Easy and Quick Recipes

Easy Italian Flatbread Ingredients: large pizza dough (homemade or storebought -  this   is my favorite recipe) Italian seasonings freshly-cracked black pepper coarsely flaked or ground sea salt (or I love to use smoked sea salt) See full instructions on:  www.gimmesomeoven.com

Carrot Cake Cheesecake (Easter) Ingredients: For the Cheesecake: 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup sour cream Carrot Cake: ¾ cup vegetable oil 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup finely grated carrots, squeezed to remove excess liquid 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well, juice reserved ½ cup shredded coconut Cream Cheese Frosting: 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1½ cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons reserved pineapple juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon sour cream Walnuts, for topping Shredded coconut, for topping See full instructions on:

Ham and Cheese Pretzel Pinwheels Ingredients: 2 cans refrigerated breadstick dough (24 breadsticks) 4 cups hot water ½ cup baking soda, plus more if needed 1 lb deli ham 1 lb cheddar cheese slices 3 tablespoons butter, melted Coarse salt, such as kosher salt, pretzel salt, or sea salt, to top Dijon or honey mustard, to serve See full instructions on:  hostthetoast.com

Parmesan-Rosemary Crackers Ingredients : 1 bottle dry red wine (use a bottle you like, one you would drink on its own) 2 cups Tawny or Ruby Port (Chip uses Ruby) 1 cup brandy 8 to 16 tsp. sugar* peel of 2 oranges 13 cloves 4 cinnamon sticks See full instructions on:  www.alexandracooks.com

Grilled Cheese with Apple Salad Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3/4 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced shallots 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 1/2-inch-thick slices country-style white bread 8 ounces Gruyère, (I used Comté) sliced 1/8-inch thick 2 cups arugula 1/2 apple (such as Pink Lady or Fuji), cut into 1/4-inch slices 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil See full instructions on:  www.alexandracooks.com

Hot Cocoa Stirrers Ingredients: 2 packages Hammonds Peppermint Stirrers (16 total) 1 (12-oz) package Light Cocoa candy melts 1 (3-oz) container Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits See full instructions on:  bakelovegive.com