Cherry and Panettone Trifle

Freshly whipped cream, yummy custard, fruits plus Italian Panettone or any sponge cake make this a delicious and party-perfect Trifle! 

My kids and I love Italian Panettone! When the chilly fall season finally arrives, you can be certain that we look for and buy at least a loaf or two of this special holiday bread (or cake as others readily point out but I won't argue with anyone over this! I love it either way!). I compare it to a brioche loaf - deliciously sweet, buttery and tender! During the Christmas season it comes in many varieties - plain, with chocolate chips or loaded with fruits so it's like a fruitcake and taste a little bit like it, too! I guess because it was Christmas I gravitated to the more festive looking Panettone loaf that I saw.

15 Deliciously Creative Left-over Turkey Recipes

15 deliciously creative recipes for Thanksgiving left-over Turkey! A must-try if you want to try new and easy dishes for the family!

Hope you all had a lovely  Thanksgiving!!! Now that this major holiday is over the big question is: what do we do with all these left-over Turkey? Have no fear, we've got you covered. We researched online and found 15 delicious and creative ways to use all that meat! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars

With a deliciously spiced pumpkin pie on the bottom and buttery swirled cake topping this super EASY Pumpkin Pie Bars will be your favorite holiday dessert! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year perfect!

Just before we left for England in early November, I made this Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars for my family. I was planning to post this earlier but because of the family emergency we had, everything, naturally, had to take the backseat. Nonetheless, at the back of my mind, I haven't forgotten about this truly delightful recipe and made sure to post this at least before Thanksgiving. Besides, who says pumpkin desserts are only for Fall or Thanksgiving? I love pumpkin based desserts so much, I won't even mind having them during the hottest days of summer - so for me, every season is a good season for Pumpkins!!! Agree? :)

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

I love cooking with spices. I just love the intense complexity in flavor that a little dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or my favorite cardamon can add to a dish. When I decided to make some condiment for Thanksgiving, I thought it had to be cranberry sauce and a spiced one, too.

Cranberry Cheese and Prosciutto Sandwich

Do you stick to one particular supermarket or grocery store when you go shopping for food on a weekly basis? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't depending on which one has a sale. I do have three favorite stores that I make my rounds on. I already know, more or less, where to go for particular products or for certain food and that helps make everything easier and convenient.

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole

My family and I are getting excited about Thanksgiving and it's just around the corner. Since my parents and siblings  are in the Philippines and hubby's parents are in England, when Thanksgiving comes we really don't have our family to celebrate with us - it's just the four of us, hubby, me and our two little Americans. We do miss them especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas as it's not often that we get to see them because the fares are astronomically high to travel abroad during holiday season.

No Bake Individual Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake

We had a ladies' book study at our apartment last Friday and I volunteered to host it. We scheduled it in a way that the study would be done at noon time and thereafter we could have lunch fellowship. I mentioned in the previous post that for the main course I made some hearty Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup. For dessert, I knew I had to make something with pumpkin and since I never made a pumpkin cheesecake before I attempted to make one.

Giant Easter Egg Cookie

Easter is just around the corner! It's one of my favorite holidays as I always look forward to Resurrection Day. As a believer Easter is actually more important for me than even Christmas as this is the day that affirms and strengthens my faith - He is alive and risen indeed!

Irish Soda Bread

I have often been intimidated by yeast breads so more often than not I make cakes or quick breads instead. I feel like I can tackle the latter with more ease and confidence. I know I need to overcome this fear and attempt to make even an ordinary loaf soon - definitely before summer comes as it would be intolerable to turn the oven on during the warmer months. 

Classic Glazed Ham

If you are a subscriber of our blog, then you probably already know that we are on holiday in Asia at the moment. I do try, when I get the chance, to spend the Christmas season with my family. There's just no place like home for the holidays. It doesn't hurt when you can spend Christmas season by the beach and enjoy the sun and the sea either! For me that's the ultimate holiday treat!!! :)

Apple-Pumpkin-Pecan Pie

So many desserts to make, too little time. Don't you often get the feeling that there are so many types of desserts or pies that you want to make for Thanksgiving but you simply don't have the time to make each and every one of them? Or perhaps, you are looking at the feast of pies in front of you during Thanksgiving and wish you can try each slice of pumpkin, pecan or apple pie - but feel like it's way too much to eat all three in one go!  I hear ya! I know the feeling!!! 

Yummy Cranberry Cheesecake

Last year for the holiday season, I made a No Bake White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake as part of the 12 Cakes of December series. I joined 11 other food bloggers and we each took turn to make cakes that we felt best represented the season. I wanted a truly festive and lovely cake so I chose to make a cheesecake with cranberries - since cranberries have a deep red hue which of course is the color of Christmas. Besides, I truly love cheesecake!

20 Delicious Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Whenever Fall/Autumn comes around, I only think of one thing - Pumpkins!!! Yes, I love Pumpkin recipes both savory and sweet. I have made quite a few tried and tested recipes using this wonderful fruit. Below you can find some delicious sweet and savory recipes all utilizing the mighty pumpkin! Hope you get to try some if not all of them. 

Sweet and Savory Treats for Memorial Day and the 4th of July

When we first came to the USA, about 10 years ago, one thing that truly struck us was the patriotism of Americans. In our small town here in Michigan so many houses have the American flag hoisted in their front lawn. In the Philippines, we only do this, if at all, during our own Independence Day and after that, the flag goes back to the closet and won't be taken out again until the next year. But here, it's there pretty much the whole year through. 

Delectable Desserts and other Sweet Treats for Mom

Mother's Day is almost here and being a Mom myself, I always look forward to this day! My kids are still quite young  but in collaboration  with their  Dad they always manage to make me feel truly special during this day (not that they don't do so everyday, of course!). While it is right that we honor our Moms for all their sacrifice and love, for me it is also the perfect time to honor and praise God for giving me the chance to become a MOM! 

It is indeed such a privilege to be gifted with such precious lives and while the responsibility is both challenging and tremendous, I will never trade it for anything. It is the most amazing experience any woman could have. When I gave birth to my eldest, William, I suddenly knew the reason why I was born - it was to become a Mom. I felt an extraordinary bond and love for this little one that all of  a sudden I cradled in my arms. Apart from my wedding day,  it is truly one of the best days of my life. Of course, the same goes for my little darling Sophie who is such a ray of sunshine everyday. Because of this, I really wish I could store every little bit of memory that I have with my kids as I cherish each and every one of them. They have indeed grown so fast and though they will still be with me for many more years, Lord-willing, I know it can fly so fast even before I know it. Hence, I resolve (hopefully on a daily basis) to make the most of my time with them.

Now going back to our post, if you're thinking of doing something special for your Mom, why not check out, perhaps even try one or even some of these delectable sweet treats! Am sure, Mom would appreciate the effort and the love that goes into this sweet labor of yours. Enjoy and please give your Mom a hug and a kiss and make sure she feels totally special this day! 

Please note: To get the recipe, find the photo below of the yummy sweet treat you are looking for and then click on the link underneath. That should lead you to the recipe. This is a collection of recipes from our blog and other amazing food bloggers. 

Green Tea White Chocolate Cheesecake by Manila Spoon

Mocha Pie with Espresso Whipped Cream by Simple Bites

Coconut Cream Tart by Willow Bird Baking

Vintage Cake  by Kitchen Meets Girl

Cinnamon Sweet Bread by Chef in Disguise

Chocolate Pecan Pie by Manila Spoon

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread  by Positively Splendid

Cookies and Cream Flourless Chocolate Cake by Diethood

Strawberry and Almond Clafoutis by Manila Spoon

Strawberry and Sprinkles Buttermilk Pancakes by Averie Cooks

Red and Blue Berry Pie Bars by Manila Spoon

Citrus Olive Oil Mango Cake by Not Just Baked

Baked Chocolate Hazelnut Donuts by I Love My Disorganized Life

Apple Praline Bread by Manila Spoon

Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake  by The Recipe Rebel

Orange Pecan Sweet Bread by Eat Yourself Skinny

Italian Fruit Salad by Manila Spoon

Super Swirly Cinnamon Buns by The Sugar Hit

Fresh Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese by The Suburban Soapbox

No Bake Nutella Cheesecake by Manila Spoon 

If you like what you see and would like to receive new recipe updates, we'd love you to subscribe to our posts or join our site. Needless to say, we'd love you to like us on Facebook too where you can get more recipes and updates. Thanks and happy browsing!

Valentine Desserts

Wondering what to make for Valentine's Day? Look no more, here's a fantastic line-up of fabulous Valentine's desserts! Make any of these and you're sure to please your loved ones! Enjoy

Turkey with Peas and Creamed Corn

After cooking that 20-lb Turkey, you can imagine how much left-over we had, after all we are a tiny family of 4 - two adults and two small kids whose appetites aren't that great yet, unless of course it's sweets then they do eat like adults. Savory food on the other hand, they have their favorites and their not-so-much-their-kind-of-food-group. Hence, since we would be eating Turkey for quite awhile I had to make sure the recipe was not just edible, but truly palatable, too - something that even the pickiest eaters would love. I know my kids love pasta and any creamy sauce with it. They love corn and are not averse to peas - hence, all these process of elimination gave birth to this quick and easy Turkey with Peas and Creamed Corn recipe.

Cranberry Upside Down Cake

Love cranberries! So glad to make anything with them 'cause I love the freshness and tartness that they impart to any dish that you use them in. Great to discover as well that you can make them into an upside down cake....wonderful... now my favorite upside down cake. The pineapple has truly met its match! Enjoy this beautiful and delicious cake that's wonderful as a dessert dish for the holidays!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspooon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoon butter and 1 stick butter (room temp)
6 Tablespoons sugar plus extra 1/2 cup sugar (separate each sugar)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 1/3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (if frozen, do not thaw)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole or 2 % milk



Procedure

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Grease a round cake pan with a little oil or use a non-stick spray. Set it aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set it aside.

Melt 6 tablespoons of the butter and sugar on medium heat in a small saucepan. Continue to stir until the mixture comes to the boil. Pour this evenly over the bottom of the cake pan and and top with the cranberries, smoothing the layer and pressing it down gently with your fingertips.  Sprinkle the nuts. Distribute them evenly. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer beat the remaining stick of butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and continue to beat until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Pour in the vanilla extract and then add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add half of the dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear into the batter. Mix in the milk, then the rest of the dry ingredients. Batter will be thick.

Spoon the batter over the cranberries and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. I did not use a baking sheet but found out later that the cranberry sauce bubbled over. Perhaps next time, I will place the round pan onto a sheet before baking.

Bake in a preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let the cake cool down for about 15-20 minutes before you remove them from the pan. Run a blunt knife between the sides of the pan and the cake. Carefully turn the cake out onto a serving platter. If any of the berries stick to the pan - as they might - just scrape them off with a knife and return them to the cake.

This reminds me of a cobbler and so like a cobbler this is perfect with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream! Better if serve warm or at least room temp and on the day it is made.

If you wish to print the recipe, there's a print-friendly icon at the end of the post. Click on the "remove images box" for easy printing.

If you like what you see and would like to receive new recipe updates, we'd love you to subscribe to our posts or join our site. Needless to say, we'd love you to like us on Facebook too where you can get more recipes and updates. Thanks and happy browsing!

This recipe was adapted from Dorie Greenspan's Cranberry Upside Down Cake.

Candy Cane Blossom Cookies

It's that time of year for gift-giving. My two kids are in school now so I had to think of some gift ideas for their teachers. I know I could have taken the easy way-out and just joined in with the group gift but I fancied doing something a little more creative - something that showed a little effort at least. I have been inspired by so many lovely gift ideas from Pinterest and holiday magazines that I thought that now I have a legitimate excuse to make something cute! I got myself some Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses which I only got acquainted with last year and vowed to myself then that come Christmas 2013 I would make something with it.

12 Cakes of December - Recipe Round Up

It's Friday the 13th....and I feel sad and it's not because it's the "Friday the 13th" but because our 12 Cakes of December feature has officially ended. I didn't want to miss any of these delicious cakes so I decided to make a round-up of all these fantastic recipes. These could come in handy not only for Christmas Day but for the rest of the year, especially when you have an upcoming special occasion and you need to make a cake that's not only eye-catching but truly delectable, too. So without further ado, here are the links and photos for the 12 Cakes of December. Please enjoy!