Category Archives: Cooking

That’s Another Fine Mess You’ve Gotten Us Into

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Another Almost Kitchen Fail… That Wasn’t

Whether you call them Ding Dongs, Ring Dings, or Ho Ho’s, I’m sure we’ve all indulged in one of those sweet, chocolatey treats with the creamy filling. They’re downright dangerous in my house—I always seem to want just one more.

Since it’s baking season, I decided to try recreating these little gems in cake form. Oh yes, a potential disaster was lurking around the corner, but here’s the tale of my sweet culinary adventure.

The Cake

Chocolate was a given—but what kind? Dark chocolate? Devil’s food? Scratch-made or box mix? I decided to cheat a little. Tackling enough new steps already, I went with a boxed Devil’s Food Cake mix. My grocery store only had one brand, so the choice was easy.

To my delight, the cakes baked up beautifully—no big humps in the center, which meant no trimming required. A small victory!

The Filling

This part was trickier. First, I tried a cream cheese filling. Nope. Then marshmallow cream—which turned into a literal trip around town trying to find a jar of fluff. My local grocery store clearly wasn’t supporting my culinary efforts.

Finally, I settled on a roux frosting. It starts with cooking flour and heavy cream, whisking steadily until thick, then cooling. At first, it looked like a lumpy, starchy mess. But with persistence (and plenty of sugar and butter), I beat it into submission. Success!

The Ganache

For that satiny finish, I knew I needed ganache—not a thick frosting. I’d never made it before, but if the kids on Kids Baking Championship can do it, surely I could too.

The recipe seemed simple: melt chocolate chips in the microwave with 1¼ cups of heavy cream. Easy enough. Except… my ganache turned out thin. Very thin.

The Assembly

I placed the flattest cake round on the bottom, piled on the filling (a lot of it!), and topped it with the second round. It looked promising, though a bit messy. I figured the ganache would hide the imperfections.

Wrong. The ganache hadn’t thickened, and as I poured it over, it pooled around the base instead of coating the sides. Chocolate everywhere.

After mopping up the mess, I let it set, then tried again. By this time, the ganache had thickened just enough to cover the cake. But my sloppy filling betrayed me—poking through here and there, smearing into the glossy chocolate.

No beauty contests for this cake. But the taste? A big, satisfying YUM.

Lessons Learned

I learned a lot from this adventure and will definitely try again—after I recover. Maybe next time I’ll smooth the filling more carefully… or even make a heart-shaped version for Valentine’s Day.

You’ll find my recipe at Mom’s Recipe Corner. At least you’ll be forewarned about the pitfalls if you decide to try.

 

The Kitchen Experiment Gone Wrong

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Cookie Season Shenanigans

‘Tis the season for flour on the counter, chocolate smudges on my apron, and ambitious cookie dreams. This year’s challenge? A Stuffed Turtle Cookie. I’ve seen a few recipes floating around, but none quite capture the magic of my beloved Turtle candy—pecans, caramel, and chocolate in perfect harmony. Of course, finding Kraft caramels has been like spotting a unicorn, so Werther’s soft caramels stepped in as the understudy.

The Great Caramel Stuffing Adventure

Picture this: chocolate dough rolled into balls, flattened, and layered with a caramel center. Sounds promising, right? I sealed the edges, popped them in the oven, and out came… well, let’s call them “practice cookies.” Add pecans and they’d be Turtle-inspired, but the texture wasn’t quite the showstopper I imagined.

Ice Cream Sandwich Chaos

Never one to waste a batch, I turned the leftovers into ice cream sandwiches with Caramel Cup ice cream. Messy? Absolutely. Tasty? Sort of. The plot twist? The caramel centers froze solid, transforming each bite into a jaw workout. Who knew dessert could double as strength training?

 

Back to the Test Kitchen

Not every experiment earns a spot on the holiday cookie tray, but that’s half the fun. Each attempt brings me closer to the perfect Turtle Cookie. Until then, I’ll keep testing, keep laughing, and keep wishing for a volunteer squad to help me eat my “oops” batches.

Taste-Testers Wanted

So here’s my challenge: who’s brave enough to join me in the next round of cookie experiments? I promise plenty of laughs, a few sticky fingers, and maybe—just maybe—the birth of the ultimate Turtle Cookie.

 

Holiday Feasts of Yesteryear

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🎄 When Peacock Was the Turkey

Ah, the holidays. Today we gather around golden turkeys, honey-glazed hams, and pumpkin pies. But if you think your great-aunt’s fruitcake is the strangest thing to hit the holiday table, history begs to differ. Let’s take a stroll down the dusty roads of festive feasts past—where the menu was equal parts impressive, bizarre, and slightly terrifying.

🦚 Turkey’s Flashy Cousin: The Roasted Peacock

Forget the humble turkey. Medieval nobles wanted something with flair—literally. Enter the roasted peacock, served with its dazzling feathers reattached after cooking. Imagine carving into your holiday bird while it stares back at you in full technicolor glory. Talk about dinner with a side of intimidation.

🐑 Scandinavian Smalahove: Sheep’s Head Supper

Meanwhile, in Norway, Christmas meant Smalahove—a sheep’s head, boiled or smoked, served with potatoes. Yes, the whole head. Cheeks were considered the delicacy, while the eyes were… well, let’s just say they were reserved for the bravest at the table. Forget “who gets the drumstick”—this was more like “who dares take the eyeball.”

🍲 Plum Broth: Sweet Meets Savory

If you thought mixing cranberry sauce with gravy was bold, meet plum broth, a 17th–18th century concoction. The recipe called for a leg of beef and a slice of mutton boiled together with prunes and spices. The result? A dish that was part soup, part dessert, and entirely confusing. Imagine sipping beefy prune juice by the fire while carolers sing outside.

🎁 What We Can Learn

Holiday feasts of the past remind us that tradition is always evolving. What seems normal today—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes—might look downright tame compared to roasted peacock or sheep’s head. And who knows? Maybe in 200 years, people will laugh at our obsession with pumpkin spice.

So this season, when you’re staring down a plate of fruitcake, remember: it could be worse. It could be prune-flavored beef broth.

 

Kitchen Tools Part 2

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Kitchen Tools Part 2

Back in November—just before that big cooking holiday—I shared a few favorite kitchen tools as gift ideas. Since then, I’ve had time to reflect, experiment, and expand my list of must‑haves. Consider this Part 2 of my kitchen essentials journey.

My Must‑Have Kitchen List

  1.  Digital Kitchen Scale

    Precision matters. A scale takes the guesswork out of measuring, and in baking, accuracy can be the difference between “good” and “wow.” You can order from Welcoming Haven Here

  2.  Rolling Pin

    I’ve tried patting dough down by hand, even rolling it with a can. Trust me—nothing compares to a well‑balanced rolling pin. My wooden one has become a loyal companion, though marble and silicone versions are out there too. Shop Rolling pins at Amazon here

  3.  Pastry Brush

    For years I used a bristly brush that looked like it belonged in a shaving kit. Then a silicone pastry brush appeared on my counter—game changer! I use it for egg washes, grilling, glazing, and more. Easy to clean, no bristle drama. order here

  4. Pastry Mat or Board

    Confession: I don’t own one yet, but it’s on my wish list. Rolling dough on parchment paper is a struggle. A pastry mat offers a non‑stick, flat surface that keeps counters clean and dough intact. You can order one here

  5. Cooling Racks   

    I upgraded from flimsy little squares to heavy‑duty racks, and wow—what a difference. Cookies, breads, and cakes cool evenly, with plenty of air circulation. Cleanup is simple, too. Available at Welcoming Haven here

  6. Whisk & Silicone Spatulas…

    A sturdy whisk helps you quickly blend batters, whip cream, or aerate eggs for fluffier cakes and pastries. I have a dozen (at least)  of different sizes. Meanwhile, silicone spatulas are perfect for scraping every bit of that delicious batter from bowls or folding in delicate mixtures like foamy egg whites into decadent chocolate for a mousse creation. Find them at Welcoming Haven here.

 

I’ve got more tools to share, but for now I’m off to bake cookies for the annual cookie exchange. What’s on your own must‑have list?

 

Disclosure:

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the content I create and keep this site running.
I only recommend products and tools that I believe add value and that I would use myself. Your trust is important, and I strive to provide honest, helpful information.

Power, speed, and endless recipes—meet your new kitchen hero

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Stand Mixer Magic: Power Meets Possibility

A stand mixer is one of those kitchen appliances that feels like a luxury—until you finally own one. Then you wonder how you ever lived without it.

Like Tim Allen’s old Tool Time mantra, you can never have too much power. That’s exactly what a stand mixer brings to the party: muscle, speed, and versatility.

For years, I resisted. Stand mixers weren’t cheap, and I always had other priorities. I wasn’t a professional chef, and in my early days of living on my own, I avoided the kitchen whenever possible. A hand mixer (or plain elbow grease) got me by.

But eventually, I saw the light. A stand mixer isn’t just about baking cakes—it’s a powerhouse tool that transforms everyday cooking. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned home cook, here are 20 ways a stand mixer can make life easier, tastier, and a whole lot more fun:

🍗 Savory Staples

  1. Shredded Chicken – Dough hook, 20 seconds, perfect texture.
  2. Pulled Pork – Same method, barbecue bliss.
  3. Shredded Beef – Sandwich-ready without hours of hand shredding.
  4. Meatballs – Dump, mix, bake. Dinner in a flash.
  5. Meatloaf – Quick, even mixing for hearty comfort food.
  6. Hamburgers – Blend ground beef with onions, cheese, or your favorite add-ins.

🥔 Comfort Classics

  1. Mashed Potatoes – Paddle attachment, mix while hot, avoid gummy overmixing.
  2. Pizza Dough – Hands-free kneading for perfect crust.
  3. Bread – Traditional loaves without the arm workout.
  4. Cinnamon Rolls – Effortless kneading for pillowy swirls.
  5. Biscuits – Paddle cuts butter like a pro.

🍫 Sweet Treats

  1. Brownie Batter – Smooth, rich, ready to bake.
  2. Cake Batter – Light, fluffy, and foolproof.
  3. Cupcake Batter – Same magic, bite-sized joy.
  4. Cheesecake – Thorough mixing for creamy perfection.
  5. Meringue – Glossy peaks in minutes.
  6. Whipped Cream – Fresh, homemade, with endless flavor twists.
  7. Buttercream Frosting – Whip butter into silky submission.
  8. Cookies – Doughs mixed evenly, no sweat.
  9. Pie Crust – Paddle “cuts in” fat for flaky layers.

🛒 Where to Find Yours

At Welcoming Haven, we feature two CHEFTRONIX Stand Mixers with attachments—perfect for everyday cooks ready to level up. For a wider selection, you can also shop through Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, Welcoming Haven earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.

✨ Thank You for Keeping Us Cooking

Every recipe, story, and product spotlight is fueled by your support. Whether you’re exploring Around Dusty Roads for inspiration or shopping through Welcoming Haven for kitchen essentials, you help keep this creative journey alive. Thank you for being part of our table, for sharing in the joy of good food, and for helping us keep the ovens warm and the ideas simmering. Together, we’ll keep cooking up memories, meals, and a little everyday magic.