AKBAR GAMING BATTLEGROUNDS

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a delightful way to celebrate the season. Moist and rich with fall flavor, they can be served for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. I have a sweet treat for you today. Last week I shared my latest fall tablescape  and hinted at a couple tasty recipes. Today I’m back to share these Baked Apple Cider Donuts. Like many folks, when it comes to fall, I’m a sucker for anything apple cider or pumpkin flavored. (Hence this recipe for Baked Apple Sider Donuts!) However, I do prefer homemade or freshly baked goodies over “fake” pumpkin things. A few years ago on one of the  Fall Home Tours of my St. Marys’ home , I showed you how to make  Baked Pumpkin Donuts. Since they were so delicious, I thought I’d make them again but switch up the flavor with apple cider. These are actually mini-bundt cakes, but I couldn’t resist calling them donuts because of the holes in the center. It seemed so much more suitable. ...

This Mixed Berry Banana Bread is a delicious and easy-to-prepare treat for summer or any time of year. The inspiration for this banana bread came from my visit to Maui a couple years ago. Bananas are plentiful in the state of Hawaii and so is banana bread. I sampled lots of it and enjoyed every bite. Like the  Apricot and Honey Banana Bread I shared here , the basic recipe for this bread comes from my dad. (When I was growing up, banana bread was part of his culinary repertoire. In case you’re wondering, he also made macaroni salad, sloppy joes, and no-bake cookies. Simple but tasty fare was his specialty.) HOW TO MAKE MIXED BERRY BANANA BREAD: Once the basic banana bread mixture is ready, you gently fold in several kinds of berries, flax seed, and almonds. To dress up the loaf, I also sprinkled a few of these additions on top before baking. After the aroma of this Mixed Berry Banana Bread wafts from your oven for about an hour, this delightful treat will be ready...

This Strawberry Coconut Cake is a delicious and easy-to-fix dessert that’s perfect for summer. Made from a box cake mix plus fresh strawberries and coconut, it’s a cake anyone can create and everyone will enjoy. It’s been a while since I made and shared a cake here on IBC, which is sort of odd because of my fondness for cake. Even though I’m currently without an oven (Yes, I made this in my little smart oven.), I decided to whip up this Strawberry Coconut Cake. As you know from many of the recipes I’ve shared here, I delight in things that look and taste special but are simple to make. This cake is just that! HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY COCONUT CAKE: As mentioned above, this recipe calls for a box cake mix which practically makes it foolproof. Small additions, such as pureed strawberries, coconut, and strawberry jello, give a typical box cake amazing flavor and color, quickly taking it from boring to bold. I also love that this recipe calls for my  favorite cream...

HOW TO MAKE CALIFORNIA COBB PASTA SALAD: One of the things I love about this particular pasta salad is that the dressing is so light and fresh. As much as I enjoy creamy mayonnaise-based pasta salads, sometimes they can feel a tad heavy. Made with only extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar, the dressing on this salad has great flavor without the heaviness. This California Cobb Pasta Salad combines so many of my favorites: avocado, bacon, blue cheese, and pasta! And it’s a flavorful salad that’s perfect for summer entertaining. You guys, I’m freaking out! The temperature here has gotten up in the 70s or 80s every day this week. Could it finally be spring!? I think so. Let’s celebrate with this California Cobb Pasta Salad. As you may know, I love me a good pasta salad recipe. Over the years, I’ve shared several here on the blog. This California Cobb Pasta Salad combines so many of my favorites: avocado, bacon, blue chees...

BLT Dip This layered BLT Dip is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Layered with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheese, this appetizer recipe brings together the classic flavors everyone loves. I know it’s still early May, but these warm, sunny days have me dreaming about all-things-summer. Although it’s not official yet, I am hoping to be in my new home (though probably not settled) by the time summer rolls around. (In case you missed it, I spilled the beans about my new home here.) My first priority is getting a couple of the outdoor spaces functional so I can embrace the glorious summer weather as much as possible. That means plenty of weekend cook-outs, evenings around the firepit, and afternoon snacks on the porch. Sounds fabulous, right? This layered BLT Dip is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Layered with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheese, this appetizer recipe brings together the classic flavors everyone loves. INGREDIENTS 1...

SO HOW DO YOU MAKE SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD? This Southwest Pasta Salad is a twist on the classic. Wagon wheel pasta tossed with corn, beans, roasted red peppers, and creamy ranch dressing creates a flavor combination you and your guests will love. Summer is the season of pasta salad, which is why I whipped up another fun pasta salad recipe to share with you today! You’re going to love this Southwest Pasta Salad. As much as I enjoy classic pasta salad  you know I also like to put my spin on it. To me, it’s always exciting to serve something a bit different at a party, picnic, or barbecue. I’ve noticed it’s the unexpected that gets conversations going among guests, including requests for the recipe. This Southwest Pasta Salad is a twist on the classic. Wagon wheel pasta tossed with corn, beans, roasted red peppers, and creamy ranch dressing creates a flavor combination you and your guests will love. INGREDIENTS 1   pound   wagon wheel  ...