Valentine’s Molten Lava Chocolate Cakes 

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Lava Chocolate Cake Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for the ramekins
• 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting (optional)
• 6 large eggs plus 6 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Molten Lava Chocolate Cake Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter eight 6-ounce ramekins and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar.
2. Combine the butter, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk the flour, confectioners’ sugar, eggs and yolks, vanilla extract and almond extract in a bowl until creamy. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture. Divide among the prepared ramekins.
3. Bake the cakes until the tops are stiff and the edges darken, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cakes with a small paring knife and transfer to plates while warm. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Looking for a Moist Chocolate Cake recipe?

We love this moist chocolate cake recipe here.

You can serve at least eight slices of pure chocolate cake pleasure. Your loved ones will surely enjoy this chocolate cake on every bite.

For more chocolate dessert recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

24 Of Our Best Party Food Ideas and Super Bowl Snacks

1. Game Day Favorite Philly Style Cheesesteak

Let’s start off with a sports favorite.  The classic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich.  This mouth watering tailgating/ sports party favorite has been on the menu for decades.  This sandwich carries all of the comforting deep sauteed flavors that will leave you and your guests very satisfied especially on Super bowl Sunday.

2. Super Bowl Snacks Football Sugar Cookies

Dessert snacks anyone?  The football sugar cookies are great grab-n-go snacks when cheering for your favorite team during the day.  A nice pop of sweet sugar cookie for anyone to enjoy from the adults to the kiddies.  Not only are they simple to make but even better to taste so give them a try on the party day.

3. Super Bowl Food Easy Chicken Parmesan Garlic Bread Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza?  The chicken Parmesan pizza with garlic bread is great if you have a multitude of guests or if you are just flying solo.  The recipe is simple with all of the traditional ingredients of herbs, crispy chicken, and chicken that will shoot your tastes buds through the roof.

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4. Super Bowl Appetizer Pulled Pork Sliders

Here is another recipe for your party food ideas that will become a super bowl favorite in your household.  The slow cooker pulled pork sliders are fill with the down-home barbecue that everyone will love to enjoy.  Pull pork bathed in sweet and spicy barbecue sauce and topped with creamy coleslaw.  Yum!

20 Super Bowl Appetizers Ideas from Blogger Friends

1. Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders
2. Coconut Shrimp
3. Cole Slaw Chicken Sliders
4. Fajita Bowls
5. Hot Crab Dip
6. Spicy Thai Chicken Wings
7. Cowboy Caviar Recipe
8. The Best Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll Recipe
9. Twice Baked Potatoes
10. Blue Cheese & Balsamic Steak Sliders
11. Hot Swiss Cheese and Bacon Dip Recipe
12. Cheesy Crab Bite Appetizers
13. Cajun Glazed Bacon
14. Polenta Footballs
15. Taco Salad Mini Bites
16. Pizza Bites
17. Beer Cheese Dip
18. Spicy Buffalo Cheese Dip
19. Ultimate Easy Nachos
20. Chicken Sliders

Looking for more delicious recipes for your game day celebration?

Try these Empanadas and Pigs in a Blanket recipes.

Super bowl Sunday is on the way and you don’t have to be unprepared for it.  try out some of these party food ideas on the table and see what a difference it will make on game day.

Now that you have the snacks and appetizers, what about Football themed desserts?

See our 21 Favorite Football Themed Dessert recipes

For more great Super Bowl snack ideas visit our archives.

New Year Blackeyed Peas Recipe

Why not try your black-eyed peas in a Homemade Southern Hoppin John with Rice recipe?

Total time: 3 hours

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients:

½-pound black-eyed peas, dry

1 cup cooked ham, chopped

1 onion, diced

½ can whole tomatoes

Pinch of garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Black Eyed Peas Directions:

1 Place black-eyed peas in a medium pot and add enough water to cover it by 1 inch.

2. Stir in diced onions, ham, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. In a blender or food processor, blend tomatoes until liquefied. Add tomatoes to pot. Bring all ingredients to boil.

4. Cover the pot with a lid, and simmer on low heat for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the peas are tender.

While these tasty black-eyed peas should always be there on your New Year’s Day menu, there is no reason not to savor them all year long.

Pair these Black Eyed Peas with Cornbread!

Our Skillet Cornbread recipe is the perfect accompaniment for this dish.

You can also make slow cooker black eyed peas and start them in the morning and they will be done in the evening. Let us know if this New Years Recipe: Traditional Black-Eyed Peas brings you good luck!

For more easy meals on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Make a Classic Holiday Egg Nog Recipe 

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Egg Nog Recipe Ingredients:

4 cups of Milk
2 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
5 Whole Cloves
1 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
12 Egg Yolks
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
4 cups of Light Cream
2 1/2 cups of Light Rum
1/2 teaspoon of Ground Nutmeg

Homemade Eggnog Recipe Directions:

1. Heat the milk, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a saucepan over a low heat for approximately 5 minutes. After the time has passed remove the saucepan from the heat.
2. Take a large bowl, and whisk the egg yolks and sugar until the combination becomes fluffy. Then begin to whisk the hot milk mixture slowly with the mixture of fluffy eggs.  After the two mixtures have been combined, pour them into the saucepan. Cook them over a medium heat, being sure to constantly stir it for 3 minutes or until it becomes thick.
3. After mixture has become thick, strain it to pull out all of the cloves.  Then let it cool for about an hour.  Then stir in the rum, cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and nutmeg.
4. Refrigerate the mixture over night before serving and then ENJOY!!!!

Looking for more holiday drinks?

Take a look at our 26 holiday cocktails – perfect from Thanksgiving through New years!

For more delicious drink recipes on Stagetecture, visit our drinks archives.

Christmas Cookies: Linzer Cookies Recipe

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Christmas Cookies: Linzer Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup finely chopped hazelnuts without the skin or hazelnut flour
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour or cake flour
• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cup pecansor other nuts, finely ground
• 1 ¼ sticks butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• Some all-purpose flour for working the dough
• Powdered sugar
• Any red preserve, like raspberry or strawberry

Linzer Cookies Directions:

1. Take your pecans or other nuts and use a food processor to grind them into fine powder (like flour), together with ½ cup of the flour. Don’t over-process them or they will become wet due to the nut oil.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the finely ground hazelnuts and pecans (nut flours), the remaining 2 cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder and the pinch of salt.
3. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until you have a nice, fluffy and light-colored mixture. This should take about 5 minutes of beating. Now it’s time to add the egg. Reduce the speed of the electric mixer and slowly beat in the flour mixture. You should now have some nice dough. Divide the dough into two parts and shape each one into a disc, wrap them in plastic wrap and put them into the refrigerator for two hours minimum and up to two weeks. You can also freeze the dough for about a month until you are ready to make the cookies.
4. When ready to make them, preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Lightly flour your working surface so the dough won’t stick. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. It’s a good idea to put your rolled out dough in the refrigerator for another 20 minutes, so it’s easier to cut the shapes out. Now cut out star shapes (or other shapes). Cut out a smaller star shape (or other) at the center of every second cookie (you will need two cookies to make one Linzer cookie: one uncut and one with a cut-out). Transfer them to the baking sheet. Let about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
6. Bake them for 13-14 minutes or until pale gold and let them cool on the baking sheet on wire racks for about 10 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to the racks and let them cool down completely.
7. When you’re ready to serve them, dust the cookies with the cut-out with powdered sugar. Spread about ½ tsp of preserves onto the center of the uncut cookie and top it with the cookie with the cut-out.

Making these Christmas Cookies will bring you in a most Christmas mood.

Looking for more Christmas cookie recipes? These Snowflake Christmas Cookies are gorgeous and delicious!

Put on some seasonal music and just enjoy making and decorating. Kids can easily help cutting them out and assembling them, so you can have some nice, atmospheric family time this holiday. They also make some great home-made gifts since they don’t only look so wonderful snowy, but they taste delicious, too!

Hosting or Going to a Cookie Swap?

Try these cookie swap ideas on How To Make a Burlap Wreath. From hosting to invitations and cookie ideas.

For more Christmas cookie recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

If you love desserts, take a look at our desserts recipes on How To Make a Burlap Wreath website too!  The new redesigned site has more than just wreaths. Look to the new site for ways to celebrate, decorate and organize.

19 Of Our Best Holiday Cake Recipes

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1. Holiday Cake: Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Starting off this holiday cake recipes list with a sweet and succulent cake that will have you and your guest begging for more.Oh who doesn’t love rich goodness of cheesecake? And how many of us like cheesecake that carries extra goodies on top, bottom and inside? If that is you then this holiday cake recipe is made for you. Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, has all of the usual ingredients but has a mixture of pumpkin spice as an additional flavor. Not to mention chocolate and caramel sauce drizzle on top along with toasted pecans. Make your tongue say “Mmm-hmm.” Go ahead and make this holiday cake recipe a family favorite this season. We also like this Brandy Cheesecake Recipe.

2. Sugar-Free Dessert: Applesauce Cake Recipe

Now not all cakes have to be sugar filled like this next recipe for example. Typically, being on a sugar-free diet is not a part of the holiday plan. However, just because something is sugar-free doesn’t mean that it can’t be just as flavorful as a sugary delight. Try this Sugar free dessert: Applesauce Cake Recipe. This cake is completely simple to make and there are only a few substitutions that will only add to the deliciousness. Plus, when eating this cake you can still appease those sweet tooth cravings without feeling any guilt or heaviness when you’re done. Go ahead try it out!

3. Brown-Sugar Bourbon  Bundt Cake

You can’t have a true holiday without a bundt. And here is one bundt cake recipe that you can’t miss out on. Ladies and gentlemen, now introducing the Brown-Sugar Bourbon Bundt Cake recipe. Who doesn’t remember when you were in the kitchen and your grandmother or mother was filling the bundt pan with batter right before sliding the mixture into the oven? From this recipe you get the wonderful goodness of the maple brown-sugar emersed with a little liquor to enhance the sweetness of the entire cake that the family will adore.

4. Holiday Cake Favorite: Ambrosia Coconut Cake Recipe

Thanks to Southern Living, the Ambrosia Coconut Cake recipe is at our fingertips. This exotic cake recipe not only gives the sweet and refreshing flavors that everyone will love but can also serve as wonderful décor. It only takes a few easy steps to make and even better to taste, it is sure to quickly become a holiday tradition.

The holidays are a great time of the year. And what better way to celebrate it than with a baking recipe that will help to bring the entire family together. And these holiday cake recipes are just a small few of what you and your family can create. Don’t be limited and see what you all can come up with. Also, Stagetecture readers, do you have any recipes that you would like to share for the holidays?

15 Blogger Friends Holiday Cake Recipes

1. Holiday Rum Cake
2. Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe
3. Eggnog Bundt Cake Recipe
4. Tropical Christmas Cake
5. Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake
6. Gingerbread Bundt Cake With Vanilla Glaze
7. Gingerbreak Cheesecake
8. Ferrero Rocher Cake
9. Old Fashioned Jam Cake
10. Cranberry Pumpkin Upside Down Cake
11. Butter Crunch Cake
12. Cranberry Upside Down Cake
13. Simple Chocolate Peppermint Cake
14. Spiced Chocolate Eggnog Cake
15. Fresh Cranberry Cake Recipe

Do you want a chocolate cake recipes for the holidays?

Try this Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe!

Looking for more yummy desserts? Take a look through our dessert recipes category.

Gingerbread Waffles with Chocolate Syrup Recipe

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Gingerbread Waffles Ingredients:

1 cup light molasses
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter

Gingerbread Waffles Ingredients:

1.    In a small saucepan, heat molasses and 1/2 cup butter until almost boiling. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in baking soda, milk and egg.
2.    In a large bowl, sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the molasses mixture. Mix until smooth.
3.    Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot with chocolate sauce.
4.    To make chocolate sauce: In a saucepan, combine water, 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla and 2 tablespoons butter; stir until smooth.

Looking for more holiday recipes? Try our holiday cakes recipes!

For more holiday recipe ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Thanksgiving Hosting: Perfect First Thanksgiving Tips

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Choose Fool-proof Recipes

After the number of guests is finalized, you should make decisions about what you want to cook and how much you will need. Make sure to know about possible allergies or health conditions of your guest, so you can make informed decisions. After that, ask yourself about what you have experience with and what you are comfortable cooking.

Now it’s time to choose your menu. Stick to a few dishes, you really don’t have to do it all. If you want, ask for help from your guests or family; they could bring a dessert or wine, or a side. Just make sure to know about it early on, so you can plan accordingly. When choosing your dishes and recipes, read them first, check the rating if available and scan through reviews.

Choose only recipes that are fool-prove, with easy to follow directions and that all ingredients can be found fairly easy, preferably at only a couple of places. Ideally, choose recipes you have cooked before or if you have time, make a test-run. Also, make sure you have all necessary equipment at your disposal. But don’t be shy on buying desserts or fresh appetizers from a store if you want. Just make sure that the majority of things served are made by you. The dessert is also really important since it closes the meal and leaves a lasting impression.

Decide on a strategy and stick to it

Now that you have your recipes, work out a strategy and time plan that you will stick to. Of course there should be room for some adjustments if necessary. Make at least two lists of things you need: one for things you can buy several days before Thanksgiving (plates, pantry items, decorations, beverages etc.) and one for things you will need to buy just a couple of days before Thanksgiving (e.g. fresh fruits and vegetables).

Plan your grocery trips carefully, so you save on time and money. Also, make a day – to –day to-do-list where you can write down what needs to get done each day the week before Thanksgiving. Plan ahead for the turkey to thaw (it needs about a full day for each 4 pounds of turkey) and cook ahead of time whenever possible; many things can be frozen or kept in the fridge until it’s time to serve them, just remember to thaw or warm them up in time.

Also, plan in time to clean the house, decorate it and clean and prepare your tableware. If you are awaiting overnight guests, prepare the guestroom at least a week ahead. Check at a glance everything the day before Thanksgiving to ensure everything is in order. Don’t forget your porch or entrance; it’s often the first impression that makes all the difference.

Shop Burlap and Succulents for Thanksgiving Dinnerware, aprons, recipe binders and more!

Think about the flow of Thanksgiving Day

Imagine how the big Day should go, how it should start, where your guest should be at the beginning or where they should take a seat. Make sure to have enough sitting opportunities and spread out serving tables with appetizers and drinks if needed. If you have many guests and want to have a buffet, think about where you will place foods, drinks and tableware.

Also, don’t forget to plan in entertaining details, like music or games for small guests. Write down any details, which will make sure you won’t forget anything and no chaos will be created on the big day. And make sure to have something planned for after the dinner is over, like a late coffee, tea or hot cocoaserving and have some boxes ready if anyone wants to take some leftovers with them.

Don’t leave too many things for the Last Moment

Set the table even days ahead if you can, fold napkins a week before and prepare your decorations sooner than later. Prepare a cleaning kit, so you can attend any emergency cleaning on Thanksgiving without being ashamed of that dirty mop. Wash vegetables and fruits you will need on Thanksgiving days before, strain them or wipe them dry and store them in airtight containers or zip-lock bags in the refrigerator.

Cut foods if possible into the pieces you need and store them until needed. Also make sure everything works and is in good condition. You don’t want to be needing the microwave just to find out it doesn’t work for some reason a few hours before your guests arrive.

Keep control over your First Thanksgiving Day

On the big Day, stick to your plan. Get an early start. Check all rooms and settings for a last time and make any corrections. Prepare your dishes and drinks. Ask your closest friend or family member to help if you need, there is no shame in that! Also, if possible make sure someone is in charge of looking after your guests, if everyone has a drink or if the music needs to be louder.

Bring gifts for the host or hostess!

One last thing to remember is to seek advice from experienced Thanksgiving hosts like your mom or an aunt… there is always something to be learned from the generations before us! So go ahead and follow these tips and it’s sure that your Thanksgiving hosting will be a full success. And of course never forget to have fun and be in a good mood on this special day! After all, the meal is not that important, if you have good times, laughter and fun with your loved ones to remember!

For more Thanksgiving entertaining tips on Stagetecture, click here.

I Host a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner with KitchenAid

All images by Stagetecture

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This Thanksgiving I paired up with KitchenAid® to show off their gorgeous colors of the season and how you can use their fall-inspired bakeware and small appliances to pull together a great dinner. To start off my table setting I used the Persimmon (Orange) Nesting Ceramic 4 Piece Set for fried chicken that my kids love! While you may think that fried chicken isn’t for Thanksgiving, think again! Perfect for a laid back dinner amongst friends and family. For those who still want a baked fowl I cooked a chicken in their Casserole Dish in Ivy Green and served it alongside green beans and potatoes.

Here’s a few tips on setting a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner table:

Choose your favorite small gourds like pumpkins, squash and other miniature vegetables to disperse around the table. I prefer to not have one centerpiece as it creates a more formal environment that makes everyone feel uptight!  Instead, I used a bag of mixed shelled nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, pecans and more and put them casually around the table.

Casual Thanksgiving Dinner – Create the look:

• Burlap runner in your choice of colors. It makes a beautiful backdrop to any natural tablescape
• Napkin rings with fall inspired motifs. I like these leaf ones
• Fabric napkins in a deep rust color brings texture to your table and pairs nicely with the autumn colored bakeware
• Casual dinnerware that doesn’t have a lot of ornamentation will bring focus to the food and will keep the meal casual
• Simple stemware for your favorite wine.. or put apple juice for kids to feel grown up!

Adding unexpected touches to the Thanksgiving meal

What I love about a casual Thanksgiving is you don’t have to only serve traditional food. I opted for a Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup prepared in the KitchenAid® 5-Speed Diamond Blender in Tangerine. It whips up your favorite soups easily but also would be perfect for drinks to serve table-side!

This Thanksgiving create a casual way to gather friends and family without the stress of formal planning.

For more Thanksgiving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Halloween Dessert: Candy Corn Parfait Recipe

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Halloween Desserts Parfait Ingredients:

(for about 6 servings)

10 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

10 oz. lightly thawed Cool Whip

yellow and orange food color

candy corn for decoration

Halloween Party Desserts Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar little by little while continuing beating. Continue beating and add the cream and then the vanilla. Beat another one minute on medium high speed. Now carefully fold in the Cool Whip and stir the mixture to combine all ingredients.

2. Divide the mixture in even parts into three bowls. Leave the cream mixture in one bowl white. In the second bowl, add the orange food color and stir carefully to get the desired color. Add the yellow food color to the third bowl and mix to get the desired color. Pour the mixture of each bowl into a separate piping bag.

3. Choose the serving glasses or plastic cups and squeeze a layer of the yellow mousse into the glasses. Continue by squeezing a layer of orange mousse into the glasses and finish with a layer of the white mousse, so you will have your final candy corn inspired dessert.

4. Place the glasses into the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Use candy corn to add the finishing touch!

Check out these Halloween Party Ideas for your Halloween Desserts Ideas

See our 35 best Halloween Desserts here for your fun party!

For More Halloween party ideas, take a look at these Halloween cupcakes.