A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett
Gingerbread rum balls are full of warm spices for a holiday twist on my classic easy rum ball recipe.
Old fashioned rum balls are a Christmas staple in our house. They have been since I was a teenager. Over the years, I’ve made a few variations and these festive holiday rum balls are the latest version.
…Homemade buckeyes are the perfect no bake treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.
Buckeyes are fast, easy and delicious, making them a great choice for the holidays when you need a tasty treat that doesn’t take too much time or energy. Another no bake treat (for adults) that is always on hand during the holidays are these easy rum balls.
The very basics of a buckeye candy are peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar. As easy as a buckeye recipe is, not all buckeyes are created equal. This recipe has a secret ingredient to make these homemade buckeyes the creamiest and most delicious peanut butter buckeyes ever!
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This clementine cake is gluten free, made in the food processor and comes out of the pan like a dream. It couldn’t be easier and it is deliciously moist. The smell of clementines cooking fills the house with a bright, citrusy aroma, which is wonderful this time of the year. Another holiday treat we love right now are these gluten free rum balls.
When the mercury drops and you are puttering around the house, this is the perfect baking endeavor.
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Biscotti studded with amaretto-soaked golden raisins and slivered almonds are the perfect addition to your holiday baking list. They are perfect for cookie exchanges and they hold up really well when shipping to far away friends and family. If you are a biscotti lover, try this gingerbread biscotti too!
I’m not a huge fan of raisins, but golden raisins are another story. Their flavor is milder and fruitier than regular raisins, making them an excellent choice for both baking and cooking. Paired with toasted almonds, this biscotti is full of flavor.
Because this recipe has a bit of liquid, fruit and butter, it is less dry than most biscotti. It is still very crunchy, but one thing it is most decidedly not, is dry. I sprinkled the top with a mixture of coarse sugar and flake sea salt for extra crunch.
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Gingerbread is one of the classic flavors of the holiday season. An old fashioned gingerbread loaf is a perfect dessert to have on hand when friends and family come to visit. For me, anything gingerbread is welcome and this classic gingerbread cake is something I bake every year and it goes perfectly with a strong cup of tea.
I made a maple bourbon glaze to coat the gingerbread, which really complements the spices used. You can swap bourbon for a splash of milk to keep the glaze kid-friendly, if you’ll be serving it to the whole family.
The combination of spices that make up gingerbread are the flavors of Christmas. There is something about the blend of cloves, ginger, cinnamon and molasses that fills the house with a warm cozy feeling like nothing else can. These gingerbread biscotti are quickly becoming a new favorite in our house for that reason and also because they are delicious dipped into strong coffee.
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Cranberry chutney is a sweet and sour condiment made with fresh cranberries, onions, ginger and orange zest. It is a great topping for crostini as an appetizer, but is also delicious on baked chicken. If you love the combination of cranberries and orange, try this Cranberry Orange Upside Down Cake. For even more cranberry goodness, this Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad is one of our go-to lunches.
This recipe for cranberry chutney makes 4 cups (or 1 quart), so it is perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors. Tie a pretty ribbon around a glass jar and take some with you as a hostess gift for holiday parties.
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Cheesy Mashed Potato Spinach Casserole is perfect for your holiday table. Mashed potatoes combined with parmesan cheese, onions, garlic and spinach make this casserole extra delicious! If you really want to up your mashed potato game, try this aligot recipe for the cheesiest mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat.
Generally speaking, I’m a mashed potato purist. I love butter, cream and a hefty pinch of salt in my mashed potatoes. But, every now and then I get out of my own way and try something new. I’m glad I did because this potato spinach casserole is delicious.
It is creamy and cheesy, but not overpoweringly so, and because it has spinach, I feel a little better about the cream and cheese.
This recipe for potato spinach casserole is sponsored by my friends at Idaho® Potato. I am so pleased to work with them. As always, all opinions, recipe and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pook’s Pantry.
If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.
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There are few flavors that spark the feeling of the holidays like gingerbread. Whether it is a classic gingerbread cake or gingerbread biscotti, that combination of warm spices and the way they fill the house with their delicious aroma gives me all the feels.
Biscotti are the perfect option for mailing holiday cookies to far away friends and family. They are sturdy and not prone to breaking. Also, everyone loves getting cookies in the mail.
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White chocolate rum balls are an easy no bake treat that is perfect for your holiday cookie exchanges and dessert table. Cover with colorful sprinkles for a sweet, homemade gift. A variation on my easy rum ball recipe, this version is dipped in creamy white chocolate for an extra sweet treat.
Rum balls are an easy, no bake cookie that is perfect for your holiday dessert table or cookie exchange. I like to have a batch of these around for everyone to nibble on after holiday dinners.
If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.
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Chocolate covered rum balls are a sweet, boozy grownup treat. Made with dark rum and dark chocolate, these chocolate covered rum balls are a variation on my easy rum ball recipe. They make a great addition to the holiday dessert table and they are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.
Most often, we make rum balls around the holidays. Which is the time of the year when many of us are indulging in two things: booze and sugar. Check and check.
And, because we usually make these around the holiday season, I need a recipe that doesn’t require much time or energy when I have a to do list that’s a mile long. Enter: rum balls.
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