Thanksgiving, Is A Wonderful Time. Jimmy Walker Says Dyn-o-mite.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Are you a turkey purist? Do you like to get all crazy and deep-fry your turkey? This year my dad is smoking a turkey. We'll do a regular one as well, just in case. (And is it just me or does "my dad is smoking a turkey" sound hilarious to you too?) I love a good turkey, roasted to perfection, injected with butter and other fatty substances I don't know and can't say. I also love a honey-baked ham. I used to pay the big bucks for one of those real Honey Baked Hams. Mmmm, I love those! I love that crunchy sweet coating. But times are simpler and we'll be fine with a regular ham. But my favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal is the cranberry sauce!! Yes, you heard me right. I love it any way, shape of a can, or form. Can't get enough! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and remember all the many things we are blessed with in our lives. Enjoy your yummy dinner and even yummier time with loved ones.

Caramel "Crack"

We made crack last night. In our kitchen. With only ingredients found in our home. It was easy and we'll do it again. And again. And again. If you try it you'll be addicted too. Don't be fooled into the thinking of, "Just this once" or "I won't be addicted my first try". You'll never be able to get enough. You are going to be hooked if you try it. And you'll never see saltines the same way again.
You can find recipes here or here or here
Photo from here

Sunday Dinner

My baby wasn't feeling well so I stayed home from work. It was great because I was able to catch up on a few neglected chores, like folding laundry, Blech!!! When I do menial tasks, like laundry, I prefer to watch tv to keep me entertained. And my choice of tv viewing is Food Network! And I was lucky enough to watch Paula Deen. And here is what she was making...

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf


Chocolate Sybil Cake


Let me tell you, it looked D-E-Licious! I really need some meatloaf and chocolate cake now. But it will wait until I have some time, like Sunday afternoon. Can't wait!

Mmmm, Pumpkin Cupcakes!

These cupcakes were DE-LI-CI-OUS!!!! I especially liked that the cake was dense, more like a muffin. I put a maple butter-cream frosting on them to make them extra yummy.

Click here for the recipe.

Dump Truck Cake

Here is my baby's birthday cake. I guess he's not technically a baby anymore, but he's my baby. He loves anything with wheels on it. And he's very into John Deere. So this birthday we did a dump truck that is John Deere green. He loved it and wouldn't let anyone else touch it. That's why I made a separate cake for everyone else to enjoy.



Please excuse the lovely pan the cake is sitting on. I knew it was going to be ugly in the pictures but after I made it I didn't want to transfer it. Three year olds don't care, right?

It's Fudge Makin' Season

I LOVE fudge. Who doesn't? If you don't care for chocolate there are so many other varieties to please your palette. Peanut butter, white chocolate, penuche, peppermint, caramel, the list is endless. I'm on the look-out for new, delicious recipes. I have my tried and true chocolate fudge that I can't even count the number of times I've made and I will make again and again. Mmmm, I love fudge makin' season!

photo from here

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

This scrumptious cupcake recipe is from Ina Garten so you know it's amazing. It's so pretty with the carrots all shiny on top. Don't you love a good carrot cake? I do!

2 cups granulated sugar
1-1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour plus 1 Tbsp.
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 lb. carrots, grated
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
For the frosting:
3/4 lb. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 lb. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 lb. confectioner's sugar, sieved
For the decoration:
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 cup shaved or grated carrots
3 Tbsp. good maple syrup
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin pans with paper liners.
2. Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment until light yellow. Add vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Toss the carrots, raisins, and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Add to the batter and mix well (I use my hands - it works best!).
4. Scoop batter into the muffin cups until each is almost full. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack. Makes 22 cupcakes.
5. For frosting, mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment until combined. Add confectioner's sugar; mix until smooth.
6. For the decoration, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat; add the carrots and maple syrup and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until carrots are tender. Spread them on a paper towel to cool.
7. When cupcakes are cool, frost them generously and garnish with big pinches of sautéed carrots.

Here are more yummy cup cakes from BH&G. Enjoy!