The recipe was a hit and the most requested recipe after my party. No, it wasn’t the appetizers or desserts, it was a salad. What a surprise!
My daughter enjoyed this Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad at a work gathering and shared the recipe with me. Sure enough, all who tasted it wanted the recipe. I am not sure who to credit for the original recipe, but I am sure happy it came my way and glad to share it with you. [Read more…]
Holiday traditions run strong in our family. We have the favorites that we cling to each year and we always enjoy adding new traditions to our list. One dessert that surfaces each holiday is Cranberry Chocolate Cake. Now don’t panic when you see the picture. There is no additional fruit inside the moist, luscious cake. The cranberries on top are glazed and glistening with sugar, so no worries, if you prefer no fruit with your chocolate they can easily be “gifted” to someone else at the table.
This cake says Christmas in so many ways. It makes a wonderful gift to neighbors and friends and while it might look complicated, it is really very easy to assemble for your holiday gatherings. [Read more…]
‘Tis the season! I love everything the holidays has to offer—the sights, sounds, smells, and food combine with the joy, hope and love and make the season magical. But, let’s be real. All that joy creates a crazy, busy schedule. Yet no one wants to miss a holiday party or chance to catch up with old friends for the lack of an easy to prepare, fantastic appetizer.
This is one of my family’s favorite appetizers. This Southwest Appetizer Cheesecake is so easy, for you bake it in the slow cooker. (The moist even heat is ideal for a cheesecake.) The 7-inch size makes it just right for any party or gift. The creamy goodness and hint of jalapeno complements any menu yet hints at Mexican without overpowering. Accompany it with tortilla chips and set out a small spreader and let the feast begin. [Read more…]
We are up and running and ready for your orders! We have had great success at our retail venues and the holiday shows proved to be exciting for all. Lots of folks found the answer for that hard to buy for friend and relative this Christmas.
We couldn’t be happier and are thrilled to announce that you can now order online. Just click here.
But wait–did you see those photos? We want to take a moment and give credit where credit is due. We want to thank Kristen Doyle for her photography. Do you know Kristen at Dine and Dish? If not, you need to read her blog right now. You will learn very soon what an amazing woman Kristen is. She wrote the handbook on how to mentor and is truly one of the nicest, most supportive person you could ever meet. Thank you Kristen for taking beautiful photos for us!
We want to let you know again the best tips for success: [Read more…]
It is here! We have a BIG announcement to make today and I must admit I am shaking in my boots. If you have read our blog for any time at all, you know that we met in the test kitchens at Rival®, the folks who introduced the CrockPot® slow cooker a million years ago. From the beginning, we knew the beauty of baking cakes and cheesecakes in the slow cooker. We literally baked hundreds of cakes in the slow cooker in the test kitchen. When we teach cooking classes everyone is excited to learn how to make dinner but their enthusiasm soars over the moon when we serve dessert baked in the slow cooker.
We are making this so easy for you! We are introducing two mixes for baking in the slow cooker. The Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Classic Vanilla Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache. You will need to add a few ingredients like eggs and oil for the carrot cake and the dairy products for the cheesecake and you are ready to become a master baker. These decadent desserts are baked in a 7-inch springform pan and voila, you have the perfect size desserts. No need to feel guilty about having leftovers. This is the perfect size.
These make wonderful holiday gifts, teacher gifts or the special answer for the person who has everything. We like to bake the cakes and wrap them in cellophane with lots of ribbon and share with our neighbors, family and friends. The list of possibilities goes on and on.
Where can you purchase these tasty mixes? Here you go….
A Thyme for Everything in Lee’s Summit
On our website, of course! (Coming soon!)
If you can hardly wait, we will have mixes and pans available this weekend.
We will be at the Ascension Holiday Market Place, Friday, November 21st 7:00 p.m. to 10:0.m. and Saturday, November 22nd, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The location is 9510 West 127th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213.
In addition, the mixes will be available on Sunday, November 23rd at Jill Van Lerberg’s 5th Annual Holiday Mart from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 20511 Pflumm, Bucyrus, KS 66013. Thank you Ann Lund for showcasing them! This holiday mart features home decor, kitchen gadgets, gluten free treats, handmade soaps, candles, clothing and much more.
Tips for Successful Slow Cooker Baking
*These mixes bake best in slow cookers that were purchased in the last 5 to 8 years or less. “Older” slow cookers are not as hot and the mixes may take longer to bake. Cakes and cheesecakes bake in about 2 to 3 hours on the High setting.
*The 7-inch springform pan typically fits in most 5 to 7 quart round or oval slow cookers.
*Always set the cake pan on an aluminum foil ring. Easy peasy to make the ring, just take 18 to 24 inches of aluminum foil and roll, then form a ring. Place in the bottom of your slow cooker.
*Refrigerate any leftover cheesecakes or the carrot cake with the cream cheese frosting. (We seriously doubt that you will have leftovers!) In fact, if you are serving a cheesecake, it should not set out at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
