Fluffy Homemade Marshmallows

Making marshmallows from scratch is actually much easier than you may think, with a rather simple and straightforward method. It just requires a few handy kitchen tools to make them right (such as a candy thermometer and a high speed stand mixer).

They truly are the best marshmallows you’ll ever eat (we've already made 5 batches for the holidays)! And they don’t require any fancy ingredients just some candy staples.

For a streamlined process just be sure to have everything measured and tools ready before you begin to make things easier (such as lining and greasing the pan because this sticky mixture likes to begin to set quickly). Also read over the entire recipe before you start (as should be done with any recipe).

These also make for a delicious Christmas gift, paired with a jar of this homemade hot chocolate mix of course! The two combined makes the tastiest cup of hot cocoa ever!

Of course a coconut macaroon is good on it's own. It's such a satisfying little treat. But when you finish them with a fair dose of chocolate it makes them completely irresistible!

When testing recipes I tried macaroons many different ways but I found that my favorite wasn't actually the popular sweetened condensed milk version. It's just a traditional version with some flour added to it.

The flour gives it a little more substance and makes it seem more like a cookie rather than candy. It's not a whole lot of flour added, just enough to make them soft and chewy.

Then another upgrade here is the addition of coconut extract. It boosts their overall natural coconut flavor for an extra coconut-y treat.

It's an easy to make unique cookie that coconut lovers will crave!

Easy DIY Baked Apple Chips

These baked apple chips are a nutritious treat you can feel good about eating, and they can even curb that dessert craving with their natural fruit sugars.

They're a fun little kitchen project, and after you've made them a time or two it will be a total breeze from there on out. You can prep them in minutes.

The trick is just to use a mandoline slicer. Not only does it give you perfectly even slices that bake evenly but it cuts the prep into a tiny fraction of what it would be without one.

Just plan some time because they do need a few hours to completely dry at a lower oven temperature.

These are one of those things you'll want to make time and time again once you see how simple and tasty they are, plus everyone loves them!

A Quick and Easy Granola Recipe!

Sometimes I just don't have the patience for how long a lengthy-cook time granola traditionally takes in the oven. And so I set out to test granola over the stovetop to see if I could get a similar result in a fraction of the time.

And believe it or not it works! It's sweet, nutty, crisp, toasty, made with nutritious ingredients, and deliciously fresh. In other words much better than what you buy in a box or bag.

Plus it makes a smaller batch because you may not always need a big batch of granola.

There are endless ways to use it, or you can simply snack on it plain because it's completely irresistible!

Ways to Use This Homemade Granola

• Add to yogurt or finish it over berry parfaits.
• Toss into a berry salad instead of croutons (love this one!).
• Bake some diced, lightly sweetened fruit and use this for a finish.
• Add to grilled fruit, such as peaches with mascarpone.
• Sprinkle over ice cream, a banana split, or pudding.
• Dip fruit into a fruit dip or caramel dip then dunk in the granola.

Looking for more tempting treats? Also try these ever so popular Oreo Truffles (AKA Oreo Balls)! Only 3 ingredients and unbelievably tasty!

Easy Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Sure, high quality store-bought chocolate truffles are always temptingly delicious, but have you tried them homemade yet? Believe it or not they are even better!

Plus they are so fun to make and perfectly customizable. You can add different extracts and roll (or dip) in so many different toppings to finish.

They are great for gifting and always sure to satisfy those chocolate cravings!

Helpful Tips

• You can use anywhere from about 35% to 75% intensity of chocolate. If using milk chocolate it's important to follow specific ratios and direction for that as it has added milk in the chocolate and requires less cream.
• Just be sure to use a good quality chocolate bars (something such as Callebaut, Ghirardelli, Valhrona, Lindt, Scharffen Berger etc), they'll only taste as good as the chocolate you use.
• Don't use chocolate chips the won't have the same final consistency and quality.
• Plan ahead and be sure to allow enough time for refrigeration. The chocolate will be super runny and needs to set in the fridge before attempting to roll.
• If possible wear food safe gloves when rolling, chocolate will stick less to gloves than bare hands.

Homemade Peanut Brittle

While it's true that peanut brittle can be very temperamental it's also true that by following a straightforward method and helpful tips along the way you'll realize it's easier to make than you've likely heard.

I made six batches today (12 cups of sugar and 6 sticks of butter later) taking notes and learning things along the way until I got it to taste just like I remember.

It starts out with the most basic ingredients and finishes with a classic nostalgic treat that's sure to tempt and satisfy those sweet tooth cravings.

Just don't overdue it (eating too much) like I always did as a kid. Sugar rush. But oh such a memorable, classic holiday treat I always looked forward to every Christmas!

Whenever you make it of course just be careful, this is boiling hot sugar syrup. And do work quickly! Peanut brittle is known for how fast it likes to set (I've included tips below).

Craving something sweet? Try my Sweet Holiday Chex Mix recipe!

Homemade Chex Mix

Who doesn't love Chex Mix? A snack that goes way back when, and always a fun one around the holidays.

For years I had just been buying Chex Mix at the store but this year I figured it was due time to try making it at home. And now I'm hooked because this fresher, buttery version is just that much better!

I've listed three common options to cook it. My personal favorite is the oven method but all work well.

With the slow cooker you just have to be available to stir every so often which can be a bit tedious in my opinion, and the microwave works fine but I think the perfectly crisp texture of the oven option wins.

Here we use a homemade seasoned salt blend (including salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and sugar). The great thing about that is that you can have more control over amount of salt, and you can switch it up (using other spices or adjusting those listed here).

It's a versatile recipe with so many options. Or just stick with the classic because you can't go wrong with it as is!

They are sure to become a yearly autumn tradition! Also be sure to try the cinnamon sugar (or pumpkin pie spice) variation too.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

For years roasted pumpkin seeds have been a yearly tradition at our house and something we always look forward too.

Many of us carve pumpkins near Halloween every year so it only makes sense to not toss those seeds and put them to good use.

Why You'll Love These

• They're fun to make (and people of all ages love to help).
• Method is super simple.
• Less waste.
• Very versatile when it comes to seasoning. Limitless options.
• They're a delicious and nutritious snack.
• You only need 3 ingredients!

Chances are you'll have the bowl full of these savory, salty, crisp and crunchy, nutty flavored, toasted pumpkin seeds polished off in no time!

Try with Other Types of Squash

Note that you can use this same method for other types of winter squash seeds such as spaghetti squash, butternut, buttercup, delicata, ambercup, or acorn squash.

Looking for more small batch desserts? Try my microwave Chocolate Mug Cake or my recipe for 1 Chocolate Chip Cookie!

One of My Favorite Recipes!

These simple brownies are amazingly chocolatey, deliciously rich, perfectly sweetened and they have the best fudgy texture.

I don't really care to admit how much I make this recipe.

It truly is one of my favorite recipes on this blog and one of the those that I make most often! It's a weekend go-to (or mid-week pick me up) around here.

It's just pantry staples coming together to make one of the best desserts ever, and it only takes minutes to prepare!

It's nice that it doesn't make a big batch so we finish them off in what seems like the blink of an eye, so there aren't any left to tempt me for breakfast the next day.

You just can't go wrong with a brownie recipe as easy as this! And who can resist that explosion of chocolate flavor in every bite?

And if you are looking to make the most decadent brownies - add the optional chocolate chips!

Perfect for two (or for one, and you can save half for later), or it's a fun baking project to do with the kids! It's perfectly soft and chewy, deliciously sweet and buttery, and who can resist those lightly crisp edges?

One Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

This recipe doesn’t require a mixer. It only takes about 5 minutes prep, a few prep tools, and a quick bake in the oven and you've got yourself an unbelievably delicious chocolate chip cookie!

We are talking just the right amount of crisp to the edges, a perfectly soft, moist and chewy center and it's laden with a generous amount of dark chocolate chips.

Just the way a chocolate chip cookie was meant to be but more simplified to make!

I know the egg part of this recipe is annoying, 1 Tbsp, gotta save the rest (which are perfect for scrambled eggs). But it's worth that little bit of extra effort. 1 whole egg would be way too much and I tried alternate methods like using another liquid but they just don't have a great texture.

This recipe is a family favorite! Try it for yourself and you'll see why.

How to Make One Chocolate Chip Cookie

The easiest chocolate chip cookie recipe. Here's a breakdown of the simple steps (scroll below for ingredient amounts, and full directions):

1. Preheat oven, prepare baking sheet.
2. Heat butter in microwave safe bowl until nearly melted.
3. Add brown sugar, salt, portion of the egg, vanilla, flour and baking soda.
4. Stir to blend well.
5. Mix in chocolate chips.
6. Shape into round on prepared baking sheet, dot top with some chocolate chips.
7. Bake until golden brown on edges.

Possible Variations:

• Split dough into 3 portions to make 3 smaller cookies (small batch cookie option). Start checking cookies around 8 minutes.
• Use M&M's (regular or mini) in place of chocolate chips.
• Use white chocolate chips and add sprinkles.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Try

• One Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
• One Peanut Butter Cookie
• Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
• Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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