BLT Potato Salad

Recipes

Friday
Jul / 15 / 2022
Comments 5
       
potato salad in bowl.

This BLT Potato Salad is a fresh take on a classic dish. With a light and creamy dressing, fresh arugula, bacon, and cherry tomatoes, this will become your new favorite summer side dish for potlucks, picnics, and parties.

blt potato salad in a bowl.

A couple of years ago I shared a recipe for BLT Pasta Salad. It has become such a popular recipe here on Inspired by Charm that I wanted to try my hand at creating a potato salad version. So, I did just that!

Delicious BLT Potato Salad

Typically I’m not a fan of traditional potato salad. It’s just way too heavy for me. As I was creating this recipe, I wanted to make sure that it had the things we’ve come to love about potato salad but without feeling so heavy. To accomplish this, I tweaked the dressing and added fresh arugula to create a flavorful and updated potato salad recipe.

blt potato salad in a bowl.

I couldn’t be more pleased with how this turned out. It’s so good in fact that I ate a big scoop of it for lunch. I added it to the top of a bed of arugula and it was delish! Turns out I am a fan of potato salad!
I think it would make the perfect complement to any grilled main course like burgers, steak, kabobs, etc.

More Delicious Side Salad Recipes:

blt potato salad on a plate.

Ingredients:

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe.

  • small potatoes: Any sort of small potato will work for this recipe. Honey Gold, Ruby Sensation, new, etc. are all great options.
  • cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes work here too. I like the pack of tomatoes that has different colored tomatoes. It adds something special to this dish.
  • thick-cut bacon: I recommend thick-cut bacon for this recipe. Applewood is my personal favorite. I like to cook my bacon using THIS method. The addition of brown sugar to this recipe is really nice.
  • baby arugula: Adding a leafy green to this recipe helps to lighten things up. The arugula holds up well and adds pepperiness which works nicely with the other flavors.
  • dressing: With my goal of keeping things light, this dressing adds creaminess without the heaviness. I used mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and sugar. (The sugar is optional, but I like the kiss of sweetness.)
  • chives: Onion can often be overpowering. The chives add a subtle onion flavor along with a bit of color.

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s put this BLT Potato Salad together!

blt potato salad ingredients.

How to Prepare:

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

  1. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until tender: about 12-15 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes and rinse with cold water. Allow to cool, then slice in half.
bowl of small potatoes.
  1. In a large bowl add the potatoes, cherry tomatoes, bacon, and arugula.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
blt potato salad dressing.
  1. Drizzle the potato mixture with the prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat.
adding dressing to BLT potato salad.
  1. Sprinkle with chopped chives to garnish.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

It’s as easy as that! Your potato salad is ready!

blt potato salad in bowl.
potato salad in bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream? Yes, you certainly can.

Can I prepare this in advance? A few hours in advance is fine. If you’re wanting to prepare this a day in advance, I would wait to mix in the dressing until you’re ready to serve the potato salad.

Do I need the sugar in the dressing? Nope. I know some folks like to avoid any excess sugar, so you can leave it out. If you still want that touch of sweetness without the added sugar, you could use honey or about half of a pack of Splenda Natural Stevia Sweetener.

blt potato salad in a bowl.
blt potato salad served in bowls and plates.

Let’s Eat!

I think that should cover everything. If you have additional questions about this BLT Potato Salad, please leave them in the comments below. If you do try this recipe, be sure to stop back and leave a rating and comment.
Enjoy!

blt potato 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 for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my work and adventures.

Connect with Michael on Social: Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

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.

BLT Potato Salad

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blt, potato salad, salad, side dish
Servings: 8 people
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
potato salad in bowl.
This BLT Potato Salad is a fresh take on a classic dish. With a light and creamy dressing, fresh arugula, bacon, and cherry tomatoes, this will become your new favorite summer side dish for potlucks, picnics, and parties.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs small potatoes - Honey Gold, Ruby Sensation, new
  • 1 ½ cups sliced cherry tomatoes
  • 4 slices cooked thick-cut bacon - chopped
  • 2 cups baby arugula
Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • chopped chives
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Begin by placing the potatoes in a large pot of water. Add about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender: about 12-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes and rinse with cold water. Allow to cool, then slice in half.
  • In a large bowl add the potatoes, cherry tomatoes, bacon, and arugula. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle the potato mixture with the prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with chopped chives to garnish.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 167kcal • Carbohydrates: 23g • Protein: 3g • Fat: 7g • Saturated Fat: 2g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g • Monounsaturated Fat: 2g • Trans Fat: 0.01g • Cholesterol: 8mg • Sodium: 60mg • Potassium: 574mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 3g • Vitamin A: 307IU • Vitamin C: 30mg • Calcium: 34mg • 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 BLT Potato Salad is a fresh take on a classic dish. With a light and creamy dressing, fresh arugula, bacon, and cherry tomatoes, this will become your new favorite summer side dish for potlucks, picnics, and parties. A couple of years ago I shared a recipe for BLT Pasta Salad. It has become such […]




THIS POST HAS 5 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Ice Cream Pudding Dessert (Ice Cream Salad)

Recipes

Wednesday
Jul / 13 / 2022
Comments 10
       
piece of ice cream pudding dessert on plate.

This old-fashioned Ice Cream Pudding Dessert (or Ice Cream Salad as it’s known in my family) is an easy-to-make dessert recipe comprised of a salty Ritz cracker crust and creamy toasted coconut ice cream pudding filling. I know you’re going to love it.

ice cream pudding dessert on plates.

You know this is an old recipe when it’s called a salad, but in reality, it’s a dessert. Ha! Figuring the original title might be a bit confusing, I’ve updated the recipe to be called Ice Cream Pudding Dessert.

ice cream salad dessert and recipe cards.
ice cream pudding dessert in pan.

During my growing up years, my Great Aunt Maggie would make a rotation of dessert recipes: strawberry jello salad, pumpkin roll, sugar cookies, and this ice cream salad. She made these often as they were family favorites. I’ve been meaning to make this particular recipe for quite some time and couldn’t be more excited to share it with you today. (I hope to make her strawberry jello salad and sugar cookies soon. You can find her pumpkin roll recipe HERE.)

Let’s get into the details:

What’s in Ice Cream Pudding Dessert?

The first question you might have is, “Does this recipe actually have ice cream in it?”
Yes, it does! It contains a half-gallon of vanilla ice cream. That’s what makes this recipe so creamy, rich, and delicious.

In addition to the ice cream, the filling includes coconut pudding and a sprinkle of toasted coconut. The pudding sets the ice cream so you’re able to cut and serve it. The coconut flavor is a subtle but flavorful addition. It’s what makes this recipe so delicious!

ice cream pudding dessert.

The creamy filling sits on top of a crust made of crushed Ritz crackers. I love the combination of salty and sweet in desserts, so this pairing is a match made in heaven. When I was making this recipe, the smell of the crushed Ritz crackers instantly transported me back to being a 10-year-old in my aunt’s kitchen. Time travel is real, my friends.

All this combined together makes for an epic dessert. As you can imagine, this Ice Cream Pudding Dessert is perfect for summer, but I’m happy to enjoy it all year long.

Want more of my favorite desserts? Try these:

ice cream salad on a plate.

How To Make:

I’m going to walk you through the steps to make this Ice Cream Pudding Dessert. For your convenience, at the end of this post there is a printable recipe card with detailed ingredient amounts and recipe instructions.

  1. Start by removing your ice cream from the freezer to allow it to soften. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Crush the Ritz crackers with a blender or food processor, or in a plastic baggie to a fine crumb.
ritz crackers in food processor.
  1. In a bowl, add the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Mix to combine.
  2. Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
ritz cracker crust in pan.
  1. In a large bowl, add the two boxes of instant coconut pudding and the milk. Use a hand mixer to combine.
  2. Once smooth, add in the softened ice cream and mix again until smooth. Add about 2 tablespoons of the toasted coconut and stir to combine.
ice cream pudding with mixer blades.
  1. Pour this mixture into the cooled prepared crust. Top with the remaining toasted coconut.
pouring filling onto crust.
toasted coconut on pudding dessert.
  1. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.

And that’s it! Slice, serve with a spatula, and enjoy!

ice cream pudding dessert in dish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can You Freeze This?

Yes. In my family, we have always enjoyed this dessert when it is refrigerated. While the pudding helps the filling to set, it’s still loose and creamy. If you prefer a firmer dessert, you can certainly store this in the freezer and serve it frozen.

Also, I made this dessert and decided to freeze it so I could take it to a party later in the week. Before going to the party I removed the dessert from the freezer, transferred it to my cooler, and a few hours later it was the perfect consistency for serving.

ice cream pudding dessert on plate.

Can You Use Different Pudding or Ice Cream Flavors?

Yes, you can! I believe the (toasted) coconut is the classic flavor, but feel free to experiment as suggested below:

  • vanilla pudding with butter pecan ice cream
  • chocolate pudding with chocolate ice cream
  • lemon pudding with vanilla ice cream
  • pistachio pudding with pistachio ice cream
  • white chocolate pudding with cherry ice cream

While I’m partial to the coconut, some of these combinations sound so good that I may need to give them a try!

ice cream pudding dessert on plate.

Let’s eat!

And that’s a wrap on one of my favorite childhood desserts. Whether you want to call it Ice Cream Pudding Dessert or Ice Cream Salad, I hope you’ll give this old-fashioned recipe a try. It may even become one of your favorites too.
Enjoy!

ice cream pudding dessert in pan.
ice cream pudding dessert in dish.

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.

Ice Cream Pudding Dessert

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coconut, ice cream, pudding, ritz crackers
Servings: 12
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Chilling Time 1 hr
ice cream pudding dessert on plates.
This old-fashioned Ice Cream Pudding Dessert (or Ice Cream Salad as it’s known in my family) is an easy-to-make dessert recipe comprised of a salty Ritz cracker crust and creamy toasted coconut ice cream pudding filling. I know you’re going to love it.

Ingredients

  • 65 Ritz Crackers
  • 1 stick unsalted butter - melted
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 boxes instant coconut pudding
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup toasted coconut - divided

Instructions

  • Start by removing your ice cream from the freezer to allow it to soften. (Do not let it melt.) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Crush the Ritz crackers with a blender or food processor, or in a plastic baggie to a fine crumb.
  • In a bowl, add the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Mix to combine. Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
  • In a large bowl, add the two boxes of instant coconut pudding and the milk. Use a hand mixer to combine. Once smooth, add in the softened ice cream and mix again until smooth. Add about 2 tablespoons of the toasted coconut and stir to combine.
  • Pour this mixture into the cooled prepared crust. Top with the remaining toasted coconut.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.

Notes

Our family enjoys this dessert refrigerated. I’ve seen similar recipes where it’s frozen. Either method would be fine.
You can create variations of this recipe by using different flavors of pudding and/or ice cream.
How to Toast Coconut:
Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Spread out 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut on a large baking sheet. Put the baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 3 minutes. Watch carefully as the coconut can go from toasted to burnt in an instant.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 536kcal • Carbohydrates: 62g • Protein: 7g • Fat: 29g • Saturated Fat: 17g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 7g • Trans Fat: 0.4g • Cholesterol: 92mg • Sodium: 325mg • Potassium: 374mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 50g • Vitamin A: 932IU • Vitamin C: 1mg • Calcium: 246mg • 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 old-fashioned Ice Cream Pudding Dessert (or Ice Cream Salad as it’s known in my family) is an easy-to-make dessert recipe comprised of a salty Ritz cracker crust and creamy toasted coconut ice cream pudding filling. I know you’re going to love it. You know this is an old recipe when it’s called a salad, […]




THIS POST HAS 10 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Easy Cinnamon Sugar Cake Recipe

Recipes

Tuesday
Jul / 12 / 2022
Comments 42
       

This cinnamon sugar cake is one of the simplest recipes but yields delicious results. With two tiers of moist white cinnamon cake and a homemade cinnamon buttercream cream frosting, everyone is going to love this easy cake recipe!

a cinnamon sugar cake.

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Cake

Today we are making this cinnamon sugar cake, a super easy cake recipe!

I did have my mom get the recipe (her friend is a cook at the cafe), but after some research, I found out it was a Taste of Home recipe. So, thank you, Taste of Home!

You’ll be shocked at how easily this beautiful cake comes together. In fact, you’ll be able to make it even if you don’t have any baking or cake decorating experience at all.

a cinnamon sugar cake.

Ingredients:

There are two parts to this delicious easy cake recipe – the cake and the frosting. Both are homemade (or semi-homemade). Elevate the flavors by using the freshest ingredients you can find! Here’s what you need:

Cinnamon Sugar Cake

  • White Cake Mix – The flavors stand out best if you use a white cake mix.
  • Milk – Any type of unflavored, full-fat milk will work.
  • Sour Cream – For a richer cake, use full-fat sour cream.
  • Unsalted Butter – Make sure it is unsalted and melted.
  • Eggs – These are the emulsifiers; use large or medium eggs.
  • Ground Cinnamon – You can’t have cinnamon sugar cake without cinnamon!
  • Pure Vanilla Extract – Use a real vanilla extract for a deeper flavor profile.

Homemade Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

  • Unsalted Butter – Use softened butter; it will whip better.
  • Powdered Sugar – If you want this to be sugar-free, use a confectioner’s sugar substitute.
  • Milk – Whole-fat milk will give the buttercream frosting a richer flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon – This not only gives the frosting the flavor but also the light brown specks.
  • Vanilla Extract – Use real vanilla extract.
  • Cinnamon-Sugar – Save a little extra cinnamon sugar for the topping.

a cinnamon sugar cake.
a cinnamon sugar cake.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cake

This cake is insanely easy to make, and I can’t begin to describe how delicious it is. The actual cake is so moist – it’s incredible. And the simplicity of the cinnamon and sugar is magical.

It’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch in cake form, but 100 times better! Something like that.

Honestly, If you’re ever in a pinch for a quick dessert, give this a try. All you have to do is mix all the cake ingredients together. Then, bake two 9-inch cakes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

While the cakes cool off, make the homemade buttercream frosting. Then, add the frosting to the cakes, make the layers, and add even more frosting to the top and sides.

Sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar – that’s it!

To dress it up, I used some washi tape and wood skewers to make a few little flags. I off-centered them on the cake. Simple, but still super cute.

cinnamon sugar cake

Frequently Asked Questions about Cinnamon Sugar Cake

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

Can you freeze this cake?

Yes, this cake will freeze perfectly. If you are going to freeze the cake, I suggest doing so without the frosting.

Wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap and store them in a resealable freezer-safe bag. The cakes will stay fresh in the freezer for about six months.

How do you make an easy cake recipe that is gluten-free?

All you have to do is use gluten-free white cake mix! Everything else in this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

How do you make dairy-free buttercream frosting?

If you want to make the buttercream frosting dairy-free, just use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk. Then, use ghee in place of butter.

a cinnamon sugar cake.

That’s a Wrap On This Easy Cake Recipe!

What makes this cinnamon sugar cake such an easy cake recipe is that it’s made with a box cake mix.

However, with just a few simple tweaks, tricks, and additions, it becomes a really delicious cake that will certainly please everyone’s palette!

a cinnamon sugar cake.

In case you’re looking for more easy dessert recipes, try these!

I hope you enjoyed this easy cake recipe for this delicious cinnamon sugar cake!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

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.

Cinnamon Sugar Cake

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, cinnamon, dessert
Servings: 12
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
a cinnamon sugar cake.
This Cinnamon Sugar Cake is one of the easiest recipes that yield delicious results. Everyone is going to love this easy cake recipe!

Ingredients

Cake
Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the cake. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed for 2 minutes. Transfer the batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans.
  • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and place on wire racks to cool completely.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy – about five minutes. Add the powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. Then, assemble the cake by spreading the frosting between the layers, over the top, and on the sides. Sprinkle the top and sides with the cinnamon-sugar.

Notes

Adapted from Taste of Home

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 597kcal • Carbohydrates: 88g • Protein: 4g • Fat: 26g • Saturated Fat: 16g • Cholesterol: 104mg • Sodium: 385mg • Potassium: 92mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 70g • Vitamin A: 806IU • Vitamin C: 1mg • Calcium: 150mg • 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 cinnamon sugar cake is one of the simplest recipes but yields delicious results. With two tiers of moist white cinnamon cake and a homemade cinnamon buttercream cream frosting, everyone is going to love this easy cake recipe! Easy Cinnamon Sugar Cake Today we are making this cinnamon sugar cake, a super easy cake recipe! […]




THIS POST HAS 42 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Pizza Mountain Pie

Recipes

Monday
Jul / 11 / 2022
Comments 10
       
board of pizza mountain pies.

These Pizza Mountain Pies (also known as campfire pies) are made of two slices of buttered bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni toasted to golden perfection in a cast iron pie maker over a fire. It’s a campfire meal perfected!

pizza mountain pies stacked on board.

Whenever I talk about mountain pies on my Instagram feed I always get a bunch of responses that ask, “What’s a mountain pie?” Well, this post has been a few years in the making as I’ve been wanting a way to easily answer this question. Welcome to my TED Talk about mountain pies! Ha!

I recently gathered together a bunch of ingredients to craft three mountain pie recipes to share with you. We’re going to start with my favorite: a pizza mountain pie. In future posts, I’ll share some of my other favorite mountain pie recipes which are desserts! (I just published my recipe for Cherry Mountain Pies which you can find HERE.)

More recipes to enjoy around the campfire:

pizza mountain pies stacked on board.

If you’ve never had a mountain pie before, you’re in for a treat! I have been making and eating these for as long as I can remember. They are my favorite campfire meal.

Before we get into the details of the recipe, let me answer the obvious questions…

What is a Mountain Pie?

I believe that the name “mountain pie” is a regional thing. According to many of you (and a quick google search), mountain pies are also known as hobo pies, iron pies, pudgy pies, campfire pies, and camper pies.

moutain pie maker in fire.

No matter what you call them, the idea behind them is mostly the same. They are made by putting a filling (savory or sweet) between two slices of buttered bread and then placed in a long-handled metal tool (typically cast iron) that is held over a campfire until the ingredients are cooked and the bread is toasted. The result of this process creates a warm and delicious handheld “pie.”

pizza mountain pies stacked on board.

The Best Mountain Pie Make / Pie Iron

I briefly explained the process above, but now I want to walk you through it step-by-step with this pizza mountain pie recipe (just so there isn’t any confusion). I’ve also included a detailed ingredient list and directions in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Before we begin you’re going to need a pie iron. (Or as I call them: a mountain pie maker.)

mountain pie marker on rock.

This one HERE is the one I own and my personal favorite. I highly recommend that you go with cast iron. It cooks the best and will withstand the heat of the fire for many years to come. The square is the traditional style but you can also find them in a circle shape. You can even get double sandwich irons.
There’s some debate as to whether you start with a hot or cold pie iron. Personally, I find a cold/warm pie iron to work best. A hot iron cooks the bread too quickly resulting in a burnt outside and cold inside. Feel free to experiment and do whatever method you like best.

How to Make a Mountain Pie:

  1. Spray your pie iron with cooking spray. Alternatively, your bread can be buttered. I just find the spray to be a bit easier. I recommend something like Pam or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray.
open mountain pie maker with butter spray.
  1. Place one piece of bread on one side of the pie iron. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and any additional toppings. You can add whatever you’d like. I like my pizza saucy so I always add extra pizza sauce. Just be sure not to overfill your bread.
adding pizza sauce to bread in mountain pie.
making a pizza mountain pie.
  1. Add the second bread slice to the other side of your pie iron and close.
closing a pizza mountain pie.
  1. Cook over a hot campfire until golden brown and hot inside: about 5-7 minutes. The time will vary based on where the iron is in your fire, how hot your fire is, etc.
mountain pie maker in fire.
  1. Flip the iron while it is in the fire so the mountain pie cooks evenly. Also, be sure to check on your mountain pie throughout the cooking process to avoid burning.
  2. Remove the cooked mountain pie from the iron and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying. This is very important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burnt my mouth on hot mountain pie filling. I have zero self-restraint.
pizza mountain pies stacked on board.

And that’s it!

As you can see, it’s really simple to whip up one of these Pizza Mountain Pies. Plus, I love that you can customize it until your heart (and tummy) are content.

Other filling ideas:

If you’re anything like me, your mind is already thinking of all the possibilities you can make in a mountain pie maker. I’ll be sharing two more recipes with you soon but in the meantime, you could try:

  • canned pie filling,
  • ham and cheese,
  • Nutella and berries/banana,
  • pulled pork,
  • cheesesteak,
  • Rueben,
  • breakfast (egg with cheese, sausage/bacon),
  • grilled vegetables and cheese,
  • Caprese (tomato, cheese, and basil),
  • and so many more!

As you can see, you’re only limited by your culinary creativity. Pizza Mountain Pies are easily my favorite, but use whatever you love. Get creative, use leftovers, and try new recipes.

plate of pizza mountain pies.

That’s a wrap!

If mountain pies (aka hobo pies, iron pies, pudgy pies, campfire pies, and camper pies) are new to you, I really hope you enjoyed learning about them and getting my recipe for Pizza Mountain Pies. Go purchase a couple of iron pie makers, grab some bread and fillings, and start roasting.

pizza mountain pies stacked on board.

If you’re already familiar with them, I hope this gave you a little walk down memory lane and inspired you to make them again or try some new recipes. If you’re a mountain pie pro and have some favorite recipes I didn’t mention, please leave them in the comments below. I’m always looking for new things to try and I plan on putting together a master list of mountain pie ideas.


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.

Pizza Mountain Pie

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: campfire pie, mountain pie, pizza
Servings: 1
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 7 mins
Total Time 12 mins
pizza mountain pies stacked on board.
These Pizza Mountain Pies (also known as campfire pies) are made of two slices of buttered bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni toasted to golden perfection in a cast iron pie maker over a fire. It’s a campfire meal perfected!

Ingredients

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 tablespoons pizza sauce
  • ¼ cup mozzarella/Italian cheese blend
  • 4-5 slices of pepperoni
  • cooking spray or butter
  • any additional pizza toppings you enjoy - (optional)

Instructions

  • Spray your pie iron with cooking spray. (Alternatively, your bread can be buttered. I just find the spray to be a bit easier.)
  • Place one piece of bread on one side of the pie iron. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and any additional toppings. Add the second bread slice to the other side of your pie iron and close.
  • Cook over a hot campfire until golden brown and hot inside: about 5-7 minutes. Flip the iron while it is in the fire so the mountain pie cooks evenly. Also, be sure to check on your mountain pie throughout the cooking process to avoid burning.
  • Remove the cooked mountain pie from the iron and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 285kcal • Carbohydrates: 29g • Protein: 14g • Fat: 13g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 4g • Trans Fat: 0.1g • Cholesterol: 30mg • Sodium: 709mg • Potassium: 211mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 5g • Vitamin A: 320IU • Vitamin C: 2mg • Calcium: 217mg • 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!
Pizza Mountain Pies - Pizza Campfire Pies.

These Pizza Mountain Pies (also known as campfire pies) are made of two slices of buttered bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni toasted to golden perfection in a cast iron pie maker over a fire. It’s a campfire meal perfected! Whenever I talk about mountain pies on my Instagram feed I always get a […]




THIS POST HAS 10 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






The BEST Rhubarb Cobbler

Recipes

Saturday
Jul / 9 / 2022
Comments 3
       
rhubarb cobble in glass dish.

Tart rhubarb pairs perfectly with a decadent cake-like topping in this delicious and easy-to-make Rhubarb Cobbler. Serve warm with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate dessert treat.

rhubarb cobbler in dishes.


Normally I don’t like to call things “the best,” but in this case, it couldn’t be any more appropriate. My mom was visiting a couple of weeks ago and we made twenty new recipes. (Crazy, right? Join the IBC mailing list HERE so you don’t miss any.) This rhubarb cobbler was a favorite for both of us. We couldn’t stop eating it.

rhubarb cobbler in dish.


In fact, I loved it so much that I’m going to be making a blackberry cobbler using the same cobbler topping recipe. I’ll share that with you soon. I love blackberries so I know it’s going to be a winner.
And speaking of rhubarb, if you love it as much as I do, I have a post with all of my favorite rhubarb recipes HERE. There are so many delicious recipes!

rhubarb cobbler in dishes.


Anyway, back to this cobbler. You might be wondering …

What Makes This the BEST Cobbler?

ONE. The combination of tart rhubarb and the sweet cobbler topping is beyond magical. Tart and sweet is an exceptional combination when it comes to desserts. The level of tartness from the rhubarb is perfect. As you probably know, I typically love strawberries with my rhubarb, but not in this case.

TWO. I’ve had lots of cobblers in my life and this particular topping is my new favorite. It’s light, soft, sweet, and has a delicate crust on top. It’s perfection.

Have I convinced you to give this rhubarb cobbler a try? I sure hope so! Let me walk you through the recipe.

More Cobblers, Crumbles, and Crisps:

rhubarb cobbler in dish.
rhubarb cobbler in dishes.

How To Make:

You can find a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a 9″ deep-dish pie dish with baking spray. (Find the pie dish I used HERE.)
  3. Add the rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.

rhubarb in pie dish.
  1. Add the rhubarb to the prepared pie dish. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  3. In a large bowl add the butter and sugar. Cream together until fluffy and pale.
  4. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
  5. Add in the flour mixture and mix until just combined.

homemade cobbler topping.
  1. Drop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping onto the rhubarb.

rhubarb cobbler before baking.
  1. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  2. Serve with freshly whipped cream or ice cream.

rhubarb cobbler in dish.
rhubarb cobble in glass dish.

Recipe Notes:

Be sure to use a deep-dish pie dish. Cobblers bubble, so you want to make sure there’s room for expansion. If you don’t have a deep-dish pie dish, an 11×7 pan will work perfectly. I also recommend adding a sheet pan or piece of aluminum foil to the rack below this cobbler just in case anything bubbles over.

HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM: Not sure how to make whipped cream at home? I can help. You can find my homemade whipped cream recipe HERE. It’s so easy!

And that’s it, you’re ready to dive into this amazing rhubarb cobbler.

rhubarb cobbler in dishes.
rhubarb cobbler in pie dish.


As you can see I served mine with homemade whipped cream, but vanilla ice cream would be just as delicious. If you’re serving this for a dinner and want it to feel a bit elevated, I recommend serving it in some footed glassware and garnishing it with fresh mint as I did here. It really makes this dessert feel special and important. (I will let you in on a little behind-the-scenes secret: My mom and I liked this cobbler so much that we just ate it straight out of the pie dish. Ha!)

Styling Sources:

I often get asked about serving dishes, napkins, etc. Here are some of the things used in this post.

(I’m sorry but the footed glass bowls I used here are no longer sold.)

That’s a Wrap:

I certainly hope you’ll give this recipe a try, especially if you haven’t had rhubarb before. This is a great introduction to it and a perfect way to experience its unique and delicious flavor.

Enjoy and happy baking!

rhubarb cobble in glass dish.

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.

rhubarb cobble in glass dish.

The BEST Rhubarb Cobbler

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cobbler, dessert, rhubarb, rhubarb cobbler, summer
Servings: 6 people
Prep Time 34 mins
40 mins
Total Time 1 hr 14 mins
rhubarb cobble in glass dish.
Tart rhubarb pairs perfectly with a decadent cake-like topping in this delicious and easy-to-make Rhubarb Cobbler. Serve warm with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate dessert treat.

Ingredients

Filling:
  • 3 cups chopped rhubarb - (1-inch pieces)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Cobbler:

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9″ deep-dish pie dish with baking spray. (An 11×7 baking dish will work here too.)
  • Add the rhubarb to a bowl. Add the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly to combine.
  • Add the rhubarb to the prepared pie dish. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  • In a large bowl add the butter and sugar. Cream together using a hand mixer until fluffy and pale. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add in the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Drop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping onto the rhubarb.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  • Allow to cool slightly before serving with freshly whipped cream or ice cream.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 357kcal • Carbohydrates: 59g • Protein: 4g • Fat: 13g • Saturated Fat: 8g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 3g • Trans Fat: 0.5g • Cholesterol: 58mg • Sodium: 218mg • Potassium: 214mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 40g • Vitamin A: 455IU • Vitamin C: 5mg • Calcium: 122mg • 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 rhubarb pairs perfectly with a decadent cake-like topping in this delicious and easy-to-make Rhubarb Cobbler. Serve warm with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate dessert treat. Normally I don’t like to call things “the best,” but in this case, it couldn’t be any more appropriate. […]




THIS POST HAS 3 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Products I Love (And Think You’ll Love Too!)

Life

Thursday
Jul / 7 / 2022
Comments 20
       
Products I Love (And Think You'll Love Too!) #shopping #bestproducts #amazonfavorites #amazonfinds #favoritethings #best

I don’t know about you, but I always find it interesting to learn about the products that people love and buy again and again. Also, with the immense array of products available and so many stores to choose from, I often find it overwhelming to find “the best products.”

Products I Love (And Think You'll Love Too!) #shopping #bestproducts #amazonfavorites #amazonfinds #favoritethings #best

That’s why I’m thrilled to be sharing some of my go-to things with you. These are products that I love, couldn’t live without, and think you’ll enjoy too. As you will see below, this list is totally random and ranges from cat food to my favorite bed sheets. To help your scrolling efforts, I organized them by category.

To make it on my list, an item had to check off all of the following boxes:

  • I love the product
  • I use the product frequently
  • I would purchase or have purchased the product again
  • I would recommend the product to a friend

Because this list is rather lengthy, I’ve kept my description of each item on the brief side. In case you have questions or want further information, I’d be happy to address your needs in the comments section.

Products I Love (And Think You’ll Love Too!)

As always, I hope this post is helpful and inspiring. If you enjoy posts like this, let me know in the comments below. I always appreciate your input as it helps me to identify which posts you love the most and what topics you want me to delve into a little bit more.

Enjoy this list!

HOME:

Dyson Cord-Free Vacuum – I use this for quick cleanups and pet hair removal. The small brush head works great for vacuuming cat hair from furniture. While I have a standard, corded vacuum for deep cleaning, the Dyson cord-free vacuum is a must for any quick jobs.

NEST Reed Diffuser Grapefruit – This is the diffuser I used in my living room and family room during spring and summer. If you like a more floral sent, the Bamboo is lovely too. Their Birchwood Pine is my go-to Christmas/winter scent.

Switch Plate Covers – I’ve been slowly updating all of my switch plates. These are my favorite.

Dinnerware – I bought this dinnerware (int white) when I first moved to Pittsburgh and I’ve been so pleased with it ever since. What is really great is that you can dress it up or keep it casual. I’ve used it in almost all of my tablescapes here on the blog. I especially love these low, wide bowls. I’ve used them the most. (Remember how much I love them for my go-to breakfast recipe?)

Bayberry Kitchen Remodel Reveal - Kitchen Makeover Kitchen Design #kitchen #makeover #remodel #traditional #modern #country #design #decorating

Bed Sheets – I’m really weird/picky about my bed sheets. I like crisp, cool, and heavy sheets. My favorite ones are these bed sheets from Serena & Lily. I have the gingham pattern, but I assume any of their 100% cotton percale sheets would have a similar weight and feel. (They are expensive so wait for a coupon/sale.)

Black Picture Frames – I have used these modern, black frames from Target all around my house. They look great with any style and will instantly make your art look valuable and important.

Table Runner – If you’re looking for an inexpensive runner for your table, I can’t recommend these enough. I leave one on my table every day, but I also have several others that I use to photograph my recipes. The quailty is great, they wash up nicely, and are very affordable.

Cordless KitchenAid Appliances – Last year I added KitchenAid’s new cordless kitchen tools to my cooking and baking arsenal and I LOVE them. I’m especially fond of the cordless hand mixer. I haven’t used my cordless version since getting this one. (Find the Cordless Chopper HERE and the Cordless Hand Blender HERE.)

Delicious Homemade Maple Walnut Cupcakes #maple #walnut #cupcakes #dessert #recipe #fallbaking #maplecupcake #maplefrosting

TECH:

Apple AirPods Pro – To be honest, these were a hard purchase for me. I seem to have weird ears, and typically, earbuds don’t work for me. They just won’t stay in. After hearing a lot of great reviews about these particular earbuds, I decided to take the plunge and purchase them. I have zero regrets. I LOVE them. They stay in my ears and the sound quality is great.

Audible – As much as I wish I loved reading, I just don’t because I get too antsy. Audible has been a lifesaver for me. It allows me to “read” without actually having to read the print. I use this app almost daily. Whether I’m going for a walk, working in the garden, or driving in my car, Audible is a must have for me. (If you click HERE you can try Audible Premium Plus and get up to two FREE Audio books!)

Sonos Speakers – I listen to all of my music through Spotify. If you use a music streaming service as well, these speakers are a game changer. They play through your wireless rather than Bluetooth so you can still use your phone while listening to music. I have five of these Sonos speakers and one of their outdoor speakers too! (And yes, you can listen to Audible and Podcast through these speakers – Love that!)

Side Note: And because I know someone is going to ask, you can find the glass canisters in the image below HERE. And yes, I love them too. Highly recommend.

Inspired by Charm's Music Playlists - My Current Music Playlist #spotify #sonos #playlist #music #songs

OUTDOOR:

Outdoor Solar Lights – I think that having outdoor lights at night is a must. Not only does it instantly elevate the look of your home, but it can add safety and security as well. I remember that at my previous home I had to run wires and electricity to have beautiful outdoor lighting. Well, after lots of research, I found some amazing solar-powered options.

I found several sets of outdoor solar-powered lights and I like each of them for different reasons. All of these are the perfect brightness and offer a warm, cozy, and natural light.

DeWalt Leaf Blower – This may be my favorite purchase of the year. It’s the most efficient way to clean up outside. I use this leaf blower almost daily.

Fireplace Color Changing Pine Cones – These are lots of fun. Just toss them into your fire for blue, green, and purple flames.

Outdoor String Lights – These have been hanging on my porch for over a year (even through the frigid PA winter), and I have yet to replace a bulb. The light is warm and cozy.

Summer Decorating: Porch and Patio Ideas #porch #patio #decorating #ideas #outdoor #decor

PERSONAL STYLE:

Anything from Red House – My love for Red House started with their Tote Bag. I use it almost every day. It’s basically my male purse. My murse if you will. Now, I also have their Weekender, Ruck Sack, and a couple Pouches.

Goodfellow T-Shirts – These t-shirts are such a great fit and they last for years. I also love the color selection and the price can’t be beat.

CAT TOYS and TREATS:

Delectables Squeeze Ups – I think my cats would disown me if I stopped buying these. They are their ABSOLUTE favorite treat. It’s like “Go-Gurt” for cats (a must for any pet owner).

Da Bird Cat Toy – This has become my cats’ favorite toy in the universe! I also love these little mice. Leo uses them as a fetch toy. He usually brings me one every night when I get into bed.

Temptations Jumbo Stuff Treats – The Jumbo Stuff treats are a must around here. Any flavor is a winner!

OTHER:

Yeti Tumbler – This is another thing I use all day, every day. I take it with me wherever I go. It has greatly helped me drink more water throughout the day.

FriXion Erasable Pens – I’m very particular about my writing instruments. For my planner, I like using pen, but need the option to erase. These are by far my favorite pens. I like the way they write and in addition, they erase like a dream.

Tidbits Day Planner - What's the Tea: 2020 So Far with Inspired by Charm #whatstheteawithIBC

Sharpies Ultra Fine – For any other writing situation, I use these Sharpies. Love ’em.

Stumptown Coffee – I have been exclusivity drinking Stumptown coffee for 4 years now. My go-to beans are Holler Mountain and Evergreen (seasonal blend).

And that’s my list for now!

As I mentioned above, I’ll be sure to update this list when I have new things to add. If you don’t want to miss any updates, be sure to subscribe to the IBC Mailing List HERE. You can also find me on Instagram at @inspiredbycharm

I don’t know about you, but I always find it interesting to learn about the products that people love and buy again and again. Also, with the immense array of products available and so many stores to choose from, I often find it overwhelming to find “the best products.” That’s why I’m thrilled to be […]




THIS POST HAS 20 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Summer Berry Spinach Salad

Recipes

Wednesday
Jul / 6 / 2022
Comments 3
       
big bowl of spinach salad with berries.

If you’re looking for an easy and fresh salad that you can assemble in minutes, this Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a winner. It’s topped with fresh berries, mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, and poppyseed dressing. What’s not to love?

big bowl of spinach salad with berries.

This Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a recipe I’ve been wanting to share on Inspired by Charm for years. My mom has been making this recipe for as long as I can remember and it’s fabulous!

Since she was visiting last week, I decided we could whip this up together and have it for dinner. (See the recipe notes below for how to turn this side salad into a main course.) I was so glad we decided to make it because it was WONDERFUL. We even whipped up a batch of her homemade poppy seed dressing which is the perfect addition to this salad.

More Summer Salad Recipes You Need to Try:

big bowl of spinach salad with berries.
bowls of spinach salad with berries.

This is one recipe you definitely need to try. I highly recommend it for the spring and summer months, but it’s delicious any time of the year. It also makes the best salad to serve at parties, barbecues, and picnics because it’s so quick and easy to assemble.

Let me walk you through the recipe and share some of my tips for making this the most epic salad ever.

big bowl of spinach salad with berries.

What’s In a Berry Spinach Salad?

Below you will find what I recommend for this berry spinach salad. However, if you want to deviate from the recipe to make it your own, that is fine.

Here’s what you need:

Other things you might want to consider adding:

  • goat or feta cheese
  • fresh pineapple
  • cucumbers
  • red onion
  • grilled chicken, steak, shrimp

And that’s all you need! Yes, it is that simple. I’m going to share a few other notes below. You can find the full recipe and ingredient list in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

big bowl of spinach salad with berries.

Recipe Notes:

Can I Prepare this Salad in Advance?

Yes and no. While I don’t recommend mixing this salad in advance, you can prepare all of the ingredients and just toss them together when it’s serving time. Putting it all together will take less than 2 minutes. That is why this salad works perfectly for a party!

What’s the Best Poppy Seed Dressing?

I recommend homemade. You can find my easy and delicious recipe HERE. Don’t want to make it? Pick up the Marzetti poppy seed dressing. It’s my favorite from the store.

adding poppy seed dressing to spinach salad.

What Type of Candied Pecans do you Recommend?

Make your own! I’ve tried a few store-bought varieties and they all seem to work well. If you don’t like pecans, you can use any sort of candied nut. If you want to make your own, I have a delicious homemade recipe HERE. They are SO GOOD and you’ll have leftovers for snacking. It’s a win-win!

Can I Serve this Salad as a Main Course?

You bet you can! I love serving this with grilled chicken, but fish, shrimp, or even steak would be delicious options as well.

And I think that about covers it, my friend. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. I really hope you savor this salad as much as my family and I do!
Enjoy!

fork into a bowl of spinach salad with berries.

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.

Summer Berry Spinach Salad in a bowl.

Summer Berry Spinach Salad

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: berries, spinach, spinach salad
Servings: 6
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
If you’re looking for an easy and fresh salad that you can assemble in minutes, this Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a winner. It’s topped with fresh berries, mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, and poppyseed dressing.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup strawberries - hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 1/2 cup mandarin oranges
  • 1/2 cup candied pecans*
  • 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing*

Instructions

  • In a large bowl add the spinach.
  • Top with berries, oranges, and candied pecans.
  • Just before serving, drizzle with poppyseed dressing.
  • Toss to combine.

Notes

* You can purchase your favorite candied pecans and poppyseed dressing.
However, if you’d like to make your own, I have two recipes you will love:

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 128kcal • Carbohydrates: 13g • Protein: 2g • Fat: 8g • Saturated Fat: 1g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g • Monounsaturated Fat: 1g • Trans Fat: 0.01g • Sodium: 261mg • Potassium: 258mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 9g • Vitamin A: 2965IU • Vitamin C: 24mg • Calcium: 50mg • 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!

If you’re looking for an easy and fresh salad that you can assemble in minutes, this Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a winner. It’s topped with fresh berries, mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, and poppyseed dressing. What’s not to love? This Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a recipe I’ve been wanting to share on Inspired by […]




THIS POST HAS 3 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Recipes

Wednesday
Jul / 6 / 2022
Comments 2
       
poppy seed dressing in a jar.

Making salad dressing at home is so easy! You’re going to love this Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing. The flavor is delicious and you won’t believe how simple it is to make. It’s the perfect way to dress your salads all year long.

homemade poppy seed dressing in a jar.

I recently shared a fabulous recipe for Summer Berry Spinach Salad. (It’s one of my favorite spring and summer salad recipes.) In that recipe, I mentioned a homemade poppy seed dressing. In this post, I’m excited to bring you that recipe.

adding poppy seed dressing to spinach salad.

I got this recipe from my mom who has been making it for years. It’s one of my favorites and it goes well with so many salad recipes. As I mentioned above, I especially like it on Summer Berry Spinach Salad. You can also use it on my Fall Harvest Pasta Salad Recipe. SO GOOD!

As with most homemade dressings, this one is simple to make. You just need a few ingredients and about five minutes.

poppy seed dressing in jar.

What’s In Poppy Seed Dressing?

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to whip up this recipe. You can find a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

  • vegetable oil
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sugar
  • poppy seeds
  • dry mustard
  • salt

Before we get into the recipe, I’ll address a few questions that you may have.

homemade poppy seed dressing in a jar.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you need to keep poppy seed dressing refrigerated?

Yes. Store this dressing in the refrigerator in a sealed container. I recommend removing the dressing from the refrigerator about thirty minutes before serving. You’ll want to give it a good whisk as well.

mixing poppy seed dressing.

How long does homemade dressing last?

This poppy seed dressing will be good for about 3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Can I make this in a mason jar?

You sure can! Just add all of the ingredients to a large mason jar and shake to combine. This is an easy way to make the dressing as you don’t need to dirty an extra bowl or whisk.

You can find the fancy jar I used in this post HERE. The leak-proof resealable lids can be found HERE.

homemade poppy seed dressing in a jar.

And that’s a wrap on this Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing! Add it to your favorite salad and dig in!
Speaking of salads, what are your favorites for pairing with poppy seed dressing? Let me know in the comments below because I’m always looking for new ways to use this recipe.

I hope you’ll give this dressing a try! If you do, let me know. I’d love to hear what you think.
Enjoy!

poppy seed dressing in a 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 Poppy Seed Dressing

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dressing, poppy seed dressing, salad, salad dressing
Servings: 10
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
homemade poppy seed dressing in a jar.
You’re going to love this Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing. The flavor is delicious and you won’t believe how simple it is to make. It’s the perfect way to dress your salads all year long.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container.
  • Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Mix or shake before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 63kcal • Carbohydrates: 15g • Protein: 0.1g • Fat: 0.2g • Saturated Fat: 0.02g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g • Sodium: 117mg • Potassium: 13mg • Fiber: 0.1g • Sugar: 15g • Vitamin A: 0.1IU • Vitamin C: 0.02mg • Calcium: 6mg • Iron: 0.1mg
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

Making salad dressing at home is so easy! You’re going to love this Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing. The flavor is delicious and you won’t believe how simple it is to make. It’s the perfect way to dress your salads all year long. I recently shared a fabulous recipe for Summer Berry Spinach Salad. (It’s one […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Italian Sprinkle Cookies (Italian Wedding Cookies)

Recipes

Monday
Jul / 4 / 2022
Comments 18
       
How to Make Italian Sprinkle Cookies also known as Italian Wedding Cookies #sprinkle #cookies #italianweddingcookies #nonpareils #cookie #recipe #sprinklecookies

These Italian sprinkle cookies (also known as Italian wedding cookies) are delicious, soft cookies dunked into a sweet glaze and topped with colorful sprinkles. You’ll be looking for any excuse to make and serve these sweet little bites.

They look even better than they taste, and that’s saying something because these are showstoppers.

Italian sprinkle cookies pinterest image

Italian Wedding (Sprinkle) Cookies

If you’ve never had Italian sprinkle cookies, you are in for a treat! They are basically soft sugar cookies in ball form that have been submerged in a sweet glaze and topped with sprinkles. As my queen, Ina Garten, would say, “How bad can that be?”

From what I understand, traditional Italian sprinkle cookies are made with anise, which is the taste of black licorice. I feel like that is a flavor you either love or hate – and I am not a fan.

You’ll notice in my recipe that I used almond, lemon, and vanilla extract instead. This creates a really delicious flavor combo that I can certainly get behind. Sorry, anise.

plates of Italian wedding cookies

Frequently Asked Questions about Italian Wedding Cookies

Before we get to the Italian wedding (sprinkle) cookies recipe, here are some questions people often ask about it. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

Why are they called wedding cookies?

These are some of my favorite types of cookies to place on a wedding cookie table. A wedding cookie table is a Pittsburgh-area tradition that started in the early 20th century when Italian and Greek immigrants brought their traditions with them to Pennsylvania.

At Italian and Greek weddings, large platters of cookies are very common. My Italian wedding cookies are delicate, white, and topped with festive sprinkles.

Can you freeze Italian wedding cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these cookies. I suggest freezing them before you add the glaze and sprinkles. Bake them and let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put the baking sheet in the freezer.

After the cookies are completely frozen, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag and keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to eat them again, let them thaw in the refrigerator and then add the glaze and sprinkles.

Are Italian wedding cookies the same thing as Mexican wedding cookies?

They are very similar but come from different areas in the world. Both Mexican and Italian wedding cookies are round and white and served at weddings.

Mexican wedding cookies are made with butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour and often include chopped nuts. Then, they are covered in a dusting of powdered sugar.

Italian wedding cookies are made with powdered sugar, not granulated sugar, and flavored with almond and lemon extract. Then, they are covered in a sweet glaze.

Do Italian wedding cookies have nuts?

Nuts in Italian wedding cookies are completely optional. I used almond extract instead of adding chopped almonds.

sprinkle covered sugar cookie balls

Ingredients:

I used ingredients that are easy to find, so you can just go shopping and make these delicious wedding cookies whenever you want. Here’s what you need to have when you make them.

Cookie Ingredients

  • Eggs: These are the emulsifier in the recipe and keep all the ingredients together.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour.
  • Confectioners’ Sugar: This is what gives the cookies the melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Baking Powder: The baking powder enhances the overall texture of the cookies, making them lighter.
  • Shortening: This is the fat that creates an undeniably smooth cookie. I prefer Crisco – it’s the best!
  • Almond and Lemon Extract: I replaced the traditional anise flavor with a combination of almond and lemon extract.

Glaze Ingredients:

  • Confectioners’ Sugar: I always use powdered sugar in my buttercream frosting or glaze recipes because it creates the ideal consistency.
  • Whole Milk: Make sure the milk is warmed.
  • Almond and Vanilla Extract: This combination mirrors the flavors in the cookie dough.
  • Kosher Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors.
  • Colored Nonpareils: Use your favorite colors for the decorations.
Italian wedding sprinkle cookies

These sprinkle Italian wedding cookies are really simple to make too. The dough comes together quickly – there’s no chilling time required. Then, you dip the cookies into the icing right out of the oven. The longest waiting period is allowing that sweet glaze to cool.

The recipe I worked from to create these Italian sprinkle cookies made seven dozen. Yikes – that’s a lot of cookies. So, I pared it down to three and a half dozen. That said, if you want a batch of seven dozen, just double the ingredients in the recipe card below, and you’ll be good to go.

Colorful Italian dessert for weddings on a plate

I also made a Christmas version of this recipe. (Don’t get too excited, I just changed the color of the sprinkles.) It’s fun and festive!

If you’ve never made this type of cookie before, do give them a try. And have fun changing up the nonpareil sprinkle colors to suit the celebration, occasion, or holiday.

Now, on to the recipe!

nonpareils on glazed baked cookie dough

Kitchen Tools I Recommend for This Recipe:

Whether you’re wondering what equipment you’ll need for this recipe, curious about my favorite utensils, or if you are just looking to stock your own kitchen, these are the tools I recommend for this recipe:

Want more? You can find the list of My Ultimate Kitchen Essentials HERE.

Italian sprinkle cookies cooling on a rack

How to Make Italian Wedding (Sprinkle) Cookies:

After making them once, you’ll be a huge fan of how easy they are! Here’s how to make these simple and delicious Italian wedding cookies.

Mix dry ingredients

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, and baking powder. Mix on low speed.

ingredients in a stand mixer

Add shortening and extracts

Gradually beat in the shortening, almond extract, and lemon extract until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

cookie dough in a kitchenaid mixer

Add eggs until dough is stiff

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs until light and foamy. Slowly add the beaten eggs to the flour and shortening mixture. The dough will be stiff.

raw dough balls on a baking sheet

Bake the cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes. The tops of the cookies will remain white, and the bottoms will be slightly browned.

In a small bowl, make the glaze by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, almond extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth.

powdered sugar being whisked in a bowl

Glaze the cookies

As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, glaze them. Working in batches of about four cookies, add them to the bowl of glaze, turn them around with a fork, and then remove them from the glaze.

dunking cookie dough in lemon glaze

Use the fork to place the cookies on a cooling rack to drain. Immediately top this set of cookies with sprinkles. Repeat with the remaining cookies.

adding sprinkles to Italian wedding cookies

When glazing your cookies, I recommend placing a piece of wax paper under your cooling rack to make for easy clean-up.

sprinkle cookies for weddings on a cooling rack

Store the cookies

Once the cookies are cool and the glaze is set, pack them in an airtight container.

close up on round sprinkles on cookie balls

And That’s a Wrap on These Italian Sprinkle Cookies!

Trust me on this one, they look as delicious as they taste. While these are perfect for the holidays and other celebrations, I also love them just as much when served with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s the perfect combination and just enough of a treat to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Happy Baking!

table of cookies and coffee

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.

shiny glazed Italian wedding cookies with sprinkles on a plate

Italian Sprinkle Cookies

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: cookies, Italian Sprinkle Cookies, sprinkle cookies
Servings: 42 cookies
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 27 mins
How to Make Italian Sprinkle Cookies also known as Italian Wedding Cookies #sprinkle #cookies #italianweddingcookies #nonpareils #cookie #recipe #sprinklecookies
These Italian Sprinkle Cookies (also known as Italian Wedding Cookies) are delicious, sweet, and soft cookies dunked into a sweet glaze and topped with colorful sprinkles. You’ll be looking for any excuse to make and serve these sweet little bites.

Ingredients

Glaze

Equipment

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, and baking powder. Mix on low speed.
  • Gradually beat in the shortening, almond extract, and lemon extract until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs until light and foamy. Slowly add the beaten eggs to the flour and shortening mixture. The dough will be stiff.
  • Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 10-12 minutes. The tops of the cookies will remain white, and the bottoms will be slightly browned.
  • In a small bowl, make the glaze by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, almond extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth.
  • As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, glaze the cookies. Working in batches of about four cookies, add them to the bowl of glaze, turn them around with a fork, and then remove them from the glaze. Use the fork to place the cookies on a cooling rack to drain. Immediately top this set of cookies with sprinkles. Repeat with remaining cookies.
  • Once the cookies are cool and the glaze is set, pack in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

When glazing your cookies, I recommend placing a piece of wax paper under your cooling rack to make for easy clean-up.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 89kcal • Carbohydrates: 14g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 3g • Saturated Fat: 1g • Trans Fat: 1g • Cholesterol: 12mg • Sodium: 36mg • Potassium: 16mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 9g • Vitamin A: 20IU • Calcium: 22mg • 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 Italian sprinkle cookies (also known as Italian wedding cookies) are delicious, soft cookies dunked into a sweet glaze and topped with colorful sprinkles. You’ll be looking for any excuse to make and serve these sweet little bites. They look even better than they taste, and that’s saying something because these are showstoppers. Italian Wedding […]




THIS POST HAS 18 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (Crack Corn Dip)

Recipes

Saturday
Jul / 2 / 2022
Comments 113
       
corn dip in bowl with Fritos.

This Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (also know as Crack Corn Dip) is a crowd pleasing appetizer that has become my go-to party recipe. It’s easy to make and will always great rave reviews!

hand getting corn dip with Fritos.

Out-of-this-World Corn Dip:

Greetings all! I hope you had a fab Fourth of July. I know I did.

Though, I must admit having a holiday mid-week always screws me up. Not only do I have no idea what day it is, my productivity schedule is completely out of whack. Anyone else?

corn dip in bowl.

Yesterday I whipped up an impromptu dip for a little swimming nosh at my Dad’s house. I hadn’t made this dip in over five years and honestly forgot how delicious it really is. And, you know me, it’s super simple to put together an it makes a ginormous amount of dip.

Want more delicious dip recipes? These are my favorites:

crack corn dip in bowl with chips.

I actually found this recipe via a Gooseberry Patch cookbook my mom gave me years ago when I first moved to Philadelphia after college.

However, after a quick google search found it all over the net. Some even call it Crack Corn Dip! (That’s what my family calls it now because they love it so much!) But, for the purpose of this post, I give all the credit to Gooseberry Patch’s Coming Home with Gooseberry Patch.

the best corn dip in a bowl with hand.

How to make Crack Corn Dip:

This Corn Dip Recipe is so easy to make:

  • Just toss all the ingredients in a bowl.
  • Stir to evenly combine
  • Refrigerate until your ready to serve.

That’s it!

corn dip ingredients in bowl.

Recipe Notes:

I couldn’t find the corn with diced peppers, so I just used plain sweet corn and added in 1/4 cup of chopped roasted red peppers. Fabulous!

Also, take the time to make sure everything is drained really, really well. This dip can get runny if you don’t. Also the longer it sets, the more the cheese soaks up any liquids.

making the best corn dip.

Kitchen Tool I Recommend for this Recipe:

Whether you’re wondering what equipment you’ll need for this recipe, curious about my favorite utensils, or if you just looking to stock your own kitchen, these are the kitchen tolls I recommend for this recipe:

Want more? You can find the list of My Ultimate Kitchen Essentials HERE.

corn dip with Fritos in basket.
dipping into corn dip with chip.

Trust me, this Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (Crack Corn Dip) is edible gold!

It’s has a small kick (use less jalapeños if you don’t want it as spicy), but I love that. So fab!

Have you ever made this before? If not, are you tempted to make it now?

corn dip 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.

corn dip in a bowl.

Out-of-this-World Corn Dip

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, corn dip
Servings: 12 people
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
corn dip in bowl.
This Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (also know as Crack Corn Dip) is a crowd pleasing appetizer that has become my go-to party recipe. It’s easy to make and will always great rave reviews!

Ingredients

  • 3 (11 oz) cans MexiCorn (sweet corn & diced red and green peppers), drained
  • 1 (7 oz) can chopped green chiles
  • 1 (6 oz)can chopped jalapeno peppers - drained and liquid added to taste
  • 1/2 cup green onion - chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (16 ounce) package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2-3 bags Fritos Scoops corn chips

Equipment

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except chips.
  • Chill two hours to overnight. Serve with Frito Scoops corn chips.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 282kcal • Carbohydrates: 19g • Protein: 3g • Fat: 23g • Saturated Fat: 5g • Cholesterol: 18mg • Sodium: 333mg • Potassium: 163mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 3g • Vitamin A: 378IU • Vitamin C: 6mg • 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!

This Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (also know as Crack Corn Dip) is a crowd pleasing appetizer that has become my go-to party recipe. It’s easy to make and will always great rave reviews! Out-of-this-World Corn Dip: Greetings all! I hope you had a fab Fourth of July. I know I did. Though, I must admit having […]




THIS POST HAS 113 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Really Good Easy Fruit Dip

Recipes

Friday
Jul / 1 / 2022
Comments 21
       
You only need four ingredients to make this delicious and Easy Fruit Dip recipe! #fruitdip #dip #dessert #fruit #recipe

If you’re looking for a creamy, flavorful fruit dip that’s quick to make, look no further. You only need four ingredients and five minutes to whip up this easy fruit dip recipe.

This dip goes perfectly with all your favorite fruits. Not only that, but it adds a pretty pop of pink to your table too.

easy fruit dip pinterest image

Easy Fruit Dip

With the outdoor entertaining season upon us, I thought we could use a yummy and easy fruit dip recipe.

For as long as I can remember, this is the fruit dip that my mom has made. For me, it’s a requirement for summer barbecues at home. (Oh, and if you need a vegetable dip, this Really Good Veggie Dip is a winner! It’s my go-to recipe!)

Although I’m probably partial to this dip for sentimental reasons, I also recommend it because it is one of the best fruit dip recipes out there.

strawberries, pineapple, blackberry and grapes on a tray with fruit dip

What is the best dip for fruit?

This one right here! 😉 What I love is that it’s so simple to make. Better still, you likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry or refrigerator, or they’re just an online order away. All you need is cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, yogurt, and a splash of maraschino cherry juice!

The cream cheese gives it tang, the marshmallow makes it fluffy, and the yogurt keeps it smooth.

I also like the pale pink color, which you might guess is from the maraschino cherry juice. If you don’t have any on hand or don’t want to use it, no worries! You can substitute a splash of grenadine, a bit of strawberry jelly, or even a little red food coloring.

strawberry being dipped into whipped topping

Frequently Asked Questions about Fruit Dip

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

fruit dip in a geometric shaped bowl in the center of a tray of fruit

How long is homemade fruit dip good for?

If you store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for up to seven days.

What fruit is good for dipping?

Any type of fruit that you like to eat will taste delicious in this homemade fruit dip! My favorite types of fruit to dip are grapes, strawberries, and blackberries. It also goes well with apples, pineapples, and peaches.

Is marshmallow fluff the same as marshmallow cream?

Marshmallow fluff and marshmallow cream are so similar that it is hard to tell them apart. You can use them interchangeably in this fruit dip. The biggest difference between them is the way they are mixed or whipped. Marshmallow fluff has a slightly lighter and fluffier consistency than marshmallow cream.

pineapple chunk scooping up some fruit dip from a bowl

Ingredients:

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

  • Marshmallow Fluff: This is what gives the dip its sweet flavor and fluffy texture.
  • Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor, and make sure you soften it before you mix it.
  • Vanilla Yogurt: Either regular or Greek yogurt will be perfect in this dip.
  • Maraschino Cherry Juice: A splash of juice will sweeten the dip and give it a pretty pink color.
easy fruit dip recipe image

How to Make Fruit Dip:

It’s easy! Simply place all of the ingredients in a bowl and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Serve with fresh fruit.

I served this dip many times when I ran my bed and breakfast. It was a special treat I could pair with a plate of fruit in the morning. You might not be surprised to hear that it was always a crowd-pleaser!

platter of fruit with pink dip in the center

That’s a Wrap on Homemade Fruit Dip!

I told you this was easy. I think you’ll enjoy it, too. If you’re looking for a tasty fruit dip that’s a breeze to make, give this recipe a try, and let me know what you think!

Whether you’re serving it at a picnic, family barbeque, or a night in with friends, this easy fruit dip recipe is sure to be a hit! (If not, you can blame my mom! Haha!)

LOOKING FOR MORE IBC DIP RECIPES? TRY THESE:

close up platter of fruits

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.

Easy Fruit Dip Recipe:

Easy Fruit Dip

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dip, fruit, fruit dip
Servings: 10
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 5 mins
You only need four ingredients to make this delicious and Easy Fruit Dip recipe! #fruitdip #dip #dessert #fruit #recipe
If you’re looking for a flavorful, creamy, and easy fruit dip, look no further. You only need four ingredients and five minutes to whip up this Easy Fruit Dip recipe. And it goes perfectly with all your favorite fruits.

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and blend with a hand mixer until smooth.
  • Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving
  • Serve with fresh fruit.

Video

Notes

This fruit dip can be made in advance and stored covered in the refrigetaor for up to five days. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 168kcal • Carbohydrates: 24g • Protein: 3g • Fat: 8g • Saturated Fat: 5g • Cholesterol: 26mg • Sodium: 89mg • Potassium: 85mg • Sugar: 18g • Vitamin A: 315IU • Vitamin C: 1mg • Calcium: 64mg • 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!

If you’re looking for a creamy, flavorful fruit dip that’s quick to make, look no further. You only need four ingredients and five minutes to whip up this easy fruit dip recipe. This dip goes perfectly with all your favorite fruits. Not only that, but it adds a pretty pop of pink to your table […]




THIS POST HAS 21 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Lemon and White Chocolate Cookies

Recipes

Thursday
Jun / 30 / 2022
Comments 4
       
lemon and white chocolate cookies on a plate.

Fresh lemon and white chocolate come together to create these soft and flavorful White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies. The texture will remind you of a traditional soft chocolate chip cookie, but the flavor is bright and fresh and has a touch of decadence.

lemon cookies with white chocolate chips on a plate

White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies

Recently I was putting together a spread of cookies and realized I didn’t include many summer-themed ones. Consequently, I started to brainstorm some new cookie recipes and came up with these White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies.

lemon cookies with white chocolate chips on a plate

As I mentioned above, they are like chocolate chip cookies, but the flavor is totally different in a really wonderful way. I love how white chocolate pairs with lemon. It’s such a lovely flavor combination and it really shines in these cookies.

Speaking of lemon, I’m a big fan of lemon-based dessert recipes. If you are too, I have an entire blog post dedicated to my favorite lemon dessert recipes. You can find that here. There are so many good recipes that I’m certain you’ll love.

lemon cookies with white chocolate chips on a cooling rack.

If you need a quick, refreshing, and tasty summer cookie recipe, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy these White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies. I hope you’ll give them a try!

Want more cookie recipes? Here are a few favorites:

lemon cookies with white chocolate chips on a plate.

How to Make:

I will walk you through the steps here, but there is a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s get baking!

  1. Begin by adding the butter, cream cheese, and sugars to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the lemon zest, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Beat to combine.
  3. Add the egg and beat to incorporate.
  4. Add the lemon juice and mix to incorporate.
  5. Add the flour and baking soda. Mix until just combined.

lemon cookie dough in bowl.
  1. Add in the white chocolate chips and mix to evenly incorporate.
  2. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

white chocolate chips and lemon cookie dough in bowl.
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop out a heaping tablespoon of dough. Roll the dough into a ball in your hands.
  3. Roll the ball in sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press the cookie down.

bottom of glass flattening cookie.
  1. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  2. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are starting to brown.
  3. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a baking rack to finish cooling.
  4. Pack and store in an airtight container.

lemon cookies on a cooling rack.

Recipes Notes:
A couple of quick things to note while you’re baking …

When you add the lemon juice, the mixture will look separated. This is totally normal; just continue with the process.

As you can see, my cookies have a few white chocolate chips on top. This is totally optional, but I think it adds to the look of the cookies. You can press the chips into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.

lemon cookies on a plate.
up close picture of lemon cookies.

How to Store:

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about a week.

Can you Freeze:

Yes, just pack and store in a freeze-friendly container. As with any frozen cookies, I recommend enjoying them within about 3 months.

lemon cookies with white chocolate chips.

And that’s it! You should be all set to make these delicious White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies. Enjoy and happy baking!

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.

White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, lemon, white chocolate
Servings: 36
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
lemon cookies with white chocolate chips on a plate
Fresh lemon and white chocolate come together to create these soft and flavorful White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies. The texture will remind you of a traditional soft chocolate chip cookie, but the flavor is bright and fresh and has a touch of decadence.

Ingredients

To finish:

Instructions

  • Begin by adding the butter, cream cheese, and sugars to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until light and fluffy scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the lemon zest, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Beat to combine.
  • Add the egg and beat to incorporate. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the lemon juice and mix to incorporate.*
  • Add the flour and baking soda. Mix on low until the ingredients start to come together. Increase the speed and mix until just combined. Add in the white chocolate chips and mix to evenly incorporate.
  • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Scoop out a heaping tablespoon of dough. Roll the dough into a ball in your hands. (If the dough is sticky, add a little water to your hands.)
  • Roll the ball in sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Then use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press the cookie down to form a 2-inch disc. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are starting to brown.
  • Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet. (Optional: Press a few white chocolate chips into the top of the cookies.) Then transfer to a baking rack to finish cooling.
  • Pack and store in an airtight container.

Notes

*Your batter may look “broken” at this point; that is normal. The batter will come together when you add the dry ingredients.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 152kcal • Carbohydrates: 21g • Protein: 2g • Fat: 7g • Saturated Fat: 4g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g • Monounsaturated Fat: 2g • Trans Fat: 0.2g • Cholesterol: 18mg • Sodium: 38mg • Potassium: 40mg • Fiber: 0.3g • Sugar: 14g • Vitamin A: 148IU • Vitamin C: 1mg • Calcium: 21mg • 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!

Fresh lemon and white chocolate come together to create these soft and flavorful White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies. The texture will remind you of a traditional soft chocolate chip cookie, but the flavor is bright and fresh and has a touch of decadence. White Chocolate and Lemon Cookies Recently I was putting together a spread […]




THIS POST HAS 4 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






My Favorite 4th of July Recipes

Recipes

Monday
Jun / 27 / 2022
Comments 12
       
The Best 4th of July Recipes #4thofJuly #recipes #independence #day #dessert #picnic #cookout


What are your plans for July 4? In America, many people will be celebrating our country’s birthday with fireworks, get-togethers, and plenty of food and drinks. It’s a celebration I look forward to every year. Here are a few of my favorite 4th of July recipes!

The Best 4th of July Recipes #4thofJuly #recipes #independence #day #dessert #picnic #cookout

In the spirit of the holiday, I’ve rounded up my favorite 4th of July recipes from IBC. There are dips, salads, sandwiches, desserts/treats, and even a drink. So much goodness to choose from! I hope that you’re able to one or several of these recipes to celebrate this Independence Day or any summer get-together. While a few of the 4th of July recipes fit the red, white, and blue theme, many can be served for any occasion or celebration.

I’m certain you’re going to find a new recipe to love. Like many of these recipes have for me, I hope one or two become a new tradition and must-have recipe for years to come. Enjoy!

WANT MORE 4th OF JULY DESSERTS?

You’re in luck! In addition to all of these recipes, I created and entire post dedicated to 12+ of the Best Star-Spangled 4th of July Recipes. You can find that recipe collection HERE.

The Best 4th of July Dessert Recipes #4thofJuly #dessert #recipes #independenceday #picnic #cookout #summer

And with that let’s get into this collection of delicious recipes. There’s something for everyone!

My Favorite 4th of July Recipes:

The first two dishes are ones I make every year for the 4th of July party my father hosts.

Out of this World Corn Dip - The BEST Corn Dip recipe! #corndip #dip #appetizer #recipe #crackcorndip

Out-of-this-World Corn Dip – I promise this dip is a crowd pleaser. Some people even call it “crack corn dip.” It has a bit of heat that nicely complements tortilla chips. I make this multiple times a year. It’s so simple and loaded with flavor. This is a must-make!

10 Patriotic Desserts | Inspired by CharmRed, White and Blue Trifle – This 4th of July recipe uses a boxed red velvet cake mix, Cool Whip, and a mixture of blueberries and strawberries so it’s easy to create. Layering the ingredients in a large clear glass container gives it a fancy look.

Red Velvet Cupcake #redvelvet #cake #cupcakes #4thofJuly #dessert #recipe

Red Velvet Cupcakes – Speaking of red velvet, these cupcakes are baked in patriotic-colored liners and decked out with red, white, and blue sugar candies. They are topped with Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting. Delicious!

4th of July Macaroni Salad Recipes:

Everyone has their favorite type of macaroni salad so I often serve a couple of varieties.

Macaroni Salad (Miracle Whip Based) Recipe #macaronisalad #summer #grilling #recipe #pasta #salad #sidedish

Miracle Whip Macaroni Salad – If you prefer the tang of Miracle Whip Salad Dressing, you’ll want to try this one inspired by my dad’s recipe. The Ditalini pasta adds an unexpected rustic touch to this tried-and-true side.

Really Good Macaroni Salad #macaronisalad #recipe #pasta #salad #macaroni
Mayonnaise Macaroni Salad – Folks who favor macaroni salad with a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream base are likely to go for this one with its Dijon mustard and dill highlights. It’s called “really good” for a reason!

WANT MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES?

If you’re looking for even more pasta salad recipes, I have an entire collection of them! I love making them as much as I love eating them. You can find 10+ more unique and delicious pasta salad recipes HERE.

Pulled Pork Sliders #sliders #pulled #pork #recipe #picnic

Pulled Pork Sliders – This 4th of July recipe is my take on the regional staple. Meat eaters will definitely love these sliders, but all of your guests are sure to enjoy the homemade coleslaw. Serve it in the sandwiches or as a side.

4th of July Drink Recipes:

Star-Spangled Mule - Fourth of July / Independence Day Cocktail Recipe #MoscowMule #cocktail #america #berry #recipe

Star-Spangled Mule – You and your fellow partiers can toast America’s birthday with this tasty Moscow Mule. Summer-fresh berries and a super special garnish give it a memorable twist.

You're going to love this easy and delicious Campari Sangria Recipe! #sangria #recipe #summer #campari #rosé #wine #cocktail

Sangria – If you’ve been following IBC for some time, you’ll know how much I love sangria. It’s so simple to make, really delicious, and sit erves a crowd. In fact, I love it so much that I have 12+ unique sangria recipes. I will link them all HERE. There is red sangria, white sangria, rosé sangria, sangria popsicles, and so much more. Pick your favorite or try them all.

Rummy Cherries (Alcohol Soaked Gummies) #gummybears #rum #cocktail #cocktails

Rummy Cherries – These colorful, alcohol-soaked, cherry-shaped gummies are a fun adult treat for summer entertaining and yummy homage to the father of our country. Make plenty or you might have to ration them. These technically aren’t a drink, but you’ll love them just the same.

Mason Jar Cherry Supreme - classic summer dessert recipe | Inspired by Charm

Cherry Supreme – I know I’m not the only one who associates cherries with the Fourth. This classic dessert looks and tastes even better when served in small Mason jars.

WANT MORE MASON JAR DESSERTS?

In case you’re looking for more Dessert in a Jar Ideas, check out my post HERE. There are several unique and delicious recipes. They are all served in mason jars for the most unique and beautiful presentation.

More Must-Make 4th of July Recipes:

Blueberry Cream Pie #blueberry #cream #pie #dessert #recipe

Blueberry Cream Pie – If you want to bring blue into your dessert lineup, try this 4th of July recipe. The graham cracker crust and creamy custard filling don’t require a lot of time in the kitchen.

These Antipasto Kabobs (Antipasto Skewers) are a delicious, easy, and beautiful appetizer recipe. #antipasto #kabobs #recipe #appetizer #HorsDoeuvres

Antipasto Kabobs – These kabobs are quick to assemble, and only a few of the ingredients need to be cooked. The best part, however, is the wow factor. (You can find other Delicious and Easy Hors D’oeuvres Ideas here.)

Cheesecake Dip with Strawberries - a fun and delicious way to eat dessert! #cheesecake #dip #strawberries #dessert #recipe

Cheesecake Dip with Strawberries – The flavors in this 4th of July recipe mimic those of strawberry cheesecake, but I suspect your guests will be more intrigued by the presentation. After dipping a whole strawberry in  cheesecake, you roll the fruit in graham cracker crumbs. Too cute!

WANT MORE STRAWBERRY RECIPES: 

Strawberries are a summer staple. That’s why I put together a list of my favorite strawberry dessert recipes. There are cakes, cocktails, dips, pies, and so much more. You can find my Best Strawberry Desserts for Summer Recipe Collection HERE.

This Really Good Veggie Dip is actually THE BEST vegetable dip! #veggie #dip #recipe #snack #vegetable

Really Good Veggie Dip – This recipe comes from a deli in my hometown. The dip is simple to whip up using things you probably have in your refrigerator and pantry, so it’s perfect for a busy holiday. I bet you and your guests will love it as much as I do.

You'll love this tasty and delicious Fruit Dip Recipe. You can make it under five minutes! #fruit #dip #fruitdip #dessert #recipe

Really Good Fruit Dip – True to its name, this creamy dip is incredible! And since it only requires four ingredients, it’s a breeze to prepare. I got the recipe from my mom, who’s been making it for as long as I can remember.

How to Make Italian Hoagie Dip #hoagie #sub #hoagiedip #dip #appetizer #recipe #italiansub #gameday

Italian Hoagie Dip – All the ingredients and flavors you love about an Italian hoagie (submarine sandwich) have come together in this unique Italian Hoagie Dip. You’re going to be looking for an excuse to try this tasty dip.

Want even more cold appetizer recipes ideas? Well, you’ve guess it, I have an entire post dedicated to my favorites. You can find THE BEST COLD APPETIZER RECIPES here.

Thanks all … for now!

I will continue to update this post as I discover more delicious recipes! Which of my 4th of July recipes are your favorites? What are your “must-makes” for Independence Day? Please tell us in the comments below

More Delicious Recipe Collections:

Want More from Inspired by Charm?

I’m so happy you are here! Are you looking for more ways to create your happy place? Be sure to join the IBC Mailing List so you never miss a thing.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.

What are your plans for July 4? In America, many people will be celebrating our country’s birthday with fireworks, get-togethers, and plenty of food and drinks. It’s a celebration I look forward to every year. Here are a few of my favorite 4th of July recipes! In the spirit of the holiday, I’ve rounded up […]




THIS POST HAS 12 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Cake in a Jar

Recipes

Thursday
Jun / 23 / 2022
Comments 12
       
Learn how to make this colorful and creative Cake in a Jar! #recipe #cake #masonjar #cakeinajar #jar #cupcake #recipe

If you’re looking for a creative way to serve individual cakes, look no further than this Cake in a Jar recipe idea. It’s as simple as layering colorful cake and frosting in a mason jar for one cute and delicious dessert.

cake in a jar pinterest image
close up of layered cake in glass jars

Mason Jar Cake for Parties

You might remember me sharing this Cake in a Jar idea a few years ago as part of my caticorn-inspired party. I loved these little mason jar cakes so much that I thought they deserved their own post.

painted mason jar lid

You know an idea or a recipe is a good one when you come across it again several years later, and you look at it with the same joy and delight. I will also freely admit I snacked on those cakes for a couple of days after the photo shoot.

Want More Mason Jar Desserts? Try These:

colorful cake in a jar with a spoon beside it

What is Cake in a Jar?

Also called cake jars, these cute desserts are a creative substitute for cupcakes. They are basically mini layered cakes in small mason jars. Since each mason jar cake has its own lid, this is a perfect way to protect the mini cakes from germs.

I also happen to prefer the taste of cake over cupcakes, and this is a fun way to enjoy the best of both. Plus, no more feeling awkward while everyone watches you cut the cake—this portable dessert is ready to go.

How to Make Cake in a Jar

As you’ll see in the recipe below, Cake in a Jar is simple to make. I used box cake mix because I think it works just as nicely. The trick is to bake the cake in sheet pans to ensure a thin layer of cake. This will allow you to layer more cake in your jars.

Here are all of the ingredients I used to make cake in a jar:

  • Cake Mix
  • Butter
  • Cream Cheese
  • Confectioner’s Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Food Coloring
  • Sprinkles
boxed cake cut into circles using a cookie cutter

Alternatively, you can use your favorite homemade cake recipe. It will work the same way.

With the cake baked and cooled, use a round cookie cutter (the size that fits into your mason jars) and cut out rounds of cake.

Because it’s my favorite, I used my go-to cream cheese frosting for this recipe. I highly recommend homemade frosting over store-bought. The homemade version is simple to make, and the flavor is a hundred times better.

red, orange, and pink icings in bowls

The theme of this party was all about being yourself, so I had a lot of fun with the colors in my cake and frosting. I even added sprinkles! You can use different colors depending on your event or celebration.

frosting on top of cake in a jar topped with sprinkles

Once the cake and frosting are prepared, layer the cut cake rounds in your mason jars. After each layer of cake, pipe or spread a layer of frosting. Shake some sprinkles on the frosting for pizzazz.

Continue layering until you reach the top of the jar. Then cover with a lid.

spray painted teal lid on a mason jar filled with layers of cake and frosting

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions people often ask about cake in a jar. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

What are some different ways I can decorate the mason jar lids?

As you can tell, I got creative with my jar lids. I added a bit of whimsy with a colorful cat-adorned lid. (More details on how I made the jars can be found here.)

However, an unpainted mason jar lid could be just as beautiful. Tie off the jar with twine for a rustic touch.

How long will mason jar cakes last in the refrigerator?

If you are making cakes in a jar ahead of time, I suggest only doing it the night before or the morning of the event. The longer they are in the refrigerator, the more the frosting will begin to change consistency. They taste the best fresh! If necessary, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

cake in a jar desserts on a party table

Can you freeze cake jars?

Yes, you can definitely store them in the freezer too. The only thing to remember is that as they thaw they will change consistency slightly. Keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Again, I would suggest enjoying these as fresh as possible for best results.

Can you make ice cream cake in a mason jar?

Yes, it would be so much fun to make mason jar ice cream cakes! If I were going to do that, I’d soften some ice cream and place it in a frosting piping bag. Then, I’d use the bag to pipe the ice cream into the mason jar in between layers of frosting and cake. Then, freeze them just long enough to solidify the ice cream again.

painted animals and lids on mason jars filled with dessert

That’s a Wrap on Cake in a Jar!

With that, your mason jar cakes are ready. Not only are they cute and delicious, but they are easy to pack and transport. In fact, they’d make a delightful dessert for a summer picnic!

Whatever you do with it, this Cake in a Jar idea is a fun and clever way to serve cake. With plenty of batter flavors, frosting recipes, and styles of jars to choose from, you can let your creativity run wild.

Use my recipe below as a guide, then have fun with your own creations!

Happy baking!

half eaten cake inside of a container

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.

Cake in a Jar Recipe:

Cake in a Jar

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, cake in a jar, mason jar cake
Servings: 24 servings
Prep Time 10 mins
Adorable and delicious Cake in a Jar! #recipe #cake #cupcake #masonJar
If you’re looking for a creative way to serve individual cakes, look no further than this Cake in a Jar recipe idea! It’s as simple as layering colorful cake and frosting into a mason jar for one cute and delicious dessert!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Begin by preparing both cake mixes according to the package directions. Add food coloring to each of the prepared batters to achieve the desired color. (I used teal gel food coloring.)
  • Bake the cakes in two greased and floured half sheet pans. Follow package directions for baking. You’ll know the cakes are done if a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • In the meantime, prepare your frosting. With an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese, and salt for about three minutes or until smooth.
  • Then, one cup at a time, add the confections sugar, mixing between each addition. Next, add the milk until the desired consistency is reached. (More powdered sugar may be added to thicken the frosting.) Finally, beat in the food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
  • After both sheet cakes have cooled, cut out cake rounds from each. Use a round cookie cutter that is the same size as your mason jar (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter) to cut out the rounds. You will need need a total of 72 rounds (3 rounds per mason jar).
  • Begin by layering the cake rounds and frosting in the mason jars. Start with a cake round, then frosting and sprinkles and then another cake round and more frosting and sprinkles. Finish off with a third cake round. Top with your cat-ified mason jar lid to complete.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!

If you’re looking for a creative way to serve individual cakes, look no further than this Cake in a Jar recipe idea. It’s as simple as layering colorful cake and frosting in a mason jar for one cute and delicious dessert. Mason Jar Cake for Parties You might remember me sharing this Cake in a […]




THIS POST HAS 12 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Oreos (Chocolate Sandwich Cookies)

Recipes

Tuesday
Jun / 21 / 2022
Comments 4
       
homemade oreos on a plate.

Do you love Oreos as much as I do? If so, you’re in luck because I’m teaching you how to make Homemade Oreos. Two crispy chocolate cookies are sandwiched together with sweet rich buttercream to recreate these classic chocolate sandwich cookies with a gourmet touch.

stack of homemade Oreos.

Let’s Make Homemade Oreos

Of all the store-bought prepackaged cookies, Oreos are my favorite (Double Stuffed Oreos to be specific). I thought it was time to finally see if I could tackle a homemade variety.

Homemade Oreos on plates and cutting board.

It’s the perfect time to try out this recipe as my brothers and I are hosting a little retirement party for my mom and I’m putting together an array of cookies. These will be a lovely and delicious addition.
Now, before you feel misled, these aren’t an exact replica of the classic Oreo cookie. I like to think of them as more of a gourmet version with some similar qualities and flavors.

  • The cookies are dark, rich, and crisp, and the flavor is pretty darn close to an Oreo.
  • The cream filling is a bit softer and more “real” tasting.
stack of Homemade Oreos.

I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with these homemade “Oreos.” They are full of flavors and the textures work wonderfully together. I think you’re going to enjoy them too!

Want more sandwich style cookies? Try these:

homemade oreos stacked on plate.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Filling of Oreos Made of?

In essence, the filling in an Oreo cookie is a buttercream. (They actually might use oil instead of butter.) I’m pretty sure that the store-bought variety has some stabilizers, white coloring, etc. We are skipping all the extras and making a classic buttercream with butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt which complements the rich chocolatey cookie perfectly.

Homemade Oreos on wood board.

Why are Oreos Black?

I’m not sure I would necessarily call them black but rather a really dark brown. My homemade “Oreos” get their color from the dark brown sugar and cocoa powder.

Can You Freeze These Cookies?

These cookies can be stored for about 5-7 days at room temperature, 3-4 weeks refrigerated, and up to 3 months frozen.

stack of Homemade Oreos.

Now, let’s get into the recipe!

Since this is a sandwich-style cookie, they do take a little longer to make and assemble, but the process is really simple. I think that even a novice baker could tackle this recipe.

How to Make Homemade Oreos:

I’m going to walk you through the step-by-step process here. There is a printable recipe card with a full ingredient list and detailed recipe instructions at the end of this post.

  1. Beat together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add in the egg and beat again to combine.
  3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda to the butter mixture. Mix on low until evenly combined.
chocolate cookie dough.
  1. Divide the dough in half.
  2. Roll out each half of the dough between two pieces of parchment or wax paper.
rolled out cookie dough.
  1. Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut circles from the rolled dough.
  4. Place the circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
cookies on baking sheet.
  1. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
  2. Make the frosting by first beating the butter until light and smooth.
  3. Add in half of the confectioners’ sugar and beat slowly.
  4. Add the remaining powdered sugar. Beat till incorporated.
  5. Add in the milk, vanilla, extract, and salt. Beat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
buttercream in mixing bowl
  1. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
  2. Pipe the icing onto the bottom of one cookie and put the sandwich together with another cookie.
piping buttercream onto cookie.
sandwiching two cookies together.
  1. Pack and store in an airtight container.

All that’s left to do is enjoy!

homemade Oreos on a plate.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Homemade Oreos. If you give them I try, I’d love to know what you think. Swing on back and let me know in the comments below.

Happy Baking!

homemade oreos.

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 Oreos

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate sandwich cookie, cookie, cookie recipe, oreo, sandwich cookie
Servings: 36 cookies
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 14 mins
Chilling Time: 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr 14 mins
stack of Homemade Oreos.
Do you love Oreos as much as I do? If so, you’re in luck because I’m teaching you how to make Homemade Oreos. Two crispy chocolate cookies are sandwiched together with sweet rich buttercream to recreate these classic chocolate sandwich cookies with a gourmet touch.

Ingredients

Cookies:
Buttercream Filling:

Instructions

  • To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment add the butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat at medium-high speed until light and fluffy: about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add in the egg and beat again to combine.
  • Next, add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda to the butter mixture. Mix on low until evenly combined and there are no traces of flour.
  • Divide the dough in half. Roll out each half of the dough between two pieces of parchment or wax paper. Roll out to a thickness of 1/8th inch.
  • Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut circles from the rolled dough.
  • Place the circles at least 1-inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the dough is set and cookies start to brown. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a cooling rack.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough.*
  • While your cookies cool, prepare your buttercream filling.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and smooth. Add in half of the confectioners’ sugar and beat slowly. Once mostly combined, add the remaining powdered sugar. Beat till incorporated.
  • Add in the milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium speed for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
  • Pipe the icing onto the bottom of one cookie and put the sandwich together with another cookie, bottom sides together.
  • Pack and store in an airtight container.

Notes

You can also make this recipe with a hand mixer.
*Dough scraps can be formed into a ball, rerolled, refrigerated, and cut again.
Cookies can be stored for about 5-7 days at room temperature, 3-4 weeks refrigerated, and up to 3 months frozen.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 165kcal • Carbohydrates: 21g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 9g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g • Monounsaturated Fat: 2g • Trans Fat: 0.4g • Cholesterol: 28mg • Sodium: 117mg • Potassium: 42mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 15g • Vitamin A: 283IU • Calcium: 11mg • 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!

Do you love Oreos as much as I do? If so, you’re in luck because I’m teaching you how to make Homemade Oreos. Two crispy chocolate cookies are sandwiched together with sweet rich buttercream to recreate these classic chocolate sandwich cookies with a gourmet touch. Let’s Make Homemade Oreos Of all the store-bought prepackaged cookies, […]




THIS POST HAS 4 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Berry Stuffed French Toast Recipe

Recipes

Monday
Jun / 20 / 2022
Comments 12
       

This berry stuffed French toast recipe is always a winner when served for breakfast. Filled with berries and cream cheese and topped with maple syrup, what’s not to love?

Berry Stuffed French Toast pinterest image

The secret’s out – I like sweet things for breakfast.

I don’t think I’ve told you my house is down the street from a Sheetz gas station/convenience store. And several years ago, they carried a cotton candy donut. This is embarrassing to admit, but that donut had some magical power over me.

I would wake up, try to make myself look presentable (but that didn’t really matter), drive the quarter-mile, and buy a cotton candy donut on a somewhat regular basis. And by “a” cotton candy donut, I mean two or sometimes three.

I would tell myself I’d save one for tomorrow. But, of course, that never happened because I consumed them in quick succession. (We’ve all been there, right? My cotton candy donut might be your peanut M&Ms or potato chips.)

As I’m typing this, I feel like I’m applying for an episode of My Strange Addiction. It wasn’t that bad, but I definitely was hooked. Thankfully, Sheetz no longer carries the cotton candy donut, so my “addiction” has stopped, and thankfully my jeans still fit.

close up of French toast dusted with powdered sugar and covered with berries

Anyway, this story has little to do with this post other than to illustrate how much I love sweets. Even though I’m 99% sure you already knew that.

French toast is a classic breakfast dish, but I like to make things a little bigger and bolder. This particular French toast is stuffed with a blend of sweetened cream cheese and fresh berries to create a decadent morning treat. (Maybe even better than my cotton candy donuts…maybe.)

Want more breakfast ideas? Try these recipes:

berry cream cheese breakfast on a plate

Frequently Asked Questions about Stuffed French Toast

Before we get to the stuffed French toast recipe, here are some questions people often ask about it. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

How do you make a French toast filling?

There are a lot of different ways you can make filling for stuffed French toast. My recipe uses cream cheese, fresh berries, sugar, and vanilla. Not a fruit fan? You could also leave out the berries and just use a cream cheese filling.

Why does my French toast come out soggy in the middle?

This is a common problem for anyone that uses a slice of bread that is too thin, fresh, or flimsy. No matter what type of bread you use, you need to make sure it is thick enough. If your bread is thick enough, then look at the milk mixture. If you use too much milk or skim milk, the bread might be soggy.

Other causes of soggy French toast include leaving the bread in the milk and egg mixture or cooking it at too high of heat, which sears the outside and leaves the middle uncooked.

What is the best type of bread to use in French toast?

My top three favorite types of bread to use for French toast are Brioche, challah, and French baguette. They are thick and dense enough to cook really well with the milk and egg coating.

I know we usually say “fresh is best” when it comes to food, but in this case, that’s not necessarily true. The best french toast is made with bread that’s slightly stale, so maybe a few days old. I usually buy a loaf, enjoy a fresh sandwich or two, then let it sit for a few days before whipping up my french toast!

two slices of French toast stuffed with cream cheese filling

The Best Stuffed Berry French Toast

This stuffed French toast recipe is so delicious that you’ll be proud to serve it at your next brunch or for guests.

As you might have guessed, this was another go-to recipe at my B&B.

Ingredients:

I used traditional ingredients to make the French toast, but the filling makes it really stand out! Remember, the fresher the ingredients (minus the bread – keep it slightly stale!), the better it will taste.

  • French Bread: This is the best kind of bread to use because it will toast and crisp up perfectly.
  • Cream Cheese: Soften an entire package of cream cheese; you will use this in the filling.
  • Fresh Berries: Any type of berries are perfect, so use what is in season.
  • Sugar: Use granulated sugar in the filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Use vanilla in the egg coating for the bread to give the filling a deeper flavor.
  • Eggs: These are what crisp up and give the French toast its iconic flavor and texture.
  • Milk: Either whole milk or half and half will work perfectly. You need full-fat milk.
  • Ground Cinnamon: As the French toast cooks, you’ll smell the slightly-spicy aroma of cinnamon.
  • Ground Nutmeg: This is a classic ingredient in my favorite French toast recipes.
  • Salt: Enhances all the other ingredients and makes them stand out more.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter when you fry the French toast.
  • Optional: Maple syrup, confectioner’s sugar, and additional berries for serving.
close up of stuffed French toast breakfast

How to Make Stuffed French Toast:

What makes this recipe work especially well is the preparation of the bread. You start with a loaf of unsliced French bread.

To cut the bread, make your first slice only 3/4 of the way through the bread. Then, move over and make a second slice the whole way through.

man holding a slice of bread

This will make a little pocket to fill with that delicious sweet cream cheese berry mixture.

cream cheese mixture between two pieces of bread

Speaking of the filling, for this recipe, I’m showing you how to create mixed berries. However, you can substitute any fruit you’d like. I’ve done this with just strawberries and even cranberries around the holidays. Use whatever you like or whatever is fresh.

fresh mixed berries in a bowl
stacked of stuffed French toast

Once the bread is stuffed, the preparation is the same as any French toast – dip that bread into a mixture of egg and milk and make sure its evenly coated.

French toast being dipped into egg and milk mixture

Then, drop it into a skillet or on a griddle and fry up your French toast.

golden brown toast in a skillet

Naturally, you’ll want to top it all off with a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar, maple syrup, and some more fresh berries. Since we’ve come this far, we might as well do it, right?

Then, grab your fork and enjoy!

syrup being poured over top of berry stuffed French toast

How to Store Stuffed French Toast

Sadly, stuffed French toast does not store very well. It tastes the best when you eat it hot off the griddle. However, if you want to save leftovers, I suggest eating them within a day or two.

Store leftover stuffed French toast in an airtight food storage container and keep it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.

a bite of cream cheese filled French toast on a fork

That’s a wrap on stuffed french toast!

And that, my friends, is how to create a delicious, memorable breakfast. Let me tell you, this berry stuffed French toast recipe tastes as good as it looks.

mixed berry french toast

Give this recipe a try – add your own twist, and tell us what you think. Oh, and if you ever see cotton candy donuts at Sheetz, buy 2 or 3, eat them all, and don’t feel guilty.

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.

The Best Berry Stuffed French Toast Recipe:

Berry Stuffed French Toast

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: berries, breakfast, brunch, french toast, stuffed french toast
Servings: 12 pieces
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
This Berry Stuffed French Toast recipe is always a winner when served for breakfast. Stuffed with berries and cream cheese, then topped with maple syrup, what’s not to love?

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Begin by cutting your bread. With a bread knife remove about an inch from the end of the bread. Then, make a slice about 1/2 inch into the bread. Only cut about 3/4 of the way through. Then, about a 1/2 inch from your first slice, make another cut into the bread. This time, slice through. This will leave you with a slice of bread with a little pocket. Continue slicing the rest of the loaf in the same fashion. Set aside.
  • In a bowl with a hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, chopped berries, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. Set aside.
  • Using a spatula, spread a generous amount of the berry and cream cheese mixture between the two layers of each slice of bread. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, break the eggs. Whisk together with the milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Next, add some butter to a hot skillet set to medium-high heat and melt. Using a pair of tongs, dip the stuffed bread into the egg mixture. Allow any excess egg mixture to drip off; then place the bread in the skillet. Cook for about 4-6 minutes or until the bread is browned to your liking. Continue this process with the rest of the stuffed bread.
  • Sprinkle the French toast with confectioner’s sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup and more fresh berries.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 270kcal • Carbohydrates: 31g • Protein: 9g • Fat: 12g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 3g • Trans Fat: 0.1g • Cholesterol: 110mg • Sodium: 318mg • Potassium: 154mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 14g • Vitamin A: 490IU • Vitamin C: 0.5mg • Calcium: 89mg • 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 berry stuffed French toast recipe is always a winner when served for breakfast. Filled with berries and cream cheese and topped with maple syrup, what’s not to love? The secret’s out – I like sweet things for breakfast. I don’t think I’ve told you my house is down the street from a Sheetz gas […]




THIS POST HAS 12 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Flower Arranging Guide | petaldriven.com Coupon Code

Interiors

Friday
Jun / 17 / 2022
Comments 4
       

I’m thrilled to share this complete flower arranging guide with you – including a valuable Petal Driven (petaldriven.com) coupon code that will save you money on gorgeous fresh flowers shipped right to your door.

Spring Flower Arrangement #spring #flowers #tulip #vibernum

Creating floral arrangements is one of my favorite things! You can literally create an entire mood with flowers and greenery. I can’t think of a single occasion where flowers don’t belong. Graduations, weddings, birthday parties, even funerals – flowers express what we can’t find the words to say.

Flower arranging might look complicated at first, but once you learn the basics, you’ll realize how easy and fun it is. If you have ever created other pieces of art like photographs, paintings, or sketches – then you probably already know the basic design rules I’m talking about. If not, keep reading, and I’ll tell you more about it in this guide.

I have to warn you – once you begin arranging flowers, your hobby might turn into an addiction or a lucrative side hustle. You won’t mind, though, because arranging flowers is an artistic outlet where you can express your creativity.

Plus, I’m sharing my favorite place to get the freshest flowers: Petal Driven. This company sources flowers from across six continents and ships gorgeous blooms right to your front door. These flowers are a lot more varied and fresh than what you might find at your grocery store florist.

vase of tulips

Frequently Asked Questions about Flower Arranging

Before we get to the flower arranging guide, here are some questions people often ask about it. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

What is flower arranging?

The term flower arranging describes the art of displaying floral blooms in a container to show them off. This can look like a large bouquet full of a variety of different flowers or one single type.

arranging tulips

Are silk or fresh flowers better for arranging?

The decision to use silk or fresh flowers all depends on the purpose of the arrangement. For example, how long will the flowers be displayed? How will they be transported? What is the purpose of the event?

If you want a seasonal floral arrangement that lasts all season long, you might want to go with silk flowers.

If you plan something formal like a wedding, fresh flowers set a more regal tone.

Personally, I’m a big fan of fresh flowers!

flower arrangement on dresser

What is the basic rule in flower arrangement?

Flower arrangements follow the same design principles as other types of art. You need to pay special care to the balance, scale, and emphasis of the arrangement.

Make sure you have a focal point and build around it, making sure you balance the design evenly on both sides of the focal piece.

How do you arrange your flowers like a florist?

You don’t have to have a degree in floral design to arrange flowers like a pro – you just have to be picky with your designs.

  • Choose the highest-quality flowers and greenery. Cheap florals make your entire arrangement look cheap. I love to shop at PetalDriven because they always send me the freshest and boldest blooms (and I have a coupon code for you if you scroll down a bit).
  • Next, keep your arrangement secure. Use the correct mechanics to keep your flowers where you place them. As you place the flowers into the vase or container, pay close attention to the mechanics of good design principles.
  • Finally, go with your gut! If you think it looks fantastic, then go for it!
Flower Arranging Guide

Surprisingly, it isn’t roses. It’s lilies. They are one of those types of flowers that are at home at any event – from weddings to funerals.

Roses aren’t a flower I choose often for my arrangements, but I can work on a guide specific to arranging them if you are interested.

Flower Arranging Guide

PetalDriven Coupon Code

Here is your coupon code!

PetalDriven is a go-to for me when I need a lot of flowers. They offer direct (straight from the farm) wholesale flowers shipped directly to your door.

You can save 10% on your order by using code “INSPIRED10” at checkout. You can find their beautiful collection of florals HERE.

hyacinth bouquet

Flower Arrangement Ideas

Here are some of my best flower arrangement ideas. I hope they spur on some creative ideas for you and give you a fresh new way to create more projects.

How to Arrange Tulips

Tulips are an attention-grabbing flower. They are some of my favorite florals to arrange because they almost arrange themselves as you place them in the vase.

vase of tulips

In fact, I have an entire guide about how to arrange tulips. Check that out for lots of photos and my take on the penny and vodka hack.

My biggest tip for arranging tulips is to trim them and change the water every day. They open towards the light, so place tulip arrangments near a window that receives sunshine.

How to Style Modern Flower Arrangements

The key to modern flower arrangements is the vase. Choosing the correct container is half the battle. So pick out something understated that still grabs your attention.

Browse these modern flower arrangement ideas to give yourself a few designs to try out. I even share some of my favorite places to buy modern floral vases.

Peony Arrangement on coffee table

How to Arrange a Tulipiere

Have you ever used a tulipiere? If not, this guide will answer all of your questions.

Tulipiere - Flower Vase

A tulipiere is a wonderful vase with individual spouts that keeps your tulips separated from each other and prevents them from sagging too much.

It can seem intimidating at first, but it is actually quite simple. You just need to make sure you trim the tulips at the correct height. The container does the rest of the work for you.

Tulipiere - Flower Vase / Tulip Vase #tulipiere #vase #flowervase #tulips #tulipvase #flowerarranging #flowers #bouquet

Creating Beautiful Peony Arrangements

When it comes to my favorite flowers, peonies rank high on the list. Not only are they beautiful and available in so many varieties, but part of their magic for me is that their season is so short. In mid-spring, they pop up, and before you know it their beauty is gone and we wait for their return the following spring.

peony arrangement in glass vase.

In this post, I’m sharing all of my tips and tricks for creating easy and beautiful peony arrangements.

We’re covering everything including where to buy, how to arrange, and tips for keeping your arrangements looking their best.

How to Arrange Flowers for Events and Gatherings

One of my favorite things about arranging flowers is how they can set an entire mood. When I arranged flowers for a retreat, I discovered a few tricks that helped me use the flowers to set the tone.

Flower Arranging Guide

It’s important to use muted colors. The flowers need to enhance the room’s atmosphere, not demand all the attention from it.

You should also aim to fill the vase as fully as you can. When an arrangement is full and bountiful, it helps everyone’s hearts and minds feel full too.

Flower Arranging Guide

How to Arrange Fall Florals

The biggest difference between the flower arrangements of different seasons is the colors. When you create a fall bouquet, you will use flowers that fall within the golden spectrum. Use lots of red and orange hues.

fall flower arrangement

The greenery should be vivid and dark, enhancing the colors of the flowers.

That’s a Wrap on this Flower Arrangement Guide

There you have it! From understated tulip arrangements to full arrangements at retreats, there are so many different ways to create the perfect display. As someone who doesn’t have any floral training, I can honestly tell you that the best thing you can do is follow your heart.

Don’t forget to check out Petal Driven and use code “INSPIRED10” to save 10% off your next order!

EVEN MORE DECOR IDEAS

fall flower arrangement.

LOOKING FOR MORE FROM INSPIRED BY CHARM?

Please join me on Instagram. Follow along for details about my antiquing adventures, shopping trips, decorating ideas, and more! Also, be sure to join the IBC Mailing List, so you don’t miss a thing. I will send weekly updates with all of my favorite ideas, delicious recipes, and the best tips to create your happy place!

Connect with Michael! Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

I’m thrilled to share this complete flower arranging guide with you – including a valuable Petal Driven (petaldriven.com) coupon code that will save you money on gorgeous fresh flowers shipped right to your door. Creating floral arrangements is one of my favorite things! You can literally create an entire mood with flowers and greenery. I […]




THIS POST HAS 4 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar

Recipes

Wednesday
Jun / 15 / 2022
Comments 5
       
Yogurt Parfait and granola bar on counter.

Hosting breakfast or brunch? Then you need to try a Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar! It’s a simple, unique, and beautiful way to serve a tasty and completely customizable breakfast. Your guests are going to love it!

yogurt parfaits and granola bar on counter.
This post is sponsored by the makers of Ball® home canning products.*

Remember last summer when I shared my go-to breakfast recipe? Well, I took the idea to the next level and designed it for a crowd with this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar.

Why a Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar?

I’m always looking for creative and special ways to host guests. This idea might be my new favorite when it comes to serving breakfast to a large group of people. Why?

  • It is so easy to set up.
  • By using storage jars, you can quickly set it up multiple days in a row.
  • This bar is completely customizable by using toppings to suit your occasion.
  • The look is absolutely adorable.
  • With a variety of topping options, it satisfies many different taste preferences.
  • It’s filling and delicious.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

yogurt and granola parfaits
yogurt and granola parfait on kitchen counter.

I also need to give a shout-out to Ball® home canning products and their new Stack & Store Jars as they are partially responsible for inspiring this clever breakfast hack. Because these jars are airtight and stackable (love that!), they have become a staple for my dry pantry storage and I couldn’t wait to use them in an unexpected yet (if I do say so myself) brilliant way!

jars with yogurt toppings.

Products Used:

As you can see, Ball® home canning products were essential to my Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar spread. I recommend using resealable containers like these, especially if you are hosting breakfast for multiple days. Instead of filling (and then cleaning) a bunch of bowls and containers, dry items can be stored in the pantry and cold items can be stored in the refrigerator.

ball stack and store jars
berries and jars with yogurt toppings.
yogurt parfaits and granola bar on counter.

The Stack and Store jars are perfect for your dry goodies while the traditional mason jars are perfect for things like honey, yogurt, etc. You could even store your extra fruit, berries, etc. in the jars.
I also loved using the Ball® 8 oz jars for serving the parfaits. They are a perfect size and you can even use the lids to reseal them if needed.

Dry Storage:

Wet/Refrigerator Storage:

Serving Jars:

Other:

Now that you’re all stocked up on storage and serving devices, let’s talk about some of the ingredients you’ll want to use to bring this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar to life!

Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar.

What Type of Yogurt is Best:

I suggest using whatever yogurt you enjoy best, whether that’s traditional, greek, skyr, dairy-free, etc. My only recommendation here is that you use unflavored or vanilla. Since you’re providing a plethora of topping options, you want your yogurt flavor to be on the neutral side so that its flavor won’t compete with the toppings.

yogurt and granola parfaits

What are Good Toppings for Yogurt:

Get as creative as you like with your toppings. You can use what you love. If you’re hosting a celebration, you can pick items that match your theme or decor. For example, if you’re hosting a tropical event, use tropical fruits, coconut, macadamia nuts, etc.

Yogurt Parfait topping in jars and plates.
jars with yogurt toppings.

To help get you started, here is a list of things I recommend (some of which I used on my Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar):

  • berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)
  • fresh fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi, apples, pears, banana, etc.)
  • dried fruit (raisins, cherries, figs, cranberries, etc.)
  • nuts (sliced almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
  • shredded coconut
  • granola
  • chocolate chips (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate)
  • crushed cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc.)
  • honey
  • maple syrup
  • nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)
  • mint leaves (to garnish)

As you can see, it is possible to go all out with this idea or keep it quite limited, and it will still be just as wonderful. That’s what I love about this. You can really make it your own or customize it to suit your celebration or event.

wood spoon adding granola to yogurt.
Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar.

With all of that in place, you just need some napkins and wooden spoons for serving. And while completely optional, a vase of seasonal blooms finishes off this decadent display beautifully. I used a mix of store-bought flowers and some from my yard. It is peony season, after all, so including a few of them was a must.

Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar.
adding wood spoon to yogurt parfait.

I’m not sure a recipe is required for this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar. However, I’m going to provide one for you anyway. I thought it might be handy to have something you can print out and view as you’re gathering supplies and ingredients. I hope it’s helpful. You can find the printable recipe card below.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this idea and that it provides a little inspiration for your next breakfast or brunch gathering. Enjoy and happy entertaining!

yogurt and granola parfait on kitchen counter.
yogurt and granola parfaits

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.

Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast, brunch, granola, parfait, yogurt
Servings: 6
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
yogurt parfaits and granola bar on counter.
Hosting breakfast or brunch? Then you need to try a Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar! It’s a simple, unique, and beautiful way to serve a tasty and completely customizable breakfast. Your guests are going to love it!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups yogurt
  • 3 cups fruit or berries
  • 2 cups granola
  • 1 cup nuts
  • 1 cup honey - maple syrup, and/or nut butter
  • additional toppings
  • fresh mint to garnish

Instructions

  • Begin by filing a Ball® 8 oz jar with yogurt.
  • Add fresh fruit or berries. Top with granola, nuts, and/or additional toppings.
  • Drizzle with honey, maple syrup, and/or a scoop of nut butter.
  • Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Notes

You can adjust this recipe to serve as many people as you’d like. These are just suggested serving sizes, feel free to add more if desired.
Topping Options:
berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)
fresh fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi, apples, pears, banana, etc.)
dried fruit (raisins, cherries, figs, cranberries, etc.)
nuts (sliced almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
shredded coconut
granola
chocolate chips (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate)
crushed cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc.)
honey
maple syrup
nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)
mint leaves (to garnish)

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 618kcal • Carbohydrates: 95g • Protein: 14g • Fat: 24g • Saturated Fat: 5g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g • Monounsaturated Fat: 11g • Cholesterol: 16mg • Sodium: 76mg • Potassium: 562mg • Fiber: 6g • Sugar: 67g • Vitamin A: 161IU • Vitamin C: 3mg • Calcium: 210mg • 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!
*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that is part of an ongoing partnership with the Fresh Preserving Division of Newell Brands. They have provided jars and monetary compensation. All thoughts and opinions expressed remain my own.
Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar

Hosting breakfast or brunch? Then you need to try a Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar! It’s a simple, unique, and beautiful way to serve a tasty and completely customizable breakfast. Your guests are going to love it! This post is sponsored by the makers of Ball® home canning products.* Remember last summer when I shared […]




THIS POST HAS 5 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Blackberry Crumb Bars

Recipes

Monday
Jun / 13 / 2022
Comments 11
       
Blackberry Crumb Bars on plate

These Blackberry Crumb Bars combine a soft thick crust, sweet and juicy blackberry filling, and crispy oat crumb to create a delicious handheld dessert treat.

plate of blackberry crumb bars

Blackberry Crumb Bars:

If I had to pick a favorite berry, it would definitely be blackberries. Freshly picked wild blackberries are my personal favorite, but any will do.

I had a hankering for blackberry pie but wanted something a bit different so I decided to make some blackberry crumb bars. You are the lucky benefactor of that decision as I took photographs along the way so I could share the recipe with you!

Want more homemade bar recipes? Try these:

Blackberry Crumb Bars stacked on plate.


I love crumb bars such as these because they’re basically a fruit crisp/cobbler that you can hold in your hands. Who wouldn’t love that? Handheld treats are perfect for parties, traveling, barbecues, and picnics. However, if you wanted to make these even more substantial and decadent, you could warm them up and serve them with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Talk about perfection. I love a dessert that can be multifunctional.


It’s also worth mentioning that while I used blackberries for this recipe, any berry or fruit should work nicely. My next adventure is to try these crumb bars with strawberries and rhubarb. (You know how much I love rhubarb!)

plates of Blackberry Crumb Bars.
plate with two Blackberry Crumb Bars.


As with many of my recipes, these blackberry crumb bars are really easy to make and you’re likely to already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.

How to Make Blackberry Crumb Bars:

Ready to get baking? Let’s whip up a batch of these blackberry crumb bars!

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.
  3. Add the blackberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice to a bowl. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.
bowl of blackberries.
  1. In a large bowl, add the oats, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs and vanilla. Add to the oat mixture and stir to start combining.
  3. Add half of the cooled melted butter to the oat mixture and stir to combine. Add the remaining butter and continue to mix.
  4. Use your hands to completely combine all of the ingredients. It’s fully combined when you see no traces of flour.
bowl of oat crumble.
oat crust in square pan.
  1. Take 3/4ths of the oat mixture and press it into an even layer in the bottom of your prepared pan.
  2. Add the blackberries and any juice they created.
  3. Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly onto the top of the blackberries.
  4. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crumb is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
pan with blackberry crumb bars.
  1. Cool completely before removing it from the pan.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Blackberry Crumb Bars on plate

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Plus, there’s no mixer required. The hands-on time to whip these up is under 15 minutes. Love that!

Blackberry Crumb Bars on plate
stack of two Blackberry Crumb Bars on plate.

RECIPE NOTES:

While the recipe is pretty easy and straightforward (as mentioned above), I thought I would address a couple of frequently asked questions.

Can I Use Frozen Blackberries?

I highly recommend fresh blackberries for this recipe. However, you can use frozen berries. Just be sure to thaw and drain before using.

Can I Freeze These Crumb Bars?

Yes, but while the flavor will be just as delicious, the bars will be slightly less crispy. I made these in advance for a party and froze them for about 2 weeks and still found them to be a hit!

two plates of Blackberry Crumb Bars.
one Blackberry Crumb Bars with bite taken out.

And that’s a wrap on these Blackberry Crumb Bars! For me, berry-based desserts like this one are pure comfort food. I’d never turn down a slice of pie or a scoop of cobbler. These types of desserts instantly transport me back to my childhood with memories of sitting in my grandma’s kitchen, (It doesn’t get much better than that.).
Enjoy!

plate of blackberry crumb bars.

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.

Blackberry Crumb Bars

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bars, blackberry, crumb bars, easy
Servings: 16
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Blackberry Crumb Bars on plate
These Blackberry Crumb Bars combine a soft thick crust, sweet and juicy blackberry filling, and crispy oat crumb to create a delicious handheld dessert treat.

Ingredients

Fruit Filling:
  • 4 cups blackberries
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Crumb Crust/Topping:

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper leaving the parchment paper hanging over two of the sides. Spray with baking spray.
  • In a medium bowl add the blackberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add the oats, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the egg and vanilla. Add to the oat mixture and stir to start combining.
  • Add half of the cooled melted butter to the oat mixture and stir to combine. Add the remaining butter and continue to mix. Use your hands to completely combine all of the ingredients. It’s fully combined when you see no traces of flour.
  • Take 3/4ths of the oat mixture and press it into an even layer in the bottom of your prepared pan.
  • Add the blackberries and any juice they created.
  • Crumble the remaining 1/4th of the oat mixture evenly onto the top of the blackberries.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crumb is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
  • Cool completely before removing it from the pan. Use a knife around the edges to separate the bars from the pan. Then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 310kcal • Carbohydrates: 47g • Protein: 4g • Fat: 13g • Saturated Fat: 7g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g • Monounsaturated Fat: 3g • Trans Fat: 1g • Cholesterol: 41mg • Sodium: 155mg • Potassium: 122mg • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 25g • Vitamin A: 447IU • Vitamin C: 8mg • Calcium: 31mg • 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!

These Blackberry Crumb Bars combine a soft thick crust, sweet and juicy blackberry filling, and crispy oat crumb to create a delicious handheld dessert treat. Blackberry Crumb Bars: If I had to pick a favorite berry, it would definitely be blackberries. Freshly picked wild blackberries are my personal favorite, but any will do. I had […]




THIS POST HAS 11 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Prickly Pear Margarita

Recipes

Sunday
Jun / 12 / 2022
Comments 12
       
Celebrate with this unique and colorful cocktail: a Prickly Pear Margarita recipe served in a cactus glass. | Inspired by Charm

This prickly pear margarita recipe is loaded with delicious flavor and color, thanks to the prickly pear cactus. It’s a cocktail recipe perfect for a celebration!

prickly pear margarita pinterest image

If you enjoy hosting parties as much as I do, I have some tips for prepping the perfect party, and you will definitely want my recipe for Really Good Pasta Salad.

These prickly pear margaritas are as delicious as they are beautiful! They should be on the menu for every party.

I’ve actually been waiting to make something with prickly pear for a long time. Back when I worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, this was one of the specialty cocktails on the menu.

For more margarita recipes, check out:

prickly pear syrup cocktail with tequila and cointreau

Frequently Asked Questions about Prickly Pear Margaritas

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

What is a prickly pear?

If prickly pear is new to you, you might be surprised to know that it’s not really a pear: It’s a fruit that grows on a cactus. It gets its name from the prickly needles of the cactus.

The flavor is reminiscent of a pear mixed with watermelon and a “natural” bubble gum. I know that sounds a bit odd, but it is pretty delicious and works well in cocktails and vinaigrette dressings.

What does prickly pear syrup taste like?

This syrup is extremely sweet. It tastes like watermelon, strawberry, and bubble gum, all in one syrup. In fact, it isn’t tart at all.

Is desert pear the same as prickly pear?

Yes, they are the same thing. Another name for a prickly pear is a desert pear – and it isn’t even a pear.

2 glasses of pink hued cocktail for cactus themed party

Let’s Make a Prickly Pear Margarita

Not that the prickly pear needs another unique element, but one of my favorite things about this fruit is its neon fuchsia color. When used in a cocktail, it instantly creates a wow-worthy drink. Don’t you agree?

Ingredients:

There are only a handful of simple ingredients in these iconic prickly pear margaritas. Here’s what you need to have when you make them.

  • Clear Tequila – It is important to use a clear variety so that the colors in the drink stand out.
  • Cointreau – Any clear orange-flavored triple sec will work.
  • Freshly-Squeezed Lime juice – Jarred lime juice can also work, but it won’t have the same bold and fresh taste.
  • Prickly Pear Syrup – This is the key to the entire drink. Get the highest-quality syrup you can find.
  • Garnish: Always garnish your drinks! I used lime and kosher salt.

The easiest way to use prickly pear is in syrup. It’s likely to be available in specialty food stores, however, I found mine here. (affiliate link)

pink syrup being poured into a glass of liquor

How to Make a Prickly Pear Margarita

Now that we’re all familiar with prickly pears, it’s time to shake up our margaritas. In keeping with the cactus theme of this celebration, I chose to use my cactus margarita glasses.

Mine are vintage – I found them on eBay a few years ago. But you can buy new ones here. (affiliate link) They look identical.

All the exact instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But, here are some additional tips that will help you as you make them.

salting the rim of a cactus glass
  1. Begin by rimming your glasses with a wedge of lime and then dipping them in some kosher salt. Though the prickly pear syrup will make these margaritas a touch sweeter, I still appreciate a salted rim.
pink prickly pear juice pouring into a glass
  1. Shake the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and prickly pear syrup with ice.
  2. Add a bit of ice to your prepared margarita glasses and pour over that delicious libation.
  3. Garnish with a slice of lime.
prickly pear margarita in a salted glass

How to Serve Prickly Pear Margaritas

For added fun, I picked up a few of these cactus cocktail charms. (affiliate link) Their neon color and cute design matched my party perfectly. What do you think? And as a bonus, my guests won’t confuse their drink with someone else’s. Win-win!

close up of fuchsia colored cocktail

How to Store Extra Margaritas

If you want to make a large batch of these margaritas ahead of time, I suggest making a pitcher of it and refrigerating it. Then, all you have to do is prepare the glasses and pour the drinks.

This prickly pear margarita will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week. Don’t add the ice until you are ready to serve or it will make your drink watery!

That’s a Wrap on Prickly Pear Margaritas!

These bright pink drinks are perfect for any summertime party. I imagine they would be so fun at a bridal shower, a 21st birthday party, or even a desert-themed bash. Everyone is going to love the bold citrus flavors in these margaritas. They are so delicious that you should probably sip them slowly – so you don’t get into trouble!

I hope you enjoyed this fun, colorful, and delicious prickly pear margarita. Whether you’re hosting a party or just relaxing at home, I hope your weekend is magical.

colorful margarita garnished with lime

Be sure to check out the full party post here and grab the recipe for Really Good Pasta Salad here.

a pink hued cocktail in a cactus glass

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: Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

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.

Prickly Pear Margarita

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: cocktail, margarita, prickly pear
Servings: 2 cocktails
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Celebrate with this unique and colorful cocktail: a Prickly Pear Margarita recipe served in a cactus glass. | Inspired by Charm
This Prickly Pear Margarita recipe is loaded with delicious flavor and color thanks to the Prickly Pear Cactus. It’s a cocktail recipe perfect for a celebration! 

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces clear tequila
  • 2 ounces Cointreau
  • 2 ounces freshly-squeezed lime juice
  • 1 ounce prickly pear syrup
  • Lime and kosher salt for garnish

Instructions

  • Begin by running a wedge of lime around the edge of your margarita glass. Dip in kosher salt to coat.
  • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the tequila, Cointreau, freshly-squeezed lime juice, and prickly pear syrup. Shake vigorously. Strain into your prepared margarita glasses filled will ice. Garnish with a lime slice to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 209kcal • Carbohydrates: 13g • Protein: 1g • Fat: 1g • Sodium: 9mg • Potassium: 44mg • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 11g • Vitamin A: 14IU • Vitamin C: 9mg • Calcium: 6mg • 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 prickly pear margarita recipe is loaded with delicious flavor and color, thanks to the prickly pear cactus. It’s a cocktail recipe perfect for a celebration! If you enjoy hosting parties as much as I do, I have some tips for prepping the perfect party, and you will definitely want my recipe for Really Good […]




THIS POST HAS 12 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






10+ Easy Summer Appetizers

Recipes

Friday
Jun / 10 / 2022
Comments 2
       
Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes

Prepare for your next party with these easy summer appetizers. From dips to incredible bite-sized bread, there is something for everyone on this mouthwatering list.

Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes

FAQs about Summer Appetizers

Before we all drool over these yummy recipes, here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making amazing summer appetizers.

What is the difference between appetizers and hors d’oeuvres?

The biggest difference between the two comes down to when you are serving them. You usually serve appetizers before a meal. Hors d’oeuvres are usually served a few hours before dinner and are a bit more filling than appetizers.

plate of Antipasto Kabobs (Antipasto Skewers)

What are some keto-friendly appetizers I can make?

It’s really easy to make keto-friendly appetizers. All you have to do is make sure you use sugar-free and low-carb ingredients. The easiest way to do this is to focus on meat, cheese, and vegetables. For a great example, my antipasto kababs are low-carb and well-loved by all (keto or not).

What should I bring to a summer party?

The best things to take to a summer party are a pitcher of drinks or some delicious appetizers or desserts. Take something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can be shared with a crowd. Even if your host already has dinner prepared, a dessert can be a welcome addition.

What are some summer appetizers to make ahead?

Looking for a great make-ahead option? The easiest things to make ahead for your summer party are cold appetizers you can refrigerate. Any of my dips are fantastic choices because they can chill the night before in the refrigerator and be served chilled. In fact, some dips taste even better the day after you make them!

The Ultimate Summer Cheese Board with Mustard Dipping Sauces

Super Easy Summer Appetizers

Now it’s time for the good stuff…the recipes!

When you are planning a party, the last thing you need is to spend all day in the kitchen cooking. I’m with you! That’s why I collected the quickest and easiest appetizers that are perfect for summer parties.

Most of the recipes in this list don’t even need to be cooked or baked. Instead, you just mix them and chill them until they are ready to be served.

All of these appetizers make enough to feed a crowd. They look fancy, but you won’t break a sweat making them. Ready to find out what they are?

EVEN MORE SUMMER RECIPE IDEAS:

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

bowl of veggie pizza dip

1. Veggie Pizza Dip

This veggie pizza dip really does taste just like your favorite veggie pizza. It’s made with an irresistible combination of cream cheese and ranch dressing, then topped with healthy raw vegetables. This dip isn’t just delicious, it is good for you too.

Delicious Cheesy Veggie Dip #vegetable #veggiedip #dip #appetizer #snack #recipe #cheese

2. Cheesy Veggie Dip

Love dill? Embrace the flavor of this herb with this cheesy veggie dip. The Havarti dill cheese elevates this appetizer to unforgettable status. It’s creamy and zesty and the perfect thing to enjoy with raw veggies.

Pizza Bread (Pepperoni Bread) Recipe #pizza #bread #pepperoni #pepperoniroll #recipe #appetizer #snack

3. Pizza Bread

This pizza bread is worth the effort it will take to heat up your oven and mess up your counters. Layers of flaky bread are wrapped around spicy pepperoni. Then, you can slice the bread thinly and serve them on a platter. Your guests will love it!

Really Good Pasta Salad in a bowl.

4. Pasta Salad

When it comes to hosting a summer party, pasta salads are always a huge hit! You can make a huge bowl of it for next to nothing, and everyone loves it. These are my best pasta salad recipes – browse them and pick out a few to make for your party.

Italian Hoagie Dip

5. Italian Hoagie Dip

Fill a bread bowl with colorful and healthy ingredients and you have a perfect Italian hoagie dip. This dip almost looks too good to eat. It’s even fun to munch on with a fork.

Loaded Veggie Ranch Dip in bowl with chips.

6. Loaded Veggie Ranch Dip

Dips are the perfect appetizer because you can set them out and people can grab as much as they want. Plus, they are fun to serve in decorative bowls. This loaded veggie dip is filled with fresh flavors. Serve with veggies and chips.

The Ultimate Summer Cheese Board with Mustard Dipping Sauces

7. Summer Cheese Board

Make a summer cheese board the centerpiece of your party’s food table. Follow my tips, and you are sure to make one that impresses your guests and serves the best meat and cheese varieties too.

Sweet Yellow Squash Pickles

8. Sweet Yellow Squash Pickles

Bright yellow squash and sweet red onions look absolutely perfect together! These yellow squash pickles have a deliciously sweet flavor that makes them hard to stop eating.

Antipasto Kabobs (Antipasto Skewers)

9. Antipasto Kabobs

I love to serve kabobs at summer parties. They are already perfectly portioned so that people can grab their own skewers. These antipasto kabobs have layers of zesty meat, cheese, and olives with herbs and spices that enhance their flavors.

Avocado-Pesto BLT Bites Appetizer | Inspired by Charm

10. Avocado BLT Bites

These little BLT bites are so much fun to eat. Juicy tomatoes are wrapped inside of bacon, lettuce, and avocado. The pesto has flavors that tie all these ingredients together.

Out of this World Corn Dip

11. Out of this World Corn Dip

I’ve also been known to call this crack corn dip because it is pretty addicting. It has some serious bite, thanks to the jalapenos and green chilis. Trust me – you make this once, and people will be asking for you to make it again.

Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Artichoke Dip - Appetizer Dip Recipe #sundriedtomato #spinach #artichoke #dip #recipe #appetizer

12. Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Artichoke Dip

This thick and creamy sun-dried tomato dip is a fun twist on my favorite spinach artichoke dip. What really makes it incredible is the combination of smoked gouda and fontina cheese.

That’s a Wrap on the Best Summer Appetizers!

There you have it – my collection of the absolute best summer appetizers that you can make for parties, BBQs, or any fun outdoor gatherings with your pals.

Enjoy all of the deliciousness!

LOOKING FOR MORE FROM INSPIRED BY CHARM?

Please join me on Instagram. Follow along for details about my antiquing adventures, shopping trips, decorating ideas, and more! Also, be sure to join the IBC Mailing List so you don’t miss a thing. I will send weekly updates with all of my favorite ideas, delicious recipes, and the best tips to create your happy place!

Connect with Michael! Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

Prepare for your next party with these easy summer appetizers. From dips to incredible bite-sized bread, there is something for everyone on this mouthwatering list. FAQs about Summer Appetizers Before we all drool over these yummy recipes, here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making amazing summer appetizers. What […]




THIS POST HAS 2 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Delicious Lemon Dessert Recipes

Recipes

Monday
Jun / 6 / 2022
Comments 7
       
My Favorite Delicious Lemon Recipes #delicious #lemon #recipes #dessert #drinks #cocktails #desserts #lemon

Refreshing, zesty, and incredibly tangy, all of these incredible lemon dessert recipes will revolutionize your dessert table. Want to try something new? Here you go!

The Best Lemon Recipes

Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. I just can’t seem to get enough of the bright, refreshing citrus taste. And, of course, that means I have loads of lemon recipes to share with you.

More Delicious Recipe Collections:

FAQs about Lemon Dessert Recipes:

Before we get to that scrumptious list, here are some questions people often ask about making lemon desserts at home. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments. I’ll do my best to get you answers.

What is the purpose of lemon in baking?

You mean other than the incredibly light flavor? I love how lemon tastes, and all of the recipes on this list taste incredible. Lemon can also be used as a garnish. The zest is a fantastic way to add flavor to lots of desserts too.

What type of lemon is best for baking?

Honestly, just grab a lemon from the grocery store. Any type of lemon will work in these recipes. If you are concerned about the best kind, I can tell you that Meyer lemons have bright yellow skin and are sweeter than regular lemons, so I tend to go for them.

If you are planning on using the zest in a recipe, you may want to choose organic. Either way, make sure to clean the skin well before you zest it.

Are lemons good for you?

Yes, lemons are so good for you! They are really high in vitamin C, which we could all use more of. So let that be even more reason to indulge in more lemon desserts.

zested lemons

The Best Lemon Dessert Recipes

This post is a collection of delicious lemon recipes from IBC. Which ones have you already tried? Which are calling out to you: “Make me, make me?” Let me know in the comments.

1. Thin Lemon Cookies

If you like sweet treats that are also tart, these crisp cookies are for you. Made with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, they are bursting with flavor. I used a vintage cookie cutter to achieve the classic shape, but you could pick any cutter to suit the season or your party theme.

thin lemon flavored cookies on a plate

2. Lemon Sandwich Cookies

You can make the Thin Lemon Cookies in the previous recipe even more decadent by sandwiching two of them together with a creamy lemon filling. I was pleased to set out a plate of these cookies on my Easter table amidst the spring flowers and foil-wrapped chocolates.

I also enjoy eating these cookies when they’re frozen!

citrus sandwich cookie dessert

3. Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon lovelies are soft with a glaze filling that is both tart and sweet. They are a beautiful dessert for spring. However, they would be equally wonderful for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s, Easter, Sweetest Day, or even a gender-reveal party.

lemon dessert recipes for glaze filled cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar

4. Frosted Lemon Cookies

I baked these cookies to satisfy a lemon craving. (and it worked!) They are soft and chewy, and the cream cheese frosting adds even more of the citrus taste. For a little sparkle, top them with yellow or clear sanding sugar.

a platter of citrus cookies with cream cheese frosting and yellow sprinkles on top

5. Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pies

Who doesn’t love whoopie pies? This version combines lemon with lots of blueberries for an out-of-this-world treat. These whoopie pies are delightful at any time of the year. I made them in winter!

cream cheese filled whoopie pie lemon dessert recipes piled on a plate

6. Lemon Yogurt Cake

I often fixed this lemony cake when I ran my B & B in St. Marys, PA. My guests seemed to enjoy it for breakfast, but I’ve also served it with afternoon tea or coffee. The simple lemon glaze adds to the delectable flavor and appearance of the cake.

three lemon slices topping a glazed cake

7. Lemon Pistachio Bundt Cake

In addition to the usual ingredients for a cake, this lemon recipe contains lemon zest, ground pistachios, and rum. It tastes fabulous and looks gorgeous! A sprinkling of green via the pistachios can give a nod to St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Christmas, or any special day associated with that hue.

swirled cake with glazed poured over and chopped pistachios sprinkled on top

8. Lemon Curd Cheesecake Tarts

These little tarts are a cute and delicious way to wow your guests. I adore the tangy cream cheese and vibrant lemon in the filling, as well as the soft, crumbly texture of the crust. If you don’t have mini tart pans, no worries! You can assemble this cheesecake in a square baking pan.

close up of a mini tart filled with lemon curd

9. Lemon Pull-Apart Bread

Several years ago, I featured this lemon recipe during my Year of Yeast series. My mom requested that I bring the bread to our family Easter gathering, and I was more than happy to oblige! I even traced the lineage of this recipe in case you want to try your hand at the different versions.

Note: I plan to make this recipe again and reformat the blog post to provide better images. Stay tuned!

lemon dessert recipes for pull apart bread

10. Lemon and Blueberry Bread

This is a quick bread, so it doesn’t take long to whip up. What separates it from others is the lemon and blueberry flavor combination. This is one of those lemon recipes you’ll want to bake every chance you get!

loaf of bread sliced showing blueberry center

11. Blueberry Lemon Zucchini Cupcakes

Add some summertime flavors to your dessert table. All my favorite flavors combine to make an unforgettable cupcake. Who knew zucchini and blueberries went so well together? These aren’t just pretty, they are healthy too!

cupcake lemon dessert recipes with zucchini inside and blueberries on top

Bonus: Lemon Drink Recipes

Lemons have likewise been part of many drinks concocted here on Inspired by Charm. After making some lemon desserts, pair them with one of these perfect lemon cocktails. I am also including some non-alcoholic lemon drinks in this list too.

Which of these lemon recipes have you enjoyed? What drinks do you fix with lemons or lemonade? If you have a minute, please tell us in the comments below.

1. Sparkling Mint Lemonade

When life gives you lemons, why not squeeze them for lemonade? In this recipe, classic lemonade gets a fun twist with sparkling water. This delicious drink made its debut when I participated in a tour of farmers’ markets on the west coast.

mint lemonade in a glass bottle

2. Margarita Mix

I always like to make a big batch of this margarita mix. It’s easy, and you can’t beat the taste of fresh! For a margarita, I use three ounces of the mix, a couple of ounces of tequila, and an ounce of triple sec. (Mom, I’m looking forward to drinking one of these with you soon!)

homemade margarita mix with lemon and lime

3. Blackberry Gin Lemonade

The name of this lemon recipe says it all. What a refreshing combination for a TGIF celebration or any time you want something light and bright! I garnished this cocktail with fresh blackberries, a sprig of rosemary, and a birch-inspired paper straw.

purple hued drink garnished with blackberries and rosemary

4. Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

I happened upon Sweet Revenge some years ago, and this drink is the result of my experimentation with the liqueur. Sweet Revenge tastes like strawberries mixed with citrus, and in this libation, I combined it with strawberry puree and lemonade. Yumminess with a kick!

strawberry lemonade cocktail in a pretty glass

That’s a Wrap on Lemon Dessert Recipes!

I hope my collection of delicious lemon recipes inspires you to buy a bunch of lustrous, luscious lemons and create a citrusy sensation of your own. Have fun in the kitchen!

Want More from Inspired by Charm?

I’m so happy you are here! Are you looking for more ways to create your happy place? Be sure to join the IBC Mailing List, so you never miss a thing. You can also find me on social media for daily updates.

Connect with Michael! Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

Have you made an IBC recipe you love? Follow me on Instagram. Share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm so we can see your delicious creation.

Refreshing, zesty, and incredibly tangy, all of these incredible lemon dessert recipes will revolutionize your dessert table. Want to try something new? Here you go! Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. I just can’t seem to get enough of the bright, refreshing citrus taste. And, of course, that means I have loads of lemon […]




THIS POST HAS 7 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Homemade Pizza Bread Recipe

Recipes

Thursday
Jun / 2 / 2022
Comments 135
       

This Homemade Pizza Bread recipe has quickly become a go-to appetizer recipe for me. Its versatility and great pizza flavor make it a party favorite.

pizza bread a year of yeast pinterest image

My A Year of Yeast series has been running for more than half a year now. That’s kind of hard to believe. Needless to say, yeast and I have become good buddies at this point.

Although the fear has pretty much subsided, I still have no idea how to tell if some of the breads are baked the whole way through. I just follow the recipe, and thankfully, they haven’t let me down yet.

Today we are making this crazy delicious pizza bread recipe!

homemade pizza bread appetizer with meats and vegetables inside

Tasty Pizza Bread

Of all of the recipes I’ve tried thus far, today’s is probably my favorite (with the cinnamon bun bites being a close second). I made homemade pizza bread!

I actually discovered this recipe a few years ago. When it recently popped up on Pinterest again, I took it as a sign that I needed to make the bread.

ball of uncooked pizza bread
person rolling out pizza dough with a wooden rolling pin

How to Make Homemade Pizza Bread

Now, I know everyone has their favorite pizza bread recipe. My dad’s wife has a recipe that is fantastic! This one is a little different as all the ingredients are actually incorporated into the dough.

The resulting bread is really, really sensational. There is flavor in every single nibble in this delicious recipe. A layer of cheese inside and a side of marinara sauce bring it all together.

cheese being sprinkled onto rolled out dough

What I love about this recipe is that you can change the “toppings” to suit you or the folks you’re fixing it for. When I was putting this all together, I was thinking of so many fun combinations. I’m hoping to try a few for different Bayberry House gatherings, and I’ll report back when I do.

The actual bread part is pretty basic – so the options are truly endless!

chopped up meats and veggies on a butcher block

Fresh Ingredients for the Dough

The best part about this easy bread is that you can add all of your favorite pizza toppings right into the bread dough. Y

Here are the ingredients I used:

  • pepperoni
  • sun-dried tomatoes
  • green onions
  • black olives
  • red pepper
  • green pepper
  • roasted garlic
  • parmesan cheese

It’s like a supreme pizza. Yum!

chopped peppers and onions mixed into dough

How to Serve Pizza Bread

You can literally slice it and enjoy a few pieces of pizza bread with your lunch. I like to eat it with something like this shaved Brussels sprouts salad (hey, gotta be healthy).

This bread is also the perfect thing to serve at a huge family dinner. Make your favorite pasta recipe (may I suggest this fantastic one-pan chicken apple sausage pasta?). Then, give everyone some pizza bread on the side.

bread dough filled with pizza toppings

The original recipe comes from The Ivory Hut – she calls her loaf Crazy Pizza Bread. I actually ended up changing her recipe quite a bit because I felt there wasn’t enough dough. I was afraid I was going to get a pretty small loaf.

Well, I was glad I opted for a larger size because this stuff is sensational.

homemade pizza inspired appetizer on a rack

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions people often ask about homemade pizza bread. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

What kind of dip can I serve with this bread?

Since this is a pizza bread, I suggest serving it with your favorite marinara sauce. I bet some extra cheesy alfredo sauce would be divine with it too.

How long does pizza bread last?

If you store it in an airtight bag or container, it will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. I suggest keeping it in the refrigerator so that it lasts longer.

Can you freeze pizza bread?

Yes, pizza bread is very freezer-friendly. Wrap the entire loaf nice and tight with plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe food storage bag or container. The pizza bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How do you make it spicier?

If you want the pizza bread to have a bit of a kick, I suggest adding some chopped jalapenos to the dough. You can also sprinkle some hot sauce or add some red pepper flakes to the dough. Make it as spicy as you like. That’s the fun part about baking!

close up of pizza bread with a cup of marinara sauce

Looking for more appetizer recipes? These are some of my favorites:

man holding a cooling rack with a loaf of bread on top

Seriously, other than chopping all of the ingredients, this Homemade Pizza Bread is easy peasy. I highly recommend it – even to you newbie bread makers. It’s a perfect loaf to test your skills.

Plus, your friends and family (It’s OK if it’s just for you – I don’t judge.) will love it.

bread with pizza toppings mixed in

Happy baking, everyone! Does your family have a go-to homemade pizza bread? Tell me all about it or share a link to the recipe in the comments.

Pizza Bread Recipe:

Homemade Pizza Bread

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: appetizer, dough, pizza, pizza bread
Servings: 1 loaf
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Delicious Homemade Pizza Bread with sauce
This Homemade Pizza Bread recipe has quickly become a go-to appetizer recipe for me. It’s versatility and great pizza flavor makes it a party favorite!

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
  • 2 ½ cups favorite toppings, diced - (I used pepperoni, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, black olives, red pepper, green pepper, and roasted garlic.)
  • ½ cup Parmesan
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 jar of marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

  • Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large bowl. Let it sit for 3 minutes. Add in flour, salt, and sugar. Mix using a spoon just until it comes together. (There’s no need for a big stand mixer here.)
  • Add in the toppings and Parmesan and combine well. The dough will be tacky. Dust with a bit more flour if it feels too tacky. Let rise for about 1 hour, then put in the refrigerator to continue rising for another hour.
  • Take the dough out of the refrigerator. Flour your countertop, then roll out the dough into a rectangle about 11×17”.
  • Sprinkle mozzarella over top. Then, fold along the long side, like an envelope. Seal sides so cheese is not exposed. Let your loaf rest while you preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Bake the bread, either on a pizza stone or baking sheet, for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown.
  • About halfway through I added a piece of aluminum foil to the top of my loaf to prevent it from getting too dark. About 3 minutes before taking it out, lightly brush the top with olive oil and let it finish baking. Let rest on a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing.
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 Pizza Bread recipe has quickly become a go-to appetizer recipe for me. Its versatility and great pizza flavor make it a party favorite. My A Year of Yeast series has been running for more than half a year now. That’s kind of hard to believe. Needless to say, yeast and I have become […]




THIS POST HAS 135 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






How to Create Beautiful Peony Arrangements

Interiors

Tuesday
May / 31 / 2022
Comments 7
       
close of of peony arrangement

Let’s create some fabulous flower arrangements. I’m sharing all of my tips and tricks for creating easy and beautiful peony arrangements. We’re covering everything including where to buy, how to arrange, and tips for keeping your arrangements looking their best.

peony Arrangement on table with candles

How to Create Beautiful Peony Arrangements

When it comes to my favorite flowers, peonies rank high on the list. Not only are they beautiful and available in so many varieties, but part of their magic for me is that their season is so short. In mid-spring, they pop up, and before you know it their beauty is gone and we wait for their return the following spring.

Whether you’re growing peonies in your own yard or picking up some at the grocery store, I thought it might be helpful to share how I like to arrange them. Now don’t be nervous, it’s really easy!
Let’s get into it!

Looking for more flower arranging tips? You got it:

Peony Arrangement on dresser.

Where to Buy Peonies:

First, you’re going to need some peonies. One thing I did want to note is that, unlike many flowers, peonies have a short blooming season. You can typically find them in bloom from May through June. While there are some exceptions and I have seen them randomly during their off-season, this is something to keep in mind.

close up of peony flower.

Here are my go-to peony sources:


PetalDriven

The peonies I’m using for this post are from PetalDriven. PetalDriven is a go-to for me when I need a lot of flowers. They offer direct (straight from the farm) wholesale flowers shipped right to your door. You can save 10% on your order by using the code “INSPIRED10” at checkout. PetalDriven was kind enough to provide all the stunning peonies you see in this post.


Grocery Store

If you just need a few, I recommend picking them up at the grocery store. I particularly love them from Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

peony flowers in sink


Local Flower Shop

Your local flower shop is always a great source of beautiful blooms. You may tend to pay a bit more, but it’s always nice to support a local business. You could also ask if they have any leftover flowers or special deals on older blooms that you could take advantage of at a discounted rate.


Your Own Yard

This might be my favorite place to get peonies. I have about 18 peony bushes on my property that bloom this time of year and it’s just magical. Peony bushes do take time to establish, especially if you plant them bare-root, so have patience. Year after year you’ll see more and more buds that you can use to create beautiful peony arrangements.

peony flowers close up

What’s the Best Vase?

When I’m doing a flower arrangement, I generally think it’s easier to work with a vessel that has a smaller opening as I find it a bit easier to shape the arrangement and control where you want the flowers to go.

collection of vases for peony arrangement.

One of my favorite things to use for any arrangement is a pitcher. Pitchers always seem to have a perfectly sized opening.

Here are a few other favorites:

Peony Arrangement in white pitcher on counter

Arranging Peonies with Other Flowers:

If you have an abundance of peonies, they can look stunning when styled in a vase altogether. I especially love this look when you can gather them from your own yard and causally and wildly pop them into a vase. In my book, it doesn’t get much better than that. (I don’t have a photo like that here, but I’ll do my best to take one for you once my peonies open up.)

mixed flowers on a table


However, if you’re looking for something a little bit more styled, I hope that some of the pictures in this post provide a little inspiration.

One of my flowers to pair with peonies is the hydrangea. Its big cloud-like and billowy blooms work perfectly with peonies. Here is one of my favorite examples from a few years ago.

Peony Arrangement on coffee table


Another favorite I discovered this year is the white bleeding heart. I have this plant in my backyard and it just so happens to bloom at the same time as peonies. It’s a match made by Mother Nature herself.

white bleeding heart.
white peony arrangement

Other coordinating flowers to consider are:

  • alstroemeria
  • roses
  • eucalyptus
  • anything else growing in your garden.

These options are pretty affordable and widely available.

Now that you’ve gathered your flowers, it’s time to start arranging!

Peony Arrangement in glass vase.

How to Arrange Peonies in a Vase:

  1. Start by removing your peonies from their packaging. Discard and recycle any paper or plastic.
  2. Fill a clean vase about 3/4ths full with room temperature water. Add in flower food.
  3. Next, you’ll want to remove some of the leaves from your stems. You want to avoid having any leaves in the water. (This goes with any flower.) Leaves in the water tend to rot which will significantly decrease the life of your arrangement and leave your water looking cloudy and smelling unpleasant.
peony flowers in a sink
  1. Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut off at least 1 inch of the stem and then place it directly into the water. Cut each stem and place it into the water as soon as you cut it. Generally speaking, I like to see the stem length as approximately 1.75 times the height of the vase. This means that the length of the stem/flower sticking out of the vase should be about 3/4ths as tall as the vase.
scissor cutting peony steam
  1. When placing the stems into the vase, I like to move around the vase rather than concentrating on one area at a time. I think this helps to create a fuller-looking arrangement. Plus, when you work this way, the stems almost create an interlocking grid helping to hold each other up.
arranging peonies.
  1. If you’re working with multiple types of flowers, I like to start with my biggest flowers first and then work in the smaller ones. If you’re using peonies that are open, they are likely to be one of the first flowers. If you’re using hydrangeas as I recommended above, start with those.
  2. Finally, refresh the water in your vase and recut your stems at least every other day if not daily. This will keep your blooms lasting the longest.

All that’s left to do is enjoy your peony arrangements!

peony arrangement in glass vase.

At Home Peony “Tricks”

If you’re growing your own peonies, one issue you may encounter is ants. Peony blooms can be full of them. To avoid ants in your home, just cut your stems, put them into a bucket of water, and leave them outside in a shady area for a couple of hours. In a hurry? You can dunk the blooms into water and the ants will be removed.

close up of peony flower.

If you’re cutting peonies from your own yard, it’s recommended to cut them when the bloom is closed and when lightly squeezed feels like a marshmallow.

Not ready for your flower buds to open? You can cut and store them in the refrigerator. House of Hawthornes has a great tutorial on this process which I will link HERE.

peony arrangement on stack of books

And that’s it!
I hope you found this peony arrangement tutorial helpful and picked up a few tricks and tips along the way.

If you have more to add to the conversation, please let me know in the comments below. I’m by no means an expert and I always enjoy learning more.

I also wanted to offer special thanks to PetalDriven for providing the gorgeous peonies I used for this post. You can check out their entire selection of peonies HERE. If you decide to order, remember to use code “INSPIRED10” at checkout to save 10%.

peony arrangement in glass vase

How to Create a Beautiful Peony Arrangement

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Skill: Flower Arranging
Products: 1 arrangement
Prep Time 5 minutes
Craft Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
peony arrangement in glass vase.
I'm sharing all of my tips and tricks for creating easy and beautiful peony arrangements. We're covering everything including where to buy, how to arrange, and tips for keeping your arrangements looking their best. 

Materials

  • 1 bunch peonies

Equipment

  • 1 flower vase
  • 1 pair of scissors
  • fresh water

Instructions

  • Start by removing your peonies from their packaging. Discard and recycle any paper or plastic.
  •  Fill a clean vase about 3/4ths full with room temperature water. Add in flower food. 
  • Next, you'll want to remove some of the leaves from your stems. You want to avoid having any leaves in the water. (This goes with any flower.) Leaves in the water tend to rot which will significantly decrease the life of your arrangement and leave your water looking cloudy and smelling unpleasant. 
  • Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut off at least 1 inch of the stem and then place it directly into the water. Cut each stem and place it into the water as soon as you cut it. Generally speaking, I like to see the stem length as approximately 1.75 times the height of the vase. This means that the length of the stem/flower sticking out of the vase should be about 3/4ths as tall as the vase. 
  • When placing the stems into the vase, I like to move around the vase rather than concentrating on one area at a time. I think this helps to create a fuller-looking arrangement. Plus, when you work this way, the stems almost create an interlocking grid helping to hold each other up. 
  • If you're working with multiple types of flowers, I like to start with my biggest flowers first and then work in the smaller ones. If you're using peonies that are open, they are likely to be one of the first flowers. If you're using hydrangeas as I recommended above, start with those. 
  • Finally, refresh the water in your vase and recut your stems at least every other day if not daily. This will keep your blooms lasting the longest. 

Notes

If you’re growing your own peonies, one issue you may encounter is ants. Peony blooms can be full of them. To avoid ants in your home, just cut your stems, put them into a bucket of water, and leave them outside in a shady area for a couple of hours. In a hurry? You can dunk the blooms into water and the ants will be removed. 
 
If you’re cutting peonies from your own yard, it’s recommended to cut them when the bloom is closed and when lightly squeezed feels like a marshmallow. 
 
The peonies I’m using for this post are from PetalDriven. PetalDriven is a go-to for me when I need a lot of flowers. They offer direct (straight from the farm) wholesale flowers shipped right to your door. You can save 10% on your order by using the code “INSPIRED10” at checkout. PetalDriven was kind enough to provide all the stunning peonies you see in this post. 
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!
How to Create Beautiful Peony Arrangements

Let’s create some fabulous flower arrangements. I’m sharing all of my tips and tricks for creating easy and beautiful peony arrangements. We’re covering everything including where to buy, how to arrange, and tips for keeping your arrangements looking their best. How to Create Beautiful Peony Arrangements When it comes to my favorite flowers, peonies rank […]




THIS POST HAS 7 COMMENTS
Join the conversation.






Find More  

1 / … 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / … 68 /