Cooking Tip: Perfect Boiled Eggs

Cooking Tip: How to have perfect hard boiled eggs every time!

Updated 2025.

Do you hate those green rings around your overcooked egg yolks? Have no fear!

There are debates all over the internet about how to cook the perfect hard-boiled egg. We have tried them all, but this method works every time with any egg!

Fill a deep pot, Dutch oven, etc., halfway with water. Turn the stove on high and bring the water to a boil. When the water boils, carefully add the eggs with a large spoon into the pot. Set your timer for 14 minutes and cook the eggs. As the eggs are boiling, prepare a bowl of ice and water for the ice bath.

After 14 minutes, turn off the stove, remove the eggs from the pot with a slotted spoon, and place them in the ice bath for 5 minutes to stop cooking. After 5 minutes, peel away my friends. The shells should easily come off. The result is perfect yellow egg yolks with no "ring around the collar" (ha!).

This process has worked for us for many years. What is your favorite way to hard-boil eggs? Comment below. Thank you for visiting! Come back again.

Cherry Pie Cookie Bites Recipe

Cherry Pie Cookie Cups Recipe

Cook Time:  9 Minutes
Prep Time:  10 minutes (plus 2-3 hours for chilling dough)
Difficulty:  Easy

Hello friends!  Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy February, and Happy Cherry Month!  “While most people enjoy cherries in the middle of summer (hello…there is snow on the ground here), Cherry month (February) serves to remind you that cherries can be enjoyed at any time of year, in any form.”  And, “indulging in massive consumption of cherries is the only way to celebrate (daysoftheyear.com).  So, are you ready to talk cherries and Cherry Pie Cookie Bites?

These easy to make Cherry Pie Cookie Bites are mini in size, but mighty in flavor!  Bursting with fresh juicy cherries, bathed in Cherchies® Cherry Butter Spread, and nestled in a homemade buttery cookie crust, these sweet-tart morsels will tantalize your taste buds and make your head swoon.  

Enjoy these little gems for any occasion, any time of the year (even if it is snowing), but make sure to grab some for yourself because these cookie bites will disappear right before your eyes.

Here is how they are made.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have tried this tasty recipe. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Ingredients
Cookie ingredients
1 1/2 c. sifted confectioner's sugar
1 c. butter softened to room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon (tsp) vanilla
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) almond extract
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 teaspoon (tsp) cream of tartar
1 teaspoon (tsp) baking soda

Filling Ingredients
1 lb. bag of sweet cherries (pits removed), slice half of them in half
1/2 jar Cherchies® Cherry Butter Spread
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) cornstarch

Icing Ingredients (optional)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon (tsp) lemon juice

Preparations  
(If you are short on time, feel free to use refrigerated sugar cookie dough). 

In a mixing bowl, cream the sifted powdered sugar and butter.  To sift the powdered sugar (or any dry ingredient), as the recipe indicates, all you need is a fine mesh strainer. Simply plop the strainer over a bowl, pour the ingredients into a strainer, and gently shake the ingredients. It looks like a fine powder when finished.

Add egg and flavorings and mix thoroughly. 

Stir in dry the rest of dry ingredients until incorporated.  Refrigerate for 2-3 hours if going to make into cut out cookies, otherwise chill for 30 minutes.

While the dough is chilling in the refrigerator, make the cherry filling.  Wash and remove pits from cherries.  (Yes, it’s the “pits” to remove them…(Ha!), but use this use this tool or something similar to make life a lot easier). Slice half of the cherries in half (you will use the remaining whole cherries as a garnish at the end).

Why buy canned cherry pie filling when you can make your own from scratch in minutes? It really is not hard and the flavor is so much better than canned pie filling.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and Cherchies® Cherry Butter together.  Add the cherry butter mixture and the cherries to a small saucepan and heat on low for about 5 minutes, or until cherry butter has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and thick, (similar to the consistency of canned pie filling -5 minutes).  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Set aside.

For cookie balls- Once the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.  Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and place into mini muffin tins.

Using a small round measuring spoon, a small melon ball scooper, a mini wooden tart tamper, or your finger, press the dough into the mini muffin tins, creating a cookie cup to hold the filling.  Be careful not to go all the way through to the bottom.  

Bake the cookie cups for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.  Remove the muffin tins briefly (as they will expand while they bake) to tamp down the dough back into shape.  Return the cookie cups to the oven to finish cooking for a couple of minutes, until cookie cups are a golden brown.

Remove the muffin tins from the oven and allow to cool in pan for 10-15 minutes, then gently run a knife along the sides to pop them out. (If you used enough cooking spray, then the cookie cups should come out rather easily). Once cookie cups have briefly cooled, remove them from the pan and carefully fill them with the cherry filling, making sure to add a whole cherry on top for the garnish. For the "icing on top", mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl.  If the icing is too thick, add a couple of drops of water, until the consistency is thick but smooth and runny.  Drizzle the icing over the cherry pie cookie bites with the tines of a fork.

Enjoy!

Cooking Tip: How To Make Homemade Caramel Sauce

Cooking Tip: How To Make Homemade Caramel Dip…And How To Use it!

Cook Time: At most 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Yield: About 1 cup

With Fall in full swing, and the holidays fast approaching, nothing melts our hearts more than dreamy, homemade caramel sauce! Rich, creamy, buttery, caramel…add a pinch of salt and your taste buds will go into overload. It is the perfect compliment to your favorite dessert and beverage; and an absolute necessity for your holiday entertaining.

Follow along below as we share the steps of this easy recipe and clever ways to use it.

What is your favorite use for caramel? We would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made this recipe. Revisit us for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Here Are The Gooey Details

Ingredients

• 1 cup of brown sugar

• 6 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) sea salt (if want salted caramel, add up to 1 tsp. salt- Kosher salt is fine too)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (you could substitute your favorite liquor for an extra special adult treat…we won’t tell, but make sure to keep away from the kiddos).

Preparation

There seems to be some debate out there in cyber world about making homemade caramel sauce, and whether or not to melt the sugar first with butter or add the butter at the end along with the rest of the ingredients. I have tried both ways with the end result being the same. Quoting my mother, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (okay, she did not say ain’t, but you get the idea), so this is my version for a creamy, delectable caramel sauce/dip. It really is very easy, and only takes a few minutes.

The caramelization process happens quickly, so make sure all your ingredients are measured and in place before you begin. Start with a medium-sized stainless steel sauce pan (ceramic would work just fine too). Add the butter chunks to the pan, turn the heat on low, and gently stir the butter with a wooden spoon (you can use a whisk too) until it melts. Once the butter has melted, add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar has melted. (Sugar will be HOT! Trust me, and learn from my mistakes, do not be tempted to taste the caramel at any time, until it has cooled! Many sites I researched suggest having a bowl of cold water on hand in case of flying molten sugar. Yikes! Do not be afraid, but be safe.) As you are stirring, scrape the sugar that forms on the side with the spoon or a rubber spatula and incorporate into the mix.

Continue stirring constantly on low until all the sugar has dissolved and you have achieved this rich caramel color and a nutty aroma. Some of the butter may remain on the top. This is okay. It will incorporate once the half and half or cream is added. As the caramel comes to a rolling boil on low, continue rapidly stirring. Add salt and vanilla (or liquor) at this time. If you want salted caramel, then add an additional 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of salt.

The last part is the cream or half and half. Add the cream slowly and stir stir stir! Again, be careful, this is where the caramel will get angry with you, as it will sputter and possibly throw molten sugar your way. You must prevail. I’m teasing… it really is very easy! Simply continue stirring rapidly until all the ingredients are incorporated. Remove the caramel from the heat and allow to cool. Turn off the stove. The caramel will thicken as it cools.

Look at that! Creamy, dreamy, homemade caramel sauce! You may never buy store-bought caramel again. Stay tuned below for our favorite uses for caramel.

What To Do With Caramel Sauce/Dip

So now that you have made a deliciously decadent caramel sauce, what the heck do you do with it, right? Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Top your favorite cake, pie, or tart with a generous drizzle of caramel.

• Pour over popcorn and enjoy a sweet treat.

• Dip apples for a deconstructed caramel apple.

• Sweeten your coffee with caramel instead of cream and sugar.

• Add to milkshakes.

• Rim a mug of hot cocoa for that extra decadent touch.

• For an adult beverage, rim a martini glass with caramel and serve with your favorite Appletini.

• Make hot caramel apple cider.

• Place in a pretty jar, tied with a pretty ribbon and give as a gift to your favorite hostess, teacher, family or friend.

• Bake with Brie and nuts and serve with apples for a festive appetizer or dessert.

• Make it savory! Mix with fish sauce and a few other ingredients for flavorful Vietnamese dishes. Food and Wine.

Thank you for stopping by!

Cinnamon Streusel Muffin Recipe

Cinnamon Streusel Muffin Recipe

Cook Time:  30-40 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

**Updated

Do you have a case of the Winter Blues? A spread of Apple Butter a day keeps the doctor away; that's how the saying goes, right? Happy National Muffin Day! These delicious Cinnamon Streusel Muffins, laced with sweet cinnamony apple butter, will chase away any cold weather gloominess and put a smile on your family's face.

What is the perfect cure for those winter day blues, you ask? "Bake the world a better place!" (Sorry, I couldn't help myself). And better yet, bake with your children! We love baking together as a family, and these muffins, tinged with Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread and cinnamon and drizzled with a lemony glaze, are "just what the doctor ordered." ;)

So fire up the fireplace, turn on your oven (maybe light a Winter-scented candle), grab the family, and get ready to create a striking, Winter-scented dish everyone will love!

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have tried this recipe. Return for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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* Note- I usually make this as a coffee cake in a 9X13 pan, but I made muffins this time.  I used jumbo muffin tins from Wilton, but this recipe will also work in regular muffin tins (you may need to lower the cooking time to 30 minutes).

Muffin Ingredients 

• 1 box yellow cake mix with pudding (We used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix)-

• 2/3 cup Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread

• 1 cup buttermilk (*Substitute 1 cup milk plus 1 Tablespoon white vinegar, stir and let sit for a minute)

• 4 eggs, room temperature

  STREUSEL MIX INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 Tablespoons (Tbsp)

•  2/3 cup brown sugar

  ICING INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  
  

 Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the muffin tins with cooking spray. (We used jumbo muffin tins from Wilton to make them extra special. See *Note). In a small bowl, mix the streusel ingredients with a fork. (You will be using half of the streusel mix for the layering effect mentioned shortly, and the other half on top before baking).

Mix the muffin ingredients together in a medium bowl with a hand mixer and beat for two minutes.

So here is the fun part. The goal is to layer the batter, followed by a little streusel mix, then add more batter on top, not exceeding filling the muffin tin to 2/3 full.

After you have carefully layered the batter, take a butter knife and gently run the knife through the batter to make swirls. You will only need a couple of swirls. (This picture I accidentally filled the muffin tin more than 2/3 full…oops, sorry!) Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel mix over the muffins. Place the muffin tins in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Depending on your oven and the size of the muffin pan (see *Note above), begin checking for doneness at 30 minutes.

While muffins are baking, mix the icing ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. When muffins are done, remove from oven and allow them to cool for about 15 minutes. The muffins can be slightly warm, but not hot, or it will melt the icing. Drizzle icing over muffins and enjoy!

Happy Baking!