Holiday Recipes
Jack’s Favorite Bloody Mary
A pitcher-full of outstanding Bloody Marys is easy to make and infinitely tastier than store-bought mixes. Bloody Maria, Dirty Mary, and Virgin Mary variations are included and are customizable by the glass. For added fun, offer a make-your-own garnish station! An olive loaded Bloody Mary with a crisp stalk of celery and a generous amount…
Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes
This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crisp edges, chewy insides, puddles of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a sea salt topping – plus nutty, caramel notes from the browned butter. These chocolate chip cookies are what dreams are made of! When asked why these cookies are Steve Lindsey’s favorite, his answer was short, sweet, and summed up his award-winning recipe quite succinctly:…
Root Beer Float Cookies
Extra points for creativity, root beer fans far and wide will appreciate the addition of this gem to a holiday cookie platter. And don’t forget Christmas in July! As many great recipes start, Tricia Trainer discovered her winning root beer float cookies accidentally. She spied them on a holiday cookie plate, thinking they were molasses…
Swedish Cookies
This classic slice and bake cookie is easy to make and tastes similar to a pecan sandie. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity. When I first baked this recipe for Swedish cookies, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to get. As with many recipes that have endured for generations, the baker…
Slovak Kolache (Cold Doughs)
Think of these cookies as a smaller version of a danish, with a heavenly cream cheese pastry and dollop of your favorite jam. Until recently, I had never heard of a kolache. For those who may be in a similar boat, kolache (pronounced kuh-‘laa-chee) comes from the Czech and Slovak word koláčky, meaning little cake…
Ginger Snaps
Chewy on the inside with a lightly crisp exterior, this perfectly spiced ginger snap cookie recipe has stood the test of time and is a welcome addition to any cookie platter! One bite of Ed Mills’ ginger snap cookies took me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen. The warm, spiced aroma and flavor to match.…
Fig Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest
Judging Fig magazine’s 2024 holiday cookie contest was a sweet job, and I’m delighted to share the winning recipes, which are endlessly creative and oh-so delicious! Counters covered in flour and sugar, the sink full of mixing bowls and spatulas, and the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from a hot oven—these are the…
Kitchen Sink Breakfast Cookies
A hearty, wholesome combination of odds and ends you likely have on hand, these one-bowl cookies are worth waking up for! (gluten-free and vegan with dairy-free chocolate chips) When I first started making these cookies, my boys were little and there wasn’t much my younger son would eat. The only thing he wanted was milk,…
Lavender Syrup
Lavender Syrup is simple to make and adds a sweet, floral note to hot and iced coffee and tea, lattes, lemonade, cocktails, desserts, and more. A clever trick makes the syrup a pretty shade of purple! The first time I had a lavender latte, I didn’t finish it. Despite rave reviews from friends who claimed…
Apple Cake
No frosting is needed for this rustic cake that is studded with tender apples and comes together in a single bowl with pantry staples. Serve as is or with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce. (Or my favorite, salted caramel ice cream!) My grandmother’s apple cake brings back so many memories. Economical and…
Holiday Favorite Things
The holidays are on the horizon, and with family, friends, and, parties (not to mention teachers, neighbors, and coworkers!), the gift giving list can be long. So, we’re back with our annual list of inspiration. From toddlers to teenage boys, grandparents to girlfriends, coming up with the perfect gift can be much harder than the…
