Yam & Apple Bake -Easy Holiday Side Dish -Bruce's Canned Yams

If you have a food delivery service you've probably experienced an occasional surprise when receiving your order. This happens to Ma quite often... While visiting one day she sent me home with two cans of (un-ordered) Bruce's Yams. Yep, a holiday staple in many families, I thought it would be a good opportunity to try a new recipe. And when better than as we are planning our Thanksgiving and Christmas menus:@) Today's side dish is a Yam & Apple Bake. My version has been altered a tad from the Bruce's website, but that was the starting point. Another thing I love about this simple recipe is, you can get both the yams and pie filling anywhere, including Dollar Tree. $3 for a pretty holiday side that will easily feed at least four to six people, not bad..

Gorgeous holiday color...

I have a feeling most folks associate these soft canned yams with sweets, and they serve them with either marshmallows or a streusel topping. We carry the sweetness here, but by the addition of apple pie filling. I like that the syrup gets drained from the potatoes, allowing the pie filling to act as a little thickener. I also like that this isn't mashed, the potatoes and apples maintain their texture.

**Today I used 15 oz sweet potatoes and 15 oz pie filling. I think the -best- ratio would be 29 oz yams: 15 oz apple. Unless you know your crew really loves apples:@) You honestly can't go wrong with any ratio, but I'd keep the two smaller cans of yams to the 15 oz apples, and use the larger cans together.

From this point we have options... 

1. We can leave it as is, and the colors are beautiful:@) I like this color combo for Thanksgiving.
2. Or maybe add additional traditional warm spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. 
3. Or how about rough crushing some cookies, Nilla Wafters or ~preferably~ Ginger snaps, tossing with butter and adding a crunchy topping. That would lean it more towards a sweeter dessert type side dish. 
4. Nuts would be great. 
5. I like dotting the top (after baking) with some maraschino cherries... That's pretty for Christmas.
6. Maybe a handful of cranberries mixed in, oh that would be pretty. But I'd add extra sugar to offset the tart.
7. And of course the original recipe adds a sprinkling of mini marshmallows. 
8. Best suggestion: Split the toppings into segments. That's a fun idea if you know Aunt Susie loves marshmallows but Uncle Sam wants only pecans...
9. Anything goes!

Leftovers? Heat in microwave and sprinkle with granola for breakfast. Or... Maybe enjoy at night with a scoop of ice cream. 

Yam & Apple Bake

15, 29 or 40 oz can Bruce's yams, drained well

15 or 21 oz can apple pie filling

*Any add-ins or toppings of choice. Honestly folks, this is the most versatile and foolproof side dish.

1. Butter a 2 to 2 1/2 quart baking dish. *I used a 1 quart, it was plenty big enough for 15 oz cans.
2. Mix yams and apples, and add-ins. Lightly break up the yams so they are about the same size as the apples.
3. Top if/as desired. 
4. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30-40 minutes (just keep an eye on the marshmallows).

Let's plan those holiday meals and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pumpkin Yeast Bread -Savory Bread Machine Recipe

I had some leftover pumpkin puree and was determined to put it to good use, so I dusted off the bread machine and made some Pumpkin Yeast Bread. Just look at that great color folks:@) The recipe called for a minimal amount of pumpkin, but it was enough to add a pretty orange vibe to the fall dinner table. My best bread machine tip: Look at the dough as it's being kneaded, it should create a nice smooth ball. If it's too dry, add a little warm water or milk, but only a tsp at a time. If it's too sticky and shaggy, add a slight dusting of flour, but just a very little at a time. Once the moisture is correct, the ball will come together quickly. Why does the top have ridges? It didn't pop out of the pan right away, so I turned it upside down on the cooling rack and went about my day... When the bread slid out it cooled a bit upside down, ooops.

Did the flavor of this particular recipe scream pumpkin? Not really. But both boys did make the same comment, this bread has a great density. Don't hesitate to give it a try if you have a bread maker and a little pumpkin to use up. If nothing else, it is a good conversation starter.

Another great seasonal bread machine recipe: Savory Pumpkin Pecan Yeast Bread Here. This one adds warm spices and nuts, and makes a very nice sandwich bread.

Pumpkin Pecan Yeast Bread -small 1lb Loaf
1/2 C pumpkin
2 Tblsp warm milk or Half and Half-may need a little more
2 Tblsp butter
1 1/2C + 2 Tblsp A/P flour-can sub some whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp salt
2 Tblsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp yeast-I used rapid rise

~Add everything in order listed to the bread pan, select soft loaf, let 'er fly. 

Eat well and

Have a Happy Day🦃

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

I whipped up some brownies from a mix but wanted to add a seasonal touch... So this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting made it's way to the Sunday dinner table:@) Nice and sweet, and although a minimal amount of pumpkin, you will taste it. We all thought this was a nice addition, and the leftovers were snatched up quickly! Love spice? Add as much as you'd like... This frosting is great on brownies, cupcakes or cake. Anything goes.

My best tip for the beginning of fall: Check your pumpkin spice to see if still potent. Or better yet, just plan to get a new jar, especially if you use it often. I've found it everywhere from Dollar Tree to Walmart to supermarkets.

***Note, I made a half batch of frosting for an 8x8 brownie mix. I cut the brownies into 16 pieces and that was more than enough to add a hearty dollop to the top of each one.

Another fun idea, Cream Cheese Colored Brownies Here. I think they'd be nice for Thanksgiving if swirled on top in harvest colors. 

Need some ideas for leftover pumpkin? Most use about 1/2 C pumpkin puree. Click the links for: Pumpkin Sheet Cake, Pumpkin Pie Cake, Bisquick Impossible Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, Pumpkin BBQ Dip, Pumpkin Mustard Dip, Pumpkin Quesadillas, Pumpkin Wacky Snack Cake, Pumpkin Schmear for Bagels, Pumpkin Spritz Cookies, Pumpkin Pecan Bread for the Bread Machine, Festive Pumpkin Dip, Pumpkin Crumble, Pumpkin Spice Ice Pops.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 C butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/3 C pumpkin puree

1 tsp (or more) pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

up to 3 C powdered sugar

• Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. 
• Add pumpkin and spice, mix in.
• Add powdered sugar, hold out some of the last cup. 
• Mix until thick and smooth. Adding more or less sugar as needed for consistency.

Eat well and

Have a Happy Day:@)

2026 Barbie Holiday Display Walmart -Christmas & Hanukkah

Walmart had their Holiday Barbie's out this morning, so I thought I'd share a few pics:@) There are the more casual dolls dressed in sweaters, Christmas and Hanukkah. I do have to say if you want one, there weren't very many...

Nutcracker Barbie on a spinning base:

And a Nutcracker rainbow horse:

And of course there are the party dress dolls too...

The full display with glitter bow:@)

It was an impressive sight!

Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Embellished Store Bought Cookies for Holidays and Occasions

I had a good friend that was not a baker, but every year the girls in her office would have a cookie exchange. So we'd kick ideas around, microwave fudge, easy candies, no-bake cookies (great recipe here)... I do like this idea to Easily Embellish Store Bought Cookies. Any holiday, any season, any sporting event. There is no end to the sprinkles we can find, I even have little pink pigs:@) I chose fall and Halloween for this example, and used simple sugar cookies. 

I like to leave one end as is, that way it's easier to pick up and less messy. My best tip: While I love chocolate, it can be a little fussy with melting and tempering. Candy Melts are a nice foolproof way to ensure success. Also, disposable icing bags work great too. I add the melts to the bag, toss in microwave for a few seconds, knead until smooth, snip the end, and good to go!

Choose any sturdy cookie and match it to your function... Sugar cookies or vanilla wafters for a kids party, maybe Milanos if it's tea with the ladies... And speaking of Milano's, did you see the new flavor this year? Oh yes, Espresso Martini...

I found this holiday display at Walmart.

My Pinterest Boards for more treat ideas:

Candy for All Seasons 

Chocolate for All Seasons

Christmas & Thanksgiving Food

Halloween Food

Spritz Cookies

Let's not stress about holiday functions,

enjoy a cookie, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie Dress Craft Stocking Stuffer -Dollar Tree Alert!

I've seen these little Barbie Dress Kits at Dollar Tree before, except this year they have both the magic marker version and some that come with fashion stickers. The packaging is on a cardboard backing that's stiff enough to give it some body for wrapping. I love the idea of a little craft that may keep the kids busy for a while. Especially if you break out some other markers for additional colors, or maybe rhinestones and glitter. This would be a great $1.25 gift for Christmas stockings, a birthday party, sleepover, or again, any rainy afternoon...

I know we're only approaching Halloween, but... Ya gotta grab it when you see it folks, things don't last long:@) Especially affordable creative items.

Let's plan ahead and

Have a Happy Day!

Eggy Eyeballs -Easy Halloween Deviled Eggs

If you do any baking, chances are you have some candy eyeballs for cookie decorations. How about giving the kids, big and small, a chuckle and whipping up some Eggy Eyeballs as a Halloween side dish or after school snack. Super simple, whip up your favorite deviled eggs and right before serving, push a couple candy eyes into the yolk mixture.

You don't have to do the whole tray,

just a couple for fun...

Talk about good timing... I don't remember how long ago it was, but I happened upon this kit at an amazing clearance price! Dollar Tree sells little packs of the eyes occasionally too.

Options: Maybe color the yolk mixture by adding a couple drops of green or red (to make orange) food dye. Or dye the whites as I did HERE.

For more ideas please visit my

Deviled Egg Pinterest Board HERE

Let's make some spooky fun and

Have a Happy Day🎃

Dollar Tree Cookie Decorating Kits -Christmas or Halloween

I had to grab one of these little Cookie Decorating Kits at Dollar Tree as soon as I saw them. They are marketed for Christmas but I thought they'd be fun for a Halloween Party or to kill a little time on a rainy Saturday with the kids:@) 

Full disclosure, I did use decorations from my stash for the cookie above.  Each cookie is about 4" tall. My cookies were sturdy and came unbroken. I will say one had nice crisp face and button stamping, the other did not. What comes in the kit (icing on the lower left, it's hard to see):

Speaking of Christmas, the boxes are small enough to be stocking stuffers. The $1.50 kit itself:

To keep things as real as possible I simply snipped the corner off of the icing packet and squeezed it onto the cookie. So yes, we get the full child like effect😂I kneaded the icing in my hands to soften and loosen it up a bit first. The cookie on the right is using only what came in the kit.

There you have it folks, an easy messy project to do with the kids. Why not pour some cider, break out the sprinkles, and make a memory this Halloween Season!

Enjoy a cookie and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Jack-O-Lantern Round-Up for Halloween Foodie Fun

Halloween is quickly approaching and as we're gathering ideas for the festivities I wanted to share some of my Jack-O-Lantern food themed posts from over 16 years of blogging. Let's pour a cuppa, and click the title to be taken to the original post for a little holiday fun... As a general rule, I like to keep the happy in Halloween, so nothing too spooky here:@)

Pumpkin Pie Tutorial from 2012-Simple pie embellishment with a big impact!

Jack-O-Lantern Refried Bean Dip from 2023-A yummy and healthier treat.

Pumpkin and Ghost Oven Fries from 2019-Use cookie cutters for shapes.

Dyed Deviled Eggs from 2012-A little orange food coloring (red and yellow mixed) and black olives is all it takes.

And just to be silly... Never hesitate to play with your food if it will make folks smile:@) From 'back in the day' Red Cocktail Sauce for Meatballs HERE, from 2011.

Want some more PUMPKIN ideas?

My Pumpkin Pinterest Board HERE.

My Halloween Food Pinterest Board HERE.

Enjoy the season and

Have a Happy Day🎃