Aplets and Cotlets Copycat

After so many years, I finally was able to make "almost as good as the original" Aplets and Cotlets. These jellied fruit candies are my Christmastime favorite. The candies are very similar to the French jellied fruit bars pâtes de fruits. I like that the candies are not too complicated to make and are moderately sweet. I'll definitely make more with other fresh fruits such as pineapple and cranberries.

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Olive Garden-style Breadsticks

I can't remember the last time I was in Olive Garden; it was many many many years ago. Their breadsticks, I recently found out, are very popular and home bakers have been making their own Olive Garden-style breadsticks. All the recipes I found are of the typical soft white bread variety and I chose to adapt this one. The breadsticks flavored lightly with garlic are really soft and great with soup. I had them with baked pork and [black] beans. I love them.

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Homemade Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Mix

I was going to make crispy cereal marshmallows for Food Friday this week but found out it takes at least 2 days to finish. I'll make and blog about them another day. I made Swiss Miss-style hot chocolate mix instead, recipe inspired by Bravetart of Serious Eats. 

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Butterscotch Bars with Dried Mangoes

I "borrowed" the idea of butterscotch bars with dried mango from a Filipino snack with the same name. The package says it's from Iloilo; they're very good, somewhat chewy, and not overly sweet too. I adapted the Butterscotch Bars recipe from Betty Crocker cookbook using only half cup of sugar instead of one whole and substituting chopped dried mangoes for the nuts. I love these copycat bars. Delicious!  

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