Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017!

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

I really can't believe it's the last day of the year.

I know that many people can't wait for 2016 to end,

but for me - it's been one of my best years yet!

Over the last twelve months...

My parents did something amazing and I'm so proud of them!

I met an amazing man and I'm so blessed to have him in my life.

And I was offered and accepted a new position at my company.

If you've been reading my blog for any time now,

you may have noticed the posts have been less frequent recently.

Sadly, I hate to say it, but I'm going to be blogging even less in 2017.

After thinking about it for some time - I'm going to take a little break.

Not going away completely,

but not stressing myself out to get posts up.

I may pop in from time to time,

but I won't have set monthly posts like I did in 2016.

I have good reason though...

Yup - I'm going back to school.

Well, sort of going back to school.

In less than two weeks, 

I start class one night a week.

I'm excited for this opportunity,

and a little sad to put blogging aside,

but if 2016 taught me anything -

who knows what the future has in store.

Hope you all have a safe and amazing New Year's Eve!

EASY Christmas Goodie Idea - Sinful Red Velvet Cookies!

I originally blogged about these over a year ago,

but while brainstorming Christmas goodies to make,

I thought these would be perfect because of the color,

but also because they're so yummy too!

Please excuse the older photos with boarders,

and keep reading to see how to make these treats!

The Goods:

Red Velvet Cake Mix

Cream Cheese

Egg

Vanilla

Butter

Powdered Sugar

Let butter and cream cheese get soft in a large mixing bowl.

Then cream using a hand mixer.

Add the egg...

And mix that in!

Now add the vanilla...

And mix that in too...

Until it looks like this!

Dump in the whole box of cake mix...

And mix that in!

Oh hello yummy red velvet cream cheese mixture.

Form into walnut sized balls.

And roll each ball in powdered sugar.

Place on a cookie sheet with room for cookie to expand during baking.

Bake at _____ for ________.

Cool on baking sheet for a minute or two.

Remove to wire rack and dust with more powdered sugar.

And of course, take a bite to make sure they taste alright!

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

1 Box Red Velvet Cake Mix

1 8oz. Block Cream Cheese - Room Temp

1/2 Cup Butter - Room Temp

1 Egg

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Powdered Sugar 

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
3. Add cake mix and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
6. Roll chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls.
7. Roll balls in powdered sugar and place about two inches apart on a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
9. Cool completely on a wire rack and then dust with more powdered sugar.

Whiskey Wednesday: Raspberry Bourbon Smash

Happy Wednesday guys!!!

In 2015, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Hot Toddy
Whiskey Sour
Sage Brown Derby

Strawberry Whiskey Smash
Gold Rush
Blackberry Whiskey Punch
Kickin' Blood Orange Spritzer
Cherry Lime Whiskey Fizz
Peach Mint Julep

Apple Old Fashion
Rye Maple Fizz

I've made two other whiskey "smash" drinks for the blog,
but this one was by far the easiest of them.
In fact, it's one of the easiest drinks I've made.
Don't let that fool you though - it's full of flavor!

The Goods:

Raspberry Jam or Preserve

Bourbon

Triple Sec

Orange Juice

Club Soda

Orange

In a shaker, combine 1/2 cup ice, 2 tablespoons raspberry jam, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 tablespoon triple sec, and 2 tablespoons orange juice and shake quickly for 20 to 30 seconds. 

Strain into a chilled glass with ice, top with club soda and garnish with orange slice and peel.

Baked Donut Monday: Mini Gingerbread Donuts

Happy Monday everyone!!!

I'm back again for another Baked Donut Monday post

and today I'm going to tell you about some mini donuts, specifically

GINGERBREAD MINI BAKED DONUTS!!!

When I saw this recipe I had to go out and buy a mini donut pan.

I had to make these donuts, so of course I needed the pan!

And what better time to share them than December,

when gingerbread things are EVERYWHERE!

These little suckers are so yummy,

and since they're mini,

it's really easy to pop one (or two)

in your mouth to be devoured.

Let me show you how you can make your own!

The Goods:

Flour

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Ground Cinnamon

Ground Ginger

Allspice

Ground Cloves

Salt

Brown Sugar

Eggs

Applesauce

Milk

Butter

Maple Syrup

Powdered Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine your flour,

baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.

Mix in the brown sugar, eggs, applesauce, milk and melted butter.

Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag.

Cut off the end of the zipper bag 

and fill your greased donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.

You can test that they're done with a toothpick.

Cool in the pan for a few minutes.

While they're cooling, make the glaze.

Melt butter and brown sugar in  a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a boil for about two minutes.

Add maple syrup and milk, then return to boil.

Add powdered sugar and the milk to thin if needed.

Keep over low heat and dunk each donut into the glaze.

Return to wire rack to let glaze set. 

Mini Gingerbread Baked Donuts

With Maple Glaze

Adapted from Pinch of Yum

Makes 5 Dozen Mini Donuts

For the Donuts:

2 Cups Flour

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1/4 Teaspoon Allspice

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Applesauce

2 Tablespoons Milk

4 Tablespoons Melted Butter

For the Glaze:

4 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

4 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

4 Tablespoons Milk

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
2. Mix in the brown sugar, eggs, applesauce, milk and melted butter.
3. Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag. 
4. Cut off the end of the zipper bag and fill your greased donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. You can test that they're done with a toothpick.
6. Cool in the pan for a few minutes. While they're cooling, make the glaze.
7. Melt butter and brown sugar in  a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil for about two minutes.
8. Add maple syrup and milk, then return to boil.
9. Add powdered sugar and the milk to thin if needed.
10. Keep over low heat and dunk each donut into the glaze and return to wire rack to let set.

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Herb Browned Butter

I love butternut squash and I love ravioli.
So when I saw Butternut Squash Ravioli at Trader Joe's recently,
I just had to buy it to try it out.
And guys - it's really yummy!

Not only is it tasty, it's super easy to make too!
I just threw together a simple herb browned butter sauce,
but even just a little butter would be delicious too.
Let me show you how I made mine.


The Goods:
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Butter
Garlic
Thyme
Parsley
Parmesan Cheese

Melt half a stick of butter in a skillet.

Once melted, turn down the heat slightly,

then add your garlic and thyme.

While the butter is browning, throw in your pasta to cook.

Cook according to package directions.

Keep an eye on your butter, stirring it every so often.

When it starts to brown and you smell a nutty flavor, you know it's done.

Add your cooked, drained pasta to the skillet 

and toss to coat it in the browned butter sauce. 

Plate your pasta, add fresh minced parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Dig in and ENJOY!!!

Reduced Guilt Key Lime Pie

Five years ago, I dedicated an entire month to pies on my blog.
I made so many pies that month it's amazing I didn't gain tons of weight.
Please remember that all posts are from 2011, but here are five of my favorites:
Lemon Meringue Pie
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Dutch Apple Pie
Chocolate Cherry Pie
Turkey Pot Pie

With all the pies I made, it's amazing I never made a Key Lime Pie.
I changed that recently though and made one,
but decided to try to make it just a tad healthier!

The Goods:

Graham Crackers

Brown Sugar

Salt

White Chocolate Chips

Butter

Reduced Fat Greek Yogurt

Key Limes

Eggs

Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Whipped Cream

Crush your graham crackers in a gallon bag using a rolling pin.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs,

1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 ounce chopped white chocolate.

Add 2 tablespoons melted butter and toss until evenly moistened.

Press crumb mixture into greased pie pan and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Cool completely on a wire rack.

While crust is cooling, in another medium bowl combine 1/2 greek yogurt, 

1/2 cup fresh key lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon key lime zest, 

3 large egg yolks and (1) 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk.

Pour mixture into crust and bake at 350 degrees for about 14 minutes.

Cool pie completely on wire rack. 

Chill at least 2 hours before cutting. 

And of course, serve with whipped cream!

Reduced Guilt Key Lime Pie

Adapted from Cooking Light

For the Crust:

1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

1 Ounce White Chocolate Chips

2 Tablespoons Butter

For the Filling:

1/2 Cup Reduced Fat Greek Yogurt

1/2 Cyo Key Limes

3 Large Egg Yolks

1 (14 Ounce) Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

1. Crush your graham crackers in a gallon bag using a rolling pin.
2. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 ounce chopped white chocolate. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter and toss until evenly moistened.
3. Press crumb mixture into greased pie pan and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
4. While crust is cooling, in another medium bowl combine 1/2 greek yogurt, 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon key lime zest, 3 large egg yolks and (1) 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk.
5. Pour mixture into crust and bake at 350 degrees for about 14 minutes. Cool pie completely on wire rack. Chill at least 2 hours before cutting.