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An Easy Cheese & Charcuterie Board

How to Build the Ultimate, Yet Simple, Winter Cheese & Charcuterie Board
December 26, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Appetizers & Sides

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   Winter Cheese & Charcuterie Board Inspiration from Waiting on MarthaWinter Cheese & Charcuterie BoardNew Year's Black Eyed Peas and Cheese + Charcuterie Board

What better way to round out the stretch of gluttony that comes with the holidays than the ultimate, abundant cheese & charcuterie board?  Turn to this easy, no-cook appetizer to serve at your New Year’s cocktail party as guests gather round to mingle and nibble on these tasty bites.

Though you really can’t go wrong with a plate of any cheeses and meats, you can consider a few rules of thumb when creating your board.  Always have at least one stinky, one hard and one soft cheese.  Some of my absolute favorite, if you can find them, cheeses are Cypress Grove’s Midnight Moon, anything from Cow Girl Creamery  and Rogue Creamery.  

Also always keep in mind how your guests will enjoy everything you’ve prepared.  I live by the entertaining rule that you shouldn’t have to set down your drink to grab bites from the board, so simplify the presentation for guests to easily enjoy with libation in-hand. 

And for the accompaniments?  Think sweet and savory options, with a nod to seasonal fruits (fresh and dried).  In this winter cheese & charcuterie board I stacked salted salami and paper-thin prosciutto. Dried apricots and figs. Vibrant pomegranate. Drunken, pickled tomatoes. A variety of olives and a rich tapenade.  Cocoa-powdered corn nuts and candied ginger to cleanse the palette. And of course, black-eyed peas for good luck! Truly, MKR

P.S. We’re helping take the guess work out of New Years by teaming up with some fabulous Ladies ( Emily McCarthy, Womanista, Mrs. Lilien, Lavin Label, Eat, Chef Made Pizzazzerie, Fancy Ashley, & Libbie Summers) to create an entire NYE menu.  We’ve obviously got your cheese and charcuterie board taken care of, but make sure you to click on everyone’s Blog for a whole slew of cocktails, apps, entrees, and desserts.

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All images are original to Waiting on Martha | Our Cheese & Charcuterie Board Was Created as Part of Womanista‘s New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party Menu 

Menu Participants Include: Emily McCarthy | Lavin Label | Eat, Chef Made | Pizzazzerie | Fancy Ashley | Libbie Summers

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Homemade Holiday Chex Mix

An Easy Snack Recipe to Enjoy While Holiday Lounging
December 23, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Appetizers & Sides

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Homemade Holiday Chex Mix

Now let me start this by saying I’ve made it my mission to perfect my holiday Chex mix recipe (or rather my grandma’s holiday Chex mix) for years.  After receiving my grandmother’s original recipe way back when, I’ve made batches of this super easy snack for just about everyone in my life to enjoy. It’s always been a winner; a batch was even cleared out within a single day at The Mr.’s office.  It’s perfect to have around the house during the holidays, to gift to neighbors and co-workers, and I love that you can make it your own with a few simple additions (we like ours with a little heat).  

And this year I’m proud to bring you my best batch of holiday Chex mix yet.  The secret to this year’s amazing batch:  bake it “low & slow.”  Year’s past I was baking at too high of a temp and the Chex was burning rather than crisping and instead of using a standard cookie sheet (like I did for years), I brought out my turkey roasting pan.  The pan allows you to properly mix the ingredients without making a big ole mess.  And lastly make sure to pay attention to step 4, this is key.  After an hour, and a few stirs later, you’ll have the perfectly crunchy Chex mix to rival my grandmother’s. Truly, MKR

P.S. This is absolutely NOT just a holiday dish, and I would eat this pretty much every day if I could.  It would be perfect if you’re hosting a little Super Bowl get together, plus you can easily make it gluten-free to make practically everyone happy.

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Photography, Rustic White

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Chocolate Peppermint Buttercreme Cookie Cake with Ganache Frosting

The perfect A Life-Saving Online Grocery Delivery Service Comes &
December 20, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Desserts

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Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake and all groceries delivered to the front door by @Shiptgroceries(!!!) Via Waiting on Martha #ad #recipeChocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake Via Waiting on Martha #ad #recipe Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake and all groceries delivered to the front door by @Shiptgroceries Via Waiting on Martha #ad #recipeChocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake #ad #recipe Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake and all groceries delivered to the front door by @Shiptgroceries(!!!) Via Waiting on Martha #ad #recipeChocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake and all groceries delivered to the front door by @Shiptgroceries(!!!) Via Waiting on Martha #ad #recipe

You know what’s a real life saver this time of year?  Groceries delivered to your front door. Obviously I’ve been hearing a lot about this new luxury, but I had never got around to trying it out until now. It was well past due though, because between errands and happy hours and last-minute shopping and photoshoots, I am officially maxed out.  There’s simply just not enough hours of the day this time of year!  So when Shipt reached out to me about its local on-demand grocery service app, I knew it was a sign from Santa’s helpers that it was the perfect time to give grocery delivery a go. 

It’s amazing how much time you save (and even unnecessary food you avoid) when you have someone else grabbing items on your grocery list for you.  This was especially true when I recently requested Shipt to deliver all of the ingredients for my Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake, so I could focus my energies instead on wrapping gifts for the Mr. and Addy in the meantime. And did I mention same-day delivery, as soon as one hour? I couldn’t believe it either. 

So I’m sure you’re wondering the same thing as I did… how much are the delivery costs?  Delivery is free with orders over $35, which is of course so easy to do and very reasonable.   And Shipt makes it so easy to see the current deals and coupons too.  So often I swear I’ll use a coupon and forget it at home, and the app solves all of that.  Thank you, thank you, Shipt, for making my life a little easier this time of year.  Now on to the cake… Truly, MKR

P.S. Check out to see if Shipt is in your city! If yours isn’t listed, be sure to let them know you’re going to need it too. And if you’re wondering what to get the hostess with the mostess this year, I have a feeling that a gift of Shipt would be so appreciated!  xo

Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake with Chocolate Ganache
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Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. ...FOR THE CAKE
  2. 2 CUPS BOILING WATER
  3. 1 CUP UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER
  4. 2 3/4 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
  5. 2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA
  6. 1/2 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER
  7. 1/2 TEASPOON SALT
  8. 1 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED
  9. 2 1/4 CUPS WHITE SUGAR
  10. 4 EGGS
  11. 1 1/2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT
  12. 1-2 Teaspoons Peppermint extract (depending on how much peppermint you like)
  13. ...FOR THE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
  14. 1 1/2 CUP SOLID VEGETABLE SHORTENING
  15. 1 1/2 CUP (3 STICKS) UNSALTED BUTTER SOFTENED
  16. 3 TEASPOONS CLEAR VANILLA EXTRACT
  17. 12 CUPS SIFTED CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR (APPROXIMATELY 1 LB.)
  18. 6 TABLESPOONS MILK
  19. 1/2 Package crushed Peppermint Jo Jo's (from Trader Joes)
  20. ...FOR THE GANACHE TOPPING
  21. 16 OUNCES HIGH QUALITY SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS
  22. 1 CUP HEAVY CREAM
Instructions
  1. ...FOR THE CAKE
  2. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.
  3. GREASE 3 - 8 OR 9 INCH ROUND CAKE PANS.
  4. IN MEDIUM BOWL, POUR BOILING WATER OVER COCOA, AND WHISK UNTIL SMOOTH. LET MIXTURE COOL.
  5. SIFT TOGETHER FLOUR, BAKING SODA, BAKING POWDER AND SALT; SET ASIDE.
  6. IN A LARGE BOWL, CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR TOGETHER UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN EGGS ONE AT TIME, STIR IN VANILLA and peppermint extract.
  7. ADD THE FLOUR MIXTURE WITH THE COCOA MIXTURE. SPREAD BATTER EVENLY BETWEEN THE 3 PREPARED PANS, BAKE FOR 30 TO 35 MINUTES.
  8. ALLOW TO COMPLETELY COOL BEFORE LEVELING AND FROSTING, YOU CAN EVEN ALLOW THEM TO COOL OVERNIGHT.
  9. ...FOR THE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
  10. IN LARGE BOWL, BEAT SHORTENING AND BUTTER WITH ELECTRIC MIXER UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN VANILLA.
  11. GRADUALLY ADD SUGAR, ONE CUP AT A TIME, BEATING WELL ON MEDIUM SPEED. SCRAPE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF BOWL OFTEN.
  12. GRADUALLY ADD MILK; BEAT AT MEDIUM SPEED UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY.
  13. stir in cookie crumbles and peppermint extract until combined
  14. ...FOR THE GANACHE TOPPING
  15. COOK THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND HEAVY CREAM IN THE TOP OF A DOUBLE BOILER OVER SIMMERING WATER UNTIL SMOOTH AND WARM, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY.
  16. ...BUILD YOUR CAKE
  17. YOU CAN MAKE THE CAKE 2 OR 3 LAYERS, IT'S COMPLETELY UP TO YOU.
  18. LEVEL EACH CAKE USING A CAKE LEVELER OR LARGE KNIFE. SIMPLY PLACE YOUR HAND ON TOP OF THE CAKE AND CUT THE TOP, ROUNDED LAYER OFF TO MAKE IT FLAT AND THINNER.
  19. PLACE YOUR FIRST LAYER ON A CAKE PLATE AND FROST THE TOP WITH A THIN LAYER OF BUTTERCREAM, CONTINUE WITH THE SECOND, AND THIRD LAYER IF DESIRED.
  20. ONCE CAKE IS ASSEMBLED ADD REMAINING FROSTING TO THE TOP AND BEGIN FROSTING THE ENTIRE CAKE UNTIL THE ENTIRE TOP AND SIDES ARE FROSTED.
  21. PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR TO CHILL FOR 20-30 MINUTES.
  22. REMOVE AND POUR GANACHE ON THE TOP OF THE CAKE ALLOWING IT TO DRIP DOWN THE SIDES. ADD REMAINING COOKIE CRUMBLE, SERVE IMMEDIATELY.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/

Photography, Kathryn McCrary | THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHIPT, A BRAND WE LOVE AND USE REGULARLY.  OPINIONS AND IMAGES ARE 100% OUR OWN.

As Pictured:  Cake Stand  |  Ribbon  |  Bowl  |  Frosting Spatula  |  Candy Cane Jo Jo’s

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