Try this easy recipe for homemade clay ornaments you can make with ingredients you already have at home. The kids love making their own holiday ornaments and it will keep them entertained during Christmas break!! (“And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again!…..hehehe)
Clay Christmas Ornaments
I have a “holiday tree”. I love the ambiance of a Christmas tree so I decided to keep a small 3 ft. tree up all year and decorate it different each month. I have wanted to do this for years and finally just did it in 2002. I came up with this idea a long time ago before it was the in thing to do. Now I’m in style I guess. :-) I love it! I find little things to decorate it at the thrift store, garage sales or at end of season clearance sales.
Even though I found some really cute small pumpkins and gourds and small leaves for my September fall tree (and at 90+ degrees it hasn’t even come close to feeling like fall), I couldn’t find any Halloween decorations. I love Halloween but I don’t get into the really gory, scary stuff. I decided to make my own Halloween decorations. I used the clay ornament recipe from Dining On A Dime and Not Just Beans.
Mom has some small pumpkin and ghost cookie cutters that she uses for her gingerbread men so I borrowed those and painted them with paints I already had. I will be able to decorate my tree for around $1. (I did find some cute garland that I bought on clearance.)
It’s kind of fun working on the holiday tree and it does bring me joy. I can’t really garden, decorate the house outside for the season (we really get into it!) or do my dried florals at this time in my life so that one little thing does help and is fun being creative with it.
Tawra
This is a fun recipe for the kids to make over the long Thanksgiving weekend.
Try these easy party food ideas and recipes, including tips for how to lay out a buffet dinner table so everyone doesn’t get piled on top of each other.
10 Easy Christmas Party Food Ideas
There will be a lot of us having buffet dinners and parties before and on Christmas and many of us will be looking for easy party food ideas.
Have you ever been to a dinner or party where the buffet was just not laid out right? It took forever for everyone to get through the line and trying to juggle everything was a tremendous challenge.
Here is the proper way to lay out your party food for a buffet dinner so that things go quickly and easily for you and your guests.
If you have room, set the table up so that people can walk down both sides of the table and serve themselves. Regardless of whether they walk down one side or both sides, make sure that at the end of the table it is easy for them to go on to the room where they will be sitting or mingling. Try to arrange it so they don’t have to push their way back through the other people who are trying to make their way down the table to serve themselves.
This is the order in which to set things on the table:
Plates, meats, side dishes, relish dishes, salads, desserts, napkin, silverware and then drinks.Some people put the drinks first. This is a no-no because then everyone has to juggle a plate and a glass while trying to serve himself. This is why it is better to put the salads and desserts at the end if you are using salad or dessert plates too.
If at all possible, put the drinks and desserts at a separate table.This helps reduce the congestion. Guests can then set their plates down after they are filled and go back to get their drinks without having to stand in line again. You’ll also avoid problems with guests trying to hold two plates or a drink and a plate.
If it is going to be an all day get-together, you can wait and put the desserts out a little later with a pot of coffee and some tea to make things easier.
Party Food Recipes:
Here are some party food ideas including “red and green” recipes to use for those holiday parties or Christmas dinners.
These first two are our favorite salads that we serve every year with Christmas dinner. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without them. Our readers love them too, requesting them again every year.
Here is a different and delicious side dish for Christmas that gives you a good variety of veggies for dinner while keeping the Christmas color scheme.
Christmas Veggies
Take some of your favorite veggies like broccoli, green beans or cauliflower and cook them your favorite way. Add chopped green and red peppers.Toss it all with Italian dressing and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
For more easy party food ideas and recipes, check out volume 1 of our cookbook:
These Easy Cool Whip Candy Recipes make the creamiest, most irresistible chocolate treats in minutes—no candy thermometer required! If you love quick sweets that taste totally homemade, you’re going to be obsessed with these easy Cool Whip candies!
If you love fun treats that are simple, inexpensive, and irresistibly delicious, you are going to love these Easy Cool Whip Candy Recipes! They start with just a few basic ingredients including Cool Whip and turn into the creamiest, richest little bites of chocolate goodness. These candies taste like something you’d pick up in a fancy candy shop, but you can make them in just minutes right at home without any special tools or candy thermometers. Yes—really!
What I love most about Cool Whip candy is that you can whip up a batch quickly for holidays, parties, neighbor gifts, or just whenever you need a fast chocolate fix. The texture is airy and creamy, but still rich enough that it feels like a special treat. Every time I serve these, people assume they took hours—and they’re always amazed when they find out they only take three ingredients. That is my kind of recipe!
I’m sharing three of my favorite versions: a classic Cool Whip fudge, a peanut butter chocolate version that tastes like a homemade peanut butter cup, and a fluffy candy that reminds me of a chocolate 3 Musketeers bar. They’re perfect for Christmas platters, birthdays, and movie nights, and they’re easy enough that kids can help make them. You can also change them up with nuts, sprinkles, peppermint, or whatever you love.
These recipes are proof that delicious homemade candy doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. If you love quick sweets that look impressive but don’t take much work, you’re in the right place. Grab a bowl, melt some chocolate, and let’s make candy the easy way!
Here are 25 of the best easy Christmas candy recipes all in one place! You can make many of these recipes in just a few minutes and the result is oh so delicious! These Christmas candies come from volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook. And be sure to check out our Homemade Christmas E-book for more great Christmas ideas!
25 of the Best Easy Christmas Candies Recipes And Tips
We love to make homemade Christmas candies! We only really make one cookie, Nan’s Gingerbread Men, but oh do we love to bake candies!
Today, I’ve included all of our top favorite easy Christmas candies that we make every Christmas. I don’t like spending hours in the kitchen baking so most of these candies can be made with just a few minutes’ hands-on work!
Homemade holiday candy recipes seem to make candy with a better taste than the store-bought ones and the kids and guests are always amazed at the variety of options.
Many of these candy recipes are great to make with older kids. It’s great to make them together because you can have a great time together and they will be proud to know that they can successfully make something so delicious! Of course, I wouldn’t recommend getting very young children involved because you’ll be pulling your hair out trying to manage the mess. It’s great in the Hallmark movies, but not nearly so much fun in real life!
I’ve also included some candy making tips from volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Making Christmas candies seems complicated but it really is super simple and several of these easy recipes consist of just two ingredients!!
If you over cook chocolate, it becomes dull looking. To save it, put the pan on low heat and beat in 1 teaspoon shortening or oil at a time until you have restored the shiny, smooth consistency.
When you are melting chocolate for the Christmas candies, make sure that all utensils are completely dry. Even a little bit of water will make chocolate grainy and lumpy.
Buy fortune cookies in large bags from Chinese restaurants. They cost about five cents each when purchased in bulk. They also make great treats for lunch boxes.
When making Christmas candies like peanut brittle or truffles, you can set them outside on the patio table to cool if you’ve run out of room in the refrigerator. Remember, for most of the country there are no bugs this time of year!
Save chocolate bunnies and chocolates from Halloween to use for making Christmas candies or buy it on clearance after Halloween.
Soft Ball 234°-240° form a soft ball that can be flattened
Firm Ball 242°-248° form a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed
Hard Ball 250°-268° form a ball that is pliable and holds its shape
Soft Crack 270°-290° separates into hard but not brittle threads
Hard Crack 300°-310° cracks easily
Caramel 320°-350° mixture coats metal spoon and forms light caramel colored mass when poured onto a plate
For High Altitude‑ lower candy temperature 2° for each 1,000 feet of elevation.
Our Favorite Christmas Candy Recipes!
It’s easier than you think to make candy shop quality fudge in just a few minutes. These next few fudge recipes are super easy to make with just 2 or 3 ingredients. After I learned to make it, I was shocked at how much candy stores charge for something that is so quick and easy!
Since then, I have made this fudge and many of our other Christmas candy recipes for holiday parties and get-togethers because they’re always well loved and most people don’t bring candy to parties because it is o expensive to buy already made.
No candy thermometer is needed. You just have to pay attention as you warm the chocolate so you don’t burn it and stir frequently.
This 2 ingredient fudge recipe is one of our favorite Christmas candies! Who knew rich, creamy chocolate fudge could be so dreamy! Bring this to a family get-together or holiday party and they will think you worked all day perfecting it! (Or just make it for yourself and hide it from the kids! lol)
This 3 ingredient Andes mint fudge recipe is the perfect Christmas candy recipe if you love decadent chocolate fudge with a distinctly minty flavor! This recipe includes tiny pieces of Andes mint candy, which makes a perfect fudge candy for Christmas!
The combination of textures makes it like a chocolate chip fudge, but the mint flavor makes it stand out over the regular fudge. This is my husband’s favorite fudge. If we have enough people coming over, I like to make all 3 of these fudge recipes together and include them on one candy try for everyone to choose.
This 3 ingredient peanut butter fudge is one of our readers’ favorite Christmas candy recipes, and it’s one of my favorites, too! It makes a smooth and creamy fudge with the delicious taste of peanut butter!
As a peanut butter lover, I like this fudge best because it is like eating extra creamy peanut butter that is a little bit sweeter than peanut butter itself. It can be pretty addicting, so I’m careful not to make it except when I have someone else to share it with or I will inevitably eat the entire batch at once! If you like peanut butter, you’ll definitely want to make this one!
Out of all of our Christmas Candies, this 4 Ingredient English Toffee recipe is my absolute favorite Christmas candy recipe! This easy English toffee has a wonderful crunch with a nutty caramely flavor and a hint of chocolate. If you love caramel, this candy will surely satisfy you! It’s great to include in a party dish with other tasty Christmas candies. Mmmm, I’m tempted to go make some now!
This easy chocolate truffles Christmas candy recipe is super delicious and has a wonderful soft chocolate texture. The basic chocolate truffles are rolled in cocoa powder or nuts, but you can make many tasty variations, including coconut, colored sprinkles, powdered sugar and more!
This is another holiday candy where I will make a bunch of different variations and serve them all together on one candy dish or bring them as an assortment to a Christmas party. I have never had to bring any leftovers home because they’re always gone!
This easy marshmallow bonbons recipe makes an easy and tasty candy everyone will love! These bonbons are soft and fluffy on the inside with a slightly firmer chocolate layer on the outside along with the texture of the toppings you choose. They’re easy to make with your choice of toppings including coconut, nuts, sprinkles and more! Great for Christmas parties, company or treats for kids!
Mike loves jelly candies and this jelly candy recipe has been another of his favorite Christmas candies! You can experiment with different flavors of gelatin and different fruit purees to see which one your jelly candy lover likes best!
This easy peanut brittle recipe is one of my top 2 favorite Christmas candies! I love the peanutty, salty-sweet flavor and especially the crunchy texture! It may seem complicated, but it’s actually super simple to make. Once you get it down, you will make it every year!
This homemade York peppermint patties recipe tastes just like York peppermint patties – actually, better! These chocolate peppermint patties are perfect for the chocolate and mint lovers in your family. It is our kids’ most favorite Christmas candy recipe and we make around 3 batches for them every Christmas!
Mom made these when I was growing up and now we take turns making them. The nice thing is that they keep well in the freezer, so I usually make a big batch early in the Christmas season and take some out occasionally for the family to share.
When they are finished, we wrap each mint in a small piece of foil and I put them all into a ziptop freezer bag so it’s easy to pull out the amount that I need. They are also good frozen or slightly thawed, so the kids also sneak one every now and then! And then at Christmas, I lay them out with an assortment of candy from our other Christmas candy recipes.
Did I mention I LOVE peanuts? If you love chocolate and peanuts, this 2 ingredient chocolate peanut clusters Christmas candy recipe is just for you!
It’s a little saltier and a lot crunchier than the fudge, so if you like a crunchy texture, you’ll probably love this Christmas candy recipe. You can also try making this recipe with walnuts or your favorite dried fruit or a mixture of these.
This easy homemade peanut butter cups Christmas candy recipe makes smooth and dreamy homemade peanut butter cups that will have you craving more! And if you need a candy gift for a hard to buy for person, try the giant version in the recipe notes!
This easy chocolate covered pretzels recipe uses just 2 ingredients, but you can also add candy sprinkles! It is a wonderful easy Christmas candy recipe that can be made in just a few minutes! If you like salty and sweet together in your candies, these pretzels are perfect!
These candied orange peels are reminiscent of old fashioned Christmas candies with an old fashioned sweet and sour citrus taste. They are delicious and if you’re trying to create a nice variety in your Christmas candy platter, this is definitely a nice addition!
If you’re looking for something a little different than the chocolate or fruit flavored Christmas candies, this easy spiced nuts recipe might be just the thing! Glazed with sugar and tasty Christmas spices, you will find them addicting! We like them best with walnuts, pecans and almonds!
Peppermint bark is another Christmas candy recipe that is super tasty and easy to make, starting with just 2-3 ingredients! This is one of those candies that is easy to adapt to your mood and your guests! You can also easily make tasty variations with almonds, chocolate, peanut butter and more!
The peppermint bark recipe only includes the instructions for the peppermint bark, but we sometimes make it with a bottom chocolate layer. If you would like to do that, you could first melt some chocolate bark, spread it on the waxed paper and let it harden partway before spreading the peppermint and almond bark mixture over the top.
This homemade caramels recipe makes decadent chewy homemade caramels, perfect as-is but also tasty dipped in chocolate! It’s a great Christmas candy recipe for the caramel lover in your family.
This chocolate caramel pecan turtles recipe is an easy Christmas candy recipe, perfect for the caramel pecan lover in your family! The perfect mix of chocolate, chewy caramel and soft pecans!
These 2 ingredient coconut haystack candies are my husband Mike’s favorite Christmas candy recipe! They are super easy and quick to make. My husband love them with dark chocolate and coconut, but you can also use milk chocolate, white chocolate or almond bark! They are great for the coconut lover in your family!
This coconut snowball candy recipe makes a delicious coconut and white chocolate flavored candy perfect for the white chocolate or coconut lover in your family!
This Almond Joy truffle Christmas candy recipe makes tasty chocolate coconut truffles that taste like Almond Joy! Delicious almonds with coconut and chocolate combine to make a candy that is almost addicting!
Christmas Candies And More!
Most of these Christmas candy recipes come from volume 1 of our cookbook. If you would like to save money and time making food faster and more easily than eating out, check it out:
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This gluten free cinnamon roll muffins recipe makes delicious homemade muffins with the flavor of cinnamon rolls. This gluten free recipe will satisfy your craving for cinnamon rolls without compromising your gluten free diet. It’s quick and easy to make!
If you have been missing your favorite cinnamon rolls and are on a gluten free diet, this gluten free cinnamon roll muffins recipe is perfect for you. These muffins are gluten-free and will surely satisfy your craving for cinnamon rolls. They are incredibly easy to make and take only 5 minutes of your time to prepare and then 25 minutes in the oven!
You can enjoy the delicious taste of cinnamon rolls without worrying about gluten – AND you won’t have to pay the crazy prices they charge for pre-made gluten free foods at the grocery store!
Not only is this recipe gluten free, but it is also dairy free, so you can also indulge in these heavenly muffins even if you can’t have milk!
These homemade muffins are bursting with all the warm and comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll, without any of the gluten or dairy. Whether you’re gluten-sensitive, lactose intolerant, or just looking for a healthier twist on a classic treat, these muffins will hit the spot.
How To Make The Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Muffins
This recipe is super easy to make in less than 5 minutes. Before starting, preheat the oven to 350°.
Next, stir in the shortening, which gives the muffins their fluffy texture.
Then mix the topping ingredients in a separate bowl. After mixing, fold the topping ingredients into the batter, but do not mix.
Next, fill each muffin cup 2⁄3 full of batter. It will increase in volume when it bakes, so if you fill more than 2⁄3 full, the muffins will rise out of the muffin pan and make a mess.
Once all of the muffin cups are filled, bake for 24-26 minutes. To test if they are done, you can stick a toothpick into the center of one or more of the muffins. If the toothpick comes out clean, they’re done. If there is some muffin batter on the toothpick, bake a little longer.
Note: In order to make sure that each muffin has a good amount of the cinnamon roll flavor, I actually prefer to pour some batter into muffin cups first. Then I spoon some of the topping ingredients into each muffin cup and pour the remaining batter on top, filling to 2⁄3 full. That way each muffin has a tasty cinnamon roll center.
This recipe is from our Dining On A Dime Cookbook: Gluten Free Dairy Free Edition:
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These easy nougat candy recipes are delicious and super simple to make! If you’re a fan of no-bake Christmas candy recipes that use just a few ingredients, these tasty Christmas nougats are perfect for you. Festive, colorful, and unique, they’re a delightful addition to your holiday table and stand out from traditional Christmas treats. If you like Brach’s Jelly Nougats, you’ll adore these homemade nougat candies!
Make the perfect fruitcake with these easy homemade fruitcake recipes and basic “how-to” tips to help you make better fruitcake and avoid common mistakes!
How To Make Homemade Fruitcake – Recipes and Ideas
I have always loved fruitcake – All of those delicious fruit chunks and nuts in the delicious sweet cake! My family hasn’t been as enthusiastic as me so I only had occasional opportunities to indulge in this luscious Christmas dessert!
I know that Fruitcake has a bad reputation with some people! You either love fruitcake or you hate it. If you make it right, it is a heavenly experience. I tried many different recipes when I was younger and had a lot of mixed results, but I finally figured our how to make delicious fruitcake every time! If you’re a beginner, I suggest trying the Never Fail Fruitcake recipe below!
In this post, you’ll find several different easy homemade fruitcake recipes, along with other similar recipes like German Stollen Christmas Sweet Bread, Fruitcake Fudge and Fruitcake cookies!
For a quick start, watch my video below and you can see the process from start to finish so you have a better idea what to expect.
Fruitcake Tips:
Here are some fruitcake tips to refine your fruitcake skills. These tips are helpful, and they’re goot to keep in mind, but don’t be so obsessive that you get overwhelmed.
If you plan to make homemade fruitcake for Christmas, it is to make it now, this week, because most fruitcake is best if it seasons for at least a month and some are even better if you can let them set longer. (Don’t worry if you’re short on time. I made the no-fail homemade fruitcake recipe in the video above and it tasted great, even the next day, but longer is even better!)
I know some of you would love to give fruitcake as gifts, but I suggest starting small until you have some success with it. The ingredients for homemade fruitcake can be expensive. If you buy a ton of ingredients and make several batches that subsequently flop you can be out a lot of money, so it’s best to make one at a time until you’re confident of your fruitcake skills.
Be sure to allow you fruitcake to age for at least a month before you put it in the freezer. Freezing stops the aging (or seasoning) process.
Always bake at low temperatures: 250° – 300° is best, but some recipes do go a little higher depending on their ingredients.
Because fruitcakes take so long to bake, line the pan with 1-3 layers of parchment paper or brown paper to prevent them from getting too brown and drying out. Make sure the paper comes up a couple of inches past the top of the pan.
Fill the pan only 2/3 full with batter.
To help prevent the fruitcake from drying out, place a pan of hot water on a lower rack in the oven while it is baking.
To test whether it is done, insert a toothpick. If it comes out moist but not gooey, it is done.
Let fruitcake cool on a cooling rack before taking it out of the pan. When cool, dump it out of the pan and peel off the paper.
You can bake your homemade fruitcake in muffin pans or mini loaf pans, but be sure to adjust the baking time. It will be shorter.
Don’t store fruitcake in a plastic container. The fruitcake will absorb old flavors that have been left behind in the plastic. Wrap in plastic wrap; then foil. Do not wrap with the foil touching the fruitcake because in some cases it can cause a chemical reaction.
You can take any basic fruitcake recipe and change what you put in it as far as the fruits and nuts are concerned. Just be sure you use the same amounts. For example if it calls for one cup of dried pineapple, you can replace it with mango as long as you use one cup.
Always mix the fruit and nuts with some or all of the flour for the recipe before you put it in. This keeps all these things from sinking to the bottom. Do this with any recipe that calls for fruit or nuts.
As with any recipe, read the fruitcake recipe from start to finish before you begin!
Get ready to fall in love with these irresistible Biscoff cookies recipes! From fudgy bars and crunchy toffee to creamy truffles, these Biscoff recipes turn your favorite cookie butter into decadent, easy-to-make treats everyone will devour.
If you love the irresistible flavor of Biscoff cookies, you’re in for a treat! This collection of Biscoff cookie recipes brings together the best ways to enjoy the sweet, spiced cookie flavor you know and love, from decadent truffles and fudgy bars to crunchy toffee and creamy no-bake treats. Whether you’re looking for an easy dessert for a special occasion, a homemade gift, or just a delicious snack to enjoy with your coffee, these recipes are perfect for any occasion.
Each recipe showcases the unique taste of Biscoff cookies and Biscoff spread, combining them with chocolate, butter, and other simple ingredients to create treats that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. From silky Biscoff fudge to crunchy Biscoff toffee, creamy no-bake candy bars, and indulgent Biscoff truffles, there’s a recipe here for everyone. Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, these desserts are simple to make and require minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor.
Using Biscoff cookies in baking isn’t just about sweetness—it’s about adding a signature caramelized, spiced flavor that elevates every dessert. These recipes show how versatile Biscoff cookies and spread can be, whether you want to layer them in bars, fold them into creamy fillings, or coat them in rich chocolate. Perfect for holiday treats, birthday parties, or anytime you need a sweet pick-me-up, these Biscoff recipes are sure to impress family and friends.
Plus, making desserts with Biscoff cookies allows you to get creative. You can swap chocolate types, add toppings like crushed cookies or nuts, or even turn them into bite-sized treats for easy sharing. Bookmark this collection and keep coming back for more, because once you start experimenting with Biscoff, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy its unique flavor.
If you’re a fan of sweet, buttery, and slightly spiced treats, these Biscoff recipes are a must-try. Dive in, grab your favorite Biscoff cookies, and start creating desserts that are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat!
This scented cinnamon ornaments recipe makes delightful ornaments with a special Christmas smell that will bring a pleasant atmosphere to your home this holiday season!
This scented cinnamon ornaments recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook. For more creative holiday recipes, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks!
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Tips for Making Homemade Gifts Special!
If you have gone to the trouble to make someone homemade gifts, go the extra mile and make the presentation and packaging special too. It can make the difference between an “oh, thank you” gift and a “how cute is this, I love it, it’s adorable!” gift.
If you are giving cocoa mix in a mug, tie peppermint sticks or candy canes onto the mug to use for stirring. Even one or two spoons dipped in white chocolate can make the difference between a “ho-hum” gift and a “wow!” gift.
Copy the packaging and presentation ideas you see in magazines or on TV. There is a reason they can sell $.50 worth of cocoa for $25.
Instead of just giving someone a plate of brownies, cut them into Christmas shapes with your cookie cutters. Things like stars, trees or bells work well. Go a step further and covering them with frosting or sprinkles.
Take everyone’s favorite rice crispy treats and cut them into shapes with your cookie cutters. There is even Christmas cereal available now. Try using that instead of regular rice crispies or add red or green food coloring to spruce up the rice crispies.
Instead of giving someone a plate of cookies, buy cellophane bags to put them in and tie with extra pretty ribbons. You can get clear cellophane bags at party stores or flower shops.
When giving cookies, put a different twist on them by pressing a lollipop or popsicle stick into them before you bake them. If you use a popsicle stick, personalize it by writing the person’s name or a special message on the stick. Once again, do something cute for a package. Slip them into a cellophane bag or cover with colored cellophane paper and tie with a bow. You can get lollipop or popsicle sticks at any discount store in the crafts or cake decorating section.
Tie little jingle bells to the ends of the ribbon you use on your package or just for fun, put your gift in a box before you wrap it and throw in a couple of hands full of wrapped peppermints or Christmas candy.
These 25 easy gift basket ideas are an inexpensive and tasteful way to make great holiday gift baskets. You’ll find tips, specific themes and easy mix recipes for great and inexpensive gifts!
Gift Basket Ideas And Recipes
Need Gift Ideas for Christmas but don’t want to spend a lot? Here are some tips and gift basket ideas to help you remember your friends without breaking the bank.
These are great if you know someone who is hard to buy for or if they would prefer to receive consumable gifts. They’re also great if you can’t spend a lot of money but would like to make something personal for someone you love. I have always enjoyed making gift baskets because it also inspires the creativity in me, so it is fun and personal! :-)
Buy items in sets and divide them among the gift baskets. Buy a four pack of nail polish for four ladies baskets or buy packs of whistles or other party favors for the kids.
Remove individual popcorn, coffee or cocoa packets from their boxes. They will fill the baskets better.
Shop garage sales and thrift stores for baskets and other containers.
Dollar stores have lots of great inexpensive gift ideas. Browse!
A gift can be as simple as tea bags in a tea cup tied with a pretty ribbon. A large soup mug and saucer with soup mix or a small glass bowl with some potpourri might also make a simple but nice gift.
Try making these specialty gift basket ideas:
Football Fan– (teenage boys, brothers, fathers and brothers-in-law!) Fill a large bowl purchased at the dollar store with candy bars, bags of microwave popcorn, sodas, chips, dips, a favorite football flag or hat, and a calendar of game days.
Fisherman– In a tackle box or fish bowl put hooks, bait, line, hot chocolate or sodas, trail mix, gloves, fishing magazines and a fish pillow.
Dog– In a dog bowl, place a ball, old sock with a knot tied in it, dog bones, rawhides, a leash, a name tag and a brush. You might include a picture of a mailman with “the enemy” written on it.
Cat– In a cat litter box, place a catnip toy, cat food, a poop scoop, a leash, a name tag and a little rubber mouse.
Car– In a large bucket, place fuzzy dice, air freshener, wax, car wash, chamois (“Shammy”), tire cleaner, a car trash can, a key ring, ice melter for cars and an ice scraper.
Baby Basket– Spray paint a basket white and line it with a baby blanket or use a diaper bag. Fill with bibs, baby oil, baby lotion, baby powder, diaper ointment, a teething ring, burp cloths, wipes and a rattle.
Relaxing Basket– Line a basket with a hand towel. Add a lavender candle, bath oil or bubble bath, bath salts, bath balls, a favorite magazine or book, a poof and scented soap, and a do not disturb sign (Make one out of a piece of cardboard).
Coffee Lover – In a basket, include flavored coffee packets, cinnamon sticks dipped in chocolate, wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon, cookie mix or cookies, flavored powdered creamer and a coffee cup.
Ice Cream Lover– Place tissue paper on the bottom of a basket. Add sundae dishes, an ice cream scoop, nuts, hot fudge sauce, butterscotch sauce, chocolate syrup, Maraschino cherries and a gift certificate for 2 1/2 gallons of ice cream.
Soup Basket- In a basket, stock pot or bean crock, add large soup mugs, 7 bean soup,cornbread mix, cookie mix and oyster crackers wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with a ribbon.
Nail Polish Basket- In a pretty bucket or basket, add a variety of nail polish, emery boards, nail clippers, polish remover, cotton balls, hand cream, cuticle cream and a nail buffer.
Fruit Basket- Line a basket with tissue paper. Add apples, oranges, hot chocolate mix, various teas and dried fruits (like figs or raisins). Sprinkle in the shell nuts on top of everything.
Cookie Delight-In a basket lined with tissue paper, add two cookie mixes in cellophane bags or jars tied with ribbons, Russian Tea (also in a cellophane bag or small jar tied with ribbon), cookie cutters, a teacup and two pot holders.
Use your imagination for personalized gift basket ideas! Look over the ideas above and think about the person who you would like to give a gift. What kinds of things do they love that you could incorporate into a meaningful gift basket?
This easy hot chocolate mix makes a perfect addition to many different gift basket ideas! Hot chocolate is a favorite sweet treat that most everybody loves, so if you’re making a gift basket for a chocolate lover, trying to create a nostalgic mood or just need a little more filler in your gift basket, hot chocolate mix is a good addition!
This easy apple cinnamon muffins recipe is perfect for gift basket ideas centered around baking or holiday classics! Apple cinnamon muffins are a perfect comfort food that creates the perfect holiday mood! They make a wonderful addition to a family meal and are perfect for teas and snacks. Our family loves them at Christmas and any time we’re in the mood for something special.
This homemade vinegar taffy recipe makes a fun candy to make anytime. It’s an easy old fashioned taffy recipe. Try having a taffy pull at your next older kids party, adult party, fall or Christmas party.
This Bacon Cheese Meatloaf Recipe is a super yummy recipe that everyone will love! You’ll also get tasty recipes for Texas Potatoes and Mom’s Sweet Muffins!
For more quick and easy recipes like this Bacon Cheese Meatloaf Recipe, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks.
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Easy Cooking Tips
If your cutting board slides around while using it, place a damp dishrag or towel under it to prevent sliding.
Using a bowl to put your trash in while cooking is nice but an even easier idea is to lay a plastic grocery bag opened up and flatten by your work area instead. This way, you can close and tie up the bag when you are done and either put it in the trash or compost pile. With a bowl, you have to carefully try to dump it all in the trash when you are done, sometimes causing stuff to spill. You also have a dirty bowl to wash. Using the bag, I don’t feel like I have to worry about dumping it right away because it is sealed and won’t attract flies or gnats and it won’t smell.
Slightly frozen meat cuts much easier than fully thawed meat.
Here are some easy brunch ideas and recipes to make breakfast easier for you and your family! This yummy fluffy pancakes recipe is a great treat that’s very easy to make. Add some fruit and whipped cream for a really special Christmas breakfast! You’ll also find a tasty bacon sausage wrap recipe and more easy breakfast ideas!
Pancake Brunch Meal Plan
Tips:
Before you brew your coffee, shake a little cinnamon on the grounds for just a little hint of flavor and a special warm and cozy aroma for those cold winter mornings.
Mix a bag of dry pancake ingredients and keep it ready in your pantry. Then, when you have an urge for pancakes, you can just mix it with the wet ingredients. It will be just as easy to use as pancake mix when you prepare it this way.
For special occasions, have a pancake bar. Set out different dishes of things to add to each person’s pancakes, like chocolate chips, berries, nuts or granola. Then, just sprinkle their pancakes with the things they choose as you cook it.
You can also lay out various pancake add-ins along with different flavored syrups and butters so your family or guests can put them on top of their pancakes after they are cooked. Don’t forget whipped cream or even chocolate syrup to drizzle on the pancakes.
Meal Plan
Fluffy Pancakes* Bacon Sausage Wraps* Scrambled Eggs Fruit Cup or Juice Coffee or Milk
Bacon Sausage Wraps
Bacon Little Smokies Brown sugar
Wrap little smokies with 1/3 bacon strip each and secure with a toothpick. Lay on a foil lined baking sheet and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, turning once to bake 20 minutes on each side.
Note: You can keep these warm in a slow cooker and drizzle with a little maple syrup, too.
Here are 25 yummy Thanksgiving leftover recipes and ideas so you don’t waste any Thanksgiving leftovers! Great uses for leftover turkey, stuffing and more!
25 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes And Ideas
Don’t you just love Thanksgiving? It’s the most guilt free holiday of the year. You don’t have to worry about getting the right gifts or whether everything is decorated perfectly. You don’t have to wonder whether you made enough cookies or whether the food is on your diet. You have permission and can eat to your heart’s content! At times like this, I have to wonder, “Have I died and gone to Heaven?!”
There is one problem — What happens when everyone rolls away from the table? You stand there in the shadows of mounds of Thanksgiving leftovers and the guilt sets in. You really can’t wedge in another bite, but you can’t bring yourself to throw away all that good food. You know that there are people starving in Bangladesh, but you can’t afford the shipping cost to send it to them… What do you do with it?
Here are some Thanksgiving leftover ideas to help you put those leftovers to good use and keep your clean conscience!
Mix gravy, cubed turkey and leftover vegetables into a casserole dish. Top with refrigerator biscuits, leftover pie crust or crescent rolls (unbaked). Bake at 350° until the dough is cooked and golden brown.
When making pies on Thanksgiving Day, save the extra dough or make extra to use to make pasties (recipe below). Roll out discs of dough in whatever size you want and fill with meat, vegetables and leftover potatoes.
Don’t forget to use your leftover Thanksgiving relish dish items. Chop and use in salads, soups or casseroles. If you’re really sick of the vegetables, chop and freeze to use later.
Make potato pancakes: Add 1 egg and 2 Tbsp. flour to 2 cups mashed potatoes. Make into patties and fry in a pan with margarine.
If you have a small amount of whipped topping left over, place dollops of it on a wax paper and freeze. Then place in an air tight container. When you need a quick topping for a dessert or some to go on a late night cup of hot cocoa you can just grab one out of the freezer.
Don’t throw out that pickle juice from the pickles you used on your relish dish. Use it to make French dressing next time instead of vinegar.
Grilled Turkey Sandwich We stayed with friends over Thanksgiving. The husband fixed a kind of turkey sandwich we had never seen before. He used stuffing and turkey for a moist sandwich and then fried it like you would with a reuben. My husband said it was delicious. From Delores
Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes:
For lots of easy money saving recipes like these Thanksgiving leftover recipes, check out our cookbook:
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Saucy Turkey Sandwiches
In place of the usual lettuce and mayo, try making your turkey sandwiches with a slice of leftover cranberry sauce and cream cheese instead. Spread butter on one slice of bread and cream cheese on the other adding a slice of turkey and cranberry sauce in the middle.
Sweet Potatoes
If you have a few leftover mashed sweet potatoes, add them to the stock of your vegetable soup for a thicker soup with a different but good flavor.
Stuffing Supreme
Make some stuffing, either from a box or from scratch. Add to it dried fruit, apricots, cranberries, apples, raisins or whatever you like. Toss in some nuts and roll into balls about the size of large meatballs. Bake at 375° uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
This pumpkin pie bars recipe is a recipe where you get to have your pie and eat it too — without the hassle of a pie crust. Remember, canned pumpkin is another item that goes on sale this time of year. Stock up on it to use later in the year!
This is a great way to use your leftover cranberry sauce and that little bit of whipped topping.
This Turkey Mushroom Casserole Recipe is a great way to use those holiday leftovers without tasting like the same old Thanksgiving leftovers! It’s a tasty and easy recipe to use Thanksgiving leftovers like turkey or ham and stale bread or rolls.
We always think of bread pudding as a way to use dried or stale bread but here is a really nice main dish to use up that stale bread or rolls. This will be good for a different way to use those holiday leftovers.
For more easy family dinner recipes, check out our cookbooks!
This Best Chocolate Pie Recipe is one of those recipes you read and immediately realize you have to make one. You can tell just by reading the recipe it’s going to be that good!
I love finding family recipes that I know we will return to over and over again and hand down for generations. This pie is definitely one of those recipes. Everyone loves it! Whether you are making chocolate pie for a big occasion like Thanksgiving, or you just want a cold pie to cool off after a day outside, this is going to be your go-to chocolate pie recipe.
Making this chocolate pie is incredibly easy and even fun! You’ll need a medium to large saucepan, and something to stir with. You’ll need to unwrap and break all of the candy bars first. Then, melt all of the ingredients together in the saucepan except for a half cup of heavy cream. Then you remove that mixture from the heat and add the remaining heavy cream.
Pour the chocolatey mixture into a graham cracker crust and refrigerate it for 24 hours so it sets. Finally, you smother the pie in whipped cream and serve it cold or even partially frozen! It’s the perfect cold pie for a hot summer day.
Ingredients for Chocolate Pie
Hershey’s Candy Bars with Almonds. How fun is it that you make the best chocolate pie recipe ever with candy bars! This is the perfect chance to get your kids and grandkids involved. They can unwrap the bars for you and break them up too!
Heavy Cream. It comes in a carton near the half-n-half.
Large Marshmallows. You’ll need 29 so buy the 10 ounce bag.
Graham Cracker Crust. You can buy a store-bought crust or make your own.
Whipped Topping or Whipped Cream. You can buy store-bought or make your own for this as well.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Chocolate Pie Recipe
Stir the mixture continuously on the stovetop until it all melts.
When you remove it from the heat and add that last half cup of heavy cream, make sure to mix it really, really well.
Switch up the crust and make a crushed chocolate cookie crust instead. It will up the chocolate factor!
Try sprinkling the whipped cream with those mini chocolate chips or festive sprinkles. It adds a fun texture.
You do not have to bake the graham cracker crust.
Once most of the marshmallows are melted, push the marshmallow blobs with a spoon to smush them into melting. They sometimes retain their shape even when mostly melted. This works when making rice crispy treats as well.
You do not have to absolutely thaw the best chocolate pie recipe to serve it from frozen. Chocolate pie is so good partially frozen! Thaw it enough it’s easy to get a fork into it, but still a little icy.
Storing The Leftovers
Keep the best chocolate pie in a covered pie container for a few days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the remaining pie whole and then slice. Slicing it frozen (or partially frozen) helps the pieces keep their shape when slicing them. Place individual slices in a freezer-quality zipper bag for long-term storage up to three months or so in the freezer. For easy single serving desserts, you can wrap individual slices in parchment paper or plastic wrap before putting them in the freezer bag. Unwrap and thaw to eat. You cannot thaw this pie in the microwave.
If you have a plastic pie keeper, you can literally just place the pie in that and freeze it whole. To freeze a whole pie without a pie keeper, place it on a cookie sheet in the freezer for several hours first, and then wrap the whole pie in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Place this in a large freezer-quality zipper bag. Unwrap to thaw in the refrigerator.
This is the Best Apple Pie Recipe you will ever taste! This easy apple pie has been in our family for generations and it’s sure to please your family and friends! If you just need apple pie filling, you will also find an easy apple pie filling recipe that you can make and freeze and then just pop into a pie crust when you’re ready to make it!
This easy apple pie recipe makes the absolute best apple pie you will ever taste! Starting with a classic old-fashioned flaky pie crust and then filled with the perfect balance of sweet and apple flavors, it is the ideal pie for the most important holiday get togethers!
This apple pie recipe has been in our family for 75 years or more and still takes the #1 spot at any meal where it is served. This family favorite is the pie my grandmother made and my mom still makes one every year! When I first met him, my husband used to only eat chocolate pies, but after he tasted this apple pie, he started requesting it every year!
Best Apples For Apple Pie
People often ask me what are the best apples for apple pie. What kind of apples do I use? Some people are dogmatic about what kind of apples they use and will only use baking apples, like Granny Smith apples for pies. I’m not so fussy and I use whatever apples are on sale or that I happen to have on hand.
I personally don’t like the super tart taste from baking apples and I always needed to add more sugar when I used them. It also seems to take longer to bake using baking apples.
My favorite thing to do with this easy apple pie recipe is to use a couple of different kinds of apples. Don’t have a heart attack but, yes, I have used Golden Delicious apples before.
Personally, I think the best apples to use for the best apple pie are Gala apples or Envy apples and they work perfectly with our easy apple pie recipe below. One of our viewers recently suggested using Pink Lady apples for the best apple pie, but I have not tried them yet.
Also, my mom likes to dehydrate all kinds of foods for easy storage. She sometimes uses dehydrated apples for apple pies and the dehydrated apples can make the pie taste sweeter. (If you use dehydrated apples to make apple pie, you do NOT need to add more liquid to the recipe.
Here are a couple of tips before you start making your homemade apple pie:
No recipe is set in stone. You can make some modifications to the ingredients in this apple pie recipe to adjust to your tastes. For example, you might add more or less cinnamon or you might use all white sugar or less sugar. For your first try, though, I suggest that you make this easy apple pie recipe exactly as it is written and then adjust to your tastes the next time you make one. When people adjust things before making the apple pie recipe the way it is, I often hear, “My pie didn’t turn out well but I made it just like you said. I only changed this and this and this…” and by the time she has finished explaining, I discover that she has only used one of the original ingredients. : )
One of the best things I have discovered after years of baking pies is to cook my fruit pie filling in the microwave for 2-3 minutes first and then pour it into the crust. Two of my pet peeves about pies are soggy crusts and partially cooked apples in a pie. If you don’t partially cook the apple pie filling ahead of time, the crust will sometimes start turning too brown before the apples are done cooking. Pre-cooking the pie filling prevents overbrowning the crust.
If you make a mistake, it is not necessarily a disaster. Mom once made this apple pie recipe but accidentally left out the sugar. It looked beautiful but obviously didn’t taste right. We discovered that we were able to sprinkle some sugar over the top and it tasted great. My husband also found that if he put a scoop or two of ice cream on top of it, that provided plenty of sugar to give it a wonderful taste! So if you think you have made a mistake, see if you can improvise before throwing it away!
Easy Apple Pie Crust Recipe
The best pies start out with the best pie dough! Mom’s apple pie crust is light and flaky and melt in your mouth delicious! This pie crust is perfect for all kinds of pies, but I use it most for this easy apple pie recipe.
This pie dough is so much better than a store bought crust that you will wonder why you ever bought a pre-made one. It takes a little but of work but is surprisingly easier than you might think because grandma appreciated easy recipes even more than you do!
This crust has a delicious flavor with a flaky and delicate melt in your mouth consistency! It has a homemade taste that is even better than a fancy bakery pie. If you make the easy apple pie recipe according to the recipe below, this pie crust is never soggy.
Here is my best apple pie recipe and as a bonus I will give you a recipe for French apple pie. You use the French apple pie when you have only 1 crust for the bottom and need something to top it with. It is a cross between a pie and apple crisp.
French Apple Pie is the same as a regular apple pie except with a different topping. If you prefer French apple pie or you’d like to try something a bit different, make the French apple pie recipe below and sprinkle it over the top of your pie instead of using a top crust.
How to make easy homemade apple pie filling
My mom makes the best apple pie. We have always loved it. I was talking to her and asked her how she makes it taste so good. She said “I used canned apples.” HA! All this time we thought it was some great secret and it was just canned apples!
If you are like me and have fresh apples piling up everywhere, here is a recipe I love that tastes amazing and freezes really well. I keep bags of it in the freezer to pop into a pie crust when I need it. Make this apple pie filling now and have it ready for those more hectic days during the holidays when you need a quick dessert or easy apple pie.
Part of the reason canned apples sometimes taste better for apple pile filling is because the apples are fully cooked and nice and tender, so make sure your apples are well cooked.
This easy apple pie filling recipe can be slow cooked in a crockpot on low until apples are tender or cooked as the recipe says in a Dutch oven.
For more delicious pies like this easy apple pie recipe, or ideas to make pie baking easier, check out these posts:
This easy broccoli raisin salad recipe makes a super tasty salad that is sure to please! This is my most favorite broccoli salad! It is the perfect blend of creamy, sweet and bacon flavors. Broccoli has never tasted so good! We make it as part of our holiday buffets and it is also a favorite when we bring to a party or get together!
Here are a bunch of traditional Thanksgiving recipes for holiday favorites like super easy no-fail turkey, sweet potato casserole, homemade stuffing, turkey gravy and homemade pies all in one place! You can make this Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for under $25!
Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes – Dinner For 10 People For Less Than $25!
We’ve included all of the traditional Thanksgiving recipes below, but here’s a breakdown of the costs to prepare this Thanksgiving Dinner For 10. Most of these recipes are from volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook.
Turkey – .69/lb. 15 lbs. $7 ($10.35 for the entire turkey. You won’t use the entire turkey)
One container of whipped topping with work for 2 pies.
Cut small slices of desserts and dish out food for kids. They can come back and get more but then food isn’t wasted and thrown away.
If others are coming, have them help with dinner and bring some dishes.
Make it yourself. Homemade tastes so much better and it really is fairly quick and easy.
Don’t use elaborate recipes with expensive spices.
Make the table look nice and decorated. Then the food looks great even if it’s not a lot of food.
Don’t drink soda, cider and other expensive drinks. Just have iced tea, coffee and water.
Stock up now for your Christmas baking while sugar, flour, etc. are cheap.
Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes
Here’s an easy recipe and tips for how to roast a turkey! This is the best roast turkey recipe ever and everyone raves about how moist and delicious it is!
Traditional Thanksgiving – How To Roast A Turkey
Turkey isn’t expensive at all so stock up now. I got two turkeys today for .39/lb. I had the butcher cut them in half just like last year and the year before! If you know how to roast a turkey, you can stock up during the holidays, serve turkey in place of chicken and save a bundle on your food bill! Tawra
Thawing
Sometimes turkeys do not cook properly because they don’t get thawed. You need to allow 1 day of thawing time for every 4 lbs. of turkey plus you can keep a thawed turkey in the fridge for at least 3-4 days. Thaw your turkey with the breast side down so the juices will run into the breast.
This is my grandmother’s classic stuffing recipe! This is a yummy Thanksgiving traditional stuffing recipe made with bread, sausage and more and everyone loves it!
French Apple Pie is the same as a regular apple pie except with a different topping. To make the French topping, follow the recipe below and sprinkle it over the top of your pie instead of using a top crust.
Many of these traditional Thanksgiving recipes are in volume 1 of our cookbook:
This is the BEST baked macaroni and cheese recipe! Brown and crunchy on top and smooth and creamy in the middle, you’ll get an amazing taste like the gourmet baked macaroni and cheese at your favorite restaurant for just a fraction of the price! Super delicious, this baked macaroni and cheese will please your entire family!
Macaroni and cheese is a staple food for most families with kids and there are all kinds of macaroni and cheese. From homemade to the box with powdered cheese to the box with creamy cheese, everyone has a favorite. But if you haven’t ever had baked macaroni and cheese, you’re in for a treat!
Our daughter, mega foodie that she is, particularly loves baked macaroni and cheese because it is creamy and delicious on the inside with a super tasty browned crispy top. She always wants to try this tasty food whenever she gets the chance, but it’s amazing how much it costs to buy macaroni and cheese pre-made at a restaurant.
Instead of paying $5 per serving at a restaurant, try our easy baked macaroni and cheese recipe, which you can easily make for $8 for 6-8 servings and takes less than 10 minutes of prep work!
This easy baked macaroni and cheese recipe is from volume 2 of our cookbook:
Here are 7 days of easy cheap family meals that your family will love! These are easy and delicious comfort food recipes that are sure to satisfy! We’ve made it easy for you with these easy meal plans and recipes!
Cheap Family Meals – Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast And More!
Day 1
Day 1 includes a delicious slow cooked roast, roasted potatoes and more! Families and especially husbands LOVE this meal and it’s very easy to make! Save some leftover roast and broth for other meals.
Use some of the leftover chicken from yesterday’s meal to make these easy chicken fajitas! Don’t be afraid to use leftovers! They’re delicious and your picky eaters never need to know!
For day 6, serve this yummy one dish ham dinner, which includes ham, potatoes and more! (Save some leftover ham for tomorrows menu and Day 2 next week.) Round it out with this homemade cornbread and yummy dessert!
This easy cornish hen recipe is super simple to make and a lot faster to cook than a turkey or chicken. One Cornish hen makes a perfect meal for 2 people!
Easy Cornish Hen Recipe
This easy cornish hen recipe is super simple to make with our easy step-by-step instructions. Cornish hens are super easy to cook and a lot faster to cook than a turkey or chicken. Some people say they are more tender than chickens, but our roast chicken or roast turkey recipe is so tender, I have not personally noticed the difference in tenderness.
Cornish hens, sometimes called game hens, are a smaller variety of chicken originally from Cornwall England. They are full grown chickens, but they are a smaller breed of chicken. If you have never seen them before, they are available in the meat section of your grocery store near chickens and turkeys.
Pound for pound, Cornish hens are more expensive than chicken and turkey. Still, they are great if you don’t want leftovers or you are not able to store leftover food. A Cornish hen is a perfect serving size for two people, so it’s an easy date night meal.
Our easy cornish hen recipe calls for just 3 ingredients, but the recipe is super versatile. If you prefer to add seasonings and ingredients for additional flavor or for a bigger meal, you have a lot of options.
I usually make the basic recipe and bake with sliced potatoes, onions and carrots in the pan. This makes a delicious complete one dish meal. If you like, you can try adding additional seasonings like rosemary, oregano and thyme or things like lemon slices to give it more flavor. You can also try other vegetables like different kinds of squash. anything you might add to a roast chicken would work well with a Cornish hen recipe.
