Pecan Pie in a Mug Recipe from: Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug

Pecan Pie Mug Mix from: Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug 

3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

3 tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons egg white powder or meringue powder

1/2 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk

1/16 teaspoon baking powder

Dash of salt

Blend all ingredients together and place in a small zipper-type bag if using at a later date or giving as a gift. 

To prepare: Microwave 1-1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug until melted. Empty pie mix into mug and add 3 tablespoons of water; stirring with a fork until blended. Microwave on 60% power for 2 minutes. Let stand in the microwave 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to eat. 

Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug^® (Third Edition) 

With thousands of copies of the Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug cookbook now in print, dessert-lovers around the world are enjoying these quick and delicious treats. 

The Third Edition includes more than 100 single-serving mix recipes for desserts, breakfast treats and hot beverages that are prepared, cooked and served in a mug in less than 5 minutes, like Chocolate Brownie, Apple Pie, Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Coffee Banana Scone and Chai Tea Latte. 

Stir up a mix anytime you want a treat, or make them ahead of time for later use. They’re perfect for today’s on-the-go families, singles, seniors, college dorm students and RV travelers. They make fun cooking projects for kids and unique, inexpensive gifts, like “Birthday Cake in a Mug”. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, 120 pages, Paperback. $9.95  

Order from Amazon.com 

Visit the “Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug” Blog

Celebrate Spring with an Herb Garden Tea Party

An herb garden tea party is fun to have outside in the garden or on the porch or patio during the spring.

Glue the invitation to the back of a packet of herb seeds and mail in an envelope. Ask your guests to wear pretty straw garden hats and spring colors.

Use a colorful garden or herb print fabric to cover your table and make matching napkins if you sew. Your centerpiece can be a watering can filled with fresh herbs or several herb plants in terra cotta pots.  Serve your food in terra cotta pots and saucers lined with garden-print fabric.

Serve Herbal Tea Blend (recipe below), Salmon & Dill Tea Sandwiches (page 42), Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes (page 48), Rosemary Mini Scones (page 31) with Herb Butter (page 34), Mint Nut Tea Bread (recipe below) and Lavender Tea Cookies (page 73).

For a fun activity give each guest a pen and piece of writing paper and see how many herbs they can write down in one minute. Or place a teaspoon of 8-10 dried herbs into tiny cups and ask your guests to identify them by sight and/or smell. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

The guests’ favors can be tiny herb plants potted in mini-terra cotta pots and tied with ribbon or place several herb plants in a lined basket, as shown in the photo above.

Herbal Tea Blend

2 tablespoons loose tea leaves             

2 teaspoons dried sage leaves     

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container away from heat and light.  

To prepare: Place 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons of tea blend in a warmed teapot for each cup of water needed. Pour boiling water over tea and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Stir and strain into cups. 

Sweeten with honey or sugar and serve with lemon slices.

Mint Nut Tea Bread

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour                                       

1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed  

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder                                 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil    

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon dried mint or 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease and flour a small loaf pan (8” X 4”). In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nuts. In a separate bowl, blend together applesauce, oil, mint and egg. Add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended.

Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until done. Turn out onto wire rack to cool. To serve, slice into 1/2” slices. Cut each slice into four rectangles.

If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

This cookbook has 60 recipes for all the treats you’ll need for an afternoon tea party, plus 15 creative ideas for theme tea parties, with suggestions for invitations, activities, decorations and party favors. Size: 5.5” X 85”, paperback, 108 pages. $8.95.   E-Book: $2.99

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Visit the Tea Party Blog for more Free Recipes From If Teapots Could Talk

 

Baked Potato Soup From: A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past

This thick and creamy soup is about as comforting as food can get, especially on a cold winter evening. It makes a large pot, so you can share the comfort with family and friends.

12 slices smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled

2/3 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

7 cups milk

4 large baking potatoes, baked, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)

4 green onions, finely chopped (with green tops)

1-1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 

In a stock pot or Dutch oven, melt margarine over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for one minute. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper, stirring constantly until cheese is melted. Makes 6-8 servings. 

A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past 

More than 100 recipes plus photos and stories submitted by readers for favorite “comfort foods”, from the early 1900s to 1980s. Plus food history and popular food trends from each decade. Tried and true favorites, plus family comfort food stories to warm your heart as well as your tummy. Size: 8.25”X8.25”, 108 pages, paperback Price: $8.95.      E-Book: $2.99

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See all my fun cookbooks on the Blue Sage Press Cookbooks Page 

 

Visit the Taste of Memories Blog for more FREE recipes

Chinese New Year Party From: Flamingos, Poodle Skirts & Red Hots: Creative Theme Party Ideas

The Chinese New Year is celebrated at the end of January. The traditional colors for this event are red and gold to symbolize happiness and wealth. Place your invitation inside a red Chinese take-out box, along with a fortune cookie and mail in a box that is lined with gold or black tissue paper. Ask your guests to wear red. 

Decorate your serving table with a red tablecloth and a floral centerpiece, such as white orchids. Add accents of gold and black in the form of lacquered serving bowls and trays. Serve traditional Chinese food. And don’t forget to include fortune cookies. You can purchase these cookies with customized fortunes at specialty food stores or on the Internet. 

Play recorded Chinese music to help set the mood. Hang lots of Chinese lanterns from the ceiling and place red votive candles around the room. Tall bamboo plants are also a nice touch. 

For a fun activity, stage a dragon parade, using a hand-made paper dragon, or buy one from a party supply store. Hand out toy drums and gongs for guests to play while others parade around the room with the paper dragon. 

Post the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac, along with the qualities that go with each one, and let guests guess which sign they were born under. 

For favors, give “lucky red envelopes” with a brand new $1.00 bill inside. 

Flamingos, Poodle Skirts & Red Hots: Creative Theme Party Ideas 

A step-by-step guide for successful party planning, plus 33 party themes based on period themes, travel locations, movie or book themes, holiday themes and more. Delight your guests with a 1920’s Speak-Easy, a Sizzling Red Hot Birthday or a Sunset Caribbean Caper. Includes suggestions for invitations, decorations, party favors, and fun activities. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, Paperback , 68 pages.  Price: $6.95    E-Book: $2.99

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Visit The Crafty Cottage Website for FREE Party Ideas  from my books 

Lime Sherbet Punch From: A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past

During the 1960s the “in” party punch served at all wedding and baby showers was Sherbet Punch. This frosty concoction is simple to make, and you can use any flavor of sherbet you like to complement your party theme colors.

Lime Sherbet Punch

1 (half-gallon) carton Lime Sherbet (or flavor of your choice)
2 (32 ounce) bottles ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite, chilled

Place sherbet in punch bowl and slice into chunks. Slowly pour in ginger ale and mix well. Makes 16-18 (6-ounce) servings.

A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past

More than 100 recipes for favorite American comfort foods, spanning a period from the early 1900s to 1980s, plus a bit of history about popular food trends during each decade and family comfort food stories and photos that will warm your heart as well as your tummy. These recipes are simple, hearty fare, but all are tried and true family favorites, like meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, banana pudding and more. Size: 8.25”X8.25”, paperback, 108 pages. Price: $8.95   E-Book: $2.99

Visit the Taste of Memories Blog

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Lavender and Herb Mug Mat from: Lavender Sensations: Fragrant Herbs For Home & Bath

Keep this mug mat on your desk to rest your warm coffee or tea mug. The energizing scent from the herbal blend will help keep you alert.

2 (5”) squares of cotton or homespun fabric
3 tablespoons dried lavender buds
2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaves
2 tablespoons dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons dried lemon peel
2 tablespoons flaxseed for filler

Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew the two cotton squares together, right sides facing each other, around three sides of the square. Turn the bag right side out. In a small bowl, blend the herbs and filler together. Pour the mixture into the cotton bag. Turn under the raw edges of the open end of the bag 1/4” and stitch the opening closed.

Lavender Sensations: Fragrant Herbs for Home & Bath

More than 40 fun and easy to make projects for relaxing bath mixtures, stimulating beauty scrubs, stress reducing eye pillows, lavender soap, fragrant mug mats, closet fresheners, pomanders, sachets and delectable treats and mixes to give as gifts to friends and co-workers. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, paperback, 60 pages.  $6.95      E-Book: $2.99

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Easy-To-Make Gift For a Special Teacher

As the school year ends, don't forget to thank the hard working teachers. Make this easy muffin mix in a mug gift that any teacher would enjoy.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffin Mug Mix Gift For an A+ Teacher

3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

2-1/2 tablespoons flour

1-1/2 tablespoons quick cooking oats

1 teaspoon egg white powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/16 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch of ground cloves

Dash of salt 

Blend ingredients together and place in a small zipper-type bag.

Additional ingredients: 1 (2.5 ounce) jar of applesauce (baby food)

Cinnamon Sugar (optional)

(Make your own cinnamon sugar by mixing 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.  Store in an airtight container.)

To give as a gift: Place bag of mix inside a tissue-lined 12-ounce microwave-safe mug, along with the 2.5-ounce jar of applesauce. Cut out an apple-shaped sign from card stock and write “A+ Teacher” on it using a marker. Tape the sign to a straw. Insert inside the mug, along with cooking instructions shown below. 

 

To prepare: Microwave 1 tablespoon butter or margarine in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug until melted. Stir 2 tablespoons of applesauce into mug. Empty muffin mix into mug and add 1-1/2 tablespoons water; stirring with a fork until blended. Optional: Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon Sugar on top of batter. Microwave on 60% power for 2-1/2 minutes. Let stand in oven 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to eat.

Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug

More than 100 single-serving mix recipes for desserts, breakfast treats and hot beverages that are prepared, cooked and served in a mug in less than 5 minutes, like Chocolate Brownie, Apple Pie, Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Coffee Banana Scone and Chai Tea Latte. Stir up a mix anytime you want a treat, or make them ahead of time for later use. They’re perfect for today’s on-the-go families, singles, seniors, college dorm students and RV travelers. They make fun cooking projects for kids and unique, inexpensive gifts, like “Birthday Cake in a Mug”. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, 120 pages, Paperback. $9.95 

Visit the “Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug” Blog 

Order from Amazon.com