Miranda's Kitchen Adventures

This dish is simply delicious—no exaggeration! It's not only tasty but also healthy and incredibly quick to prepare. Plus, the fruit combinations are endless; any two fruits you pair together are sure to be amazing. Next time, I might try peaches and blueberries, or perhaps apples and raspberries. Since it makes a pretty big batch, I take the leftovers for breakfast during the week. Leave a comment on this post and let me know which combination you'll try! Ingredients 1 cup Rolled Oats 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 1 tbsp. brown sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 cup milk 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tbsp. butter, melted and slightly cooled 2 bananas, sliced into 1 inch thick slices 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease a 2 quart baking dish.  In a medium sized bowl mix together t...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Now that the holiday rush has ended, it's back to reality. As I reflect on the past year, I'm struck by how quickly time flies. This naturally leads me to think about the year ahead and how I can make changes and improvements in different areas of my life. One of my primary focuses will be organization! I'm naturally a free spirit, and I've never really lived by a strict regimen. Having a daily schedule or a to-do list feels a bit foreign to me. Don't get me wrong, I've made lists before, including to-do lists, but I've never made a to-do list for my to-do list or consistently stuck to one! This is about to change, and in many ways, I'm genuinely excited. A major motivation for this newfound organization is to avoid situations where things sneak up on me at the last minute, forcing me to scramble to get everything together—something I've done all year, and it's not ideal. What are some things you'll...

  Chex Mix is a beloved snack, a holiday staple in countless homes worldwide. I personally prepare about three batches between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Occasionally, to Gabe's delight, I'll whip up a batch or two during the year – it's his absolute favorite! While many delicious new versions exist, I'm a traditionalist at heart. My classic recipe, however, boasts a special spicy kick that elevates it. I hope you'll enjoy this "kicked-up" version as much as we do! Ingredients I've opted to exclude Wheat Chex from this recipe, as I'm not a fan. The 3 cups originally called for have been distributed among the other ingredients.    3 cups Corn Chex Cereal 3 cups Rice Chex Cereal 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts 1 1/2 cups pretzels 1 1/2 cups Goldfish or cheese flavored cracker 1 1/2 cups oyster crackers 7 tbsp. butter, unsalted, melted 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp. hot sauce 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 3/4 tsp. gar...

Cookie Swap season is my favorite, and it's in full swing! I've already signed up for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap next year. When I stumbled upon this recipe in the December 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, I knew I had to give it a try. My past attempt at shortbread didn't go so well, so I was a bit nervous. Thankfully, the Better Homes and Gardens website offered a video tutorial that boosted my confidence immensely. These adorable cookies are bursting with flavor and perfect for the holidays. I highly recommend trying them! Ingredients 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped and drained 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 12 oz. white chocolate baking squares, finely chopped 1/2 tsp. almond extract 2 tsp. shortening Red Sanding sugar to decorate (optional) Directions Prepare the Cherries: Spread chopped cherries on a paper towel to drain. Prepare the Dough: I...

For about 15 years, I've been making pies, and it's taken me just as long to perfect a no-fail pie crust. I know pie crust can be intimidating, much like biscuits — if you don't make them regularly, they never turn out the same. I, for one, can't make biscuits to save my life, unlike my grandmother, whose biscuits are legendary! I'm determined to master fluffy biscuits one day, so if you have a recipe, please send it my way via my Contacts Page! But back to pie crust! This recipe is consistently excellent, even if I go six months without baking a pie. I'm excited to share it with a friend this weekend for our "pie date." I'm still deciding what kind of pie to make, but I'm leaning towards chocolate. I'll be sure to share my choice with you all! Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling 3 tablespoons granulated sugar - if you are making this crust for a savory pie omit the sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons lemon ...

These sprinkle cookies are simply amazing! While the dough differs slightly from my usual all-powdered sugar roll-out recipe (which I'll share soon!), it's just as delicious, using granulated sugar for an equally delightful result. The sprinkles are what truly make these cookies special, adding the perfect amount of festive cheer without being overpowering. They are absolutely perfect for the holidays! Ingredients For the cookies: 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, slightly softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, at room  temperature 1 tsp vanilla 2 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt For the glaze: 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 tsp almond extract (you could use vanilla instead but make sure it's clear) 3 oz jar nonpareils (your choice of rainbow or holiday!) For Decorating: Assorted sprinkles (your favorite colors and shapes!) Instructions: Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly wh...

The first frosty morning signals it's time to whip up a batch of hot cocoa mix. I love having it on hand for those spontaneous cravings, which happen frequently in our home! Jacob's face lights up at the sight of mugs and marshmallows, and this year, Lucy can join in with her own cooled-down mug. And what's hot chocolate without a viewing of The Polar Express? This straightforward mix comes directly from the Hershey's Cocoa container! I simply add cinnamon for warmth, otherwise, I follow the original recipe. It's ideal for gifting—teachers, postal workers, neighbors, and more—especially when packaged in a charming mason jar with a ribbon and a sweet tag. Ingredients For the Cocoa Mix: Yields: 4 servings 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup hershey's cocoa powder Dash of Salt 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional) 1/4 cup miniature marshmallows (optional) For the Hot Chocolate: Yields: 1 mug of hot chocolate ...

December marks the beginning of the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than with these delightful Red Velvet Whoopie Pies? Red velvet is a personal favorite, and it's exciting to see how versatile this flavor has become. While I've made whoopie pies before, these truly stand out as the best. They are an absolute must-have for your next cookie swap and are guaranteed to impress! Ingredients For the whoopie pies: 3 cups All-purpose flour 1/3 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs, at room temperature 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 (2 oz.) bottle of red food coloring 1 cup buttermilk Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients: 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract (clear...