Looking for a quick and easy Christmas neighbor gift? This snowman soup comes together in minutes and is a fun and festive way to spread holiday cheer. Just add hot water to this vanilla milk mix and you have a creamy, comforting warm drink for those cold winter nights!

Plus, check out our step-by-step video tutorial! It’s so easy and only 4 ingredients! Basically just dump everything in a bowl and whisk to combine, then package up the powder mix to share with friends and neighbors with instructions for how to make it. We have included an adorable printable in the recipe card with the instructions!

Now this might be a little grim, but picture jolly ol’ Frosty or Olaf getting too close to the warm fire or accidentally finding themselves in San Diego in the winter and melting into a puddle of sweet and delicious goodness. Snowman soup!

It tastes like the vanilla steamer from Starbucks with a hint of cinnamon and it is a family favorite! It’s a great alternative to hot chocolate or wassail for a warm holiday beverage.

Ingredients for Snowman Soup

You’re just 4 ingredients away, well 5 I guess if you count water, from the most delicious warm holiday beverage! Here is what you will…

• Powdered Milk: Acts as the creamy base, giving body and richness when mixed with hot water or milk. It replaces fresh milk for shelf-stability and convenience.
• Instant Vanilla Creamer: Adds extra creaminess and a hint of vanilla flavor, enhancing the sweetness and smooth feel of the drink.
• Sugar: Sweetens the mix and balances the richness of the milk. It ensures the flavors are cozy and comforting rather than flat or bitter.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a subtle spice that pairs beautifully with the sweet, creamy vanilla. It gives the mix depth and a little seasonal flair.

A single batch of this recipe makes about 24 servings, so you can scale up or down depending on your needs!

How to Make Snowman Soup

There’s not really much to this recipe which is why it’s such a great neighbor gift for the busy holidays.

1. Pour all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and whisk until everything is combined.
2. Divide into smaller jars to give to neighbors or store in an airtight container in a dry place for your family.
3. Print the cute instructions and attach it to the small jars for the cutest holiday neighbor gifts.

Combine 1/3 of the cinnamon vanilla milk mixture with 1 cup of hot water and stir to combine.

The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

This Parsley Pesto delivers so many of the things I love about traditional basil pesto, but with a slightly more subtle flavor profile. It’s creamy, herby goodness with hints of Parmesan and garlic, and just the right amount of nutty texture.

Parsley Pesto

I really like parsley pesto because it invites a little curiosity. This pesto uses all the other ingredients you’d expect: olive oil, finely grated cheese, and minced pine nuts and garlic. But the parsley adds an unexpected twist. And, I like that the flavor of parsley is a little less in your face, compared to basil.

Most people don’t realize that you can make pesto with other herbs. But, you totally can (and in my opinion, should) try each of your favorite herbs in a pesto sauce. Maybe you’ll find one you like better, too!

Parsley Pesto Recipe

Traditional Italian pesto is ground by hand in a mortar and pestle (pesto comes from the word pestare, “to crush”). But, you can also use a food processor to speed the mixture along, like I did for this parsley pesto recipe. Look at us, just breaking ALL the rules!

If you’re using a food processor like me, be careful not to overmix the ingredients. You should only have to pulse it a few times to chop the ingredients. Pulsing the ingredients while you pour the olive oil is intended to incorporate the oil throughout. Not to make a smooth paste. You want a slightly coarse texture to remain at the end.

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This Simple Chocolate Cake from a box mix is the secret to the most moist chocolate cake at home! Made with simple ingredients like, sour cream, extra eggs and instant pudding it absolutely will become the best chocolate cake from a box you’ve ever had… possibly the best cake you’ve ever had!

Learn how to doctor up a chocolate cake mix by reading further! I’ll show you all of the tips and step-by-step photos to teach you how to bake this doctored chocolate cake mix recipe!

Easy Chocolate Box Cake Recipe

This easy chocolate cake is made for anyone from a beginning baker up to an absolute expert! Which is why it has become so popular on Pinterest and Instagram, just like our Peanut Butter Monster Cookies.

Why We Love This Recipe!

I love that this moist chocolate cake recipe starts off with a Devil Food’s or Fudge cake mix! When life is busy and you want a special dessert but aren’t a cake baker, this recipe is for you! We love that it’s doctored up with some chocolate pudding and sour cream to give it an amazing texture and taste.

Cake mixes already include the flour, some sugar, salt and leavening agents like baking soda and/or baking powder. By using a cake mix for your dry ingredients, just eliminate the steps of measuring out all those ingredients. Total time saver!

Ingredients For a Doctored Cake Mix

For the Cake

• Cake Mix: A 15.25 oz. Duncan Hines devil’s food cake mix seems to work best. You can use any mix you’d like though. The base that provides flour, sugar, cocoa powder, leavening, and stabilizers. It gives structure and the initial chocolate flavor. 
• Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding: Use the 3.4 ounce size. Adds extra cocoa

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I hope that your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one. This newsletter is a little different from the usual and I’m hoping you will find it helpful! I spent a while this week sifting through my favorite kitchen tools, selecting my absolute favorites to share with you. I’ve been a food blogger for 15 years now and I’ve been cooking 2-3 meals a day for most of the past 25 years.

And over those years? I’ve tried and tested sooooo many kitchen tools, most of which have gathered dust and eventually made their way to donation centers over time. (I’d like to spare you that hassle if I can!) So, if you’re looking for gift ideas for yourself or for those on your Christmas lists, these are my recommendations for kitchen gear that will earn its keep.

KITCHEN ESSENTIALS 

For kitchen gifts that actually get used, I’ve got you. Not another candle. Not another mug. These are the things that I use in my kitchen every. single. day. (And the reasons WHY I choose these over others that look just like them at first glance.) Check out my go-to favorites!

KITCHEN TINY EXTRAS 

I’ve tried so many kitchen tools over the years. And, far too many of them are gimmicky nonsense. But THESE? These actually work. These are the tools that I keep using, time after time. Can we just agree to say no to “cute but useless” kitchen gadgets? These tools right here are perfect for gifting… or upgrading your own kitchen. Kitchen tools you WILL use!

KITCHEN SPLURGES 

Ok, confession time. I am a frugal cook. But, sometimes I make an exception. These things were absolutely positively worth the extra cost. They work incredibly well. They last. And, most importantly, they give me no regrets. Ready for an investment that makes sense? You will not regret clicking this!

KITCHEN POTS AND PANS 

Did you know that quality cookware actually makes cooking easier? I used to think that I couldn’t afford good pots and pans. Oh, how wrong I was. Skip the trendy and expensive sets. You don’t need to be fancy. Here are the must-haves. Click here for easier cooking! 

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS: Oh, baby, have I got you covered this year. I’ve never had so much fun with the holiday leftovers. Is there anything more American than sitting down to a feast with multiple pounds of meat on the table for each person? Turkey leftovers are real. 

But, they aren’t a problem, at my house! We use it up in sandwiches, s

Imagine sinking your spoon into a bowl of creamy, savory comfort food heaven—Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff. The slow-cooked beef absorbs every ounce of flavor, making each bite a deep, comforting indulgence.

Tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef slowly simmers in a rich, velvety sauce made with a delicate blend of seasonings, all brought together with tangy sour cream and cream cheese. Perfectly paired with egg noodles or mashed potatoes, this dish offers the ultimate cozy meal that practically cooks itself.

I find it so interesting that so many countries have a stroganoff recipe. It originated in Russia, but in case you missed it, there are versions I’ve had in America, Italy and Cade says it’s a huge deal in Brazil, though their version is much more tomato based with cream. I want to try that way now.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is loaded with flavor and each ingredient adds a layer of flavor needed to make the best stroganoff. Here is a list of everything you’ll need:

• Beef Stew Meat: look for a package labeled as stew meat or grab some chopped sirloin
• Seasonings: Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
• Baby Bella Mushrooms: the best part of a stroganoff in my opinion
• Beef Broth: becomes the base of the creamy sauce
• Dijon Mustard: adds flavor and helps tenderize the beef
• Worcestershire Sauce: adds rich umami flavor
• EZ Gel by Cornaby’s: used to thicken the sauce, cornstarch can also be used
• Cream Cheese: adds richness and creaminess to the sauce
• Sour Cream: adds creaminess and a little tang to the sauce
• Egg Noodles: any type of pasta can be used or mashed potatoes
• Fresh Thyme and Parsley: adds a pop of freshness

The measurements and details for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

This crock pot beef stroganoff recipe is one of the easiest stroganoff recipes you’ll ever make and the meat turns out tender and juicy every time. Serve with fresh or store bought egg noodles for the ultimate family dinner. Here are steps for making this simple crockpot recipe:

1. Prep: Lightly grease a slow cooker with nonstick spray.
2. Season the Meat: Add stew meat to the crock pot and sprinkle with all the seasonings and then toss to combine.
3. Cook: Add the mushrooms, beef broth, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Thirty minutes before serving, remove 1/2 cup of the broth and whisk in the EZ Gel or cornstarch. Slowly pour the mixture into the slow cook