Sweets and Treats

These dessert ideas are ideal for the cook who is not used to cooking dairy-free, but wishes to accommodate lactose-intolerant guests. Many of the dairy-free substitute foods available, such as soy or tofu ice cream, bear very little resemblance to the real thing and are unlikely to be appreciated by non-allergic guests.

Our favourite Christmas present this year was an electric ice cream maker. No salt, no ice, no churning - just delicious homemade ice cream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet and slushies!

Are you out of ideas of what to give your loved ones for the holidays this year? Looking to be more frugal in your gift-giving? Why not add a personal touch by making homemade gifts for those on your Christmas list? Here are five fun, frugal and creative gift ideas that are sure to appeal to everyone!

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone with a sweet tooth this holiday season, look no further than 5th Avenue Chocolatiere! This family owned company specializes in signature truffles made from a secret family recipe. Using the finest pure 100% Belgian chocolate handcrafted to fashion one-of-a-kind truffles and other treasures they can create a wide array of custom orders for any occasion. After tasting their luscious truffles I can tell you that chocolate from 5th Avenue Chocolatiere is irresistible!

Pecans galore feature in these fun and exciting holiday recipes.  Pecan divinity is so delicious that you will be making this a very important tradition in your home each holiday.  Your children can help you make  the chocolate pecan clusters and will enjoy being in the kitchen with you.

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A chocolate cake is the ultimate dessert. Here are two easy and simple recipes to create a yummy chocolate cake in next to no time and with minimal effort.

Making use of the ripe bananas on your counter is easy when you bake banana muffins. Thankfully, these muffins are even better for you as I have included some healthier alternatives to basic ingredients, as well as a reduction in sugar. I added flax, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and substituted unsweetened applesauce for some of the oil, reducing the fat content. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips for those of you with a sweet tooth! This recipe makes approximately 30 muffins when the muffin cups are filled halfway. They are very soft and chewy and freeze well.

Baking can be a joyful and fulfilling experience. Here is an easy-to-understand explanation of common baking ingredients.

Chocolate cake with vegetables and fruit? Believe it or not, vegetables can actually make a good cake taste even better!

Got your jam supplies ready? Here are some easy instructions to lead the way as you create freezer jam from fresh or frozen berries.