Homemade Holiday Candies

 The holidays are near and that means it is time to start thinking about gifts to buy and treats to make. This year why not save a little money and give a gift from the heart with these homemade holiday candy recipes? These are decadent, delicious and easy to recreate at home in your own kitchen. Make a few varieties and package them in a pretty container for a great gift.

This collection has something wonderful for everyone! From cheesecake balls that are dreamy to simple dipped marshmallows that always delight and even a candy for the coffee lovers. 

While you are here you can't forget to visit some of my favorite bark recipes.

Everyone loves this celebration bark.  Fruity Pebbles bark is a perfect no bake candy option for cereal lovers.

Cheesecake Balls by Rich and Delish

These cheesecake balls are so creamy and dreamy! You are sure to love this recipe for homemade candy.

Dark Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows by Saporito Kitchen

This recipe is simple and delicious! Let the kids help with this one.

Homemade Snickers by The Short Order Cook

This homemade snickers bar recipe is perfect to make and freeze for later. Make these ahead of time for a homemade gift from the heart.

Honey Lollipops by The Monday Box

Homemade honey lollipops are perfect for sucking or stirring tea with! These would be great sticking stuffers.

Saltine Toffee by Spend with Pennies

Toffee made with saltines is a perfect treat to make and share.

Strawberry Hard Candy by In the Kitch

These hard candies are perfect for holidays. They are so fruity and flavorful!

Disneyland Copycat Churro Toffee  by In Fine Taste

No need to plan a trip to Disney to get your churro toffee fix. This is a perfect at home dupe!

Homemade Torrone Italian Nut Nougat by xoxo Bella

This homemade Italian candy would be so nice to share with your friends and neighbors this year.

Cookie Dough Truffles by Fantabulosity

These truffles are just the thing to serve to anyone who loves cookie dough flavor!

Rocky Road by Flavor the Moments

Homemade rocky road has never been easier than it is with this tasty recipe!

Peanut Butter Balls by Bitz n Giggles

If you love peanut butter flavor then you will want to make these delicious little treats this year!

Homemade Payday Bars by Sweet Peas Kitchen

This recipe is a perfect copycat for homemade, fresh payday candy bars!

Angel Candy by DIY and Fun

You are sure to love the layers of this candy! It is so tasty!

Turtles by The Cagle Diaries

Simple and delicious are always a good idea! This recipe for homemade turtles is sure to be a favorite!

Vegan Twix by Spabettie

If you are a fan of twix bars, you will want to make these for a sweet, homemade holiday candy to share.

Dalgona Coffee Candy by Corrie Cooks

Coffee fans would love to get a tub of these instant pot candies for the holidays!

Find more homemade candy recipes here

Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cones

Boozy Butter Creams

Rustic Recipes for Autumn

The weather is starting to cool down, and the leaves are changing color. It's the perfect time to start thinking about fall cooking. Rustic recipes are all about using simple, seasonal ingredients to create hearty, flavorful dishes. They're the perfect way to warm up on a cold day and celebrate the bounty of the fall harvest. I have gathered some of my favorites to share with you. From stews, to galettes, there is something on this list for everyone. Be sure to click thru the links to visit the recipes at their original source.

Photo Credit: Various Sources.

Fresh Tomato Galette by If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

Rustic Lamb Stew by Spend with Pennies

Mum’s Beef Stew by Kelly Neil

Rich and Rustic Mashed Potatoes by Sense and Edibility

Irish Vegetable Soup  by Cook at Home Mom

Sausage and Sauerkraut Skillet by Bitz n Giggles

Italian Minestrone Soup by Cucciharella 

Creamy Stewed Potatoes  by Broke Bank Vegan

Authentic Coq Au Vin with Rooster by The Peasants Daughter

French Hunter Chicken by 24 Bite

Oxtail Ragu by The Pasta Project

Beef Roast by Sungrown Kitchen

Meat Pie by The Gunny Sack

Dutch Oven Pot Roast by The Healthy Epicurean

Cacio e Pepe by Centsless Meals

If you are planning to make some rustic family style food this fall here are some tips:

Here are some tips for making great rustic food: Use simple, fresh ingredients. Rustic food is all about using the best ingredients you can find. This means using fresh, seasonal produce, and high-quality meats and cheeses.

You can stock up on ingredients and save cash by checking out these BJ’s Wholesale Membership Deals. After grabbing your groceries at BJ's you will be ready to hop into the kitchen to start making the best rustic food.

Don't be afraid to get creative. Rustic food is all about letting your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients.

Don't overcook your food. Rustic food should be cooked until it's just tender, but still has a bit of a bite to it. Overcooked food will be dry and bland.

Let your food rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Use rustic cooking methods. Rustic food is often cooked using traditional methods, such as roasting, grilling, and braising. These methods help to preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Present your food simply. Rustic food doesn't need a lot of fussy presentation. A simple, rustic platter is all you need to showcase your delicious food.

Which of these recipes do you think your family would most enjoy? I want to make the Irish veggie soup asap.

While you are here you might also like to check out some of my favorite recipes.

3 Ingredient Fool Proof Biscuits

Butter Garlic Glazed Carrots

Festive Cranberry Cocktail Recipes

 The holiday season is near, and if you are gathering with friends to exchange gifts, or hosting a party, you are going to want to pin this list of festive cranberry cocktails for later. This list has some of the best options to help you ring in the holidays in style.

If you have been visiting me for a while, you know I love a good cocktail. This year I would love to include more cranberries into my happy hour, so I started visiting with some of my favorite bloggers to find the best recipes. I know you will find a few items you love on this list.

Cranberry Sage Cocktail by Salted Plains

Perfect Cranberry Cosmo by xoxo Bella

Cranberry Sangria by Flavor the Moments

Blushin Russian by The Good Hearted Woman

Frozen Cranberry Mimosa by Stephanie’s Way

Winter White Cosmos by Aleka’s Get Together

Cranberry Pear Mimosas by Entirely Elizabeth

Sorcerer's Stone Cocktail by Cooking with Curls

Cranberry Orange Margarita by Emily Fabulous

Cranberry Orange Daiquiris by Small Town Woman

Cranberry Moscow Mules by Our Crafty Cocktails

Mezcal Cranberry Cocktails by Gastronom Blog

Sparkling Cranberry Champagne Cocktails by Homebody Eats

Blackberry Cranberry Moscow Mules by The Forked Spoon

Cranberry Margaritas by A Splash of Taste

Don't these drinks sound perfect for the holiday season? Which would you like to make first? Don't forget to click over to view the full recipes and save them to your cocktail board.

While you are here you can find some of my favorite drink recipes here:

Wild Blueberry Gin Fizzers

Boozy Freezer Pops

Cherry Orange Soda Syrup

Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

 

Thanksgiving is all about the food, and the side dishes are just as important as the main course. From classic dishes like mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to more creative options like roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato gratin, there's a side dish out there for everyone.

Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potatoes by Maria’s Mixing Bowl

Cracker Barrel Mac N Cheese by The Cagle Diaries

Orange Spiced Sweet Potato Casserole by Crinkled Cookbook

Cranberry Pecan Rice Pilaf from Val’s Kitchen

Pesto Brussel Sprouts by Veggies Save the Day

From Scratch Green Bean Casserole by Served From Scratch

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole by Two Pink Peonies

Roasted Pumpkin Beetroot Salad by Maple + Mango

Brussel Sprout and Apple Salad by Conflicted Vegan

Sauteed Sweet Potatoes by Two Cloves Kitchen

Harvest Quinoa Salad by Honest and Truly

Browned Butter Sage Mashed Sweet Potatoes by What a Girl Eats

Spiced Rice Stuffed Squash by Little Farro Kitchen

Green Bean Bundles by Bitz n Giggles

Best Cranberry Sauce by Ann’s Entitled Life

Find more favorite recipes here:

Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich

12 Cranberry Sauce Recipes

Instant Pot Chicken Soup Recipes

Craving something cozy like chicken soup? This collection of instant pot soup recipes is just the thing to check out then! With some really tasty chicken soup recipes to browse, you can find something delicious in this collection to whip up in no time.

While you are here you can find some of my other favorite recipes here.

Jazzy Chicken Soup by Amy+Jacky

This is not your average chicken soup! It has been jazzed up properly with tomatoes and celery and lots of other goodies!

Chicken Enchilada Soup by Burrata and Bubbles

All of the flavor of a good enchilada but in soup form, cooked up in no time, in the instant pot! Sounds great doesn’t it?

Photo Credit: Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup by Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations

This pot pie soup is so good! And it is guilt free with low carbs for a healthy lifestyle!

Instant Pot Thai Chicken Soup With Lemongrass And Ginger by The Instant Pot Table

This thai inspired soup has so many great flavors! And it comes together  in no time, thanks to your pressure cooker!

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup by Chef Savvy

This comfort food classic cooks up fast. Save this recipe for steamy food for your soul in a flash, anytime you need it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup by Marathons and Motivations

This soup is so good! It has a great flavor, lots of color and warms you up on the coldest day!

Chicken Bone Broth by Maple + Mango

Homemade bone broth has never been easier than it is with an instant pot! Save this recipe for all of your broth needs.

Photo Credit: Pink When.

Crack Chicken Chili by Pink When

This chicken chili is so good it is borderline addictive. Try it and decide if you think it has been aptly named!

Chicken and Cabbage Curry Soup by Low Carb Yum

This curry based soup is so tasty! It is packed with good for you ingredients and will fill you up without too many extra carbs.

From Scratch Chicken Soup by Fearless Dining

This chicken soup is from scratch and promises to warm your soul! So good!

Looking for other tasty ways to make chicken?

Cracker Crumb Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Find more instant pot recipes here:

Creamy Mushroom Shrimp Pasta

Banana Cream Rice Pudding

Best Boba Recipes

 My 9 year old, Harper, has developed an obsession with boba. She bats her big blue eyes at me and says "Mommy, let's go out for a tea..." almost everyday. It is so funny that I have this little bestie who thinks I am rich. To keep her happy and getting her boba fix at least once a week, we have been making some fun recipes at home. If you are wanting to save some cash and still have a treat, like us, you are going to love this list of the best boba recipes to make at home.

Before we get into this, can you believe Harper is 9 and a half already? It seems like just a few months ago that so many of my friends were chipping in to write posts for my blog so I could bask in the wonder of our new baby Harper.  Now here she is, a full blown tween with a boba tea habit.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman and various artists.

Jasmine Milk Tea Boba by Greedy Girl Gourmet

Lychee Milk Tea Boba by My Vegan Minimalism

Hokkaido Milk Tea by Aubrey’s Kitchen

Vegan Boba Cake by Rainbow Nourishments

Homemade Black Boba Pearls by Delightful Plate

Fruity Bubble Tea by Kids Activities Blog

The Devil Wears Salad.

Watermelon Fruit Salad with Brown Sugar Boba by The Devil Wears Salad

Strawberry Milk Tea by Moon and Spoon and Yum

Brown Sugar Boba Ice Cream Bars by The Oregon Dietitian

Photo Credit: White Kitchen Red Wine.

Strawberry Milk Tea by White Kitchen Red Wine

Taro Bubble Tea by The Oregon Dietitian

Chocolate Milk Bubble Tea by The Littlest Crumb

Photo Credit:  Entirely Elizabeth.

Earl Grey Milk Tea by Entirely Elizabeth

Iced Boba Coffee by Recipes from a Pantry

Vegan Bubble Tea by Plant Based on a Budget

With so many tasty bubble tea recipes, the hardest part of getting your boba fix will be deciding which of these recipes to make first. Happy sipping!

You can find some of my favorite drink recipes here 
Sour Apple Margaritas
Hillbilly Cider
Bomb Pop Cocktails
Blueberry Lime Vodka Sorbet