Recipes Archive - Cooking with Cassandra

Fudgy Avocado Brownies

Square avocado brownies topped with smooth chocolate fudge frosting, showing a thick chocolate drip and a dense interior.

Avocado Brownies with Chocolate Fudge Frosting These avocado brownies are rich, fudgy, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Made with almond flour and dark chocolate, they bake up moist and chocolatey with a smooth chocolate fudge frosting on top. Avocado Brownies2 small avocados (ripe, pitted and skins removed (about 3/4 cup once pureed))1/2 cup pure maple syrup1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon espresso powder3 ounces 70% dark chocolate (melted)2 large eggs1/4 cup cocoa powder1/2 cup almond flour1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chipsChocolate Fudge...

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta Recipe This garlic parmesan chicken and pasta is made with tender, juicy chicken and fettuccine coated in a rich, velvety parmesan garlic sauce. Creamy, comforting, and layered with flavor, it’s the kind of dinner that makes everyone go back for seconds. For the Chicken4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon paprika1 tablespoon dried oregano2 teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon dried thyme½ teaspoon black pepper½ teaspoon saltFor the Pasta12 oz fettuccine pasta (cut in half for easier eating)For the Sauce4...

Healthy Marry Me Chicken

Boneless chicken breasts in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with fresh basil in a skillet.

Healthy Marry Me Chicken Recipe Healthy Marry Me Chicken is a lighter take on the classic creamy sun-dried tomato chicken. Made with coconut milk, garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil, this one-pan dinner is rich, balanced, and ready in about 45 minutes. 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes)1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil8 cloves garlic (minced)1 13.5-ounce can full-fat coconut milk (shaken well before opening)½ cup chicken broth1 teaspoon dried oregano¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes (roughly chopped)½ cup parmesan cheese...

Crispy Baked Tacos with Ground Beef

Crispy baked tacos filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese, drizzled with avocado lime crema and garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on a sheet pan.

Baked Tacos Recipe Crispy baked tacos made in the oven with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and avocado lime crema. A simple sheet pan tacos recipe that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Taco Seasonings1 teaspoon chili powder1 teaspoon oregano1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon paprika1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon cumin1 teaspoon onion powder½ teaspoon celery salt¼ teaspoon cayenne pepperTaco Ingredients1 pound lean ground beef1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped (I throw mine in a food processor to get a super fine chop))4 garlic cloves (minced)1 tablespoon cilantro stems...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe This buffalo chicken dip is rich, creamy, and packed with classic buffalo flavor. Made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, and Frank’s Red Hot, it’s a quick and easy baked dip perfect for parties and game day, and just as good chilled if you prefer a cool, creamy dip. 2 cups chicken breast (cooked & shredded)8 oz cream cheese (softened and cut into small pieces)½ cup sour cream½ cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce1½ teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder¾ cup sharp orange cheddar cheese (shredded (for the dip))¾ cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded (for the...

Whipped Feta Dip with Maple Bacon

Whipped feta topped with maple bacon and toasted walnuts served with crostini

Whipped Feta with Maple Bacon Recipe This whipped feta with maple bacon recipe is creamy, sweet, and savory, topped with toasted walnuts, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. An easy whipped feta dip that’s perfect for game day, entertaining, or holiday appetizers. Maple Bacon8-10 slices thick cut baconmaple syrupblack pepperWhipped Feta1 block feta (500 grams, chopped into smaller cubes)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt4 tablespoons maple syrup3 garlic cloves1/2 cup walnuts (roughly chopped)To Serve1 baguette (sliced into 1/2-inch thick...

Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Cracker Toffee)

Christmas crack recipe made with saltine crackers, buttery toffee, melted chocolate, and festive red and green holiday toppings

Christmas Crack Recipe This Christmas crack recipe is made with crisp saltine crackers layered with buttery homemade toffee, melted chocolate, and festive holiday toppings. It’s an easy holiday treat that bakes quickly, sets up beautifully, and is perfect for gifting, dessert platters, and Christmas entertaining. 35-50 saltine crackers (enough to fully cover the pan)1 cup butter1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract½ teaspoon salt2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips1/2-1 cup holiday red and green sprinkles or red and green M&M’s (optional)cooking spray...

Eggnog Espresso Martini

If you love a good espresso martini, wait until you try it holiday-style with eggnog. This Eggnog Espresso Martini is smooth, creamy, lightly spiced, and tastes like Christmas in every sip. Bold espresso meets festive eggnog, coffee liqueur, spiced rum, and a touch of vanilla — shaken ice-cold for a velvety-rich winter cocktail everyone will love. I tested a few versions before landing on this balance — creamy without being heavy, coffee-forward without overpowering the eggnog. Best part? It comes together in minutes. Just shake, pour, and enjoy a restaurant-style martini right at home....

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach artichoke dip is one of those cozy, crowd-pleasing appetizers that shows up at every great party — but this version has a little twist that makes all the difference. I add just ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, which sounds tiny, but it brings the whole dip to life. It doesn’t make it spicy. It simply adds warmth, depth, and that subtle “what is that?!” flavour that keeps people coming back for more. This spinach artichoke dip is hot, creamy, cheesy, and baked until the top turns golden and bubbly. It’s velvety inside with pockets of fresh spinach, tender artichokes, and three cheeses...

Brie Bites in Puff Pastry

If you're looking for the kind of holiday appetizer that makes your guests pause mid-sentence, these brie bites in puff pastry are it. They’re flaky, cheesy, sweet, savory, and have that perfect little “wow” moment when you bring them to the table. I use a combination of caramelized onions, creamy brie, fig jam, prosciutto, and a sprig of rosemary to create the ultimate bite—layers of flavor wrapped in buttery puff pastry that bake up golden and beautiful. These are the bites I pull out when I want something elegant without fuss, and they are always the first thing to disappear. They’re...

Pumpkin Pie Bars

A close-up of a pumpkin pie bar with a thick pumpkin filling on a shortbread crust, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe These Pumpkin Pie Bars have all the cozy flavor of classic pumpkin pie, baked on a buttery shortbread crust instead of pastry. The filling is creamy, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and my secret pinch of black pepper for extra depth. Slice them into neat pumpkin squares and top with whipped cream for the perfect fall dessert. Shortbread Crust1 ½ cups all-purpose flour⅓ cup granulated white sugar½ teaspoon salt¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter, (cold and sliced)1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractPumpkin Filling1 15-ounce can (1 ¾ cups) pure pumpkin purée ((not...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are soft, spiced, and filled with a rich cream cheese center, just like the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins—but even better homemade! Topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds, they bake up with tall, bakery-style domes and cozy fall flavour in every bite. Dry Ingredients1¾ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon of baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1½ teaspoons of cinnamon1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spiceWet Ingredients3/4 cup granulated white sugar3/4 light brown sugar1½ cups pure pumpkin puree1 tablespoon...

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