Just~One~Donna

One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can surely bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookie Recipe What are old-fashioned date-filled cookies?   Old-fashioned date-filled cookies are a nostalgic, soft sandwich cookie featuring two rounds of tender sugar cookie dough with a sweet, homemade date jam filling in the center.  This vintage 1930s recipe is a traditional holiday favorite, prized for its soft texture and the perfect balance of buttery dough and naturally sweet dates. This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932, so this...

This time of year I'm always struggling with gift ideas for the foodie adults on my gift list.  I thought you might be, too.   I've pulled together a list of the best kitchen essential gift ideas for home cooks. These ideas are based on my own experience.  They represent the kitchen essentials I reach for day after day and have gifted to family and friends. They will be appreciated by any home cook on your gift list. Perfect for Gift Giving Kitchen Essentials This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  I receive compensation that supports publishing this blog when you shop using these links. Potholders may seem mundane and boring, but there is nothing more important in the kitchen than potholders you will use.  I especially love thick, colorful, terry potholders because they are so flexible and easy to use.  I've had a variety of potholders over the years but my favorites are these terry potholders.

It’s time to get busy baking memorable holiday treats.  Holiday baking often requires baking tools you don't use frequently throughout the year and some of your tools may need a refresh. This is the time of year to take inventory of your kitchen tools as you prepare for your holiday baking.  Having the right tools on hand makes baking easier and less frustrating when you have a lot to do.  Some of these would make nice gifts or stocking stuffers for the bakers on your list, too. Prepare for Holiday Baking with the Right Tools  I’ve made it easier for you to think through what you might need by assembling a list of highly-rated kitchen tools essential for your holiday baking. Use these affiliate links and you’ll be baking holiday treats in a few short days.