10 Delightful Saint Patrick's Day Treats to Make with your Kiddos

One of my favorite parts of being a mom is the time I spend with my daughter in the kitchen. Now that she's in high school (and an aspiring chef) she branches out on her own cooking and baking adventures more often, but I will always cherish our time together laughing, creating and making memories that will last a lifetime. I hope these recipes for Saint Patrick's Day bring much joy to you and your littles.

Clover Crispies

Green Velvet Cake

Rainbow Fruit Tart

Shamrock Macarons

Saint Patrick's Day Chex Mix

Peek-a-Boo Cake

S'mores Snack Mix

Jell-O Parfait

Shamrock Cookie Cups

Mini Grasshopper Pies

10 Festive Fall Recipes

My favorite season by far is finally upon us, so I've rounded up 10 Festive Fall Recipes to share with you:

This Autumn Chowder is packed with hearty fall veggies and is the perfect way to warm up on a crisp, cool day. 

Munch on some homemade Cinnamon Apple Chips - the perfect healthy snack at home or on the go.

Soft, cinnamon-sugar coated Cider Donuts are a favorite of mine and were a fall staple while living in Vermont through my teen years. A trip to Cold Hollow Cider Mill still tops my list when we visit!

...and cider donuts without its sidekick of Fresh Apple Cider just wouldn't be the same.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup is the perfect comfort food for fall.

This festive Pumpkin Roll would be the perfect addition for a family gathering.

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal at the end of the day.

This Crock Pot Pumpkin Spiced Latte is not only delicious, it's super simple, too!

...and for the littles in your life, have a go at this creamy and decadent Caramel Hot Chocolate. 

....and it would be a festive-enough Fall season without a Good Old Fashioned Apple Pie, with freshly picked apples  from your trip to the orchard, of course. (Try it warm with a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese - you can thank me later.)

What's your favorite recipe for Fall?

Happy Fall Y'all! 

Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups

I made these Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups this past Saturday for a brunch I was hostessing and they were a total hit! Clean, simple and totally delicious, I plan on making up a few batches and freezing them for an easy breakfast on school days - just heat and eat! I was able to find a package of ham already diced small in the deli section at the grocery store, so that eliminated a step right away. These cuties are also super versatile, so I'm able to switch up which meats and veggies I use depending on what we're in the mood for (or more likely what I have on hand). The perfect healthy breakfast or snack!

Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups

Ingredients:

• ½ cup onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup fresh broccoli, finely chopped
• ½ cup yellow bell pepper, finely chopped 
• 2/3 cup ham, chopped (about 2 ounces)
• ⅓ cup extra-sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Spray a large nonstick skillet with clean cooking spray or a drizzle of oil (such as organic coconut oil spray or a teaspoon or two of organic coconut oil) and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, broccoli and yellow pepper, and saute 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add ham and saute 3 minutes. Remove from heat.


3. Combine cheese, chives, thyme, pepper and eggs in a bowl and stir gently with a whisk. Add ham mixture, stirring with whisk. 


4. Spoon mixture into 24 miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until set.

To freeze:

Make sure egg cups are completely cooled before storing. Wrap each egg cup individually in saran wrap and store in a ziplock bag until ready to use. 

To heat:

Remove desired number of cups and remove saran wrap. Wrap cups loosely in a paper towel and cook on 15 second spurts until heated through. Enjoy!

Love this recipe or want to see more like it? Let us know in the comments below!

Banana Nut Bread

This recipe is one that was passed on to me from my mom. She would make this recipe for me (and with me) all the time growing up, and it has always been one of my favorites. Now I'm carrying on that same tradition with my daughter, and hope that someday she will pass it on to her children as well. Whether you slather it in butter while it's still warm or enjoy it cold with your coffee in the morning, I hope you'll find this recipe becomes a tradition in your home just as it has in mine. 

What You'll Need:
3/4 cup sugar
3 large very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup butter flavored Crisco, melted 
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt 


Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 350°. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray. Melt the butter flavor Crisco in a large bowl in the microwave. To the melted Crisco add sugar, bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Loosen the sides of loaf from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing - if you can wait that long!

Dreaming of Baking....

One of my favorite hobbies is baking. I am obsessed love it. I love feeling like I've made something for my family to enjoy. I love the sweet aroma that fills every nook and cranny of our house until it smells like a home. I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I've baking something new, or out of my comfort zone, or with advanced techniques I've never used, and standing back with a sigh of relief and a sense of knowing I created this. 


For the past nine weeks I've been unable to whip up any new creations, since I'm immobile until further notice. So instead of actually baking, I'm dreaming of it instead. Here's a little collection of recipes I've been drooling over. Eye candy, baby.

Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake

     {source}

    Pecan Mudslide Cookies

   {source}

     Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

     {source}

   Snickerdoodle Bread

   {source}

Are you salivating yet?