Moneywise Moms – Easy Family Recipes

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

Gina — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This slow cooker ground beef chili is a traditional homemade chili recipe. See how easy (and tasty) it is to make! If your family likes chili, we have lots of options. Find them, along with helpful tips, at How to Make Your Own Chili.

It’s a busy evening in your home, and the family is craving a hearty, satisfying meal. You want something that’s not only delicious but also incredibly convenient. Enter the solution you’ve been searching for – slow cooker chili with ground beef.

This mouthwatering dish combines the rich, robust flavors of chili with the ease of your trusty slow cooker, making it a win-win for busy families like yours who love to cook at home.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Is this ground beef chili easy?

Yes, but there are a couple things you can do to make it even easier! If you do some meal prep ahead of time, this chili takes just a few minutes to get loaded into the slow cooker.

First off, make a large batch of homemade chili seasoning to keep on hand. That saves you time from finding and measuring all the spices listed in this recipe.

Second, use pre-cooked ground beef. You can do that on the stovetop or even cook ground beef in a crock pot on a different day. I either use a weekend afternoon to pre-cook 5 pounds (or more) and package it afterward in 1-pound freezer bags.

Or, perhaps you had to cook ground beef for another recipe, just double the beef and pull enough out for this chili. It can last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Any longer than that, and it should be frozen.

Ingredients

This does look like a long list of ingredients, but again–many of them are spices. If you use our homemade chili seasoning or store-bought, just substitute 5-6 Tablespoons of that instead of the ones listed here.

olive oil
lean ground beef
onion
canned black beans
canned chili beans
canned petite diced tomatoes
paprika
cumin
chili powder
cayenne pepper
black pepper
jalapeno
canned tomato sauce
beef broth (I use Better Than Bouillon)
fresh cilantro for topping (optional)

See our recipe card below for exact quantities.

Instructions

Add olive oil to a large frying pan. Place onions and ground beef into the frying pan. Saute on high until ground beef is browned. Again–you can skip this step if you have pre-cooked ground beef in the fridge or freezer (be sure to thaw it first).

Add ground beef to the slow cooker. Drain two cans of black beans and add to the ground beef mixture in the slow cooker. Add two cans of undrained chili beans.

Pour a can of diced tomatoes into the slow cooker. Add in paprika, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and pepper into the cooker. Toss in the de-seeded and de-ribbed diced jalapeno. Stir well.

Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir well.

Cook on Low heat for 6 hours. After time is done, keep on Warm until ready to serve.

Feeding a crowd? Chili for the win!

There are a couple reasons that chili is a win-win when you’re feeding a crowd, whether it’s a potluck, game day party, or a large family gathering.

This ground beef chili is naturally gluten-free and is dairy-free (as long as you don’t top it with cheese). That takes care of many people’s allergies and preferences.

Obviously, this is NOT a vegetarian recipe, but it is a basic chili. So you could replace the ground beef with something like meatless crumbles and follow the rest of the recipe. Be sure to replace the beef broth with vegetable broth as well.

Chili is also versatile. If you’re feeding a large group, consider having rice as the base for serving chili. It’s even delicious on a baked potato! Adding those starches will stretch the meal even further, saving you money on meat.

While you’re slow cooking the chili, you can bake up some sweet skillet cornbread.

More ground beef slow cooker recipes

Using the slow cooker makes getting dinner on the table so much easier! It’s also how I got my tweens cooking. They love making dump meals and just turning the crock pot to Low. Here are more ideas for slow cooker meals using ground beef:

Yield: 8 servings

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

Our simple slow cooker ground beef chili is so easy, you'll want it in your meal plan rotation all winter!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
2 - 15.5 oz cans black beans
2 - 15 oz cans chili beans
18 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons cumin
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 jalapeno, diced
29 oz. can tomato sauce
24 oz. beef broth
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro for topping (optional)

Instructions

Add olive oil to a large frying pan. Place onions and ground beef into the frying pan. Saute on high until ground beef is browned.
Add ground beef to the slow cooker. Drain two cans of black beans and add to the ground beef mixture in the slow cooker. Add two cans of chili beans. Don't drain the chili beans.
Pour can of diced tomatoes into the slow cooker and stir well. Add in paprika, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and pepper into the cooker. Toss in the de-seeded and de-ribbed diced jalapeno. Stir well.
Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir well.
Cook on Low heat for 6 hours. After this time move to keep warm if needed.

Notes

Along with cilantro, other toppings for ground beef chili are shredded cheese, sour cream, or tortilla chips.
If using homemade or store-bought chili seasoning, substitute 5-6 Tbsp for spices listed.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Gina — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Dinnertime often feels like a race against the clock. That’s why I focus on easy family meals like this creamy chicken gnocchi soup. It’s a simple, hearty homemade meal that cooks up in the slow cooker like our other favorite crock pot soup recipes.

When the weather turns chilly and comfort food beckons, there’s no dish quite as comforting as a steaming bowl of chicken soup. But traditional chicken soup gets repetitive (just ask my teens), so I’m always on the lookout for interesting variations. This slow cooker chicken soup with gnocchi is a fabulous version!

This recipe for chicken soup with gnocchi is adaptable, too. While traditional gnocchi is not gluten-free, there are gluten-free alternatives available, allowing those with dietary restrictions to enjoy this delicious Italian dish.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What is gnocchi?

If you’re not already acquainted with the delightful world of Italian cuisine, you might be wondering, “What exactly is gnocchi?” Gnocchi, pronounced “nyo-kee,” is a beloved Italian potato pasta that’s quite distinct from your traditional pasta shapes like spaghetti or penne.

These small, pillowy dumplings are typically made from a combination of potatoes or ricotta cheese, flour, and egg, resulting in a soft and delicate texture. Gnocchi can be found in various shapes and sizes, but the most common are small, oval dumplings.

The beauty of gnocchi lies in its ability to soak up the flavors of the sauces and broths it’s cooked in, making it a fantastic addition to soups like this heartwarming chicken gnocchi soup.

Is gnocchi gluten-free?

Traditional gnocchi, made with the classic recipe that includes potatoes, flour, and sometimes eggs, is not gluten-free. The flour used in traditional gnocchi is typically wheat flour, which contains gluten.

However, if you or someone you’re cooking for requires a gluten-free diet, you can find or make gluten-free gnocchi using alternative flours, such as rice flour, cornflour, or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

There are also pre-packaged gluten-free gnocchi available in many grocery stores and online. When making or purchasing gluten-free gnocchi, be sure to check the ingredient list to confirm that no wheat or wheat-derived ingredients are used.

Ingredients for chicken soup with gnocchi

boneless skinless chicken breasts
carrots
celery
minced garlic
salt and pepper
chicken broth
packaged gnocchi
flour
heavy whipping cream
fresh spinach

See the printable recipe below for exact quantities and detailed instructions.

If you are a fan of creamy chicken dishes, try this stovetop recipe for Chicken Fricassee in Creamy Sauce.

Instructions for slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup

Peel and shred carrots, then rinse and chop celery.

Add chicken, carrots, and celery to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Pour seasonings on top of the chicken, then add chicken broth.

Cook on High for 3 hours.

Remove the chicken from the crock, and shred it. Return chicken to crock pot.

Add the gnocchi, flour, and heavy cream to the crockpot. Cook for an additional 20 minutes.

Add the spinach, cook for 5 minutes, then serve.

How to store chicken soup with gnocchi?

If you have leftover creamy chicken gnocchi soup (we never do!), it can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 2-3 days, but it does kinda fall apart. My big kids tend to eat it the next day for lunch in their Thermos funtainers.

Unfortunately, the combination of delicate gnocchi and dairy means you cannot freeze this soup for storage and reheating.

Can this be made on the stovetop instead?

It can! I prefer using the slow cooker so I can walk away from it. But you can also use the stovetop.

You will need to cook and shred the chicken beforehand (or use leftover chicken or shred a rotisseries chicken). Then add the chicken, carrots, celery, seasonings, and chicken broth to a large pot. Cook on medium until celery is tender.

Before serving, cook gnocchi according to package directions, then add gnocchi, heavy cream, and flour. Heat for an additional 20 minutes, then add the spinach, and cook for a few minutes until it wilts.

More chicken soup recipes

Whether you like making chicken soup on the stovetop, in the pressure cooker or in the slow cooker, we have many easy recipes with different flavor variations. Give them a try!

Yield: 4 servings

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Our Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a hearty, slow cooker chicken soup with gnocchi that's bursting with flavor.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2-3 carrots, peeled and shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
6 cups chicken broth
16 oz package gnocchi
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped

Instructions

Peel and shred carrots, then rinse and chop celery.

Add chicken, carrots, and celery to bottom of crock pot.

Pour seasonings on top of the chicken, then add chicken broth.

Cook on High for 3 hours.

Remove the chicken from crock pot, and shred it. Return chicken to crock.

Add the gnocchi, flour, and heavy cream to the crock. Cook for an additional 20 minutes.

Add the spinach, cook for 5 minutes, then serve.

Notes

Can also be made on the stovetop: Just cook and shred chicken beforehand. Add the chicken, carrots, celery, seasonings, and chicken broth to a large pot. Cook on medium until celery is tender. Before serving, cook gnocchi according to package directions, then add gnocchi, heavy cream, and flour. Heat for an additional 20 minutes, then add the spinach, and cook for a few minutes until it wilts.

Spooky Brownies for Halloween

Gina — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

These easy and fun spooky brownies for Halloween are perfect for sharing. If you need fast and easy Halloween treats, these brownies are the perfect solution.

Try out this recipe for Halloween treats with brownies that you can make at home quickly and easily. If you need a snack to share with classmates, coworkers, friends, or party goers these spooky spider web brownies are cute and tasty!

You don’t have to overthink it when it comes to holiday treats. Halloween brownies that are iced and decorated are not hard to make which adds the appeal!

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The great thing about these Halloween treats with brownies is that they’re not hard to make. If you can draw a rough circle, you can make some of these cute, decorated brownies. It doesn’t take a master chef to create these adorable spider web brownies.

When it comes to fast and easy Halloween treats you can’t do better than brownies from a box and some simple icing on top! Even kids can have fun helping to make these cute spooky brownies.

If you’re more of a from-scratch baker, you’ll love these mini Halloween cupcakes. Plus, they’re bite-sized, so they’re easy to bring to a class Halloween party.

Is this royal icing on top?

Nope. This is just regular icing on top of these halloween brownies. Royal icing dries kind of hard and crunchy which is not super appealing. It looks cute but it isn’t the most delicious.

I’m keeping things really simple with this fast and easy halloween brownie recipe. You’ll just grab a can of white frosting from the grocery store and to make the black we’ll scoop some out and dye it with food coloring. Easy peasy!

Can I make these halloween brownies into squares?

You can absolutely just chop these into squares if that is what you want to do. You can still decorate with the circular spider webs or you can draw them on at the corners, etc.

Decorating the brownies is easy and fun and you can mix it up to suit your needs / style. Feel free to make them whatever shape you like.

I think the circles are easy because you can just draw the circles and lines and then drag them out to make the spider well design. You can freehand the spider webs onto the icing in whatever design you like though if you are more confident with the piping bag so feel free to go crazy!

How many spooky brownies will this recipe make?

My recipe made about 12 circular brownies because of the size of my cutter. If you use a smaller or larger circle cookie cutter you will have more or less brownies to decorate.

You can size your cutter accordingly or you can make more than one batch if you need enough to share, etc. It’s easy to just grab double the ingredients when shopping and make an extra batch to share!

When it comes time to decorate there’s not much extra work involved if you are making 24 versus 12 so don’t get too stressed about doubling or even tripling the recipe.

If you have kids helping in the kitchen you can create an assembly line and get them all finished in a flash! A spooky brownies assembly line sounds like the perfect holiday fun!

What do I need to make these halloween treats with brownies?

For this recipe you will need a boxed brownie mix, prepared and cooled. You will also need a circle cookie cutter, vanilla frosting, black food coloring, piping bag, and toothpicks or similar shaped tool for decorating.

That is all you’ll need. Nothing crazy or exciting and with these simple step by step instructions you’ll see that it’s just as easy to make the spooky brownies as it is to gather the ingredients.

How to make fast and easy halloween treats:

Pepare brownies as instructed. Let cool a little and then run the knife along the edge of the pan to release.

Then take a cooling rack and lay over top of the pan and flip, be careful because the pan will still be hot.

Once they are out of the pan, place a cookie sheet over and flip again, so brownies are right side up.

Take a round cookie cutter and cut out as many brownies as you can get. Let cool completely.

Take ½ Cup frosting and add 3 drops black food coloring. Spoon into pastry bag and cut off small tip.

Frost top of cooled brownies with white icing.

Then pipe a spiral with black icing.

Then take a toothpick and starting in the center drag through frosting and continue around the whole brownie to create the spider web.

Serve and enjoy!

Looking for other fun Halloween themed recipes and posts?

If you are looking for fun halloween themed recipes and posts you won’t want to miss out on these:

Printable Recipe for Spooky Brownies For Halloween:

Yield: 12 Brownies

Spooky Brownies for Halloween

These easy and fun spooky brownies for Halloween are perfect for sharing. If you need fast and easy halloween treats these brownies are the perfect solution.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

One Box Brownie Mix, Prepared
Circle Cookie Cutter
One tub Vanilla Frosting
Black Food Coloring
Piping Bag
Toothpicks

Instructions

Prepare brownies as instructed. Let cool a little and then run the knife along the edge of the pan to release.
Then take a cooling rack and lay over top of the pan and flip, be careful because the pan will still be hot.
Once they are out of the pan, place a cookie sheet over and flip again, so brownies are right side up.
Take a round cookie cutter and cut out as many brownies as you can get. Let cool completely.
Take ½ Cup frosting and add 3 drops black food coloring.
Spoon into pastry bag and cut off small tip.
Frost top of cooled brownies with white icing.
Then pipe a spiral with black icing.
Then take a toothpick and starting in the center drag through frosting and continue around the whole brownie to create the spider web.
Serve and enjoy!

40+ Dinner Ideas With Apples

Gina — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Enjoy savory flavors with these 40+ dinner ideas with apples. Easy recipes that are family-friendly and perfect for any time of year.

Apples are delicious seasonal ingredients that can immediately spice up cozy fall weeknight meals. From mouth-watering desserts to savory dinner recipes, there’s no shortage of what you can do with this versatile fruit. Here are some of the best apple dinner ideas the entire family will love!

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

There are 7,500 apple varieties worldwide, each with its own shades and sizes. 2,500 grow in the United States and are exported to several countries, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and India. They’re one of the most widely consumed fruits due to their culinary versatility and remarkable flavors.

Apples make the most nutritious snacks, whether you prefer to eat them on their own or as an ingredient in savory meals. They are also commonly used in pies, salads, smoothies, muffins, and other recipes. Of course, you can use any variety in your favorite recipes, but apple flavors and textures vary.

Some apples are sweeter and are better for baking pies, while others are spicier and crunchier and pair well with savory dishes! Ultimately, the choice of apples depends on the recipe and how you plan to balance the flavors.

Which apples are best for dinner recipes?

Fuji apples are known for their sweet, crunchy flavor. They have a mild taste yet stand out without overpowering the rest of the palate. When cooked, it doesn’t get too mushy and really holds up to enhance every recipe.

Winesap apples have a sweet and spicy flavor that blends perfectly with savory ingredients. The spicy, wine-like nuances hold up well against spices like cinnamon. This is one of the most popular varieties for cider making, salads, and applesauce.

Pink lady apples also blend well with savory dishes, with their crunchy texture and sweet-yet-sharp flavor. They brown slower than other apples, so they are a popular option for salads, sandwiches, and cheese boards.

Feel free to incorporate these apples (or other varieties, if not available) into your delicious dinner meals! If needed, use an apple corer to make meal preparation easier.

What meats go well with apples?

When we think about apples, we remember yummy desserts and appetizers. The truth is apples also work as wonderful additions to chicken, pork, and turkey meals.

Their sweet, spicy and crunchy elements play incredibly well with meat and other savory ingredients. Find the best apple and meat pairing that suits your taste. You can even use this fruit for cooking the best vegan meals you can enjoy every night!

Dinner ideas with apples

Not only do they taste good, apples also come with a wide range of benefits that can make us healthier. Apples can bring out the best in you! They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help us protect against diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses.

Enjoy apple dishes for dinner as a reward for yourself after a long, tiring day. You’ll love these savory apple recipes.

Our other apple recipes

Dinner Ideas with Apples

Savory dinner recipes that use apples, over 40 to choose from!

Ground turkey dinner recipes with apples

Dinner recipes that use both ground turkey and apples

Photo Credit: www.carolinescooking.com

Maple turkey burger with cheddar, bacon and apple

Photo Credit: www.theleangreenbean.com

Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatballs

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Turkey Apple Meatloaf with Balsamic Ketchup Glaze

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Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet

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Apple Meatloaf Recipe

Pork Dinners with Apples

Dinner recipes that include apples along with pork, ham, sausage or bacon.

Easy Apple Pork Tenderloin Dinner

This apple pork tenderloin recipe is delicious, easy, and made in just one oven safe skillet.

Photo Credit: www.sungrownkitchen.com

One Pot Maple Pork Roast

Photo Credit: lemonsandzest.com

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Rosemary

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Skillet Pork Chops with Apple Gnocchi Saute

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Honey Ham, Gouda, and Apple Quesadillas

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Pork Chops with Apples and Butternut Squash

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Pressure Cooker Pork Chops and Applesauce

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Slow Cooker Apple and Clove Ham

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Pork, Bacon and Apple Pasta Bake

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Buttery Baked Ham, Apple, & Cheddar Sliders

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Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Photo Credit: www.savoryexperiments.com

Creamy Apple Pork Chops

Photo Credit: www.thefrugalnavywife.com

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pork

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Chipotle Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner with Apples

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Sausage, Apple and Goat Cheese Frittata

Photo Credit: uglyducklingbakery.com

One Pan Apple Bourbon Pork Tenderloin

Photo Credit: www.artfrommytable.com

Kielbasa Skillet with Apples and Onions

Photo Credit: deliciousonadime.com

Italian Salami, Apple and Blue Cheese Pizza

Chicken dinner ideas with apples

Dinner recipes that include chicken and apples

Photo Credit: whereismyspoon.co

Roast Chicken with Apples

Photo Credit: belleofthekitchen.com

Chicken and Apple Sausage Vegetable Skillet

Photo Credit: www.mychefsapron.com

Healthy chicken drumsticks with sweet potatoes & Apples

Photo Credit: www.chiselandfork.com

Apple Cider Chicken Recipe

Photo Credit: www.thefrugalnavywife.com

Crockpot Apple Chicken

Photo Credit: www.sungrownkitchen.com

Chicken Apple Potstickers

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Cheddar-Apple Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

Creamy Apple Cider Chicken Skillet

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Easy Cast Iron Whole Roasted Chicken

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Chicken Apple Sausage Skillet

Photo Credit: www.everyday-delicious.com

Baked chicken with apples and onions

Photo Credit: www.savoryexperiments.com

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Apple Gravy

Photo Credit: www.savvymamalifestyle.com

Apple Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Photo Credit: uglyducklingbakery.com

Chicken and Apple Meatballs

Vegetarian Dinners with Apples

Vegan and vegetarian dinner recipes that include apples

Photo Credit: plantbasedonabudget.com

Vegan Coconut Curry with Apples

Photo Credit: sabrinacurrie.com

Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese with Hot Honey

Photo Credit: www.veggieinspired.com

Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls with Cashew Curry Sauce

The post 40+ Dinner Ideas With Apples appeared first on Moneywise Moms - Easy Family Recipes.

Fall Gift Basket Ideas

Gina — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Make someone’s season super special with our fall gift basket ideas! Fall is a season that brings with it a sense of comfort, cozy moments, and a beautiful tapestry of colors. It’s also the perfect time to express our love and appreciation for the people who matter most in our lives. You don’t have to spend a lot with our frugal gift guides.

If you’re a busy mom, you know just how precious those little moments of self-care can be. That’s why in this blog post, we’re going to share ways to pull together a delightful fall gift basket, a heartfelt gesture that can make your loved ones feel cherished and bring a touch of autumn’s magic into their homes.

Whether it’s for a friend, family member, or even a fellow mom who could use a pick-me-up, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a thoughtful and personalized fall-themed gift basket that will leave a lasting impression.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

A fall gift basket is a great way to show someone you care! There are many different things you can include to make it personal and special. Fall-themed items such as autumn leaves, acorns, or pumpkins make wonderful decorations.

You could also fill the basket with seasonal fruits and vegetables, or baked goods like pumpkin bread or apple pie. For a finishing touch, add a festive fall-scented candle or some warm fall-colored throws.

With a little thought and creativity, you can create a fall gift basket that is sure to please anyone on your list.

Who would love a fall-themed gift basket?

Many people would love a fall-themed gift basket! Fall is a season that’s often associated with cozy and comforting elements, making it a great time to give or receive a gift basket.

Here are some individuals who might particularly appreciate a fall-themed gift basket:

College students: Fall when kids head off to college for the first time. Send them a bunch of snacks in a huge gift basket! What a nice surprise, and they’ll appreciate all the snacks since it saves them a trip to a store.

Hosts/Hostesses: If you’re attending a fall-themed party or event, bringing a fall gift basket can be a wonderful way to thank your host or hostess.

Those in need of comfort: Fall can be a comforting and cozy season, so a gift basket can bring joy to someone who may be going through a challenging time or feeling down. For me, it’s the season each of my parents passed, so it’s tough to get into the spirit.

Neighbors: Sharing a fall-themed gift basket with your neighbors can be a friendly way to build community and celebrate the season together.

Friends and family with fall birthdays: A fall gift basket can be a thoughtful and warm-hearted gift for friends and family members, especially if they enjoy the season’s colors, flavors, and traditions.

What to put in a fall gift basket?

If you’re planning to DIY your own fall-themed gift basket, these are some fall favorites that are perfect to include:

-A fall-themed mug or cup. This could be a mug with a fall scene on it, or simply a fall-colored mug.
-A fall-scented candle. There are many candles on the market with fall scents like pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, and cranberry.
–Fall cookies or baked goods. This could be store-bought or homemade.
-A fall-themed desk calendar or day planner. This is a functional gift that will be used all year long.
-A bookmark with a fall scene or quote. This is a small but thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to read.

These are just a few ideas of what to put in a fall birthday gift basket. With a little creativity, you can come up with a basket that is sure to please anyone on your list.

Ready-made fall gift baskets

Not feeling creative? Take a look at these ready-made fall gift baskets to get ideas. Or, purchase one of these cute autumn gift baskets for your special someone.

Fall Gift Baskets

Don't want to DIY? Choose one of these ready-made fall gift baskets.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Sweater Weather Fall Gift Basket With Blanket Scarf

This handmade personalized gift is great for women, men, coworkers, team, mother, friend... basically, anyone and everyone on your list.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Hello Autumn Care Package

Send happiness in a box! Show someone you are thinking of them with a gift box filled with hand-made goods.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Happy Fall Gift Box with Soy Candle

This small gift box makes a great appreciation gift, employee gift or corporate gift.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Fall Vibes Hygge Gift Set

Introduce Hygge and cozy living to your loved ones with this curated fall gift box.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Fall Rustic Gift Box

This fall rustic gift box is perfect for tweens or teens that want to get something special just for them (other than candy).

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Shortbread and Spiced Apple Chai Tea Gift Set

The gift set includes an autumn-themed ceramic mug along with tea and cookies in a handmade basket.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Fall Personalized Starbucks Coffee Gift Box Pumpkin Spice

Perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Pumpkin Combo Sweets Gift Box

Everyone appreciates something unexpected and when it tastes delicious-it's even better!

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Hocus Pocus Witches Gift Box

Hocus Pocus Gift Box is a medium, 10in x 10in box that makes the perfect gift for a Hocus Pocus lover!

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Gift Box

Pumpkin Spice Fall Gift Box anyone? This is a great gift box for the Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa lovers.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Autumn Snack Box Gift With Wooden Pumpkin Dish Tray

This is a compact box (11x9x3) with a variety of snacks as well as a wooden pumpkin dish and Rae Dunn utensils.

Photo Credit: www.etsy.com

Cozy Autumn Thank You Gift Set

A perfect Fall Season gift set to make a family, friend and neighbor feel special.

Photo Credit: amazon.com

Warm + Cozy Tea Care Package For Women

Send a hug in a box with this warm + cozy themed care package. This makes the perfect birthday gift, pick me up gift, or just to show someone you are thinking of them! Each box is hand-packed with love in Denver, CO.

Photo Credit: amazon.com

Cinnamon Apple Bath and Body Gift Set

The spa kit includes: body wash, bubble bath, body lotion, hand lotion, essential oil, bath salt, two bath bombs, a floral sponge and a cotton towel and a woven picnic basket.

Photo Credit: https://www.sevensistersscones.com/

Scones, Jam & Tea Sampler

A classic combination of mini-scones, tea, jam, and clotted cream.

With these great fall gift basket ideas, you’re sure to please everyone on your list!

More fall gift ideas

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How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Gina — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:00:39 +0000

Is this the year you make a homemade pumpkin pie? It’s not as difficult as you might think! Impress your family and guests this Thanksgiving with this or other easy dessert recipes.

This from scratch pumpkin pie calls for canned pumpkin but you can use fresh pumpkin as well. It’s surprisingly easy to make your own fresh pumpkin puree using a pressure cooker.

There’s nothing better than a homemade pumpkin pie and this recipe is always a crowd pleaser!

Get ready for the holidays or just prepare for a delicious family dinner night dessert. In any case, this tasty pumpkin pie will have you thinking of those cool fall days and nights.

If you need another amazing pie recipe to serve alongside your holiday meal, you’ll love this Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

There’s something about making homemade pie crust that intimidates most people. I’ll admit–the store bought ones are tasty. They are so convenient, so I understand the draw.

But when it comes to pumpkin pie, I just prefer a from-scratch crust. I’ll show you an easy way to make this gorgeous pie. It’ll be your go to recipe for the holidays!

Here is what you need to make the pumpkin pie filling:

15 ounces of pumpkin
1 cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups of half n half

Here’s what you need to make the homemade pie crust:

5 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
2 cups of Crisco
1 egg
1 teaspoon of white vinegar
1 heaping teaspoon of sugar
bottled water

These are the tools that I think will be helpful for making this pumpkin pie:

Note: you don’t have to use these particular tools. These are just the tools that I used and the things that I think will help you make an amazing homemade pumpkin pie:

2 large mixing bowls
parchment paper
1 wooden rolling pin
pastry cutter
waxed paper
aluminum foil
wire rack for cooling
melted butter
fall pie crust cutters – Optional
colored sugars – Optional

Making the pie crust:

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and Crisco, and cut the Crisco into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter, (like you would with any pie crust) until it resembles pea size pieces.
Add the egg to a 1 cup measuring cup, and beat it with a fork until it’s light colored and frothy.
Add the white vinegar to the egg, and stir.
Fill the measuring cup with water, stir, and pour into the flour mixture.
Mix the flour and egg mixture, until a ball forms. You can use your hands to do this, or a large spoon. You may need to sprinkle with a small amount of flour if the pie crust is too sticky.
Place the ball of crust on a large piece of parchment paper, and roll with a flour covered rolling pin, until your crust is large enough to fit in your pie pan, and come up the edges with enough to crimp; you’ll want about to roll your crust about three or four inches bigger than your pie pan. If the crust sticks to your rolling pin, sprinkle a little more flour on the crust.
Once the crust is rolled, turn in into your pie pan while it’s still on the parchment paper, and remove paper, leaving crust in pie pan.
Smooth your crust into the pan with your fingers, making sure there are no tears in the crust.
Trim off rough edges, but leave enough to put a nice crimped edge around the top of your crust/pan. Crimp the edges with fingers, and set aside.

How many crusts does this recipe make?

This recipe makes approximately four 9-inch pie crusts. You will have enough for multiple pies or for pies and decorative toppings. If you don’t need extra pie crusts or if you are only making one pie you may wish to cut the recipe in half!

How to make the pumpkin pie filling:

In a large mixing bowl, add the pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and mix until all ingredients are blended.
Add the eggs, and blend well.
Add the half and half, and mix until filling is completely blended.
Pour filling into prepared pie crust, and bake at 425 for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350, and bake for another 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
When the pie is done, remove from oven to a wire rack to cool.
When pie is completely cool, serve immediately, topped with whipped cream.
If you’re making the pie ahead, cover with waxed paper and them aluminum foil, and refrigerate until time to serve.
Enjoy!

How many pies can I make with this filling recipe?

This filling recipe will make one pie that is about 9 inches. You will need to double or triple the recipe if you need to make extra pies! The recipe has no issues being increased and you won’t run into any weird issues by simple doubling or tripling the recipe.

Can I make this pumpkin pie in advance?

This pie is absolutely delicious, anytime of the year. It’s an easy pie to make, and bakes up beautifully. Whether you’re making it for guests for an after dinner dessert, or the family, they’re sure to love it, and want seconds.

The crust is flaky and light, and it melts in your mouth. You can make this the day before you’re serving it, and refrigerate it overnight, after a day in the fridge the flavors have a chance to meld and it really comes out amazing!

How do I decorate this pumpkin pie?

For the decorative leaves, and acorns, use fall cookie cutters.
If you do want to decorate the pie with the pie crust leaves and acorns, these cutters make it so easy to do.
You simply roll out your crust on parchment paper to about 1/4 thick, and with the cutters, press the cutter down onto the crust, and then push the leaf, or acorn out with the little button on top, onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, until you have as many as you want.
Bake the decorative leaves and acorns at 350 for about 10 – 12 minutes, or until golden in color. These burn really fast, so you have to watch them while in the oven.
Butter the leaves or acorns with melted butter when they come out of the oven if you don’t sprinkle with sugars.

You can also sprinkle them with colored sugars, or cinnamon sugar before baking for a little extra touch. You can make a whole tray of these with the colored sugars or cinnamon sugar, or dip them in chocolate after baking for a pretty tray on your dessert table.

Printable Homemade Pumpkin Pie from Scratch Recipe:

Yield: 8 Servings

Homemade Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

Enjoy an old-fashioned homemade pumpkin pie this holiday season!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Pie Filling

15 ounces canned pumpkin
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups Half & Half

Pie Crust

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups Crisco
1 egg
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 heaping teaspoon granulated sugar
bottled water

Instructions

Making the crust:

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and sugar. Cut the Crisco into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter until it resembles pea-sized pieces.
Add egg to a 1 cup liquid measuring cup, and beat with a fork until light colored and frothy.
Add white vinegar to the egg, and stir.
Fill the measuring cup with water, stir, and pour into flour mixture.
Mix flour and egg mixture, until a ball forms. You can use your hands to do this, or a large spoon. You may need to sprinkle your hands with a small amount of flour if the pie crust is too sticky.
Place the ball of crust on a large piece of parchment paper, and roll with a flour-covered rolling pin. Roll until the crust is large enough to fit the pie dish with the edges coming up high enough to crimp (about 3-4" bigger than the pie dish).
Once the crust is rolled, turn it into pie pan while it's still on the parchment paper, and remove paper, leaving crust in pie pan.
Smooth your crust into the pan with your fingers, making sure there are no tears in the crust.
Trim off rough edges, but leave enough to put a nice crimped edge around the top of your crust/pan. Crimp the edges with fingers or a fork, and set aside.

Making the filling:

In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use a hand blender to mix thoroughly.
Add the eggs, and blend well.
Add the half & half, and mix until filling is completely blended.
Pour filling into prepared pie crust, and bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for another 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
When done baking, remove to a wire rack to cool.
When pie is completely cool, serve immediately, topped with whipped cream.
If you're making the pie ahead, cover with both waxed paper and aluminum foil. Refrigerate until time to serve.

Notes

For the decorative leaves and acorns: use extra pie crust dough rolled out to 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to create the shapes, then put on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake the decorations at 350 degree for 10 - 12 minutes, or until golden in color. Keep an eye on them; they can burn quickly.

When done, sprinkle with sugar. Let cool before placing on top of cooled pie.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 556Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 459mgCarbohydrates: 102gFiber: 4gSugar: 34gProtein: 13g

Do you have any other delicious baking recipes I can try?

I sure do! We love to bake as a family so there’s tons of great recipes here at MoneywiseMoms for baked goods. Here are a few of my current favorites:

The post How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie appeared first on Moneywise Moms - Easy Family Recipes.

25 Gift Ideas for Fall Birthdays for Women

Gina — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Not sure what to buy your sister, friend or mom as a reasonably-priced gift? You’ll love these fall birthdays gift ideas for women.

We’ve got you covered on the perfect fall birthday gift for your favorite woman. With a wide variety of items from cozy to meaningful, we have something for everyone. Check out our blog post below and find the perfect gift!

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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It is less than $4 to get your gift wrapped by Amazon, if you are shipping your gift. Take a look at these gift ideas for the women in your life.

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