The last few months of the year are fast approaching which means many get-togethers and lots of food to be shared. Today I am going to be sharing with you all two simple recipes that are sure to be great for big groups.
This post is sponsored by McCormick® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Doing a late-night Walmart run and I ran across a whole line of McCormick® spices, which made me think about the upcoming Holidays and gatherings to come. What would we make? We decided to test out a couple of different recipes from a couple of different sources and include some McCormick® spices to make it.
The choices were grand and affordable. Plus, I spotted all the extracts, I didn’t even know they made all these types. What do you spot that you may use as part of a recipe? I grabbed some McCormick® Anise to use a few drops for my hot tea.
Let’s not forget though, I have these two recipes to share with you to make your family gatherings a little more special.
This is Double the Yum With These Two Simple Recipes
Likely what comes to mind for you when you think family gatherings, especially this time of year is pie. Guess what though, I don’t care for pie. Yes, yes I know, who am I? So it’s nice to have some other dessert other than pie around the table. Today I’ll be sharing with you an applesauce cake and a hot cranberry punch to go with it. So those that don’t care for pie have another option and something other than coffee to have with the dessert.
Applesauce Cake
Jason has a family cookbook that his Grandma made up one Christmas. Chock-full of family recipes handed down. While I never got to meet his Grandma Tony each time we use a recipe from the book, I feel that connection.
This applesauce cake is actually from that book and one his Aunt Rae contributed to the family cookbook.
Applesauce Cake
A simple cake to enjoy any time of the year.
Ingredients
Soak in Warm Water - Set Aside
- 1 lb golden raisins
Dry Blend Sifted Together - Set Aside
- 3 1/2 cup flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp McCormick® Cinnamon
- 2 tsp McCormick® Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp McCormick® Sea Salt Grinder
- 1 Tbsp cocoa
- 1/2 tsp McCormick® Ground Cloves
Cream Together
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup shortening
Add:
- 4 eggs
Blend then Add:
- 2 cup applesauce
- drained raisins
- 1 cup chopped nuts of your choice feel free to add extra
Instructions
- Slowly add flour mixture, and mix well.
- Bake in well-greased and floured loaf pans at 325° for 1 hour or until done.
Hot Cranberry Punch
Many years ago, I made up a similar hot drink that my family loved. While this isn’t the same one, it’s a bit easier to make because it only uses the slow cooker and didn’t use cheesecloth.
A lovely punch to keep on hand throughout our gatherings for everyone to warm themselves up with and enjoy.
This was an easy one for me to personally throw together because remember I am no cook but can work a slow cooker like no else. The only trouble for me was opening the pineapple juice can, thank goodness Jason was home. Plus, as I was mixing it, it smelled so amazing and without a doubt reminded me of warm holiday gatherings. Perfect!
Hot Cranberry Punch
An easy punch to keep warm throughout gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 16oz cans jellied cranberry sauce
- 2 quarts water
- 2 cups frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1-quart pineapple juice optional
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar or in our case coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp McCormick® Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp McCormick® Ground Allspice
- 1/4 tsp McCormick® Ground Cloves
- 1/4 tsp McCormick® Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp McCormick® Sea Salt Grinder
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients in the slow cooker.
- If needed mash the orange juice and cranberry.
- Heat on high for an hour, then reduce to low for 5 hours.
- Serve hot.
That is how I used McCormick® so far for the upcoming family gatherings. How do you see using McCormick® yourself? Head to your Walmart and browse all the McCormick® greatness and get inspired as I did. Maybe you will try the two simple recipes I shared here?
