Tag Archives: pecans

Pecan Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted in cookies and bars, dessert by

Chocolate chip cookies are such a classic – but I never think of them as a Christmas cookie. In this recipe, they get some additional mix ins that make them absolutely perfect for the holiday season. These are soft and chewy, with sweet bites from the cherries and chocolate. They’re a great stand-along treat or a beautiful addition to a holiday cookie tray.

These are based on one of my Opa’s cookie recipes from his years working in a bakery, which means they’re foolproof. Because no-one has time for cookies that might not turn out perfectly in a bakery – or during the the holidays.

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Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecans

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If you’re looking for a fantastic way to cook up your sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving this year, look no further! These creamy sweet potatoes are topped off with sugary pecans for the perfect combo of soft and chewy, sweet and savory.

Made using fresh sweet potatoes, pecans, and maple syrup, they’re absolutely packed with the flavors of fall.

Overhead shot of a casserole dish with mashed sweet potatoes topped with pecans.

This side dish is also simple to make – and easy to make ahead – so you won’t get overwhelmed by adding it to your holiday menu.

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Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels

Posted in breakfast, cookies and bars, dessert by

These two-bite treats are so versatile for the holidays and so easy to make! The pinwheels start with refrigerated pie dough and add a filling that’s ready in just a few pulses. The result is a flaky crust with a nutty, tangy filling – all topped off with a perfect, sweet icing that hardens nicely for easy storing.

Whether you’re serving these as part of a holiday breakfast or adding them to your cookie tray, they’ll be well received!

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Honey-Whisky Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Posted in sides, vegetarian, veggies by

We got a lot of sweet potatoes during our last weeks of this year’s CSA. And a lot of apples. They’re such a perfect pairing and one that I’ve been playing with a lot this fall – this dish is one of my favorites.

Whisky Glazed Sweet Potatoes and Apples 1

Sweet potato and apple chunks doused in a syrupy honey-whisky-pecan glaze will be your new favorite Thanksgiving side dish.

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Candied Spiced Nuts #improvcooking

Posted in slow cooker, snacks by

Even though it’s October (and the weather is still feeling like August…), I’m starting to think about Thanksgiving. I know, I know, but I get to host this year and I’m pumped! We’re not sure if we’ll have a big crowd or just the four of us, so I’ve got several menus floating around in my head.

I knew this month’s Improv Challenge theme, Sugar and Spice,  was perfect for trying out some of the recipes I’m considering. Sugar and spice is SO fall – apple spice, pumpkin spice – but I couldn’t get these nuts off my mind, so they won out.

This is such an easy recipe – the slow cooker makes it totally hands off. Just mix, let the slow cooker do it’s thing, then spread them out to cool. They were so good – and a perfect pre-Thanksgiving dinner snack!

CandiedSpicedNuts

Candied Spiced Nuts
(adapted from Crunchy, Creamy, Sweet)
Makes 3 1/2 cups

1 1/2 cups almonds
2 cups pecans
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cloves

Grease the crock of a slow cooker and add the nuts. Add the sugars and cinnamon and stir. Add the water and stir until everything is evenly combined and wet.

Cook on high for 3 hours.

Remove nuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Sprinkle with remaining  seasonings. Once fully cooled, store in an airtight container.

You can check out the other Sugar and Spice themed recipes that bloggers made here:

What’s Baking: Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie Bars

Posted in cookies and bars, dessert by

whatsbaking

I’m officially less than 2 months from my due and I’m starting to feel the crunch. I’m pretty sure by this point with Jake everything was mostly set up, the freezer was filling up with meals and I was (not so) patiently waiting for his arrival. This go, all the baby stuff is still in the basement, there’s list of stuff we still need to buy and any meals that make it to the freezer are retrieved within the week for nights I can’t keep up. I’m pretty much just praying I make it to my due date again because those last two weeks I may finally have some time to get things done.

ChocolateChipPecanCookieBars

One of the things that has been hitting me hard is that my days of me-and-Jake time are coming to an end. He’s at such a fun age right now and I really love spending the day with my little buddy. He’s been super into helping me in the kitchen lately so I’ve been trying to pick recipes that he can be really hands-on with.

The latest theme for What’s Baking was “bars” – and these are perfect for a toddler assistant because there’s no risk of over-mixing and if the quantities aren’t measured out perfectly, that’s just fine. And they only take about five minutes to throw together, which is pretty much how long his attention lasts these days.

TasteTesterJake

Besides being easy, they’re delicious. My little taste tester couldn’t wait to get his hands on one and then all I heard was, “Yum! YUM!” as I packaged them up. I’m sure they’ll be making repeat appearances at our summer barbecues.

TasteTestJake

Want more bar ideas for your summer baking? Check out our host for the month, Cookaholic Wife, for a roundup of all of the goodies the other bloggers made!

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie Bars
(adapted from South Your Mouth)
Makes 1 8×8″ pan

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8×8″ baking pan with non-stick spray and line with baking parchment. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except powdered sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined and transfer the batter to the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes, until set. Let cool completely, then cut into squares. Roll each square in powdered sugar.

Sweet Potato Muffins

Posted in bread and muffins, breakfast, sides by

Every time I make a batch of muffins, I wonder why I don’t make them more often. And then we inhale them in about two days and I remember why they’re a “sometimes food.” Jake and I both loved these. I think he ate three the day I made them.

The recipe calls for canned sweet potatoes but next time I’d go for just mashed sweet potatoes. Also, the sugar can be reduced and the dates omitted if you like a less-sweet muffin.

SweetPotatoMuffins

Sweet Potato Muffins
(from The Homesick Texan Cookbook)
Makes 12

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 15 oz. can sweet potatoes, drained and mashed
1 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup pecans

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and prepare a muffin pan with liners or by greasing and flouring.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugars, vanilla and vegetable oil until well combined. Whisk in the sweet potatoes until evenly combined.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until everything is moistened. Fold in dates and pecans.

Divide between muffin wells and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean.

Remove from pan and serve.