Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a great week! It got really cold here in Wisconsin. Warm up with my grandmother’s Just Leave it Beef and Wine. It’s a holiday tradition. I can just picture her throwing it all together, and then setting the table, putting her lipstick on and getting ready for her party. I miss her so much but she’s in my kitchen with me every time I make this dish. You can make it in the oven or your slow cooker. Either way it’s delicious.

Having people over for the big game this weekend? Why not pick up a turkey breast and make my Slow Cooker Hot Turkey Sandwiches? The shredded turkey and gravy on buns is super good! Perfect for a holiday party and busy weeknight dinners too!

Click Dinner, Sandwiches and Slow Cooker for more yummy recipes.

I always like to serve a festive healthy and delicious salad during the holidays. My Poached Pear Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing is perfect with whatever you are serving. You can poach the pears and make the dressing a few days ahead. Love that! Click Salads for more sensational salad recipes.

Every party needs a few good appetizers and dips. Cheese balls are on trend right now. I love them. I mean I live in Wisconsin! Yep, I’m a proud cheesehead. My Old School Holiday Cheese Ball is super easy to make and it’s so good. Shape it into Christmas tree and you will look like a total rock star! How cute is this?

Besides cold appetizers, you'll need to serve some warm ones, too, like my Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip. You can make it in a casserole dish or bake it in a crusty loaf of sourdough bread. It’s always a hit! Click Appetizers for more of my favorite holiday recipes.

Brunch is one of my favorite ways to entertain during the holidays. My Streusel Bundt Coffee Cake is my go-to. Super easy and so amazing. Get this. It starts with a box of yellow cake mix. It’s one of my most requested recipes. You just gotta make it this holiday season!

I serve it with My Absolute Favorite Brunch Bake with sausage, potatoes, eggs, and loads of cheese. There are a few secrets in the recipe too. You make it the night before, and just bake it in the morning. LOVE THAT! It’s a Family Fave. It’s so good that I caught one of my relatives eating it cold out of the fridge the next day. BUSTED! LOL. Yep, it’s that good!

I toss together a pretty fruit salad like my Fruit Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing, turn on some holiday music and let the fun begin. Click Salads and Breakfast & Brunch for more festive brunch and fruit salad recipes.

For dessert, it's a great time to throw on an apron and do some baking. From delicious Soft Sugar Cookies, to Peppermint Bark, Homemade Salted Caramels, Peanut Butter Balls, and Easiest Ever Fudge, I always keep things easy breezy. You got this! I can help. Click Desserts for a bunch more Christmas cookie and holiday dessert recipes.

My Cookbooks Make Great Holiday Gifts!

If you like my recipes, I think you'll love my cookbooks! They make a great holiday gifts! Both cookbooks are filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

We’re headed to South Bend, Indiana to cheer on the Notre Dame hockey team this weekend. Next week I’ll be on TV in Minneapolis. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes on The Jason Show. Hope you’ll watch. I’ll be on TV in Milwaukee too!

You can always see what I’m up to on Facebook and Instagram. Follow me!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. If you are traveling, be safe! Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

Homemade Salted Caramels

Easiest Ever Fudge