Orange Baked Ham

This is my new "Go-to" for any ham that comes into the house. The recipe is from Ina Garten of Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. I made it for the first time yesterday for our family's Easter Sunday dinner and let me tell you: This was the best glaze I have made for a ham, ever! I could not believe how easy and amazing this recipe was. I followed it to a T and it came out very delicious. It was an instant homerun with the family.  The ham was moist and flavored well, the glaze browned the sides perfectly and it smelled wonderful while it was baking. I wouldn't change the recipe a bit because it is already a winner as it is. 

This is one of those recipes that after you've had it once, you crave it again and again. I just had this but as early as now I am already looking forward to making this for this year's Thanksgiving and Christmas. Believe me guys, this delicious recipe will never fail!

ORANGE BAKED HAM

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serving: 35 servings for dinner, 50 servings for cocktails

INGREDIENTS:

1 (14 to 16-pound) fully cooked, spiral-cut smoked ham on the bone

6 garlic cloves

8 1/2 ounces orange marmalade

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 orange, zested

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the ham in a heavy roasting pan.

2. Mince the garlic in a food processor fitted with steel blade. 

Carrot Patch Brownies

If Santa gets milk and cookies on Christmas Eve then I would think that Easter Bunny would be very pleased to receive his very own carrot patch! 

This dessert is great for Easter, spring, or garden themed party. It is simpler to put together than you think. Store bought brownie mix and a tub of chocolate frosting makes this wonderful treat so much easier to make. The edible dirt made of crushed Oreo cookies, chocolate coated strawberries as carrots, marshmallow bunnies and egg candies for additional decorations...cuteness overload! 

 CARROT PATCH BROWNIES

Prep time: 25 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Serving: 12

INGREDIENTS:

Cooking spray, for pan

Parchment paper, for pan and baking sheet

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients call for on box

1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon coconut oil

10 or more drops of orange food, for coloring

12 wooden skewers, for dipping

12 large strawberries

1 tub chocolate frosting

1 package Oreo cookies, crushed

Robin Eggs candies, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray the inside of a 9"-x-13" baking pan with cooking spray.
Line pan with parchment paper and spray parchment paper with cooking spray.

2. Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions.
 Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick has moist crumbs, 28 to 30 minutes, then let cool.

3. Make orange frosting: 

In a small, deep bowl, microwave white chocolate chips on high for one minute, stirring every 20 seconds to remove clumps. Add coconut oil and orange food coloring, then mix and combined.

4. Make carrots:
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce each strawberry with a skewer and dunk the strawberries in melted orange chocolate, repeating to coat, if necessary. Place on lined baking sheet and refrigerate until set, 15 minutes.

 

Easter Marshmallow Bark

This is a perfect treat to make for Easter and spring time. It is festive and oh so pretty in its pastel colors. My kids love marshmallows. I mean LOVE them! So imagine their excitement when I told them I am making it for Easter! They happily volunteered as my helper in the kitchen. It is so simple to make with only a few ingredients needed. This dessert is really tasty it will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!

Pastel-colored mini marshmallows together with melted white chocolate...hmmm, what's not to love? 

EASTER MARSHMALLOW BARK

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

Serves: 12

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag (12 oz.) white chocolate chips

3 cups mini rainbow marshmallows

1 tablespoon shortening (optional)* 

Easter sprinkles or other fun sprinkles for decor on top

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line an 8x13 glass dish with parchment paper.

2. Put white chocolate and shortening in a medium sized glass bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Give it a small stir. Return to the microwave in 30 seconds increments, stirring after each one, until chocolate completely melted.

3. Add marshmallows and stir to coat. You'll want to do this kind of quickly or the marshmallows will begin to melt.

No Bake Butterscotch and Peanut Butter Bird's Nest Cookies

Easter is just right around the corner. If you're looking for a sweet treat to add to your table during the Easter holidays, try adding these adorable butterscotch and peanut butter bird's nest cookies. These cookies looks so cute and festive! 

The combination of butterscotch and peanut butter flavor is truly delicious. It is fun to make. My boys and I enjoyed making this aesthetically appealing treat. I like that it doesn't require any baking, just a little stove-top action for melting the peanut butter and butterscotch for about 5 minutes. So go ahead, give it a try and bring the kids in on creating this fun treat! 

NO BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH AND PEANUT BUTTER BIRD'S NEST COOKIES

Cook time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

Serving: 6 cookies

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

2 cups chow mein noodles

1/4 cup chocolate eggs (Cadbury mini eggs recommended)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt the butterscotch chips with the peanut butter in a wide saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until melted.