New Year's Eve Non-Alcoholic Raspberry Party Punch

So, what do you have planned for tonight?  We keep our New Year's celebrations pretty simple with just some time with family hanging out, sharing in some yummy food and watching a movie or two.  Often times we celebrate the evening with some fondue or over some seafood.  This year we are keeping it even simpler...making some homemade pizzas.  We'll watch Rockin' New Year's Eve and as soon as the clock strikes midnight, we'll exchange New Year wishes to each other and then head off to bed.  Pretty festive, eh?  Might even have on the pjs during the celebration!  Ha!
Actually, that is my kind of evening!
What have you got planned?
I'd love to hear about it!
Whether you ring in the new year at noon with the kiddos or at midnight in your pjs,
here is a pretty and delicious non-alcoholic punch to serve!

Raspberry Party Punch
is one of those punch recipes that has been around for awhile, but never gets old!
Raspberry Party Punch is refreshing, pretty and tastes oh sooo good!

I am thinking that after tonight, you need to save this recipe for future parties, Valentine's Day, bridal or baby showers!  Or just whip out the recipe anytime you want something festive and fun!

Ingredients:

1 can frozen pink lemonade

1 container fat free raspberry sherbet

5 cups gingerale

fresh raspberries

Directions:

Defrost 1 can of frozen pink lemonade.  Once defrosted, place pink lemonade into a large pitcher.  Add 4 cups fat free raspberry sherbet.  Pour 5 cups of gingerale over top the sherbet.

Into each glass, put one scoop of raspberry sherbet and then pour the party punch over top.  Add a fresh raspberry or two and serve.

Raspberry Party Punch printable recipe

You may not be painting the town red tonight, but you can paint it pink!

Raspberry Party Punch is bubbly and fizzy with a delicious raspberry flavor that will make you want more!

Happy New Year and see ya in 2015!

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

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New Year's Appetizer Round Up

New Year's Eve wouldn't be complete without a collection of appetizer recipes to choose from.

So grab your party horn and a handful of confetti because it is time to celebrate the start of 2015!

Tiny Tomato Pie Tartlets

Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Crab Puffs

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Cheesy Onion Dip

BLT Crostini Dip

As you await the countdown until midnight, whip up some of these appetizers while you party the night away all dressed up or in your pjs (my personal favorite)!

How do you ring in the new year?

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

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French Toast Round Up

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Best of 2014

I thought I'd celebrate the end of the year with some of the most popular recipes of 2014 on

A Sprinkle of This and That!

Since 7 is a lucky number, here are the top 7 posts of 2014.

Starting with number 7
An impressive appetizer!

Raspberry Brie Tartlets

Coming in at number 6?
A round up of yummy snack ideas!

Potato Chip Spirals and Other Snack Ideas

Number 5 involves stoking up the grill for that summertime flavor...anytime!

Key Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers

 Knocking on number 4's door?

Shrimp Pasta Bake

Number 3 involves garlic and chicken!

Garlic Lime Chicken Thighs and Chipotle Rice

Close to the top, number 2...involving s'more love!

Peanut Butter S'more Cookies

 And....drum roll please....THE NUMBER 1 MOST POPULAR RECIPE OF 2014 IS....

Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini

2014 has been so much fun!
I am so grateful that you all follow along!!!
This year, the blog has reached new heights ALL because of you!
Creating in my kitchen makes me very happy.  I love sharing ALL my creations with you and hope that it inspires you to head into the kitchen to take the ordinary to extraordinary!  I can't wait for 2015!  I am taking  a little twist in the kitchen that you are going to love!  Because, it really is ALL about celebrating the "little" things that make life sweet!

Thanks for following along and make sure to share the love with your family, friends and coworkers through your social media!  I can't wait to see how A Sprinkle of This and That grows in 2015!

Come back tomorrow for some New Year's Eve recipe ideas and a special cocktail idea on New Year's Eve!
As always,
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Beef Wellington with Creamy Thyme Sauce

One last big celebration of the year requires a meal to fit the occasion!
This could be your New Year's Eve dish or your New Year's Day dinner or, if you already looking ahead,  a scrumptious Valentine's Day meal?  Whether you are thinking about the present or looking into the future, my spin on
Beef Wellington should be in your thoughts!
These Beef Wellingtons have the most tender, flavorful beef on the inside all surrounded with a flaky crust and the creamiest sauce ever!

Beef Wellingtons sound very fancy.  But, let me tell you...EASY!
Present this package for dinner and everyone will be incredibly impressed!
You can even customize these packets of yumminess.  Add some mushrooms if you like.
A few minutes of searing the beef, wrapping it in puff pastry, a few minutes in the oven and voila!
You are an instant gourmet chef!

Ingredients to make 6 Beef Wellingtons:

2 Tbsps unsalted butter, divided

3 small beef tenderloins, cut in half

kosher salt

fresh black pepper

1 small onion, chopped

mushrooms (if desired)

2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly grease baking sheet.

Heat olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter over medium high heat in a large pan.  Salt and pepper both sides of tenderloins.  Sear the meat in the pan for 3-4 minutes per side.  Do not overcook!  Transfer to a plate to let sit.  Add the chopped onion (this would be where you add the mushrooms, if desired) and an additional 1 Tbsp of butter to the large pan.  Add some salt and pepper.  Cook until onions are soft, 8-10 minutes.

Lightly flour work surface.  Lightly roll out 1 puff pastry sheet.  Cut into 6 squares.  Place a tenderloin in the center of each puff pastry square.  Add some of the onions on top of each tenderloin.  Roll out other piece of puff pastry.  Cut into 6 squares.  Place each square on top of the tenderloins.  Press to seal sides together.  You can use water to help create seal.  Brush beaten egg over each puff pastry pocket.  Place on prepared baking sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Make the Creamy Thyme sauce

Creamy Thyme Sauce Ingredients:

1/4 cup Pinot Grigio

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp dijon mustard

1/4 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp chopped, fresh thyme

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cornstarch

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium high heat, heat wine and sugar until sugar dissolves.  Reduce heat.  Add mustard, sour cream, thyme, salt and cornstarch.  Allow to cook over low heat until thickened, 3-4 minutes.  Pour over beef wellingtons and serve.

Beef Wellington printable recipe

This is a knockout recipe!

Serve with a side salad or other vegetable and your meal is good to go!

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite blogs!

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Kahlua Cake Balls

As we get ready to ring in the new year and watch the crystal ball drop on Times Square,

how about some cake balls?

KAHLUA CAKE BALLS

are so pretty and taste so festive.  A splash of Kahlua flavor fills each and every bite!

These would be so good with a glass of champagne while you party the night away!

Ok, let me let you in on our wild night of partying on New Year's Eve.  It's all we can do to stay up until midnight!  Scratch that...My hubby wants me to clarify the "we."  The we actually refers to "me."  He's a night owl!  It's all I can do to make it until the clock strikes 12.  Right around 9:30 or 10, I hit a wall.  No laying down or watching movies or I will be out like a light!  Must stay moving.  Once I pass that point...I am good to go and can make it until the bewitching hour!  I am thinking that if I eat a Kahlua Cake Ball each hour until midnight, that may do the trick.  Like my logic?

Here's what you need to make your little balls of yummy fun!

Ingredients for Kahlua Cake:

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

5 Tbsp Kahlua liquor

2 tsp coffee granules, instant

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 egg whites

5 Tbsp milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend together butter and sugar until creamy.  Add the egg whites and mix well.  Continue mixing and add milk, Kahlua and coffee granules.  Slowly add the flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Pour batter into a greased 8 x 8 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool and then crumble into a large bowl.

Ingredients for Kahlua Frosting:

1/3 cup softened, unsalted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp Kahlua

3-4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

1 12 oz pkg white chocolate chips

white pearl sprinkles and gray candy balls

Directions for Kahlua Cake Balls:

Whip together butter, powdered sugar, Kahlua and whipping cream.  Once all is blended, mix frosting into crumbled cake.  Roll into 1/2" size balls.  Freeze for 20-30 minutes.

Melt white chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl for 1 minute at 30% power.  Stir.  Continue to melt chocolate at 30 second intervals at 30% power until completely melted.

Remove cake balls from freezer and roll into melted chocolate and then decorator candies.  Let cake ball harden on a piece of waxed paper.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 Kahlua Cake Balls printable recipe

The flavor in these cake balls in INCREDIBLE!  I don't think you will be able to stop at just one.

Each Kahlua Cake Ball has a moist Kahlua flavored inside with a white chocolate coating that puts these cake balls over the top!

Your New Year celebration will be extra special with these Kahlua Cake Balls.  If you are having problems staying awake, like me, these cake balls will make keeping those eyes open easy!

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up at my favorite places!

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Raspberry Chocolate Fondue

Fondue is a traditional part of our New Year's Eve celebration.

We start with a cheese fondue, move on to some tempura and then finish with a chocolate fondue!

Who knew that the fondue pot we laughed about as a wedding present eons ago, would become part of an annual tradition to ring in the new year.  Love the cheese!  Love the tempura!  But, love, love, love the last phase of the fondue process!!!  The chocolate is the best part and this year we are going to serve a 

Raspberry Chocolate Fondue!

Do you know just how easy chocolate fondue can be?

This Raspberry Chocolate Fondue is made on the stovetop.  Or, the chocolate can be melted in a fondue pot.  OR pour the heavenly, melted raspberry chocolate into individual ramekins.  Place the ramekins on individual plates filled with your favorite fixins'.  I chose red velvet brownies, pretzels and marshmallows.  Oh my!  Individual fondue plates!  Double dipping for sure!!!  You can use fruit or anything else you like coated in chocolate.  The chocolate will stay in it's liquid state for a pretty long time.  But, think about it...it's so good, you will slurp it up!  Really, it's that good!  So, I don't think you will need to be worrying about hardening chocolate....

Ingredients:

12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tsp raspberry extract

Directions:

Place whipping cream into a pot over medium heat.  Bring to a very low simmer.  Turn off heat.  Add the chocolate chips and continue to stir until melted.  Add the raspberry extract.  Serve in a fondue pot to keep warm or serve in individual ramekins.  Add your choice of dippable items.

Raspberry Chocolate Fondue printable recipe

Just dip your finger, I mean marshmallow into that rich raspberry chocolate!

Soooo good!  Wouldn't that be a fun treat for New Year's Eve?

Be sure to sign up for A Sprinkle of This and That email subscription to receive recipe ideas in your inbox each day!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

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