Five MUST MAKE Cookies for this Fall

The five must make

Holidays always mean tons of baking! With a new baby I want to be sure any time I am able to spend in the kitchen is on a knock-it-out-of-the-park cookie recipe! These have all proven to be just that.  If you aren’t drooling by the time you scroll to the bottom of the page then you cannot be human. Here are my favorite cookies and the MUST MAKES for this holiday season! Enjoy!

 

  1. Apple Butter Snickerdoodle from Crazy for Crust.

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Apple butter and snickerdoodle. Could there be a more perfect match up for a Fall sweet? Probably not!

2. Mini Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies by Sweet Sugar Belle.

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OK so mine did not look exactly like this. Sweet Sugar Belle is a  sugar cookie master and her cookie are proof. But the point of baking Fall cookies isn’t perfection, it’s the fun memories. And that’s exactly what we created when making these sweets. Get the kiddos involved in this one! The piping doesn’t require expertise skill set and you cant mess them up too much!


3. Pecan Pie cookies from Spend with Pennies.

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If you need to take a minute to collect your self at the sight of all this sweetness, go ahead. I’ll take a break too and enjoy another one of these bad boys. Seriously, they taste just as heavenly as they look. Make a double batch because they will be gone faster than you can bake a second batch!

3. Pumpkin Cheesecake Snikerdoodles from The Recipe Critic

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This twist on this cookie is the sweetest surprise. You look at it from the outside and this “wow, this looks tasty”. The you bite into it and its like your first Christmas gift came super early. It divine. You’ll thank me for telling you about it later. I’m sure your busy whipping up the first batch right about now.

5. Maple Brown Sugar Cookie from Sugar Spun Run

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I want to be clear that all these cookies had to be hella good in order to make the list, but this one… this one could be on a list of its own. The flavor is so… oh I’m at a loss for words. Just make them. You’ll understand.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Copycat IHOP Pancakes

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When I was pregnant with my daughter I frequented IHOP a few more times than I would be willing to admit. It was the pancakes that leered me in each and every time. I’ve tried for at least 2 solid minutes now to put my finger on what it is exactly that makes them so addicting. The butter flavor, the fact that they almost melt in your mouth? Who knows. Who cares. I just LOVE them. Which is why I about sprinted to my kitchen when I found this copy cat recipe. It’s spot on! You’d think I hired an IHOP chef to come to breakfast- but NOPE! It’s just me! You and your family will love them! Here’s what you need:

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour- sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk (you can use regular milk if you want regular pancakes., but you need buttermilk if you want the real deal)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  1. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt to bowl.
  2. In separate bowl, mix eggs and buttermilk together. Add into flour mixture and stir until smooth.
  3. Mix in the butter and the sugar.
  4. Grease griddle and bring to a medium heat
  5. Scoop out about 1/4 a cup mixture for each pancake. Cook until golden brown on the edges and flip to cook other side.

Add some butter and pure maple syrup and enjoy your time in breakfast heaven! Happy Cooking!

The BEST Steak Seasoning in All The Land

Steaks used to be something I would have never cooked for a guest in fear that they would come out dry and bland tasting. That was until I discovered this amazing steak seasoning from Texasraodhouseathome.com. What’s even better than the amazing taste is the ease! If you mix together one batch of this seasoning it will last you at least a few grilling sessions. I mixed mine into an old salt shaker and stored it with my seasonings. Its to convenient to just pull it out a few hours before grilling, smother it on the steaks and that’s it!  If you’ve looked through any of my other recipes, you know I love a meal that’s easy as can be. This one is probably at the top of the list! Here’s what you will need:

  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Mix all together in a bowl or bag and add to your shaker. I always marinate at least 4 hours before and let the steaks come to room temperature before grilling. You want to be sure you give the juices that the salt will bring to the surface enough time to soak back into the steak. The same thing goes for AFTER you are done grilling the steak. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes so all those juices can soak in. So many people think you should cut open a steak the second it comes off the grill but then you end up with a plate full of juices instead of a steak full of juices. It may go against what you have always thought- but take my word… just let the steak sit!

Add your choice of sides. I always go with seasoned steak potatoes and mac n’ cheese! Whatever you chose it is sure to be a big hit! Happy cooking!