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Calling all pickle lovers! Meet your new favorite appetizer. These bacon wrapped pickles are the perfect combination of tangy, crunchy, and meaty, and so easy to devour!

Bacon wrapped anything is a winner in my book. A few more great appetizers to serve with your next meal: bacon wrapped dates, bacon wrapped chestnuts, and my personal favorite, bacon wrapped brussels sprouts!

Bacon Wrapped Pickle Recipe

Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy, savory bacon-wrapped pickle spear. The tangy, salty pickle perfectly complements the smoky, savory bacon. It’s the BEST flavor combination! Even if you’re not a huge pickle fan, you’ll love these. They’re sure to please any crowd. Plus, they’re keto-friendly if you’re looking to cut back on carbs!

These bite-sized treats are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Simply wrap pickle spears in bacon slices and bake until the bacon is crispy. Serve them with a side of ranch dressing for dipping and watch them disappear in no time!

4 Ingredients to Make Them

3 ingredients, really, if you exclude the chopped dill for garnish! Bacon wrapped pickles are such a simple appetizer but will have everyone singing their praises. Looking for exact measurements? They’re all in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Dill Pickle Spears: The tangy, salty base of the appetizer.

Bacon Slices: Choose your favorite, whether it’s thick-cut, thin-cut, or smoked bacon.

Ranch Dressing: For dipping the bacon wrapped pickles in. You can swap this out for any of your favorite sauces! I have a few more ideas below.

Fresh Dill: This is totally optional, but chopped fresh dill adds an extra bright and delicious flavor to the appetizer.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Pickles

It’s so easy to whip up this flavor-packed appetizer! Bacon wrapped pickles are also great as a quick and easy low carb snack that you can enjoy anytime.

Preheat Oven, Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Pat Dry: Use a paper towel to absorb any pickle juice from the pre-cut pickle spears.

Wrap: Wrap each pickle spear in a slice of bacon then place each spear on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake: Bake for 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped dill and serve with a side of ranch for dipping.

Crispy beef strips stir-fried with onion and red bell peppers then tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce. You’re going to love this popular Panda Express copycat version of Beijing beef!

Copycat recipes are so easy to make and enjoy right at home! For more copycat recipes try this Olive Garden salad, my Chili’s skillet queso, or my favorite Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade.

Panda Express Beijing Beef

Panda Express is known for tasty dishes like their Beijing beef. Tender beef strips are marinated and then coated in cornstarch to help crisp the outside as they get stir-fried. Tossed with onion, red bell pepper, and a sweet tangy sauce, it’s bursting with flavors and textures!

Chinese-American dishes are a favorite in our house! They’re better than take-out and easy to make at home. If you like this Beijing beef then I have some great recipes for you to add to your weekly menu. Make this beef and broccoli, my cashew chicken, or bang bang chicken. I’m all about tasty dinner ideas!

Ingredients You Will Need

Restaurant-quality Beijing beef, but from the comfort of your own home! These are all the ingredients you’ll need to make the most perfect tender beef smothered in an amazing sauce. All measurements can be found below in the recipe card.

Marinade

Flank Steak: Cut into strips against the grain.

Egg: The egg helps the marinade stick to the beef.

Soy Sauce: Feel free to use low-sodium if you prefer.

Cornstarch: Gives the steak the crispy coating as it cooks.

Stir Fry

Vegetable Oil: For frying. Feel free to use canola oil if you prefer.

Red Bell Pepper: Chopped into 1-inch pieces. Any bell pepper works here!

Yellow Onion: Diced or chopped, whichever way you prefer. Onion adds great flavor and texture.

Sauce

Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the sauce.

Rice Vinegar: This adds tang to the sauce. I love to use rice vinegar because it has a touch of sweetness.

Tomato Paste: Helps to thicken the sauce and meld the ingredients together.

Sweet Chili Sauce: You will love the added sweetness and flavor of sweet chili sauce in this Beijing beef recipe!

Soy Sauce: Using low-sodium soy sauce helps to control the added salt. However, regular soy sauce or tamari will work as well. Tamari is gluten-free which is a plus!

Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin is like a savory sweet Asian BBQ sauce. Oyster sauce works too!

Onion and Garlic Powder: Adds great flavor and depth to the sauce.

Beijing Beef Recipe

This recipe for Beijing beef is easier than you think! Marinate the beef, mix your sauce, and then cook all of your ingredients together! You’ll have a flavorful meal ready in no time. It’s basically the BEST Beijing beef recipe! My instructions below are also so easy to follow!

Slice the Beef: Prepare the steak by cutting it, against the grain, into ¼ inch thick strips about 2 inches long.

Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Add the sliced steak to the bowl and toss to coat completely. Allow the steak to marinade for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Toss the Beef in Cornstarch: Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of cornstarch to a bowl. Remove the marinated beef from the marinade, and toss it in the cornstarch, coating each piece completely.

Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated and cornstarch-coated steak into the pan then fry the beef until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan then set it aside. 

Stir-Fry the Onion and Bell Pepper: Returning to the pan add the diced onion and chopped red bell pepper. Stir fry until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.

Add the Beef Slices and Sauce: Last, add the beef back to the pan and pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables. Stir fry everything together until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Serve: Serve the Beijing beef over rice and garnish with chopped green onions. I also love red pepper flakes on top!

All the soft, ooey-gooey goodness of monkey bread in bite-sized form! Ready in less than 30 minutes, these monkey bread muffins are a quick and easy breakfast that everyone will love!

Oh, monkey bread, how I love you. It’s easily one of my favorite breakfasts. (Even though it’s more like a dessert!) This recipe is great because it makes personal servings, but you’ll also have to try this recipe for classic monkey bread as well. This cinnamon roll monkey bread is another great option and SO delicious!

Monkey Bread Muffin Recipe

You may have had regular monkey bread before, but you have to try this bite-sized version! This recipe for monkey bread muffins is quick and easy, making it the perfect choice for a busy morning or a last-minute treat. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delicious muffins in no time.

The warm, gooey caramel sauce takes these muffins to the next level, and they’re sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. You may want to make a double batch, because they go fast! So grab that can of biscuits and get ready to make an amazing dessert! Perfect for Christmas breakfast or a sweet treat after dinner.

Ingredient List

A handful of simple ingredients that you likely already have! Just pick up a can of refrigerated biscuits and you’ll be able to make these in a snap!

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: The base of the muffins, giving them a soft and fluffy texture.

Granulated Sugar: Makes everything nice and sweet.

Ground Cinnamon: Adds some warm and cozy spice.

Butter: Melted butter coats the biscuit pieces, ensuring even distribution of the cinnamon sugar mixture and adding rich goodness.

Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness to the muffins.

How to Make Monkey Bread Muffins

Monkey bread muffins are beyond easy to make. Even more simple than regular monkey bread! Using a muffin tin makes for easy prep and serving.

Preheat Oven, Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a muffin tin with muffin cups and then set it aside.

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a Ziplock bag, add the sugar and cinnamon. Close the bag and shake well to combine.

Melt Butter: In a microwavable bowl, heat the butter until melted.

Prepare Biscuits: Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Dip each biscuit piece into the butter then add them to the bag of cinnamon and sugar. Close the bag and shake to coat the pieces completely with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Repeat process until all the pieces are coated.

Bake: Place four pieces into each muffin cup. Then bake for 12-15 minutes.

Caramel Sauce

Combine Ingredients: Add the brown sugar butter to a medium saucepan. Over medium-high heat, whisk together and melt the ingredients. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove from the heat. Carefully pour the caramel sauce over each muffin.

Serve: Serve monkey bread muffins warm and enjoy!

The holiday season has officially arrived, which means it’s time to get shopping! Gift-giving can be A LOT of fun for some people, but for others, it can end up being a stressful experience. Choosing the perfect gift for a cherished friend, or trying to find something special for a family member who is hard to shop for, can be overwhelming. That’s why I put together a list of the best kitchen gifts for the people in your life who love to cook, and I included a few items for the home as well!

Credit: Williams-Sonoma

The best kitchen gifts for foodies include high-quality cookware and cooking tools. I’ve included many of the items I use in my kitchen, including the BEST cookie scoops, which I use to make my chocolate chip cookies, and home finds from businesses big and small that would make anybody’s home more comfortable and stylish. Check out my ideas for the best gifts for home and kitchen, and have a great holiday season! 

1. For the One Who is an Accomplished Baker: Jupiter Beaded Glass Cake Stand

Credit: Pottery Barn

This elegant cake stand from Pottery Barn gives your loved one’s carefully crafted cakes the stage they deserve. The Jupiter Beaded Glass Cake stand is wider than your average cake stand (at 13 inches in diameter), allowing for extra room to store a batch of cupcakes, brownies, muffins, and more. It comes in three different colors, including fun options such as pink and blue, and a large dome for better storage. 

2. For the One Who Shops at the Farmers’ Market: Williams-Sonoma Market Tote 

Credit: Williams-Sonoma

The Williams-Sonoma Market Tote makes lugging your farmers market haul A LOT easier. This is thanks to the bag’s thick canvas material, its six separate compartments that allow for even weight distribution, and its reinforced base, which helps keep your produce in place while unpacking. Your farmers-market-loving friend will appreciate the comfort this design brings and will feel more at ease that delicate items such as lettuce and tomatoes are no longer getting crushed by olive oil or wine bottles. 

3. For the One Who Loves to Bake: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Credit: Amazon

The iconic KitchenAid Stand Mixer is the BEST electric mixer for making large batches of delectable baked goods, including my grandma’s perfectly homemade bread, sweet potato rolls, and quick, 45-minute cinnamon rolls. It’s also versatile; you can purchase different attachments, such as an ice cream mixing bowl, a meat grinder, a juicer, and a pasta roller. Given this, as well as its incredible performance and proven longevity, the KitchenAid would make a great gift for both beginning and seasoned home bakers. 

4. For the One Who Bakes Bundts: Nordic Ware Gold Heritage Bundt Pan

Credit: Williams-Sonoma

One of the BEST kitchen gifts you can get from a cake maker is a great Bundt pan. This popular Nordic Ware Bundt pan features a striking, swirled mold that would be perfect for making my carrot Bundt cake and pumpkin Bundt cake. The pan is also made of coated cast aluminum, allowing for even heat distribution, can accommodate up to six cups of batter, and with its neutral design, works for both holiday baking and other year-round celebrations. 

5. For the One Who Makes Sunday Waffles: Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick

Credit: Amazon

Homemade waffles are so much better than store-bought, and my family and I LOVE making them together. Waffle lovers and breakfast enthusiasts alike will appreciate the Ninja waffle maker for its five-shade settings. Not to mention that it can handle sugary batters such as cake mixes and brownies. Plus, with its vertical design, it takes up less counter space than horizontal models and produces fewer messes. 

6. For the Pastry Chef: Ateco Pastry Bag Decorating Kit

Credit: Williams-Sonoma

I LOVE using Ateco’s piping products. They’re affordable and durable, and the brand has every kind of piping tip needed for baking cookies. I love using it for my Danish butter cookies, and decorating desserts, like my hummingbird cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. This decorating kit, which includes two reusable nylon piping bags and six piping tips, is one of the best kitchen gifts for any baker. Especially one just embarking on their dessert-decorating journey. 

7. For the One Who Wants Easier Food Prep: Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

Credit: Amazon

One of the BEST kitchen gifts you can get from any home cook is the coveted Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor. This appliance does all the work for you: it chops, blends, purees, and grates cheese and vegetables in minutes! This saves you precious time when putting your family’s meal together. 

8. For the One Who Loves Fresh Herbs: Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set 

Credit: Amazon

This super cute, farmhouse-style planter set gives you the ability to grow your own herbs indoors. Made by Barnyard Designs, a small business that sells affordable, high-quality home goods, the planter set is small enough to fit on a kitchen window sill and comes with a tray that helps with collecting water and allows for easier transport. Your giftee will thoroughly enjoy watching their herbs grow and using the fresh herbs to make recipes like my buttery herb sauteed mushrooms.

9. For the One Who Loves Sentimental Gifts: Memorable Moments Custom Photo Art 

Credit: Minted

One of the most impactful gifts you can give is one that’s tied to lots of memories. This polished photo collage allows gift givers to choose up to 18 meaningful photos for their giftees, whether they’re snapshots from a recent family vacation or a collection of them with loved ones from years past. Minted also gives you the option to choose from several print sizes and frame styles and offers UV-protected plexiglass (very good for preventing fading from the sun). 

10. For the One Who Meal Plans: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Credit: Amazon

This gets dinner on the table FAST. Whether you’re a busy, single professional or a parent with multiple mouths to feed, everyone will appreciate this incredibly versatile kitchen appliance. I use this to cook recipes such as lemon garlic chicken and beef stroganoff, as well as other meat and veggie dishes when I’m short on time. This Instant Pot comes with 13 program options, ranging from making rice to yogurt, can serve up to six people, and has more than 10 safety features like overheat protection and a safe-locking lid, the latter of which is essential if you have kids who like to spend time with you in the kitchen. 

11. For the One Who Bakes: JK Adams French Tapered Rolling Pin 

Credit: Amazon

This JK Adams product is the BEST for rolling out dough. The rolling pin is easy to maneuver, simple to maintain (hand wash only!), and super long (20.5 inches, to be exact), making it easy to roll out recipes such as my grandma’s perfect pie crust and my easiest homemade pizza. It’s also pretty to look at; each rolling pin is made of a beautiful American hardwood that also happens to be sustainably sourced. 

12. For the One Who Cooks Cozy Stews: Le Creuset 7.5-Quart Dutch Oven

Credit: Wiliams-Sonoma

One of the best kitchen gifts for chefs is the iconic Le Creuset Dutch Oven, which you can use to make a variety of dishes, including bread, sweet treats such as a peach or apple cobbler, big-batch stews, my coq au vin, and more. These enameled cast iron Dutch ovens offer great heat retention, can be safely transferred from stovetop to oven, and come in a kaleidoscope of eye-catching colors. This is perfect for any keen home cook who is seeking one piece of cookware that they can cook everything in, and that will also last a lifetime. 

13. For the One Who Misses Home: Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels

Credit: West Elm

I LOVE supporting small businesses, which is why I’m happy to share these unique and fun tea towels by Claudia Pearson, an illustrator who is part of West Elm’s Local program which helps designers and artists grow their businesses. These tea towels feature 20 big cities from many different regions in the U.S., including Palm Springs, Savannah, Denver, Austin, Boston, and New Orleans. Get your friend a tea towel from their city, which can act as both kitchen decor and a means to clean up messes. 

14. For the One Who is a Little Spicy: Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill

Credit: Amazon

Freshly ground pepper is better than pre-ground pepper the same way that homemade waffles are better than the store-bought versions. Peugeot is the leading brand in the pepper mill world, making mills that offer six grind settings, from extra fine to very coarse, and strong steel grinders. It can also handle coriander seeds and other varieties of peppercorns such as white and red on their own, as well as pink peppercorns when part of a variety. 

15. For the One Who Makes Cookies: Williams-Sonoma Piazza Ice Cream and Cookie Scoop

Credit: Williams-Sonoma

Anyone who makes cookies on the regular would LOVE these cookie scoops from Williams-Sonoma. These Italian-made, stainless steel scoops are much more durable than cheaper versions and produce uniform cookies every time. You can also use them to make perfectly-sized cake pops, Swedish meatballs, and ice cream scoops. 

16. For the One Who is Always Cold: West Elm Brushed Herringbone Throw

Credit: West Elm

Throw blankets are a crowd-pleaser, gift-wise. You can’t go wrong with getting someone a super soft and warm blanket that they can wrap themselves in, whether they’re reading a good book or catching up on their favorite show. This stylish West Elm option offers that cozy experience, as it’s made of 20% wool and is brushed to give it a soft-to-the-touch feel, the latter of which ups the warmth factor. 

17. For the Cook Who Needs a Better Knife: Wüsthof Classic Chef’s Knife

Credit: Amazon

One of the best kitchen gifts you can get home cooks, whether they are novices or experts, is a quality, long-lasting knife. You’ll get that with a Wüsthof knife, a brand that has been making knives for more than 200 years. The Wüsthof Classic Chef’s knife is super sharp, made of durable materials that are corrosion and stain-resistant, and unlike many other knives, comes in fun, pastel color options. 

18. For the One Who Loves Self Care: Zadro Countertop Towel Warmer

Credit: Amazon

This gift is perfect for that friend or family member who goes out of their way to create spa-like experiences for themselves from the comfort of their own home. This towel warmer can accommodate a towel that is 40 by 70 inches and is also a great place to store other personal items that would feel better with warmth, including robes, socks, and towels. You can set the timer between 15 and 60 minutes to warm your things up, and it comes with safety technology that automatically shuts off after an hour of use. 

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

Delicious homemade hot chocolate mix that you can enjoy all winter long! It’s easy to customize and makes a perfectly rich and creamy cup of hot cocoa every time.

Hot chocolate is essential for cold weather! Not only is it delicious, but it warms you up from the inside-out. Try these other great recipes next: pumpkin pie white hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, and Mexican hot chocolate!

Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

On those chilly days when you crave a warm and comforting beverage, look no further than this homemade hot chocolate mix. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a delicious cup of hot cocoa in minutes! This recipe is not only easy to make but also easy to store and customize to your liking. It’s nice because you know exactly what’s in it!

Whether you prefer your hot cocoa rich and dark or light and sweet, you can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking. Plus, this homemade hot chocolate mix makes a wonderful gift for friends and family. (Because everyone loves a good cup of hot chocolate!) It’s the perfect way to spread some holiday cheer. So gather your ingredients, put on your coziest pajamas, and let’s indulge in a mug of homemade hot cocoa goodness. Here’s everything you need:

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making homemade hot chocolate mix is a breeze with just a few simple ingredients: powdered milk, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, powdered coffee creamer, and salt. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below, so you can whip up a batch in no time.

Dry Milk Powder: (Whole or non-fat, depending on your preference.) This adds creaminess and richness to the hot chocolate mix. It also helps to stabilize the mix and prevent it from clumping.

Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to dissolve the cocoa powder. The end result is perfectly smooth.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is key to making flavorful hot chocolate. You can use regular unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is slightly darker and has a less acidic flavor.

Powdered Coffee Creamer: So your hot chocolate mix has a touch of vanilla flavor. The creamer also helps to make the hot chocolate even creamier.

Salt: Salt may seem like an odd addition to hot chocolate, but it actually helps to balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors. A pinch is all you need!

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Make your own custom batch of hot chocolate mix in minutes! It’s perfect for gifting or when you get a sweet tooth.

Combine: To a large bowl, add the powdered milk, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, powdered coffee creamer, and salt. Whisk together until combined.

Store: Store the dry mix in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

Making Hot Chocolate: To make hot cocoa, put ⅓ cup of the hot chocolate mix in a mug then stir in 1½ cups of hot milk. You can also use non-dairy milk as well. Water can be used, but milk gives the best results!

Enjoy: Top with whipped cream if desired and enjoy!

Easy udon noodles are thick Japanese noodles loaded with stir-fried vegetables and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. Everyone loves the soft texture and intense saucy flavors that are absorbed into the noodles. This is the tastiest one-pan meal!

I LOVE an easy dinner that tastes “better than take-out!” Try more Asian-inspired dishes like my chicken chow mein or Mongolian Beef. You’ll also want to make this slow cooker General Tso’s because it’s all done in the slow cooker.

What are Udon Noodles?

Japanese udon noodles are known for their soft chewy texture. Made from wheat flour, the taste is neutral but absorbs and takes on flavors perfectly. Udon noodles are used in many ways and it is commonly used in soup. My udon noodles include stir-fried veggies and a delicious sauce made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Classic sauce ingredients that pair well with the thick udon noodles.

This entire meal can be thrown together in less than 20 minutes and it’s all made in the same pan. One-pan dinners just simplify the dinner prep and make clean-up a breeze.  Try some of my other one-pan dinners like my skillet sausage and peppers, this creamy pasta, or one-pot beef stroganoff.

Ingredient List

These are all the ingredients that will make your udon noodles and the incredibly sweet and savory sauce that goes with it! Grab the exact ingredient amounts needed to make this tasty dish below in the recipe card.

Udon Noodles

Sesame Oil: Use a little sesame oil for a nice nutty taste, or you can go with canola oil if that’s what you have on hand. This is the cooking oil that you will use for stir-frying.

Ginger: I love to use ginger paste from the tube, but you can grate fresh ginger if you prefer.

Onion: Adds flavor and texture to the dish.

Garlic: Always use fresh garlic for maximum flavor.

Coleslaw: The perfect combination of cabbage and carrots that add a crunchy texture.

Mushrooms: Tender mushrooms are my fave, but you can leave them out.

Udon Noodles: Refrigerated or frozen work great. Prepare the noodles according to the package.

Green Onions: For garnish and extra flavor, but it also adds a pop of color before serving!

Sauce

Soy Sauce: Adds a salty and savory punch. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake.

Oyster Sauce: A little oyster sauce for some sweet but savory flavor!

Rice Vinegar: Adds tanginess to the sweet sauce.

Brown Sugar: Sweeten things up with a little bit of light brown sugar.

Red Pepper Flakes: Add some heat from the red pepper flakes. It’s optional but delicious! Use as much as you want.

Udon Noodle Recipe

Let’s get to making the best udon noodle recipe with the best flavor! This meal is sure to become a new favorite in your house. It comes together quickly and they’re basically the best noodles ever! Follow my instructions below on the recipe card.

Combine the Sauce Ingredients: First, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and oyster sauce in a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients together then set them aside.

Prepare the Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions and set aside. You’ll want to prep the noodles before you stir-fry the veggies.

Heat the Sesame Oil in a Wok: Add the sesame oil to a wok over medium-high heat.

Stir Fry the Veggies: Add the onion, garlic, and ginger paste then cook until fragrant. Add the coleslaw mix and mushrooms, then continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the Noodles and Sauce: Add the noodles and sauce to the veggie mixture. Gently toss altogether until the noodles are evenly coated.

Garnish and Enjoy: Last, garnish with green onions and red pepper flakes then enjoy!

Festive Gingerbread Bundt Cake is moist, tender and the perfect dessert for the holidays. Topped with a flavorful brown butter maple glaze, you’ll welcome a slice any time of day.

That classic gingerbread flavor always gets me excited for the holidays! A few more of my favorites that you should try are this gingerbread layered cake, warm gingerbread cake with caramel sauce, these easy gingerbread sugar cookie bars, and don’t forget about the soft and chewy gingerbread cookies!

Gingerbread Bundt Cake Recipe

This warmly spiced gingerbread bundt cake is the perfect show-stopping sweet treat to serve after Christmas dinner! This tasty dessert will be the star of the show wherever it goes. Bundt cakes always look so elegant, and this one is incredibly delicious, too! To really take it to the next level, it’s drizzled with a simple, yet flavorful brown butter maple glaze. For a little extra holiday pizazz, you can also garnish it with cranberries. You can even use sugared cranberries to really impress!

Not only is it super tasty, but it’s easy to make and smells divine as it bakes. It’s sure to put you in a festive holiday state of mind! Brown sugar and molasses give this cake its signature brown color, and also add moisture and sweetness without making it overly sweet. Warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves gives this dessert its deep, rich flavor. The brown butter maple glaze is an extra special finishing touch. It smells wonderful, and it adds an extra dimension of flavor! This gingerbread bundt cake is so good, it’s sure to become a new Christmas tradition.

Ingredients in Gingerbread Cake

The simple ingredients in this gingerbread bundt cake recipe are mostly all basic baking staples and ones you probably have on hand. If you don’t have buttermilk, I’ve provided the link to a recipe for homemade buttermilk. Note: exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

Flour: Use all-purpose flour so your cake has a nice, tender crumb.

Sugars: A combination of granulated sugar and dark brown sugar sweeten the cake and add rich complex flavor.

Baking Essentials: Use baking powder and baking soda for a delicious, fluffy texture.

Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance the overall taste.

Spices: A blend of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves for the cozy taste of gingerbread in every bite.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds moisture and fluffiness to your cake. In fact, the acid in buttermilk actually causes a chemical reaction with the baking powder and soda in your batter, making the whole cake extra fluffy!

Milk: I recommend whole milk for more richness.

Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract for best results.

Vegetable Oil: Helps to keep the cake moist. You can also use another oil variety, if you’d like.

Molasses: This is the key ingredient for deep, rich gingerbread flavor.

Eggs: Three eggs will provide stability and structure to the gingerbread bundt cake, and also bind the ingredients together.

Brown Butter Maple Glaze

Salted Butter: Will make the glaze smooth and rich.

Pure Maple Syrup: So the glaze has delicious maple flavor.

Powdered Sugar: Gives the glaze perfect sweetness and a smooth texture.

Milk: Use 2 tablespoons to get the consistency right.

How to Make Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Follow a few simple steps, and you’ll have an incredible holiday dessert in no time! This gingerbread bundt cake is a family favorite, and one we enjoy year after year.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 10-cup bundt pan with baking spray.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. 

Add Wet Ingredients: To the same bowl add the buttermilk, milk, vanilla, molasses, oil, and eggs and beat with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer just until fully combined.

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake bounces back if you gently press on it. 

Cool: Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes before flipping it onto a cooling rack. Remove the pan and let it cool completely.

Make & Add the Glaze: Prepare the glaze by beating the butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and milk together until smooth. Then drizzle over the top of the cooled gingerbread bundt cake just before serving.

This Slow Cooker Ragu recipe is an easy-to-make comfort food that your whole family will love! Not to mention it makes a LOT and is freezer-friendly!

Crockpot meals are a life-saver around here! Some more of my favorites are this delicious Slow Cooker Beef Tips, this Melt in Your Mouth Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, or this Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast!

Slow Cooker Ragu Recipe

Who doesn’t love a delicious crockpot meal? You set it and forget it and come home to a meal that is warm, delicious, and ready to eat. This crockpot ragu is no exception!

The combination of flavors is so yummy, and once you add in the noodles… Your kids will definitely be asking for seconds! This slow cooker ragu recipe uses a delicious homemade sauce that has a classic and rich flavor. Serve it with some delicious dinner rolls and a yummy salad to complete the meal!

Ingredients in Crockpot Ragu

The simple ingredients in this slow cooker recipe are so delicious, and together, they make a delicious combo! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Olive Oil: This is used to sauté your veggies.

Onion: This recipe can use a yellow or white onion.

Carrots: The carrots add a delicious texture and color to the sauce.

Celery: The celery complements the carrots.

Ground Beef and Ground Pork: The two different types of meat are perfect for a flavorful sauce.

Garlic Cloves: If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves on hand, then you can use minced garlic. 1/2 teaspoon equals about one clove of garlic.

Tomato Paste: Unlike store-bought ragu sauce, this one is more traditional, and it does not have a whole lot of tomato flavor.

Italian Seasoning: I like to use my Homemade Italian Seasoning in this recipe! But you can use store-bought too!

Dried Thyme: Some additional thyme really amps up the flavor in this slow cooker ragu.

Beef Broth: As the base of the sauce, it brings in a lot of flavor.

Dry Red Wine: This is optional, so you can leave it out if you prefer!

Heavy Cream: The heavy cream thickens up the sauce.

Salt and Pepper: Add as much salt and pepper as you prefer.

How to Make Ragu in a Slow Cooker

Cook Veggies: Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Add the veggies to the slow.

Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef and pork to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat with your spoon as you go along until it’s browned. Drain most of the fat prior to adding the meat to your slow cooker.

Cook: Add the remaining ingredients except for the cream and salt & pepper to the crockpot and give it a good stir. Cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.

Add Cream: Once the sauce is done, stir in the cream and season with salt & pepper as needed.

Cook the Pasta: About 20 minutes before the sauce is done, cook your noodles so that they are ready when the sauce is done. Serve the slow cooker ragu sauce over the warm noodles, and enjoy!

If you’ve never had Chicken Vindaloo, you’re in for a treat! This classic Indian dish is made with chunks of marinated chicken and tender potatoes simmered in a tangy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced broth. Serve over fluffy white rice with Perfect Naan Bread for an irresistible, comforting meal! Instant Pot instructions included!

If you’re a fan of Indian food, be sure to check out my recipe for Butter Chicken, this Coconut Curry Chicken, and Tandoori Chicken.

What is Chicken Vindaloo?

This Chicken Vindaloo is packed with flavor and a subtle kick of spice, thanks to the Kashmiri chili powder. This type of chili powder is common in Indian cooking and has a milder taste than regular chili powder, but infuses a richer color into dishes. As written, this restaurant-worthy meal is mildly spiced, and you can increase or decrease the heat level to fit your preference.

Start the recipe by marinating the chicken in a combination of warm spices for at least 30 minutes to really pack in the flavor. Then, sauté it with the potatoes and the sauce before simmering it for about 30 minutes with broth. When it’s done cooking, it will be super tender, juicy and saucy. You will have everyone wanting to come back for seconds! 

Ingredient List

The ingredients in this chicken vindaloo recipe are really quite simple. Other than the Kashmiri chili powder, you probably have all of the seasonings and spices in your pantry. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 2-inch pieces.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives the marinade a slightly tangy flavor with a bit of sweetness, too, that’s a nice balance to the warm spices!

Garlic: Adds the perfect punch of savory flavor.

Spices: A blend of Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, coriander, ground black pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and salt adds the best warm, smoky flavor to the meal.

Ghee: A type of clarified butter that is popular in the culinary traditions of the Middle East and India.

Red Onion: Sauté finely diced red onion to add a zesty flavor.

Potatoes: Buttery and rich, yellow potatoes soak in all of the delicious sauce and make this dish extra satisfying.

Chicken Broth: Gives the marinade extra sauciness to finish the dish.

Rice and Cilantro: For a complete meal, serve chicken over rice with naan, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

How to Make Chicken Vindaloo

I love Indian takeout, but when you make chicken vindaloo at home, it just tastes so fresh and you can control all of the ingredients! It’s surprisingly easy too! Here’s how:

Marinade the Chicken: Place the diced chicken into a large ziploc bag, or sealable container along with the apple cider vinegar, garlic, 1 tablespoon kashmiri chili powder, cumin, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours in the fridge.

Sauté the Onion: Heat a large, heavy bottom pot on the stove over medium high heat. Then add the ghee and onion. Sauté the onion until it is transparent.

Combine Potatoes and Chicken: To the pot add the potatoes and marinated chicken, along with all the marinade and additional 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chili powder. Then sauté everything together for about 5 minutes.

Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium and add chicken stock, then stir and cover. Allow everything to cook for 25-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are fork tender.

Serve: Remove the vindaloo from heat. Then serve over rice, garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

Make in the Instant Pot

Season the Chicken: Marinade chicken just the same. Turn the instant pot to sauté and sauté the ghee with the onions until the onions are transparent.

Combine Ingredients: Add in the chicken with the marinade, potatoes, additional Kashmiri chili powder, and potatoes.

Cook: Set the instant pot to pressure cook and seal the vent. Pressure cook for 5 minutes and do a natural pressure release.

Serve: Enjoy chicken vindaloo over rice with a cilantro garnish.

Pizza Monkey Bread is a super easy, family-friendly lunch, dinner or appetizer. Quartered refrigerated canned biscuits, sliced pepperoni, plenty of cheese and seasonings are tossed together, then baked in a bundt pan. Once baked, flip the pan over on a large plate. Serve with marinara sauce for the ultimate pizza snack!

I love pizza in any form! If you’re the same, make sure to check out these Pizza Pinwheels, Bubble Pizza and this Cinnamon Roll Dessert Pizza!

Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe

Pizza monkey bread is my new favorite way to enjoy pizza! Not only is it incredibly tasty, it’s fun to eat these perfectly portioned bites of deliciousness. Canned biscuit dough is cut into quarters and then tossed with all your favorite pizza ingredients. Everything gets added to a bundt pan and baked until warm, cheesy and golden.  

I don’t think there’s much better than pulling apart cheesy, warm, soft bread with pepperoni and Italian seasonings. When you need an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, the holidays or just a lazy weekend, this is the recipe you want to make!

Ingredients in Pizza Monkey Bread

It all starts with refrigerated canned biscuits, making this pizza bread recipe effortless! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements and ingredients.

Refrigerated Canned Biscuits: Dough that’s ready to go is so convenient! Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces, for plenty of soft bread to pull apart.

Pepperoni: Slice pepperoni in half, so you have pieces in every bite.

Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese gives this bread that classic pizza flavor.

Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated will have the best flavor, but for convenience you can use pre-shredded in the bag.

Butter: The bread and seasonings are tossed with melted butter for richness, to ensure the spices adhere to the bread and so the bread becomes golden as it’s baking.

Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder and garlic salt add delicious flavor. For a kick of spice, add in some red pepper flakes.

Fresh Parsley: Optional for garnish to add color and freshness.

Marinara Sauce: Make your own homemade marinara sauce for dipping, or use your favorite store-bought variety.

How to Make This Recipe

This pull apart pizza bread recipe is made in just five simple steps. The oven does most of the work, and you’ll be serving this in less than an hour!

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 

Cut and Slice: Cut the biscuits into quarters and slice the pepperoni pieces in half.

Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the biscuit pieces, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, melted butter, garlic powder, and garlic salt. Toss to combine.

Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Cover with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent it from browning too much.

Serve: Using hot pads, carefully flip the bundt pan over on a large plate. Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!