Pistachio Ricotta Cookies

There is something about baking with ricotta that always brings me back to the kind of desserts I grew up loving.

Ricotta makes these Pistachio Ricotta Cookies incredibly soft and tender, while the pistachios add a wonderful little crunch and the almond extract gives every bite that classic Italian bakery flavor.

I have always loved taking simple ingredients and turning them into something that feels special, and these cookies are exactly that.

They look beautiful on a cookie tray, especially with the chopped pistachios sprinkled over the frosting, but they aren't complicated to make.

If you love Italian cookies, pistachio desserts, ricotta cookies, or soft bakery-style cookies, this is one recipe you'll want to save.

I also like pistachio biscotti and never have a birthday without a vintage-style pistachio cake!

Slow Cooker Bourbon Cranberry Glazed Meatballs

Slow Cooker Bourbon Cranberry Spiced Glazed Meatballs are the perfect little appetizer anytime.


I love making these during a game day event or holiday because you can get these ready and they stay great all day long on warm for any time so you can enjoy the day!


This is an appetizer that's so easy to throw together in a slow cooker.


I must warn you to make a double batch as they are very addicting, taste better even the next day with leftovers, and a big hit no matter where I bring them to any party!


The cranberries bring the perfect compliment of flavors in this delicious sauce smothering the meatballs in a tangy glaze.


These meatballs are baked first then the barbecue sweet flavored sauce adds just a little spicy kick to them.


Keep them on warm in the slow cooker for an all-day appetizer perfect for the office, party planning appetizers to just set it and forget it!


These can be made ahead of time for the hurried cooks!


If you would like to use sausages instead or mini hotdogs that's another great addition!


Scroll down and print off this recipe!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

If you love Chicken Cacciatore then this slow cooker recipe is going to just blow you away in flavor!


The slow cooker seals in the juices and smells divine while cooking, your mouth will be watering with the fabulous aroma from the peppers and tomatoes cooking.


Besides this dish is extremely easy to make, "by setting and forgetting it when cooked in the slow cooker", it's also absolutely fork-tender delicious!


If you have loads of time to cook then everything can go into a huge dutch oven on the stovetop or in the oven also.


I am a huge fan of the multicooker pots that are available now and I actually just made this in my new Crockpot express, it's my new favorite toy.


I have made a delicious pork beer stew using the Pressure Cooker mode also you may want to try.


My Mississippi Pot Roast is divine also and one of the easiest recipes on the worldwide web, you don't want to miss trying that family favorite recipe!


Just don't forget to get a good crusty loaf of Italian bread to go with this Chicken Cacciatore meal to sop up the delicious sauce this makes.


Please let me know how you like this recipe and don't forget to print it off with the recipe card at the bottom.

Italian Escarole and Beans

Greens and Beans is a delicious leafy Escarole part of the chicory family with white beans and can be made in a thick stoup or a light broth-like soup.

An Italian dish made often during the depression days.

Grandma called it depression food, inexpensive, and fed many family members! Sometimes she fed the whole block, no kidding!

Inexpensive and absolutely delicious. Today it's considered a delicacy in most restaurants even in my hometown, Utica, New York where you will still find this on many a menu!

They are famous for the best Italian foods there.

Utica is famous for Greens and Beans, Tomato Pie, Italian Greens, Italian Lemon Ice, Pizza Fritta, Chicken Riggies, Manny's Cheesecake, Oscugnizzo Pizza, Pusties and Rosato Chocolate Cookies.

The thickness of this old fashioned classic meal is more than just comfort food to me, it's a memory of the perfect Italian traditional food for your soul and Grandma lives on when I make this.

Scroll down to make this recipe and see why we just love making this often in Grandma's memory.

Leftover Prime Rib Savory PotPie

The best meal to make using leftover meats like prime rib or lamb, turkey, chicken, pork and even venison will make a fabulous and comforting huge pot pie in minutes!


What better way to use up leftover holiday foods than in a pie chuck full of delicious leftovers.


We usually have a prime rib on Christmas Day with beans, corn peas with maybe baked potatoes for side dishes.


I plan the meal that day so I can make this fabulous pot pie that everyone loves in my family and they actually look forward to it!


This one is done with a leftover prime rib with a beef Marsala gravy.


It's over the top amazing! I will give you easy step by step instructions for making this from scratch or semi-homemade.


It's true Comfort food and repurposing leftovers all in one big casserole baked makes the meal like it was made again for the first time!


Scroll to the bottom for this yummy recipe and print it off!

Seafood Medley

This "Seafood Medley" is bursting with buttery sauce and fish from the sea.

I love to make a big pot of assorted seafood and pour this delicious sauce it simmers in over a favorite cooked pasta like angel hair or linguine.

If you're more of a mild white fish lover and not shellfish, try adding your favorite like flounder or grouper.

We are lucky here in Florida to be able to surf fish at the beach early in the morning and get a fresh catch on our lucky days to have for dinner.

Whenever you live, you can use any kind of fish in this delicate, fresh seafood sauce.

I love haddock or codfish, but that's a Northern fish, and I try to buy it whenever available here and most of the time it's frozen.

I have used wahoo, grouper, Mahi, and even some salmon, so there's no right or wrong kind to use, just use whatever you prefer!

This dish is great during Lent, Fish Friday, Christmas Eve on any Catholic meatless holiday menu.

Eggplant Ricotta Casserole

If you love Eggplant you are in for a real treat!


This is loaded with cheese and the perfect meal for any fan.


Using young fresh eggplant is a must when making this dish.


This casserole-style dish is so flavorful and perfectly layered like lasagna, except it's meatless.


Of, course if you want to add a layer of crushed meatball and sausage, have at it!


This is even great skipping the ricotta and layered with just mozzarella and Parmesan.


Create your own idea and how you like it, but this is an eggplant memorable casserole you will make time and time again it's so easy.


One of our other favorite recipes to try is our Zucchini Rollatini, it's off the charts delicious!


Another one of Mom's favorite recipe is Chicken Eggplant Pomodoro.


Check out all my tips in this post to ensure your eggplant will be tender and not bitter by avoiding a few mistakes you may not know.

Easy Fudge Recipe

If you are looking for an easy chocolate fudge or a fast fudge that's foolproof in a different flavor, this is it.

I have been making this vintage recipe since the later 1960s.

This fudge can be made with chocolate, white, or peanut butter and there are endless variations to add or leave plain.

We love all kinds of fudge and make Amaretto Pistachio fudge every year for Christmas but we still have our plain and nut-filled fudge lovers in the family.

If you love making homemade gifts, or easy kitchen pantry staples like my homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe.

Also, try my Mason Jar Gift Suggestions with Free Ebook Recipes and Printables.

With simple ingredients, you can make all the different flavors just by changing extracts and adding white or dark chocolate!

Our foolproof fudge can be made for any occasion.

When my kids were in school teachers loved that all our hard-to-buy relatives in our lives, and perfect for that exceptional neighbor for helping you out during the year.

Check out this easy fudge recipe made in minutes any time of the year!

Scroll down to this simple recipe and get creative make it adapt away to any flavors you like with suggestions below!

Best Fried Pork Chops Ever

If you want to make The Juiciest Fried Pork Chops Ever, this is the perfect recipe.

There's something comforting about sitting down to a plate of perfectly fried pork chops with creamy mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, and fresh vegetables.

It's one of those timeless family dinners that never goes out of style. The secret isn't just the crispy golden coating—it's knowing how to keep the pork incredibly juicy while creating a crunchy, flavorful crust.

These cracker-crusted fried pork chops have been a favorite in our family for years.

The buttery cracker coating creates a crisp exterior that's full of flavor, while the buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the meat so every bite stays moist.

If you've ever been disappointed by dry, overcooked pork chops, this recipe will change the way you make them forever.

Whether you're cooking for Sunday dinner or a busy weeknight meal, these pork chops are simple enough for beginners and delicious enough to become a family tradition.

Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies

Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies are a staple cookie all year long.

This was grandma's recipe, she always had a plate of cookies with black coffee whenever company dropped by.

A real Authentic Italian anisette cookie.

One that is a real tradition around Christmas holidays in her memory for sure.

Grandma was 94 when she passed away and there are so many recipes she made we all loved like this one.

This old-fashioned almost hard Italian cookie was our favorite dunking cookie.

I always make a double batch to have on hand when unexpected company drops by and this is just one of 25 cookies we make around the holidays.

That is the perfect combination of flavors when serving these cookies with a strong cup of black coffee and a shot of Sambuca (an anisette liqueur) like she did and Mom.

Using a shot of Sambuca was Dad's favorite way to enjoy these cookies.

The memories are great and always etched in my mind year after year, oh how I miss those days.

The 1960s were great times to be alive.

Scroll down and let's get baking and help keep Grandma's memory alive in the kitchen!

Mom's Italian Style Tuna Noodle Casserole

Mom's Tuna Noodle Casserole classic dish, and I have to sa,y when I was growing up, this was my favorite casserole.

She made this all from scratch, NO SOUP in this recipe.

This one is Italian Style Tuna Noodle Casserole, and one of the first meals I asked mom to teach me to make!

I always remember that creamy sauce, actually, that was my favorite tasting part of the casserole, the sauce, and the noodles.

We also would love you to try the baked chicken cheesy pasta casserole and her delicious broccoli casserole recipes, two more of our favorites!

Scroll down for the printable recipe, and don't forget you can make tuna or use chicken for this noodle casserole!

25 Holiday Cookies

Here are 25 more popular holiday cookies we make every year for the Christmas season the whole family looks forward to.


To make it easier for everyone, I complied with all these photos and recipes to find it all in one easy blog post.


This roundup happens to be all my family favorite cookies through the years as well.


We have anything from copycat girl scout cookies, bars and some favorite Italian traditional cookies we make every year.


I love making festive cookies and cakes like our favorite Reindeer cupcakes Rudolph of course or the peanut butter Rudolph peanut butter cookies, the kids just love those holiday projects!


If you find it hard to find time to keep looking for all the cookies you love all over the world wide web, look no more, you will find all these delicious cookie links right below the photos here on this post.


You don't have to wait until Christmas to make your family favorites but the season sure puts most of us in the mood to bake.


Hopefully, you find something you love below if not, check out my recipe index for another whole assortment of festive treats.


Let's get this cookie party started shall we? Just remember to click the link below each photo it will bring you to the recipe cards at the bottom to print off, Happy Baking!

Banana Pecan Cranberry Bars

Banana Pecan Cranberry Bars are soft sweet and a little tart balancing the wonderful flavors and the prettiest bar on your fall holiday tray.

These flavors really have all the fall flavors with a blend of pecans, cranberries and the banana keeps these cake-like bars nice and moist.

Everyone loves my banana bread or banana oatmeal cookies or cake, my coconut banana chocolate chip, and these are now a holiday favorite bar!

Of course, nuts can be optional, but a few pecans or walnuts complement the flavor with a nice crunch and for nut allergies just substitute pumpkin seeds.

Great for any unexpected company with a good cup of tea or coffee.

A little sprinkle on top of powdered sugar gives them that Christmasy look of snow on top.

Add more color with blueberries or add some pineapple and coconut to give this a more tropical fruit cake taste.

Either way, this is a basic recipe that by adding fruit you love that can including apples, peaches, and pears will change this adaptable recipe to your families taste!

Scroll down to this easy printable recipe card and keep a batch handy for any time!

Italian Baked Fried Lemon Chicken Cutlets

Here is the delicious classic recipe for Italian Lemon Chicken Cutlets in a healthier version because they're baked.


All the great taste with less fat and calories all in one delicious breaded cutlet.


The chicken stays juicy, still has that delicious crunch with that buttery lemon coating.


Healthier doesn't mean you have to lose all the great taste of fried.


These fry perfectly in the oven and if you happen to have an air fryer, they can also be cooked using that method.


These are fork tender and have a tangy robust flavor with Italian herbs and spices.


Simple to make, elegant to serve for your family or guests any time of the week or special occasions.


Besides these being healthier, I find it so much easier not standing over a hot stove frying chicken and less fuss.


If you like easy recipes also try my baked beer chicken and baked chicken kabobs, they are two of our favorite baked chicken recipes!


Scroll down for this easy, delicious recipe everyone loves and print it off!

Italian Style Lamb Shank Cabernet Stew

Italian Style Lamb Shank Cabernet Stew is one of my favorite meals when it's a little chilly out!


Lamb is a favorite of mine.


I just love the flavor, tenderness that comes along with slow cooking and what a fine wine can do to enhance the flavor of a dish.


This is made with a good grade Cabernet wine and is just a perfect blend of flavors.


A wonderful stew with bold flavors.


If you are looking for a great recipe with lamb this is bursting with flavors and we love our recipes for Italian Stew, Beer Stew and mom's mushroom stew if you love to make one-pan meals!


A comfort meal that's made all in one pan and easy.


If you love lamb, don't miss this delicious stew.


Scroll down to the recipe card to print off the recipe.

Peanut Brittle

Here is the most delicious and easiest peanut brittle recipe for all candy lovers out there.


This is my late mom's recipe from the early 1960s and also was my Dad's favorite candy of all time.


Mom would make several batches during the holiday season for dad and gift-giving.


You can use any kind of nuts you prefer they all come out great, salted or unsalted.


This peanut brittle is truly addicting and it's always made every holiday season around Christmas time.


We love making assorted candy like peanut butter candy and Amaretto Fudge along with baked caramel corn for an assorted tower of tins filled for gifts!

Gifts from the heart are always the best and quite a money saver when you're on a budget.

I have used almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, mixed nuts, cashews, and pistachios!

Sometimes I would use a combination of all of them.

They all make a delicious buttery, brittle and everyone always asks for it or wants the recipe.

Don't be intimidated by making candy, it's much easier to make than you think.

Just follow my easy tips for the perfect batch.

Scroll down and print off this recipe try this and watch it disappear quickly when you share this candy with friends and family members.

Christmas Eve Baccala Salted Codfish

Baccalà, or salted codfish, is bound to make an appearance on many Italian household tables on Christmas Eve.


For those who observe Lent, Christmas Eve is always a meatless meal consisting of seafood and vegetables, this salted codfish is an Italian specialty we make every year called baccala.


Of course, many Regions in Italy prepare it differently, this codfish has a bit of work to accomplish this tasty seafood dish.


This is traditional and part of the 7 Fishes on Christmas Eve salted cod meal and a favorite in Italy, it's great as an appetizer or as a main course served there.


There is a process of making this dish and a little more lengthly than just regular codfish.


This authentic style meal is how it was prepared by my mom who was from the region of Bari and taught by her mom and this recipe is over 100 years old now.


I now make this in my mom's memory to carry on the holiday tradition of the 7 fishes.


This is definitely a favorite on our holiday Christmas Eve Menu.


Scroll down to the bottom for this printable recipe.

My Best Italian Christmas Roundup

Every year Mom had special traditions in our Italian family on Christmas Day and of course we celebrate the birthday of our Lord.


These recipes are all handed down through the years in our Italian household from Grandma, Mom, and Aunts and the recipes were continued on through each generation on to our kids and grandchildren.


We still do the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is traditionally Lasagna, Antipasto and Ham or Lamb ,but don't forget to check out our Holiday side dishes.


We all love Italian desserts and struffoli is at the top of the list of must make along with many cookies.


Stroll through this delicious gallery of recipes and see if anything jars your Italian family's memory of Christmas traditional meals.


During the month of December, we love to make homemade candies and special treats for the kids and holidays are perfect for family fun, carrying on traditions and keeping our loved ones alive with their memories in the kitchen.


Here is a great roundup I make every year to celebrate the present family and those we lost with love and gratitude they left behind their culinary legacy.

Italian Chocolate Fudge Roll Cookies

Italian Chocolate Fudge Rolls are a must at Christmas time.

These are exactly what they sound like, fudge-filled cookies!

These can be rolled or made into fudge cookie squares just by taking a shortcut and rolling out the dough, adding the filling top with dough, bake and viola cut into squares.

The cookies are so much prettier for the Christmas Holiday so I roll them, a little work but once a year is a must for me.

Italian style rich buttery dough with Fudge baked into a delicious cookie crust!

This is one of those all-time childhood favorite Christmas cookies.

During the holidays we made several cookies maybe you remember some of the 24 cookies recipes in the past I made?

We also loved making copycat Girl Scout Cookies recipes, they are so easy!

Once you make that filling it's hard not to keep eating it before it gets into the dough for the cookies, it's so addicting.

Scroll dough for this easy festive cookie that's great any time of the year but looks beautiful on that Christmas tray and perfect for gift giving!!

Edible Sugar Cone Christmas Tree Tutorial

These Edible Sugar Cone Christmas Tree toppers are easy and fun to use for your cakes or holiday snow scenes all season!

They really are so easy to make, just with some frosting and sugar cones and a few decorating tips and you're on your way to the most festive cake you ever decorated.

For those who make candy or gingerbread houses, these are perfect for a Christmas snowy forest of trees.

I left mine plain so you can see how they look but they can be decorated any way you like.

These are sure to melt anyone who loves creative food art.

The kids love to make Reindeer Peanut Butter cookies and the perfect breakfast for the holidays are Cookie Cutter Pancakes, they're so festive for the holiday and easy to do!

We even make sugar cone Easter Baskets for the Easter holiday, they just are so adorable check them out here.

Edible trees are a great project for the family also and the kids just love to decorate them.

Scroll down to the recipe card for instructions.

Amaretto Panettone

If you love the warm, sweet aroma of holiday baking, this Amaretto Panettone Bread is guaranteed to become a new seasonal favorite.

Inspired by classic Italian panettone but simplified for home bakers, this version is rich, buttery, and perfumed with the unmistakable almond-kissed flavor of Amaretto liqueur.

Studded with dried fruits or chocolate—your choice—this festive loaf makes any Christmas morning breakfast, brunch, or dessert table feel extra special.

Whether you’re making it for holiday entertaining, gift-giving, or simply to enjoy with a cozy cup of coffee, this Amaretto twist gives traditional panettone a beautiful gourmet upgrade without extra work.

This dough is light in weight and yeast-risen with the addition of both golden raisins and dark raisins that are also soaked in Amaretto.

This is a yearly traditional bread we make in our home, along with the original Panettone and Pandoro which is an Italian Golden Cake made in Italy for the Christmas celebration.

Usually, if we get any store-bought Panettone loaves, we use them for baked french toast and baked egg breakfast casseroles.

Scroll down to my printable recipe card to print this off for this easy recipe. Everyone will enjoy this homemade bread as a treat on Christmas morning.

Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake) Recipe

Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake) Recipe is a delicious traditional Italian-inspired family recipe.


Grandma from Rome, Italy made this recipe every year.


A yeast egg cake as they refer to it, I think it's a cross between rich egg bread and a kind of cake.


This is very traditional among the Venetians and Italians.


It's a tall cake you can buy a mold for or use an extra-large coffee can to make it.


After it cooled it's covered in a sifted powdered sugar or a thick frosting depending on the Region in Italy.


They are sold commercially almost everywhere, especially around the holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Befana.


Not to be confused with Panettone which is a rich egg bread with raisins and we always make this recipe too along with Amaretto Panettone, Panettone French Toast, and Panettone Strata.


Scroll down to the recipe card to print off the recipe.

Italian White or Red Seafood Chowder

This is an Italian White or Red seafood Chowder is usually made on Christmas Day to repurpose all our 7 Fishes Italian Christmas Eve traditional meal the night before.


The soup is hardy with all kinds of shellfish and white fish that is fresh.


We always had several family members love the red over white chowder and we typically made both.


Luckily they are both super easy chowders to make and we make everyone happy.


I love repurposing the seafood, nothing goes to waste and the soup is fabulous in flavors with all those potatoes and chunky goodness in one bowl!


You will find both recipes here for both red chowder and white chowder in the recipe card below.


If you can't decide which one to make, then do what we do, make them both!!


Just scroll down to print it off.

Orange Marmalade Biscotti

This cookie recipe is near and dear to my heart and a classic old fashioned orange marmalade biscotti with a hint of anisette in them.

These cookies freeze well, so even though I cut this recipe in half, you can make a full large batch (as this makes) and freeze them.

The Italian biscotti classic flavor is with an Anisette and the Biscotti remains a favorite through the years, the orange addition is a nice change.

The cookies she makes are usually soft and can be left plain or toasted, but we love ours toasted and a great dunking cookie for coffee (if you're a dunker that is!)

If you want a soft cookie with lots of citrus flavors this is it and if you want them hard then bake them twice even longer.

We love biscotti and make several kinds like cranberry almond, lemon polenta, pistachio, and pumpkin biscotti.

The biscotti is a traditional classic cookie found in all Italian bakeries and famous all over the world.

Scroll down to the end for a printable copy of this recipe.

Struffoli Fried Honey Balls

Here's the story behind these delicious fried Italian cookies called Struffoli.


Struffoli is an absolute requirement at the end of a Neapolitan Christmas Day dinner.


For centuries, they were prepared in convents by nuns and then distributed to noble families at Christmas as a thank-you for their generosity.


Each convent had its own closely guarded secret recipe.


The sugary aromas drifted from the convent ovens. Neapolitans would gather near the convent gates waiting to purchase them through a barred window or the convent, which may explain the long-held preference for buying desserts rather than making them at home.


These deep-fried balls of dough are the size of marbles, crunchy on the outside, fluffy and light inside, then covered in honey.


Some are decorated with colored sprinkles, pieces of candied orange rind, or candied pumpkin.


An amazing honey glaze over delicate, puffy fried dough rounds.


An Italian must make at Christmas time if they last that long before our Italian Christmas Eve traditions.


There are so many names for them besides Struffoli, like honey chichers, honey balls, fried honey cookies, pignolata, honey dipped dough balls, just to name a few from different Regions in Italy.


We love holiday foods. You may also like to scroll through our 25 Favorite Cookies and our One Stop Cookie Shop.


A traditional and classic fried cookie, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without them in our family!


Buon Natale, scroll all the way down to the recipe card for printable instructions.

Italian Covered Turkey Sandwich

These Italian Covered Turkey Sandwiches are perfect around any Holiday like Thanksgiving for instance when you have lots of leftover turkey after the big holiday meal.

Easy to prepare using all leftover gravy and side dishes, this become the best semi-homemade meal ever.

After working in retail for over 30 years, I learned to be thankful for a quick hot meal and had to cut corners sometimes for a quick meal.

These suggestions below on how to have a delicious holiday meal without little fuss in no time really satisfied both my husband and me for many years.

If you're also not fond of cooking just use sliced deli turkey in place of the leftover Thanksgiving turkey and jarred gravy in a pinch.

We love our leftover turkey when we end up celebrating a different day to make turkey pot pies, hot pockets, and these delicious covered turkey sandwiches.

A hot-covered turkey sandwich is one of the quickest most satisfying comfort food.

Scroll down to the recipe card for some quick suggestions.

Pistachio Almond Biscotti

Biscotti can be traditional or adapted to many different creations to your preference.

These Pistachio Biscotti are really delicious and more gourmet than the Traditional Anisette Biscotti, we also make them often.


Get creative, make your favorite flavors, and you can even omit nuts for people who have allergies.


I love to change up a regular easy batter like this one and change it to whatever flavors my family likes.


Lemon, orange, maple, cranberry, and the list goes on and on with alternative things to add to this biscotti dough recipe.


Mix in some chopped cranberries, raisins, dates, and figs into the batter for creative versions.


Even red and green chopped cherries for the holiday season, just getting you started on so many possibilities!


Maybe you're a chocolate chip lover, add your heart's desire to this batter.


This an easy cookie to make after slicing these while warm, and putting them bake in the oven to toast again, maybe dipped in white chocolate, dark, sprinkles, or plain, this is an awesome recipe.


A traditional cookie that never grows old.


If you don't like anisette flavoring, you can add lemon, orange, almond, or any extract flavor you like!


Biscotti is a crunchy cookie that's great with a hot beverage like espresso or tea.


Check out the recipe for these pistachio Almond Biscotti, dipped or plain in the recipe card at the bottom and print it off.

Holiday Side Dishes

If you're looking for festive Holiday delicious side dishes, here are some great ideas!


Decorate with dried or fresh cranberries and any side dish can become the prettiest dish on the table.


Add some sprigs of fresh mints or other herbs along with some nuts and berries and you can make a beautiful and festive fruit and nut tray.


A holiday can be delicious and fun with roasted vegetables and loaded cheesy garlic knots.


We just love a great bowl of soup to start off the meal, not a real side dish but a comforting warm start to the holiday meals.


Colorful, with fall flavors, comfort foods and so much more awaits you, don't miss this delicious roundup!


Also if you're looking for some great best soups, Thanksgiving ideas, and Christmas favorites, we have a great roundup of ideas for those festive needs also.


Just scroll through these ideas for some wonderful winter and fall side dishes for all your Holiday needs.

Christmas Italian Slice and Bake Cookie

Christmas Italian Slice and Bake Cookies are so versatile and growing up in the 1960s these were called icebox cookies.

The cookies are perfect for that unexpected guest.

All you do is slice and bake.

Slice-and-bake cookies, and what was called icebox or refrigerator cookies growing are the fastest way to fill that cookie jar and to make fabulous cookies for sharing with friends and family.

These can be left plain and edges decorated, the dough can be tinted and flavored or you can just slice and bake adding your favorite chocolate chips, raisins, nuts or whatever makes you and your family happy.

They can shout any party or holiday theme you like just by changing the dough.

A basic easy refrigerator tube of dough, that's ready to bake when you are.

Make a little or a lot!

We love the colorful cookies on our cookie tray around the Holiday.

Christmas Italian Slice and Bake Cookies are the perfect addition to any cookie exchange too!

One of the prettiest yet most delicious easy cookie you will ever make.

Take a look at how simple this is to wow your guests as it becomes a work of art in one fine cookie recipe!

Great for weddings, gender reveals baby showers, 4th of July, you pick the color and flavor you want and let's get creative.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card and check out the ideas and photos on how to make them!

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Growing up this homemade potato gnocchi pasta was handmade by my mom and grandmother.

This is an authentic simple recipe, that's been in our family for over 100 years.

The potatoes are mashed, lightly seasoned, and rolled into the gnocchi-shaped pasta then topped with homemade Traditional Sunday Sauce and generously sprinkled with grated cheese.

The sauce is always a thick meat sauce and has meatballs and sausage in the pot when simmering.

Every time any holiday came around, these were first on the list of most asked-for homemade pasta dishes besides lasagna.

Although they take a little time by hand, the rewards are great in flavor and everyone always raves about them


Scroll down to the recipe card and when you make these, thank you for keeping the family's memory alive in your kitchens.

Raspberry Pistachio Linzer Bars

If you love the original shortbread Linzer cookies, this Raspberry Pistachio Linzer Bar recipe will be your newest easy favorite shortcut.


It's a sure bet these will be at the top of your holiday baking list this Christmas season.


These must make easy bars are a hit every year and always on the cookie list.


These easy knockoff versions are so quick, no rolling required, and taste fantastic.


The cookies are soft but buttery with that delicious sweet jam in the center that cut easily into bars for your cookie tray or gift-giving.


It's a cookie copycat that everyone loves and the easy of bars is a time saver for sure with the same great taste!


Linzer cookie bars are so simple all in one easy pan, everyone will ask for the recipe.


This cookie bar is the perfect solution for any hurried cook with so much to do during the season.


For more copycat recipes and easy to make cookies try my 24 one-stop cookie shop.


Check out this easy recipe and scroll to the recipe printable card at the end.

Italian Rainbow Cookie Recipe

A specialty cookie called Rainbow Cookies because of the 3 colors and then topped with decadent chocolate is really a sensational all-in-one little bite cookie.

You will find these in most Italian bakeries and they are very popular on wedding trays.

Even though they take a little time and patience, the end results for Rainbow Cookies is like no other in layers of flavor.

Don't be intimidated to try these, they are well worth the time spent and everyone will rave about them just use our step-by-step instructions for perfect results.

Also, if you love almond paste cookies, try my bakery-style recipe for almond paste crescents and also almond paste homemade from scratch.

If you would like to skip to the recipe just scroll to the bottom hit print and all the ads will go away.

Italian Sesame Seed Cookies

These Italian Sesame Seed Cookies are a traditional family favorite made with a simple, tender cookie dough and plenty of nutty, toasted sesame seeds.

They're lightly sweet, crisp around the edges, and delicious with a cup of espresso or coffee.

This is my family's recipe, passed down from my grandmother, who came from Rome, Italy. She always kept a tray of these Italian sesame cookies ready for family and guests.

That's one of the reasons I love family recipes so much. Every time we make them, we keep a little piece of the people who came before us alive.

If you've ever enjoyed those classic Italian bakery cookies covered in sesame seeds, this is the recipe you'll want to keep.

As a child, I didn't appreciate them quite as much as I do now. Give me a chocolate chip cookie back then and I was happy!

But as I grew older, I began to appreciate the simple, old-fashioned Italian cookies I grew up with.

Italian Christmas Eve

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration, in Italy, it's not called a feast but it certainly is pretty much the same and they refer to this name as a "Grand Meal" for their Christmas celebration dinner.

Christmas Eve is a fasting day for any kind of meat, and only seafood is served (actually several kinds of fish is made on this day) as part of the menu.

This Italian Christmas Eve Tradition of no meat continues to stay true to an Italian American seafood feast we serve her in America.

The seafood is part of Catholic abstinence from eating meat until the feast of Christmas Day.

The "Grand Meal" (feast) consists of seven different seafood dishes and traditionally was started in Southern Italy, and known simply as The Vigil (La Vigilia).

This celebration was to wait and welcome the Vigilia di Natale, and the birth of baby Jesus.

The seafood for Roman Catholics typically is fried fish in oil and shellfish that they could afford and was freshly caught.

Among the fish were clams with pasta which we add to Cioppino which is a fish stew, a salted codfish called baccala being the most popular to serve which is a codfish in a tomato sauce or squid, white fish, and several others that were fried.

In some of the oldest Italian American families, there was no count of the number of fish dishes that were served this Christmas Eve night.

Fried smelts and other types of seafood like Calamari fried were introduced into the menu much later through the years on Christmas Eve.

Here is a sample of the most popular ones we make every year.

May you all have a blessed season upon and enjoy the Traditional we set forward to carry on with this Catholic Christmas Eve menu we made through the years.

Cinnamon Browned Butter Ball Cookies

These Browned Butter Cinnamon Cookies are a delicious melt-in-your-mouth buttery-flavored cookie with a touch of cinnamon.

IF you would like to jump to the recipe and not read all the tips or suggestions, please scroll to the bottom recipe card and hit print that will also avoid ads.

The delicious browned butter gives this cookie a nutty taste with a cinnamon twist and a powdery sugar coating.

Such wonderful flavors just meld together into one decadent bite.

This easy buttery cookie has now become one of my all-time favorites, especially around holiday time.

The taste is nothing like I ever had before, rich, a little dense and the cinnamon powdery sugar just melts in the crevices that shout fall and holiday flavors.

If you love cinnamon and are also a fan of snickerdoodles, these are a step up with all taste but like a gourmet bakery-style flavor.

So just scroll to the end for this printable recipe.

Copycat Spanish Bar

Spanish bar is a childhood memories spice cake that my father loved and was his favorite cake when mom came home with this one.

This cake is a scratch cake that's dense and full of cinnamon, spices, and raisins.

It's a very moist loaf cake with cream cheese frosting and a sweet treat that is perfect with coffee tea or milk.

Back in the 1960s, this copycat Spanish bar was sold at various New York State area supermarkets.

If you recall this cake you may have purchased it at an A&P Supermarket back then.

This is a copycat version of that delicious loaf spice bar that we still enjoy after all these years.

I now make it often and reminisce about Dad and those great memories we all shared.

If you a delicious spiced coffee cake, this is one to try.

It's definitely dense like banana bread but moister-like a blueberry bread with loads of flavor.

As you know copycat recipes are experimental and I have included two recipes below for you to judge your memory on.

Both the spice flavorings are spot on, one, however, has dark molasses in it where the other doesn't, similar textures and deeper in flavor.

Scroll down and take a look at the printable recipe card and hope you try these recipes.

Nutty Cheese Ball

I have been making this vintage Nutty Cheese Ball recipe since the early 1970s.


Whenever I was asked to bring something for a New Year's Eve party, this was the first appetizer I thought about bringing.


Actually, as time went on everyone asked me to bring this, no lie it's addicting.


The cheese spreads great on anything and you can't stop eating it.


I always make two one with roasted pumpkin seeds for those who have allergies and one with my favorite, chopped pistachios on it.


You can roll the cheese ball in any nuts you like and this will be the best appetizer throughout any party, gathering or holiday.


We are huge cheese lovers but who isn't? We love mozzarella fried, blended in broccoli casseroles and even melted on pizza!


Easy to make, comes together quickly and you can serve them with the several suggestions I have below.


Scroll down to the recipe card to print off this recipe and make it for your next big get together!

Zucchini Cream Cheese Filled Banana Cake

I just love this Zucchini Cream Cheese Filled Banana Cake, it's super delicious and a great addition to all my zucchini dessert recipes.


If you love zucchini bread or zucchini cakes, or even a delicious pumpkin zucchini spice bar, these cake squares are the best of both worlds.


Then, of course, repurposing those overripe bananas (which makes the best banana cookies by the way and cakes) makes them into a fabulous dessert like this zucchini cake.


I also added a little bonus inside, a very nice surprise as you bite into this decadent rich cake, there's a cream cheese filling inside!


It sounds totally gourmet for a zucchini cake but I promise you it's easy peasy!


You can also use this fantastic zucchini banana batter for muffins filled or unfilled.


There are several suggestions and additions below to add to this if you rather omit the filling no problem.


You can even dress this cake up to match the Italian colors and holiday theme with a little whipped cream and raspberry, red or green cherries and even a strawberry on top!


The cake tastes great just dusted with powder sugar or even a drizzle of cream cheese frosting recipe below!


So what are you waiting for?


Let's bake this together, I have step by step photos to show you or just scroll right to the recipe card and print this off!

Homemade Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

This Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Amaretto is so perfect for any kind of poultry meal and perfect for the Thanksgiving table a side dish that's super special to serve.

Even though we serve this alongside Thanksgiving Turkey, it's great on anything, even on a sandwich with chicken or turkey.

The alcohol burns off but leaves that sweet and tart flavors and brings out all those delicious flavors in these cranberries of fall.

Even if you're not a fan of using alcohol it's fine, just substitute apple juice.

If you're not a fan of Amaretto use any kind of bourbon, rum or other nut liqueurs you have like Frangelico.

If you love using fresh cranberries, make sure you try my cranberry almond biscotti, oatmeal white chocolate cranberry cookies, and cranberry orange muffins!

Everyone will ask you for this recipe just scroll to the bottom for our printable recipe card!

Baked Caramel Corn

Growing up Baked Caramel Corn was a favorite made at home.


Dad and I loved it and every time we would go to a fair or a local favorite place in Verona, Beach called Midway, which was just like a fairground with rides, food, games, etc.


Although Dad is long since passed in 1995, the fairgrounds are still there and the memories will live on forever to cherish.


That popcorn stand was the first stop we hit at that Verona, Beach fairground, every time we went there the smell just stopped us dead in tracks and dad would immediately buy some freshly made caramel corn.


It was so addicting and gone in a New York Minute!


Since that place was only opened in the spring for a short time, we had to learn to make something similar to hold us over and this was the best recipe ever to duplicate that memory.


This delicious crunchy caramel-coated popcorn back in the 1960s was irresistible and still is today and so easy to make in your own kitchens.


Later on, we learned to make a version of this delectable popcorn at home that was easy and baked, and it's been a favorite for the last 50 years of my life.


I make this every holiday for Christmas and even sometimes at Easter along with some other treats the family loves.


Homemade candies are fabulous and from the heart and also make fond memories in the kitchen.


Having two grown sons, they both love the homemade peanut brittle, peanut butter oreo bars and this baked caramel corn is number one on that list of must makes every year without fail!


If you're a caramel corn lover, scroll to the recipe card, the first one is our favorite and the other two recipes are some we made along the way the kids loved also like marshmallow popcorn balls and Nutella popcorn, it's all in a printable recipe card below.

All Souls Day Cookies Mom's Recipe

All Soul's Day Cookies, (sometimes called "Bone of the Dead Cookies" or "Day of the Dead Cookies), are in the shape of bones and are symbolic of that day to remember family, and friends and to honor all lost souls.

The cookies are made as a symbol on the Catholic holiday on November 2 in rememberance of all lost soul's.

All Soul's Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and family who have died. It is celebrated with church services and festivals in honor of the dead.

Mom would serve these cookies to relatives and friends when we had company with a cup of espresso and sambuca which is the perfect accompaniment.

The cookies are chewy spice cookies with a hint of cocoa in them that are one of our family's favorite fall cookies in flavor.

Through the years we have tried many styles from hard as a rock to "bone-like" are they are referred to as bones of the dead, to these soft chewy cookies from my mom and grandma's Regions in Italy, Bari, and Rome.

The cookies can be plain or rolled into powdered sugar and make a nice addition to any cookie tray to honor the memory of lost family members..

This is the Rome, Italy version of traditional cookies baked every year in our family and the cookies can be shaped into bones, logs, or any shape you like.

As another tradition mom would have, she would make this cookie to send when family or friends have lost a loved one on the funeral day.

This recipe for the cookies is delicious and easy to make, just scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end for the instructions.

Mason Jar Gift Recipes and Free Printables

The possibilities are endless when creating Mason Jar Food Gifts and these recipes are printable, free and perfect for the holiday season.

I have collected all my favorites mason jar gift ideas, all in one downloadable e-magazine for you.

These are perfect for all ages with just a little creativity and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Perfect for family, friends, and co-workers.

I always refer to this list during the holiday and everyone looks forward to their homemade surprise.

Especially fun for the kids that love puzzles, clay and of course candy jars!

All you really need to know is the hobby or favorite food your recipient likes.

You will find anything from soup in a jar to the best dessert starters and ideas for easy homemade snacks, candies and more!

I love to make ornaments out of clay for the holiday to hang on the tree or give away. kitchen pantry items like colorful sugars to add to my any cookies I bake.

The most asked homemade gift is my Italian Amaretto Pistachio Fudge recipe, it's so creamy and delicious, I just cut it up and wrap individual pieces for my mason jar, it's just that simple!

I found one of the nicest things about these gifts is making them super personalized and handmade.

Check out these free printable links below to print off tags and cute labels to add to your jars.

Whether you are making a homemade sugar scrubs or chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen, these are the coolest ideas for any gift-giving needs.

Italian Stew

This Meat or Vegetable Italian Stew is done in several different ways, using this same recipe.

One is using a big stew pot on the stovetop, slow cooker or even pressure cooker.

Then meats can be added with vegetables or using just vegetables, using any of those three methods of cooking.

Here are two big pots of stew bursting with an amazing flavor both ways!

Guess what you can adapt this to any way your family likes when it comes to ingredients.

Even though this is done with tomatoes and Italian style, the alternative using brown gravy style is included below.

Green beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, potatoes anything goes in the pot.

All leftovers are welcome in mom's stew.

Clean out that refrigerator and repurpose leftovers into a brand new meal!

Stew is called stew because anything can go in it right?

So there is no right or wrong, make it the way your family grew up on.

I love all her varieties on making stews, a favorite she made was mushroom stew, a burgundy and her famous lamb stew all were fantastic!

Scroll down and get both the printable recipes for tomato sauce and brown gravy styles below.