Just~One~Donna

 A pumpkin pie is a uniquely fall dessert.  Most of us only think of pumpkin pie during those few months of the year reserved for all things fall.   Nowadays you can make pumpkin pie any time of year now that canned pumpkin is readily available all year long.   Easy Pumpkin Pie for Fall The spices used in the pumpkin pie filling create a flavor that is for me, uniquely fall. Just gather some cinnamon, ginger, ground cloves, and allspice from your pantry.  You can make your own pumpkin pie spice by following this recipe.   

This recipe for red velvet cupcakes has been my favorite cupcake recipe for years.   Red velvet cupcakes are my go-to cupcakes for parties and potlucks because everyone seems to love them.   I love this recipe because it produces a classic red velvet cake that is moist and tender with a not-too-red cake color.  Of course, the cream cheese frosting is a must-have frosting with the contrast of sweetness and tang.  In my mind, you can’t have a red velvet cupcake without a huge dollop of cream cheese frosting. Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Purchases made through these links help support this blog.) The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes What You'll love about This Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe The cupcakes are moist and tender. These cupcakes are made with oil instead of butter, resulting in a moister cake texture.   Buttermilk adds fluffiness, tang, and adds the dairy flavor balance that might be missed without

If you love cheesecake this Salted Caramel Cheesecake recipe will soon be your favorite.  I love cheesecake of all kinds.  I like a plain New York-style cheesecake, unadorned and magnificent in its sweet, cheesy simplicity.  I love chocolate cheesecake.  Pairing the smooth texture of cheesecake with a deep chocolate flavoring is like heaven on earth.  Add a chocolate ganache icing and happiness abounds.  And then there's pumpkin cheesecake... Yes, I could go on and on, but truth be told, this Salted Caramel Cheesecake is my favorite of them all. The Best Salted Caramel Cheesecake This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.    Salted Caramel Cheesecake I've been making this  cheesecake for our family Christmas dinner for several years but don't think this cheesecake is just for holidays.  Oh,

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 sure 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 Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 

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.

Does the weather inspire your cooking? I woke up yesterday at the crack of dawn to a beautiful morning.  The air was still, the sun was rising, and sunlight was breaking through the leaves on the trees in a way that takes your breath away.   Yes, it was a glorious morning, and since I was up I decided to make a batch of Morning Glory Muffins.  I was inspired by the day. Morning Glory Muffins to Start Your Day This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you shop using these links I receive compensation that helps support the publishing of this blog. Morning Glory Muffins What are Morning Glory Muffins? Morning Glory muffins are chock full of goodness with dried cranberries. carrots, grated apple, coconut, and walnuts.  They are hearty muffins that will remind you of carrot cake. Yum! The Reasons You Will Love Morning Glory Muffins This recipe makes twelve hearty muffins , full of "good for you" ingredients.  You'll find them to be moist, not too sw

It's that time of year again.  The holiday season is kicking into full throttle.  If you are like me you are spending a significant amount of time these days thinking about holiday menus, making shopping lists, and planning your holiday preparation.   Have you decided what appetizers you will serve this Thanksgiving?  If not, I've assembled some Thanksgiving appetizer suggestions for you. Five Appetizer Recipes to Rock Thanksgiving Rock Your Thanksgiving with These Appetizers This is a list of five of my favorite appetizers. They are tried and true party pleasers.  Choose the one or two that best represent the flavor preferences of your family and you can't go wrong.