Onion Mashed Potatoes

Mom's recipe is titled Lipton Potato Whip, but I used generic dried onion soup mix, so I renamed this recipe. In truth, this recipe is supper easy--just add an envelope of dried onion soup mix to mashed potatoes. Using fresh potatoes is super easy, but if you don't feel like peeling potatoes, instant mashed potatoes would work just fine.

This year, I plan to make this recipe for Thanksgiving. But I wanted to test it out before turkey day, just in case. But these Onion Mashed Potatoes are delicious. Whether you make them for Thanksgiving or any other meal, give this recipe a try.

Onion Mashed Potatoes 

• 2 pounds potatoes (about 6), peeled and cubed
• 1 cup hot milk
• 2 Tbsps. butter
• 1 envelope dried onion soup mix

Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. drain the water out. Mash the potatoes. Add the milk, butter, and soup mix. Beat until fluffy. Enjoy!

Kiwi White Chocolate Scones

Recently, Mom has regularly invited Meg, Chris, and I to Afternoon Tea at Pinecone Tea Cottage. Every tea menu features a different type of scone that complements the rest of the meal. The first time I went with Mom, the scone contained kiwi and white chocolate chips. I would not have thought of this flavor combination on my own. I highly recommend it.

I will note that these scones spread a bit while baking. I think that I should have used a little more flour. The recipe below lists the amount I used. When the dough comes together, if it is too sticky, add more flour, a little at a time, while kneading the dough. Using cake flour might be another alternative to making sure the scones do not spread while baking. I did not have buttermilk on hand, so I just used one-half cup plain greek yogurt and one-half cup milk as a substitute. Even though these scones did not exactly look like traditional scones, they still were delicious.

Kiwi White Chocolate Scones 

• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 8 Tbsp. cold butter
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup peeled and chopped kiwi
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry blender. Add kiwi and chips. In a separate bowl, beat buttermilk and egg. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix to form a dough. Knead the dough for 30 seconds. Form into scones by pressing dough to about one inch in height and cutting into pie-shaped pieces or use a cookie cutter to form the desired shape. Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool. Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cake

Although apples are available year-round, the Fall just seems like a great time for apple desserts. I found this recipe in Mom's recipe box and thought it would be a nice treat on a Fall day as the weather turns cooler. The cake was delicious. And while it was baking, the house smelled so good.

This cake is very easy to make. The ingredients are fairly standard. When I made this cake, I used walnuts, but other types of nuts would work or no nuts at all. The recipe does list raisins, but I left them out of this one. The frosting is a fairly basic glaze with some cinnamon added to highlight the Fall flavors.

Caramel Apple Cake 

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup nut, optional
• 1/2 cup raisins, optional
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3-4 Tbsp. milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients; beat for three minutes. Stir in the apples, nuts, and raisins. Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes. Cool.

Make the frosting by blending the powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Spread over the cake. Enjoy!