I am always looking for a unique hostess gift ideas for all those holiday parties! My friend, Sue, shared this great and simple idea that is perfect for your next hostess gift this holiday season!
A Unique & Simple Holiday Hostess Gift
Month: November 2015
Apple Pie Sangria
This is a perfect cocktail to serve at Thanksgiving or any Fall event! This makes a large batch – you can cut the recipe in half and have a nice amount for 6-8 people.
Apple Pie Sangria
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A sweet sangria perfect for Fall events like Thanksgiving! Make the day ahead so all the flavors blend together.
Author: SimpleSolutionsDiva.com
Recipe type: Cocktail - Large Batch
Cuisine: Cocktails
Serves: 12-16
Ingredients
- 2 bottle sweet wine, like resiling or muscato
- 5 cups fresh apple cider
- 2 cups ginger ale
- 2 cups caramel flavored vodka
- 3 honey crisp apple, cored & chopped
- 3 pears, cored & chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- In a large serving container, add the pears and apples. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the cinnamon sticks. Stir well and cover. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).
- About 4 hours before serving, add the cinnamon sticks.
- Optional: Remove a cup or two of the apples and pears and place in bowl to add to glasses. (Keep in mind, the fruit is now soaked in alcohol, so don't give to kids or pets!)
- Serve over ice!
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
This recipe is a taste of my childhood. I used to make this with my mother when I was a little girl and I thought it was magic! Cake on the top; Pudding on the bottom!
I’ve made a few changes to the recipe (including a name change to reflect what my kids call it), but I still cherish the handwritten recipe from 50 years ago.
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
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This is a delight for chocolate lovers - rich chocolate cake on top, with chocolate pudding on the bottom!
Author: SimpleSolutionsDiva.com
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Hershey’s Cocoa, divided
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted (5⅓ tablespoons butter)
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1¼ cups hot water
- Vanilla Bean ice Cream for Serving, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a pot of water on the stove to very hot (just under a simmer).
- In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup of the granulated sugar, flour, ¼ cup of the cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in milk, melted butter and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into an lightly greased 2-quart ceramic dish (or you can use a 9-inch square baking pan). Spread batter evenly.
- In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, remaining ¼ cup cocoa and mix well. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in your dish or pan. Pour the hot water over the top – but do not stir!
- Bake 35-40 minutes if using a glass dish (or 30-35 minutes if using a metal pan). Remove from the oven and allow it to stand for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, spoon the cake into individual serving bowls – making sure to spoon the fudgy sauce from the bottom of the pan over the top of the cake. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired and serve immediately.
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Simple Apple Cake
I kick off this month of being Thankful For The Season! And today, I am Thankful for Apples!
If you love apples and cinnamon, and you like things simple, this is the cake for you!! Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, or drizzle with your favorite cream cheese glaze!
Simple Apple Cake
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Full of apple and cinnamon!
Author: SimpleSolutionsDiva.com
Recipe type: Baking
Cuisine: Cake
Serves: Approx. 16 servings
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 1¾ Cup Sugar
- 2-3 Heaping teaspoons of Cinnamon
- ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
- 6 Medium Gala, Fuji or Honey Crisp Apples
- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, cinnamon and oil.
- Peel and slice the apples, and add to the mixture in the bowl.
- Mix together the baking powder and the four, then add to the bowl. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Pour into 2 greased 9 " cake pans (or one greased 9x13" pan). Bake for approximately 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Serve warm plain OR with vanilla ice cream! Enjoy!