Latest Posts

Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

Sharon Garofalow — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:04:47 +0000

These deliciously tangy key lime pie bites are the perfect summer dessert. Full of citrus flavor, these bite-sized treats are a showstopper!

Why You’ll Love Key Lime Pie Bites

These key lime pie bites are everything you love about a big slice of key lime pie baked into individual servings. It’s a tasty sweet finger food that are perfect for parties.

Sweet crust cups are filled with tangy but creamy key lime centers. A little sprinkle of fresh lime zest makes them perfect for serving on any party table or to end a delicious dinner.

Discover another miniature dessert favorite with my Delicious Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe for Your Next Party.

This key lime dessert is easy to make ahead (in just about 30 minutes) and wonderful for sharing with guests. It’s a pretty foolproof recipe that is fun to serve with it’s light green color.

Ingredients

Pie crust: I used Pillsbury refrigerated mini pie crusts but you can also use ready-made mini crusts.
Key lime filling: The filling is a mix of lime Jello and Cool Whip.
Garnish: A little fresh lime zest is all you need to garnish these mini pie bites. Don’t skip this step. It really adds some “zing” to the overall flavor.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for quantities and the complete recipe

How to Make Mini Pie Bites with Key Lime Filling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Step 1: Unroll the pie crusts and gently break them apart at perforations.

Step 2: Set one pie crust piece into each of the 12 muffin tin cavities and press to the bottom and sides. Poke holes in the bottom with a fork. Discard the remaining two pie crusts or place in a separate muffin tin.

Step 3: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crusts are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely (for at least 1 hour).

Step 4: Boil ¼ cup of water in a saucepan over high heat. Add the lime gelatin and stir with a whisk until dissolved completely. Add the remaining ¼ cup water and stir for 2 additional minutes. Then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in the whipped topping. Then, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 6: Add the key lime pie mixture to a piping bag fitted with the 1M frosting tip and pipe the mixture into pie crusts.

Step 7: Sprinkle with lime zest.

Step 8: Refrigerate for 1 hour, then serve.

Mini Key Lime Pie Recipe Variations

There are lots of fun mini key lime pie recipe variations you can implement for an extra special dessert. Check out a few of my favorites below.

DELUXE: Add a lime peel twist or small candied lime slice to the top of each mini key lime pie for an even more beautiful handheld dessert.
LEMON: Turn your lime pie bites into lemon pie bites by swapping the lime gelatin and lime zest for lemon gelatin and lemon zest. The result will be a sweet lemony dessert that’s equally fun for everyone.

Tips

Top Tips for Key Lime Pie Bites

Fresh lime zest makes all the difference in these key lime pie bites! It gives lots of bright flavors and adds beauty to these mini key lime pies. A microplane grater is the best way to zest limes and other citrus fruits. When zesting, remember to zest only the colored part and not the pith underneath.
Key limes and key lime Jello can be hard to find, so I use regular limes for this key lime pie bites recipe. If you want to make these more authentic, you can use key lime pie gelatin or use the canned key lime pie filling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my key lime pie crust soggy?

Don’t forget to let your pie crusts cool completely before adding the filling. This can keep your pie crusts from becoming a soggy mess.

How long does key lime pie need to sit in the fridge?

These mini key lime pies need to be refrigerated for one hour to set up properly. The longer your mini key lime bites are refrigerated, the better.

Can you leave key lime pie out overnight?

Do not leave key lime pie out overnight. I recommend not leaving your mini key lime pie bites out at room temperature for more than 4 hours. Store them covered overnight if you aren’t serving them until the next day or have leftovers.

Save and Pin this post for later!

Make sure you don’t lose this recipe by saving it for later! Also, for more recipes make sure you’re following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!

More Easy Mini Recipes

If you love these key lime pie bites, I know you’ll love these other miniature desserts and appetizers, too.

Individual Key Lime Pie Bites

Key lime pie bites are the perfect dessert to serve to guests for parties, potlucks and get-togethers.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Down Time 2

Total Time 2 27

Servings servings

Calories 237kcal

Author Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

1 Muffin tins
1 saucepan
1 Whisk
1 Icing Piping Bags and 1M Pipping Tip

Ingredients

1 package 14.1 oz Pillsbury refrigerated mini pie crust room temperature
1 package 3 oz Lime gelatin
1/2 cup water divided
8 ounces whipped topping thawed but cold
Fresh lime zest

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Unroll the pie crusts and gently break them apart at perforations.
Set one pie crust into each of the 12 muffin tin cavities and press to the bottom and sides. Poke holes in the bottom with a fork. Discard the remaining two pie crusts.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crusts are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1 hour.
While the pie crusts are baking, boil ¼ cup of water in a saucepan over high heat. Add the lime gelatin and stir with a whisk until dissolved completely. Add the remaining ¼ cup water and stir for 2 additional minutes.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Stir in the whipped topping. Then, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes.
Add the mixture to a piping bag fitted with the 1M frosting tip and pipe the mixture into pie crusts. Sprinkle with lime zest.
Refrigerate for 1 hour, then serve.

Notes

Fresh lime zest makes all the difference in these key lime pie bites! It gives lots of bright flavors and adds beauty to these mini key lime pies. A microplane grater is the best way to zest limes and other citrus fruits. When zesting, remember to zest only the colored part and not the pith underneath.
Key limes can be hard to find, so I use regular limes for this key lime pie bites recipe. If you can’t find key limes, no need to worry, you can make this recipe with regular limes like I do or use key limes when they’re available.

Nutrition

The post Mini Key Lime Pie Bites appeared first on Cupcakes and Cutlery.

Mini Trifles with Caramel and Pretzel

Sharon Garofalow — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:16:05 +0000

These mini trifles with caramel and pretzels offer salty-sweet goodness in every spoonful! Crunchy, creamy and fluffy, this layered dessert will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the perfect individual-sized treat that you can make ahead without breaking a sweat! Pair them with Chocolate Pretzel Donuts!

You’ll Love This Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles

Mini Trifles are not only a delicious dessert to share with others but are easy for beginners to make at home.

With caramel and pretzel, this version gives you that sweet and salty combination I’m guessing you love as much as I do. (These salted caramel brownie cookies are also a must-try!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Trifles can and should be made ahead of time which means that you won’t have to worry about dessert when your guests are set to arrive.
The individual size makes these super easy to serve at a party. These mini cups are perfect for serving.
Making these mini trifles puts you in control of how many servings you get out of each ingredient. Adding a little extra whipped cream won’t throw off the balance of flavors which is great!
The simple layering technique creates a pretty-looking treat that couldn’t be easier to make. They don’t require any special skills which I love in a delicious dessert.

If this caramel pretzel mini trifles recipe sounds like something you would love, save this Pumpkin Trifle Recipe with Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins for later!

While this recipe is for caramel and pretzel trifle, you can follow the same steps to make mini trifles with any flavor combination you prefer.

Ingredients

Instant vanilla pudding mix – using instant pudding helps cut down prep time!
Mini pretzels – even though you’ll be crushing them up, the mini pretzels give you the best flavor in my opinion.
Caramel sauce – there are many great caramel sauces that you can buy at the store, but if you have a favorite homemade recipe, feel free to use that.
Chocolate caramel candies – I used Rolo’s but any chocolate caramel candy would work. You can also omit this, as I just used it as a decoration to finish off the mini trifles.

Substitutions and variations

Save time – If you want to cut down prep time even more, use ready-made vanilla pudding and whipped cream.
Chocolate – you can use chocolate pudding if you prefer. It also goes really well with caramel and pretzels.
Jazz them up – Because this is layered, you can add in whatever other ingredients you think would pair well with caramel and pretzels. Crushed-up toffee pieces, nuts, or chocolate chips would be a great idea to add between layers.
Bulk it up – Want to add even more decadence? Add chopped brownies or chocolate cake!
Flavor it – Want to add even more flavor? Use a flavored whipped cream like my beer whipped cream or Cherry Fun Dip Whipped Cream.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list.

How to make caramel pretzel mini trifles

Step 1

Following the package instructions, add the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk together. Whisk for five minutes. Set the pudding aside in the refrigerator to chill.

Step 2

Combine heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, mix at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.

Step 3

Add pretzels to a bag and crush with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin.

Step 4

(Optional) Put the pudding and whipped cream into separate piping bags.

If you don’t want to use piping bags simply spoon in each layer. The finished look may not be as clean but the taste of these mini trifles will still be delicious!

Step 5

Add a layer of crushed pretzels to the bottom of small glass or bowl you want to serve them in.

Add a small layer of caramel then pudding, and whipped cream.

Add another layer of crushed pretzels and repeat with the other layers until each cup is full.

Top with a chocolate caramel candy or a drizzle of caramel and flakey sea salt, if desired.

Step 6

Cover and refrigerate before serving.

TIPS

Make sure that your layers aren’t too thick. You’ll be using small serving glasses and you want at least two layers of each ingredient in the finished mini trifles.
Open the bag of pretzels just when you’re about to use them to retain the crunchiness. Stale pretzels won’t give this the same texture.
Chilling the trifles with caramel for at least an hour not only helps firm up the layers but it helps the flavor meld better, too.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Should a trifle be made the night before?

Making trifles the night before is ideal for a regular trifle since it allows the flavors to meld together overnight and will give you a richer, more decadent dessert.

However, since we’re using pretzels, it’s best to put the trifle together the day you serve it and then refrigerate it. That way, the pretzels won’t get too soggy in the process.

When should I eat a trifle?

They’re ideal to eat at the end of any meal, but you can enjoy this tasty treat any time you want.

How long does trifle last?

A trifle will last for 2-3 days if stored correctly.

If you have any leftover desserts, keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge. It’s best if you can keep each layer stored separately and layer the desserts as you need them to keep their textures perfect.

Save and Pin this post for later!

Make sure you don’t lose this mini trifles recipe by saving it for later! For more recipes, make sure you’re following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!

More easy desserts

Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles Recipe

These mini caramel trifles with caramel and pretzel offer salty-sweet goodness in every spoonful! Crunchy, creamy and fluffy, this layered dessert will have everyone asking for seconds. It's the perfect individual-sized treat that you can make ahead, so you can wow your guests without breaking a sweat!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 25

Total Time 25

Servings mini cups

Calories 203kcal

Author Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

1 electric mixer
2 Piping bags
13 serving cups
1 Mixing bowl
1 Whisk

Ingredients

3.4 oz. Instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups milk cold
1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups pretzels, crushed
8 ounces Caramel sauce
1 bag chocolate caramel candies, optional

Instructions

Following the instructions for the instant pudding, (it will likely say to mix the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk together. Whisk the mixture for five minutes. Set pudding aside in the refrigerator to chill.)
Combine heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on med-high speed until soft peaks form.
Add pretzels to a bag and crush with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
(Optional) Add the pudding and whipped cream into separate piping bags to make layering a little cleaner.
Add a layer of crushed pretzels to the bottom of small glass or bowl you want to serve them in. Add a small layer of caramel then pudding, and whipped cream. Add another layer of crushed pretzels and repeat with the other layers until each cup is full.
Top each mini trifle with a chocolate caramel candy, if desired.
Store covered in a refrigerator before serving.

Notes

Make sure that your layers aren’t too thick. You’ll be using small serving glasses and you want at least two layers of each ingredient in the finished mini trifles.

Open the bag of pretzels just when you’re about to use them to retain the crunchiness.

Chilling the trifles with caramel for at least an hour not only helps firm up the layers but it helps the flavor meld better, too.

Nutrition

The post Mini Trifles with Caramel and Pretzel appeared first on Cupcakes and Cutlery.

21 Baileys Christmas Cocktails to Make This Year

Sharon Garofalow — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 19:17:46 +0000

Need a delicious drink idea to make this holiday? Try one of these Baileys Christmas Cocktails. These recipes are made with the creamy, indulgent liqueur and are festive to make for your Christmas parties or Holiday happy hour.

Try one (or more) of these Baileys Christmas Cocktails this year.

While Bailey Christmas drinks are a fun way to celebrate the holidays, I typically like to keep my home bar small and free of specialty ingredients. I make an exception for Baileys (or Irish Cream) because it’s one of those bottles that you can use for a lot of different recipes, not just drinks!

It more than earns its spot!

Why These Recipes Work

Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur made from whiskey, cream and chocolate. It is usually served as a dessert drink, either on its own or mixed with coffee or hot chocolate.

Baileys is also used to make the best Christmas cocktails. It pairs well with other spices and flavors which means you can find the perfect drink to make.

Related post: White Russian Cupcakes with Baileys

This collection of Baileys holiday drinks will inspire you use the Irish cream liqueur in martinis, mudslides, eggnog, tea, coffee, floats and more.

These Christmas cocktails with Baileys are infused with festive flavors of peppermint, caramel, cinnamon, chocolate, ginger, molasses, and chai.

These recipes are creamy and full of flavor and super easy to make. Keep it merry with these Baileys recipes.

Baileys Christmas Drinks

Holidays are made for celebrations and these Baileys Christmas cocktails are a delicious way to ring in the season with good cheer!

Gingerbread Martini Recipe

Photo Credit: sugarandcharm.com

Transfer your obsession with gingerbread to this creamy martini that's appropriately spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Irish cream and milk keeps it creamy, vodka brings extra booze while the homemade gingerbread syrup pairs with a dollop of molasses to give it a deep and sweet flavor. Rim the martini glasses with crushed gingerbread cookies before adding the cocktail. It's an irresistible drink that's perfect for Christmas.

Christmas Peppermint Mudslide

Photo Credit: thathangrygurl.com

Peppermint and chocolate make the perfect Christmas pairing in this pretty mudslide cocktail that benefits by being served in a clear glass. You'll want to drizzle chocolate syrup down the inside of the glass before adding in the cocktail mix. Shake together almond milk, peppermint schnapps, Baileys, cocoa powder, heavy cream and chocolate syrup and carefully pour in your prepared cocktail glasses. Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top, a drizzle of chocolate syrup and a light dusting of crushed candy canes.

Drunken Snowman Cocktail

Photo Credit: iambaker.net

What do you get when you combine vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate that's spiked with Baileys Irish Cream? You get a drunken snowman that's, of course, topped with loads of whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for good measure. Oh, and rim your mugs in melted white chocolate and then dip them in chocolate shavings before you build this fun snowman cocktail.

Sugar Cookie Martini

Photo Credit: bellyfull.net

Who doesn't love a sweet sugar cookie, especially during the holidays? Here, you can serve one up in liquid form in a festive sprinkle-rimmed martini glass! Just line the rim of the cocktail glass with vanilla frosting before dipping it in sprinkles. In a shaker, add in ice, half and half, vanilla vodka, Baileys Irish cream, amaretto liqueur and powdered sugar. Snake until combined and chilled. Strain into the prepared martini glasses and serve.

Buttered Toffee Cocktail

Photo Credit: www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

You'll love this dessert cocktail that combines Baileys Irish cream with coffee-inspired Kahlua plus nutty amaretto for a trifecta of buttery and boozy goodness. Mix it with half and half to keep it creamy. Add it all to a cocktail shaker filled with ice before straining into a chilled glass. Garnish with crushed toffee bits.

The St. Nick Special.

Photo Credit: www.howsweeteats.com

Elevate coffee to Christmas status with this cocktail that's made even more charming when served in jolly Santa Claus cups. Freshly brewed coffee is spiked with whiskey and Irish cream liqueur as well as a dollop of hot fudge. Rim the mug with hot fudge, too, for even more chocolate goodness. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows and crushed peppermints to complete this warm cocktail.

Bailey's Chocolate White Russian

Photo Credit: www.thekitchenmagpie.com

No one will turn down this sweetly garnished White Russian cocktail, especially when you've infused it with chocolate. This twist on a classic uses chocolate vodka, Irish cream and half and half that's shaken over ice and strained into a glass. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a cherry on top, because it's the festive thing to do!

Easy White Chocolate Martini

Photo Credit: celebrationsathomeblog.com

This easy White Chocolate Martini recipe needs just 3 ingredients and comes together quickly! Bailey's and White Chocolate Liqueur with half and half ensure a super creamy drink that you can garnish like a winter wonderland.

Eggnog with Baileys

Photo Credit: taoofspice.com

This 4-ingredient eggnog cocktail is super easy and requires no special bartending skills. Just use your favorite eggnog and whisk in Bailey's Irish cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into your glass or mug and sprinkle with a smattering of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Add a cinnamon stick for a fragrant and spicy touch. What could be easier?

Jelly Donut Shot

Photo Credit: cookienameddesire.com

If this doesn't look like a Santa hat in a shot glass, I don't know what does! It's called a jelly donut because that's exactly what it tastes like, but it's a great layered cocktail to serve for the holidays, don't you think? All you need is Chambord and Baileys Irish cream, shot glasses and a spoon to help get the layered look just right. You can even rim the glasses with a little sugar and sprinkles to kick up the holiday spirit even more.

Winter Snowflake Cocktail

Photo Credit: happyhealthymotivated.com

This decadent cocktail is reminiscent of a snowflake, thanks to its snowy white color and fluffy whipped topping. It's the perfect solo cocktail or easy enough to turn into a big batch cocktail for a holiday party. It's all made in a base of milk, Baileys Irish cream, white chocolate chips, vanilla and caramel sauce. It's topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel. Is it a dessert or a cocktail? The answer is yes!

Salted Caramel Baileys White Russian

Photo Credit: www.simplymaderecipes.com

Up-level the classic White Russian cocktail to holiday status with the addition of salted caramel. For a visually stunning presentation, start by drizzling salted caramel sauce in a low-ball glass before filling it with ice. Add a pinch of sea salt, vodka and coffee liqueur. Next comes the Baileys salted caramel Irish cream and half and half. Give it all a gentle stir and enjoy!

Chocolate Peppermint Stick Cocktail

Peppermint lovers will enjoy this chocolate-infused cocktail that includes Peppermint Schnapps along with Creme de Cacao and Baileys Irish cream for a holiday cocktail that's refreshingly minty. Rim the cocktail glass with crushed peppermints or add a smidge as a garnish to the finished drink. Just shake the 3 liqueurs over ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into the glass before serving.

Warm Spiced Vanilla Cocktail

Photo Credit: www.kitchentreaty.com

Maple, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg add holiday spices to this warm, creamy and milky cocktail that adds Baileys Irish cream and bourbon for a little something extra. Stir it all together on the stove in a base of milk before adding the booze. Rim your mugs or glasses with cinnamon sugar before adding the warm vanilla cocktail. It's the perfect drink to enjoy on chilly winter evenings.

Creamy Nutella Martini

Photo Credit: www.averiecooks.com

This dessert cocktail pulls out all the stops with a delicious mixture of chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon. A martini glass is rimmed with Nutella before being dipped in crushed graham crackers. The creamy Irish cream and Frangelico combo goes in next making this an easy yet delightful drink to celebrate the season.

Oatmeal Cookie Cocktail

Photo Credit: julieblanner.com

Reminiscent of oatmeal cookies, this holiday dessert cocktail is sure to be a favorite. It's a simple yet heady concoction of Baileys Irish Cream, cinnamon schnapps, Kahlua and a splash of milk or vanilla ice cream that you'll combine in a blender. Rim your glasses with simple syrup and then dip them in crushed cookie crumbs or light brown sugar crystals before adding in the cocktail. Easy and on point for the holidays!

Pumpkin Martini Recipe - Chisel & Fork

Photo Credit: www.chiselandfork.com

There's always that one pumpkin-obsessed person who craves this flavor long after the rest of us have moved on to wintery flavors. This cocktail is for them and you don't even have to crank open a can of pumpkin puree. Irish cream joins with pumpkin spice liqueur, vodka and a dash of vanilla extract in an ice-filled shaker before being strained into a martini glass. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice before serving.

Chocolate Chai Tea and Baileys Recipe

Photo Credit: diycandy.com

Tea time morphs into cocktail time with this spiced hot beverage. Steep chai tea bags before adding in Irish cream and Creme de Cacao. Give it a little stir with a cinnamon stick, which will serve as the appropriate holiday garnish for this warm cocktail.

Simple Butterball Cocktail

Photo Credit: knifeandpaddle.com

Butterscotch candy has long been a holiday favorite and here, those flavors are transferred to this simple cocktail using just two ingredients. Baileys Irish cream joins with butterscotch schnapps in an ice-filled high ball glass. It doesn't get any easier than this! Stir and enjoy.

Merry Mistletoe Cocktail

Photo Credit: whoneedsacape.com

This boozy milkshake gives a minty nod to the holidays with its green hue thanks to Creme de Menthe. In a high-speed blender, mix vanilla ice cream, milk, mint liqueur and Baileys Irish Cream. For an extra festive look, rim your glass with holiday sprinkles before adding in the milkshake. Top with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Baileys Hot Chocolate

Photo Credit: www.acouplecooks.com

You can't go wrong with a classic during the holidays, so it's always in style to serve the adult version of hot chocolate. Here, you'll start it on the stovetop with cocoa powder and milk and add in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate chips until its rich, thick and warm. Stir in the Baileys Irish cream before serving this hot chocolate cocktail. Top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Substitutions

While you were probably looking for Baileys Christmas cocktails because you have a bottle of Baileys in your cupboard, you can make the recipes without it.

Look for another brand of Irish Cream if you can’t find or don’t want to use Baileys. I’ve heard that Costco has its own Irish Cream that is pretty tasty and reasonably priced.

There are also other types of cream liqueurs to try. Many of these will include additional flavors (like strawberry or spices) so you may not be able to use them in all of the recipes in this post. Make sure the flavors go well together.

You can make homemade Irish Cream if you prefer to DIY it.

Amaretto and Kahlua may be good alternatives. They aren’t super similar but have flavors that would typically pair well in recipes where you would use Baileys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Baileys be refrigerated?

Although Baileys has alcohol and preservatives, it is best if used by 2 years from when it was bottled. Once open, the bottle should stay good for at least 6 months although you should store the open bottle in the fridge.

What is best to mix with Baileys?

Baileys is pretty versatile and goes really well with chocolate. It also works with coffee and things that have a little bit of spice (not heat, but ground spices) like chai tea. Because of the flavor profile of aged liquors (like Anejo tequila and whiskey), Baileys is a match made in heaven for those too.

Does Baileys contain caffeine?

No, Baileys does not contain caffeine.

More easy Christmas cocktails

The post 21 Baileys Christmas Cocktails to Make This Year appeared first on Cupcakes and Cutlery.

Halloween Playlist (Indie Songs with Halloween Vibes)

Sharon Garofalow — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:30:00 +0000

This is the Halloween Playlist that you need! Sometimes you just want some cool, spooky Halloween vibes, you know? But I don’t love all the dumb, themed songs. I created this Halloween music playlist full of indie rock vibes to listen to while we carve pumpkins. But it also works for other parts of the year when you just want to be a little moody.

Some Indie Music Sounds Spooky

I have to say that Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I actually really hate how gross everything is. This year when we went to pick out the kid’s Halloween costumes, we stood at Party City for an hour staring at the costume wall. Either the costumes were totally dumb or they were super gory.

I’m just not going to have my 5-year-old walking around the neighborhood in something with fake blood splatters.

Related: Halloween Party Ideas

I also don’t love the overtly themed Halloween songs they play yearly. Sure, you have to hear Monster Mash at least once, but I’d rather listen to something with Halloween vibes, that is still good music.

Here are some of my favorite indie songs that I made into a Halloween playlist for your listening pleasure. It’s a little moody and melancholy with a few goth influences. But your ears will still like it. I’m sure of it.

Indie Halloween Music Playlist

I know I said I don’t love Halloween and then I go and put up a gross picture of some guy’s head trying to eat rats. In my defense, it was the only image that made sense to go with a Halloween music playlist (when I originally posted).

It’s from my photo walk at Knott’s Berry Farm when I got to go in their prop warehouse and found some of their Halloween Haunt decorations.

I’ve never been to Halloween Haunt. I’m too much of a scaredy cat. So at least now I can say I’ve seen some of the decorations! My husband threatens to surprise me on a date night there sometime. That would NOT end well!

Halloween Playlist Songs

Pop over to Spotify to follow this Halloween Playlist!

Click this link to go to my Halloween Playlist: Indie vibes with a Halloween feel

Moody vibes. All over the place. The vibes are spooky. The notes are dark. Some of the songs feel like they warble or go off key and it makes you feel sort of uneasy. Like Halloween.

We listen to this while we are carving pumpkins but it would also be good in the background of a party. Or while making some of my other Halloween crafts or recipes.

More Music Playlists

Songs to Clean To
Beach at Sunset (perfect for chilling out in summer)
Rap and Rose
Yacht Rock. You know you love it.

The post Halloween Playlist (Indie Songs with Halloween Vibes) appeared first on Cupcakes and Cutlery.

Eggnog Dump Cake

Sharon Garofalow — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:30:00 +0000

This Eggnog Dump Cake tastes like Christmas. And you’re going to love it!

If you’re a fan of easy dump cake recipes, this is sure to be your new holiday favorite.

It needs just a few ingredients and very little effort. It’s a great idea for when you need a party dessert but don’t have a lot of time!

It’s SO good! I love it and I don’t even like eggnog.

Let’s make this Christmas Dump Cake!

Why you’ll love this Christmas Dump Cake

So, I thought I invented this Eggnog dump cake. It turns out great minds think alike. Regardless, this is the Christmas dessert you need to make.

You can make this Christmas dump cake in a normal 9 x 13 baking dish or a half batch in a pie plate.

This easy eggnog dessert has all the holiday flavors you’ll love plus it’s a super unique idea that your friends and family will really enjoy.

Related: Chocolate Peppermint Dump Cake

Eggnog Dump Cake is easy to make, makes the house smell amazing and will absolutely delight your mouth!

Ingredient Notes

I don’t like eggnog (unless its Fireball Eggnog). But I adore nutmeg. And the way the eggnog and the cake mix to get all custard-y is pretty special. Yuuuuum.

1 Box White Cake Mix
3 cups Eggnog
1 stick butter, cut into 1/4″ pats (I like salted)
nutmeg to garnish

Because the eggnog has so much flavor, the white cake mix is the best for this dump cake recipe.

The ratio for this recipe is basically a cup of eggnog to a cup of cake mix.

The boxed cake mix that I used came to 3 cups. And the quart of eggnog had about 4 cups in it.

I typically like to use melted butter for my dump cakes.

But in this case, because the eggnog kind of sinks, even though you pour it on top, you want to ensure that the butter is spread evenly.

And I loved how adding a sprinkle of nutmeg finished it off before I popped it into the oven.

Note: I don’t know how a non-dairy version of eggnog would work in this Dump Cake with Eggnog.

How to Make Eggnog Dump Cake

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with baking spray.

Step 1

Pour a cup of eggnog in the bottom of the dish.

Step 2

Pour on cake mix.

Step 3

Top with remaining eggnog.

Step 4

Evenly spread out the butter pats.

Step 5

Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Step 6

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until set and golden brown.

*By set, I mean doesn’t jiggle. Do you know how custard can be super jiggly? You want this holiday dump cake to firm up and turn golden brown on top.

Let this cool for at least half an hour before digging into it.

How to Serve This Holiday Dump Cake

This is best served warm (not hot – and not cold).

Just warmer than room temperature is perfect.

I didn’t love this dump cake with eggnog when cold. So if you have made it ahead, just put a serving in the microwave for 20 seconds and it was so tasty again.

It does lose a little of that crustiness but it can certainly be eaten leftover.

How to Store This Dump Cake

I would definitely keep this in the fridge. It is full of dairy after all.

I will say that this eggnog may have been a little bit past its prime when I made this.

But if it’s my time to leave this earth, I want to go by tainted dump cake. Just saying.

I LOVED how this Christmas Dump Cake turned out. It kind of reminds me of a bread pudding a little bit.

The cake mix and eggnog turn custard-like and so delish! Because it’s made with a thick liquid, it won’t be as thick as, say, a pumpkin dump cake.

I loved how some of the bites had a salty flavor from the butter. It went so well with the sweet cake mix.

Tips

If you find that you have some dry cake mix that didn’t mix with the melted butter, you can spritz a little water on the dry parts or try to drag some of the melted butter to the dry area with a spoon.
If you want to add more texture to this eggnog dessert you can add pecans, walnuts or almonds to the top of the cake before you put it in the oven.
Use a good quality eggnog so it has the best flavor! Often people have a favorite brand so you’ll want to use something you know you love!

Can I make it in advance?

Yes, you can make eggnog dump cake in advance. But you will need to reheat it before serving as I don’t like to serve it cold. But don’t reheat to hot. Lukewarm is best!

I also made the original recipe in a pie pan to test it out. They are the same.

So the original would be good to make if you just want to make a half batch.

You’ve got to try this amazing Eggnog Dump Cake for Christmas. It’s ridiculously easy and your friends and family will love it!

More Christmas Dump Cake Recipes

Save and Pin this post for later!

Eggnog Dump Cake for Christmas

This is the Christmas Dump Cake you've been looking for. Eggnog Dump Cake is so easy to make and creates a magical dessert that is perfect for the holidays. With just 4 ingredients, this can be made quickly!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 217kcal

Author Sharon Garofalow

Ingredients

1 Box White Cake Mix
3 cups Eggnog
1 stick butter cut into 1/4″ pats
nutmeg to garnish

Instructions

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with baking spray.
Pour a cup of eggnog in the bottom of the dish.
Pour on cake mix.
Top with remaining eggnog.
Evenly spread out the butter pats.
Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until set and golden brown.

Notes

Best served warm (not hot – and not cold).

If you find that you have some dry cake mix that didn’t mix with the melted butter, you can spritz a little water on the dry parts or try to drag some of the melted butter to the dry area with a spoon.

Nutrition

The post Eggnog Dump Cake appeared first on Cupcakes and Cutlery.