Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for your kindness, love and support. As long as you enjoy my recipes, tips and tricks I’ll keep on cooking!

This Christmas I’m going to have a houseful. The kids can tell if I’m stressed out. Not gonna happen this Christmas. I’m keeping things easy breezy! I know your menu may be pretty well set by now but it’s always fun trying something new!

Let’s start with some of my favorite holiday appetizers. My grandmother, Mimi’s Crab Dip is always a huge hit. It’s tradition in our house. Even though Mimi’s not here with us anymore she’s always in my heart. When I make her recipes, it makes me feel like she’s in the kitchen with me.

Speaking of a really good dip, it doesn’t get much easier than my Hot Artichoke Dip. Just 5 ingredients! Both of these dips you can make ahead. Love that!

Click Appetizers for more of my favorite holiday dips and munchie recipes.

Christmas morning is my favorite! We sleep in a bit, open gifts and then it’s brunch time! Make Christmas morning extra special with my Streusel Bundt Coffee Cake. My kids beg me to make it every year. Warm out of the oven it’s heavenly. Then, I toss together my fresh Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. So pretty! Click Salads and Breakfast & Brunch for more festive brunch and fruit salad recipes.

For dinner, I always like to make something really special. You can’t go wrong with my Perfect Prime Rib Roast. I know making a big roast like this can be a bit intimidating. No worries! You got this. My recipe turns out perfect every time! We love this with lots of au jus and my Whipped Horseradish Sauce or Sour Cream Mustard Sauce. I’m drooling just thinking about it. Can’t wait!

I keep dinner pretty simple. Just a big fresh salad like my Wonderful Wedge Salad. It’s loaded with bacon and my homemade Best Bleu Cheese Dressing. My favorite!

Speaking of bacon bring on my Bacon and Brussel Sprouts. You can use fresh or frozen brussel sprouts. The key is not overcooking them. No thanks to mushy veggies. Tender crisp is the way to go!

Pick up pre-made mashed potatoes from the store and make my Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Bake. Both of these sides go with whatever you're serving.

If you're making holiday ham, dress it up with my best ever Brown Sugar and Mustard Ham Glaze. It will take your ham to the next level!

Click Dinner, Slow Cooker and Sides for more of my best holiday recipes.

For dessert, really WOW the family with my Chocolate Flourless Cupcakes. These are so effortless and so good! You bake them in muffin tins. They are dense and fudgy and taste like the fancy desserts you get out at a restaurant. Fill the center with fresh whipped cream and berries and get ready to hear loads of compliments. LOVE THAT! Click Desserts for a bunch of Christmas cookie, fudge and LOTS of holiday dessert recipes.

If you are stressed about holidays gifts, don’t be! Why not give gifts from the kitchen and your heart this Christmas? It’s still not too late! Click Gift Mixes in a Jar to read my blog post. It’s filled with all sorts of delicious money saving ideas and recipes that you can give as gifts.

Join Amy on a 2023 French River Cruise. Book by Dec. 31, 2021 and SAVE BIG!

Besides cooking I love to travel. I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime!

I’m all about a good deal! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! PLUS, if you book now you can save big! In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers. It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates, pricing and tantalizing details. This trip is going to be truly over the top and so wonderful! Join me! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 to take advantage of special offers on this cruise only if you book by Dec. 31! Special rates for single travelers too!

Just a Couple Rooms Left! Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany in September 2022!

If you are interested in joining me in Italy in fall 2022, now is your chance! There was a waitlist but we just were able to get a couple more rooms for my upcoming trip to Tuscany! Read Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany for details. These rooms can accommodate 2 people. Don’t wait! If you are interested call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at [email protected] to make your reservation!

Time is Running Out! Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022!

I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland. Let’s experience it together. This trip is almost booked up! We just have a few rooms left. From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, Irish cheese, and Jameson whiskey tasting, we’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in two real castles! I can only take a small group so get your reservation in soon! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot!

Mackinac Island for Lilac Fest in June 2022!

Back in June, I hosted a trip to one of my favorite places, beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was amazing! I LOVE this island. Have you ever been? If not you need to go! There’s no place like it! Join me next summer because I’m going back. We are staying at my favorite resort on the island. It’s fabulous! We’ve even added an extra night so there will be more time on this trip to sightsee, shop or just relax! This trip is already filling up. We can only take a limited number of people. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get all the details. We’ll be there next June during lilac season. It’s absolutely gorgeous that time of year! I hope you’ll join me. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at [email protected] to book your spot!

Future Trips!

To find out why my trips are so special check out my blog post Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. I'm starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023! I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at [email protected]!

Order Amy's Cookbooks for the Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make welcome gifts too! Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Total confession. I haven’t even started my gift wrapping yet! I better get busy! Tonight, I’m super excited for a holiday dinner with some of my best girlfriends. We don’t get to see each other often. I promise to post pictures! You can always see what I'm up to on Instagram and Facebook. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

I'll be sending a New Year's newsletter out a day or two early next week, so watch for it, please!

I hope you have the happiest holiday season and a Merry Christmas! If you are traveling, stay safe. Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom