Jolene's Recipe Journal

These M&M Oat Shortbread Bars are buttery, chewy, and packed with oats for a texture that sets them apart from traditional shortbread. The mini M&Ms add color and sweetness, making them an easy and cheerful addition to your holiday cookie trays.

These Holiday Sugar Cookie Cups are an easy, festive treat made with a sugar cookie mix, a simple two tone swirl of frosting, and plenty of holiday sprinkles. They bake into soft, bite sized cookie cups that are perfect for cookie trays, gifting, or bringing to holiday gatherings.

Y is for Yogurt!  For the letter Y in our Alphabet Challenge, we’re celebrating yogurt with a simple, delicious cornbread. Yogurt adds tenderness and a subtle tang that makes this perfect alongside soups, chili, or simply with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey. With just a few pantry staples, it comes together quickly, making it a convenient choice for busy cooks. The batter is simple to mix, and in about 25 minutes, you can have warm, golden cornbread ready to enjoy. What You’ll Need 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 large egg, lightly beaten, room temperature 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tablespoon honey How to Make It Preheat the oven: Set to 425°F and coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Combine wet ingre...

This Gingerbread White Russian blends classic holiday flavor with a smooth, creamy finish. Kahlua, vodka, gingerbread syrup and heavy cream come together in a chilled, sugar rimmed glass for the perfect seasonal cocktail.

Eggnog Pizzelles are a seasonal twist on a classic Italian cookie, crisp and delicate with nutmeg, rum, and vanilla flavors.

These gingerbread biscotti are spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and studded with crystallized ginger. They're perfect for dunking in coffee, tea or cocoa.

Get ready for the holidays with this ultimate collection of Christmas cookies. From buttery shortbreads to chocolate-filled favorites, these tried-and-true recipes are perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying with family. Whether you love classic flavors or fun twists, there’s something here for every cookie lover.

  Love Dunkin’? These copycat recipes let you enjoy your favorites at home. From creamy iced lattes to cheesy omelet bites and hearty breakfast sandwiches, this collection makes it easy to recreate the flavors you love.

Enjoy the  Iced Dunkin Cookie Butter Cloud Latte  from the comfort of your own home! This copycat recipe uses a cookie butter syrup  for the latte base,  cookie butter cold foam , and crunchy cookie crumbles on top.

X is for Xocolatl! Pronounced “sho-ko-LA-tl,” the original Aztec hot chocolate recipe was traditionally made with cacao and chili. This spiced chocolate drink has been adapted into a home-friendly version using chili chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla.

Made in the slow cooker with brown sugar and butter, this Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples recipe is an easy side for weeknights and a hit at holiday dinners.

W is for Wild Rice! Cranberry Wild Rice is a tasty side made with a colorful rice blend, dried cranberries, and a little crunch from pepitas. It’s easy to make and goes just as well on a weeknight dinner table as it does alongside a holiday meal.

Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella Bites are an easy appetizer that's ready in minutes. Simple and satisfying, they make a perfect finger food for parties, holiday gatherings, or a quick snack.

Black Pepper and Rosemary Angel Biscuits are golden on the outside and fluffy inside. Perfect for the holiday table and they also make a wonderful side for soups, stews, or roasted dishes.

These Cinnamon Stuffed Streusel Muffins are soft, buttery, and filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar center. The oat streusel topping adds the perfect crunch.

  Muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack. Here are our best recipes, featuring fruit-forward favorites, seasonal flavors and more. 

V is for Vinaigrette! This Cranberry Orange Vinaigrette balances tart cranberries with sweet orange juice for a simple, delicious dressing. Drizzle it over salads, roasted veggies, or chicken for an easy pop of color and flavor.

If Halloween is all about the treats, Trick or Treat Brownie Trifles deliver. Fudgy brownies, creamy pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and a mix of candy and cookies.

  If you love cookies and cream desserts, you will love these Cookies and Scream Cupcakes ! Fluffy white cupcakes have crushed cookies folded into the batter and a whole cookie hidden at the bottom.  They’re topped with creamy frosting, colorful Halloween sprinkles, and Peeps ghosts. Best of all, they’re quick and easy to make with a simple cake mix.

Eyeball Cookies are a spooky, no-bake Halloween treat that kids will love making! Using just Nilla Wafers, chocolate chips, and icing, you can turn simple ingredients into creepy-cute cookies with colorful irises, chocolate pupils, and bloodshot veins.

  U is for Upside Down! This  Upside-Down Bacon Apple Pancake  bakes up golden and caramelized in one skillet. Crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and grated apple create a sticky-sweet topping that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen. From spooky sweets to savory bites and festive drinks, these recipes are all treats, no tricks!

These Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Muffins combine the flavor of pumpkin pie with the classic cinnamon-sugar sweetness of a snickerdoodle cookie.  Soft, tender, and perfectly spiced, they’re topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel and are a great choice for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.  What You'll Need For the Muffins: 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2¼ teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée ⅔ cup vegetable oil ½ cup whole milk, room temperature 3 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Snickerdoodle Streusel: ½ cup all-purpose flour ⅓ cup granulated sugar 1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup cold butter, cut into ½-inch cubes How to Make It Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, sa...

T is for Tomato and Tortellini! When it comes to comfort food, few things are as satisfying as a bowl of soup. This Tomato Tortellini Soup is hearty, flavorful, and comes together in less than 30 minutes.

S is for Smoothie! This chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie is creamy, chocolatey, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. 

Ginger pear compote with cranberries is a quick, 20-minute recipe that turns fresh pears into a sweet and spiced fruit topping. With ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of orange zest, it’s perfect for pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, or even ice cream. What You’ll Need 4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp ground ginger (or 2 tsp fresh grated) 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg or allspice 1/2 cup water 4 tbsp dried cranberries 2 tsp vanilla extract Zest of 1 small orange How to Make It 1. Peel, core, and dice the pears. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine pears, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. 3. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are tender but still hold their shape. 4. Stir in cranberries and orange zest and cook 1–2 minutes more. 5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serving Suggestions This spiced pear compote is versatile enough to enjoy in lots of ways: Spoon...

If you’re looking for an easy make-ahead recipe that tastes like fall in a jar, this Maple Pumpkin Chia Pudding is the answer! Creamy and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, it is spiced with warm pumpkin pie flavors and makes the perfect breakfast, snack, or even dessert.

  Apple cider tea oatmeal is a quick and easy fall breakfast made in the microwave or on the stove top. Infused with apple cider tea and topped with crisp apples and cranberries, it’s ready in minutes and adds a seasonal twist to classic oatmeal. What You'll Need (1 serving) ½ cup quick oats 1 cup strong apple cider tea (I used Republic of Tea) 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey C hopped apple, dried cranberries How to Make Apple Cider Tea Oatmeal Brew the apple cider tea. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine oats, tea, salt and cinnamon. Microwave on high for 1½ to 2 minutes, then stir. Let stand 1 minute to thicken. Top with apples and dried cranberries. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.  Tips & Variations Stovetop: Simmer the tea, then stir in oats and salt . Cook 1 to 2 minutes until creamy. Use rolled oats instead of quick oats and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until creamy. Add extra spices such as nutmeg ...