Cherchies Blog

Recipe Roundup- 30 Fabulous Fall Recipes

recipe round upSheri SpalloneComment
Recipe Roundup- 30 Fabulous Fall Recipes

Recipe Roundup- 30 Fabulous Fall Recipes

Original posted October 2018.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Entertaining certainly looks different this year! From Game Day to Halloween, we have hand selected our 30 favorite, quick and comforting Fall recipes guaranteed to make your Autumn entertaining a “breeze!"

As sad as it is to see summer end, Fall’s return is usually a refreshing break from the heat and humidity here in the Mid-Atlantic (and that means better hair days for most:). Fall brings a welcomed crispness, a familiar warmth, amber-colored leaves, apples, pumpkins, bonfires, sweaters... and of course football!

Embrace the nuances of Fall…cozy up, light a fire, invite your friends and family over for a casual get-together, and enjoy these 30 tasty Fall treats!

Comment below and let us know the recipes you have tried and as always, thank you for stopping by to visit! Come back again:)

Appetizers

Main Meal/ Dinner

Game Day

Halloween

Desserts

Enjoy and Happy Fall!

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Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe

desserts, breakfast, snacksSheri Spallone3 Comments
Cinnamon+Coffee+Cake.jpg

Cook Time:  30-40 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

**Updated February 2025**

Hi friends. Is it cold where you are? After several years of mild winters, Old Man Winter has finally taken hold here in Pennsylvania. It's downright freezing! We've experienced unseasonably cold temperatures and more snow and ice than I can remember. So, what do you do when it's too cold to go outside, you've exhausted movie and game nights, and you've finished yet another challenging puzzle? You bake.

Print Recipe

During winter break, our youngest was home from college, and with all her energy (and a touch of boredom), she turned to baking—something she loved to do as a child. I cherished those baking moments with our kids when they were younger, and seeing them tackle recipes independently as young adults is genuinely priceless (and messy). Among the many delicious treats she made was a fabulous Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake featuring Cherchies® sweet apple butter and a tangy lemon glaze.

What's great about this recipe? It starts with a boxed cake mix! If you've been following our blog (thank you!), you know I enjoy making homemade recipes. However, when the urge to "bake something" strikes late at night, there's nothing wrong with having a boxed cake mix in the pantry. A happy college student equals a happy life! Trust me, as flavorful and moist as this coffee cake is, no one will suspect you had a little help from a boxed mix.

This delicious coffee cake recipe is moist and laced with Cinnamony goodness, and we guarantee your family and friends will enjoy it as much as we do!

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

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Coffee Cake Ingredients 

  • 1 box yellow cake mix with pudding (We used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix)- *Note, if you do not have cake mix in your pantry, have no fear, there are many resources online for homemade cake mix. Here are a couple, in particular, I like from I am Baker and Kitchen Nostalgia.

  • 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) ground cinnamon

  •  2/3 cup brown sugar


    Icing Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar

 Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. (Occasionally, we will use this recipe in muffin tins to create muffins. 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 coffee cake ingredients in a medium bowl with a hand mixer and beat for two minutes.

So here is the fun part. The goal is to layer half of the batter, followed by a little streusel mix, then add the remaining batter. Pour half of the batter into the baking dish and use a spatula or spoon to smooth the batter. Sprinkle half of the streusel mix evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over.

After carefully layering 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. Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel mix over the batter. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Depending on your oven (see *Note above), begin checking for doneness at 30 minutes.

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

Happy Baking!

Comment below and let us know if you made this tasty recipe.

Thank you for visiting! Come back again.

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Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

entrees, lunch, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment
Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Prep time: 15 MINUTES

Cook time: 20 MINUTES

Difficulty: Easy 

Yields: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Shrimp and grits always felt like one of those dishes best left to elegant restaurant menus — rich, comforting, and just fancy enough to seem like more trouble than it was worth to make at home.

Then one night I had a serious craving for a warm, smoky, cheesy bowl of shrimp and grits, but I couldn’t get my hands on it — not even in a restaurant.

So I did what I usually do when a craving will not quit: I went into the kitchen, looked at cookbooks, and figured it out. This Cajun-inspired version, featuring Cherchies® Cajun and Garlic Seasonings, has all the things I wanted in that moment — plump shrimp, savory sausage, bold flavor, and creamy cheddar grits — in a dish that feels special but comes together easily.

It is hearty, flavorful, and just indulgent enough to feel a little special. Whether you are making it for family dinner, serving it to guests, or simply in the mood for something warm and seriously satisfying, this one delivers.

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

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, cooked and sliced

  • 1/2 to 3/4 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, fresh or frozen

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 1/2 cup yellow corn grits

  • 1/2 teaspoon Cherchies Garlic Seasoning

  • Pepper, to taste

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 4 teaspoons Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 2 green onions, chopped

  • 2 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped, optional

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the sausage in a shallow baking pan and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove it from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice it into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.

Prepare the grits in a medium saucepan by bringing the chicken broth to a boil. Whisk in the grits slowly, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Make the grits cheesy by stirring in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Cherchies Garlic Seasoning, and pepper once the grits have absorbed the liquid. Mix until smooth and creamy, then cover and remove from the heat.

Place the shrimp and sliced sausage in a large mixing bowl, add 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Olive oil, Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning,  smoked paprika, and toss until the shrimp is coated. In a small bowl, combine the water and corn starch and mix until smooth (This is called a slurry).

Heat the remaining 3 Tablespoons (Tbsp) of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and sausage, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is pink and tender (about five minutes total). Add the cornstarch/water mixture (aka slurry) to the pan in the last minutes of cooking to allow the slurry to thicken. (**I did not use enough cornstarch when I first photographed the shrimp mixture, so I had to sprinkle more in. DO NOT add the cornstarch directly to the mixture, as it will clump and you will get white lumps in your dish. Take the extra time to make the slurry separately to make the dish correctly).

To assemble the shrimp and grits add a heaping serving of grits to bowls or plates, top with shrimp and sausage mixture, chopped green onions, and chopped bacon (optional).

**When I first made this recipe, I chopped up chives from my garden instead of the green onions.

Enjoy!

Tips

  • Frozen shrimp work just fine here — just thaw them before cooking.

  • Add a little extra Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning for more heat.

  • Chives are a great substitute for green onions.

  • Serve this right away while the grits are still hot and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe is rich, cozy, and full of bold, savory flavor. Between the creamy cheddar grits, smoky sausage, and perfectly seasoned shrimp, it is the kind of meal that feels like a treat without being overly complicated.

Honestly, those are my favorite kinds of recipes — the ones that taste like something special, but still feel doable in your own kitchen.

This recipe is adapted from https://www.bobsredmill.com/ and https://www.maebells.com/shrimp-and-creamy-cheesy-grits/.

*Note- some recipes I have researched call for substituting milk for the broth. I have not tried milk, but this recipe is flexible and you can use whatever liquid you like.

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

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Cooking Tip: How To Make Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

cooking tips, dessertsSheri SpalloneComment
Cooking Tip: How to Make Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

Cooking Tip: How to Make Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

Posted originally 9/7/16, but updated to reflect the times.

Frozen popsicles are just plain fun for kiddos and adults alike. Am I right? They are perfect heat busters, the flavor combinations are endless, they are easy to make with real pronounceable ingredients you have handy, and they are creative outlets for cooped up young adults. Yes!

How are you doing? A LOT has happened these last few months, but our family is safe, and for that, I am grateful, and I hope you and your family are as well. Do you have children at home? We have a full house once again (25, 19, and 16), and our younger two are always bored (even after they do something), and they are always hungry. Sound familiar? Luckily, they have always loved helping in the kitchen, so when they were practically bouncing off the walls the other day, with "nothing to do," I suggested making one of their favorite summer recipes, homemade frozen yogurt popsicles®.

Surprisingly, no eye-roll :). Problem solved, a creative project they could make and eat! Win-win! (I must have caught them at a weak moment).

A few years back, our middle child, Nicholas (15 at the time) suggested we not only use fruit and yogurt (instead of the typical fruit and fruit juices) but add our fruit butter spreads and preserves to the mix, an idea that had never crossed my mind before. It made sense, fruit butter spreads are fruits that have cooked down to a spreadable consistency, so why not use them in frozen pops? But preserves? Yes! What a bright kiddo:).

So we set forth on our quest and made frozen yogurt pops with whatever ingredients we had on hand, blueberries, cherries, vanilla yogurt, leftover Cherry Butter,  Blackberry Preserves, and chocolate syrup. We created three different varieties, Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt Pops, Berry Cherry Yogurt Pops, and Ice Cream Sundae Yogurt Pops . The hardest part for young adults was waiting for the darn things to freeze;).  

These velvety, fruity concoctions will be a hit with your family, as they were with ours. They are the perfect healthy snack, dessert, or breakfast treat, they are easy to make with real ingredients, and they are the ideal boredom-buster project for all ages. Homemade is the best, especially when you can make recipes with someone else, and for me, my friends, spending time with our young adults, is priceless!

Here's how we made them (We made three kinds. You can see the recipes below ).

Thanks for visiting! Come back again. Comment below if you made this recipe and any yummy variations.

Ingredients

Preparation

Before you begin, you'll need a few kitchen tools, a popsicle mold (I purchased this 10 serving mold on Amazon), and a cherry pitter (also to make my life easier).

1.  Separate the greek yogurt into 3 medium bowls (not necessary if only making one variety), and set aside. 

2.  In a small sauce pan, cook the blueberries and the Blackberry Preserves on low until the preserves have dissolved (a few minutes).  Turn off the heat and allow the preserves to cool about 5 minutes.  Now the fun begins!

3.  As I mentioned, we made three varieties.  I'll post another blog in the future (maybe the next heat wave) of other combinations.  For the Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt Pops, we added about 2 Tablespoons of the blueberry-preserve mixture.   Gently swirl the blueberry mixture into the yogurt.  Don't mix too much, as you want the swirled effect.  Carefully pour into the molds.

4.  For the Berry Cherry Pops, we followed Step 3 using 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) of the Blueberry-Preserve Mixture and we added 1/4 cup of chopped cherries to the mixture, swirled ever so gently just as above, and poured into our molds.

5.  Finally, for the Ice Cream Sundae Pops, we added to the remaining bowl of greek yogurt, chopped cherries, 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherry butter (heated for 10 seconds in the microwave), and 1 Tablespoon of Chocolate Syrup.

6.  Once again, gently swirl the yogurt mixture and pour into the mold.  The molds I purchased had this handy lid to insert the sticks, but you could easily cover with plastic wrap and insert the sticks into the plastic.  Almost done!  Place in freezer and wait...and wait...and wait!

7.  After a few hours (what seems like eternity), remove the lid or plastic wrap, run the desired mold bottoms under warm water and gently pull out pops.  Voila!  Homemade frozen yogurt fruit pops, a sure-fire heat buster and delicious treat anytime!  Enjoy!

Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt Pops

  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt (divided if making three separate batches)

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Blueberry-Preserve Mixture (mentioned in Step 2)

  • Follow directions above for making the pops

Berry Cherry Yogurt Pops

  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt (divided if making three separate batches)

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Blueberry-Preserve Mixture (mentioned in Step 2)

  • 1/4 cup chopped cherries

  • Follow directions above for making the pops

Ice Cream Sundae Yogurt Pops

  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt (divided if making three separate batches)

  • 1/4 cup chopped cherries

  • 1 Tablespoon Chocolate Syrup

  • Follow directions above for making the pops

 

 

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