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The Easiest Gingerbread Cookie Hack Ever

gingerbread cookie hack

This is seriously the easiest gingerbread cookie hack ever! All you need is 3 ingredients and some spices! Since Pillsbury has stopped making their refrigerated gingerbread dough that saved a lot of us serious life minutes, this is the next best thing ??

INGREDIENTS:

1 pkg refrigerated sugar cookie dough

2 tablespoons molasses

 1/3 cup flour

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 


3/4 tsp ground ginger 


1/4 tsp ground allspice 


1/4 tsp ground cloves

gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack

In large bowl, add your room temperature cookie dough and molasses. Mix until combined. Next, add the remaining flour and spices! Beat the mixture together until completely incorporated.

gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack

Next, divide the dough in half and wrap into 2 disks with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours!

gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack

Now it’s time to roll out your dough on a floured surface until it’s approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Cut your cookies using floured cookie cutters to keep ‘em from sticking.

gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack
gingerbread cookie hack

Finally, place cookies on a lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Use a floured spatula to keep ‘em from sticking! Bake for 7 to 9 minutes at 375F or until cookies are set and light golden brown around edges. Cool on cookie sheet for 3 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes before decorating!

Run, run as fast as you can! You’re going to want to make these. Plus, Santa’s going to love ‘em!


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How to Throw a Holiday Party on a Budget

holiday party

Let’s throw a drink and dessert holiday party. And guess what? This holiday party can be thrown together all on a budget. It only costs $5 per person! Plus, no cooking or baking required!???

holiday party
holiday party

Let’s start with the wine! For this party, we are going with boxed. There’s this stigma around boxed wines but the only differences really are the packaging and of course the savings.


Let’s compare equally ranked wine. For the price of two bottles, you are going to get four out of the box. The average guess will drink 3 glasses per 3 hour party.

holiday party
holiday party
holiday party
holiday party
holiday party
holiday party

Now, for the cutest dessert bar you’ve ever seen! Here’s how to put together my no-fire-needed s’mores buffet! I started with some marshmallow fluff and some chocolate spread. Now, add any toppings of your choice and let your guests go to town. It’s not only fun, but it only
costs less than $1 per serving!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and stick around for more money-saving hacks!


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My Fancy and Frugal Gingerbread House Hack

gingerbread house

Happy Holidays! This is my go-to holiday decorating hack to make these easy and cheap gingerbread houses look expensive. All you need is some leftover Halloween candy, spray paint, and some glitter to top!

gingerbread house
gingerbread house

First, run and grab your old Halloween candy. The colors do not matter for this hack. Skip the royal icing and grab your hot glue gun to place the candy on the gingerbread house. It holds a lot better and dries much faster.

gingerbread house
gingerbread house
gingerbread house

We aren’t done yet! Once you spray paint these guys, you aren’t turning back. They end up looking so elegant that it’s hard to believe all you did was spray paint from candy!

gingerbread house
gingerbread house

To finish, top these beautiful houses with glitter. They look just like jewelry boxes!

This gingerbread house hack makes any space look more festive and all on a budget!


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My Quick and Easy Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake

gingerbread cinnamon roll

This recipe is so good it’s hard to describe! It’s like the gingerbread cheesecake had a baby with a cinnamon roll. It even has a cinnamon roll crust! It may sound fancy, but this gingerbread cinnamon roll cheesecake is super easy and delicious.

LORAfied Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans of cinnamon rolls (large, 5 count)
32 oz. cream cheese (4 packages at room temperature)
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Caramel sauce drizzle, to taste

gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll

DIRECTIONS:
Begin by preheating your oven to 325F. To prepare the crust, spray a 9×13 pan and press the cinnamon rolls on the bottom to cover.

gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll

The delicious filling happens in just one bowl! Start with your cream cheese and brown sugar and fluff those together.

gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll

Next add your eggs, a little sour scream, and then of course the spices to the mixture!

gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll

Once those guys are combined, you are going to pour the mixture on top of the rolls like a blanket and follow it with that caramel swirl.

gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll
gingerbread cinnamon roll

Bake for 55 mins, up to 1 hr 15 mins! This cheesecake will bake faster in a metal pan and slower in a glass one. Let the cheesecake fall before cooling and cutting.

Note: It’s really puffy when it comes out then immediately falls. Don’t worry, this is supposed to happen!


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My Quick and Easy Holiday Tree Decorating Hacks

tree decorating hack

It’s that time of the year! Introducing the tree decorating hacks I can’t live without. You’ll learn the quickest way to string your lights! Plus, the answer to exactly how many bulbs and lights you need. Go grab your hair iron and a bag of rice, you’ll need those, too ?

?TREE DECORATING HACKS?
tree decorating hack

This is the quickest way to string your lights! Instead of going around the tree, drape your lights vertically. This is how you can get better coverage while saving some time. You are going to need about 100 lights per vertical foot. Don’t forget to tuck your lights behind the branches to hide!

tree decorating hack
tree decorating hack
tree decorating hack

Onto the bulbs! Start with your largest guys first and then fill in with the smaller ones. If you are wondering how many bulbs you need, a six-foot tree is going to need about 25 bulbs per vertical foot. The smaller trees only need about 15 bulbs per foot.

tree decorating hack
tree decorating hack

Did you know that flat irons aren’t just for hair? They are great for zhuzhing up old bows making them look brand new.

tree decorating hack
tree decorating hack

Tie some bells at the bottom of your branches! This hack will let you know if babies of any kind are tugging at your tree.

tree decorating hack
tree decorating hack

Lastly, remember to put your delicate ornaments towards the top of your tree. Also, putting five pound bags of rice on each foot of the tree is the perfect hack to keep your tree from falling over.

I hope you love these tree decorating hacks! Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays, and be sure to stay tuned for more helpful holiday hacks.


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3 Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Kitchen Smell Great

kitchen smell

Does your kitchen have a lingering odor you just can’t seem to get rid of? Here are my favorite hacks and simple fixes you’ll be using on repeat!

 

kitchen smell
kitchen smell

For the dishwasher, add a cup of vinegar while it’s empty and run it on a hot cycle!

kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell

A bowl of lemon wedges, white vinegar, and water is magic for microwave odors! Warm up for 2 minutes on high then let it steam.

kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell

Sprinkle the base of your drain heavily with baking soda and follow that with some white vinegar. Once the fizzing stops, rinse the drain with hot water. Drops some lemon wedge ice cubes in there and run your garbage disposal!

 

These hacks will leave your kitchen smelling perfectly fresh!


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4 Recipes to Make This Year’s Best Thanksgiving Sides

thanksgiving sides

BYA: Because You Asked! Here are 4 of my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving sides to make this year!?

LORAfied Thanksgiving Sides

thanksgiving sides
thanksgiving sides
thanksgiving sides

The World’s Best Jello Salad 

Orange Fluff

Ingredients:

2 boxes tapioca pudding (3 oz. each)

1 box orange jello (3 oz.)

3 c. water

1 can mandarin oranges (drained)

8oz. cool whip (1 container)

Directions:

Put dry pudding mix and dry jello in sauce pan. Stir first cup of water in slowly until liquified, then stir in other 2 cups of water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly so it doesn’t stick and scorch.  When thick, remove from stove and let set one hour to cool.  Then stir in cool whip and mandarin oranges until everything is blended well.  Refrigerate for several hours, overnight if possible.

NOTE: You can also add mini marshmallows if you desire, I prefer it without.

thanksgiving sides

Thanksgiving Dressing

Ingredients:

4 c. dry cornbread cubes

4 c. dry sourdough bread cubes

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp rubbed sage or 1 Tbsp of fresh

1/2 stick butter

2 c. chopped onion

2 c. chopped celery

4 c. chicken broth

4 eggs, beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Grease large baking dish. Combine bread cubes, salt and sage in large bowl and set aside. Melt butter in sauce pan, adding onion and celery until soft. Pour butter mixture over the bread cubes. Add broth and eggs, mix well.

Depending on the type of bread you’re using you may need more or less of the chicken broth. Bake at 350F covered with foil for 30 mins. Uncover and bake approx. 10 mins more

Adapted from a book called Giving Thanks.

thanksgiving sides

7 Layer Dressing

Norma Jean McLaughlin – Lora’s Mom

Ingredients:

1 head of lettuce, chopped (you can use bagged lettuce shreds)

6 or 7 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

1 bag frozen peas, do not thaw

1 lb. bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled

1 lb. shredded mild Cheddar cheese

¾ c. mayonnaise

¾ c. miracle whip

1 red onion, either sliced very thin or chopped

Sugar

Salt

Pepper

Directions:

Make 24 hours in advance

Place the lettuce in an even layer in a 9 X 13 glass pan. Layer egg slices over lettuce in bowl and sprinkle with salt, pepper and sugar. Top with crumbled bacon. Sprinkle entire bag of frozen peas over bacon. Spread a layer of onions over the peas. Combine mayo and miracle whip and spread over onions.  I mix in a baggie, cut off one end and pipe over onions. Sprinkle cheese over mayo mixture. Cover and place in refrigerator for 24 hours.

Tip: you can substitute turkey bacon for non-pork eaters.  Also, make sure you layer exactly as directed above, otherwise it won’t turn out the same.

thanksgiving sides

Corn Pudding

Ingredients:

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can creamed corn

8oz. cream cheese

1 egg

1 box cornbread mix (8.5 oz)

1 small onion, diced

3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl, combine everything, except the 1/4 cup of cheese. Pour into prepared dish, 8×8 or 9×9 works well. Bake 25 minutes, remove and top with remaining cheese, bake another 20 minutes. Found this on All Recipes years ago and it’s a keeper!

I hope you love these Thanksgiving sides and your loved ones do too! Happy Thanksgiving!


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How to Make my Fancy and Frugal Steak Dinner

steak dinner

Here is my fancy and frugal steak dinner that is SO EASY! This steak dinner is also low carb and keto. Meat prices have skyrocketed, so this is the perfect hack to treat you and your family for less. ?

Elevate any cut of meat with this super simple marinade:

3 INGREDIENT MARINADE:
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce (I use GF)
1/4 Cup Avocado Oil
2/3 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

Optional add-ins:
1 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce

Place meat in a baggie.
Salt and pepper well, I use my Magic Seasoning, recipe on LORAfied.com link also in bio.
Pour and marinate in the refrigerator 1 – 4 hours, flipping halfway through. Can marinate longer, just not longer than 24 hours.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE:
1 C. packed parsley leaves
2-3 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp dried oregano
2 TBSP red or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 C. extra virgin olive oil

steak dinner
steak dinner
steak dinner

Now for the star of the show- this beautiful green chimichurri sauce. Place everything in your blender except the olive oil. Drizzle olive oil in while blending, blend until smooth. Spread over your meat and serve this meal with corn and a salad!


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The Best Ever Turkey Hack

turkey hack

Introducing the turkey hack I can’t live without. Get your turkey moist, brown, and perfect. The best part? No basting needed!

turkey hack
turkey hack

Start by removing your oven’s middle rack, only leaving the lowest rack you have. Preheat the oven to 350F.  Next, take the turkey out of its bag. Remove the bag of giblets, and set aside to use in other recipes, if desired. Place your turkey on a roasting pan. If you don’t have a roasting pan, placing your oven rack over a baking dish and parchment covered baking sheet works great.

turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack

Time for the butter massage! Butter outside, inside and under the skin (I use 1 stick of butter). Salt & Pepper outside and inside of the bird. Next, fill the cavity with citrus, veggies & herbs (I use an orange, onion, celery, rosemary & thyme). Cork cavity opening with half an apple to keep the bread open and moist. Tie legs and dress the wings.

turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack

Now grab your cheesecloth- it’s time for the magic! Soak 1 package of cheesecloth in 2 sticks of butter and drape over your turkey, completely covering your bird.

turkey hack

Bake the bird, 13 minutes per pound. My turkey took exactly 3 hours. Internal temp should read 160-165. Let rest for at least 20 minutes, longer if possible to get the best possible turkey.

NOTE: Do not open the oven while cooking. You don’t need to check it and more importantly, you’re not basting it! Resist the urge to peek, just let the magic happen ?

Happy Thanksgiving!


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The Best Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipe You Need

Chick-fil-A copycat

This is the copycat you have been waiting for! Here’s how to make the Chick-fil-A sandwich and sauce at home, even on Sundays! The best part is that this Chick-fil-A copycat tastes just like the real thing.

LORAfied Chick-Fil-A Copycat ?❤️


INGREDIENTS:
4 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup milk (works with DF milk, too)
1 egg
1 cup flour (can sub GF)
2 tbsp powdered sugar (I use sugar free Lakanto)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
Few drops of hot sauce, you can skip this, but I think it’s key.

Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat

DIRECTIONS:

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400F OR regular oven to 375F. For your wet batter, whisk egg, milk and hot sauce together. In another dish, add the dry ingredients, mixing well. Powdered sugar is key!

Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat

 Next, dip your chicken into the flour mixture, then into the egg and back into the flour, flipping to coat both sides. Lay chicken on oiled baking tray, spraying the top of the breasts with more oil. Bake in air fryer for 15 minutes OR in a regular oven: 375F for around 30-35 minutes.


Chick-fil-A copycat

Chick-fil-A Sauce:
1/4 cup Mayo
1 Tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tsp. Mustard
1 Tbsp. Honey
Just mix all 4 together & serve.

Chick-fil-A copycat

Serve on a bun with pickles, unless you don’t like pickles. Don’t forget the sauce!


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Here are my Essential Money Saving Pantry Tips

pantry tips

Is your pantry a mess? You could be sitting on a grocery goldmine! Here are some tips to save money on food and clean your pantry.

pantry tips
pantry tips

Start by putting things into groups and trying those things you’ve already opened. If it’s stale, throw them out! This part takes a little bit of patience and an empty stomach.

pantry tips
pantry tips
pantry tips

Did you know that expiration dates aren’t always accurate? Condiments and dry goods for example are going to make it 2+ years past their expiration dates. Canned goods will pretty much last forever.

pantry tips
pantry tips
pantry tips

Cereal is going to make it about 8 months longer if it’s closed and 6 months longer if opened. Crackers will make it 9+ months or longer. Baking mixes will last 4-6 months past the date and chips will last 2-3 months.


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My Viral No Peel Mashed Potato Hack

LORAfied viral mashed potato hack? ? MASHED POTATO HACK • NO PEELING! NO DICING! ? Where does peeling potatoes land on your list of life’s joys? It’s not very high on mine and boy is it time consuming, right? This is THE BEST POTATO HACK EVER! I can’t wait for you to try it ?

LORAfied Mashed Potato Hack

INGREDIENTS:

Bag of Yukon gold potatoes, approx. 3-4lbs.
1/3 cup butter, melted
Approx. 1 cup half & half, warmed (use less for thinking
1 tsp. Salt or to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Boil potatoes 20-30 minutes (depending on size), until you can easily insert a toothpick.
Remove from water and set aside.
Slice in half, placing cut side down on top of baking rack and smash!

 

Add butter, half & half, salt and beat until fluffy with a blender.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!


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