Posted in Holiday Recipes, Holidays, Referrals, tagged 4th of july recipes, patriotic desserts, patriotic recipes, Taste of Home on June 30, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Whether you are into savvy entertaining, like to hold parties or are a designated host for the upcoming 4th of July weekend, you are most likely trying to think of a few fun recipes to serve.
My shout-out this week goes to a website that provides oodles of tested recipes that are simple and good – tasteofhome.com
If you are looking specifically for some great 4th of July recipes, go to Taste of Home and see all the delicious looking treats available.
Happy Entertaining!
Shanna
Posted in Desserts, Easy Recipes, Holiday Recipes, tagged Chocolate Chip cookies, Chocolate Recipe, Coconut cookies, Valentine Cookies on February 5, 2010| 1 Comment »
I love coconut almost as much as I do chocolate, so I was practically giddy when I came across this recipe. These yummy bar cookies are so good and can be cut into shapes or squares. A heart-shaped cookie cutter is perfect for Valentine’s Day treats!
Chocolate Coconut Bars
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup plus 2 tbsp melted butter, divided
2 1/4 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large micro-wave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, sweetened condenses milk and 2 tbsps. of butter. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until chips are melted. Stir well – and do not over cook!
In a separate bowl, combine remaining butter with eggs, sugar, flour, pecans, coconut, salt and vanilla extract.
Spread approximately half of the dough on an ungreased 15×10 jelly roll pan. Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the dough then drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the chocolate. Drag the tip of a knife through the dough and chocolate to create a swirl pattern.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Use a heart-shaped cutter to create a plate full of delicious hearts!
Happy Entertaining!
Posted in Easy Recipes, entertain, Holiday Recipes, tagged dessert, New Year's Party, New Year's Recipe on December 31, 2009| Leave a Comment »
If you are looking for a show-stopping finale to your New Year’s Eve party, think about making this beautiful bubbly dessert. Simple with very few ingredients, it is easy to put together and can be made well in advance.
Bubbly Dessert
1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin
2 cups cold white grape juice, divided
2 tbsp. sugar
2 cups club soda or champagne
8 fresh strawberries or raspberries
In a small saucepan, sprinkled gelatin over 1 cup of the cold grape juice. Let stand for one minute. Heat over low heat stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in sugar. Remove from heat, stir in remaining grape juice. Cool to room temperature.
Transfer gelatin mixture to a large bowl. Slowly stir in soda or champagne. Pour half of the mixture into eight champagne or parfait glasses. Add a berry to each glass (if using a strawberry, remove hulls first). Chill glasses and remaining gelatin mixture until almost set, about an hour.
Place the reserved gelatin mixture in a blender, cover and process until foamy. Pour into glasses. Chill for three hours or until set.
Makes 8 servings.
Enjoy and please celebrate safely!
Happy Entertaining and Happy New Year!
Posted in Easy Recipes, entertain, Holiday Recipes, tagged holiday recipe, pumpkin recipe, pumpkin roll on December 18, 2009| 6 Comments »
My Aunt Louise was one of those very special people who could always find the good in others, who was genuine and sweet, and she had the magical powers to mix zucchini with chocolate and come out with the best chocolate cake ever. I thought she was amazing.
One year as a gift for my Mom, I came up with the idea of putting together a cookbook with recipes from all my aunts and cousins. The recipe Aunt Louise shared was for her pumpkin roll. Talk about off the charts – her pumpkin roll literally takes the cake! I have made the pumpkin roll many times and look forward each holiday season to pulling out that recipe card she sent. Since she is no longer with us, I love seeing that card, thinking of her and remembering what a fabulous cook and wonderful lady she was.
I hope you and your family enjoy this delicious treat as much as we do!
Louise’s Pumpkin Cake Roll
Cake:
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
Filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup candied cherries
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a mixer on high for five minutes. Gradually beat in the 1 cup of sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. In a small bowl, stir together flour and other dry ingredients. Fold into pumpkin mixture. Spread batter in a greased and floured 15x10x1 jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Immediately invert cake onto a flour-sack towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll cake and towel up together. Cool completely. Unroll cake. In a mixing bowl beat 1 cup powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla with mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cake. Reroll cake, cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Cut into 1-inch slices and garnish with cherries. Makes 10-12 servings.
* Note: You can substitute pecans for walnuts or make without nuts. You can also garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, glazed nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Happy Holidays and Happy Entertaining!
Savvy Entertaining 