Holidays Archives - Cooking with Cassandra

Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Classic Stuffing | cookingwithcassandra.com

Discover how easy it is to put together a delicious, warm stuffing, that you’ll never go back to the boxed kind. Yes, prepackaged stuffing tastes fine and is an absolute breeze to cook, but there is no comparison once you try making this homemade version. There's something so special about home-cooked meals— nothing beats the comfort of making it yourself. Whether it's a cozy favorite like mac and cheese or your own twist on a classic dish like my turmeric ginger chicken noodle soup, the flavors are just better at home. Sometimes, they even bring back nostalgic childhood memories!...

The Best Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

You're going to love this pumpkin cake as much as I do! It's a super moist, single-layer pumpkin cake with the creamiest cream cheese frosting—perfect for fall gatherings like Thanksgiving or a cozy weekend at home. The pumpkin makes the cake irresistibly soft and gives it that gorgeous orange glow. And then there’s the frosting—oh, that frosting that’s so irresistible I could eat it straight from the spoon! I’ve made this cake four times this month, and trust me, it’s that good. This recipe is foolproof, easy to whip up, and packed with real pumpkin flavor without being overwhelmed by...

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Toasted Bread with Bruschetta Toppings | cookingwithcassandra.com

One of the reasons why I enjoy summer (besides barbecues and sunshine) is because of all the produce that is in-season. Melon and berries often get the spotlight as summer fruits, but think about all the fresh tomatoes! This fruit (we aren’t going to debate on whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables!) is perfect for one of my favorite appetizers: bruschetta. Bruschetta — a traditional Italian antipasto — is essentially a tomato mixture on grilled bread slices and is great as an appetizer, snack, side dish or even on its own. They look fancy, but are so easy to make! With...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party. I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look like much at first, and it’s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But don’t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and you’ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have. It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

BEST Baked Mac and Cheese

Okay, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel with classic comfort food that everyone can agree on: mac and cheese. I used to love these as a kid and even when I stayed in my college dorm, I always made sure my tiny pantry had a box of instant mac and cheese. Dorm essentials, am I right? But if, like me, you’re ready to graduate from boxed foods and cook your own killer mac and cheese from scratch, read on! This recipe is loaded with secret tips and tricks to make a kick-ass homemade macaroni and cheese. This baked mac and cheese is bubbly, gooey, and indulgent. Most importantly, it...

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This twice-baked potato casserole is probably one of the best things I’ve made with potatoes, aside from this hashbrown casserole. Enclosed in a layer of melted cheese and bacon are fluffy, baked potatoes loaded with sour cream, savory cheese, and more bacon! If you’re looking for comfort food, this is a sure win. But, let’s talk about ingredients for a moment. If you’re going to make a potato casserole, you’ve got to get the right potatoes for the job. For this twice-baked potato casserole recipe, we want to use Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a good balance of starch content...

Juicy Pork Tenderloin

Pork Tenderloin sliced | cookingwithcassandra.com

Pork tenderloin is one of those dishes that never fails to impress, whether you're cooking for a special occasion or simply looking to create a delicious meal for two. It's a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, from pan-seared to roasted, and can be paired with a range of flavors and ingredients. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to prepare a mouth-watering baked pork tenderloin that's tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This dish is perfect for a romantic dinner with your significant other or for any occasion where you want to show your...

Gingerbread Espresso Martini

Gingerbread Espresso Martini Recipe The perfect holiday entertaining drink! This gingerbread espresso martini is a fun spin on the classic cocktail and the perfect festive cocktail recipe for the holidays! For the Gingerbread Spice2 teaspoon all ground spice2 teaspoon ground cinnamon2 teaspoon ground ginger1 teaspoon ground clove1 teaspoon ground nutmegpinch black pepperFor the Rimcaramel saucebrown sugarFor the Cocktail Shaker4 ounces espresso4 ounces Baileys2 ounces vodka4 teaspoons gingerbread spiceiceTop It Offwhipped cream and espresso beansa sprinkle of the gingerbread spice In a...

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe Discover the ultimate Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe, an essential addition to your holiday festivities! Crafted with just 6 simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this cranberry sauce infused with orange juice is a game-changer. Plus, it's a convenient make-ahead option, ensuring you'll never resort to canned cranberry sauce again! 24 ounces cranberries (cleaned (6 cups - 2 regular 12 ounce bags))zest from 1 large orange4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice ((regular no pump orange juice also works))1 ½ cups white sugar⅓ cup brown...

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce (Perfect Holiday Appetizer)

Cranberry Brie Dip With Flaky Roll Bites | cookingwithcassandra.com

What comes to mind when you imagine a cheese dip? I’ll tell you what I thought about it way before I stumbled upon this recipe. That creamy, orange-colored starchy cheese dip for nachos and crackers that you get at stadiums and boozy parties. The bottled kind with lots of artificial flavors that would get your tongue desperate for water later on. That was before I knew that there was a fancier, Christmassy version of this which was luscious, pretty, and actually sophisticated. This cheese dip is made with nutty and tangy brie cheese (plus a bit of cheddar) that’s baked to gooey...

Cranberry Tequila Punch Recipe – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

Cranberry Tequila Punch Recipe Christmas Punch4 cups pure 100% Cranberry Juice (chilled)3 cups sweet apple cider (chilled (not apple cider vinegar))2 cups reposado tequila (add more or less to taste)1 can of frozen orange juice concentrate2 ½ cups frozen cranberries2 oranges (thinly sliced into rounds)For Serving1 ½ cups ginger ale (add more or less to taste)cinnamon stick in each glass Combine all Christmas Punch ingredients in a large punch bowl or drink dispenser. Mix until combined.Add in cranberries and orange slices.Let chill in your refrigerator until your party starts! Chill for...

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

The way to my heart is a bouquet of red roses and a bottle of wine. A very close second is a box of Cinnabon! Today’s recipe is a homemade cinnamon rolls recipe that’s made to win anyone over. What makes this homemade cinnamon rolls recipe so darn delicious is the cinnamon powder (I use Saigon cinnamon which is more intense and fragrant) in the rolls. There’s also the heavy cream that we pour on top of the rolls and that really gives it the rich, gooey texture that’s so satisfying. It’s then finished with a cream cheese frosting, all made from scratch. For this...

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