My husband may have said this apple apricot crostata was the fanciest dessert I’ve ever made and he’s probably right. Though I make tons of yummy desserts (peanut butter chocolate trifle, cookie dough pretzel bites, salted caramel butter bars), none of them are visually impressive. Of course, what they lack in fancy they more than make up for in taste.

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I’m not lying when I say this apple apricot crostata (or tart if you prefer) is easy. The hardest part is slicing the apples, and that’s not even hard; it’s simply time consuming.

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While crostata is traditionally made using a pie crust or shortbread dough, I’m a huge fan of using puff pastry. Not only is it easier to prep (defrost and roll) but it makes for pretty edges with yummy, sugary, flaky layers.

I’m all about the yummy, sugary and flaky.

If you’re not a fan of apples, try substitute pears. You could also try honey instead of apricot preserves. No matter the combination, holiday guests will think you spent hours making them an apple apricot crostata…and that’s all that really matters.

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Easy Apple Apricot Crostata

Crust

• 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Coarse sugar

Filling

• 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced into thin wedges
• 1/4 tsp grate orange zest
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 T lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp allspce
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 cup apricot preserves, warmed
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine apples, zest, flour, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
3. Gently unfold pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15 x 11-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking sheet.
4. Score (do NOT cut) a rectangle border about 1-inch wide. Poke the inner rectangle with a fork and trim edges so you have a perfect rectangle...
5. Sprinkle cheese evenly over inner rectangle. Layer apple slices on top of cheese. Brush 1-inch border with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack; brush apples with apricot preserves. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

To see what other goodies I’m crafting in the kitchen, you can find me at isthisREALLYmylife.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and Periscope. What can I say? I adore social media…especially the social part!

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Thanks Emily! That looks absolutely amazing! And, it does looks fancy too!

Emily has such delicious recipes on her blog. Here are a few I know you’ll love:

These Peanut Butter Cup Cream Puffs look impressive, and I bet they taste amazing too!

And these Owl Cookies are perfect for Fall!

And don’t forget to try her Peppermint Oreo Shakes this season!

.Visit is this REALLY my life? and

Follow the HAPPY Holidays Event at Tatertots & Jello

all through the holidays with awesome tutorials, recipes, decorating ideas and more from some amazing blogs!

xoxo

The post Happy Holidays: Easy Apple Apricot Crostata appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Here’s to hoping this year’s recipe for Mexican pinwheels is as awesome as the brown sugar pecan cookies and New Year’s Eve shrimp dip I’ve posted in previous years!

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I can’t believe I haven’t made these Mexican pinwheels in nearly four years. I swear sometimes recipes get lost in my ginormous recipe binder and it’s only by chance I rediscover them. I’m so glad I found these babies—it was a Christmas miracle!

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These Mexican pinwheels are easy to make and you can make them a day ahead. I love any recipe that allows you to prep a day before the big party like my favorite chocolate brownie trifle. It seems there are always last-minute things to do like a third trip to the store (how did I forget drinks?!), counter scraping (how do my kids always spill milk with cereal floaties every morning?) and outfits to change (apron? what’s that?). This appetizer requires only some quick slicing and plating before guests arrive…so basically it’s perfect.

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I love using flavored tortillas like sun-dried tomato and spinach but feel free to stick with regular flour tortillas. I’m not going to judge.

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Mexican Pinwheels

• 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 small can diced green chilies (or jalapenos for added kick)
• 1 (2.25-oz) can black olives, chopped
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup salsa, juices drained (if necessary)
• 1/2 cup diced mix of red, yellow and orange sweet peppers
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• Dash taco seasoning
• 6 burrito-size flour tortillas

1. Mix cream cheese, chilies, olives, onion, salsa, peppers, cheese and seasoning in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture onto each tortillas. Roll tortillas and chill for at least 1 hour.
3. Slice chilled wraps into 1-inch pieces before serving.

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To see what other goodies I’m crafting in the kitchen (or in life), you can find me, Emily, at isthisREALLYmylife.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the Instagram. What can I say? I adore social media…especially the social part.

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Thanks Emily! I just love having you be part of my HAPPY Holidays series every year! Her recipes are always amazing. Here are a few more on her blog I think you should check out:

This Peppermint Oreo Shake looks like the perfect sweet treat for the holiday season!

And, since she mentioned her Chocolate Brownie Trifle, I had to show you how yummy it looks. I love make ahead recipes too!

And, these Magical Mint Cookies are so fun! I love the hidden surprise inside.

.Visit is this REALLY my life? and

Follow the HAPPY Holidays Event at Tatertots & Jello

all through the holidays with awesome tutorials, recipes, decorating ideas and more from some amazing blogs!

xoxo

The post HAPPY Holiday: Mexican Pinwheels appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Jen would never hold my lack of craftiness against me; she’s super awesome like that. And one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

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When I was thinking about what New Year’s recipe I should make, I headed to my trusty (read “ginormous”) binder that has a collection of over 10 years of recipes. Like last year’s brown sugar pecan cookies, this shrimp dip recipe came from one of the annual progressive dinners and bake-offs our church women’s group hosts each year.

Sadly, the evening I wrote this they were hosting the 2013 progressive dinner but I, with my croupy cough, was still in my pj’s. No recipe sampling for me and no pumpkin dip sampling for anyone else.

What I love most about this shrimp dip is it takes only 5 minutes to make, but don’t let it’s simpleness fool you. Even though it isn’t super fancy or super complex, it is a crowd pleaser…especially if you have shrimp lovers at the party.

The original recipe was actually a double recipe. I made it for Thanksgiving dinner and we still had quite a few leftovers. I’d say the recipe below is perfect for a group of 12, especially if there are other appetizers in the mix. For larger groups, feel free to double it. Leftovers—if there are any—can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

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New Year’s Eve Shrimp Dip

• 1 package reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 can New Orleans small shrimp, drained
• Crackers (e.g., Ritz, Wheat Thins, Triscuit)

Combine all ingredients in a small bow; mix until thoroughly combined. Chill before serving. Serve with crackers.

So easy! Plus I love that it’s one of those recipes I can whip up quickly if I need a last-minute party dip. It’s right up there with the appetizer where you pour a jar of pepper jelly over cream cheese.

To see what other goodies I’m crafting in the kitchen (or in life), you can find me, Emily, at isthisREALLYmylife.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the Instagram. What can I say? I adore social media…especially the social part.

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Thanks Emily! Can’t wait to try that dip! It looks so delicious! Emily has such a fun blog, and shares lots of yummy recipes on it too!! Here are a few recipes of hers that you might want to check out:

I love her idea for Dog-Friendly banana cupcakes to help make the holidays special for your dog too!

Speaking of dips, this Sweet Onion Crack Dip is also on my list of her recipes to try!!

I also love how her family has breakfast for dinner once a week!

These Cinnamon Waffles would be the perfect thing when having breakfast for dinner!

Visit is this REALLY my life? and

Follow the HAPPY Holidays Event at Tatertots & Jello

all through the holidays with awesome tutorials, recipes, decorating ideas and more from some amazing blogs!

xoxo

The post Happy Holidays: New Year’s Eve Shrimp Dip appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.