Savory Holiday Monkey Bread

December 10, 2018 Amanda Plott

I love monkey bread. I love that it’s a quick, easy, and delicious way to pack a lot more flavor into any traditional biscuit dough. Usually monkey bread is sweet and is made as more of a breakfast or even as a dessert. Such as my cherry pie version, or my pumpkin spice one! But, not much can beat the strawberries and cream monkey bread.

Today though, I was craving tomato soup and some crunchy bread. It’s chilly out and that traditional meal sounded very comforting. But then! I thought better of myself. Why make a boring plain old grilled cheese when I could make something drinkable, dipable, and fun instead?!…

Skinny Cranberry Upside Down Cake

December 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

The great Christmas and New Year dessert debate is in full swing! It seems like every year my Mother and I get into ‘the great debate’ over what cookies and desserts we’re going to be making for the holidays. She likes this. I like that. And we aren’t the only ones with opinions on desserts either.

I usually try a few new things out as we get closer and more into the thick of the holidays. Some don’t make the cut, but others become fast family favorites. I think the last one that made the official traditional rotation was my Cranberry Cherry Pie. But… I have to say. This Skinny Cranberry Upside Down Cake may be taking the throne…

Skinny Cranberry Orange Cookies

November 27, 2018 Amanda Plott

With Thanksgiving over, it’s now time to move on to the next round of Holiday. Christmas is just around the corner, and then it’s New Years! For several years now, my mom and I get together and bake up a few different kinds of cookies together. We each pick a few of our favorites and we make them in tangent to share with friends and family as a fun homemade gift.

Cranberry Orange cookies are always one of my mom’s go-to cookie recipes. They’re sweet, tart, and really are the perfect bite of holiday cheer. I mean… look at them! They just scream fa-la-la-la-l'a’!…

Skinny Cranberry Bliss Bread

November 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

I’ve somehow done it, y’all. I’ve somehow managed to wear myself out on pumpkin for a bit. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, and I really don’t like it. But… at least in the meantime while I recuperate, I can play around with cranberries now!

I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here in Austin Texas… the allergies are killing everyone right now. ‘Tis the season, I guess. So while I’m a little under the weather (pun intended) and my throat is aching, I thought it would be a nice time to make a fluffy warm breakfast bread.

Baking therapy anyone?…

Cranberry Apple Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

July 13, 2018 Amanda Plott

Product was provided to me on behalf of Cape Cod Cranberries to review, use, and write about. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.

It's hot. It's hot. It's really really hot here in Texas right now and all I want to do is avoid using my stove or oven! So, today for lunch, I decided to go with a super quick and easy cold and crunchy salad. And when I say easy, I mean almost ridiculously easy. It's so easy that it only takes a whopping 5-10 minutes from start to finish with preparing it.

The best part? There is absolutely NO cooking or heating required! How do you do that? Well, cranberries! Cranberries are a favorite of mine and I love finding clever ways to use them up all year round. They are so versatile that they can be used in just about any meal or in any type of drink. Trust me, I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve when it comes to these tart bright red little gems. Never mind all their health benefits…

Cranberry BBQ Chicken Bites (Instant Pot)

June 30, 2018 Amanda Plott

Product was provided to me on behalf of Cape Cod Cranberries to review, use, and write about. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.

Summers are for BBQs! The only thing is... it's really hot out right now in Texas. I mean... really hot. We're hovering just outside of the three digit thermometer reads, but let me just say that it doesn't feel like it. Since it's so hot out, I'm opting to stay inside where it's nice and cool. And while normally my oven is in shut-down mode for a couple more months, these BBQ chicken bites were worth it to cook inside today!

Being a native Texan, I can tell you that BBQ is big business here. It's serious business. So you know when I say that BBQ is good, that you can take my word for it. I'm not shy when it comes to playing around with the flavors of BBQ sauce, and this Cranberry BBQ sauce is no different. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's a new family favorite…