Recipe of The Month: Candy Cane Coffee Cakes
As pretty as they are delicious!
Total Time 55 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
- 5-1/4 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) finely chopped dried apricots
- 1-1/2 cups finely chopped well-drained maraschino cherries
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Icing:
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat sour cream until lukewarm. Set aside. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sour cream, softened butter, sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups flour. With an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Stir in just enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.Punch dough down; divide into 3 equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll each part into a 15x6-in. rectangle. Place on greased baking sheets.
- . With scissors, make 2-in. cuts at 1/2-in. intervals on the long sides of each rectangle. Combine apricots and cherries; spread one-third of the mixture down the center of each rectangle.Crisscross strips over filling. Stretch dough to 22 in. and curve to form canes. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.Preheat oven to 375°. Bake 15-20 minutes. While warm, brush canes with melted butter. Combine icing ingredients and drizzle over tops.
Nutrition Facts
1 slice: 176 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 161mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
SOURCE: tasteofhome.com
So simple to make at home and 1000% worth the little effort it requires.
The Summer Go Bag: A Tiny Kit That Saves the Day Summer has a way of making “quick little outings” turn into full-blown adventures. A trip to the pool becomes dinner on the way home. A Saturday errand turns into a stop at the park. A lake day somehow requires 47 items, three snacks, and at least one person asking, “Did anyone bring sunscreen?” Enter: The Summer Go Bag . It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be perfectly organized. It’s just a small tote, backpack, bin, or canvas bag you keep stocked with the little things that make summer life easier. Think of it as your warm-weather backup plan. What to put in your Summer Go Bag: Sunscreen + bug spray Because nothing ruins a good day faster than realizing you needed both about two hours ago. Reusable water bottles Keep one or two empty bottles in the bag, or toss in a couple of bottles of water before you leave. A small first-aid kit Bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, allergy medicine, and any must-have family basics. Phone charger or power bank Especially helpful for road trips, long days out, or those “I swear my phone was at 42% five minutes ago” moments. Wet wipes + tissues For sticky hands, spilled drinks, mystery car messes, and every parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle who has learned the hard way. A lightweight towel or blanket Great for parks, wet seats, surprise splash pads, outdoor concerts, or impromptu picnics. A few snacks Granola bars, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks — anything that can survive a little heat and prevent a hunger-related family incident. Plastic bags or a small trash bag For wet swimsuits, muddy shoes, snack wrappers, or anything you don’t want touching the rest of your car. Spare sunglasses or a hat Simple, useful, and always appreciated when someone forgets theirs. Pet basics, if applicable A leash, collapsible water bowl, waste bags, and a small towel can make pet-friendly outings much easier. Where to keep it: Your car is usually the easiest spot, especially if you’re often on the go. If your vehicle gets too hot, keep heat-sensitive items like sunscreen, medicine, and snacks inside the house and toss them in before you leave. You can also make a smaller version for: Pool bags Lake bags Sports practices Road trips Grandkid days Dog park visits The real trick: Restock when you get home The Go Bag only works if it’s ready when you need it. After a busy weekend, take two minutes to replace what you used: snacks, wipes, sunscreen, bandages, water bottles, or plastic bags. That tiny reset makes the next outing so much easier. Summer should feel a little more spontaneous — and a little less like you’re packing for an expedition every time you leave the house. A simple Go Bag won’t solve everything, but it might just save the day.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Seven quick things you can do in minutes to improve the rest of your year!
Skillet Chicken With Mexican Green Rice & Salsa Macha
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
The easiest 15-minute recipe!
“Home Inventory in 30 Minutes: The Thing You’ll Be Glad You Did”
Includes: phone video walkthrough method, where to store it, high-value items scheduling, receipts/photos and downloadable checklist for home inventory.
January 2026
