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Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

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Maybe because its snowing, or maybe because of the sub-zero temperatures we’re having this week, but I am CRAVING comfort food. Warm, cozy and carbohydrate-y, yes please! When I was asked to write a post about my favorite crockpot recipe from Dollar General, I knew what I wanted to make: Mac n Cheese.

Pay no mind to the fact that I’d never actually made Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese or shopped at the Dollar General for food items. I was excited to try both – and the results were great!

I hit up my local Dollar General for ingredients. Did you know that they not only have great prices on pantry items and shelf stable products, but have refrigerated/frozen items too?! I was able to pick up cheese, milk, a roll of sausage and a box of pasta for the recipe I wanted to try.

I also grabbed a few “snow day” items like eggs, pop tarts, peanuts and D batteries. Their Clover Valley brand is well priced and all the Clover Valley items I purchased tasted great comparable to the national brands, really.

Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe Collage

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

Total Time: 2-3 hr, 10 min.
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2-3 hr
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) butter, sliced
3 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese (from a block, not pre-shredded)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lb. mild sausage, browned (optional)

Directions

  1. Boil the macaroni in a saucepan for 7 minutes. Noodles should be al dente. Drain.
  2. Add butter, sour cream, salt, milk, mustard and pepper to crock pot.
  3. Add pasta, sausage and cheese, stir well.
  4. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Meal is done when cheese is melted and edges are starting to get crispy.

Enjoy!

**I did end up using pre-shredded cheese because that is what I had, but I highly suggest grating your own from a block – it melts better. Ours ended up a bit grainy. But still delicious 🙂

Be sure to check out the Dollar General easy meals and their great selection of food items.  Don’t forget to “like” Dollar General on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with their latest deals and coupons!

Do you have a favorite Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese recipe?

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Easy Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Cupcakes, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe
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This Chocolate Buttercream icing recipe is simple and delicious – it should definitely be added to your recipe box for anytime you need a filling or frosting for your favorite cake or cupcakes. It’s a simple sweet and creamy mixture that makes even box cake mixes special.

I use this to fill a layered Devil’s food cake as well as frost the entire thing. If you are going to be piping it on with a decorating bag simply add a bit more powdered sugar to make it thicker and it will hold its shape better. This is the type of icing that forms a light “crust” when it sits.

Icing can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to two weeks, just whip for a minute to loosen. For tasty flavor variations use almond extract in place of vanilla.  You can also use hazelnut or raspberry to create new and delicious flavors.

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe:

Ingredients
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1-1b. Box of confectioners sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Make sure you butter is softened but not melted, melted butter will ruin the consistency of this icing.
  2. Cream butter until smooth and slightly whipped.
  3. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, on low until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Mix in cocoa powder, half vanilla, and half and half.
  5. Continue to beat mixture until fluffy and smooth on a medium-high setting.
  6. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency or more half and half to loosen the icing.
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Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
 
Ingredients
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1-1b. Box of confectioners sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Make sure you butter is softened but not melted, melted butter will ruin the consistency of this icing.
  2. Cream butter until smooth and slightly whipped.
  3. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, on low until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Mix in cocoa powder, half vanilla, and half and half.
  5. Continue to beat mixture until fluffy and smooth on a medium-high setting.
  6. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency or more half and half to loosen the icing.

Share your thoughts on this Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe.

You might also like my Snow Owl Cookie Decorating Tutorial

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10 Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

healthy slow cooker chicken recipes
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I’m always looking for Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes.  Using a slow cooker is a great way to save time and money in the kitchen.

I also love to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker and use it during the week in multiple meals.   Don’t forget to utilize your freezer to further your savings.


Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Chicken-1024x739

Want more recipes?  Try my Mexican Chicken in Crockpot Recipe!

Which are your favorite Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes?

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Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Pretzel Bites Recipe

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Homemade pretzels feels like a natural choice for a game day snack, making them into bite size treats just makes it better. Add a warm bowl of Beer Cheese Dip beside it and you have pushed it right over the top of deliciousness. This easy pretzel bites recipe will give you perfectly chewy and tasty pretzels with a few simple steps.

Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip

Pretzel Bites Recipe 

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Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups white all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet dry active yeast
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 6 Tbsp. salted butter
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp. of water
  • 4 quarts of boiling water
Instructions
  1. In a stand mixer bowl combine warm water, yeast, and sugar- stir and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Pour in melted butter, stir.
  3. Turn speed up to medium and mix until dough pulls away from sides of bowl and becomes smooth.
  4. While mixing at a low setting add flour, mix well to combine.
  5. If needed and dough seems too sticky add a bit more flour.
  6. Turn out onto a floured counter and knead a few times.
  7. Oil a large bowl well with canola or vegetable oil.
  8. Place dough in bowl, flip dough to coat, and cover- set aside and allow it to rise until doubled- approximately an hour.
  9. Preheat oven to 425°
  10. Separate dough into 6 smaller balls and roll each into a rope about 24” long
  11. After your large pan of water begins to boil, add baking soda.
  12. Drop in pretzel bites a dozen at a time and boil for 2 minutes.
  13. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider strainer to drain excess water.
  14. Slice off pieces about 1½” long.
  15. Place pretzels on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  16. Brush generously with egg wash.
  17. Sprinkle with large grain kosher salt.
  18. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
  19. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

For Beer Cheese Dip:

1 block cream cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¾ cup beer
1 tsp. Mustard
1 ½ tsp. Parsley

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat warm beer, stir in cream cheese and stir until melted, add Parsley and dry mustard.

Looking for a great new Super Bowl recipe? Try this Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip – you won’t be sorry!

You might also like my Mini Chili Dog Recipe

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Easy Cranberry Pound Cake

by Dana Zeliff on
in Cranberry, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Cranberry Pound Cake

This tasty Cranberry Pound Cake will make a perfect addition to any table. Plus the fresh cranberries will have your guest begging for seconds.

Ingredients:
3 ¼ Cups Flour, All Purpose
4 Stick Butter, Softened
2 ¼ Cups Sugar, Divided
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
9 Eggs, room temperature
1 Cup Crasins
1 Cup Cranberries
½ Cup Water

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and butter 2 5×9 inch loaf pans and set aside.Cranberry Pound Cake 2
  2. In a small saucepan bring cranberries, water and ¼ cup sugar to a boil.
  3. Allow to boil for 1-2 minutes and then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy with a mixer. Add in vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
  5. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well in between each addition.
  6. Reduce mixer speed to low and add in flour, ½ cup at a time, mixing until well incorporated.Cranberry Pound Cake 1
  7. Fold in your crasins.Cranberry Pound Cake 3
  8. Take cooled cranberry sauce and in a food processor or blender, mix until smooth.Cranberry Pound Cake 5
  9. Pour just enough of your pound cake mix into each loaf pan to cover the bottoms.Cranberry Pound Cake 4
  10. Cover this layer with ¼ cup of cranberry sauce in each pan.
  11. Pour remaining pound cake mixture into the loaf pans.
  12. Using a knife, swirl the pound cake batter to incorporate the cranberry sauce into the rest of the batter.
  13. Bake at 325 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  14. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Cranberry Pound Cake Recipe

Please share your thoughts on this Cranberry Pound Cake

You may also like: White Chocolate & Cranberry Blondies Recipe & Winter Sangria Recipe with cranberries!

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Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle {Perfect for Holiday Entertaining}

by Dana Zeliff on
in Gingerbread, Pumpkin, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

This Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle is perfect for holiday entertaining. It’s a delicious holiday dessert that is simple to make, and beautiful to present to guests or even your family.

Layered with sweet, light pumpkin cream and spicy gingerbread, this dessert will be a hit and is a wonderful alternative to plain old pie. For individual servings this is beautiful in a wine glass, and equally pretty in a mason jar. Make it in a large glass bowl for a self serve dessert.

Customize it a bit to make it your own by layering in a chocolate drizzle instead of caramel. You could also whip instant coffee granules into your cool whip for a delicious coffee flavored topping.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Ingredients:

1-12 oz. container of cool whip
1 -30 oz. can of pumpkin puree
½ batch of this Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe, cubed
1 cup powdered sugar
2-4 Tbsp. caramel

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle 1

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl whisk; cool whip, pureed pumpkin, and powdered sugar until
  2. Bake gingerbread using THIS Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe, cut in half.
  3. Instead of cutting out shapes with cookie cutters – roll flat and bake like a large rectangle cookie, cool, and cut into 1×1 squares with a knife. OR. like me, you may have some gingerbread men left over already.  This is a perfect way to use up broken or leftover men.  Just crumble into small pieces.
  4. Layer pumpkin mixture, a drizzle of caramel, and gingerbread. Repeat. Top with plain cool whip.

Makes 8-10 small servings of Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe

See more Gingerbread Cookie Recipe and Gingerbread Recipes!

You might also like:

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Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Gingerbread, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

SONY DSC

If you are like me and you want your gingerbread cookies soft instead of crunchy, this is this Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe is perfect for you.  Soft and spicy, these cookies will please kids and kids at heart. I have included a simple icing recipe to decorate these cute little guys – use it by itself or as a “glue” to attach small candies for decorations.

Grab your cookie cutters and meet me in the kitchen for a baking fest! The little ones love to help cut out shapes and decorate too.

Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups molasses
1 cup dark brown sugar
½ cup water
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 Tbsp. ginger
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt

Directions:

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  1. Stir all wet ingredients together in a large bowl.SONY DSC
  2. In separate bowl combine all dry ingredients together.SONY DSC
  3. Stir wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. Cover
  4. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.
  5. Remove from refrigerator and divide dough in half, place one half back in refrigerator while you work with the other.
  6. Working quickly (one of the keys to keep cookies from spreading into unrecognizable shapes is to keep dough cold) roll dough on a floured surface to 1/4” to 1/2” thick.SONY DSC
  7. Cut out your chosen gingerbread shape(s).SONY DSC
  8. Move cookies carefully to an un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
  9. Allow cookies to cool on pan for 2 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.SONY DSC
  10. Once cookies have completely cooled they are ready for icing.

Tips for best results –

  • Keep your dough cold
  • Roll dough to closer to 1/2” , they keep shape better when a little thicker
  • Avoid putting cookies on a hot sheet to bake
  • Allow to cool completely before icing

Perfect Gingerbread Icing:

1 stick butter
2 tsp. Vanilla
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup sweetened condensed milk.

Mix all ingredients well until smooth and free of lumps. Place in a pasty bag, squirt bottle or for easy clean up -transfer icing to a ziplock, seal bag, snip very small piece of corner off and use like a pasty bag, squeezing icing out as you go. Throw away when done-my favorite clean up method!

What do you think? Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe or crunchy?

See more Gingerbread Cookie Recipe and Gingerbread Recipes!

You might also like:

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