Category Archives: Holiday Baking

10 Things to Do on Black Friday Other Than Shop

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Black Friday is often associated with hectic shopping sprees and long queues, but it doesn’t have to be that way. After the whirlwind of Thanksgiving festivities, it’s the perfect time to unwind and take a break from the hustle and bustle. One day away from the crowded stores won’t set you back—instead, it can give you a chance to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Whether you’re looking to explore new places, dive into a movie marathon, or simply embrace the calm in your comfiest pajamas, there are plenty of fulfilling ways to spend Black Friday without shopping. Here are ten wonderful activities to make the most of your day off!

1. Explore a Nearby Town Use Black Friday as an opportunity to be a tourist in your own area. Visit a nearby town or city that you’ve never explored. Check out local cafes, museums, and parks.

2. Movie Marathon Day Why brave the crowds when you can curl up in your favorite PJs and binge-watch all those holiday movies you love? From classics like “Home Alone” and “Elf” to newer hits, there’s nothing like a movie marathon to get into the holiday spirit.

3. Try a New Hobby Black Friday is the perfect day to explore a new hobby. Whether it’s painting, knitting, or even starting a puzzle, take this time to delve into something you’ve always wanted to try but never had the chance.

4. Plan Your Holiday Decor Get ahead of the holiday rush by planning your decorations. Whether you’re into DIY crafts or buying new ornaments, spend the day brainstorming and creating a festive atmosphere for your home.

5. Go for a Nature Walk Take advantage of the peace and quiet of a non-shopping day to enjoy the outdoors. Bundle up in your warmest clothes and go for a hike or a walk in the park. The fresh air and exercise will do wonders for your spirit.

6. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery Explore local museums or art galleries that you’ve been meaning to visit. It’s a great way to spend the day learning something new and appreciating art and culture.

7. Cook a New Recipe With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, why not take this day to try out a new recipe? Head to the kitchen and cook up something delicious. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the day.

8. Volunteer Spread the holiday cheer by giving back to your community. Find a local charity or organization that could use some help and spend the day volunteering. It’s a meaningful way to spend Black Friday and make a positive impact.

9. Read a Book Find a cozy spot, put on your favorite pajamas, and dive into a good book. Whether it’s a holiday-themed story or the latest bestseller, reading is a fantastic way to relax and escape the shopping frenzy.

10. Do Nothing in Your Comfiest PJs That’s right—sometimes the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing. Put on your most comfortable pajamas, make yourself a cup of tea, and just lounge around the house. Enjoy the calm before the holiday storm, because it’s likely you won’t have much time to relax for a while.

There you have it—ten wonderful ways to spend Black Friday that don’t involve hitting the stores. Embrace the opportunity to relax, have fun, and maybe snack on some of those yummy leftovers. And remember, spending time in your pajamas can be the best part of all! Happy Black Friday!

So you have leftover fruitcake… Now what?

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There are two types of people. Those that love fruitcake, and those that don’t. If you happen to be in the 2nd group, but find yourself the recipient of a fruitcake gift this holiday season, your first instinct may be to re-gift it.

But what if you can’t think of a single person who may actually like the stuff? You don’t want to be wasteful and toss it, so what should you do with it? Believe it or not, there are ways to make fruitcake absolutely delicious. Here are four recipes you’ve just got to try that will give you a whole new opinion of Christmas fruitcake.

Fruitcake Bread Pudding

Fruitcake Bread Pudding – This is our very own recipe that turns what can be a dry cake into a moist delicious dessert. The recipe is super simple and you probably have all the ingredients on hand. You’ll need:

1 fruit cake

3 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 Tbsp Vanilla

Rum Sauce

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 Tbsp whipping cream

4 tablespoons dark rum

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear or cut fruitcake into bite-sized pieces and put in baking dish. Whisk sugar and eggs together then add milk and vanilla. Pour this mixture over fruitcake pieces and let soak for at least 30 minutes. Then bake for 30 minutes.

While pudding is cooking, heat all sauce ingredients in a pan over medium heat at a simmer stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. About 15 minutes. Pour over warm bread pudding.

Fruitcake French Toast

Fruitcake French Toast – A great twist on this favorite breakfast food Myrecipes.com has a tasty recipe that’s sure to put a smile on your family’s face. If you want to use up other holiday ingredients, substitute ½ cup of eggnog for 2 of the eggs and the heavy cream.

Fruitcake Icecream

Fruitcake Ice Cream – So, so easy! Just chunk up leftover fruitcake and mix it into store-bought vanilla ice cream with some roasted blanched almonds. Another option is to mix the chunked-up cake into butter pecan ice cream. If shakes are your thing, give it whirl in the blender with a splash of milk!

Fruitcake Pops

Fruitcake Pops – Even the kids will love these and you can let them help you decorate them! All you need is 2 cups crumbled fruitcake and 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into bits. Grind the fruitcake in a food processor until it forms a ball then using damp hands form your cake balls. Let the cake balls rest on waxed paper for 30 minutes and then put them on sticks. Melt your chocolate in the microwave stirring often until smooth and once completely melted; carefully dip the cake balls in the chocolate. Use Styrofoam or foil tightly wrapped over a deep pan to keep the pops upright until the chocolate hardens. Then decorate any way you wish!

There are many other ways to use that fruitcake besides these recipes that will make it delicious. Try using it in a trifle or mix it with yogurt and make a parfait. The possibilities are endless if you just get a little creative. We’d love to hear your ideas! Share them here or over on our Facebook page!