke dip will satisfy all of your cheesy, baked dip cravings, especially if you serve it alongside this queso dip and this crack corn dip recipe! (But make sure you also have this easy buffalo chicken dip recipe to make and serve at your parties too!)

    This is one of my favorite dip recipes (it’s right up there with my easy taco layer dip), and it’s so versatile. It can be the perfect appetizer for tailgating during football season or for serving at holiday parties!

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    Ingredients

    You only need 6 ingredients to make this warm, cheesy dip and you can easily find them all at your local grocery store (if they aren’t in your pantry/fridge already).

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
    • ¾ cup diced fresh jalapeños, divided (if you prefer a spicier dip, include some jalapeño seeds)
    • 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, chopped
    The ingredients for jalapeño artichoke dip on a counter with labels on the image.
    Ingredients

    See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
    2. Place cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, and 1⁄2 cup jalapeños in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until uniform.
    Mayo, sour cream, jalapeños,  and parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl.
    Mix together.
    1. Add chopped artichokes and mix again.
    Artichokes being added to the mixing bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Add artichoke hearts.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip being stirred together in a mixing bowl.
    Mix together well.
    1. Transfer mixture to a 9×9-inch baking dish.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip spread into a 9x9 baking dish.
    Spread into a 9×9 baking dish.
    1. Sprinkle remaining jalapenos and cheese on top.
    Parmesan cheese and jalapeños sprinkled on top of a 9x9 dish of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Sprinkle jalapeños and parmesan on top.
    1. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve as is or scoop into a serving dish. Enjoy!
    Baked jalapeño artichoke dip in a 9x9 dish.
    Bake for 18-20 mins!

    Substitutions & Variations

    If you need to make a change to this recipe, here are a few we would suggest…

    • Less Spice – if you can’t handle spice at all, you can completely omit the jalapeños. You could sprinkle a bit of paprika on the finished dip to give it a bit more flavor, instead.
    • Mayo/Sour Cream – if you are out of one, you can make the dip with 1 cup of either (1 cup of mayonnaise or 1 cup of sour cream). It will change the finished product a bit, but it will still create a delicious dip.
    • Artichoke – instead of artichoke hearts, you could use chopped spinach to turn this into a cheesy jalapeño spinach dip.
    • More Cheese – you could mix in ½ cup of shredded cheese (cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, havarti cheese, pepper jack cheese) and then sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on the top if you want a super cheesy dip!

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip: This 6 ingredient creamy dip uses cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, parmesan, jalapeños and artichokes to create a creamy baked dip that everyone will want the recipe for! It’s easy to make and ready in 30 minutes!

    A tortilla chip being dipped in a bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    Is there anything better than a scoop of warm, cheesy dip with a bit of a spice kick? This jalapeño artichoke dip will satisfy all of your cheesy, baked dip cravings! It’s kind of like a hot, baked version of Trader Joes jalapeño artichoke dip.

    This is one of those dips that disappear super quickly when you take it to a party. It’s super easy to make, only required 6 ingredients, and it’s always a hit! What’s not to love?

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    You only need 6 ingredients to make this artichoke jalapeno dip and you can easily find them all at your local grocery store (if they aren’t in your pantry/fridge already).

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
    • ¾ cup diced fresh jalapeños, divided (if you prefer a spicier dip, include some jalapeño seeds)
    • 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, chopped
    The ingredients for jalapeño artichoke dip on a counter with labels on the image.
    Ingredients

    See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

    Instructions

    1. The first thing you need to do is preheat oven to 375°F.
    2. Place cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, and 1⁄2 cup jalapeños in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until uniform.
    Mayo, sour cream, jalapeños,  and parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl.
    Mix together.
    1. Add chopped artichokes and mix again.
    Artichokes being added to the mixing bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Add artichoke hearts.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip being stirred together in a mixing bowl.
    Mix together well.
    1. Transfer mixture to a 9×9-inch casserole dish.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip spread into a 9x9 baking dish.
    Spread into a 9×9 baking dish.
    1. Sprinkle remaining jalapenos and cheese on top.
    Parmesan cheese and jalapeños sprinkled on top of a 9x9 dish of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Sprinkle jalapeños and parmesan on top.
    1. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve as is or scoop the whole thing into a serving dish. Enjoy!
    Baked jalapeño artichoke dip in a 9x9 dish.
    Bake for 18-20 mins!

    Substitutions & Variations

    If you need to make a change to this recipe, here are a few we would suggest…

    • Less Spice – if you can’t handle spice at all, you can completely omit the jalapeños. You could sprinkle a bit of paprika on the finished dip to give it a hint of spice, instead.
    • More Spice – if you like really spicy dip, you could add a few of the seeds from the jalapeños into the dip and top it with a few red pepper flakes!
    • Mayo/Sour Cream – if you are out of one, you can make the dip with 1 cup of either (1 cup of mayonnaise or 1 cup of sour cream). It will change the finished product a bit, but it will still create a delicious dip. You could also replace the sour cream with greek yogurt.
    • Artichoke – instead of artichoke hearts, you could use chopped spinach to turn this into a cheesy jalapeño spinach dip.
    • Jalapeno Peppers – instead of jalapeños, you can stir in ½ cup chopped spinach to turn this into a hot spinach artichoke dip. This would be delicious topped with some chopped green onions.
    • Green Chilis – if you don’t have jalapeño peppers, you could use green chilies.
    • More Cheese – you could mix in ½ cup of shredded cheese (cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, havarti cheese, pepper jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese) and then sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on the top if you want a super cheesy dip!
    • Garlic Powder – if you like garlic, you could stir ½ teaspoon of garlic powder into the cream cheese mixture.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip being scooped out of the baking dish with a spoon.
    Jalapeno artichoke dip.

    What do you eat jalapeño artichoke dip with?

    Dip is one of my favorite appetizers because you can serve it with so many yummy things for dipping! Here’s a list of some of our favorite dippers for this jalapeño artichoke dip recipe:

    • tortilla chips
    • ripple potato chips
    • fresh cut veggies (red bell peppers are especially yummy)
    • crackers (ritz crackers, wheat thins, any kind of cracker will do)
    • French bread (try making this easy Italian white bread to serve with it)
    • pita chips
    Jalapeno artichoke dip in a bowl with a bowl of tortilla chips in the background.
    Serve them with tortilla chips.

    Storage

    Store any leftover jalapeño artichoke dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Note: This dip should only be out of the refrigerator for about two-three hours. After that, any remaining dip should be put back in the refrigerator for food safety.

    A bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Hot dips are always a hit!

    A few more delicious dips you can try…

    Hot Dips:

    Elote Dip

    Smoked Queso

    Pretzel Cheese Dip

    Cold Dips:

    Everything But the Bagel Dip

    Loaded Cream Cheese Dip

    Jalapeno Ranch Dip

    Expert tips and FAQs

    Can you freeze jalapeño artichoke dip?

    We haven’t tried it, but I do think that this dip would freeze pretty well! I would mix up the dip and freeze it before baking, then when you are ready to eat it simply let it thaw out and then bake for 18-20 mins like the recipe says.

    Is artichoke jalapeño dip gluten free?

    Yes! The ingredients in this quick and easy dip are naturally gluten free.

    What do you eat jalapeño artichoke dip with?

    You can eat it with anything (including a spoon, we won’t judge), but a few of our favourite things to serve it with are fresh veggies, chips (tortilla chips or potato chips), and crackers.

    A tortilla chip dipped in jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Grab your favorite dippers & enjoy!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Related Recipes

    If you liked this creamy jalapeno artichoke dip and you’re looking for more appetizer dips, you absolutely must try our cheesy reuben dip recipe and our buffalo bacon blue cheese dip! They are both super easy but insanely satisfying party dip that are perfect to serve to a crowd.

    Recipe

    A tortilla chip being dipped in a bowl of jalapeño artichoke dip.
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip: This 6 ingredient dip uses cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, parmesan, jalapeños and artichokes to create a creamy baked dip that everyone will want the recipe for! It's easy to make and ready in 30 minutes!
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 187kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese divided
    • ¾ cup diced fresh jalapeños divided (if you prefer a spicier dip, include some jalapeño seeds)
    • 14 ounce can artichoke hearts chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°F.
    • Place cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, and 1⁄2 cup jalapeños in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until uniform.
    • Add chopped artichokes and mix again.
    • Transfer mixture to a 9×9-inch baking dish.
    • Sprinkle remaining jalapenos and cheese on top.
    • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve as is or scoop into a serving dish. Enjoy!

    Notes

    STORAGE: Store any leftover jalapeño artichoke dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Note: This dip should only be out of the refrigerator for about two-three hours. After that, any remaining dip should be put back in the refrigerator for food safety.
    FREEZING: We haven’t tried it, but I do think that this dip would freeze pretty well! I would mix up the dip and freeze it before baking, then when you are ready to eat it simply let it thaw out and then bake for 18-20 mins like the recipe says.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Biscoff Truffles

    September 28, 2022

    Close up photo of a stack of Biscoff Truffles with the center truffle missing a bite

    Biscoff Truffles: These decadent two-bite truffles have a creamy cookie center dipped in Biscoff white chocolate. The drizzle of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs make these no-bake treats a totally blissful bite!

    White chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles are stacked on a white marble surface in the center of the photo with a jar of Biscoff spread visible in the background

    Oh, friends! I am a big fan of Biscoff cookies. After having this Biscoff Cheesecake and this Biscoff Pie, I knew that we needed more Biscoff recipes around here. So feast your eyes on these perfect little no-bake Biscoff truffles.

    Why You’ll Love These Easy Truffles

    No. Bake. Biscoff. Truffles. Those are pretty much all my favorite words in one easy recipe!

    Once you taste these truffles, you will double (or triple) this recipe to wow your party guests this holiday season. A cellophane bag of these no-bake Biscoff truffles make a great gift for teachers, coworkers, and friends!

    If you’re a Biscoff fan, you’ll also love these easy Biscoff cupcakes too!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    What do you need for this Lotus Biscoff Truffles recipe? While they may sound fancy, you should be able to find all 5 simple ingredients at most grocery stores!

    The ingredients to make no bake Biscoff Truffles are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients
    • 20 Biscoff cookies (If you have extras, you may want to make this Biscoff pie crust recipe for a pie!)
    • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
    • 7 ounces white chocolate
    • 2 tablespoons Biscoff spread
    • 1 ½ ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

    See the printable recipe card below for step-by-step instructions, nutrition information, and detailed notes.

    Instructions for our Biscoff Truffle Recipe

    Here are the step-by-step instructions and photos to help you make a successful batch of these no-bake treats:

    1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or a silicone mat and set aside.
    2. Place Biscoff cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse them until they are fine crumbs. Remove and reserve 1 tablespoon of the Biscoff crumbs to garnish the truffles with later.
    3. Add the softened cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and process until they are well combined.
    Biscoff cookies have been placed in the bowl of a food processor for processing into crumbs
    Add Biscoff cookies
    Biscoff crumbs and a block of softened cream cheese are in the bowl of a food processor
    Combine with cream cheese
    1. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the mixture. With damp hands, roll the mixture into small balls and place them on the lined baking tray.
    2. Now, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate and cookie butter spread. Stir the chocolate and microwave it again in 15 or 30-second intervals until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    Pieces of white chocolate and Biscoff spread are in a white bowl centered on a white marble background
    A white bowl of light caramel colored melted white chocolate is being stirred and is centered on a white marbled background
    1. Dip the truffles in the melted white chocolate and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Place the truffles back on the lined baking sheet.
    A rounded ball of Biscoff cookie truffle mixture is being dipped in a bowl of melted Biscoff white chocolate
    A large white plate is centered and holds 12 white chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles
    1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the semi-sweet chocolate in short intervals until it is melted and smooth.
    2. Drizzle the semi-sweet chocolate over the dipped truffles and sprinkle each truffle with a pinch of the reserved Biscoff biscuit crumbs.
    A large white plate is centered and holds 12 white chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles that have been drizzled with dark chocolate and topped with Biscoff crumbs
    1. Place the truffles in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours before serving.

    Sit down with a cup of coffee, a truffle, or two, and enjoy!

    Close up photo of a white plate holding white chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles

    Substitutions

    We are sharing a few substitutes below that may fit your lifestyle. Believe me when I say, you need this Biscoff truffle recipe in your life!

    • We used good quality white chocolate for dipping. However, you can use vanilla candy melts, chocolate coating, white chocolate chips, almond bark or white candy coating to dip the truffles in.
    • Full-fat cream cheese creates a rich creamy center in these delicious Biscoff truffles. If you prefer, use reduced-fat or low-fat cream cheese.
    • The Biscoff spread in the white chocolate gives it an extra boost of Biscoff flavor and warm caramel color, but you can omit it if you’d like.
    • Since the Biscoff cookies are vegan, if you use non-dairy substitutes for the chocolate and cream cheese, you can make vegan Biscoff truffles.

    Variations

    They say, variety is the spice of life. So here are a few ways to spice up these truffles.

    • Speaking of spice, to boost the spice flavors in the cookies, add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the white chocolate. Or add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon into the cream cheese and Biscoff cookie crumb filling before mixing it.
    • You can turn these easy Biscoff truffles into truffle pops! Just insert a lollipop stick into each truffle before it sets up.
    • If semi-sweet chocolate chips aren’t your thing, use any remaining Biscoff white chocolate or make a chocolate ganache to drizzle over these Biscoff cookie balls.
    White chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles are scattered on a white marble surface and one truffle in the center is missing a bite

    FAQs

    What is the flavor of Biscoff?

    If you have never had Biscoff cookies, are you in for a treat! I would describe the flavor as a buttery cookie with a little caramel, warm spices and brown sugar.

    What type of cookie is a Biscoff?

    You may hear them called Biscoff biscuits, but these cookies are not soft! Rather, they are thin, flat crispy cookies and I think they are pretty perfect for dunking in milk or that afternoon cup of coffee.

    Are Biscoff cookies “speculoos”?

    Yes! In fact, I’ve heard the following terms used to refer to Biscoff cookies: Lotus Biscoff cookies (Lotus Bakeries is the company that makes these cookies), speculoos cookies, and Biscoff biscuits. The Biscoff spread may also be called Biscoff butter, Lotus Biscoff spread, cookie butter or speculoos butter.

    How to Store Biscoff Truffles

    If you use dairy cream cheese, the best way to store the Biscoff truffles is in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    The good news is that these truffles are a great candidate for freezing! Keep them in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to two months.

    A small white bowl is piled full of white chocolate dipped Biscoff truffles and a jar of Biscoff spread is visible in the background

    Related Recipes

    If you love making no-bake truffles, we’ve got a frosted animal cookie truffle recipe for Easter and an amazing Cake Batter Candy Truffles recipe that will blow your mind!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up photo of a stack of Biscoff Truffles with the center truffle missing a bite
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Biscoff Truffles

    Biscoff Truffles: These decadent two-bite truffles have a creamy cookie center dipped in Biscoff white chocolate. A drizzle of dark chocolate and sprinkle of cookie crumbs make these a must-make no-bake treat.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time 2 hours hours
    Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 truffles
    Calories 221kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 20 Biscoff cookies
    • ½ cup cream cheese softened
    • 7 ounces white chocolate
    • 2 tablespoons Biscoff spread
    • 1 ½ ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted

    Instructions

    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or a silicone mat and set aside.
    • Place the Biscoff cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse them until they are fine crumbs. Remove and reserve 1 tablespoon of the Biscoff crumbs to garnish the truffles with later.
    • Add the softened cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and process until well combined.
    • Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the mixture. With damp hands, roll the mixture into truffles and place them on the lined baking tray.
    • In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate and cookie butter spread. Stir the chocolate and microwave it again in 15 or 30 second intervals until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    • Dip the truffles in the melted white chocolate and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Place the truffles back on lined tray.
    • In a microwave safe bowl, heat the semi-sweet chocolate chips in short intervals until it is melted and smooth.
    • Drizzle the semi-sweet chocolate over the dipped truffles and sprinkle with the reserved Biscoff biscuit crumbs.
    • Place the truffles in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours before serving.

    Notes

    • If you don’t have a food processor, place the Biscoff cookies in a large ziploc bag  and use a rolling pin to roll/crush the cookies into crumbs. Then, mix the softened cream cheese and cookie crumbs in large bowl until well combined.
    • Store the finished truffles in an airtight in refrigerator or up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1truffle | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

    September 27, 2022

    Hand holding breakfast pigs in a blanket

    Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket: This 2 ingredient recipe is so simple and the whole family will love the breakfast version of pigs in a blanket!

    Love the finger-food breakfast recipe idea? Then you’ll also love these breakfast egg rolls that are made with bacon, eggs, and cheese.

    hand holding breakfast pigs in a blanket over bowl of gravy

    If you’re a fan of pigs in a blanket or biscuits and gravy but not a fan of making a huge breakfast, this is ideal for a quick “on-the-go” recipe. Or, you may also like this biscuits and gravy casserole for a fun twist on the classic!

    Why you’ll love these:

    Two ingredients. Two! That’s all it takes to make this easy breakfast recipe!

    Just like regular pigs in a blanket made with hot dogs, these breakfast pigs in a blanket with crescent rolls are pretty much a roll and bake dish!

    If you need something to add to a breakfast or brunch menu, you know pigs in a blanket are always a huge hit, so you’ll probably want to double or triple this recipe!

    These make ahead breakfast pigs in a blanket can be tucked in a lunch box for a “breakfast for lunch” option or reheated in the morning to get breakfast on the table quickly!

    Ingredients

    With two super simple ingredients, this quick breakfast version of pigs in a blanket recipe couldn’t be easier!

    • One 8-count tube of crescent rolls
    • 8 breakfast sausage links, cooked
    • 1 cup white gravy recipe (optional but delicious!)

    See the printable recipe card below for the ingredient list, detailed recipe, nutrition facts and recipe notes.

    Instructions

    1. First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    2. While cooking the sausage links, unroll the crescent rolls, and break the triangles apart along the seams.
    crescent rolls unfolded on to cookie sheet
    Unroll crescent rolls
    1. Placing one cooked sausage link on the wide end of one unrolled crescent roll triangle and roll it up from the wide end to the tip.
    roll cooked sausage up in crescent roll
    Roll up in crescent roll
    sausage link rolled up in crescent roll
    Sausage rolled up
    1. Arrange the sausage/crescent rolls on a prepared baking sheet with a couple of inches between the rolls.
    sausage links inside of crescent rolls on cookie sheet
    Roll remaining links
    1. Bake these breakfast pigs in a blanket for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
    Breakfast pigs in a blanket on cooling rack
    Baked and ready!

    Don’t those little guys look scrumptious? That soft golden brown crescent roll dough wrapped around a savory breakfast sausage is a pretty delicious way to wake up any day of the week!

    breakfast pigs in a blanket piled on plate
    Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Now, if you’re more of a “homemade,” type, rather than a “fabulously fast” type, then feel free to make your own homemade gravy to serve with this! I typically do, but when time is short and I’m looking for quick and easy, I’ll use the packet of white gravy mix.
    • Serve these up with my chorizo gravy recipe or this jalapeno chorizo gravy for an extra special treat!
    • I chose to buy uncooked sausage links and pan fry them. However, you can make breakfast even easier and purchase the pre-cooked sausage links. You can also use the veggie sausage links that you can find in the freezer section or turkey/chicken breakfast sausage links.
    • Sprinkle these guys with everything bagel seasoning before you bake them to add flavor and texture.
    hand holding pigs in a blanket, dipping in to white gravy
    Dip in gravy!

    FAQs

    • What should I serve with pigs in a blanket?
      • Fresh fruit is a great option. We like fresh blueberries or this Honey Lime Fruit Salad.
      • Mini cinnamon rolls or mini pancakes are a sweet addition to a breakfast spread.
      • Additional breakfast sausages (link sausages or sausage patties), ham or bacon are never a bad idea. Try our air fryer bacon recipe!
      • Gravy (of course!), maple syrup, warmed fruit jam and honey are delicious to dip these breakfast bites in.
    • Can pigs in a blanket be prepared the night before? Yes. You can bake them them and reheat them when you are ready for breakfast. We recommend heating them in the oven at 350 degrees F until they are warmed through. You can reheat them in the microwave, but the crescent roll dough may not stay crispy.
    • Do you put egg wash on pigs in a blanket? We didn’t, but you certainly can! It will give these pigs in a blanket a shiny, deeper golden color. Simply whisk an egg in a small bowl until the egg white and egg yolk are well combined and use a pastry brush to brush the egg mixture over the crescent roll dough.
    breakfast pigs in a blanket dipped in white gravy
    Dipping made easy!

    Storage

    Keep these breakfast pigs in a blanket in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Bite taken out of crescent rolls with sausage
    Take a bite!

    More Easy Breakfast Ideas

    We have a big variety of breakfast recipes that we’ve shared over the years. Here are a few fan favorites that we think you’ll like!

    • Easy Peach Turnovers
    • Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
    • Brioche French Toast
    • Sausage Breakfast Casserole

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Hand holding breakfast pigs in a blanket
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

    Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket are made with just 2 ingredients! They are a quick and delicious on the go breakfast option and a brunch crowd pleaser!
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time 28 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 172kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1 tube crescent rolls 8 count
    • 8 breakfast sausage links cooked
    • 1 cup gravy, if desired we love this jalapeno sausage gravy

    Instructions

    • First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    • While cooking the breakfast sausage links, unroll the crescent rolls, and break the triangles apart along the seams.
    • Place one cooked sausage link on the wide end of one unrolled crescent roll triangle and roll it up from the wide end to the tip.
    • Arrange the sausage/crescent rolls on a prepared baking sheet with a couple of inches between each roll.
    • Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Serve alongside white gravy for dipping, if desired

    Video

    Notes

    • You can use veggie link sausages, turkey breakfast sausage or chicken breakfast sausage for this recipe.
    • For a twist, sprinkle these with everything bagel seasoning before baking to add flavor and texture.
    • Store these breakfast pigs in a blanket in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 484mg | Potassium: 49mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.6mg

    Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer

    September 26, 2022

    Savory pinwheel slices are arranged to look like a Christmas tree on a wooden serving board

    Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer: Tortilla pinwheels filled with a festive savory cream cheese filling are shaped like a Christmas tree in this no-bake appetizer that is perfect for holiday parties and Christmas Eve nibbling!

    Slices of a rolled tortilla pinwheel are arranged to look like a Christmas tree, cherry tomatoes are placed to look like ornaments and there are decorative holiday picks for serving

    It’s time to ring in the holiday season with parties, entertaining, and time with family and friends! That means you’ll need “go to” Christmas appetizer recipes like the one I’m sharing with you today, and this BEST bruschetta, air fried pigs in a blanket, and bacon-wrapped dates.

    Or, if you want another Christmas tree idea, even this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board!

    P.S. If you haven’t made these Spicy Ranch Crackers, you are definitely going to want to! It’s one of my favorite appetizers.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This red and green appetizer has Christmas written all over it! Green tortillas, red peppers, green olives, bright red cherry tomatoes and vibrant green herbs definitely bring in the festive colors of Christmas! It’s a fun twist on our pinwheel sandwiches recipe, in Christmas form!

    The Christmas tree shape is easy to create and really adds a ton of Christmas charm to any appetizer spread.

    It’s a no bake appetizer recipe! No oven and no cooking time means this appetizer can be whipped up in no time before that holiday party.

    Can I make pinwheels the day before? The answer is yes! Pinwheels are the perfect appetizers to be prepped ahead of time. I actually think the cream cheese filling tastes even more flavorful with a little time to sit.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    With simple ingredients and no baking or cooking required, I think this is the perfect Christmas appetizer for every holiday party.

    Bowls of ingredients like olives, pimientos, cream cheese and spices sit alongside tortillas on a white marble background
    Pinwheel ingredients
    • 2 blocks (16 oz.) cream cheese, softened and brought to room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ¼ cup green olives, sliced
    • ¼ cup black olives, sliced
    • ¼ red peppers, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon fresh dill, minced
    • 4 large tortillas – 2 plain and 2 green tortillas (spinach)
    • Fresh rosemary for garnish
    • Cherry tomatoes for garnish
    • Decorative holiday picks for serving (optional)

    See the printable recipe card below for detailed instructions, nutrition information and detailed notes.

    Instructions

    Here are step-by-step instructions -with pictures! – so you can easily make this holiday appetizer at home!

    1. First, chop the red pepper into small pieces and slice the olives, if necessary.
    2. Now, in a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and lemon juice. Blend with hand mixer until the cream cheese mixture is smooth with no lumps.
    A glass bowl contains blocks of cream cheese and seasonings to be mixed together with the nearby hand mixer
    A savory whipped cream cheese mixture is shown in a glass bowl next to a hand mixer
    1. Once combined, use a spatula or spoon to fold in the fresh dill, olives and chopped peppers.
    2. Next, place a tortilla on a flat working surface (like your countertop or a large baking sheet) and using an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture onto the tortilla. Spread the mixture just to the edge of the tortilla.
    Olives, pimientos and fresh dill have been added to a glass mixing bowl containing a savory whipped cream cheese mixture
    A savory olive cream cheese mixture has been spread on a spinach tortilla
    1. Roll up the tortilla and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Repeat for all 4 tortillas. Chill them in the freezer for 30 minutes, then cut each rolled tortilla into eight ¾-inch slices.
    A spinach tortilla spread with a savory olive cream cheese mixture has been rolled up tightly and wrapped in plastic wrap
    Slices of a rolled tortilla pinwheel are shown on a wooden cutting board
    1. Arrange the pinwheel slices into the shape of a tree on your favorite festive serving platter, plate or wooden board. Garnish the tree with sprigs of fresh rosemary, cherry tomato “ornaments” and decorative holiday picks for serving.
    Slices of a rolled tortilla pinwheel are arranged to look like a Christmas tree, cherry tomatoes are placed to look like ornaments and there are decorative holiday picks for serving

    Substitutions

    What are pinwheel snacks made of? Typically, pinwheels are made by spreading a soft cheese based filling on a tortilla, rolling it up and cutting it into the classic pinwheel slices. It’s like your favorite cheese ball spread on a soft tortilla!

    Here are a few ways to adjust this basic recipe to your personal preferences:

    • We love the creaminess and richness of full fat cream cheese, but you can use light cream cheese or fat free cream cheese if you prefer.
    • You can easily make this festive appetizer gluten-free by using gluten-free tortillas.
    • Instead of the red bell peppers, you can use diced green peppers or drained pimentos to keep the festive red and green colors in the cream cheese mixture.

    Variations

    We love it when you make the easy recipes here at Fantabulosity! If you want to get creative, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to do just that:

    • Add your favorite savory flavors to the cream cheese mixture. Crispy chopped bacon, green onions, shredded sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese, chopped and drained artichoke hearts and toasted chopped pecans are great ways to add different flavors to this pinwheel appetizer.
    • Use all green tortillas. We used a mix of regular flour tortillas and green spinach tortillas, but this Christmas tree appetizer would look great using all green pinwheels.
    • Make festive garnishes. Use a small cookie cutter (either a star or a small ornament) to cut decorative shapes out of thick sliced cheese. Place a large star shaped garnish at the top of the tree. Fresh herbs like springs of dill, thyme and rosemary add a pop of color to your serving platter.
    A wooden serving board holds a Pinwheel Christmas tree appetizer

    Storage

    Store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Slices of rolled tortilla pinwheels are served on two white plates, you can see the cream cheese filling studded with olives and pimientos

    Top Tip

    This holiday appetizer idea is the perfect start to a Christmas charcuterie board! Surround this pinwheel tree with bowls of nuts, dried fruit, honey and fruit spread, cranberry sauce, marinated olives, crackers, sliced salami, hummus, and veggies.

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Savory pinwheel slices are arranged to look like a Christmas tree on a wooden serving board
    Print Pin
    5 from 9 votes

    Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer

    Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer: Tortilla pinwheels filled with a festive, savory cream cheese filling are shaped like a Christmas tree in this no-bake appetizer that is perfect for holiday parties and Christmas Eve nibbling!
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Diet Vegetarian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 32 pinwheels
    Calories 65kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz cream cheese (2 blocks) room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ¼ cup green olives sliced
    • ¼ cup black olives sliced
    • ¼ cup red peppers finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon fresh dill minced
    • 4 large tortillas 2 plain and 2 green (spinach)
    • fresh rosemary for garnish
    • cherry tomatoes for garnish
    • Decorative holiday picks optional for serving

    Instructions

    • First, chop the peppers and slice the olives if necessary.
    • Now, in a large bowl, add the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and lemon juice. Blend with a hand mixer until the cream cheese mixture is smooth with no lumps.
    • Once combined, use a spatular or spoon to fold in the fresh dill, green and black olives and the red peppers.
    • Next, place a tortilla on a flat surface and using an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture onto the tortilla. Spread the mixture just to the edge of the tortilla.
    • Roll up the tortilla and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Repeat for all 4 tortillas. Chill them in the freezer for 30 minutes and cut each rolled tortilla into ¾-inch slices.
    • Arrange the pinwheel slices into the shape of a Christmas tree on your favorite festive platter or wooden serving board. Garnish the tree with springs of fresh rosemary, cherry tomato "ornaments" and decorative holiday picks for serving.

    Notes

    • You can make the Christmas Tree Pinwheels ahead of time! Placed the finished rolled tortillas in the refrigerator and slice them just before plating and serving.
    • To make these pinwheels gluten free, chose gluten-free tortillas from your local grocery store.
    • You can use your favorite kind of olives (kalamata, garlic or blue cheese stuffed olives, marinated olives) in place of the traditional green and black olives.
    • Similarly, you can use drained jarred pimientos to replace the red peppers we used.
    • Store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pinwheel | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

    September 24, 2022

    A close up of a slice of biscuit and gravy casserole.

    Biscuit and Gravy Casserole: This biscuit and gravy breakfast casserole is the perfect recipe for a Sunday brunch or holiday morning! This easy recipe uses fluffy biscuits, pork sausage, eggs, cheddar cheese, and a few other ingredients to create an easy breakfast everyone will enjoy.

    This recipe is a fun spin on traditional biscuits and my white gravy recipe, and turning them in to a casserole recipe!

    A piece of biscuit and gravy casserole sitting on a plate.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This sausage biscuits and gravy casserole has all of the flavor and comfort of old-fashioned biscuits and gravy, but in an easy casserole form. This is the perfect recipe to make for a crowd for a weekend brunch or for breakfast over the holidays.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    What goes well with sausage gravy and biscuit casserole?

    This breakfast biscuit casserole is delicious all on its own, but if you want to make something to go with it here are a few suggestions:

    • scrambled eggs
    • fried eggs
    • air fryer hashbrowns patties
    • air fryer bacon (try making it in the air fryer – it’s so easy and the bacon gets nice and crispy)
    • honey lime fruit salad

    Can this biscuit and gravy casserole recipe be used as an overnight casserole?

    We haven’t tried this, but I bet you could! If you made the casserole and then covered it with plastic wrap and refrigerated it, you should be able to bake it the next morning! If you do give this a try, be sure to let us know how it worked in the comments below.

    This breakfast casserole would be the perfect thing to prep ahead and bake on Christmas morning!

    Ingredients

    The ingredients in this biscuits and gravy casserole recipe are all ones you can easily find at your local grocery store. Nothing fancy or complicated here, just good old-fashioned biscuits and gravy in casserole form!

    • 1- 16.3 ounce can Pillsbury Grands original flaky layers biscuits
    • 16 ounces pork sausage (I used Jimmy Deans, but 1 pound of any sausage will work)
    • 6 eggs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 3 ½ cups half and half cream
    • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to your liking)
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to your liking)
    Biscuit and gravy casserole ingredients set on a counter with labels on the image.
    Ingredients

    See the printable recipe card further down in this post for exact quantities and step-by-step instructions.

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat the 13×9 casserole dish with a nonstick spray.
    2. In a large skillet, break up the sausage into fine pieces. Cook until browned.
    Cooked ground sausage in a large skillet.
    Cook sausage.
    1. While the sausage is cooking, prepare your biscuit. Quarter each slice and spread them out in a casserole dish. This will be your bottom layer.
    Biscuits on a cutting board being cut into pieces.
    Cut up biscuits.
    1. Scoop the sausage out of the pan with a skimmer spoon and spread it evenly on top of the biscuit. DO NOT DRAIN THE FAT.
    A 9x13 casserole dish with biscuit pieces and cooked sausage in it.
    Spread sausage over biscuits.
    1. In the same skillet with the remaining fat, melt the butter and mix the flour in to make a roux until it becomes paste-like. Add in the half and half, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the roux dissolves. Over medium heat, stir occasionally until your homemade sausage gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    A skillet with melted butter and flour in it (a roux).
    Cook butter and flour to a roux.
    A large skillet with milk in it.
    Add cream & seasonings.
    1. In the meantime, in a small bowl, combine eggs and milk. Whisk until mixed in. Then pour the egg batter evenly on top of the biscuits and sausage.
    2. Cover the sausage, biscuit, and egg layer with the shredded cheddar cheese.
    A 9x13 casserole dish with biscuits, sausage, cheese, and egg mixture in it.
    Pour egg over.
    A 9x13 casserole with biscuits and sausage in it and cheddar cheese on top.
    Cover with cheese.
    1. Pour the gravy mix evenly on top of the cheese.
    The 9x13 pan of biscuit and gravy casserole, ready to be baked.
    Pour gravy over.
    1. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve & enjoy!
    A baked 9x13 pan of biscuit and gravy casserole.
    Bake 45-55 mins.

    Substitutions & Variations

    If you’re missing some of the ingredients in this recipe (or someone in your family doesn’t like them), don’t stress! You can swap them out and make this casserole your own.

    Here are a few suggestions…

    • Half and Half – instead of half and half, you can use milk. I chose to use half and half because it creates a thicker, creamier gravy but any milk or cream will do!
    • Milk – if you want a thicker, creamier gravy you can use whole milk. If you like a thinner gravy, you can use 2% or 1% milk (I wouldn’t recommend skim milk, but if that’s all you’ve got on hand it will do).
    • Biscuits – if you can’t find the Pillsbury Grands biscuits you can definitely use the original ones. You’ll just need to double up on the regular biscuits as they are quite a bit smaller than the grands.
    • Sausage – if your family doesn’t like the spice of Jimmy Deans sausage, you can absolutely use mild sausage in this recipe (or even a honey garlic breakfast sausage or other mild flavor). Any ground breakfast sausage will work, or even an Italian sausage!
    • Cheese – you can swap out the cheddar cheese for any cheese you’d like to create a fun twist on this easy recipe!
    A forkful of biscuit and gravy casserole being held above a piece of it on a plate.

    Storage

    Any leftover breakfast biscuit and gravy casserole can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.

    A slice of biscuit and gravy casserole being scooped out of the 9x13 pan.
    Biscuit gravy casserole

    Top Tip

    Don’t discard the fat after you cook the sausage! By keeping the fat and using it as part of the roux you make for the gravy, you add a ton of extra flavor to this homemade gravy.

    (But yes, if you really don’t want to use the fat you can drain it and make you roux with the butter called for in the recipe. You’ll be missing out though!)

    What is a roux?

    Roux is flour and fat cooked together and used to thicken sauces. Roux is typically made from equal parts of flour and fat by weight.

    Can I do cornstarch instead of flour to thicken white gravy?

    Absolutely. Do 1⁄2 cup of water and 1⁄2 tablespoon of cornstarch to start until desired thickness is reached. (Ratio is 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 cup of liquid).

    Can I add more gravy to this biscuits and gravy casserole?

    I recommend you don't change the number of ingredients for the gravy. The biscuit rises during baking so if you add more, the gravy will spill over. You can make extra separately and pour it over your casserole when you are serving it, instead.

    Related Recipes

    An easy breakfast casserole is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast that will feed a crowd! If you’re looking for more quick and easy breakfast ideas, you should definitely check out our easy breakfast sliders breakfast sausage casserole and our cinnamon roll casserole!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    A close up of a slice of biscuit and gravy casserole.
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

    Biscuit and Gravy Casserole: This biscuit and gravy breakfast casserole is the perfect recipe for a Sunday brunch or holiday morning! This easy recipe uses fluffy biscuits, pork sausage, eggs, cheddar cheese, and a few other ingredients to create an easy breakfast everyone will enjoy. 
    Course Breakfast, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 55 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 514kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 1- 16.3 ounce can Pillsbury Grands original flaky layers biscuits
    • 16 ounces pork sausage I used Jimmy Deans, but 1 pound of any sausage will work
    • 6 eggs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 4 tablespoons flour
    • 3 ½ cups half and half cream
    • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to your liking)
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to your liking)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat the 13×9 casserole dish with a nonstick spray.
    • In a large skillet, break up the sausage into fine pieces. Cook until browned.
    • While sausage is cooking, prepare your biscuit. Quarter each slice and spread them out in a casserole dish.
    • Scoop the sausage out of the pan with a skimmer spoon and spread them evenly on top of the biscuit. DO NOT DRAIN THE FAT.
    • In the same skillet with the remaining fat, melt the butter and mix the flour in to make a roux until it becomes paste-like. Add in the half and half, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the roux dissolves. Turn down the heat to medium-high. Stir occasionally until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • In the meantime, in a small bowl, combine eggs and milk. Whisk until mixed in. Then pour the egg batter evenly on top of the biscuit & sausage layer.
    • Cover the sausage, biscuit, and egg layer with the shredded cheddar cheese.
    • Pour the gravy mix evenly on top of the cheese.
    • Bake for 45-55 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    TOP TIP: Don’t discard the fat after you cook the sausage! By keeping the fat and using it as part of the roux you make for the gravy, you add a ton of extra flavor.
    (But yes, if you really don’t want to use the fat you can drain it and make you roux with the butter called for in the recipe. You’ll be missing out though!)
     
    STORAGE: Any leftover breakfast biscuit and gravy casserole can be store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 804mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 996IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 1mg

    Cornflake Wreaths

    September 22, 2022

    Bright green cornflake cookies dotted with bright red cinnamon candies fill a parchment lined baking sheet

    Cornflake Wreaths: Classic no bake Christmas cookies with crunchy cornflakes coated in green marshmallows, decorated with red hot candies and cute little holly sprinkles!

    Christmas time is a season for family movie nights, parties and fun food, so you have definitely come to the right place for your holiday entertaining!

    This photo is a birds eye view of two white plates and a baking sheet that hold festive green cornflake wreath cookies
    Cornflake Christmsas wreaths

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    During the busy holiday season, no bake Christmas cookies are a lifesaver.

    If you need a sweet treat to fill those holiday Christmas cookie trays, and Christmas dessert charcuteries, or take to your holiday party and cookie exchanges, these festive wreaths are quick to make with just a handful of ingredients. (Just like our other cornflake cookies!)

    Does anyone else remember these cute traditional Christmas cookies from their childhood? Cornflake wreath cookies remind me of family traditions and happy holiday memories. I let my boys help shape the cookies and add the red cinnamon candies for holly berries.

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    Your local grocery store should have most, if not all of the ingredients for these wreath cookies. (If you can’t find the holly leaf sprinkles near you, you can buy these holly leaf and holly berry sprinkles!)

    The ingredients to make cornflake wreath cookies are displayed in bowls on a white marble countertop
    Ingredients
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 teaspoon green food coloring
    • 4 cups of mini marshmallows
    • 4 cups of cornflakes
    • ¼ cup cinnamon red hot candies
    • 2 tablespoons holly leaf sprinkles

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, full instructions and recipe notes.

    Instructions

    These cornflake wreath cookies are made with the same method used to make rice krispie treats. For this recipe, melt butter, add gooey marshmallows, food coloring and cornflake cereal. Then, just stir, shape and set!

    1. First, it’s best to line two baking sheets with parchment paper, wax paper, or silicone mats and set them aside.
    2. In a large saucepan, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the vanilla and almond extracts as well as the green food coloring.
    A large pot with melted butter is centered in the photo with several ingredients for cornflake cookies scattered on a marble countertop
    Melt butter
    Green food coloring has been added to melted butter in a large pot in preparation to make cornflake wreath cookies
    Add extracts & food coloring
    1. Stir to combine, turn to low heat, and then add 4 cups of mini marshmallows to the butter mixture. Stir gently until the marshmallows have melted, and then remove the pan from the heat.
    2. Next, slowly add 4 cups of cornflakes cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Try not to crush the cornflakes when stirring, and coat evenly with the green marshmallow mixture.
    Mini marshmallows, melted butter and green food coloring have been melted and stirred together in a large pot in the center of the photo
    Stir in marshmallows
    Green marshmallow coated cornflakes have been stirred in a large pot and will be shaped into no bake cornflake wreath cookies
    Add cornflakes & stir to coat
    1. Using a large cookie scoop, (to create a cookie that’s about a couple of inches wide, or so) create a mound of the cornflake mixture on the parchment paper. Use your fingers to press out the center and round the edges to make a wreath shape.

      Pro tip: Spray the cookie scoop and your clean hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cornflakes from sticking so much.
    2. Add several red cinnamon candies around the wreath. Finally, add a few of the holly leaf sprinkles. Repeat making wreaths, until the mixture is gone.
    Green marshmallow coated cornflakes have been shaped into wreath shapes on a parchment lined baking sheet
    Form wreaths
    Red hot cinnamon candies and decorate holly leaf sprinkles have been added to green marshmallow coated cornflake wreath cookies
    Add candies & sprinkles
    1. Allow the cornflake cookies to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to set.
    A white spatula holds a green cornflake wreath cookie above a baking sheet holding another batch of the festive holiday cookies

    Substitutions & Variations

    We are big fans of “use what you love” around here. So, here are a few ways to include some of your favorite things to make these cornflake cookies!

    Close up photo of three cornflake wreath cookies on a speckled white plate with a few red hot candies scattered on the plate
    • You can use Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies or your favorite cereal instead of cornflakes for the base of these cornflake Christmas wreaths.
    • If you only have large marshmallows on hand, those will work too. We find that mini marshmallows are easier to measure and melt quicker.
    • While we love the combination of vanilla and almond extracts, you can omit the almond extract and just add more vanilla extract.
    • If you don’t like cinnamon, use red M&Ms minis, red sprinkles or other red candies for the holly berries. (Or just grab the sprinkles, where the berries and leaves are already together, that I mentioned above!) Then, if you have leftover candies after picking the “reds” out, make this Christmas dessert mix!
    • Add your favorite brightly colored holiday sprinkles. I don’t think anyone will mind extra sprinkles!

    Storage

    You can store these cornflake Christmas wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

    More Christmas Recipes

    Aren’t these the cutest Christmas wreath cookies EVER? If you want more, easy, no bake holiday recipes, try our Christmas Tree Cake Dip, Butterfinger Puppy Chow or Forest Cupcakes (they start with store-bought cupcakes) that we love making during the holidays!

    Although not necessarily Christmas cookies… these haystack cookies are amazing for a cookie platter during the holiday season!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Bright green cornflake cookies dotted with bright red cinnamon candies fill a parchment lined baking sheet
    Print Pin
    4.60 from 5 votes

    Cornflake Wreaths

    Cornflake Wreaths: Classic no bake Christmas cookies with crunchy cornflakes coated in green marshmallow and decorated with red hot candies and cute little holly sprinkles!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 18 cookies
    Calories 117kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 teaspoon green food coloring
    • 4 cups mini marshmallows
    • 4 cups corn flakes
    • ¼ cup red hot candies
    • 2 tablespoons holly leaf sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
    • In a large saucepan, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the vanilla and almond extracts as well as the green food coloring.
      Stir to combine, turn to low heat, and then add 4 cups of mini marshmallows to the butter mixture. Stir gently until the marshmallows have melted, and then remove the pan from the heat.
    • Next, slowly add 4 cups of cornflakes cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Try not to crush the cornflakes when stirring, and coat evenly with the green marshmallow mixture.
    • Using a large cookie scoop, (to create a cookie that's about a couple of inches wide, or so) create a mound of the cornflake mixture on the parchment paper. Use your fingers to press out the center and round the edges to make a wreath shape. Pro tip: Spritz the cookie scoop and your clean hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cornflakes from sticking so much.
    • Add several red cinnamon candies around the wreath. Finally, add a few of the holly leaf sprinkles. Repeat making wreaths, until the mixture is gone.
    • Allow the cornflake cookies to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to set. Remove them from the parchment paper, serve at room temperature and enjoy!

    Notes

    Tips:
    • Spray a small amount of nonstick cooking spray on the cookie scoop and on your hands to help reduce the flakes from sticking.
    • Depending on the size of your cookies, this recipe should yield 12-18 cornflake wreaths.
    Storage:
    You can store these cornflake Christmas wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 2mg

    Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

    September 20, 2022

    Close up photo of layered Candy corn rice krispie treats topped with candy corn

    Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats: Three candy corn colored layers of rice krispie treats with candy corn for a fun, no bake Halloween dessert!

    It’s Halloween season and we are pulling out all of the stops! We can help you stock your Halloween party dessert table with Pumpkin Patch Brownies, Nutter Butter Mummies, Dirt Cupcakes with Gummy Worms, and these colorfully striped candy corn krispie treats!

    Close up of the a candy corn rice krispie treat, showing the yellow, orange and white layers of the treat

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Honestly, who wouldn’t love a tray of these fun striped no bake Halloween rice krispie treats? But it is a hard toss-up between these and these mummy rice krispie treats!

    Candy corn lovers, this one is for you! The addition of candy corn inside of the treats and on top of them are sure to make your whole family smile – much like this Candy Corn Cake recipe.

    Crispy treats are a crowd pleaser; have you seen our perfect marshmallow treats recipe? They always disappear from the dessert table so that must mean they are perfect for Halloween season. These carrot cake rice krispie treats are a fun, orange treat for Halloween too.

    This recipe can easily be doubled to make a 9×13 pan!

    [feast_advanced_jump_to]

    Ingredients

    A quick trip to the grocery store is all it takes since the simple ingredients for these crispy treats are easy to find.

    Bowls of the ingredients to make layered Candy Corn rice krispie treats, a stick of butter and food coloring are displayed on a white marbled background
    Ingredients
    • 6 tablespoons of butter, divided into three portions of 2 tablespoons each
    • 6 cups of mini marshmallows, divided into three portions of 2 cups each
    • 6 cups of rice krispies cereal, divided into three portions of 2 cups each
    • ¼ cup of candy corn for the orange layer
    • ½ cup of candy corn for the decoration
    • Orange gel food coloring
    • Yellow gel food coloring

    See the printable recipe card below for the ingredient list, the full recipe and nutrition information.

    Substitutions & Variations

    We love to share ways that you can customize this recipe and make these Halloween treats for your family.

    • For a fun twist, use Frosted Rice Krispies instead of the classic crispy rice cereal for a little added sweetness.
    • No marshmallows? No problem. I’ve used marshmallow creme in rice krispie treats too.
    • Want to know one of my favorite little tricks? I have added a little vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture for additional flavor.
    • Or, frost the top of the krispie treats with your favorite vanilla frosting and then add the candy corn decoration.
    • Speaking of decoration, get creative with the toppings! You can drizzle on melted orange and yellow candy melts. Sprinkle on candy corn marshmallows, mini candy corn or Autumn mix for a festive appearance.
    • Want to make these treats the hit of your Halloween parties? Sandwich Halloween sprinkles, white chocolate chips, extra marshmallows or more candy corn in between the layers of this deliciously sweet Halloween treat.
    • Finally, you can use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut these candy corn rice krispies treats into candy corn shapes. Your little goblins will gobble up these tasty treats up in no time!

    Instructions

    Don’t let those striped layers fool you. These candy corn treats couldn’t be easier to make! You need one 8×8 pan, a saucepan, a spoon and a handful of ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store.

    Make Candy Corn Krispie Treats

    First, line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper greased with butter or non-stick spray.

    Start with the bottom yellow layer

    1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan and then add 2 cups of mini marshmallows, on low to medium heat. Next, stir until they’re melted and smooth.
    2. Remove the saucepan from heat and add then about ¼ teaspoon of yellow gel food coloring to the marshmallows. Keep stirring until the marshmallow mixture is evenly colored.
    3. Next, fold in 2 cups of rice krispies cereal until the cereal is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture. Then, using a clean hand or a greased spatula, press the yellow mixture into the bottom of the prepared 8×8 pan.
    A pot of melted marshmallows and butter is being stirred with a wooden spoon to incorporate yellow food coloring
    Stir in yellow food coloring
    An 8x8 cake pan is filled with a layer of yellow rice kripie treats for candy corn rice krispie treats
    Add yellow layer to pan

    For the middle orange layer

    1. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 cups of mini marshmallows on low to medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth, just like the first layer.
    2. Remove the pan from the heat and add ¼ cup candy corn. Stir until the candy corn melts. Add orange gel food coloring if you want this layer to have a darker orange color. Then, you can stop stirring when the marshmallow mixture is evenly mixed and evenly colored.
    A sauce pan in centered and it contains a melted marshmallow mixture and candy corn. This is the beginning of the orange layer of candy corn rice krispie treats
    Stir in candy corn
    1. Next, fold in 2 cups of rice krispies cereal until the cereal is evenly coated. Press the orange cereal mixture on top of the yellow layer, evenly.
    Orange food coloring is stirred into a pan that contains melted butter and marshmallows for a layer of candy corn rice krispie treats
    Add orange food coloring
    A layer of orange tinted rice krispie treat mixture has been pressed into a parchment paper lined 8x8 baking dish for candy corn rice krispie treats
    Press orange layer in pan

    To make the top white layer

    1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 cups of mini marshmallows in a saucepan, on low to medium heat, just like before. Stir until melted and smooth.
    2. Then, remove the pan from the heat and fold in the last two cups of rice krispies cereal. You will want to keep stirring until the cereal is evenly coated. Press the white mixture on top of the orange layer.
    A bowl of rice krispie cereal is ready to be added to a pot of melted marshmallow and butter for the white layer of candy corn rice krispie treats
    A layer of regular rice krispie treat mixture is layered on top of an orange rice krispie layer for candy corn rice krispie treats
    1. Finally, press the candy corn into the white layer of the rice krispies treats for decoration. Allow the rice krispie treats to cool completely (about 30 minutes), and then cut, and serve!
    An 8x8 pan of candy corn rice krispie treats topped with candy corn is centered in the picture with a bowl of candy corn in the upper right corner
    Adorable Halloween snack
    A stack of candy corn rice krispie treats are served on a white plate and garnished with additional candy corn
    Cute candy corn desserts!

    Storage

    To keep your Halloween rice krispie treats fresh, store them in an airtight container. Separate the cut treats with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week or pop them in the freezer for up to six weeks. If you have leftovers, that is!

    Squares of candy corn rice krispie treats are resting on parchment paper and surrounded by scattered candy corn

    More Halloween Treat Ideas

    If you need other ideas for Halloween, then you’ll also really love this Monster Munch, and these Mummy Oreos!

    Or, if you need a classic, this rice krispie treat recipe is always a good choice!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Close up photo of layered Candy corn rice krispie treats topped with candy corn
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

    These candy corn rice krispie treats are three candy corn colored layers that are topped with candy corn for a fun, no bake Halloween dessert!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes minutes
    Servings 9 bars
    Calories 297kcal
    Author Jessica Burgess

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoon butter divided into three portions of 2 tablespoons each
    • 6 cups mini marshmallows divided into three portions of 2 cups each
    • 6 cups Rice Krispies divided into three portions of 2 cups each
    • ¼ cup candy corn for the orange layer
    • ½ cup candy corn for decoration
    • orange food coloring
    • yellow food coloring

    Instructions

    • Before starting, line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper greased with butter or non-stick spray.

    To make the bottom yellow layer

    • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 cups of mini marshmallows in a medium sized saucepan, on low to medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat and add about ¼ teaspoon of yellow gel food coloring. Mix until the marshmallow mixture is evenly colored.
    • Fold in 2 cups of rice krispies cereal until the cereal is evenly coated. Press the yellow mixture into the bottom of the prepared 8×8 pan.

    For the middle orange layer

    • In a medium sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 cups of mini marshmallows on low to medium heat, like in the first batch. Stir until melted and smooth.
    • Remove the saucepan from heat and add ¼ cup candy corn. Stir this until the candy corn has melted. Add orange gel food coloring if you want this layer to have a darker orange color. Mix together until the marshmallow mixture is evenly colored.
    • Next, fold in 2 cups of rice krispies cereal until the cereal is evenly coated. Press the orange mixture on top of the yellow layer, making sure to evenly cover the yellow layer.

    To make the top white layer

    • In a medium sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 cups of mini marshmallows over low to medium heat, as you did in the first two batches. Stir until melted and smooth.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and fold in 2 cups of rice krispies cereal until the cereal is evenly coated. Press the white mixture on top of the orange layer.
    • Press some candy corn into the white layer of the rice krispie treats for decoration.
    • Allow the krispie treats to cool completely (about 30 minutes), cut and serve.

    Notes

    How to Store:
    To keep your Halloween rice krispie treats fresh, store them in an airtight container. Separate the cut treats with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week or pop them in the freezer for up to six weeks. If you have leftovers, that is!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 1475IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 6mg
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