pecans

This holiday entertaining season, make certain to master at least one back-pocket appetizer — a treat so easy and low-stress that you can whip it up in a flash to fill out a menu, or have it on hand if guests will be unexpectedly popping over. I can tell you now, that these salty-piney-sweet nuts will be mine.

Crisp and crunchy, with a hit of breath-freshening rosemary these nuts are dangerous in the best way; I can't seem to stop at a small handful, much less one or two. I suspect you will feel the same way.

Keep reading for the easy yet impressive recipe.

Every year I make my uncle a new version of his favorite dessert, German Chocolate Cake. Last year, I opted for Hostess-inspired German chocolate cupcakes, but this week, I skipped the cake part all together and went with a pudding cup variation of this delicious dessert. The chocolate pudding is thick enough to hold up candles, so my uncle could still make his birthday wish. To ensure the German chocolate flavor combination, I used the essential Baker's chocolate in the pudding and made the coconut-pecan custard that would normally be layered in the cake. These pudding cups are rich and decadent just like the classic cake! Try this new twist on German chocolate cake by reading more.

If you're still mulling over what to bring to a New Year's Eve party, thehungrytexan has a suggestion: cinnamon rum pecans.

Wildly addictive, crunchy, sweet pecans with warm notes of cinnamon and spiced rum.

Getting hungry? Join our Savory Sights group to savor more!

Every once in a while, I unearth a dish that's good enough to be the recipe to end all other recipes. These discoveries are few and far between, but this weekend I found a baking recipe that's so delicious that it's ended my quest for the perfect savory cookie.

May I present the bacon cookie? The name says it all. Actually, it's a bacon, blue cheese, and pecan coin that's short and crumbly at first bite, then melts in your mouth with a nutty, sharp, cheese-like finish. You'll never — I repeat, never — be able to eat just one.

Serve it as a Christmas party appetizer, or wrap it up in cellophane baggies and give it to everyone you love. If you do, you're guaranteed to be a favorite this holiday season. Want the recipe? Yes, you do.

When I was trying to come up with a quintessential California dessert that embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving, I couldn't find anything that sounded delicious and exciting. Then I realized my guests would enjoy a dish that has the familiar flavors of the season but is packaged in a new way. I decided on this recipe by one of my favorite up-and-coming local celebrity chefs, Aida Mollenkamp.

It's like a crustless pumpkin pie with a classic pecan pie topping. A bourbon whipped cream is the perfect garnish to this decadent dessert. Look at the recipe here.

During the holidays, stock your fridge with puff pastries for quick appetizers that can be thrown together in a pinch. The flaky, easy-to-thaw, simple-to-slice dough is irresistible, whether it's stuffed with something sweet like ginger and holiday spice or savory like sliced prosciutto. Wow guests with minimal work by serving two types of puff pastry spirals — one sweet, filled with diced green apples and dusted with pecans and powdered sugar; the other savory and infused with the Roman flavors of sharp parmesan cheese and black pepper. Everyone will be raving at both the beginning and the end of the meal. Want the recipes? Then click to read more.

Start your morning off with this recipe for pumpkin oatmeal from FitSugar reader summer m. It's a breakfast recipe that she shared  in the Healthy Recipe Group.

See the recipe when you read more

There are certain recipes that every baking enthusiast should master. In my head, I have an imaginary list of these dishes. It's divided into categories and under the cookies subtitle, you will find oatmeal raisin cookies. Since this recipe was not checked off, I recently decided to make them.

After researching recipes, I selected Ina Garten's variation with pecans. Over 50 people have raved about it on Food Network and I have to agree, it's a simple method that yields spectacular results!

Oatmeal raisin cookies are great for mailing to a friend because they are durable and hearty. While they make a wonderful afternoon snack or sweet on-the-go breakfast, my favorite way to enjoy these cookies is in an ice cream sandwich made with vanilla ice cream. Whatever way you eat them, you can't do it without the recipe: get it now.