Author: CookDiaries

Sweet Raspberry Cake

Sweet Raspberry Cake

A soft, vanilla snack cake made with toasted walnuts, and topped with a delicious raspberry buttercream frosting. A smaller cake like this is nice for everyday baking! Servings: 8 servings Ingredients Cake Raspberry Buttercream Candied Walnuts Instructions For the cake

Salsa

Salsa

Homemade salsa is fast, easy and delicious! This super easy salsa recipe is a party favorite I make for all our super bowl parties and the last salsa recipe you will ever need. This is the same recipe we’ve been making for years! Its the 

Biscotti 

Biscotti 

You’ll love every bite of this Almond Biscotti that crumbles and melts in your mouth with every bite. It’s so satisfying and not overly sweet. I love the dipped or drizzled in chocolate, which adds just the right amount of decadence – perfect for dipping in a steamy mug of coffee or hot chocolate.

Cook Time: 45minutes mins
Prep Time: 30minutes mins
Servings: 30 cookies

Ingredients US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 cup almonds or pistachios, or a combination of both
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips, to melt and dip or drizzle, optional

Instructions

  • Toast the Nuts (optional*): Set a large dry skillet over medium heat. Add nuts in a single layer for even toasting and toast them for about 5-7 minutes, shaking or stirring every 20-30 seconds so they brown and toast evenly without scorching. They are done when lightly golden with a nutty aroma. Transfer to a cutting board right away and cool completely, then coarsely chop.
  • Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add vanilla, then eggs, 1 at a time, mixing between each addition. Scrape down the bowl as needed and mix until blended.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough should be tacky to the touch. Fold in the chopped nuts, mixing just until dispersed.
  • First Bake: Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and set on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dust the bench scraper and hands with flour if the dough is too sticky. Shape each piece of dough into roughly 9″ long x 3″ wide, and 3/4” thick, keeping the dough 2 inches apart, and bake at 350˚F for 25-28 minutes or until just starting to turn golden at the edges.
  • Cut Biscotti: Remove the dough from the oven and carefully transfer each piece to a clean cutting board (pick a board that doesn’t smell like garlic, please). Use a serrated knife to carefully slice each log on a diagonal into individual biscotti, each about 1” wide.
  • Second Bake: Arrange the biscotti cut-side down, keeping them evenly spaced on the same parchment-lined baking sheet (It’s ok to re-use it, or use 2 baking sheets if you can’t get them to fit on 1). Bake at 350˚F for 15-18 minutes or until golden and firm. Biscotti cookies will harden more as they cool.
  • Cool and Enjoy: Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and drizzle or dip in melted chocolate if desired.

Notes

*Toasting Nuts: You can use nuts that aren’t toasted, but toasting depends on their flavor, makes the nuts crunchier, and adds aroma. Also, never walk away from a skillet of nuts while toasting, since they can burn easily.

*Shaping Biscotti Dough: The length and width of the biscotti dough logs can vary depending on the cookie size you want, but keep it under 1″ thick for even baking.

Storage: Once cool, pack the biscotti cookies into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for up to 4 weeks. The fridge can dry out the cookies, so be sure the package is airtight. To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, and then thaw on the counter.

Nutrition Per Serving

152kcal Calories20g Carbs3g Protein7g Fat

White Russian Cocktail

White Russian Cocktail

Wondering what’s in a white Russian? The Big Lebowski was onto something with this creamy coffee-flavored cocktail. A healthy dose of vodka in the mix assures that ‘the dude abides. Prep Time:5 minsServings:1 Ingredients Directions Step1 Gather the ingredients. Step 2 Fill an old-fashioned glass 

Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Sriracha-Glazed Salmon

Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Sriracha-Glazed Salmon

Sweet ’n’ Spicy Sriracha-Glazed Salmon is bold, glossy, and packed with flavor. Tender salmon is coated in a sticky glaze that balances heat and sweetness, then cooked until perfectly flaky—an easy, weeknight-friendly dish that feels exciting without being complicated. Recipe information Ingredients ¼ cup reduced-sodium 

Crab Rangoon Cups

Crab Rangoon Cups

Crab Rangoon Cups are crispy, bite-sized appetizers filled with a creamy, savory crab mixture. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or a fun snack, they’re easy to make and full of flavor—delivering all the indulgence of the classic treat in a convenient, elegant package.

Prep Time:5 mins
Cook Time:20 mins
Yields:12

Ingredients

Wonton Cups

  • Cooking spray 
  • 12 wonton wrappers
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
  • 8 oz. jumbo lump crab meat, picked over
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced chives
  • 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Sweet & Sour Sauce

  • 1/2 cup apricot jam
  • 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
  • Thinly sliced chives, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°. Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Press a wonton wrapper into each cup, making sure bottom is pressed flat. Spray tops of wrappers with cooking spray.

Step 2

Bake wrappers until golden brown and starting to crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix garlic, crab, cream cheese, chives, soy sauce, and salt. Divide filling among wonton cups.

Step 4

Continue to bake wontons until filling is warmed through, about 10 minutes more.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Step 1

In a medium bowl, stir jam, soy sauce, and vinegar until combined.

Step 2

Transfer wontons to a platter. Top with chives. Serve with sauce alongside.

Lobster Newberg

Lobster Newberg

Lobster Newberg is a luxurious, classic seafood dish that’s rich, creamy, and indulgent. Tender lobster is coated in a velvety, spiced sauce, making it perfect for special dinners, elegant gatherings, or any meal that calls for a touch of decadence. Prep Time:15 minsCook Time:10 minServings:4 

Lemony Glazed Yogurt Doughnuts

Lemony Glazed Yogurt Doughnuts

Lemony Glazed Yogurt Doughnuts are light, tender, and bursting with bright citrus flavor. The yogurt keeps them soft and moist, while the lemon glaze adds a fresh, sweet-tart finish—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cheerful afternoon treat. Recipe information Ingredients 2½ tsp. baking powder 2 

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie

This Strawberry Pineapple smoothie is an easy smoothie with only 5 ingredients, that is the perfect way to start your day!

Prep Time: 5 mins
Servings: 2

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie:

  • 1 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 banana (frozen or fresh)
  • 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or more as needed)
  • 1 cup ice (or more as needed)

For Topping the Smoothie:

  • 1/2 cup Back to Nature Gluten-Free Honey Nut Granola

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to the blender. 
  • Blend on high speed until smooth. Add more juice or ice as needed to get the smoothie the right consistency as you like it. 
  • Pour half of smoothie into two cups. 
  • Sprinkle 2-3 TBS of Back to Nature Gluten-Free Honey Nut Granola. 
  • Pour remaining smoothie evenly into the two cups. 
  • Sprinkle another tablespoon of granola on top. 
  • Serve immediately!
Tropi-Cobb Salad

Tropi-Cobb Salad

Tender lettuces get topped with juicy spiced chicken, ripe mangos, soft avocado, and cherry tomatoes. There’s so much flavor and texture going on that there’s barely a need for a dressing: just a hit of lime juice, salt, and EVOO, and dinner is done.