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5 Pumpkin Spice-Inspired Desserts To Make This Fall

Like the toasty finish on our Regency Spiced Glaze all wood cabinetry, pumpkin spice warms the soul. In fact, it is the quintessential fall flavor, whether it’s a hot Pumpkin Spice Latte whipped up in your very own kitchen or a delectable homemade dessert for your holiday table. Speaking of pumpkin spice-inspired desserts, here are a few of our favorites to try this season!

Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes

If you’re a PSL lover, these Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes will be the ultimate sweet treat this fall. But first, you will need to pull out a muffin tin from your tray divider, and pull up your heavy duty mixer. We recommend giving your mini cheesecakes a festive touch with seasonal cupcake liners and piped whipped cream. For the recipe and shopping list from My Food and Family, click here.

Tiered Pumpkin Spice Cake

Move over basic pumpkin pie! This spectacular cake features three tiers topped with Honey and Spice Buttercreamfrosting, and we imagine it would look absolutely stunning atop your kitchen island on Thanksgiving Day. Pumpkin Spice Cake gets its fall flavors from pumpkin pureé, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon from your spice rack. For the recipe from Country Living, click here.

Pumpkin Spice Blondies

What’s better than a brownie? Pumpkin Spice Blondies! Dense and delicious, this dessert bar pairs pumpkin and spice with chocolate chips, for the perfect cool-weather combo. Of course, you’ll need a few more ingredients from your refrigerator and kitchen pantry cabinet, like butter, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and all-purpose flour. Click here for the complete recipe from Delish.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Cookies are tasty any time of year, but soft and buttery Pumpkin Spice Cookies steal the show come autumn. Perfect with a hot mug of tea (or PSL), this recipe is a clever twist on the Snickerdoodle, with the addition of fall’s favorite flavors — pumpkin and spice. Simply splendid! For instructions and list of ingredients from Southern Living, click here.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake

Like traditional coffee cake, this sweet and spicy alternative is great for breakfast, dessert, or any time of day! With a moist texture and crunchy streusel topping made from butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake won’t last long on your kitchen island! Have a slice with a cup of your favorite flavored coffee and enjoy. For the easy-to-follow recipe from The Spruce Eats, click here.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, closet, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

3 Grown Up Granita Recipes To Make This Summer

If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat, why not head to the kitchen for a granita. This semi-frozen Italian dessert originated on the island of Sicily, off the sunny coast of the Mediterranean Sea. A granita gets its light, fluffy texture from scraping ice crystals with a fork during the freezing process. And the ingredients are as simple as can be — typically water, fresh fruit juice (or coffee) and sugar.

While a granita may sound like a grown-up version of a snow cone, it’s even better than you could imagine, especially when you add spirits from your bar cabinet into the mix. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to Italy to try this amazing treat when you can make it right in your own kitchen! Here are a few of our favorite granita recipes to make this summer, plus easy-to-follow instructions for perfecting the freezer method.

The Freezer Method

Making a granita requires a bit of patience but is ultimately easy to accomplish. Simply mix your ingredients in a flat baking dish and place it in the freezer (tip: metal freezes quicker than tempered glass or ceramic). After about 30 minutes, remove the baking dish, scrape or break up the ice crystals with a fork, and return the baking dish to the freezer. Follow this process for two hours or until your granita reaches a coarse, slushy consistency. Scoop some into a glass, grab a spoon, and enjoy!

Lime Granita

Savoring a Lime Granita is a refreshing way to cool down on a sweltering summer day. This recipe features freshly squeezed lime juice plus lime zest for an extra touch of tartness. And don’t forget the sugar! If you don’t have time for the freezer method, you can also use an ice cream maker. For instructions from An Italian in My Kitchen, click here. If you’re over 21 and want to spike your summer dessert, tequila pairs nicely with lime.

Watermelon Granita

For this granita, puree chunks of seedless watermelon in a blender with freshly squeezed lime juice, and strain through a sieve. Sweeten to taste with simple syrup (typically a few tablespoons per cup will do). Nice additions to a Watermelon Granita include finely chopped, fresh mint leaves or a pinch of salt. For a light and refreshing adult twist, try this recipe from Skinnytaste with a splash of vodka or white rum from your bar cabinet.

Coffee Granita

If you want to chill with a caffeine boost, try this Granita di Caffè (Coffee Granita) from Italy Magazine. Brew espresso with filtered water from your refrigerator or kitchen sink and cool it to room temperature. Add simple syrup and begin the freezer method. Like your favorite Frappuchino, top your Coffee Granita with whipped cream before serving. To make this granita even more grown-up, just add coffee liqueur.

If you make a large batch and miraculously have some left, granitas can be stored in the freezer for several days covered with plastic wrap. When ready to serve, let the ice slightly melt on the kitchen island and scrape it with a fork to return the granita to the correct consistency.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Kitchen 101: How To Cook With Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs are one of the many delights of spring and summer. Whether you grow them in your backyard or in pots atop your kitchen island, seasonal herbs are a culinary staple. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is no fresher way to add flavor to all your dishes.

If your spice rack is filled with dried herbs, but you’re intimidated to try fresh herbs in your cooking, fear no more. Here, we’ll cover the basics of cooking with fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, and more!

Learn the Techniques

Fresh herbs perish quickly, so pick only as much as you need. Thoroughly rinse your herbs under running water in the kitchen sink and blot dry. For tiny leaves like rosemary, thyme or oregano, hold on to the stem with one hand and strip the leaves off with the other. For large leaves like basil, parsley or cilantro, snip with kitchen shears, or use a knife and cutting board to chiffonade your herbs. For this technique, start by bunching the stems and then cut the leaves into thin strips.

Do The Math

Fresh herbs can add brightness and fresh flavor to any recipe. But if you’re used to cooking with dried herbs, note that fresh herbs are not as concentrated a flavor. If a recipe calls for one teaspoon of dried, double or triple the amount of fresh herbs when making a substitution. After cooking with herbs from your garden or the pots on your kitchen island, it’s always suitable (and also a nice touch) to add a few fresh sprigs as a garnish.

Know Your Flavors

Basil: Sweet in flavor and aroma, basil is the go-to ingredient for tomato sauce and pesto.

Parsley: Parsley is very versatile and has a light peppery taste. Great for seasoning just about any dish, use flat leaf for cooking and curly leaf as a garnish.

Cilantro: A popular herb for sprinkling over tacos and grilled shrimp, cilantro has a bright flavor and is best added after cooking.

Rosemary: This spiky herb has a pungent flavor that goes well with eggs, chicken and lamb, or in fresh baked goods. Whether dried or fresh, use it sparingly.

Mint: Mint is a great addition to spring and summer salads. For a unique twist, try this watermelon salad with mint for your next picnic.

Thyme: With subtle hints of lemon and mint, this woody herb is used for seasoning fish, poultry, and vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes.

Oregano: Great for Greek salad dressing, lasagna and meatloaf, oregano has a strong, slightly bitter flavor that is hard to miss.

Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment

Now that you know the techniques, ratios and flavor profiles for cooking, branch out and find new ways to use fresh herbs. Not just for seasoning meats and veggies, you’ll find a variety of fresh herbs used in some of your favorite cocktails. From Mojitos and Juleps with fresh mint, to Lemonade for grown-ups with gin and thyme, the possibilities are endless. While stocking your bar cabinets for spring and summer, don’t forget the fresh herbs!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

9 Must-Have Spring And Summer Spices To Keep In Your Spice Rack

Spring and summer can be a busy time of the year. Kids are off from school and the warm weather provides many opportunities for fun activities. Sometimes it can be difficult to sacrifice time with your family in order to cook a big meal. At the same time, all that outdoor fun can really work up an appetite.

Spicing up your food is a great way to make cooking quicker while still being delicious and full of flavor. There are literally hundreds of spices to choose from, but if you’re new to the spice world, you may be confused where to start. Thankfully, we are here to help! Here are a few must-have spices for your kitchen cabinets, perfect for spring and summer.

Sea Salt & Whole Peppercorns

You most likely already have these two spices hiding somewhere in your solid wood cabinetry. They are the most commonly used spices and arguably the most versatile. However, try replacing your regular salt and pepper with sea salt and whole peppercorns that you can manually ground. Pre-ground salt and pepper can lose a lot of flavor through processing. It makes a difference to opt for something more high quality and pure, since these are probably your most used spices.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a hot chili spice that has been used in many dishes for thousands of years. Cayenne pepper is great for adding a little heat to your cooking, and it is also believed to have several health benefits, including congestion relief, pain relief, and boosting the metabolism. Use it in Spicy Beef Chili, and BBQ rubs.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another commonly used spice known for its sweet but fiery flavor. Cinnamon is a kitchen staple because it can be used in both sweet and tangy dishes, from French toast to Cinnamon Curry Rice. Cinnamon comes in both stick form and ground.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is an easy addition to savory recipes. Adding a dash of garlic powder to chicken breast, steak, vegetables, or pasta sauce will instantly take your food from plain to delectable. And don’t forget the garlic bread!

Ground Ginger

Ginger has been known to help fight common colds and the flu, and may even aid in curing stomachaches, vomiting and nausea. Use it to flavor soups, stir fry, and even spring and summer desserts like Carrot Cake.

Dried Oregano

Oregano is a must-have if you enjoy Italian dishes like lasagna, homemade pizza, and Parmesan chicken. It’s also the signature spice in Greek salad dressing.

Vanilla Extract

If you do any type of baking, the recipe will usually call for vanilla extract. Muffins, cakes, brownies and pies all share this vital ingredient. For the best flavor, opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a great addition to pies and cookies, but it also can delightfully season chicken and even spinach! Nutmeg adds a touch of warm spice to coffee, tea and other beverages. But be sure to sprinkle it on sparingly — ground nutmeg packs a powerful punch.

Paprika

Paprika is a zesty spice that comes in sweet, smoked, and hot varieties. It can be used in a variety of dishes to add a unique peppery flavor and an appetizing dash of deep red color. It’s especially nice when added to roasted potatoes or fish.

Try to organize your spices in either a tray that is nestled in a drawer near the stove, or in a door-mounted rack in your solid wood cabinetry. These inside cabinet accessories from Willow Lane Cabinetry are the perfect solution for storing all of your spices in an organized and easily accessible manner.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

How To Host A Fabulous Oscars Party At Home

It’s Hollywood’s biggest night — The Academy Awards. And while you may not be able to walk the red carpet in a designer gown or tux and million-dollar bling, you can host a fabulous Oscars Party at home. From adding a little glitz to your TV room, to creating a sensational spread in your open concept kitchen, we’ll show you how!

The Votes Are In

The first step in planning an Oscars party is creating the guest list. Don’t be afraid to invite family and friends from different social groups, be it neighbors, co-workers, or your closest crew. The Oscars is the perfect time to mix and mingle. Once the votes are in, create an Oscars-worthy invitation, either in print or online.

Comedy or Drama

Be sure to specify the attire for your party. While there is nothing wrong with coming as you are, an Oscars party is the perfect excuse to get all gussied up and add a little drama. Or for a bit of humor, ask your guests to dress as their favorite movie character instead.

Best Supporting Bites

The menu for your Oscars party should fit your theme. If your party is casual, include concession stand items like soft pretzels, hot dogs, and nachos. If your party is fancy, opt for fancy finger foods like Slow-Cooker Party Meatballs and Garlicky Shrimp Cocktail (click here for these and 22 more Oscar party recipes). Also include lots of popcorn for guests, and be sure to stock your bar cabinets with champagne and everything you need to make star-studded cocktails.

Make a Grand Entrance

A fabulous Oscars party isn’t complete without rolling out the red carpet. Adding a red carpet to your entryway is a simple yet spectacular way to get the party started, whether you purchase a $10 runner at your local party store, or an authentic red carpet for around $100. For an extra Hollywood touch, ask your guests for their autograph as they arrive.

Nominees For Best Picture

Set up a photo booth in your open concept kitchen for guests to strike a pose. In the living room, have plenty of comfortable seating around the television for optimal viewing. Add some glitz and glamour to your TV room cabinetry with gold streamers, and red, black and gold balloons.

Hooray For Hollywood

Don’t forget the Oscars is an awards show. At the halfway mark, hand out “Best-Dressed” awards, and set up some Hollywood-themed games to keep things fun through all those long and tearful acceptance speeches. Click here for ideas from HGTV, including Oscar Party Bingo and Academy Awards Scorecards.

And the award for “Best Host” goes to…. You!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Holiday Cheers: 4 Festive Punch Ideas

It’s time to spruce up your bar cabinets for the holidays, and punch is always a party favorite. With a signature drink on hand, your party can flow smoothly — no bartender needed.

From seasonal spirits to jolly libations, we’re sharing some of the most festive twists on classic punch. Keep reading to find the perfect variation for your next holiday party and be sure to make extras.

Jingle Juice

This is a truly hands-off holiday punch that takes just five minutes to prepare. Best of all, you’ll find many of the ingredients already in your bar cabinets. It doesn’t hurt that it also looks the part and tastes delicious. Made with tart cranberry juice and sweet Moscato wine, it has the perfect balance of flavors and features all the festive colors. Whip up this bright red beverage in a large bowl and let guests serve themselves with a ladle.

Ingredients (for 10 servings):

4 cups cran-apple juice

2 bottles red Moscato

1 bottle Prosecco

½ Cup Vodka

2 cups frozen cranberries

1/3 cup mint leaves

½ cup sugar (optional for rimming glasses)

2 limes (sliced into rounds)

Full recipe on Delish.

Cinnamon Citrus Punch

This holiday punch is packed with cinnamon, but unlike eggnog and other seasonal drinks, it is light and refreshing. But don’t let the fruity ingredients fool you. Citrus juice pairs with brandy in this festive cocktail that packs a kick. Mix up the ingredients and serve it in a pitcher for a serve-yourself option at any type of holiday function. Combine the orange reduction and punch and spike with Grand Marnier or Cognac. For easy serving, pre-assemble glasses with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

Ingredients (for 2 quarts):

Orange Reduction

2 ¼ cups fresh orange juice

Strips of zest from 2 navel oranges

3 cinnamon sticks (broken into pieces)

Punch

3 cups fresh orange juice

2 cups fresh red grapefruit juice

1 tablespoon grenadine syrup

2 ½ cups (20 ounces) cold grapefruit soda

Orange slices and cinnamon sticks (optional for garnish)

Full recipe on Food & Wine.

Christmosas

The traditional mimosa gets a holiday makeover with Granny Smith apples and cranberries. With fresh ingredients and your favorite sparkling wine, this bubbly beverage will be a hit from morning to night. Prep this punch for your holiday brunch or New Year’s Eve party — this mimosa can be enjoyed all day long.

Ingredients (for 8 servings):

2 Granny Smith apples (chopped)

1 cup whole fresh cranberries

1 cup green grapes (halved)

1 cup pomegranate seeds

1 cup sparkling grape juice

1 bottle either Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava

Full recipe on Delish.

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

For an after dinner treat, whip up this decadent drink. Made with two of our favorite things (red wine and chocolate) it makes for a delicious beverage to enjoy on a chilly winter night. To make Red Wine Hot Chocolate all you need is milk, red wine, and chocolate chunks. Simply whisk your milk and chocolate chunks over medium heat until you reach a creamy consistency. Then pour in the red wine and heat in the pan until the mixture becomes hot.

Ingredients (for 2 mugs):

1 ½ cup milk

1 cup red wine

1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks

Full recipe on Imma Eat That.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

4 Festive Twists On Classic Eggnog

Traditional eggnog is a holiday classic. This sweet drink made of eggs, nutmeg, milk, and sugar is spiked with bourbon, cognac, and rum for a winter cocktail that will warm your soul. While the original version is hands-down delicious, there are many eggnog variations that are equally as appetizing. Welcome some new traditions to your home bar this holiday season and stock your bar cabinets with ingredients to make these four festive twists on classic eggnog.

Spiced Chocolate Eggnog

Adding chocolate is always a good idea — this eggnog variation incorporates both bittersweet and milk chocolate. It gets its kick from cayenne pepper, but if you can’t handle the heat, just leave out this spicy ingredient. If your bar cabinets are already stocked for winter with brandy, and you’ve got plenty of spices in your kitchen, you may already have all of the ingredients for this chocolate eggnog recipe from Martha Stewart.

2 quarts whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 ¾ cups sugar

1 ¼ cups brandy

12 egg yolks

5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

3 ounces milk chocolate, melted

4 cinnamon sticks

1 vanilla bean (seeds scraped and pods reserved)

whole nutmeg (optional garnish)

½ teaspoon coarse salt

sprinkle of cayenne pepper

For directions, click here.

Peppermint Eggnog Punch

Peppermint is pretty much synonymous with the holidays, so we couldn’t resist this peppermint infused eggnog variety. Made with thick and creamy peppermint ice cream, this decadent drink from Better Homes & Gardens is the perfect dessert cocktail for your next party. Add an extra scoop of ice cream to your cup and make this a peppermint eggnog float.

1 quart peppermint ice cream

1 quart eggnog

1 cup rum

1 ¼ to 2 ½ cups ginger ale

additional peppermint ice cream or peppermint sticks (optional garnish)

For directions, click here.

Eggnog Latte

If your guests are in need of an after dinner pick-me-up, this eggnog latte is the perfect solution. Made with classic eggnog and a double shot of espresso, you get the familiar taste of “milk punch” plus a rich jolt of java. Simply warm your eggnog in a saucepan by whisking it over medium heat and then pour over your espresso.

4 cups milk

12 large egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup bourbon

nutmeg

espresso (2 shots per 1 cup of eggnog)

Find the full eggnog recipe here and eggnog latte recipe here.

Italian Eggnog Martini

This recipe makes our favorite cozy cocktail dinner-party appropriate by adding some extra spices and serving it in a martini glass. Rather than the traditional bourbon, cognac, and rum, this eggnog variation uses amaretto and vodka. Garnishes of caramel syrup and a peppermint stick add some extra holiday flair. This Italian eggnog recipe from Betty Crocker might be our new favorite after-dinner drink for the holidays.

1 ounce amaretto

1 ounce vodka

2 ounces eggnog

maraschino cherries

cinnamon

brown sugar

caramel syrup

candy cane and cinnamon stick (optional garnish)

For directions, click here.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

How To Make An Easy Homemade Holiday Piecrust With A Stand Mixer

Impress your guests this holiday season by baking a truly homemade pie with a flaky crust made from scratch! Making a homemade piecrust is a bit more time consuming than purchasing a pre-made, refrigerated or frozen piecrust at the grocery store, but it is well worth the extra effort. Best of all, you probably have many of the necessary ingredients and tools already inside your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. While it may sound like a lot of work, it’s easy when you ditch the hand-held pastry blender and use an electric stand mixer instead. So pull up your heavy-duty mixer lift from Willow Lane Cabinetry and let’s get started!

The Tools You Will Need To Make Your Easy Homemade Pie Crust

A Set of Dry Measuring Cups
A Set of Liquid Measuring Cups
A Set of Measuring Spoons
A Baking Spatula
An Electric Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment
A Baker’s Bench Knife
Parchment Paper
A Rolling Pin
A Countertop or Cutting Board
A Pie Dish or Tart Pan
An Oven
Oven Mitts
Pie Weights (Optional)
Piecrust Shield or Foil (Optional but Recommended for Even Baking)

The Ingredients You Will Need To Make Your Easy Homemade Pie Crust

There are many wonderful recipes out there for making a homemade piecrust using an electric stand mixer, but here are a few of our favorites. In addition to a stand mixer and the other aforementioned tools, all of these recipes call for a short list of basic ingredients that can be found in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets, such as all-purpose flour, salt, shortening and butter, plus water from your kitchen sink. Most importantly, when you follow any one of these recipes, you’ll wind up with a flaky, delicious, homemade piecrust that was easy to make!

Classic Double Piecrust from King Arthur Flour

Basic Pie Dough from Williams Sonoma

Quick and Easy All Butter Pie Dough from Fine Cooking

Pie Crust from Epicurious

Whether it’s scrumptious Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Salted Caramel Pecan Pie, or all three, rest assured your made-from-scratch piecrust will take your holiday desserts from simply sweet to simply spectacular!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

6 Creative Halloween Party Cocktail Concoctions

Your trick-or-treating days may be over but you’re never too old for Halloween! Plan an adults-only costume party and celebrate this spellbinding holiday in style.

In addition to some scary-good décor and frightful finger foods, you’ll also want a drink menu that is both creepy and classy. Stock your bar cabinets and achieve bewitching balance with these cocktail concoctions.

Are you read to host a Halloween party that is sure to be spooktacular? Keep scrolling for a few of our favorite Halloween drink recipes and all of the ingredients you’ll want to keep in your bar room and kitchen before the big event.

Spooky Sangria

Take your favorite recipe for red sangria and just add blood oranges. The rich color of this citrus fruit will make a glass of wine fit for a ghoul.

From your bar cabinets:

Brandy
Dry Spanish Red Wine
Club Soda (optional)

From the kitchen:

Fruit (blood oranges, apples, and anything else you’d like)
Orange and Lemon Juice
Sugar

Black Magic

We’re all about Halloween hocus pocus, so we had to include this shimmering, spooky libation from Elle Talk. Made with boo-zy black vodka and pearl dust, your guests will be wondering about this mysterious and magical Halloween cocktail all night long.

From your bar cabinets:

Black Vodka (not always available but known to pop up on shelves in October)
Simple Syrup
Lime Juice

From the craft store:

White Edible Pearl Dust

Hard Cider Pumpkin Float

Treat your guests to something sweet with this fall-inspired dessert drink from Dine & Delish. Made with two simple ingredients, this is an easy cocktail to whip up after dinner that will also satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth (and pumpkin spice cravings).

From your bar cabinets:

Hard Pumpkin Cider or Ale (recipe recommends Woodchuck Reserve Pumpkin Cider)

From your kitchen:

Ice Cream (recipe recommends Talenti Pumpkin Pie Gelato)

Pirate Punch

You might find an eyeball or two in your cup of pirate punch—but don’t be afraid to take a bite. This spiked fruit punch contains lychees stuffed with berries for a spooky sight. Follow this punch recipe from Food and Wine (or whip up your favorite fruity punch) and then add one or two berry-stuffed lychees per serving.

From your bar cabinets:

Rum
Lime Juice
Simple Syrup

From your kitchen:

Lychees
Lychee Syrup
Berries

Candy Corn Jell-O Shots

These Jell-O shots from That’s So Michelle taste like a Creamsicle and looks like your favorite Halloween candy. Fair warning: assembly takes a little patience, so be ready to put on your craft hat when preparing this menu item.

From your bar cabinets:

Vodka (recipe recommends Pinnacle whipped cream flavored vodka)

From the kitchen:

Orange Jell-O
Oranges
Coconut Milk
Gelatin
Sugar

Glowing Gin Cocktail

If your party doesn’t glow in the dark, is it even a Halloween party? We decided to ditch the stick-on wall art for this Delish drink instead. Get out the black light and reveal the ghostly white glow of this classic gin cocktail.

From your bar cabinets:

Gin
Lemon Juice
Grenadine
Tonic Water

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

9 Portable Breakfast Ideas For Busy Families

You want to start the day off right, but with places to go and things to do, who has time to cook up a big breakfast first thing in the morning? While you’re searching our website for kitchen trends, we’ve looked high and low for portable ways to feed a busy family (so you don’t have to waste time or worry). Here are a few of our favorite grab and go ideas.

Marvelous Muffins

If the thought of muffins conjures up images of melted chocolate chips and brown sugar crumb topping, you have a lot to learn! When you use healthy and hearty ingredients like oatmeal, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, bananas, berries, and shredded carrots, you can create a marvelous portable breakfast the whole family will love. But if you really must have chocolate chips, check out this healthy recipe for Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins from Taste of Home.

Exciting Eggs

Portable and packed with protein, hard-boiled eggs are a staple for busy families. But truth be told, sometimes you need to add a little excitement to your morning routine. Mix things up by thinking outside the shell. This Muffin Tin Quiche recipe from Eating Well combines eggs, fresh spinach, smoked Gouda cheese, and red-skinned potatoes, all in a portable package. Other ideas include make-ahead egg casseroles with sausage and ham, or homemade breakfast burritos and biscuit sandwiches stored in the freezer and heated in the microwave.

Overnight Oats

One of the more popular hearty home cooking kitchen trends on Pinterest, you can find a number of recipes for overnight steel-cut oatmeal, including this recipe from My Whole Food Life that includes almond milk, chia seeds, cacao powder, and strong brewed coffee. Just mix all the ingredients in a jar with a lid, let it set overnight in the fridge, and wake up to a delicious and nutritious meal.

More Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas We Love

Breakfast Cookies by Ellie Krieger / Food Network
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bars by Well Plated by Erin
Baked Oatmeal by Martha Stewart
Coconut Milk Smoothie by Real Simple
Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups by Organize Yourself Skinny
Homemade Frozen Pancakes by The Pioneer Woman

Looking for more portable kitchen trends? Check out our wide selection of portable islands and carts, including beautiful Drop Leaf Breakfast Bars in a variety of stunning finishes.