“A lot of living happens in the kitchen.”

Author: Rachel Ballinger

Buckeyes (the best Christmas candy ever!)

Buckeyes (the best Christmas candy ever!)

These delicious little balls of peanut butter, rice crispies, and chocolate that we call Buckeyes are hands down are most favorite Christmas candy ever! Each year, it’s a family affair mixing them up and shaping all the little balls, and then dipping them in chocolate.  

Sally Ann Cookies

Sally Ann Cookies

One of my favorite cookies to bake at Christmastime are these Sally Ann cookies. I think they’re actually my favorite Christmas cookie! They are kind’ve a cross between biscotti and a cookie. Perfect for dipping in a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate.   

White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

These white chocolate cranberry scones are full of chocolate chips and dried cranberries and drizzled with a zesty orange glaze. They are a sweet treat with a cup of coffee, perfect for tea parties, and they make wonderful gifts especially during the Christmas season.  Scones 

Cranberry Apple Pie

Cranberry Apple Pie

This cranberry apple pie is the perfect Christmas pie! Filled with all the quintessential flavors and spices, it’s as beautiful to look at as it tastes in your mouth. Apples, cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Mmmm! I look forward to this pie 

Homemade Yogurt

Homemade Yogurt

Smooth and creamy, this homemade yogurt is easy to make. You can make a large batch for way less than buying it at the store and it’s so healthy. You know exactly what’s in it.  We make a lot of smoothies with the yogurt. Also 

Prizewinning Sugar Cookies

Prizewinning Sugar Cookies

This is our family Christmas sugar cookie recipe! We also use it for any other holiday that calls for a cookie. They are soft with a yummy vanilla sugar flavor. They store really well so they can be made in advance.  We decorate the cookies 

Gingerbread Boys and Girls

Gingerbread Boys and Girls

These cute little gingerbread boys and girls taste as delicious as they look! Full of molasses and warm spices, they’re the perfect Christmas cookie for dunking into a cup of hot cocoa. This is a fun cookie to bake with the kids. Rolling out the 

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

This yummy chicken pot pie is filled to the brim with chicken and veggies in a perfectly seasoned gravy. This is comfort food and it’s hard to eat only one serving.  This is one of my favorite meals to make with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. You 

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie

This delicious pecan pie is made with maple syrup and chopped pecans. No corn syrup! It’s the perfect combination of nuts and sweetness and sure to become a favorite.  Growing up my mom always used pancake syrup and that is delicious too. I’ve never cared 

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey

The secret to making the best Thanksgiving turkey is to season it good, bake at a higher temperature, and flip it halfway through! Once you try it this way, you’ll never want to make it any other way.  Assemble your ingredients: a thawed turkey  onions