Oh Snap! Just like that, our weather has shifted: no more days in the 90’s (phew, I made it through another summer), a bit more rain, and leaves are starting to fall. I’m even sleeping so much better, I have my own seasonal shift!
This week, we’re talking about Oktoberfest, which starts in September — I know, I don’t get it either! LOL! But I have some amazing recipes that will kick-start your festivities!
Plus, I’ve updated a couple of oldie but-goodie recipes, a little snippet of my life, a remodel update, my favorite items and sales, and a little encouragement for your soul!
What I’m Makin’
Mini Chocolate Pies (French Silk)
This recipe needed a little revamping! But it’s still and always will be a winner! What I love most is that it can be made into mini Pies, bars, or an actual French Silk Pie!
Now that being said, it is a traditional French Silk recipe, which means using raw eggs to achieve the creamy, silky, lighter-than-air chocolate filling. But I know some folk won’t use recipes with raw eggs, so I’ve adapted the recipe to a cooked egg version with whipped cream to add the fluff. So it’s a twofer, you get to choose! Tuck this recipe away for special occasions, the holidays, date nights…
Easy Chocolate Mini Pies Recipe (French Silk)
These chocolate mini pies are a make-ahead and freezer-friendly dessert. Made with real melted chocolate, in traditional French Silk pie style, these pies have a toffee graham cracker crust and are easily made in muffin cups.
Mac and Cheese Soup (no canned cheese soup!)
Sometimes you want a hearty, creamy, and comforting soup — you are going to love this one! Use your favorite meat in this soup, or keep it out and make it vegetarian (swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth).
Easy Mac and Cheese Soup Recipe (Leftover Ham)
A 30-minute easy mac and cheese soup recipe that uses real food ingredients. Use leftover ham or your favorite meat to add protein. Best part? No canned cheese soup here!
Oktoberfest Favorites
Check out my Oktoberfest post with great recipes from other bloggers and my own. Here are a few of my favorite and popular Oktoberfest recipes.
Bavarian Pretzel | Traditional German Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)
Soft, with a bagel like chewy, delightful little bursts of salt, baked to a beautiful brown perfection and gigantic…that is how I would describe iconic German Pretzels.
Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe (Gulaschsuppe)
This Authentic German Goulash Soup recipe is so stinking good! It's comforting and has complex flavors that balance out one another, like sweet, savory, sour, and subtle optional spices. Warm and meaty, it's perfect for the chilly months when you need a bowl of comfort.
Easy 4 Ingredient Beer Bread
This EASY Beer Bread recipe is one of the easiest bread recipes around. Using just 6 common pantry ingredients, no rise time and less than an hour to bake. It’s the perfect bread for every meal, BBQ, Picnic, Cookout or Party!
Easy Beer Cheese Dip {Pretzel Cheese Dip}
Whether you are camping, having a cookout, tailgating or just want an incredibly easy Beer Cheese Dip, this is your recipe! Using a few simple ingredients, whip up this beer cheese recipe up in no time at all, and be the star of the party. Grab a cold one and call your friends!
Pretzel Bites {Air Fryer or Oven Baked}
There is nothing like biting into hot, fresh baked, chewy pretzel bites! These homemade pretzel bites can be made in the air fryer or baked in the oven, easy peasy either way! Using a no-rise pretzel dough, a quick baking soda bath and classic pretzel salt, make these the perfect fall afternoon snack!
Best Beer and Cheese Soup (with Sharp Cheddar Cheese)
Beer Cheese Soup is the best comforting, fall soup to make. This recipe does take a little time, as you develop the flavors by reducing your stock, beer and mirepoix (onion, celery, carrot mixture), but it's not hard and the end results are spectacular!
Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp {Gluten-Free Option}
The essential fall dessert, old fashioned apple crisp is an easy and not fussy recipe with all the best fall flavors, Apples, cinnamon, brown sugar with a buttery crisp topping. Easily convert to gluten free and vegan.
Traditional Oktoberfest Food Ideas & Recipes
Traditional and best food to make or bake for Oktoberfest parties and celebrations.
In the here and now | Real-life stories
Wowzers, it has been a FULL week, and I can’t say I can tell you what kept me so busy! Ha! All good things — like a cousin texting you out of the blue to say she is in town and would I meet her and her girlfriends for a drink!? YES, absolutely!
What a treat to spend an hour with my sweet cousin and briefly get caught up on life. And the bonus of meeting three of her amazing, kind, beautiful and talented girlfriends! Thank you, ladies, for allowing me to crash your happy hour! Below is a picture of us together; my cousin is to my right.
Otherwise, it’s been work-work-work, which isn’t all bad when you are a food blogger! Except when that work is mostly on the computer — but I did photograph a new recipe last weekend that you will LOVE! Coming soon — think peach cobbler marries cinnamon rolls! Oh yeah!
Main Floor Remodel Update | Week 10
Has it really been 10 weeks since we started our remodel?
Our little powder bath is coming together nicely, he still needs to add the backsplash and I need to get some baskets and decorate a bit, but I had to put some fresh flowers in there at least! I love it! We shiplapped the entire bathroom – we are in love!
He also added the shelves in the laundry room and the butcher block to the top of the washer and dryer.
By the way, do any of you battle shake-rattle-and-roll syndrome with your washing machine? We have battled it for years; we have leveled, leveled some more, and finally found these nifty little anti-vibration pads to put underneath! It still vibrates but no longer shakes things off the powder bath wall or sounds like a train is coming through. Highly recommend them!
And our new pantry is coming along; some of the shelves have been added! We are just waiting on him to caulk the baseboards and then we can start moving things back into the family room and dining room.
Have you tried….
These recipes are currently trending on the blog! #1 is a favorite fall breakfast and snack in our family, while #3 is in full use right now, and #2 is a meal that is on repeat.
- Trending recipe #1 A delicious fall breakfast or snack.
- Trending recipe #2 3-ingredient dump and go crockpot meal!
- Trending recipe #3 Not really a recipe, but gets rid of pesky visitors.
- Trending recipe #4 Use your Instant Pot to create this versatile fall favorite.
- Trending recipe #5 Still in season, a show-stopper dessert!
What Readers Are Saying about…
Football food season has arrived! These Philly cheesesteak sliders are a fan favorite – year round! See what others are saying!
If anyone was wondering, this would work on the keto dinner rolls from Aldi — oh yes. It sure does. Fantastic recipe, thank you! (Editors note: also try my Philly cheesesteak casserole!)
Phoebe
Hubby loves these so much, he’ll even take them cold in his lunchbox.
Ruth Ann
To each his own, I say. I love them hot and juicy.
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe
A sensational twist on a much-loved classic, this Philly Cheesesteak Sliders recipe packs all the savory and cheesy flavors of a traditional Philly sandwich into just a couple of bites! Kick up your game day menu with these easy shaved steak sliders.
What Caught My Eye | Sales and Deals
Check out all of my Amazon, etc. finds HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!
What I’m Loving
- Update on Temu, yes deeply discounted, but I only kept 2 things – everything either ran really large or really small. But that could be the wearer and not the clothing! Haha!
- Received this long cotton shirt dress from Natural Life. I love it, it’s long and the L/XL is generous, but it has pockets and looks darling belted! On sale!
- You all loved this cozy fall sweater blazer! On sale!
- I’m a scarf girl, loving this pashmina (cashmere feel) scarf, in great fall colors.
A few Fall Faves
- How cute is this fall mug and these rod iron twisted candle holders (set of 3)
- Dried wheat is a great and inexpensive way to decorate.
- Add fall touches to your kitchen, love this tea towel and this spatula.
- I love these sea grass baskets and am considering using them in my bathroom and laundry area.
BROWSE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT
Weekly Inspiration | Stand
My husband and I watched a movie last weekend and fell in love with this song at the end, I hope you enjoy it too! I Stand Here.
I pray you have a beautiful weekend! Thank you for supporting The Fresh Cooky today! God bless you!
P.S. If you missed last week’s Fresh Fridays, recipes, sales, tips, ideas, and more!
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