Tag Archives: BeautyFrosting recipes

Recipe Box: Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

Posted on by
Reply

What does the SuperBowl mean to me? Cooking. Lots of cooking – which, let’s be honest, usually means I get to my Super Bowl parties around halftime.

‘Cuz with a friend in town, a brunch date and 2 parties to attend yesterday, that doesn’t leave a girl a lot of time. Hence, I whipped up two of my #QuickieQuarterback dishes, beginning with this one. And, y’all, it was a hit with guys and girls alike!

Reuben Beer Dip with rye crackers. You heard me. Yep. Reuben sandwich in a bowl. And it was delicious. It was SO good, my friends didn’t even mind a bit that I was late to the festivities, and it even brought a little post-Halftime glee.

Dawn Do? Try putting dippers, that accompany dips, in muffin tins. Perfect for separating and showcasing dippers for impromptu entertaining!

Recipe Box: Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

 Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

1/2 lb. Shredded Corned Beef

1 8-ounce Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1/2 c sour cream

1 1/2 c shredded Swiss cheese

1 1/4 c Sauerkraut, drained

1/2 c Kraft Thousand Island dressing

Dippers: rye crackers, toasts, tortilla chips and fresh vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place mixture in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve with dipper and enjoy!

p.s. How much do we love that southern dishtowel? My sweet neighbor, Hope, gave it to me for my birthday!

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s your favorite SuperBowl or tailgating dip recipe?

A BF Homespun Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Sugar Dessert Dip

Posted on by
Reply

Hosting a party and need a quick, no-cook dessert? Have a salted caramel lover in your house? Then, look no further than my homespun recipe, Salted Caramel Brown Sugar Dessert Dip.

For those of you BF readers who don’t know, a “homespun” recipe is when you make something that’s not from scratch taste like scratch, just by spinning a few homemade-tasting ingredients in there.

For this easy dessert, it’s creamy, dreamy, and perfect when served with ginger snaps, Granny Smith Apples, strawberries and jumbo marshmallows as dippers.

BF Homespun Recipes: BeautyFrosting's Salted Caramel Brown Sugar Dip

 

 

BeautyFrosting’s Salted Caramel Brown Sugar Dessert Dip

8 oz Softened cream cheese

1 c Light Brown Sugar

1/3 c + 1 Tbsp Smucker’s Simple Delight Salted Caramel Topping

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

Set aside 1 Tbsp of salted caramel dip. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, using a hand mixer. Transfer into serving dish, making sure to use a spatula to make the top look extra smooth and “frostingy”. Drizzle the remaining 1 Tbsp of salted caramel dip on top.

Put in center of platter and surround with dippers, including ginger snaps, Granny Smith Apples, strawberries, bananas, mini chocolate bars and jumbo marshmallows.

xoxo,

BF

 

BF Asks: What dippers do you think would go best with my salted caramel dip?

Thirsty Thursday: A BF Homespun Recipe – Spiced Butter Rum Eggnog

Posted on by
Reply

The perfect Christmas cocktail: BeautyFrosting Homespun Eggnog

I get it.
You wanna make homemade eggnog – you know – the really, really good kind, but…it’s Christmas and, well, you’re busy.

Have I got a homespun recipe for you.

A golden recipe for the ages, homespun style.

For those of you BF readers who don’t know, a “homespun” recipe is when you make something that’s not from scratch taste like scratch, just by spinning a little homemade-tasting ingredients in there.

This recipe is delicious on its own, but with that 1/2 cup of Powell & Mahoney Vintage Original Cocktail Mixer in Old Ballycastle Ginger it just adds that festive holiday zing, that’s sure to invoke a warm, fuzzy, festive feeling.

Make it spirited with a little Captain Morgan Spicred Rum or unspirited, it’s up to you ‘cuz since it’s a holiday favorite, it will feel spirited no matter what you add.

A BF Homespun Recipe: Spiced Butter Rum Eggnog

1 Tbsp Salted Butter

1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 Container of your favorite store-bought eggnog (I like Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice- it’s non-alcoholic)

1 c Whole Milk

1/2 c Powell & Mahoney Vintage Original Cocktail Mixer in Old Ballycastle Ginger

Optional: 1 c Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

Whipped Cream (preferred amount – I personally like a small, snow-capped mountain)

Dash of Nutmeg

Melt butter in saucepan. Add vanilla until bubbling.

Add eggnog and milk. Stir until it starts to boil, then keep on low heat.

Add ginger mix and/or rum.
Top with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg.
Serve with Christmas cookies!

Eggnog - the preferred holiday beverage in this house

*BF Tip: It’s also DELICIOUS as a homemade eggnog latte, just heat a cup up in the morning and add 1/4 cup coffee. My current coffee of choice? Pumpkin.

Another tip?
Enjoy with friends!!

Best enjoyed with friends. *featuring PJ Salvage pajamas

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What is your holiday beverage of choice? 

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Brandywine Punch

Posted on by
Reply

For Thanksgiving this year, I thought it would be cool to create a cocktail that would match my decor. And because I’m me, well, I did just that. The theme? Brandywine, based on the decorative turkey of the same name that I designed my entire Thanksgiving tablescape around (see photo here).

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting's Brandywine Punch

It was a HIT! So much so, that I whipped it up again for my birthday 70s Soiree the following wee. Now, you can try it for yourself!

BeautyFrosting’s Brandywine Punch

*Makes approx. 12-16 cocktails

1) Sprinkle 1 Tbsp pomegranate seeds in bottom of champagne flutes.

2) In a large beverage container or large pitcher, combine:

1 Bottle of Simply Cranberry

1 Bottle of Simply Apple

1 c BeautyFrosting Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (see below)

1-2 c AppleJack Brandy

1 Bottle Mumm Napa Brut Rosé

Pour cocktail mixture over pomegranate seeds.

Serve with a grateful heart.

BeautyFrosting’s Holiday Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

1 c Brown Sugar

1 c Water

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Maple syrup

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cinnamon and water. Simmer over medium heat, constantly stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add in maple syrup. Cool. Pour simple sugar into cocktail of choice. Or store in refrigerator in pyrex or airtight container for up to a month.

Brandywine punch leaves all in good cheer!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What do you sip on Thanksgiving? 

Recipe Box: “East Nashvilles” – Southern Breakfast Sandwiches, Featuring Hickory Farms Ham

Posted on by
Reply

There I was. The day after Thanksgiving with SO much Hickory Farms ham left!
What’s a girl to do?

Well, this girl had a birthday party to cook for, and I knew just what to do. Whip up some delicious southern breakfast sandwiches with that leftover ham!

Recipe Box: "East Nashvilles" - Southern Breakfast Sandwiches, Featuring Hickory Farms Ham

I was inspired by my days living in East Nashville and decided to bake some buttermilk cheddar biscuits, some homemade maple peach butter and sandwich the ham right there in the sweet spot in the center.

Perfect for breakfast, lunch or a nighttime party, these little guys disappear fast!

Usually, I have tons of food left over after a party, but not these guys. Every single one was eaten. People were RAAAAAVING! And they’re so easy to make, that I whipped another bunch up the following Monday for a voiceover session. Everyone loved them there at the studio, too!

So go ahead and get that Hickory Farms Spiral Sliced Honey Gold Ham ($85) and then get creative if you have leftovers! I sure am! So much so, that I’ll be featuring another recipe with it next week!

Dawn’s East Nashvilles: Southern Breakfast Sandwiches

Step 1: Bake Those Biscuits

Pa’s Buttermilk Biscuits

Makes approx 16 biscuits

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

5 c All-Purpose Flour

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

8 Tbsp Salted Butter, chilled and cubed

2 c Buttermilk, chilled

1 – 1 1/2 c Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Blend in butter, using a fork or fingers,  until mixture gets crumbly. Add buttermilk and stir until soft dough is created. And, y’all, that dough will be sticky! Add in cheddar and make sure it’s well distributed throughout dough.

Drop dough with an ice cream scoop, 1 in apart onto Silpat-lined baking sheets.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until golden.

*Let biscuits cool.

Step 2: Whip Up That Homemade Maple Peach Butter.

Dawn’s Easy Homemade Maple Peach Butter

1/2 c Softened Salted Butter

3 – 4 Tbsp Peach Jam or Preserves (depending on how peachy you like it. I like it SUPER peachy!)

1 tsp Maple Syrup

Mix until well-blended and smooth.

Step 3: Butter those biscuits.

*After biscuits have cooled, cut biscuits in half and slather on the peach butter on each biscuit half. 

Step 4: Cut up that ham.

Cut ham into round or square pieces, using kitchen scissors. Sandwich 2-3 small slices of ham in between buttered biscuit halves.

And that’s it, you’ve got East Nashvilles ready for eatin’!

Dawn’s Punch In A Pinch: Super Simple Orange Witches’ Brew

Posted on by
Reply

Need punch in a pinch this Haloween?
I gotcha covered with this frothy, frosty delight!

Dawn's Punch In A Pinch: Super Simple ORange Witches' Brew

Dawn’s Punch In A Pinch: Super Simple Orange Witches’ Brew

1/2 gallon Orange Sherbet

1 (2 L) Sprite, Ginger Ale or Champagne

1) Just take your spookiest goblets, wine glasses or champagne glasses, add a few mini scoops of orange sherbet…

1) Add a few mini scoops of orange sherbet...

2)…and top with sprite, champagne (or a mixture) of the two and garnish with a Mellowcreme pumpkin aaaaand…

2)…and top with Sprite, Ginger Ale or champagne (or equal parts of sprite/ginger ale and champagne) - and garnish with a Mellowcreme pumpkin!

Hocus Pocus! Foaming, frothy orange witches’ brew right from the cauldron. There ya go!

See, terrific punches doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What’s your Halloween beverage of choice? 

Thirsty Thursday: The McCoy Girls’ Prickly Pear Cider Punch

Posted on by
1

Sometimes the simplest thing can seem the most complicated.

After serving punches for years at my own parties, I’ve noticed that a lot of people seem daunted when it comes to party punches and beverages. They taste my punches and tell me, “Oh, I’m just not as creative as you” or “I just don’t have the time to come up with punch recipes.” Yes, you do. I promise.

In actuality, punches are easy! And, like a witch’s brew, you can throw in any array of ingredients and come up with a perfectly pleasing punch.

That was exactly the case with this week’s Thirsty Thursday: Prickly Pear Cider Punch. I was craving cider when my mom and I spotted a Prickly Pear sparkling soda at Central Market in Dallas. We thought that it would be a great inspiration for a fall beverage. And it was!

And thus, a super easy new punch recipe for all was born!

The McCoy Girls’ Prickly Pear Cider Punch

Thirsty Thursday: Prickly Pear Cider Punch

1 part Apple Cider of choice

2 parts Prickly Pear Italian Soda (I prefer the Central Market Organics)

*For a little spirit in your punch, substitute 1 part champagne or sparkling wine for 1 part soda

Serve in cute flute or goblet, garnish with a colorful fall leaf and cinnamon stick and presto! A fabulous fall punch in seconds!

A pleasing fall punch in a pinch!

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s your super simple go-to punch recipe in a pinch?

High-Low 4/22/14: Easter & Ouch

Posted on by
2

Yet again, it’s time for the most popular column on BeautyFrosting – my High-Low. *So what exactly is a High-Low, you ask? High-Low is the BEST & WORST part of your day, week, month, etc. I started this tradition with friends & family after I discovered it through a movie decades ago. Not only is it useful for the sake of reflection but it is also an excellent way to communicate with your spouse, kids or friends over the dinner table. By introducing this tradition to folks, parents have told me that their kids have opened up more and friends have told me that their spouses have become more communicative. Try it for yourself and let me know what your experience is…

***

HIGH-LOW 4/22/14

Easter? Yay!!! Face burns? No bueno.

This week was a doozy (aren’t they all?) as it contained my favorite holiday – for which I hosted a garden party – and my not-so-fave as, well, my face got burned! And it all happened in one day. See? Doozy.

As my old boss used to say, Oy vey.

Up first? The high, of course. Here we go, here we go, here we go.

HIGH: My 3rd Annual Classic Southern Easter Dinner

My Easter table surrounded by friends. My cup runneth over...both literally and figuratively

I love having a houseful of people. To be honest, I feel most alive and happy when I am hosting a soiree at my house – surrounded by friends, indulging in delicious, homemade food and drinking wine and laughing. Add in some board games and I’m having the time of my life. All of that just does my heart good. And it definitely does my heart good to look around me and see the folks I hold so dear looking plumb happy.

Which is why I ignored a friend’s advice when he told me to skip hosting my annual classic southern Easter dinner this year (although he’s usually quite wise). With all I have going on, it just didn’t seem like the smartest thing to do. But I am so glad I did it!

There were old friends, new friends and enough food, wine and spirited conversation to go around. And I really appreciate that my guests who have attended each year said that they so look forward to it and it’s one of their most beloved events of the year. It might be a hefty task to take on when things are busy and bustling but anything that makes me feel so good simply can’t be a bad thing.

The theme this year? Ricky Nelson-Garden Party style. In the backyard with the tasel garlands, puffs on trees, birds and the bees. Oh, you know what I mean...

The reason I love this tradition so much is because it marries the best of the old traditions precious to my family – which reminds me of my younger days – with the new traditions that I’m creating on my own with my friends and surrogate family out here in LA. It is such a beautiful thing – and isn’t that what life’s all about?

As with everything, it’s all in the delicate details – and the delicate details are what delight me. I used my Nanny’s silver, made her Jello lime salad in her vintage jello mold and served the salad on her white and gold cake stand. I always feel connected to her when I bake but when I actually use precious family treasures that she owned for years, I feel especially connected to her.

Marrying the old traditions with the new ones. Pictured here is my Nanny's silver and my favorite new washable linen napkins from Haute Hostess (Left) and Jessie Steele (right)

We started out the day with a DIY Mimosa bar from One Hope Wine that was a hit! Guests could custom-make their own mimosas featuring One Hope Sparkling wine and select from a bevy of juices, fruits and mint to muddle, mix and design to their heart’s content. More on the Mimosa Bar (and how you can order the One Hope Wine Mimosa Bar Set) on Thirsty Thursday this week!

DIY Mimosa Bar featuring One Hope Wine Mimosa Bar Set - this was a HIT!

 

What else was served for dinner? Well, we always have a HoneyBaked ham, my Cowboy Corn Casserole, my Paris, Texas Green Bean Casserole, my Southern Pea Salad, Matt Marr’s Prized Deviled Eggs, mac & Cheese, turkey, salads and SO much more!

 

The Spread: southern fare galore!

 

As for the best part? Dessert, of course! I baked my annual Easter Bunny Coconut Cake (this year her name was Bedelia – yes, seriously), my Chocolate Cream pie, my Blackberry Cream pie and my Nanny’s ‘Nana Pudding. Holy goodness, it was all delicious!

But even more delicious than the food was the company. Thank you to each and every one of you who came and celebrated a beautiful spring day in my backyard. The memories will live on long after the food is gone – and the memories were downright magical.

The memories will live on long after the food is gone...

LOW: Ouch!

LOW: Ouch! Too many irons in the fire and something might catch ON fire! (p.s. That white stuff on my face? It's Silver Sufudiazine which helps burns)

 

I’ll keep this short. I burned myself. While busily setting the table, cooking, baking and decorating for Easter dinner, I spotted a Diptyque candle on fire in my living room. Nope. Not stressful at all. A fire extinguisher would’ve made a mess for such a small fire so I (dumbly?) decided to blow it out. Well, the hot wax splashed up and hit my face. It actually didn’t really hurt – probably because I was so focused on putting out the fire!

I’m fine  – and it could have been much worse but I did receive 4 small burns on my face – one second degree that’s requiring a bit of attention so as to prevent scarring. But thanks to my dermatologist, I’ll be right as rain in no time. And, again, even though I’m calling it a low, I know that there is much, much worse than having a few burns on your face. A good reminder to yes, keep all those irons in the fire but to keep your eye out for things catching on fire with all we have going on every day.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

 

 

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail

Posted on by
Reply

Last Thursday, I had a photo shoot here at The Cupcake Palace and, well, I wanted to socially lubricate myself a bit with a mid-day cocktail for the shoot. Don’t judge. I only had one and I must say it did make me feel a bit more photogenic.

I looked in the fridge for inspiration and inspiration found me: Dole Pineapple Juice, One Hope California Brut Sparkling Wine ($19.99) and Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries. Add a little splash of vanilla extract (which chronic bakers like me always have on hand) and thus, this week’s Thirsty Thursday concoction was born.

So here is my little Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail for you to enjoy – before a photo shoot, a fun-filled day or maybe even just while soaking in a foam-filled tub.

 

BeautyFrosting’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail

Thirsty Thursday: Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail (and I love these "Simply stunning…" napkins my Mom got me for Christmas from Homegoods - soooo fun!!)

4 ozs ONEHOPE California Brut Sparkling Wine 

4 ozs Dole Pineapple Juice

2 Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries 

1 splash Vanilla Extract

Grab your favorite champagne flute (or, I suppose, a regular cocktail glass will do). Drop in a moonshine cherry at the bottom. Fill with 4 ozs pineapple juice and top with 4 ozs champagne. Add a splashStab a cherry with a party pic and place on top or rest on side of glass. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail in a glass.

Party for one, please.

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What was your favorite drink or punch this week? 

Thirsty Thursday: BF & One Hope’s Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

Posted on by
1

When I was trying to decide what my signature cocktail would be for my “Come As You Were…or WISH You Were In High School” birthday party, I was a bit overwhelmed. I wanted it to involve the bubbly (I mean what’s a birthday without champagne), have a wintry component (because my party this year was sandwiched between a slew of holiday parties) and be something that my guests would never forget.

That’s where One Hope Wine and Hope at Home stepped in to help.

One Hope Wine & Hope At Home saved that day…well, at least my party!

 

They have a slew of cocktail recipes and fab pics on OneHopeWeddings.com where you can find the PERFECT cocktail to accompany your perfect party.
For mine, I opted for the Apple Cider Mimosa.

One Hope's Apple Cider Mimosa

But to make it my own whimsical winter wonderland-fitting libation, I “tweaked” it a bit by substituting Captain Morgan Spiced Rum  in place of the scotch.

And you know what really made me feel good about it? For every bottle of One Hope California Brut Sparkling Wine ($18.99) sold, a hungry child is connected with 10 healthy meals. Drinking for a good cause? It’s like two of my favorite things on the planet just married one another.

It. Was. Perfect. Everyone was raaaaaving about it and asking for the recipe.

 

A few of my guests (Jennifer & Rahiel from Spoiled Little LA Girls) & I sippin' on our BF & One Hope Spiced Apple Cider Mimosas! Photography by Takahiro Watanabe Photography

More guests - Jen and Jennie - sippin' their One Hope cider cocktail… Photo by Guerrero Photography

 

Yep. It’s exactly what I wanted.

Enjoying my 2nd glass (!!!) of One Hope Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa. Don't judge, people. It was my BIRTHDAY!!! Photo by Guerrero Photography

So now you can enjoy it at your holiday or winter party!

If you need a little extra party guidance, Hope At Home has you covered. See, Hope At Home is magical when it comes to making a party pop. They offer private wine tasting parties where 15% of the sales go back to the non-profit or school of your choice. What could be a more fun – and philanthropic – way to celebrate this holiday season? And what a fun way to raise funds for your organization!!

 BF & One Hope’s Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

 

BF & One Hope's Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa - photo courtesy of OneHopeWeddings.com

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total: 10
Serves: 1

Ingredients
1 tsp brown sugar
1 ounce spiced rum (I used Captain Morgan)
2 ounces fresh apple cider
4 ounces ONEHOPE Sparkling Wine
Apple slices for garnish

Directions
Combine brown sugar, spiced rum and apple cider in a flute.
Top with ONEHOPE Sparkling wine and garnish with fresh apple slices.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What charity, school or organization would benefit from your Hope At Home wine tasting party?