Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini

Recipes

Friday
Sep / 23 / 2022
Comments 8
       
Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini in a pan.

This Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini is an easy and tasty fall dinner idea you can whip up with little time or effort. Store-bought tortellini is coated in a cheesy and creamy pumpkin sauce that will have you going back for seconds. 

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini serve on plates and in a pan.

Let’s Make Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini

I was just telling a friend that I could eat pasta every night for dinner and be a happy man. While I have the go-to favorites that I love, I’m always open to trying something new or seasonal. That’s exactly what led me to this Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini recipe. It might be my new fall go-to. 

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini on a plate.

Why I love this recipe so much:

1. Ready in under 30 minutes. If you’re tight on time but want a gourmet and comforting dinner, this is for you. It’s so easy! 

2. Full of fall flavor. Fall or not, this flavor combination is one of my favorites and I’m here for it. It’s creamy, rich, and wonderfully seasonal. If you’re new to savory pumpkin recipes, this is a great place to start.

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini served on plate on a table.

3. Make it your own. In the FAQ below I share some detailed ways to make this recipe your own. Here are a few more ideas:

  • Serve it with chicken or steak.
  • Try different types of tortellini. 
  • Toss in some chopped spinach. 
  • Sprinkle on some toasted walnuts.

I made this when my mom was visiting and we had it for dinner. I ended up serving mine on top of some fresh spinach (not cooked) to make it a bit healthier. It was wonderful. 

We also had some of the leftovers for lunch the following day. It was great served cool or warmed in the microwave; both ways were still just as yummy.

Want more savory pumpkin recipes? Try these:

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini in a pan.

Ready to give this creamy pumpkin tortellini a try? Let’s do it! 

How to Prepare:

I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain, but reserve ½ cup pasta water. 
cheese Tortellini in a strainer.
  1. In a nonstick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. 
  2. Cook for about two minutes or until tender. Add the canned pumpkin and nutmeg. Stir to combine. 
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for about four to five minutes or until thickened. 
pumpkin cream sauce in pan.
  1. Stir in cream and bring to a boil.
  2. Remove from the heat and add in the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Add the tortellini and toss to combine. Add pasta water to coat pasta. 
  4. Sprinkle with parsley and additional cheese. 
  5. Serve immediately. 

Honestly, my friend, it’s that simple and SO good!

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini served on a plate and in a pan.

Ingredients and Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of tortellini do you use for this recipe?

When it comes to store-bought tortellini I always reach for the refrigerated kind. To me, it’s the freshest. I’ve tried a few different brands and enjoyed them equally. 

I have pumpkin pie filling not pumpkin puree, will that work?

No. Folks are often confused by the two types of canned pumpkin. Generally speaking, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are not interchangeable. 

Can I add chicken to this pasta?

Yes, that’s a great idea; toss in some grilled chicken and make this a meal. You could even add in a handful or two of chopped spinach if you’re looking for a little more green. 

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini served on a plate.

Happy Cooking!

Dinner is served. 

I hope that I’ve convinced you to give this Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini a try. It’s a wonderful and easy fall dinner idea that may just become a new go-to. 

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini on a plate

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: breakfast casserole, overnight breakfast, easy breakfast, eggs, bread, pasta, pumpkin, tortellini
Servings: 6
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini in a pan.
This Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini is an easy and tasty fall dinner idea you can whip up with little time or effort. Store-bought tortellini is coated in a cheesy and creamy pumpkin sauce that will have you going back for seconds.

Ingredients

  • 18 ounces cheese tortellini - (refrigerated variety)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 cup half-and-hal
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese - plus more for serving.
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain, but reserve ½ cup pasta water.
  • In a nonstick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic.
  • Cook, while stirring occasionally, for about two minutes or until tender. Add the canned pumpkin and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
  • Stir in half-and-half and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for about four to five minutes or until thickened.
  • Remove from the heat and add in the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the tortellini and toss to combine. Add pasta water to coat pasta. Sprinkle with parsley and additional cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition facts are based on a serving of 6. However I feel this recipe would better serve 4-5 people. (That’s coming from someone that always wants more pasta. Ha!) 

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 389kcal • Carbohydrates: 45g • Protein: 16g • Fat: 16g • Saturated Fat: 8g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g • Monounsaturated Fat: 2g • Trans Fat: 0.1g • Cholesterol: 59mg • Sodium: 685mg • Potassium: 215mg • Fiber: 5g • Sugar: 7g • Vitamin A: 9862IU • Vitamin C: 4mg • Calcium: 231mg • Iron: 3mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

This Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini is an easy and tasty fall dinner idea you can whip up with little time or effort. Store-bought tortellini is coated in a cheesy and creamy pumpkin sauce that will have you going back for seconds.  Let’s Make Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini I was just telling a friend that I could eat […]




THIS POST HAS 8 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Cranberry Pumpkin Bars

Recipes

Wednesday
Sep / 21 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Cranberry Pumpkin Bar Recipe on a platter.

Tart cranberries and a brown butter cream cheese frosting make these Cranberry Pumpkin Bars an epic fall dessert. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly fall, you’re going to love this seasonal treat. 

Cranberry Pumpkin Bars on platter.

My Favorite Pumpkin Bar Recipe

Pumpkin bars … the gift that keeps on giving. I would say that pumpkin bars are my favorite fall treat. (Well, let’s say in the top five.) While I love the classic recipe (you can find that HERE), I wanted to try something different and add in the tart flavor of cranberries. 

Cranberry Pumpkin Bars on platter and plate.

As you might have guessed, in this post we’re making these cranberry pumpkin bars with brown butter cream cheese frosting. I love what the cranberries do for this recipe. They add this subtle tartness that just works so wonderfully with the sweet and spiced flavors of the pumpkin cake. 

Cranberry Pumpkin Bars on platter and plates.

Then there’s the brown butter cream cheese frosting. I shared the recipe for this yesterday. You can find it HERE. I also used it on my applesauce cupcakes. (I’ll be sharing that recipe soon!) It’s incredibly good and works so well with fall desserts. I know you’re going to love it as much as I do. 

Want some of my other favorite fall treats? Try these:

Cranberry Pumpkin Bars on platter.

Before we go any further, I want to quickly mention that today I’m being joined by my Tastes of the Season blogger friends. We’ve teamed up to share our favorite fall pumpkin treats. Be sure to check out the delicious collection of recipes at the end of this post. You’re in for a delight. 

Want even more of my pumpkin recipes? Check out all my favorites HERE.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars:

I’ll walk you through the steps here, but for your convenience, I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 15×10 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside. 
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, and melted butter.
  4. Add in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. 
pumpkin bar batter in bowl.
  1. Fold in three-fourths cup dried cranberries. 
  2. Spread this batter into the prepared baking pan. 
pumpkin bars in pan.
  1. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 
  2. Prepare a half batch of the brown butter cream cheese frosting recipe. 
  3. Frost the cooled bars. Sprinkle with the remaining one-fourth cup of chopped cranberries. 
spreading frosting on pumpkin bars.
sprinkling cranberries on pumpkin bars.

Slice, serve, and enjoy that cranberry, pumpkin, and brown butter goodness!

What’s not to love, right?

Cranberry Pumpkin Bars on platter.
fork in cranberry pumpkin bars.

FAQ and Recipe Notes:

Do You Need to Refrigerate Pumpkin Bars?

Yes, you should always refrigerate any cake or cupcake that has cream cheese frosting. While sugar does inhibit spoilage, I always think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remove the pumpkin bars from the refrigerator about a half-hour before serving. 

Can I freeze these pumpkin bars?

Yes, however, I personally don’t like to freeze cream cheese, so I would not freeze these pumpkin bars unless I absolutely had to. 

If I don’t like cranberries, what can I use?

If you’re not a fan of cranberries, you can try dried cherries, raisins, toffee bits, or even a nut such as pecans or walnuts. Those all sound delicious! 

cranberry pumpkin bars on platter.

Tastes of the Season Maple Recipes: 

Ready for more pumpkin goodness? Be sure to visit my blogger friends below. Don’t their recipes look wonderful? I’m confident you’ll find more deliciousness to try.

Seasons of Home Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Ella Claire & Co. | Cranberry Pumpkin Bars by Inspired by Charm | Baked Pumpkin Brie by French Country Cottage

Seasons of Home Pumpkin Recipes

Gluten and Dairy-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies by Zevy Joy |
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake by Handmade Farmhouse

Happy Fall Baking! 

And that’s a wrap on these cranberry pumpkin bars. They are so good my friend, so good! 

I definitely hope you’ll add these to your fall baking list. As always, if you do make them, let me know. Share them on Instagram and be sure to tag me @inspiredbycharm. I always love to see your IBC recipes. 

cranberry pumpkin bars on plates.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, fall baking, pumpkin, pumpkin bars
Servings: 24
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 45 mins
cranberry pumpkin bars on platter.
Tart cranberries and a brown butter cream cheese frosting make these Cranberry Pumpkin Bars an epic fall dessert. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly fall, you’re going to love this seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 15×10 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, and melted butter. Add in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in three-fourths cup of dried cranberries.
  • Spread this batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • While your cake bakes, prepare a half-batch of the brown butter cream cheese frosting recipe. You can find that in the notes below.
  • Frost the cooled bars. Sprinkle with the remaining one-fourth cup of chopped cranberries.

Notes

Find the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting recipe HERE.
The serving size is based on 24 pieces. However, feel free to cut the pieces larger or small depending on what you need.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 262kcal • Carbohydrates: 40g • Protein: 2g • Fat: 11g • Saturated Fat: 5g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 3g • Trans Fat: 0.2g • Cholesterol: 36mg • Sodium: 189mg • Potassium: 32mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 32g • Vitamin A: 208IU • Vitamin C: 0.02mg • Calcium: 29mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Tart cranberries and a brown butter cream cheese frosting make these Cranberry Pumpkin Bars an epic fall dessert. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly fall, you’re going to love this seasonal treat.  My Favorite Pumpkin Bar Recipe Pumpkin bars … the gift that keeps on giving. I would say that pumpkin bars are my favorite fall treat. […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipes

Tuesday
Sep / 20 / 2022
Comments 3
       
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting in a bowl.

This creamy, nutty, and tangy brown butter cream cheese frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and anything between. While this frosting is perfect for fall, it can be enjoyed all year long. 

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

The MOST Delicious Frosting

I was working on two new fall recipes and I wanted a new and unique frosting for them. Brown butter is one of my favorite fall flavors so I thought, “Why not take my favorite cream cheese recipe and make it with brown butter and turn it into brown butter cream cheese frosting?”

So, that’s exactly what I did and this is the result. 

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting on cupcakes.

My friend, this frosting is incredible. My mom was here when I was making it and she and I licked the spatula and beaters and scraped the mixing bowl clean because we just couldn’t get enough. 

Cream cheese frosting is one of my favorites and the brown butter takes it to a whole new level.

spreading Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting on pumpkin bars.

In this post, you’ll see the brown butter cream cheese frosting by itself, but I’ve also used it on my cranberry pumpkin bars and applesauce cupcakes. It was incredible on both of these recipes as well.

Are you wondering …

What Does Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Taste Like?

Magic! I’m only kidding. Sort of. Ha. The browned butter adds a fragrant nutty flavor, while the cream cheese adds a creamy richness with a touch of tang. I especially love this brown butter cream cheese frosting for the fall. It pairs perfectly with pumpkin and apple flavors.

More recipes to add this frosting to:

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • softened cream cheese
  • unsalted butter
  • kosher salt
  • vanilla extract
  • confectioners’ sugar
  • milk

That’s it! Let’s whip some up. 

How Do You Make Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting?

I’ll walk you through the steps here, but for your convenience, I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Place the butter into a small skillet over medium heat. Heat the butter until it melts. 
  2. Continue to cook while stirring and scraping the pan. Once the butter near the bottom starts to brown and the butter smells nutty, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the butter to a heat-proof bowl. 
  3. Let the butter sit at room temperature to re-solidify before continuing with the recipe.
  4. Beat together the cream cheese, browned butter, and salt until light and smooth.
making Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.
  1. Blend in the vanilla. Beat to combine.
  2. Add the confectioners’ sugar slowly and mix until smooth.
  3. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve desired consistency.

That’s it! The only complicated part about this recipe is browning the butter. Just remove it from the heat when you start to see brown specks and smell that rich nutty flavor and you’ll be good to go! 

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting on pumpkin bars.

Happy Baking!

Whether you’re making one of my recipes or just want a new frosting recipe to try, I highly recommend this brown butter cream cheese frosting. 

I have a feeling you’ll be licking the spatula too.

Enjoy! 

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brown butter, cream cheese, frosting
Servings: 6
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 6 mins
Total Time 21 mins
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
This creamy, nutty, and tangy brown butter cream cheese frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and anything between. While this frosting is perfect for fall, it can be enjoyed all year long.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start by browning the butter.
  • Place the butter into a small skillet over medium heat. Heat the butter until it melts. Continue to cook while stirring and scraping the pan. Once the butter near the bottom starts to brown and the butter smells nutty, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the butter to a heat-proof bowl.
  • Let the butter sit at room temperature to re-solidify before continuing with the recipe.*
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, browned butter, and salt until light and smooth. This will take about five minutes.
  • Add in the vanilla. Beat to combine.
  • Add the confectioners’ sugar slowly, about one cup at a time, and mix until smooth.
  • Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve desired consistency.

Notes

*You can place your browned butter into the refrigerator to help speed up the process. However, if your nutty butter is cold, you’ll have to let it return to room temperature before proceeding.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 958kcal • Carbohydrates: 126g • Protein: 13g • Fat: 47g • Saturated Fat: 30g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 12g • Trans Fat: 2g • Cholesterol: 132mg • Sodium: 735mg • Potassium: 235mg • Sugar: 122g • Vitamin A: 1466IU • Calcium: 287mg • Iron: 0.2mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

This creamy, nutty, and tangy brown butter cream cheese frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and anything between. While this frosting is perfect for fall, it can be enjoyed all year long.  The MOST Delicious Frosting I was working on two new fall recipes and I wanted a new and unique frosting for them. Brown […]




THIS POST HAS 3 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






DIY Feather Wreath for Fall

DIY, Fall, Holidays, Interiors

Tuesday
Sep / 20 / 2022
Comments 9
       
DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.

Learn how to make this DIY Feather Wreath for fall. Feathers and other natural elements add style, pattern, and color to a rustic wreath. If you’re looking for a new and unique wreath to decorate your home for the autumn season, this is it! 

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on cabinet.

Let’s Make a Fall Wreath:

With a new season nipping at our heels, I had a little itch to do some crafting. I have a small vase in my kitchen filled with feathers that I have received when ordering bouquets from one of my favorite local flower farmers. I love how they look and thought it would be interesting to put them all together into a wreath … a feather wreath! So that’s exactly what I did. 

Well … almost. Because I love my little collection of feathers so much, I decided to purchase some new feathers instead to put together this fall-inspired DIY feather wreath. 

close up of DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.

Photos of Completed Fall Wreath

Here’s what I came up with:

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.
DIY Feather Wreath for Fall
close up of DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.
DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on cabinet.

Isn’t it beautiful!? I couldn’t be more excited with the end result. It’s natural, colorful, interesting, and perfect for fall.

You’ll notice that besides using feathers, I added in a few other elements. As I was putting together this wreath, I felt it needed a punch of color. Thankfully I had these rust-colored bunny tails on hand along with some of my DIY color-wrapped wheat. I decided to try both of these in the wreath and LOVED how they looked. They added a pop of color and a little whimsy too. Perfection! 

As you can see from the photos, I tried hanging this wreath in a couple of different places in my home. First, I hung it in my office. I loved the rust color against my mint walls. Such a pretty color combination. 

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.

I also tried hanging it on the vintage cabinet in my living room. I love wreaths hung here. It looked really pretty, but the colors just weren’t right for this room. 

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall hung on cabinet.

I ended up finding the perfect spot above the TV in my family room. (This is where my vintage ornament wreath hangs for Christmas.) It added the perfect amount of color, texture, and interest. I couldn’t be more pleased!

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall above tv.
DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall above tv.

If you want to make one of these DIY feather wreaths for fall, let me walk you through the supply list and instructions. 

Want more fall DIY projects? Try these:

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.

Here’s what you’ll need:

You only need a few things to assemble this wreath. I’ve gone ahead and linked everything I could for you below. 

  • 14″ wreath form – I found mine HERE. (It looks like they are currently out of stock. Sorry!) A standard grapevine wreath would work here, but I’d recommend something a bit more rustic with branches sticking out. It creates a little more interest and movement. You could also add additional twigs from your yard to create this look with a standard grapevine wreath. 
wreath form.
feathers for wreath.
  • dried natural elements – I added in some burnt red bunny tails and dried wheat bundles for a little color and texture. The bunny tails were something I had on hand, but you can find similar ones HERE (orange) and HERE (pink). The wheat was little bundles I made with embroidery floss a few years ago. You can grab that tutorial HERE.
  • hot glue gun – I was able to secure most of my feathers simply by tucking them into the wreath. However, with a few of the feathers and the bunny tails, I used hot glue to keep them more securely in place.
  • wire or pipe cleaner – Adding a piece of wire or pipe cleaner to the back of your wreath will allow you to hang it easily. 

That’s all you need! You’re now ready to assemble everything. Let me walk you through the steps. 

close up DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.

How to Assemble: 

I’ll walk you through the process here. I’ve also provided a printable how-to instruction card at the end of this post. 

  1. Begin by tucking feathers into your wreath form. Work around the wreath so that the feathers are going outward in the same direction and not crisscrossing one another. (Similar to the look of a saw blade.) 
making a DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.
  1. Tuck in other natural elements like dried flowers, bunny tails, plumes, seed pods, wheat, etc. 
  2. Flip the wreath over and add a little hot glue to any elements that feel loose or unsure. 
hot gluing a DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.
  1. Create a loop using wire or pipe cleaners. Secure the loop to the back of your wreath near the top. 
  2. Hang and enjoy! 

It’s that simple and the results speak for themselves. 

DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.

That Will Put a Feather in Your Cap! 

I hope that this little DIY project has inspired you to create a fall feather wreath of your own. This project definitely scratched my crafting itch and now I have a beautiful and natural element when decorating my space for the season. 

If you give this project a try, I would LOVE to see the results. Share them on Instagram and tag me at @inspiredbycharm. I can’t wait to see them! 

Happy Crafting! 

close up of DIY Feather Wreath for Fall.

Enjoy this craft and want more?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

DIY Feather Wreath

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Products: 1 wreath
Prep Time 10 minutes
Craft Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
DIY Feather Wreath for Fall on wall.
Learn how to make this DIY Feather Wreath for fall. Feathers and other natural elements add style, pattern, and color to a rustic wreath. If you’re looking for a new and unique wreath to decorate your home for the autumn season, this is it!

Materials

  • 14 ” wreath form - I found mine HERE.
  • feathers in various lengths and patterns
  • other natural dried elements - bunny tails, plumes, wheat, etc.
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • wire or pipe cleaners

Instructions

  • Begin by tucking feathers into your wreath form. Work around the wreath so that the feathers are going outward in the same direction and not crisscrossing one another. (Similar to the look of a saw blade.)
  • As you work, tuck in other natural elements like dried flowers, plumes, seed pods, wheat, etc.
  • When everything is in place, flip the wreath over and add a little hot glue to any elements that feel loose or not well secured.
  • Create a loop using wire or pipe cleaners. Attach the loop to the back of your wreath near the top.

Notes

You can add hot glue as you work. However, I found that most of my feathers didn’t need it since I was able to securely tuck them into the branches of the leaves.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Learn how to make this DIY Feather Wreath for fall. Feathers and other natural elements add style, pattern, and color to a rustic wreath. If you’re looking for a new and unique wreath to decorate your home for the autumn season, this is it!  Let’s Make a Fall Wreath: With a new season nipping at […]




THIS POST HAS 9 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Halloween Pretzels

Recipes

Monday
Sep / 19 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

These eerie Halloween Pretzels are a clever, tasty, and spooky snack that’s easy to make and perfect for your Halloween festivities. Chocolate-covered and yogurt-covered pretzels are filled with candy melts and topped with sprinkles to create a tasty snack that looks back at you. 

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

A Spooky Halloween Treat

I was recently looking through the Inspired by Charm archives to see if there were areas that needed some new content. When I saw that my section for Halloween snacks was lacking, I remembered these Halloween pretzels that I had seen in a book or magazine a few years ago and knew I needed to give them a try. 

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

When I first saw these Halloween pretzels, I remember how captivated I was by their little faces. Are they spooks? Maybe aliens? Could be ghosts? No one really knows. I think the mystery is what makes them special. Their story is yours to create. 

Want more halloween treats? Try these:

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

What is certain is that they are a fun, spooky, and unique treat to make your Halloween festivities a bit more special and memorable. 

Let me show you how to make them.

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

Ingredients:

To make these Halloween pretzels you only need three ingredients. Let me walk you through them. 

  1. yogurt-covered and/or milk chocolate-covered pretzels – For this recipe, I used a mix of yogurt-covered and chocolate-covered pretzels for a little variety. Either works great. You could even do peanut butter-covered pretzels. I actually recommend buying these pretzels to save yourself the trouble of having to dip them.
  2. colored candy melts – I picked mine up at Michaels. They have a huge selection of colors. Keep in mind that you can mix the candy melts to create more colors. Red and yellow make orange, blue and yellow make green, etc. Since you only need a small amount, this can save you from buying every color.
  3. sprinkles – Mostly anything will work here: jimmies, nonpareils, dots, stars, and even mini M&M’s. Again, get creative, have fun, and use what you have.

With your three ingredients on hand, you’re ready to assemble these Halloween pretzels.

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

How to Assemble:

I’ll walk you through the steps here. The process is fairly straightforward. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Lay out the pretzels on a piece of wax paper. 
  2. Heat the candy melts according to the package directions. Transfer to a piping bag.
making halloween pretzels.
  1. Pipe the candy melts into the upper left and right holes of the pretzel. 
  2. Immediately add sprinkles or candies for the pupils. 
  3. Allow to set completely. 
making halloween pretzels.

Pack and store in an airtight container.

As you can see, the steps to making these are very basic. It just takes some time and fiddling to get things looking right and not too messy.

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

Recipe Notes:

When piping the candy melts I recommend doing about 6 at a time and then quickly adding the sprinkles. The goal is to add the sprinkles before the chocolate sets to ensure that they stick. 

This recipe does take a little time and precision especially if you want your eyes to be straight. However, if you don’t mind wonky, this would be a fun snack to create with kids. 

Have fun with it! Use different color candy melts. Create faces with two different colored eyes or pupils. This is one of those recipes where you can let your creativity fly. 

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

Trick or Treat! 

And that’s a wrap on these fun and spooky Halloween pretzels. Aren’t they a treat? …or would you call them a trick? Either way, if you’re looking for a unique treat to try, these are a winner. 
Enjoy! 

Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Halloween Pretzels

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, halloween, pretzels, snack
Servings: 8 people
Prep Time 10 mins
Decorating Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Spooky Halloween Pretzels on a plate.
These eerie Halloween Pretzels are a clever, tasty, and spooky snack that’s easy to make and perfect for your Halloween festivities. Chocolate-covered and yogurt-covered pretzels are filled with candy melts and topped with sprinkles to create a tasty snack that looks back at you.

Ingredients

  • 1 package yogurt-covered pretzels - (and/or milk chocolate-covered pretzels)
  • colored candy melts - orange, red, green, yellow
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles, jimmies, nonpareils, dots, etc. - nonpareils, dots, etc. (Mini M&Ms could also work.)

Instructions

  • Lay out the pretzels on a piece of wax paper.
  • Heat the candy melts according to the package directions. Transfer to a piping bag.
  • Pipe the candy melts into the top left and right holes.* Immediately add sprinkles or candies for the pupils.
  • Allow to set completely.
  • Pack and store in an airtight container.

Notes

* I recommend doing about 6 at a time and then quickly adding the sprinkles. The goal is to add the sprinkles before the chocolate sets to ensure that they stick.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 105kcal • Carbohydrates: 17g • Protein: 0.01g • Fat: 4g • Saturated Fat: 4g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.001g • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g • Cholesterol: 0.004mg • Sodium: 13mg • Potassium: 1mg • Fiber: 0.004g • Sugar: 17g • Vitamin A: 0.1IU • Calcium: 0.1mg • Iron: 0.003mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

These eerie Halloween Pretzels are a clever, tasty, and spooky snack that’s easy to make and perfect for your Halloween festivities. Chocolate-covered and yogurt-covered pretzels are filled with candy melts and topped with sprinkles to create a tasty snack that looks back at you.  A Spooky Halloween Treat I was recently looking through the Inspired […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Creamed Cucumber Salad

Recipes

Saturday
Sep / 17 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.

This cool and creamed cucumber salad is a classic side dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or family holiday. It’s a time-honored recipe that has been a favorite in my home for as long as I can remember. You’re going to love it too. 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowls.

My Favorite Creamed Cucumber Salad

I’m back with another classic recipe from my home to yours: Creamed Cucumber Salad. This has been a family staple for as long as I can remember and likely LONG before that. It’s not something my family invented. In fact, I’m sure that your family (or someone you know) has their own creamed cucumber recipe. 

Creamed cucumber salad is typically a mixture of cucumbers, onions, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, and salt and pepper. It’s cool, crunchy, sour, sweet, and creamy all rolled into one. While it makes a delicious summer side, we often enjoy it with most of our holiday meals. 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.
creamed cucumber salad in bowl.

This particular version of the recipe leans a bit more on the sour side. If you like things sweeter, add a bit more sugar or less vinegar. If you want it creamier, add a touch more sour cream. I love recipes that you can customize to suit your particular tastes. I think that’s why there are so many of these creamed cucumber salad recipes out there; it seems as if everyone has adjusted the recipe to their family’s palate. 

Want more unique side salads? Try these:

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowls.

What Does Creamed Cucumber Salad Contain?

You only need a few things to whip up this delicious side salad recipe:

  • cucumbers
  • sour cream
  • apple cider vinegar
  • cucumbers
  • red onion
  • sugar
  • salt and pepper

Ready to assemble? Let’s do it!

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.

How to Make: 

For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. In a large bowl add the sliced cucumbers and sprinkle with salt. Stir gently. 
  2. Let the cucumbers rest for about 30-60 minutes. Drain off any excess water. 
making creamed cucumbers.
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth and blended. 
  2. Pour this mixture over the cucumbers. Stir gently to coat. 
making creamed cucumbers.
  1. Season with black pepper and additional salt if needed. 
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours. 

Serve and enjoy. 

As you can see, it is simple to assemble this recipe. In addition, it leads to delicious results! 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowls.

Frequently Asked Questions?

I assume you might have a few questions about this recipe; I will answer them below. If I missed something, feel free to ask anything in the comments section. 

Should you peel the cucumbers?

It’s a personal preference. I generally like to peel the cucumbers so that a few spots of dark green skin remain. This adds a little visual interest to the dish. 

What cucumbers are best? 

Again, it’s a personal preference. I prefer the large English cucumbers as they tend to have fewer seeds. The “newer” mini cucumbers work great too. 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in small bowl.

Can you make this in advance?

You sure can! Several hours in advance works perfectly. I do recommend making it the same day for ultimate freshness and crispness. 

How long will this salad last? 

As mentioned above, I like it best on the same day. However, it will last about two days in the refrigerator. After that, the cucumbers will start to lose some of their crispness. 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.

You’re Ready to Enjoy!

And that’s a wrap on this creamed cucumber salad recipe. Whether this recipe is new to you or an old family favorite, I hope this post inspired you to add it to your menu soon! 

If you’ve never had creamed cucumbers before, I’d love to know what you think after you’ve given this recipe a try. Let me know in the comments below.

Enjoy! 

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Creamed Cucumber Salad

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamed cucumbers, cucumbers, salad
Servings: 6
Prep Time 15 mins
Resting Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.
This cool and creamed cucumber salad is a classic side dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or family holiday. It’s a time-honored recipe that has been a favorite in my home for as long as I can remember. You’re going to love it too.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 medium cucumbers - peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 small red onion - sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large bowl add the sliced cucumbers and sprinkle with salt. Stir gently.
  • Let the cucumbers rest for about 30-60 minutes. Drain off any excess water.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth and blended.
  • Pour this mixture over the cucumbers. Stir gently to coat. Season with black pepper and additional salt if needed.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

We tend to like our creamed cucumbers more on the sour side. If you like yours sweeter, add a bit more sugar. If creamier is the goal, then add a touch more sour cream.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 104kcal • Carbohydrates: 10g • Protein: 2g • Fat: 6g • Saturated Fat: 3g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 1g • Cholesterol: 17mg • Sodium: 1178mg • Potassium: 364mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 7g • Vitamin A: 323IU • Vitamin C: 8mg • Calcium: 65mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

This cool and creamed cucumber salad is a classic side dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or family holiday. It’s a time-honored recipe that has been a favorite in my home for as long as I can remember. You’re going to love it too.  My Favorite Creamed Cucumber Salad I’m back with another classic […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Party-Ready Finger Foods for Any Occasion

Recipes

Friday
Sep / 16 / 2022
Comments 0
       
Easy Recipes for Party-Ready Finger Foods for Any Occasion

Skip the forks and ditch the spoons! These finger foods ideas will make party set-up even easier (and cost less, too!).

Finger food appetizers

Finger foods aren’t just for kids or tailgating. They can be as fancy or casual as you make them. You can either serve finger foods exclusively at your next party or mix them in with appetizers that need utensils.

Party-Ready Finger Foods for Any Occasion

I think there is something light-hearted and enjoyable about party finger foods. It reminds me of my childhood, eating snacks like pigs in a blanket, roll-ups, cheese and crackers, and many more favorites. (Some of which I shared below.)

But, if it’s been awhile since you have enjoyed finger foods, you may be surprised at just how elevated they can be.

You’ll find a mix of salty, savory, and even sweet finger foods in this list. There is something for every palette and party theme, so browse this list of options and pick out your favorites.

Tools you may need

The exact tools you will want to reach for will vary depending on the specific recipe you are making. But these are the go-to staples I recommend every aspiring chef keep on hand.

My Ultimate List of Kitchen Essentials #kitchen #essentials #kitchentools #appliances #dinnerware #serveware #baking #bakeware #glassware #pans

After all, you never know when you need to whip up a batch of party-ready snacks!

  • Decorative serving tray
  • Toothpicks
  • Serving spoons
  • Chef’s knife
  • Serving bowls

If you are curious about ALL of my kitchen and serving essentials, I have an entire post dedicated to my must-have kitchen essentials. You can find that HERE.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Wonton Cups on plate.

FAQs about easy finger foods

Below are some questions people often ask about making the best finger food appetizers. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

How do you serve finger foods?

I like to set finger foods out on a serving tray and then let guests pick out which ones they want. You can give them one plate or set each finger food in their own dish.

What are some examples of finger foods?

Finger foods are things you can eat without a spoon or fork. Besides the recipes above, some examples of finger foods are deviled eggs, cubes of hard cheese, small pieces of raw veggies, and crostini apps.

What is the most popular party snack?

The answer to this can vary widely depending on what type of event you are hosting. For example, chips and dip are popular at football parties, but might not fit at a fancy birthday event.

Deviled eggs are popular appetizers at dinner parties, and can be dressed up or down depending on how you top them. Just know your audience and theme, and plan accordingly!

Okay, now on to my favorite finger foods recipes!

The best ideas for finger foods for a party

1. Brie Fig and Prosciutto Crostini

The marriage of sweet and salty flavors on a crispy crostini is pure perfection. There is nothing like the rich flavors of figs with the salty brie and prosciutto on top.

These crostini appetizers are perfect for guests to pick up and munch on.

This Brie, Fig, and Prosciutto Crostini recipe makes a flavorful and easy appetizer. #appetizer #crostini #fig #arugula #brie #prosciutto

2. Turkey Bacon Cranberry Roll-Ups

You don’t need any toothpicks or serving utensils for these finger foods. They are easiest just to pick up and eat. These turkey bacon cranberry roll-ups work for fall or winter parties. The sweet and tart cranberries and salty bacon steal the show.

Want more? I have an entire collection of roll-up / pinwheel recipes which you can find HERE.

Turkey Bacon Cranberry Roll-Ups on plate.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadew Peppers

Everything tastes better when you wrap it in bacon! Although I have to admit, stuffed peppadew peppers don’t need much help. Bacon-wrapped stuffed peppers have so much flavor bursting in each bite that guests will clamor for seconds.

I also have a similar recipe using jalapeños which is one of my favorites! There are dried cranberries in the cream cheese which adds the perfect touch of tart sweetness. You can find that HERE.

These Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadew Peppers on a plate.

4. Baked Delicata Rings

How about something healthy? These baked delicata rings are covered in herb-crusted breading and served with a zesty dipping sauce. They are simple, fun, and easy to eat as onion rings. I like to serve them at more casual parties.

hand dipping Baked Delicata Rings into Creamy Herb Dip.

5. Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes

Desserts can count as finger foods too. Baked in phyllo pastry shells, these little blueberry cheesecakes are perfectly bite-sized. This is a fun and creative way to serve cheesecake at a party without utensils.

Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes made with Phyllo Cups.

6. Really Good Seasoned Pretzels

Crispy and crunchy seasoned pretzels are popular at football tailgate parties and outdoor BBQs. I like to make a double batch and then add them to my lunch later that week too. They are so much tastier than potato chips—try them and see what I mean.

Really Good Seasoned Pretzels in a bowl.

7. Cinnamon Pecans and Walnuts

Candied nuts are a staple at any party, no matter the season. However, the cinnamon flavors on these pecans and walnuts make them perfect for fall parties. They are easy to eat and won’t leave your fingers sticky.

Cinnamon Pecans and Walnuts in bowl.

8. Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Glazed Shrimp

When you leave the tails on the bacon-wrapped shrimp, they are a lot easier to eat with your fingers. The crispy bacon on top and juicy shrimp underneath are a perfect pairing! Just looking at them makes me hungry.

Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp on plate.

9. Chicken Bacon Ranch Wonton Cups

Pastry shells protect your fingers as you indulge in these tasty chicken bacon ranch cups. The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t have to stick with bacon and ranch. You can make them taco cups or sweet and sour chicken cups. Play around with the flavors depending on the theme.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Wonton Cups

10. Peanut Butter Pretzel Puppy Chow

A little messier, but even tastier, finger food – puppy chow! Some people call them muddy buddies, others call them monkey munch. No matter what you refer to them as, they are delicious! This recipe changes it up a bit with the addition of peanut butter and pretzels instead of Chex cereal.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Puppy Chow

11. Deviled Eggs

I think deviled eggs should be served at every party. Top them with bacon, and they are dressed up for even the fanciest occasion. There are tons of ways to change them up – use a piping bag, add jalapeños, or top with candied bacon.

deviled eggs with bacon on a plate

12. Jarcuterie

A charcuterie board is filled with finger foods. Take that idea and place the items in a jar – now every guest has their own little jarcuterie. This is a health-conscious way to serve fresh fruit, smoked meat, and exquisite cheese to your guests.

hand holding a Jarcuterie

13. Parmesan Truffle Popcorn

Looking to level up your snacking? Then you need to try this Parmesan Truffle Popcorn. It’s an easy and decadent way to elevate a classic snack into a gourmet treat!

Parmesan Truffle Popcorn in a bowl

14. Walnut and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms are a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer. I’m sharing my recipe for Walnut and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms. Although this warm and hearty flavor combination works well any time of the year, I especially love these mushrooms in the fall and winter.

Walnut and Blue Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms on platter.

15. Avocado-Pesto BLT Bites

If you’re looking for a tasty appetizer that’s fairly easy to put together and suitable for almost any occasion, these Avocado-Pesto BLT Bites. Not only is the flavor combination on point, but it’s wrapped in bacon. The combination of tomato, bacon, and pesto is SO GOOD! These look fabulous too.

Avocado-Pesto BLT Bites Appetizer | Inspired by Charm

16. Mini Cheese Balls / Cheese Truffles

These Mini Cheese Balls (aka Cheese Truffles) are an easy, cute, and delicious appetizer recipe everyone will love! I love a cheese ball and this idea makes them the perfect finger food!

Cheese Truffles - Mini Cheeseballs on a plate with crackers.

17. Snackle Box

This is a really fun way to serve all your favorite finger foods. A snackle box is fantastic for anyone that is short on space since it takes up more room vertically than horizontally. Use this idea for summer BBQs or parties in the warmer months.

snackle box filled with snacks.

That’s a wrap on finger foods!

And that’s it… for now.

I hope you enjoyed this round-up of easy and fun party finger foods. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite appetizers from this list are or which one of them you’d most like to try.

LOVE THESE RECIPES AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Skip the forks and ditch the spoons! These finger foods ideas will make party set-up even easier (and cost less, too!). Finger food appetizers Finger foods aren’t just for kids or tailgating. They can be as fancy or casual as you make them. You can either serve finger foods exclusively at your next party or […]




THIS POST HAS 0 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Pumpkin Snack Cake

Recipes

Thursday
Sep / 15 / 2022
Comments 6
       
slice of pumpkin snack cake on a plate.

This Pumpkin Snack Cake with Toffee is a delicious and moist fall dessert that’s loaded with pumpkin flavor, sprinkled with chocolate toffee bites, and finished with a sweet cream cheese drizzle. If you need a quick, easy, and flavorful fall dessert treat, this recipe is for you! 

pumpkin snack cake on plate and in pan.

A Unique Pumpkin Snack Cake

Yes, my friends, I’m coming at you with another pumpkin recipe for fall. We’re making this super easy Pumpkin Snack Cake with Toffee. If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, we love pumpkin here. If you do too, I have an entire collection of my BEST pumpkin recipes which you can find HERE. I cover everything from sweet to savory and pasta to cocktails. You’re in for a treat. 

I couldn’t be more thrilled to add another tasty recipe to that collection. This pumpkin snack cake is unique in that the batter is sprinkled with chocolate-covered toffee bits. It adds something distinctive and different to this pumpkin cake that sets it apart from the rest. 

pumpkin snack cake in pan.

I had this cake in my refrigerator for a few days and kept on making up excuses to have another piece or bite. It was THAT good! I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

I think you’re going to love it too. 

Want More? Check out These Delicious Pumpkin Recipe?

pumpkin snack cake served on a table.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe: 

These days there are a lot of pumpkin recipes that you can make and try. In fact, here on IBC, I have a bunch that I would recommend. To help your baking decision-making process, I’ve listed a few of the reasons why I think you’ll love this recipe:

1. It’s easy. I appreciate any baking recipe that doesn’t require me to drag out my big mixer. The only thing you need for this recipe is a couple of bowls, a whisk, and a spatula. Love that. 

2. The pumpkin flavor is one point.  When it comes to pumpkin recipes, I’m always conscious of the pumpkin spice flavor. The balance of pumpkin and spice is wonderful here. It screams fall. 

3. Pumpkin and toffee are magic. Who knew that toffee and pumpkin together could be so yummy!? The toffee I used is wrapped in chocolate which only adds to the magic. 

Let’s get baking! 

sliced of pumpkin snack cake on a plate.

How to Make Pumpkin Snack Cake

For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. 
dry ingredients for pumpkin snack cake.
  1. Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and sour cream. Mix to combine. 
  2. Add in the toffee pieces. Gently mix to combine.
making pumpkin snack cake.
  1. Spread the batter into your prepared baking pan. 
  2. In a small bowl, prepare the topping by whisking together the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle on evenly on top of the cake.
pumpkin snack cake in pan.
  1. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 
  2. Allow the cake to cool in the pan. Prepare the cream cheese drizzle by beating together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and salt. 
  3. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
pumpkin snack cake in pan.

Cut, serve, and enjoy!

And that’s it! I told you it was easy! You can store this cake covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

pumpkin snack cake on plate.

Recipe Notes: 

A few other things to note…

  • Don’t have flaxseed? No worries; this recipe works just as great without it.
  • Go nutty! Love nuts with your pumpkin desserts? Add them in. I recommend using approximately one cup of nuts. Walnuts or pecans work perfectly here. Mix them in with your toffee bits. 
  • Not a fan of sour cream? If you prefer, you could use Greek yogurt instead. 

More recipe questions? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them. 

pumpkin snack cake in pan.

Enjoy and Happy Baking! 

And that’s a wrap on this pumpkin snack cake with toffee. This is such a delicious fall dessert recipe that I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to stop back and leave a comment/rating below. 

Happy Pumpkin Spice Season! 

pumpkin snack cake on plate.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

pumpkin snack cake in pan.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, fall baking, pumpkin, pumpkin cake
Servings: 12
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
pumpkin snack cake on plate and in pan.
This Pumpkin Snack Cake with Toffee is a delicious and moist fall dessert that’s loaded with pumpkin flavor, sprinkled with chocolate toffee bites, and finished with a sweet cream cheese drizzle. If you need a quick, easy, and flavorful fall dessert treat, this recipe is for you!

Ingredients

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
Cream Cheese Drizzle:

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and sour cream. Mix to combine.
  • Add in the toffee pieces. Gently mix to combine.
  • Spread the batter into your prepared baking pan.
  • In a small bowl, prepare the topping by whisking together the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly on top of the cake.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan.
  • Prepare the cream cheese drizzle by beating together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and salt.
  • Drizzle over the cooled cake.
  • Store, covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 411kcal • Carbohydrates: 66g • Protein: 6g • Fat: 14g • Saturated Fat: 7g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 4g • Trans Fat: 0.2g • Cholesterol: 88mg • Sodium: 329mg • Potassium: 180mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 47g • Vitamin A: 5978IU • Vitamin C: 2mg • Calcium: 96mg • Iron: 2mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

This Pumpkin Snack Cake with Toffee is a delicious and moist fall dessert that’s loaded with pumpkin flavor, sprinkled with chocolate toffee bites, and finished with a sweet cream cheese drizzle. If you need a quick, easy, and flavorful fall dessert treat, this recipe is for you!  A Unique Pumpkin Snack Cake Yes, my friends, […]




THIS POST HAS 6 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Radiatori Salad

Recipes

Tuesday
Sep / 13 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Radiatori Salad in bowl.

Pasta, romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, chopped vegetables, and Den Dressing come together to create this bold and flavorful Radiatori Salad recipe. It’s perfect for picnics, parties, and so much more! 

Radiatori Salad in bowl and on plates.

What do you get when traditional salad meets pasta salad? You get this Radiatori Salad! Equal parts lettuce and pasta (with some homemade croutons thrown in for good measure) come together to create a unique and delicious summer salad recipe. 

This Radiatori Salad is a dish I enjoyed many years ago. I often talk about a cafe in my hometown where I worked when I was a teen. I’ve been thinking back to some of my favorite recipes from those days and this was one of them. I had forgotten about it for quite some time and when my mom reminded me about it, I knew I had to make it and share it with you! 

I haven’t had it in years and it tastes as good today as it did twenty-plus years ago. 

Radiatori Salad in bowl.
Radiatori Salad on plate.

What is Radiatori Salad?

As I mentioned above, this is a unique salad. While it has pasta in it, it’s not really a pasta salad. On the other hand, because it has a fair amount of pasta in it, it’s not quite a traditional salad either! After I decided to make and share this recipe, I did a quick Google and Pinterest search and couldn’t really find anything similar. I’m honestly not really sure where or how this recipe was born. 

Radiatori Salad in bowl.

Another thing that makes this salad unique is the dressing. It’s called Den Dressing. (You can get the full recipe and story behind this dressing HERE.) The original DEN Dressing was born out of Erie, PA. It’s like a robust version of French dressing. It’s so good! 

den dressing in jar.

Let’s get into the details of this Radiatori Salad recipe. 

Ingredients: 

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Radiatori Salad. 

  • radiatori pasta – I love pasta that has lots of nooks and crannies as it really holds in the flavor. Radiatori pasta is hard to find. (I purchased mine HERE.) Fusilli makes a good substitute. 
  • romaine lettuce – Romaine adds body, flavor, and crunch. 
  • tomatoes – Any type of tomato will work. I used the basic standard tomato, but use what you have/love.
  • green pepper – This adds another layer of flavor and crunch. 
  • homemade croutons – Homemade is the way to go. You can get my super simple recipe HERE. 
  • Den Dressing – As I mentioned above, you can find my recipe HERE. It’s heavy on ingredients but really simple to make. You can also purchase DEN Dressing HERE.
Radiatori Salad ingredients in bowl.

How to Make Radiatori Salad:

The process is really simple. I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Rinse with cold water and allow to cool. 
  2. Add the pasta to a large bowl along with the tomatoes, green pepper, romaine lettuce, and croutons. 
pouring den dressing onto salad.
  1. Drizzle with Den Dressing. 
  2. Toss to combine. Serve immediately.

And with that, your Radiatori Salad is ready for serving. Doesn’t that Den Dressing give this salad a gorgeous hue? In addition, it adds tons of delicious flavor. In fact, my mouth is watering as I’m writing this post. Yum!

Radiatori Salad in a bowl.

Recipe Notes:

You can prepare this salad in advance. Add all the ingredients to a bowl except for the croutons and dressing. Before serving, add the croutons and dressing, then toss to combine.

Can’t find radiatori pasta? Don’t fret! Use fusilli pasta instead.

Radiatori Salad on a plate.

Wrap Up:

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy new side salad recipe, I highly recommend trying this Radiatori Salad. The combination of flavors and textures makes this a winning salad recipe.

If you make it, I would love to know what you think! Be sure to head back to this post and leave a review in the comment section below. 

Enjoy! 

Radiatori Salad on a plate.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Radiatori Salad on plates and in a bowl.

Radiatori Salad

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: croutons, den dressing, pasta, pasta salad, radiatori, romaine
Servings: 10
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Radiatori Salad on a plate.
Pasta, romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, chopped vegetables, and Den Dressing come together to create this bold and flavorful salad recipe. It’s perfect for picnics, parties, and so much more!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb radiatori pasta
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce - roughly chopped
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes
  • 1 green pepper - cored, deseeded, and chopped
  • 4 cups homemade croutons
  • 2 cups Den Dressing

Instructions

  • Being by cooking the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Rinse with cold water and allow to cool.
  • Add the pasta to a large bowl along with the tomatoes, green pepper, romaine lettuce, and croutons. Drizzle with Den Dressing.
  • Toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can prepare this salad in advance. Add all the ingredients to a bowl except for the croutons and dressing. Before serving add the croutons and dressing, then toss to combine.
You can find my den dressing recipe HERE.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 458kcal • Carbohydrates: 59g • Protein: 10g • Fat: 21g • Saturated Fat: 3g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g • Monounsaturated Fat: 5g • Sodium: 496mg • Potassium: 590mg • Fiber: 7g • Sugar: 13g • Vitamin A: 11237IU • Vitamin C: 19mg • Calcium: 90mg • Iron: 3mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Pasta, romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, chopped vegetables, and Den Dressing come together to create this bold and flavorful Radiatori Salad recipe. It’s perfect for picnics, parties, and so much more!  What do you get when traditional salad meets pasta salad? You get this Radiatori Salad! Equal parts lettuce and pasta (with some homemade croutons thrown […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






The Best Pinwheel Recipes

Recipes

Monday
Sep / 12 / 2022
Comments 12
       
My Favorite Pinwheel Recipes #appetizer #pinwheels #rollups #recipe

Whether you call them pinwheels or roll-ups, these flavor-packed swirly bites have become party classics. I love them because of the myriad of flavor combinations you can put together. And just like their namesakes of the paper variety, these colorful pinwheel recipes will capture the attention of your guests and up the fun of your next celebration.

different pinwheel appetizers on plates.

For this collection, I rounded up pinwheel recipes I’ve created and posted on Inspired by Charm during the past several years. Pinwheels are one of my favorite party finger foods. To make a pinwheel, you simply spread the filling on a flour tortilla, roll it up, and slice it. These pinwheel recipes are pretty simple and, not surprisingly, quite popular with blog readers.

FAQS about Pinwheel Recipes:

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s cover some basics. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making delicious pinwheel recipes. 

Can I make pinwheels the day before?

Yes, you can absolutely make pinwheels the day before. Just make sure you keep the air off of them. Wrap them in plastic food storage wrap or store them in an airtight food storage container.

What are Italian pinwheels made of?

In the following list, I’ll share my favorite pinwheel recipes. Italian pinwheels are really popular. They are usually filled with the same ingredients as an Italian club sandwich – ham, pepperoni, salami, provolone cheese, cream cheese, and Italian spices.

Should I refrigerate pinwheels before cutting them?

Yes, refrigerating the pinwheels before you slice them is a fantastic way to help them hold together better. The cream cheese filling will harden a bit, which keeps all the ingredients rolled up as you cut them into slices.

How do you make pinwheels for kids?

If you know you will serve pinwheels to kids, just use some kid-friendly ingredients. Depending on the crowd, this usually means avoiding veggies inside the pinwheels. Turkey and cream cheese pinwheels are generally kid-friendly choices.

taco pinwheel appetizer on a platter.

Favorite Serving Pieces for Pinwheels

I believe that any recipe looks better when presented beautifully; these are some of my favorite service pieces to make your recipes look their best.

Want more? Check out my list of ultimate kitchen essentials!

Italian Sub Sandwich Roll-ups | inspiredbycharm.com

Pinwheel Tips

  • Use any type of tortilla you like for your pinwheel recipes. I often use whole-wheat tortillas for my roll-ups.
  • Refrigerate the rolled-up tortillas before cutting them. This allows them to firm up, resulting in a prettier presentation.
  • Get creative! Turn your favorite recipe into a delicious pinwheel appetizer. Some examples include Reuben pinwheels, Greek salad pinwheels, jalapeño popper pinwheels, etc.

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT DELICIOUS RECIPE COLLECTIONS:

Christmas Tortilla Roll-ups Appetizer recipe #christmas #appetizer #pinwheel #rollup #recipe

Best Pinwheel Recipes

Below are my favorite pinwheel recipes for your next gathering or just when the snack craving hits. They are all similar but also completely different. Pick out and make your favorites.

1. Turkey Bacon Cranberry Roll-Ups

If you’re looking for a simple but flavorful appetizer that’s easy to make, you need to try these Turkey Bacon Cranberry Roll-Ups. They make the perfect tasty treat for any occasion.

turkey and cranberry tortilla roll up

2. Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

If you’re a fan of Buffalo wings, you will want to make these pinwheels. Just cook chicken breasts and allow them to cool. Then chop the meat and mix it with cheese, onion, spices, and, of course, Buffalo wing sauce.

I like to serve these pinwheels with celery sticks. You could also provide ranch, veggie dip, blue cheese dressing for dipping if you prefer.

Buffalo chicken roll up

3. Italian Sub Sandwich Pinwheels

These pinwheels channel the flavors of a classic Italian sub. A layer of cream cheese is blended with Italian seasonings and sub fixings, such as chopped banana peppers and black olives. Then it’s all topped with pepperoni, salami, Provolone, tomato slices, and mixed greens.

After rolling the tortillas up, insert a few toothpicks to hold them together. Your guests will want seconds and thirds of these pinwheels, so make plenty.

Italian sub inspired appetizer

4. Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Pinwheels

The filling for these pinwheels is a mixture of cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and fresh basil leaves. The green and red elements play off each other, giving these pinwheels a delectable look and flavor. I promise you’ll be finding excuses to serve them.

sun-dried tomato and basil inside of cheesy pinwheel appetizer

5. Veggie Pizza Pinwheels

These Veggie Pizza Roll-Ups combine two of my favorite appetizer ideas into one easy and delicious recipe everyone will love. I like them so much because they are very simple to make and are packed with flavor. I also find it hard to resist any appetizer that involves cream cheese and/or ranch flavoring.

tortillas rolled up with veggies inside

6. Tortilla Roll-ups with Salsa Pinwheels

This pinwheel recipe gets its visual punch from green flour tortillas. While these pinwheels are delicious with salsa any time of the year, they are perfect for the holidays when stacked in a tree shape and garnished with cherry tomato “ornaments” and a yellow pepper “star.” Can you say, “Oh, tortilla Tannenbaum?”

close up of salsa cream cheese roll-ups
pinwheel appetizer stacked like a Christmas tree

7. Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortilla Pinwheels

In this variation of a classic pinwheel, I boosted the flavor with minced fresh herbs, cooked and chopped thick-cut bacon, and powdered ranch dressing mix. A crowd-pleaser, this pinwheel recipe is another one you’ll want to keep handy during the holiday season.

tortilla roll-ups with bacon and cheese

8. Taco Pinwheels

Served with a side of salsa, these taco pinwheels are an easy and flavorful appetizer recipe that’s perfect for entertaining. Mine are made with taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, chicken, olives, and jalapeño, but feel free to customize them with your favorite taco toppings.

taco pinwheels with salsa on the side.

Dessert Pinwheels

Pinwheels can be dessert too! Here are two of my favorites!

9. Pinwheel Cookies

I made these Pinwheel Cookies for Christmas, but you can make them any colors to suit your event or celebration! These will make a colorful and bold addition to your cookie platter.

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies #christmas #pinwheel #cookies #holiday #holidaybaking #christmascookies #recipe #dessert

10. Cherry Almond Pinwheel Cookies

Cherry cookie dough and almond cookie dough are swirled together to create these light, crisp, and flavorful Cherry Almond Pinwheel Cookies. If you’re looking to add color, pattern, and festive flavor to your cookie trays, these will do the trick!

Cherry Almond Pinwheel Cookies on plate.

That’s a Wrap on Pinwheel Recipes!

Which of these recipes will you make for your next dinner or party? Let us know what your favorite ingredients are and how you like to serve pinwheels.

LOVE THESE RECIPES AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Whether you call them pinwheels or roll-ups, these flavor-packed swirly bites have become party classics. I love them because of the myriad of flavor combinations you can put together. And just like their namesakes of the paper variety, these colorful pinwheel recipes will capture the attention of your guests and up the fun of your […]




THIS POST HAS 12 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Fire Starters

DIY

Sunday
Sep / 11 / 2022
Comments 14
       
homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

Made with beeswax and natural elements, these homemade fire starters are a beautiful and simple way to get your fire started. They also make a thoughtful homemade gift and decorative accent for your home. 

homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

Let’s Get This Fire Started

I have a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft for you today. These homemade fire starters are easy to make, very inexpensive (especially if you use what you have), and wonderfully functional. I love a craft that has a purpose. I also think these would make an excellent gift idea. Wouldn’t they look great paired with a box of long matches?

homemade fire starters in a gift bag with matches.

I’m excited today because I’m back with my Seasons of Home blogger friends to share beautiful and frugal seasonal ideas with you. As you might have guessed from the title of this post, my contribution will be making these homemade fire starters. My blogger friends are also sharing their budget-friendly decor and craft ideas with you. Once you’re done here, be sure to click through all of the links at the end of this post to check out everyone’s festive projects and spaces.

I’ve been wanting to share more handmade ideas and crafts here on Inspired by Charm. One of my goals in creating and sharing projects like this is that they have some sort of functionality. These homemade fire starters checked all the boxes. Not only do they work well, but they look pretty too. It’s a win-win! 

Want more homemade decor / gift ideas? Try these:

homemade fire starters in a wood bowl on fireplace hearth.

Additionally, I love that these fire starters are affordable to make especially if you melt down old candles and use natural finds from your yard. (I’ll get into that more below.) You can also customize them with whatever colors and natural finds you like. 

Ready to make some of these fire starters? Let’s get to it! 

homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

Here’s What You Will Need:

You only need a few items to put together these handmade fire starters. Let me walk you through the list.  

natural elements for making fire starters.
  • silicone cupcake baking cups – You can find the cups I used HERE. These make the process super easy. Alternatively, you could use paper liners in a metal muffin pan. The paper should peel off, but even if it doesn’t the starters should function the same. 
  • beeswax pellets – Any candle wax will work for this project. You could even melt down candles that you’re no longer using. Just keep in mind that if you use a scented or colored candle, your fire starters will take on those scents and colors. HERE are the beeswax pellets I used. 
  • candle wicks – You only need a wick that’s about 3-inches long. However, I found that length hard to find, so I just bought THESE and cut them once the fire starters were set. 
  • natural elements – To keep this project low budget, I recommend foraging your yard. However, I did link some of the items below should you prefer to purchase them. 

Natural Element Suggestions:

homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

How To Make these Fire Starters: 

I have to admit I made these fire starters the hard way. It wasn’t until I was writing this post that I figured out an easier and virtually mess-free way to make these. If you’re curious, I originally melted my beeswax pellets in a measuring cup in a double broiler on my stove and then poured the melted wax into my silicone baking cups. This method worked, but cleaning the measuring cups and drips of melted wax off my counter wasn’t easy or fun. The method I share below requires almost zero cleanup and no mess. Just go slow and use caution when removing the pan from the oven. I will walk you through the steps to make these homemade fire starters here. I’ve also provided a printable card at the bottom of this post with a supply list and instructions. 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 300 degrees F. 
  2. Place 12 silicone baking cups on a baking pan. 
silicone baking cups on sheet tray.
  1. Fill each cup about 3/4ths of the way full with beeswax pellets. Place into the oven and heat until all the wax is melted. 
  2. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it on a heatproof surface or cooling rack. 
  3. Work quickly. Start by adding a wick to each baking cup, then fill them with your natural finds. Be sure that each dried flower, pinecone, twig, etc. has part of it submerged in the wax to keep it held in place. 
adding dried flowers to homemade fire starters.
  1. Leave at room temperature to set. Then, remove the fire starters from the silicone baking cups and store them in a basket near your fireplace. 
homemade fire starters on counter.
homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

How to Use a Homemade Fire Starter:

To use, place a fire starter at the bottom of a wood-burning fireplace. Stack logs on top of it. Light the wick and allow the fire starter to burn until the wood catches on fire. 

Pretty simple, right? 

Side note: You can find the beautiful glass match cloche that I used in some of the photos HERE. It’s a really beautiful and functional decorative accessory. (It makes great gift too!)

homemade fire starters in a wood bowl by fireplace.
homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.

Season of Home Budget-Friendly Fall: 

Now, for additional frugal, foraged, and festive fall ideas, check out all of the links below. I know you’re going to find inspiration in what these talented bloggers have created.

Seasons of Home Budget-Friendly Fall Decor Ideas
]

DIY Fall Wheat Candle Tutorial by Ella Claire & Co. | Six Fall Ideas by City Farmhouse | DIY Cinnamon and Cloves Pinecones by Handmade Farmhouse | Homemade Fire Starters by Inspired by Charm 

Seasons of Home Budget-Friendly Fall Decor Ideas

Forged Autumn Floral Arrangement by French Country Cottage | DIY Dried Flowers Fall Wreath by Dear Lillie | Budget Friendly Fall Decor Ideas by Craftberry Bush | | Foraged and Budget Friendly Fall Decor by Zevy Joy


Make, Use, Share! 

That’s a wrap on these homemade fire starters. I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out. I hope you’ll give them a try! 

Happy crafting my friend! 

homemade fire starter with matches.

LOVE THIS PROJECT AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Homemade Fire Starters

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Skill: Handmade Gift, Home Decor Craft
Products: 12 fire starters
Prep Time 10 minutes
Craft Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
homemade fire starters in a wood bowl.
Made with beeswax and natural elements, these homemade fire starters are a beautiful and simple way to get your fire started. They also make a thoughtful homemade gift and decorative accent for your home.

Materials

  • 5-6 cups beeswax pellets
  • 12 candle wicks
  • 3-4 cups natural finds - dried flowers, mini pinecones, leaves, wood shaves, pine sprigs, etc.
  • 12 silicone cupcake baking cups
  • large baking tray

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Place 12 silicone baking cups on a baking pan.
  • Fill each cup about 3/4ths of the way full with beeswax pellets. Place into the oven and heat until all the wax is melted.
  • Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it on a heatproof surface or cooling rack.
  • Work quickly. Start by adding a wick to each baking cup, then fill them with your natural finds. Be sure that each dried flower, pinecone, twig, etc. is partly submerged into the wax to hold it in place.
  • Leave at room temperature to set. Remove from the silicone baking cups and store them in a basket near your fireplace.
  • To use, place a fire starter at the bottom of a wood-burning fireplace. Stack logs on top of it. Light the wick and allow the fire starter to burn until the wood catches fire.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Made with beeswax and natural elements, these homemade fire starters are a beautiful and simple way to get your fire started. They also make a thoughtful homemade gift and decorative accent for your home.  Let’s Get This Fire Started I have a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft for you today. These homemade fire starters are […]




THIS POST HAS 14 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Mango Mimosa

Recipes

Friday
Sep / 9 / 2022
Comments 4
       
two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

You only need two ingredients to craft these delicious mango mimosas. They are a flavorful and bubbly cocktail perfect for brunch or any celebration.

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

Several weeks ago I shared my homemade mango sorbet recipe. (You can find that HERE.) At that time, I promised to share a few cocktail recipes using the sorbet in future posts. Today we’re wrapping up this mango-inspired series with a mango mimosa. 

In case you missed the previous mango sorbet-based cocktail recipes, you can find those here:

Of all the mango cocktails, this one is the easiest. It’s basically just Champagne poured over sorbet. That’s it. If you’re tight on time or just want something easy that still feels special and celebratory, this mango mimosa is for you!

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.
two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

Mango Sorbet: I used my easy-to-make no-churn mango sorbet recipe which you can find HERE. However, if you’d rather just go with store-bought, that works too.

scooping mango sorbet.

Champagne: Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. It comes in a variety of sweetness from dry to sweet. I prefer and recommend one on the dry side especially since the mango sorbet will add a bit of sweetness. Traditionally, a mimosa is made with Champagne, but if you prefer, feel free to use prosecco, Moscato, or any other sparkling white wine.

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

How to Make:

I suppose this recipe is pretty self-explanatory. Even so, I have provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Add the mango sorbet to a Champagne or coupe glass.
mango sorbet in champagne glasses.
  1. Top with Champagne.
adding Prosecco to mango sorbet.

Yep, that’s it! You’re ready to enjoy! I told you it was easy!

I dressed mine up by using THESE fancy Champagne glasses. They are my favorite!

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making these mango mimosas.

What’s the difference between a mimosa and a Bellini?

A Bellini is made of pureed peaches and prosecco while a mimosa is made with chilled citrus juice (traditionally) and Champagne.

Looking for some Bellini recipes? You’ve come to the right place.

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

What are some good variations to this recipe?

One of my favorite things about cocktail mixing is that you can always add your own twist. Here are a few variations you can try with this recipe:

  • Use other sorbets. I love mango, but you can use any flavored sorbet you like. In fact, you can even create a ‘mimosa bar’ and offer a variety of sorbets and sparkling wines.
  • Try a different sparkling wine: While Champagne is traditional, you can use prosecco, Moscato, or another sparkling wine of your choice.
  • Make it a mocktail. Instead of Champagne, use sparkling grape juice. This way everyone can join in the celebration. Kids included!
two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

Cheers!

Next time you’re hosting breakfast, brunch, or any celebration, I hope you’ll give these Mango Mimosas a try. Enjoy!

two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Mango Mimosa

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bellini, brunch, cocktail, peach
Servings: 1
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
two Mango Mimosas in champagne glasses.
You only need two ingredients to craft these delicious mango mimosas. They are a flavorful and bubbly cocktail perfect for brunch or any celebration.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mango sorbet*
  • prosecco

Instructions

  • Add two scoops of mango sorbet to a fluted glass.
  • Slowly top with Champagne.
  • Enjoy immediately.

Notes

You’ll want to pour the Champagne very slowly. You may even need to take a break to let the bubble settle before adding more.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 124kcal • Carbohydrates: 16g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 0.3g • Sodium: 45mg • Potassium: 100mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 12g • Calcium: 10mg • Iron: 0.5mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

You only need two ingredients to craft these delicious mango mimosas. They are a flavorful and bubbly cocktail perfect for brunch or any celebration. Several weeks ago I shared my homemade mango sorbet recipe. (You can find that HERE.) At that time, I promised to share a few cocktail recipes using the sorbet in future […]




THIS POST HAS 4 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Rich Maple Butter Bars

Recipes

Wednesday
Sep / 7 / 2022
Comments 13
       
Rich Maple Butter Bars on a platter.

With a shortbread-like crust, a rich creamy topping, and a decadent maple flavor throughout, these Rich Maple Butter Bars are a delightfully sweet dessert that is perfect for fall. 

Rich Maple Butter Bars on plates.

We’re Making Rich Maple Butter Bars

Like many of you, the autumn season has all of my favorite flavors. From pumpkin to apple to cinnamon and everything between, I just can’t get enough. Maple is another favorite and it wouldn’t feel right to let the season pass without whipping up a tasty maple dessert recipe. 

rich maple butter bars on a platter.

That’s why I couldn’t be more excited to bring you these Rich Maple Butter Bars. The base of these bars is a light shortbread-like cookie. They get topped with a rich maple-infused creamy custard that bakes up to pure decadence. The combo of the two works nicely together and with that splash of maple extract, these really suit the season.  

I took my rich maple butter bars to the next level by dressing them up with some of my cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies. I had some extra pie dough on hand and I thought it would make these dessert bars look extra special. This additional step is totally optional, however, these cookies are simple to make and add a lovely finishing touch. You can grab the recipe HERE.

Want more maple recipes for fall? Try these:

Rich Maple Butter Bars on a platter.

I also want to mention the platter that I’m serving these on. I’m certain the pattern has a name (let me know if you know in the comments below), but it always reminds me of dinner at my great aunt’s house. I see this pattern all the time at antique stores. It comes in bowls, plates, dinnerware, etc. I finally decided to pick up this larger platter. It works perfectly for serving up tasty fall treats like these bars and adds a touch of nostalgia. Love that!

rich maple butter bars on plates.


Before we go any further, I want to quickly mention that today I’m being joined by my Tastes of the Season blogger friends. So, if you too are a huge fan of anything maple, be sure to check out our delicious collection of maple-inspired recipes at the end of this post. You can bet that every recipe is delish. I’ve already added several to my fall baking list.

And with all of that out of the way, let’s get baking!

rich maple butter bars on a platter.

How to Make: 

I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F. 
  2. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla. 
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. 
making rich maple butter bars.
  1. Using your hands, press this mixture into your prepared pan. 
  2. With a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. 
  3. Add in confectioners’ sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and maple extract. Beat until smooth. 
  4. Pour this mixture over the base layer in the pan. 
making rich maple butter bars.
  1. Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. 
  2. Optional: Once removed from the oven, immediately top with cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies.
making rich maple butter bars.
  1. Allow the bars to cool completely. Slice into 20 small rectangles. 
  2. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Serve and enjoy the flavors of fall!

Pretty straightforward, right?

I’d like to tell you that you could make this recipe without a mixer, but because you will need to eliminate any clumps in your cream cheese, a mixer will be the best way to do it. Trust me. I tried.

rich maple butter bar on plate with fork.

Recipes Notes:

I did mention this above, but I just wanted to remind you that can get the recipe for my cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies HERE. They are totally optional, but I think they add a little something extra to these rich maple butter bars. You can find the leaf cookie cutters I used HERE and HERE.

As these bars sit, the initial sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar will go away. Consequently, I recommend another sprinkle just before serving them. I store a bit of confectioners’ sugar in a container like THIS ONE which makes it fuss-free to add a little shake of sugar whenever you need it.

rich maple butter bars on plate.
rich maple butter bar on a plate.

Enjoy and Happy Baking! 

That’s a wrap on another fabulous fall dessert recipe. If you’re looking for a new autumnal sweet, definitely give these rich maple butter bars a try. 

Enjoy them? I’d love to know! Be sure to stop back and leave a message and a five-star rating in the comment section below. 
Happy Fall Y’all! 

Tastes of the Season Maple Recipes: 

And if you’re craving more maple goodness (I am!), be sure to visit my blogger friends below. Don’t their recipes look wonderful? I’m confident you’ll find more deliciousness to try.

Tastes of the Season Maple Recipes

Maple Butter Twist Bread by Ella Claire & Co. | No-Churn Maple Pecan Praline Ice Cream by Freutcake | Rich Maple Butter Bars by Inspired by Charm

Tastes of the Season Maple Recipes

Roasted Maple Spiced Mixed Nuts by Zevy Joy | Easy Homemade Toasted Maple Granolaby Handmade Farmhouse

rich maple butter bars on a platter.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

rich maple butter bars on a platter.

Rich Maple Butter Bars

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bars, dessert, fall baking, maple
Servings: 20
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
With a shortbread-like crust, a rich creamy topping, and a decadent maple flavor throughout, these Rich Maple Butter Bars are a delightfully sweet dessert that is perfect for fall.

Ingredients

Topping:
  • 1 ½ package - 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cup confectioners’ sugar - plus more for sprinkling
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon maple extract
  • 20 cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies*

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then, in a medium bowl whisk together the butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. Using your hands, press this mixture into your prepared pan.
  • Next, with a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the confectioners’ sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and maple extract. Beat until smooth. Pour this mixture over the base layer in the pan.
  • Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown and the center is set, but still slightly jiggly.
  • Optional: Once removed from the oven, immediately top with cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely. Slice into 20 small rectangles.
  • Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. (If needed, sprinkle again with more confectioners’ sugar before serving.)

Notes

You can get the recipe for my cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies HERE.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 302kcal • Carbohydrates: 49g • Protein: 3g • Fat: 10g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 3g • Trans Fat: 0.4g • Cholesterol: 65mg • Sodium: 120mg • Potassium: 79mg • Fiber: 0.5g • Sugar: 34g • Vitamin A: 343IU • Calcium: 54mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

With a shortbread-like crust, a rich creamy topping, and a decadent maple flavor throughout, these Rich Maple Butter Bars are a delightfully sweet dessert that is perfect for fall.  We’re Making Rich Maple Butter Bars Like many of you, the autumn season has all of my favorite flavors. From pumpkin to apple to cinnamon and […]




THIS POST HAS 13 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Den Dressing

Recipes

Monday
Sep / 5 / 2022
Comments 6
       
den dressing in jars.

Den Dressing is a thick, sweet, and tangy dressing/sauce (similar to French dressing) that is delicious when drizzled on salads or steaks, served with veggies, used as a marinade, and more! This is an amazing homemade copycat recipe of DEN Dressing popularized/created in Erie, PA. 

den dressing in jar.

What is Den Dressing?

If you’re not local to or from Pennsylvania, you may have never heard of DEN Dressing before. (It’s my understanding that it’s not nationally known but I could be wrong.) DEN Dressing was created in the 1950s by a company called Treehouse Foods. Over the years it has stopped production twice; once in the 1980s and again more recently in 2018. Each time, lovers of this dressing were devastated. 

Thankfully, the dressing is now back in production and can be purchased online. However, there’s no need to buy it because you can make it at home and it’s so easy! And from what I can find, this potentially secretive recipe isn’t available anywhere else in this exact way. (You’re welcome!)

den dressing in jars.

What Does DEN Dressing Taste Like?

Den Dressing is a sweet and tangy sauce that is often referred to as an intense French dressing. Its flavor is bold, distinctive, and delicious. 

How to Serve Den Dressing:

Classically, Den Dressing is served on top of a salad. However, over the years it’s been used in a variety of ways including a marinade for roasts, a sauce for meats, and even as a dip for vegetables. 

I’m most familiar with this recipe as a dressing for Radatorie Salad. This salad is a combination of romaine lettuce, pasta, croutons, chopped vegetables, and of course Den Dressing. This salad is one of my FAVORITES and I’ll be sharing the recipe with you very soon. Stay tuned. (Don’t want to miss it? Join the IBC Mailing List HERE.)

pouring den dressing onto salad.

You must be intrigued by now. Am I right? Well, let me tell you what you’ll need to whip up this dressing and show you how to do it. 

Side note: Aren’t these mason jars the cutest? I LOVE their shape. They are perfect for a dressing like this, but they also double as a flower vase too! You can find them HERE.

den dressing in jar.

What do you need to make Den Dressing?

The list is a bit extensive which explains why this dressing is so rich in flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • vinegar
  • tomato soup
  • sugar
  • salt
  • celery seed
  • paprika
  • black pepper 
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • yellow (wet) mustard
  • horseradish
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic cloves

Now we’re ready to whip up a batch. Let’s get to it. 

How to Make Den Dressing:

Even though this recipe is painfully simple, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender. 
den dressing in blender.
  1. Blend for about twenty to thirty seconds. 
  2. Serve immediately or transfer to a mason jar or an airtight container. 
  3. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
den dressing in jars.

It doesn’t get easier than that, right? Within minutes you can whip up this classic, coveted, and potentially secret recipe.

If you’re looking for a new bold and delicious salad dressing recipe, I hope you’ll give this Den Dressing a try. Also, stay tuned as I’ll be sharing my favorite way to use this dressing soon. You don’t want to miss it.

Enjoy!!

den dressing in jar.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

den dressing in jars.

Den Dressing

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: den dressing, salad, salad dressing
Servings: 12
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
den dressing in jar.
Den Dressing is a thick, sweet, and tangy dressing/sauce (similar to French dressing) that is delicious when drizzled on salads or steaks, served with veggies, used as a marinade, and more! This is an amazing copycat recipe of DEN Dressing popularized/created in Erie, PA.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 cup tomato soup
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
  • Blend for about twenty to thirty seconds.
  • Serve immediately or transfer to a mason jar or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 52kcal • Carbohydrates: 12g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 0.3g • Saturated Fat: 0.05g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g • Sodium: 237mg • Potassium: 75mg • Fiber: 0.5g • Sugar: 10g • Vitamin A: 167IU • Vitamin C: 3mg • Calcium: 12mg • Iron: 0.5mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Den Dressing is a thick, sweet, and tangy dressing/sauce (similar to French dressing) that is delicious when drizzled on salads or steaks, served with veggies, used as a marinade, and more! This is an amazing homemade copycat recipe of DEN Dressing popularized/created in Erie, PA.  What is Den Dressing? If you’re not local to or […]




THIS POST HAS 6 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Jalapeño Popper Dip

Recipes

Sunday
Sep / 4 / 2022
Comments 6
       
alapeño Popper Dip in dish.

A classic appetizer but in dip form, this Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, spicy, and has a bit of crunch thanks to a parmesan panko topping. This is an appetizer dip you’re going to look for any excuse to make. 

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish.

The BEST Jalapeño Popper Dip:

I had this Jalapeño Popper Dip on my blog years ago and for some reason or another, it got lost or accidentally deleted. My sister-in-law asked me for the recipe recently and that reminded me to make it, and share it with you again. (You’re welcome in advance because this recipe is DELISH!)

I’ve made a lot of delicious appetizers here on Inspired by Charm. They are one of my favorite things to make and eat. Yours too? You can find a full spread of my favorite delicious dip recipes HERE. 

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish.
jalapeño Popper Dip in dish with hand scooping dip.

What’s great about this Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe is that it takes all the things you love about jalapeño poppers and transforms them into a dip form. It’s super creamy, there’s heat and bite from the jalapeños, and the topping gives that classic deep-fried crunch (without the deep frying of course which is even better). Plus, you can make this VERY quickly! 

So, if you’re looking for a new appetizer dip recipe that you want to be sure will be a hit, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try! 

Oh! I always get asked about this pie dish. You can find it HERE. It’s one of my kitchen essentials. I use it for everything from pies to dips. It’s a must-have in my book. 

Want more appetizer dips? Try these:

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish.

How to Make this Jalapeño Popper Dip: 

For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. Spray an oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray. 
  3. In a large bowl add the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Blend until smooth.
  4. Stir in the green chilies, jalapeño peppers, Mexican-style cheese blend, and mozzarella cheese. 
  5. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish. 
  6. Mix together the panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. 
  7. Sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese mixture. 
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and the topping is lightly browned. 
  9. Serve with Fritos Scoops and/or Ritz crackers.

And that’s it!

Can you believe it’s that simple to put together? Since the only thing you need to chop is the fresh jalapeño, this recipe seems effortless.

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish with hand scooping dip.
jalapeño Popper Dip on plate.

Recipe Notes and FAQ:

Here are a few questions you may have if you’re thinking about preparing this Jalapeño Popper Dip. 

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Yes, but I would wait to add the topping until you’re ready for the baking step in order to keep the topping from getting soggy. 

Can I make this spicier / less spicy?

Yes. I used a mix of both canned and fresh jalapeños in this recipe. If you want more heat, include the seeds and white ribs from the fresh jalapeño pepper. If you want less heat, eliminate (or only use half) of the fresh jalapeño pepper, and be sure to remove any seeds and the white parts of the interior of the jalapeño. 

Can I freeze this recipe?

I generally don’t like to freeze things with cream cheese. Since this is really easy and quick to mix up, I would avoid freezing. 

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish with hand scooping dip.

Let’s Dig In!

And that’s a wrap on another fabulous appetizer recipe here on Inspired by Charm. I hope you’ll give this Jalapeño Popper Dip a go. My guess is that it will quickly become your new party go-to!

Enjoy! 

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish and on plate.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

jalapeño Popper Dip in dish.

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, appetizer dip, dip, jalapeño, jalapeño popper
Servings: 10
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
alapeño Popper Dip in dish with hand scooping dip.
A classic appetizer but in dip form, this Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, spicy, and has a bit of crunch thanks to a parmesan panko topping. This is an appetizer dip you’re going to look for any excuse to make.

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese - softened
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies - drained
  • 1 can (4 oz.) diced jalapeño peppers - slightly drained
  • 1 whole jalapeño deseeded and diced*
  • ½ cup shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
  • 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Topping
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Serve with Fritos Scoops and/or Ritz crackers.

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an oven-safe baking dish (about the size of a deep dish pie pan) with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl add the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Blend until smooth. (I recommend a hand mixer, but a wooden spoon will do.)
  • Stir in the green chilies, jalapeño peppers, Mexican-style cheese blend, and mozzarella cheese. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and the topping is lightly browned.
  • Serve with Fritos Scoops and/or Ritz crackers.

Notes

*Want a spicier dish? Include the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño pepper for added heat. You could also include an additional fresh jalapeño pepper.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 391kcal • Carbohydrates: 9g • Protein: 8g • Fat: 36g • Saturated Fat: 14g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g • Monounsaturated Fat: 9g • Trans Fat: 0.04g • Cholesterol: 66mg • Sodium: 536mg • Potassium: 124mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 3g • Vitamin A: 850IU • Vitamin C: 16mg • Calcium: 202mg • Iron: 0.5mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

A classic appetizer but in dip form, this Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, spicy, and has a bit of crunch thanks to a parmesan panko topping. This is an appetizer dip you’re going to look for any excuse to make.  The BEST Jalapeño Popper Dip: I had this Jalapeño Popper Dip on my blog years […]




THIS POST HAS 6 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






15+ Of The Best Mixed Drinks

Recipes

Saturday
Sep / 3 / 2022
Comments 0
       
The Best Mixed Drink Recipes

Become your own favorite mixologist. These are the best mixed drinks you can make at home. From the classic margarita to a fun and flavorful martini, there is something for every occasion on this list.

mixed drinks in glasses.

Party-Ready Mixed Drinks

No matter your personal style or what kind of liquor you love the most, there is something for everyone on this list.

These are the best mixed drinks for parties, dinners, birthday celebrations, or just relaxing after a long day. Scroll through and find something new to try.

EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPE COLLECTIONS:

Let’s get to it! (Click on the recipe name to be directed to the recipe.)

1. Bourbon and Sage Cocktail

The flavors in this bourbon sage cocktail are deep and refined. Not only is this one super-smooth cocktail, but the sage really enhances the overall aromas as well.

Delicious Bourbon & Sage Cocktail Recipe #bourbon #sage #cocktail #recipe #lemon #sagesimplesyrup

2. Apple Cider Manhattan

This apple cider Manhattan is another strong drink that is a sheer pleasure to sip on slowly. It has classic fall flavors that mingle together and create an unforgettable drink. It’s as beautiful to serve as it is enjoyable to drink.

Apple Cider Manhattan Fall Cocktail Recipe #Manhattan #cocktail #fallcocktail #applecider #apple #maple #recipe #fall

3. Bees Knees

This Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic mixed drink that has its origins way back in the Prohibition so you know it’s a good mixed drink. This delicious libation includes tart pineapple juice, real honey, and extra-strong gin. Since gin isn’t one of my favorite types of liquor, I am really glad it is mixed with all these sweet flavors.

Bee's Knees cocktail with bee drink stirrers

4. Campari Sangria

How about a wine mixed drink? You got it! This Campari sangria has bold and inviting colors and citrus flavors. It is refreshing and attention-grabbing too. You can serve this sangria recipe for brunch, dinner, or anything in-between.

pitcher of campari sangria with floating strawberries

5. Strawberry Basil Martini

This strawberry basil martini got its flavor inspiration from the backyard garden. Who knew that strawberry and basil went so well together? Apparently, the makers of this incredible vodka did. Don’t forget to garnish your glass with a fresh strawberry for a little flair.

This Strawberry Basil Martini is like sipping on summer! #cocktail #strawberry #martini #basil #recipe

6. Pineapple Mojito

If you love pineapple, then this pineapple mojito is just for you. Not only did I use pineapple rum, but I added real chunks of fresh pineapple and aromatic sprigs of mint. Every sip is a delight. This one is a Bayberry House favorite during those warm summer months.

Pineapple Mojito

7. Birthday Cake Martini

Here’s a good mixed drink for a celebration! This birthday cake martini looks like a cupcake in a glass. Be careful – it’s so sweet and delicious that it will sneak up on you. This drink is so good, it’s dangerous.

Birthday Cake Martini

8. Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

This cranberry bourbon drink is perfect for beginner mixologists that don’t quite know how to muddle or do more advanced techniques. You literally just mix all the ingredients together and give it a nice little shake.

9. Cosmopolitan

It’s no secret that the iconic show Sex and the City made cosmos the drink of choice for so many socialites. My cosmo recipe looks and tastes just like the one from the show. I am sure Carrie herself would approve.

cosmo drink in glass

10. Classic Margarita

You don’t have to go to a Mexican restaurant to enjoy a classic margarita. Grab a glass, salt the rims, blend the ingredients together, and turn up the salsa music! The party is about to start.

The Best Classic Margarita Recipe #margarita #recipe #cocktail #tequila #lime #margaritas #margaritamix

11. Rum Punch

From Mexico to the Caribbean, there is something for everyone on this list. This rum punch reminds me of The Pirates of the Caribbean. I can almost hear Captain Jack Sparrow asking for a glass.

12. Cranberry Old Fashioned

The name old fashioned doesn’t describe your age or personality – it actually describes the age of this drink. The original whiskey Old Fashioned dates back to the 1800s. People would go to bars and ask for a whiskey cocktail made “the old-fashioned way.”

I put my own little twist on an Old Fashioned and love how the cranberry juice gives it a wonderful sweet flavor.

Cranberry Old Fashioned - Fall Cocktail recipes #cranberry #oldfashioned #cocktail #recipe #christmas #holiday #fallcocktail

13. Peach Belinni

Classic Peach Bellinis are made with peach puree and topped with prosecco. A tradition that started in Venice, Italy is now a staple cocktail (often served at brunch) that can be enjoyed by many!

two glasses of Peach Bellinis.

14. Pear Martini

You’re going to love this delicious Pear Martini with a crisp pear flavor and a splash of St. Germain Liqueur! It’s the perfect cocktail for a special occasion or any time you’re in the mood to enjoy a fancy-feeling drink.

pear cocktail in martini glass

15. Apple Cider Sidecar

Made with crisp apple cider and smooth cognac, this Apple Cider Side Car is the perfect cocktail recipe for fall as days get shorter and evenings get cooler. However, feel free to enjoy it any time of the year.

Apple Cider Sidecar

16. Lemon Drop Martini

This lemon drop martini provides the perfect balance of tart and sweet. It’s a classic cocktail that’s simple to make and the flavor is something everyone will love. 

Lemon Drop Martini in martini glass.

FAQs about Mixed Drinks

Now that we’ve all drooled over the yummy recipes, here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making good mixed drinks.

This depends on where you live. If you go purely by name, almost everyone knows what a margarita or martini is. Insider created a really fascinating list of the most popular mixed drinks by state. Mojitos and margaritas popped up over and over.

Apparently, Groupon surveyed people. Most of the Groupon users from Pennsylvania who answered the survey said they like Pimm’s and lemonade the best. I was pretty surprised!

What are some keto-friendly mixed drinks I can make?

When you are on a low-carb diet, just make sure you don’t add any sugar, syrups, or fruit juices to your cocktails. Hard liquor already has no carbs, but red and white wine both have 3 grams net carbs in each 5-ounce serving.

If you use sugar-free ginger beer, a Moscow Mule is a great choice. A dry martini or vodka chata is another fantastic choice.

What liquor should I keep in the house to make mixed drinks?

The most common types of liquor that you will use are probably going to be vodka and whiskey. You can also make a lot of different mixed drinks with tequila too.

What kind of food do you serve with mixed drinks?

Since mixed drinks are a fun party beverage, I suggest serving some easy hors d’oeuvres with them. Try to match the flavors in the drink with the ingredients in the appetizers. For example, with a margarita, you might want to serve some jalapeno poppers or chips and guacamole.

That’s a Wrap on the Best Mixed Drinks!

There you have it – my collection of the absolute best mixed drinks that you can make for parties, dinners, or any occasion at all.

Enjoy all of the deliciousness!

LOOKING FOR MORE FROM INSPIRED BY CHARM?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Become your own favorite mixologist. These are the best mixed drinks you can make at home. From the classic margarita to a fun and flavorful martini, there is something for every occasion on this list. Party-Ready Mixed Drinks No matter your personal style or what kind of liquor you love the most, there is something […]




THIS POST HAS 0 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Retreat to Hayes Cottage

Interiors

Thursday
Sep / 1 / 2022
Comments 45
       
Hayes Cottage exterior front door.

You are in for a treat today! I’m recapping my trip to Hayes Cottage in Bluemont, Virginia. I’m sharing all the details including a photo tour of this beautifully decorated space, the many reasons you need to come and stay for a few days, and several ideas for what you can do in the area. 

Hayes Cottage hallway and dining room.
blue cabinet at Hayes Cottage.

What is Hayes Cottage?

Several months ago I stumbled across the most beautiful account on Instagram: @hayes.cottage. The aesthetic, style, and overall vibe suited me so well. Every photo that popped up in their feed stopped me in my tracks. I found myself lingering, zooming in, and swooning at all the goodness. Not long after, as I was following along on the feed, I realized that Hayes Cottage was only 3.5 hours from me (in Pittsburgh) and it was available to rent. Dreams do come true!

Knowing I wanted a little mini summer getaway down the road, I reached out in June and booked a long weekend in August. All I needed to do was wait patiently (which is not one of my finest virtues) until the trip. 

Hayes Cottage queen bedroom.
Hayes Cottage kitchen details.

A Beautifully Decorated Retreat:

As I waited for mid-August to arrive, my excitement grew as I fell more in love with everything that appeared on the Hayes Cottage Instagram page. Even before my stay, I knew this place was special.

Fast forward to arriving at the cottage and I was immediately in love. The cottage sets back about a mile or so into the woods, so it’s truly a private getaway. However, it’s the best of both worlds as there are several adorable small towns within 10-20 minutes. (Even more, if you want to travel a bit further.) The cottage is 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh, PA about 1 hour from Washington D.C., and only 30 minutes from Leesburg, VA which is home of the famous Lucketts Store. 

kind bedroom Hayes Cottage decor.
decorate bar cart at Hayes Cottage.

When you rent the cottage you get the entire space which includes a fully stocked kitchen with everything you need to prepare food, make coffee, etc. (You bring the food.) There are two bedrooms (queen and king), two bathrooms, a dining space (with an adorable and well-stocked bar), a living room, and an outdoor deck. There’s even a washer and dryer if you want to do your laundry before you go home.  The main (king) bedroom, which is located on the second floor, also acts as a “bonus room” with a sofa, bar cart, checkers board, and tv. You basically have all the comforts of home, away from home … and then some! 

While that would certainly be enough, you will be awe-struck by how Hayes Cottage is decorated to the next level. (And then, probably up 20 levels above that.) Because there are so many beautiful and charming details, I’m certain you won’t be able to capture them all in one stay. I can only imagine that this took the owner a lifetime to curate. The collection of books alone is incredible.

bookcase decor with books.
close up bookcase decor.

Speaking of the owner, her name is Amy! She clearly has an amazing eye for design and decor. If this cottage doesn’t prove that, be sure to check out her personal Instagram account @amycwhyte where she shares more of the cottage, her personal home, and her work at Lucketts Holiday Design House. Her talent is a notch above and I’m always impressed and inspired by her work.

I’m going to share a few photos here for you to get an idea of how beautifully these spaces are curated and decorated. I’ll make a note below each photo letting you know which room is which.

Queen Bedroom (Downstairs)
king bedroom decor.
King Bedroom (Upstairs)

living area Hayes Cottage decor.
Lounge Room Area (upstairs)
Hayes Cottage wallpapered bathroom.
Full Bathroom (Upstairs)
bathroom wallpapered bathroom.
Full Bathroom (Upstairs)
Hayes Cottage living room decor.
Living Room
Hayes Cottage dining room decor.
Dining Room / Hallway
Hayes Cottage hallway and dining room.
Dining Room / Hallway
entryway decor at Hayes Cottage.
Kitchen into Entryway into Hallway / Dining Room
Hayes Cottage kitchen.
Kitchen
deck at Hayes Cottage.
Back Deck

Pretty incredible, right? Cozy, charming, curated, welcoming, comfortable, and all sewn together with a whole lot of love and a touch of magic. 

What more could you ask for? 

Why You Need to Stay:

If I don’t have you convinced yet, here are a few other reasons to consider booking a stay at Hayes Cottage. 

A Restful Retreat: If you’re looking to totally disconnect from the world (don’t worry, there is wifi if you need it), then this is the place. Pack your clothes, some food, and your favorite craft/hobby/book and you’re set. If you never venture from the cottage, I’m certain you’ll still completely enjoy your stay. 

painting at Hayes Cottage.
hallway decor at Hayes Cottage.

Design Inspiration Beyond Measure: As you’re seeing in the photos that I’ve shared in this post (which I had carefully curated because I took over 600 between my camera and iPhone), this place is a design lover’s dream. In fact, I may do another post that focuses on the design and some of my favorite details. (Would you like that?) I think this could be so much fun! I stayed three nights and even on the morning of check out I was still discovering new details and noting unique design elements I wanted to try in my home.

table in lounge area at Hayes Cottage.
under stairs bench decor at Hayes Cottage.

The Area is Gorgeous: As I mentioned above, Hayes Cottage is surrounded by several sweet little towns. I went to a few during my stay. Not only were these towns adorable, but getting to them was a feast for the eyes too. There is beautiful farmland, lovely homes, and so much more to see and do. (I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.) 

outside general store.

Things to Do in the Area:

Please note that the following lists are not comprehensive lists of things to do in the area. They just list a few things I did when visiting. I will be certain to update these lists after future visits. 

While I visited most of the places mentioned, a few have been included because they were suggested by Amy. If you want more beyond this list, well… just ask Amy! She lives in the area and can provide you with plenty of recommendations. 

Antique Stores:

Lucketts Store – Leesburg, VA 
One of my favorite places. An absolute must-visit if you like antique shopping, home decor, etc.

If you’re looking for a meal while in Leesburg, check out Tuscarora Mill, King Street Oyster Bar, Lightfoot, The New Rebellion, or Bourbon Bar.

Red Schoolhouse Antiques* – Millwood, VA
Hip and Humble* – Berryville, VA

*These are both lovely antique stories and I purchased something from each one. They are beautifully curated which makes them a bit more expensive than the antique stores I’m used to. However, there still are treasures to be found and inspired ideas to take with you. I recommend visiting both.

antique store.

Hiking: 

  • Shenandoah River has beautiful paved hiking trails.
  • Shenandoah University is another wonderful option; park in the log cabin campus parking lot and take a river hike.

Places to Eat/Drink Nearby:

Breweries:

Dirt Farm Brewing: There was live music, the beer is delicious, and the view is incredible. There was also a food truck on the grounds for dinner options. 

Wineries:

There are several local wineries in the area. I didn’t visit any on this trip, but will on future visits. I will update this post with my favorites. Do a quick Google search to find some nearby.

Locke store.

Restaurants: 

Locke Store – Millwood, VA 
It’s great for lunch or a quick snack.

The Buttery at Locke Store – Millwood, PA
I only noticed this toward the end of my trip, but I will be making reservations during my next visit. 

Bluemont General Store – Bluemont, VA
Stop by for grab-and-go sandwiches, chips, and snacks.

The Sweet Elephant Bake Shop – Berryville, VA
They make killer molasses cookies!

Nalls Farm Market – Berryville, VA 
Try their fresh baked pies! 

One other thing I wanted to note is that I’m already planning a trip back to Hayes Cottage. (In fact, I went ahead and booked a long weekend in December in hopes of seeing some Christmas decor AND to give myself a forced retreat during the midst of a crazy holiday season.) As I make trips back I’ll be sure to update this post with new photos and local recommendations for things to do, places to shop, and restaurants to dine at. If you happen to stay at Hayes Cottage or know the Bluemont area, please leave your recommendations for local hotspots in the comments below. 

Hayes Cottage exterior.
stairs decor and candlelight at Hayes Cottage.

Ready to Book? Want More information?

For more information and to book a getaway you can visit the Hayes Cottage VRBO listing HERE. I highly recommend reviewing the listing carefully as things that I’ve written here may change or vary from the listing. 

You can also follow along with Hayes Cottage on Instagram @hayes.cottage. 

Finally, feel free to reach out to Amy with other questions/concerns. She’s such a joy and was incredibly helpful before, during, and after my stay. 

cabinet with artwork at Hayes Cottage.
front door at Hayes Cottage.

Enjoy Your Stay!

Is it obvious that I love this place? Ha! I honestly think I found my retreat from life and plan to return here whenever I need a break from it all. 

Whether you live nearby and want a sweet little getaway, are visiting the area and need a place to stay, or want to travel from afar and include this area in your travels, then Hayes Cottage is THE place to stay. 

I hope … I KNOW you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! 

You are in for a treat today! I’m recapping my trip to Hayes Cottage in Bluemont, Virginia. I’m sharing all the details including a photo tour of this beautifully decorated space, the many reasons you need to come and stay for a few days, and several ideas for what you can do in the area.  […]




THIS POST HAS 45 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Hot Apple Cider (Mulled Apple Cider)

Recipes

Wednesday
Aug / 31 / 2022
Comments 11
       
The BEST Hot Apple Cider / Mulled Apple Cider #mulled #hot #applecider #fall #cocktail #recipe

This delicious hot apple cider (also know as mulled apple cider) is an easy recipe that can be enjoyed by all. Made with apple cider and spiced to perfection, it’s the perfect drink for fall.

mulled apple cider pinterest image

Hot apple cider (also known as mulled apple cider) is an absolutely delicious beverage to serve during the fall. While it can also be enjoyed any time of year, there’s something about the crisp autumn air that makes me absolutely crave cider.

In fact, in my humble opinion, one of the yummiest tastes and aromas of the season is a batch of mulled apple cider warming in a slow cooker or saucepan. Made with fragrant and flavorful seasonal spices, it’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.

After you discover the joy of putting together your own mulling spices, you will really enjoy making mulled apple cider. It’s easier than you think, and the result is a warm cup of the flavors of fall!

Easy Hot Apple Cider

Apple and cinnamon are the quintessential flavors of fall. This drink is the ideal thing to serve at parties or when you want to curl up in a blanket and read a good book (or watch a Hallmark special—I won’t judge).

mulled apple cider with mulling spices

I also love to brew this mulled apple cider when I have guests over because it fills my kitchen with the most amazing aromas.

When you’re serving your hot apple cider, be certain your mug is designed to hold hot beverages. A coffee mug or glass tea mug works well.

how to make apple cider in a slow cooker

Ingredients:

There are only a handful of simple ingredients in this classic homemade hot drink. Here’s what you need to have when you make it:

  • Apple Cider: In the fall, you can usually find gallons of it in the produce section, but I like to buy it from the local farmer’s market.
  • Mulling Spices: Either make your own (highly recommended) or buy some pre-made mulling spices.
  • Garnishes: Dried apple slices or dried orange peel are beautiful as garnishes.
filling a glass mug with hot apple cider

How to Make Mulled Apple Cider

When it comes to hot apple cider, many people like to add spices for seasonal flavor and flair. That’s where mulling spices come in handy. I wrote all about mulling spices here and shared my recipe so you can make them at home.

small dish of mulling spices

To make mulled apple cider, you simply place the spices in the cider while it is warming up. This will give the cider a wonderful depth of flavor.

It’s important to note that while we want the flavor of these spices, we don’t want to actually drink them, similar to how you don’t want bits of coffee grinds in your morning brew.

There are a few different ways you can filter out the spices. First, you can add them to the cider in a fine mesh bag (how I usually do it). Or secondly, you could use a sieve over the mug when you are serving to filter out any bits of spice.

crockpot of hot apple cider

Don’t have any spices on hand? If you don’t have any at all, you can still make your hot apple cider a bit more special by just adding apple and orange slices, plus a few cinnamon sticks.

cinnamon sticks garnishing mulled apple cider

I promise those simple additions will amp up the flavor.

ladling hot apple cider into a mug
spiced cider drink for fall

When it comes time to serve the mulled cider, have bottles of a few complementary alcohols nearby such as bourbon or brandy. Then you or your guests can add whatever they’d like to turn that hot apple cider into an easy fall cocktail.

mulled apple cider cocktails on a tray

Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Apple Cider

Here are some questions people often ask when it comes to making the best hot apple cider. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

Is hot apple cider alcoholic?

Yes and no – you can serve hot apple cider with or without alcohol. I recommend warming your fresh apple cider without adding any alcohol to it. (Warming hard cider or cider mixed with alcohol is likely to burn off some of the alcohol, which sort of defeats the purpose of it.)

What kind of alcohol goes in hot apple cider?

You can use whatever liquor you prefer. However, the most common ones for hot apple cider seem to be bourbon, brandy, spiced rum, and tequila. Personally, I like bourbon – Four Roses has become my go-to recently.

If none of those strike your fancy, I think a caramel vodka would be delightful, too!

alcohol being poured into cup of mulled cider

How do you warm up apple cider?

I recommend using a heavy saucepan on the stove or a slow cooker.

If you’re looking to make plain hot apple cider, just pour the apple cider into the vessel you’ve chosen. If you’d like, you can toss in sliced apples to dress it up.

What’s in mulling spice?

These spices are a blend of seasonal ingredients, such as cinnamon, clove, allspice, and orange zest. Once you have a batch of mulling spices put together, you can use it to add flavor to things like apple cider, mulled wine, and even seasonal baked dishes.

You can grab my easy recipe for homemade mulling spices right here.

That’s a Wrap on Hot Apple Cider!

With all of that information, I think you’re ready to serve up this delicious fall beverage in whatever way YOU like it! And if you are looking for the ideal hot drink to serve at fall parties, this should be your go-to. It’s simple and tasty and makes your entire house smell like fall.

So whether you have plain hot apple cider or get spicy with mulled apple cider, enjoy a cup as we toast the beauty of autumn!

hot cider bar set up

If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these too:

a. big pot of apple cider with orange and apple slices floating on top

Hot Apple Cider (Mulled Apple Cider)

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cider, hot apple cider, mulled apple cider, mulled cider
The BEST Hot Apple Cider / Mulled Apple Cider #mulled #hot #applecider #fall #cocktail #recipe
Hot Apple Cider (also known as Mulled Apple Cider) is a delicious beverage to serve during the fall. Often made with fragrant and flavorful seasonal spices, it’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 gallon fresh apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons mulling spices
  • apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  • Pour fresh apple cider in a heavy-bottom saucepan (or slow cooker) and set on medium-high heat.
  • Place your mulling spices in a fabric bag and toss it into your pot. Stir occasionally, squeezing the bag of spices with a spoon like you would a tea bag.
  • Heat the cider until it is hot and flavorful; then set the temperature on warm.
  • Optional: Garnish the pot with apple and orange slices. Serve in a mug, garnished with a cinnamon stick.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!
mulled cider in mugs that say forever fall

This delicious hot apple cider (also know as mulled apple cider) is an easy recipe that can be enjoyed by all. Made with apple cider and spiced to perfection, it’s the perfect drink for fall. Hot apple cider (also known as mulled apple cider) is an absolutely delicious beverage to serve during the fall. While […]




THIS POST HAS 11 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Caramel Apple Muffins

Recipes

Tuesday
Aug / 30 / 2022
Comments 5
       
caramel apple muffins on plate.

These Caramel Apple Muffins might be my new favorite fall treat. Moist cinnamon-topped apple muffins are dipped in caramel, sprinkled with pecans, and then topped with a cinnamon stick to look just like a caramel apple. These muffins are a fall dessert… PERFECTED! 

caramel apple muffins on plate.

The Ultimate Caramel Apple Muffins

I have been so excited to share these Caramel Apple Muffins with you! Not only are they absolutely adorable, but they are delicious to boot. 

I saw this idea done a while back and it’s been on my must-make list for a couple of years now. This year I made certain to get them done and I’m so glad I did. I know that I’m sharing them a bit early (fall isn’t here yet), so I hope you’ll forgive me. I’m still enjoying all things summer, but at the same time, I want to get ideas to you early so you can plan ahead. 

Looking for more fall apple recipes? Try these:

caramel apple muffins on plate.
caramel apple muffins on plate.

What makes these the best fall dessert? 

I’m lovin’ these caramel apple muffins for a few reasons.

  1. Presentation is everything and these win hands down. I still can’t get over how cute they are. Be sure to pick up some longer (6-inch) cinnamon sticks to create this same look. 
  2. Cute is one thing. Delicious is another. The base of these muffins is so good and so moist. Also, they are loaded with fall apple flavor. The fact that they are dipped in caramel and sprinkled with pecans just makes them that much better. 
  3. While these do take a little extra effort, they are not fussy to make and they come together fairly quickly. I think you’d be surprised. 

Have I convinced you to give them a try? Ready to bake up these caramel apple muffins? I sure hope so. Let me walk you through the recipe. 

caramel apple muffins on plate.
caramel apple muffins on plate.

How to Make Caramel Apple Muffins:

For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with baking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, add the sour cream, sugar, and eggs. Beat to combine.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. 
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the sour cream mixture and beat on low until just barely blended. Fold in the diced apples. 
caramel apple muffin batter.
  1. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan filling each about three-fourths full.
  2. Make the cinnamon topping by stirring together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut in the butter.
  3. Sprinkle the muffins with the cinnamon topping. 
caramel apple muffins with cinnamon topping in pan.
  1. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
  2. Add the caramels and whipping cream to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
  3. Dip the bottom of a muffin into the caramel, then roll in chopped pecans. 
dipping muffin into caramel.
rolling muffin in pecans.
  1. Place muffin caramel side up on a piece of wax paper and insert a cinnamon stick in the center. 
  2. Repeat with the remaining muffins reheating the caramel if it begins to harden. 
caramel apple muffins on parchment paper.

Voila! It’s that easy to create these caramel apple muffins.

Whether you take them to a party, serve them at home as a dessert, or gift them to a neighbor, everyone is in for a treat! 

caramel apple muffin on plate.
caramel apple muffins on plate.

I have a couple of notes before you get to baking. 

Recipe Notes: 

Paper liners are not necessary for this recipe. In fact, it will make more work for you. Just use a good baking spray (this one is my favorite) and they will pop right out of the pan and be ready for caramel! 

As I mentioned above, these muffins look best with a long cinnamon stick. Mine are 6-inches long. This length is a bit hard to find in the store. I purchased mine here. 

caramel apple muffins on plate.

In terms of presentation, the muffins are best enjoyed the day you bake them. Over time, the muffins will absorb the caramel so they won’t look quite as nice, but they’ll still be delicious! (I had them on my counter for a couple of days and during that time the caramel seemed to “disappear”. I was a bit bummed, but as soon as I took a bite my happiness returned.) 

caramel apple muffins on plate.

Ready to Enjoy! 

And with that, these caramel-dipped, pecan-sprinkled, and cinnamon-topped apple muffins are ready for a big bite. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. If you give these muffins a try, I would love to see them! Share on Instagram and tag me at @inspiredbycharm. You can also head back here and leave a review in the comments below. I always love knowing what you think. 

Happy baking!! 

Carmel apple muffins on plate.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Caramel Apple Muffins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, apple muffin, caramel apple, fall baking, muffins
Servings: 15
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Decorating Time 10 mins
Total Time 50 mins
caramel apple muffins on plate.
These Caramel Apple Muffins might be my new favorite fall treat. Moist cinnamon-topped apple muffins are dipped in caramel, sprinkled with pecans, and then topped with a cinnamon stick to look just like a caramel apple.

Ingredients

Cinnamon Topping
Caramel Topping/Garnish
  • 1 package (14-ounces) caramels - unwrapped
  • 3 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 1 cup chopped lightly salted roasted pecans
  • 15 6-inch cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with baking spray.
  • In a large bowl, add the sour cream, sugar, and eggs. Beat to combine.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the sour cream mixture and beat on low until just barely blended. Fold in the diced apples.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan filling each about three-fourths full.
  • Make the cinnamon topping by stirring together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut in the butter until it resembles clumpy sand.
  • Sprinkle the muffins with the cinnamon topping.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a cooling rack.
  • Add the caramels and whipping cream to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. (This will take about 5 minutes.)
  • Quickly dip the bottom of a muffin into the caramel then roll in chopped pecans. Place the muffin caramel side up on a piece of wax paper and insert a cinnamon stick in the center.
  • Repeat with the remaining muffins reheating the caramel if it begins to harden.

Video

Notes

In terms of presentation, the muffins are best enjoyed the day you bake them. Over time, the muffins will absorb the caramel so they won’t look quite as nice, but they’ll still be delicious!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 351kcal • Carbohydrates: 56g • Protein: 5g • Fat: 13g • Saturated Fat: 4g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g • Monounsaturated Fat: 5g • Trans Fat: 0.05g • Cholesterol: 39mg • Sodium: 251mg • Potassium: 161mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 38g • Vitamin A: 230IU • Vitamin C: 1mg • Calcium: 107mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

These Caramel Apple Muffins might be my new favorite fall treat. Moist cinnamon-topped apple muffins are dipped in caramel, sprinkled with pecans, and then topped with a cinnamon stick to look just like a caramel apple. These muffins are a fall dessert… PERFECTED!  The Ultimate Caramel Apple Muffins I have been so excited to share […]




THIS POST HAS 5 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






A Little Life Update

Life

Sunday
Aug / 28 / 2022
Comments 226
       
field of sunflowers.

It has been a hot minute since I’ve done one of these life update posts. In fact, I think it’s been over a year. I need to get in the habit of doing these more regularly.  A reader sent me a message the other day mentioning how much they had enjoyed my life update posts in the past and it reminded me that I needed to do another one. 

To structure this post, I will be addressing questions that I’ve recently received, mentioning things that I’ve been thinking about, and sharing things that I’ve been up to. If I miss anything or you have other questions/thoughts, feel free to leave them in the comments below. It’s always nice when this is a conversation rather than me just “blah, blah, blahing” at you. 

vase of dahlias on dry sink.

What’s up with all the recipes?

Great question. So, if you follow along closely, you might have noticed that there’s been an influx of recipes over the past few months. (Maybe even all of 2022 if we’re being honest.) Let me explain the reasoning for this.

First, I’m just in a different season at this very moment. This is my 14th year of blogging (crazy right?) and over the past couple of years, I’ve just been kind of going through the motions. That’s not to say there haven’t been things that I have loved sharing or things that were exciting to share, but recently I feel like I’ve been just checking off boxes. 

Because of feeling this way, I thought that this year I would just put a pause on things, try something new, and see how that felt. I haven’t had any major breakthroughs yet, but it may just take a little more time. 

caramel apple muffins

The second piece that has influenced all the recipes is more from a business standpoint. Inspired by Charm is my full-time job and thus it is how I pay my bills. So, while ideally, I would always love to work from my heart and passions, I have to put some business thought behind my actions. For years now, 95% of my top 100 posts are recipes. (And what I mean by top posts is the blog posts that are visited most.) Therefore, a big percentage of my revenue is coming from recipes. 

Taking those two things into consideration, it just made sense for me to focus on recipes for a time as I forge my path forward. It was either that or disappear altogether for a period of time. And while “peacing out” sounded really nice, it wasn’t a practical option since this blog is my bread and butter. 

One final note on this topic: If you enjoy my decorating, interiors, crafts, etc. posts, and want to see more of them, please engage with them. Pin them to Pinterest, like them on Instagram, share them to your social media accounts, link to them on your blogs, leave comments, etc. Engagement and viewing them often is what makes these posts successful. If I start to see that these styles of posts are serving the blog better, then I’m able to do more of them. (And even if they don’t, I have no current plans to become a strictly food-based blog, so I will continue to share all the interests of my life.) 

Will there be more decorating, interiors, crafts, etc.?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, I’ve been working on content plans for the rest of the year and I have some fun ideas and brainstorms. I also still have several rooms in my house that are unfinished and need some love and attention. I just want to be in the right place mentally and creative-wise when I go to do them.  Consequently, they are on hold for now.

vase of dahlias on dry sink.

Blogging has changed a lot in the past 13 years. I’ve changed too. The reality with strictly interior/decorating blogging is you constantly need new spaces to makeover, you have to buy new things, you’re constantly sharing links to products you don’t own. 

There is nothing wrong with any of these things and many of my favorite people follow all or some of these avenues. In the past, I’ve done some of these things myself. However, as I grow older, the desire to constantly change my decor and shop for new things has greatly diminished. In fact, I’m trying to figure out how to declutter and live with less. (Yes, I can share more about this in future posts.)

In addition to these things, I’m also trying to figure out where my style is these days. I feel a bit of a shift coming and I haven’t decided what that looks like yet.

Here’s what I am craving design-wise:

  • Vintage – I have loved vintage forever but I’m craving it more and more. In fact, when I visit home decor stores anymore, I find that I’m not interested in 90% of what’s new. 
  • Color – While I still use color in my spaces, I’m craving it in greater and more pronounced ways. I want to mix things up, use colors that don’t match, go bigger and bolder, etc. 
  • Pattern – Lately I’m very attracted to patterns such as bold stripes, quirky designs, fanciful florals, fun polka dots, etc. I just want patterns everywhere and I want to mix them all together. 
  • Curated Quirkiness – Quirky is a must. I love the unexpected. This is one of my riskier design cravings because I can get carried away with it, and if things get too weird, I lose confidence. It’s a delicate balance, but quirky is something I still want. 

With all of that being said, I’m just trying to figure things out and I’m taking this year to do it. I’d also like to work out how to best take you along on this journey, so stay tuned for more. 

I can’t wait to see what you do for Christmas.

Thank you. I hear this a lot. While I assume that this sentence is always meant with kindness and admiration, in recent years it sends a flood of anxiety through every inch of my body. Christmas was (and in many ways still is) one of my favorite times. However, in recent years I tend to dread the holiday more and more. Last year’s Christmas may have been my most anxiety-ridden holiday. Realizing that a lot of this is self-inflicted, my goal is to figure out how to release the overwhelm and stress of the holiday and get back to what makes it truly magical. 

Christmas lights dining room.

If you are one of the wonderful people that enjoy my holiday content, thank you. One of my first steps in releasing myself from the pressure is to say here that things will likely look different this year. I’m not spending thousands on new decor. I’ll likely post a little less, so some things may look similar to years past. I also plan to go through my 30+ totes of Christmas decor and donate things I don’t use anymore and things that I’ve been saving for “one day.” I donated a bunch last year and it felt so good! I suppose I just want to be more intentional and find a way to do less while still having things feel special, magical, and nostalgic. 

Have no fears though as I hope that this process will allow me to create better and more intentional content. Quality over quantity, right? And if you’re interested, perhaps I can take you along on how this all unfolds in my head. 

How’s your art practice going?

It’s been such a joy! 

Back in May, I did a daily flower challenge wherein I painted a new flower every day for the entire month. Having some direction and eliminating the “what should I paint today” dilemma worked wonders for me. In fact, I was selected by two of the judges as a winner of the 30-day challenge. I also submitted two of the pieces to a local student art exhibit and they were accepted and placed on display. 

Speaking of I also started an instagram account to share my art practice and journey. If you’d like to follow along you can find that here: @michaelwurmjr.

michael wurm jr artist.

Since that challenge, I’ve sort of floundered a bit. Recently, I was listening to a podcast and one of my favorite artists, Peggi Kroll Roberts, mentioned that she likes to give herself assignments… things she can practice and focus on. I think this would be very helpful for me too. Part of my struggle with practicing my art is deciding what to paint, what medium to use, etc. Having an assignment might give me the focus I need to clear the questions and clutter in my head in order to just get to work. 

sketchbook with flower painting.

I do have some exciting events on the horizon. In September there is a local plein air festival in Saxonburg, PA that I plan on participating in. Painting outdoors and from life has been a goal of mine. Later in the same month, it is my intention to hit the road and drive a bit south of Nashville to take a three-day workshop with an artist I admire SO much. I couldn’t be more excited. 

Looking WAY far ahead, next year I booked a trip to France with my mom to do a week-long painting retreat. Say what?! I know. We can’t wait. My mom recently retired and this is my little gift to her. She’s never been out of the country and I haven’t been to Europe since college, so it will be the trip of a lifetime. 

I may be getting a little ahead of myself here (as I usually do), but I would love to lean into this path more as I move forward in life. With all the changes in blogging and social media, I know that this isn’t something I can see myself doing forever. A stronger art focus could be my next path. 

Will there be an art sale?

Yes, but I’m not sure when or how. I had originally planned to set up an online shop and do a sale in late August, but that just never happened. I’m still looking into it, but I may also just do a quick little sale via Instagram or something like that. Time will tell, but I’ll be certain to share here, on Instagram, and via the Inspired by Charm mailing list. 

Get on this LIST!

Speaking of this, if you’re not signed up for the Inspired By Charm Mailing List, I highly recommend that you do so ASAP. With all the changes in social media (which I’m not going to get into here), I’m going to be relying on the mailing list more and more moving forward. This will be THE BEST way to stay updated with all things IBC. Join me HERE. 

sunflower with bee/

Projects on the Horizon:

While I’m not working on any major home project this year, there are a few things I want to work on / start working on again. 

  • Fence – This is actually already in the works and should be installed sometime in September. I’m having the backyard fenced in which will allow me to proceed with more of my gardening plans. 
  • Basement Studio – Yes, I realize I didn’t post a studio tour. That’s because I never really finished the studio. Once spring hit, my priorities shifted elsewhere and projects went unfinished. I hope to get back to this space once the colder weather rolls in. (If you’re looking for the last update you can find that HERE.) 
  • Laundry Room – I suppose this is the same situation as my studio space (both are in the basement). However, I want to treat this area as its own and have fun with it.
  • Guest Bedrooms – I prepped two guest bedrooms for makeovers and kind of left things there. You can see some of the updates for one of the rooms HERE. I will continue to work on these spaces as soon as inspiration strikes. 

I’m sure there will be more, but that’s my current list; these items should keep me pretty busy for now. 

What else is new?

  • I just celebrated my 39th birthday. It’s odd to think that this will be the last year of my 30s. 
  • For my birthday weekend, I took myself on a little antiquing adventure and went to some of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. I found lots of new things that I’ll be sharing with you soon. 
  • I recently took a trip to Bluemont, Virginia, and stayed at the most adorable and beautifully decorated home: Hayes Cottage. (You can check it out HERE on Instagram.) It exceeded my expectations and I’ll be sharing all about it in a dedicated blog post SOON. You’re in for a treat.

hayes cottage.
  • My garden did horribly this year which is why I haven’t talked about it much. Mother Nature, some furry friends, and bad soil were my nemeses. Let’s just hope next year will be better. 
  • Shortly after the above-mentioned trip, my dad, brother, and I took a two-day trip to Cedar Point, the “rollercoaster capital of the world” in Sandusky, Ohio. We try to go there every few years. Within a day and a half at the park, we rode 36 times on the coasters and walked 18 miles. It was a blast. 

steel vengeance cedar point roller coaster.

That’s a Wrap!

Phew! And I think that might be it, for now at least! Maybe you’ll have a ton of questions in the comments and I’ll need to do a follow-up post. We shall see. 

If you enjoy these posts, please let me know below. It might be just the encouragement I need to do more of them. 

As always, thank you for following along with me and Inspired by Charm. I can’t believe we’ve been on this journey for 13 years! Wow. I wouldn’t be here without you. 

It has been a hot minute since I’ve done one of these life update posts. In fact, I think it’s been over a year. I need to get in the habit of doing these more regularly.  A reader sent me a message the other day mentioning how much they had enjoyed my life update posts […]




THIS POST HAS 226 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Croutons

Recipes

Friday
Aug / 26 / 2022
Comments 7
       
homemade croutons in bowl.

Made from bread, olive oil, and spices, these homemade croutons will make you never want store-bought again. They are easy to make, so flavorful, and instantly take your salad from good to great. 

homemade croutons in jar.

Let’s Make Homemade Croutons:

This homemade croutons post came about by a happy accident. I was making a blueberry french toast casserole (that recipe is coming soon) and had some bread leftover. I was also working on a salad recipe that required croutons. While I purchased store-bought to make things easy, my heart really wanted homemade. With some extra time on my hands, I went with my gut and decided to go homemade and photograph the process to share with you. 

homemade croutons in bowl.

This recipe for homemade croutons is from my mom. In fact, she was visiting when I was making all of the recipes mentioned above so she’s the one that actually put these croutons together. Years and years ago she was a cook at a cafe in my hometown. (I worked there as well.) She would make these croutons to serve on salads, soups, etc. They were always my favorite. I would snack on them like chips. 

Now if you don’t end up eating the croutons straight out of the container like me, here are a few salad recipes you can use them on:

homemade croutons in jar.

Ingredients: 

If you’re unsure about making homemade croutons, know that they are so simple to make and it’s likely you have everything you need to make them right in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • cubed bread – You can use whatever you’d like. More on this in the FAQ below. 
  • extra virgin olive oil  – Good olive oil adds great flavor and helps to brown the bread. 
  • spices/seasonings – I used Italian seasonings: dried parsley, garlic salt, and ground pepper. However, feel free to get creative and use what you like. 
homemade croutons in bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What type of bread are croutons made of?

The honest answer is that you can use whatever bread you like. Keep in mind that if you use flavored/seasoned bread, your croutons will have that same flavor. 

One trick for making these is that you can freeze leftover breads and then use them later to make your croutons. Consider… extra bagels, hamburger buns, sliced bread, dinner rolls, etc. In no time you’ll have enough leftover breads (that you probably would have thrown away anyway) to make a delicious batch of homemade croutons! 

How do you keep homemade croutons crispy? 

There are two things to consider. First, when baking your bread cubes, do not overcrowd them on the baking sheet. You want a single layer and you should keep them somewhat spaced out. Be sure to turn them once during the baking process so they brown evenly. 

Secondly, keep them stored in an airtight container. This will ensure they stay fresh and crisp for up to two to three weeks. 

With those questions out of the way, I think we are ready to get baking! 

homemade croutons in pan.

How to Make Homemade Croutons: 

For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. Spread your bread cubes out on a large baking sheet in a single layer. 
  3. Drizzle the bread with extra virgin olive oil, then evenly sprinkle with the spices. 
  4. Use your hands to stir, mix, and evenly coat the bread cubes with the extra virgin olive oil and spices. 
making homemade croutons.
  1. Bake until golden brown turning once halfway through the cooking process to evenly brown. 
  2. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. 
homemade croutons on pan.
  1. Store in an airtight container for up to three weeks. 

That’s it! Your croutons are ready to dress you favorite salads! YUM!

homemade croutons in jar.

That’s a Wrap:

And that’s all, my friends! I told you these homemade croutons were easy! After you try them I don’t think you’ll be buying croutons from the store anymore. 

As always, I hope you enjoyed this recipe and will give it a try the next time you need some croutons.

Enjoy! 

homemade croutons in jar.

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

homemade croutons in bowl.

Homemade Croutons

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Bread, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread, bread salad, croutons, salad
Servings: 18
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
homemade croutons in jar.
Made from bread, olive oil, and spices, these homemade croutons will make you never want store-bought again. They are easy to make, so flavorful, and instantly take your salad from good to great.

Ingredients

  • 12 cups cubed bread*
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasonings
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your over to 350 degrees F.
  • Spread your bread cubes out on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
  • Drizzle the bread with extra virgin olive oil, then evenly sprinkle with the spices.
  • Use your hands to stir, mix, and evenly coat the bread cubes with the extra virgin olive oil and spices.
  • Bake until golden brown turning once halfway through the cooking process so they brown evenly. This will take about twenty minutes, but the time will vary.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to three weeks.

Notes

*For this recipe you want about 3/4′-1′ cubes. If you’re cutting your bread smaller you’ll need less.  This was about 1.5 loaves of French bread.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 211kcal • Carbohydrates: 27g • Protein: 6g • Fat: 9g • Saturated Fat: 1g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 5g • Trans Fat: 0.02g • Sodium: 399mg • Potassium: 94mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 3g • Vitamin A: 16IU • Vitamin C: 0.4mg • Calcium: 83mg • Iron: 2mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Made from bread, olive oil, and spices, these homemade croutons will make you never want store-bought again. They are easy to make, so flavorful, and instantly take your salad from good to great.  Let’s Make Homemade Croutons: This homemade croutons post came about by a happy accident. I was making a blueberry french toast casserole […]




THIS POST HAS 7 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Chili Cheese Dip

Recipes

Thursday
Aug / 25 / 2022
Comments 9
       
Hot Chili Cheese Dip

This homemade chili cheese dip is a cold-weather party essential. Made with chili, cheese, salsa, and a few other flavorful ingredients, this appetizer dip is quick to assemble and feeds a hungry crowd. I suspect everyone will be asking for the recipe!

dipping in Hot Chili Cheese Dip

Homemade Chili Cheese Dip

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: I could make a meal out of dips. (Fun fact: Several years ago, my friends and I had a dip party where we only served dips, and it was EVERYTHING.)

This homemade chili cheese dip, which would make the perfect addition to any party, will have to be added to this collection! Not to mention, cooking up a batch of this delicious dip in the crockpot makes it easier to keep warm and enjoy a few stolen bites the rest of your get-together.

I’d say this dip is more chili forward than cheese forward. However, I think the balance of flavors and ingredients is darn near perfect. The resulting dip will leave you craving multiple bites. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

You’ve been warned!

Want more dip recipes? Try these:

chili cheese appetizer with tortilla chips

Ingredients

I used only real cheese and fresh ingredients in this recipe, and you can taste it! Here’s some more information about what I used in this easy slow cooker dip recipe.

  • Onion: Trust me, a real onion will taste so much better than dried onion flakes or powder. Use either white or yellow onion.
  • Oil: Your favorite type of oil will do best – I used olive oil.
  • Garlic: Just like the onion, use real garlic cloves instead of garlic powder.
  • Chili: Add two cans of chili meat without the beans. Alternatively, you can also brown up your favorite ground meat with chili flavoring.
  • Salsa: Add your favorite type of salsa. Make it as spicy or mild as you like it.
  • Cream Cheese: This is what makes the dip so creamy! Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor.
  • Shredded Cheese: Use your favorite type of shredded cheese. I used a combination of pepper jack and sharp cheddar.
  • Olives: These are optional. If you use them, ripe black olives taste the best in the dip.
  • Tortilla Chips: These are for dipping – use your favorite type of chips.
  • Green Onions: Sliced green onions make the most gorgeous garnish!

With the Super Bowl on the horizon (you can find more of my recommended game day recipes HERE), it seemed like the perfect time to share this delicious dip with you. I sure hope you’ll give it a try.

Let’s gather the ingredients and whip up a batch.

chip dipping into Hot Chili Cheese Dip

How To Make Chili Cheese Dip

You can find a full ingredient list and detailed instructions for this Chili Cheese Dip in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

First, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent and tender. Then, add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. 

Transfer the cooked onions and garlic to a 3-quart slow cooker. Add in the chili, salsa, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and olives.

chili, salsa, cheese, olives and onions in slow cooker

Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir frequently while cooking.

finished hot chili cheese dip in crockpot

Garnish with sliced green onions.

Serve with tortilla chips or a side of chopped veggies!

Recipe Notes

You can use whatever chili you like best, even homemade. I recommend chili without beans, but chili with beans would work fine, too.

The same goes for the salsa: Use your favorite. I used a somewhat standard jarred tomato salsa with medium heat. It was perfect.

Hot Chili Cheese Dip on a plate

Frequently Asked Questions about Chili Cheese Dip

Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about chili cheese dip. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

Can I make this dip the day before?

Yes, you can make this the day before. The easiest way to make this ahead of time is to combine all the ingredients in a large food storage container. Then, all you have to do is place everything in your slow cooker on the day of the party and turn it on. The slow cooker does all the rest!

How can I thicken my chili cheese dip?

To thicken your dip, just sprinkle in some corn starch. However, I don’t think you’ll need to thicken this dip because the cream cheese is so thick already.

How long is chili cheese dip good for?

This dip will stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to three days. You’ll have to reheat it on the stove to get all the different types of cheese to soften and melt again.

That’s a Wrap on Chili Cheese Dip!

I told you this was easy to make! If you’re after a hot (temperature, not flavor) dip recipe, I can’t recommend this hot chili cheese dip enough.

Once you give this recipe a try, I want to hear all about it. Stop back by and leave a rating and comment below. Happy dipping!

dipping a chip into Hot Chili Cheese Dip

LOVE THE RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Connect with Michael on Social:

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Hot Chili Cheese Dip

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, cheese dip, chili, super bowl
Servings: 12
Cook Time 3 hrs
Total Time 3 hrs
dipping in Hot Chili Cheese Dip
This Homemade Hot Chili Cheese Dip is a cold-weather party essential. Made with chili, cheese, salsa, and a few other flavorful ingredients, this appetizer dip is quick to assemble and feeds a hungry crowd. I suspect everyone will be asking for the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 onion - finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves - minced
  • 2 cans - 15 ounces each chili without beans
  • 2 cups salsa
  • 1 1/2 blocks - 12 ounces total cream cheese
  • 2 cups shredded cheese - I used a mix of pepper jack and sharp cheddar
  • 2 cans - 2 1/2 ounces each sliced ripe/black olives, drained
  • tortilla chips for serving
  • sliced green onions to garnish

Instructions

  • Sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent and tender. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Transfer the cooked onions and garlic to a 3-quart slow cooker. Add in the chili, salsa, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and olives.
  • Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir frequently while cooking.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with tortilla chips.

Notes

You can use whatever chili you like best, even homemade. I recommend chili without beans, but chili with beans would work fine, too.
The same goes for the salsa: Use your favorite. I used a somewhat standard jarred tomato salsa with medium heat. It was perfect.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 179kcal • Carbohydrates: 6g • Protein: 7g • Fat: 15g • Saturated Fat: 8g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 4g • Cholesterol: 46mg • Sodium: 514mg • Potassium: 194mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 3g • Vitamin A: 715IU • Vitamin C: 2mg • Calcium: 138mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

This homemade chili cheese dip is a cold-weather party essential. Made with chili, cheese, salsa, and a few other flavorful ingredients, this appetizer dip is quick to assemble and feeds a hungry crowd. I suspect everyone will be asking for the recipe! Homemade Chili Cheese Dip I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: […]




THIS POST HAS 9 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Recipes

Wednesday
Aug / 24 / 2022
Comments 6
       
Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan.

Fresh blueberries and cream cheese are slathered between sliced French bread, then soaked in custard and baked to perfection. A topping of cinnamon sugar and maple syrup completes this epic Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe. It’s breakfast perfected! 

Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan and on plate.

An Epic Sweet Breakfast Casserole: 

You are in for a treat today!  We’re making this amazing Blueberry French Toast Casserole. If the opening introductory sentences weren’t convincing enough, I guarantee you’ll be wanting to make this breakfast casserole by the time you finish reading through this post.

Today I am beyond thrilled to be back with my Tastes of the Season blogger friends. Each of us is sharing one of our favorite quick breakfast recipes. As you’ve probably figured out, my contribution to this recipe fest is Blue French Toast Casserole. At the end of this post, you’ll find four more incredibly tasty breakfast treats that you’re also going to want to make.

Blueberry French Toast Casserole on plate.

A while back I shared my recipe for stuffed French toast. It’s one of my favorites and I served it often when I ran my bed-and-breakfast. (By the way, I’ve recently updated that French toast post and added a video to it if you want to check it out HERE.) Anyway, I wanted to see if I could take the stuffed French toast and turn it into a breakfast casserole that would require a little less hands-on time in the morning. 

Well, I did just that!

Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan.

This Blueberry French Toast Casserole might be my new favorite breakfast sweet. In this recipe, the French bread is stuffed with cream cheese and blueberries. The bottom half of the loaf soaks in the sweet egg custard and stays dense and soft while the top of the bread, which is sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, has a beautiful crunchy toasted crust. It’s perfection. I top the whole thing off with maple syrup (Finding Home Farms is THE BEST) for the ultimate treat. 

If you’re serving breakfast for a crowd, (or cutting this recipe in half for just a few people) you need to give this Blueberry French Toast Casserole a try! 

Blueberry French Toast Casserole on plate.

What You Need for This Blueberry French Toast Casserole: 

You don’t need anything fancy to make this Blueberry French Toast Casserole. Here are the items you’ll need to add to your shopping list if you don’t already have them on hand. 

  • french baguettes
  • cream cheese
  • vanilla
  • powdered sugar
  • blueberries
  • eggs 
  • milk
  • sugar
  • ground cinnamon
  • maple syrup
Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan.

While I’m going to go ahead and assume that you’re familiar with these ingredients, I did want to make one note about the French bread. My favorite French bread for these types of recipes is from Walmart. I know that might come as a surprise, but from experience, I know that it works well for French toast, homemade croutons, bread pudding, my stuffed French toast recipe mentioned above, and the list goes on… The flavor is great, it’s dense, and it holds its shape. Trust me on this one.

With that being said, you may need to adjust your recipe slightly depending on where you get your French bread. If it’s skinnier, you may require three loaves, if it’s too long for your pan (which my bread was) you may need to trim off the ends, etc. 

Blueberry French Toast Casserole on a plate.

How to Prepare:

I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

  1. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray. 
  2. Cut the baguettes into 1-inch slices, but only cut three-fourths of the way through to leave the bottom part of each loaf connected. 
sliced French bread.
  1. Beat the cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth. Fold in the blueberries. 
making Blueberry French Toast Casserole.
  1. Spread this filling evenly between each of the slices in the baguettes. 
  2. Arrange the baguettes in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour over the filled baguettes. 
making Blueberry French Toast Casserole.
  1. Cover and chill overnight.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. 
  3. Create the topping by mixing together the ¼ cup sugar with the cinnamon. 
  4. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the baguettes. 
making Blueberry French Toast Casserole.
  1. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes or until the egg mixture is set. (To prevent over-browning, cover the dish with foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.)
  2. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Serve with pure maple syrup.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan.
adding syrup to Blueberry French Toast Casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I’ve anticipated a few questions you may have about this recipe…

Do I use fresh or frozen blueberries?

I always recommend fresh, but either will work for this recipe. Do note that frozen blueberries will dye your cream cheese mixture a blue color. 

Why is my french toast casserole soggy?

This recipe requires you to cover and chill overnight. This will allow the bread to absorb the egg mixture. Once baked, your casserole will not be soggy. If it is soggy after the given baking period, it likely still needs more time in the oven. 

Blueberry French Toast Casserole in pan and on plate.

Can I freeze this recipe?

I wouldn’t. Generally, I don’t like eggs or cream cheese frozen, so I would save this recipe for a time that wouldn’t require you to freeze it. 

How do I make this recipe in advance? 

The great part about this recipe is that it is designed to be made in advance. There’s no need to wake up extra early in order to prepare this in time for breakfast. Put everything together the night before and all you need to do in the morning is bake it. 

Blueberry French Toast Casserole on a plate.

Tastes of the Seasons Breakfast Recipes:

Want more? Check out these recipes from my talented blogger friends. I need to try each of these recipes!

Tastes of the Seasons Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is served!

And that’s a wrap on this Blueberry French Toast Casserole and our welcome back to the Tastes of the Seasons series! I’m thrilled. I hope you are too!

Blueberry French Toast Casserole on plate.

Have you been convinced? Are you ready to try this exceptional breakfast recipe? I sure hope so. If you do, I would LOVE to hear what you think. Be sure to stop back and leave a comment below. 

Happy Breakfasting! 

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blueberries, breaksfast, french toast, french toast casserole
Servings: 10
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
Blueberry French Toast Casserole on a plate.
Fresh blueberries and cream cheese are slathered between sliced French bread, then soaked in custard and baked to perfection. A topping of cinnamon sugar and maple syrup completes this epic Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe. It’s breakfast perfected!

Ingredients

Custard:
Topping:

Instructions

  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray. Cut the baguettes into 1-inch slices, but only cut three-fourths of the way through to leave the bottom part of each loaf connected.
  • In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth. Fold in the blueberries.
  • Spread this filling evenly between each of the slices in the baguettes. Arrange the baguettes in the prepared baking dish.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, ½ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour over the filled baguettes. Cover and chill overnight.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Create the topping by mixing together the ¼ cup sugar with the cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the baguettes.
  • Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes or until the egg mixture is set. (To prevent over-browning, cover the dish with foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.)
  • Remove from the oven and allow to slightly cool.
  • Serve with pure maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 447kcal • Carbohydrates: 71g • Protein: 11g • Fat: 13g • Saturated Fat: 7g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 4g • Trans Fat: 0.01g • Cholesterol: 127mg • Sodium: 437mg • Potassium: 228mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 47g • Vitamin A: 543IU • Vitamin C: 3mg • Calcium: 155mg • Iron: 2mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Fresh blueberries and cream cheese are slathered between sliced French bread, then soaked in custard and baked to perfection. A topping of cinnamon sugar and maple syrup completes this epic Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe. It’s breakfast perfected!  An Epic Sweet Breakfast Casserole:  You are in for a treat today!  We’re making this amazing Blueberry […]




THIS POST HAS 6 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Peach Raspberry Bellini

Recipes

Tuesday
Aug / 23 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

Classic peach Bellinis get a ‘berry’ delicious twist thanks to fresh raspberries. These Peach Raspberry Bellinis are the perfect light and refreshing cocktail for brunch or any celebration.

Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

Over the years we’ve made a couple of Bellinis here on Inspired by Charm. A while back there were these raspberry pineapple Bellinis, more recently we made the traditional variety, and now we’re using a combination of the two to create these peach raspberry Bellinis.

Peach Raspberry Bellini

This particular recipe most closely resembles the traditional recipe as the only change I made was adding in raspberries when I made the peach puree.

Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.
raspberry peach puree in glass container.

I love raspberries and peaches together so I prefer this recipe. The combination of flavors is just so wonderful and it pairs lovely with the prosecco.

Want to give them a try? You’ll need a few things to recreate this recipe.

Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

Ingredients:

Putting together these Peach Raspberry Bellinis is really easy and you only need a few ingredients.

  • Peaches: Use peeled, ripened peaches as the base for this brunch cocktail! (If you don’t have fresh peaches, you can use frozen.)
  • Raspberries: I prefer fresh, but frozen will work too.
  • Lemon Juice: This adds a refreshing kiss and helps to bring out the peach flavor.
  • Sugar/Simple Syrup: Depending on the sweetness of your peaches, a little additional sweetness may be welcomed. (You can find my simple syrup recipe HERE.) I provided some sugar alternatives in the printable recipe card below.
  • Prosecco: Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy. It is traditionally used to make a Bellini.
Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

How to Serve:

Let me walk you through the recipe. For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Place the peaches, raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. 
  2. Transfer the purée to a storage container.
raspberry peach puree in glass container.
  1. Place 2 tablespoons of the peach puree into each Champagne glass and fill with cold prosecco. 
  2. Serve immediately.
making raspberry peach bellinis.

Shop Glasses and Drink Stirrers:

If you like the Champagne glasses that I used (I don’t blame you as I love them too), you can find them HERE. You can find the bee drink stirrers HERE. Aren’t they so cute!?

Looking for more brunch cocktails, try these:

Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making these peach raspberry Bellinis.

What’s the difference between a Bellini and a mimosa?

A Bellini is made of pureed peaches and prosecco while a mimosa is made with orange juice and Champagne.

What are some good variations to the classic recipe?

One of my favorite things about cocktail mixing is that you can always add your own twist. Here are a few variations on the classic peach Bellini.

  • Add other fruits. To switch things up, consider mixing in some, strawberries, mango, pineapple, etc. Right HERE is the featured Raspberry Pineapple Bellini that I’m sure you’ll love!
  • Use frozen fruit. To make a frozen version of this peach Bellini, use some frozen peach chunks in place of fresh peaches.
  • Use Champagne/sparkling wine: While prosecco is traditional, you can use Champagne, sparkling wine, or Moscato.
  • Make it a mocktail. Instead of prosecco, use sparkling grape juice. This way everyone can join in the celebration.
Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.

Cheers!

Next time you’re hosting breakfast, brunch, or even lunch, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. It’s light, fruity, and refreshing making it one of the best cocktails for day drinking.

Looking for more delicious brunch recipes? Don’t worry, I have you covered. You can find all of my favorites HERE.

Enjoy!

LOVE THIS RECIPE AND WANT MORE?

Join the IBC Mailing List to get all of my recipes, projects, and ideas sent straight to your inbox! I hope you’ll also join me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter) for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Peach Raspberry Bellini

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bellini, brunch, cocktail, peach, raspberry
Servings: 6
Prep Time 14 mins
Total Time 14 mins
Raspberry Peach Bellinis in glasses on table.
Classic peach Bellinis get a ‘berry’ delicious twist thanks to fresh raspberries. These Peach Raspberry Bellinis are the perfect light and refreshing cocktail for brunch or any celebration.

Ingredients

  • 2 peeled fresh peaches - (2 cups frozen peaches)
  • 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon simple syrup
  • 1 bottle prosecco
  • mint leaves

Instructions

  • Place the peaches, raspberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth.
  • Transfer the purée* to a storage container.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of the peach puree into each glass and fill with cold prosecco.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

*If desired, the puree can be passed through a mesh sieve to remove any solids.
You can purchase simple syrup or make your own. Find my recipe HERE.
Don’t want to use simple syrup? Substitute with 1 teaspoon sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Adjust to your desired level of sweetness.
Have extra peach raspberry purée? Save it and drizzle it over ice cream. YUM!!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 97kcal • Carbohydrates: 10g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 0.2g • Saturated Fat: 0.01g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g • Sodium: 17mg • Potassium: 192mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 9g • Vitamin A: 171IU • Vitamin C: 6mg • Calcium: 16mg • Iron: 1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Classic peach Bellinis get a ‘berry’ delicious twist thanks to fresh raspberries. These Peach Raspberry Bellinis are the perfect light and refreshing cocktail for brunch or any celebration. Over the years we’ve made a couple of Bellinis here on Inspired by Charm. A while back there were these raspberry pineapple Bellinis, more recently we made […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Find More  

1 / … 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / … 68 /