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The tasty, gooey, sweet satisfaction of chocolate syrup is hard to resist, whether it’s atop an ice-cream sundae or mixed into an ice-cold glass of milk. But this homemade chocolate syrup is probably better than any store-bought brands you’ve tried! The uses for chocolate syrup in the kitchen aren’t limited to these, though: Its versatility brings an enhanced chocolate flavor and moistness to baking, too. While store-bought brands of syrup have their own merits, you can make your own with five simple, pure ingredients....

Need an intensely refreshing drink that takes just minutes to go from kitchen to sipping? Get out of the sun, get into your kitchen, and try one of these watermelon rum lemonade slushies inspired by Celebrating Sweets! You can’t have a festive summer gathering without delighting your hot and thirsty guests with a fun, fruity, ice-cold drink. Slushies are the ultimate beat-the-heat summer refreshment, and all you need to make them is a few good ingredients and your blender....

So what really is the Day of the Dead all about — and what are some of the traditional ways to celebrate the holiday? Let’s find out! All about the Day of the Dead and traditional ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead celebrations were originally held starting around 3,000 years ago, in the summertime — and they lasted weeks instead of days. That’s no longer the case, however....

Peaches and scream Even before tasting this masterpiece, you’ll have to admit it’s just cool to look at. Swirls of orange and brown in a pale orange liquid topped with orange and black sugar crystals sparkling on the rim of the glass make this peaches and scream cocktail a must-make for your Halloween bash. Once you hear the ingredients — cream, peach puree, cinnamon spice and whiskey — it’s a no-brainer....

So goes one of the most poignant lines in the Dr Seuss story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Grinch’s epiphany of six decades ago is no less valid today: The best gifts are the ones with heart — the ones that have meaning, that are chosen with the recipient in mind, and that take a little time and thought. Those are the gifts that become treasured memories. If you’re looking for a way to bridge the gap between being present and giving a present, these 25 festive holiday gift crafts may be just the answer!...

Leftover stuffed egg rolls Take a little turkey, a little stuffing, a little mashed potato and a whole lot of crispy, crispy egg roll wrapper goodness, and what do you get? These leftover stuffed egg rolls from Cake N Knife. They are Thanksgiving in one wonderfully crunchy package. This particular Thanksgiving dinner leftover recipe includes a cranberry dipping sauce (made with leftover cranberries, naturally) but I bet these would also be lovely dipped in gravy....

So, here’s your dad, according to his astrological sign. ARIES (March 21 – April 19): These dads are competitive. They strive to win in everything they do. An Aries father is your biggest fan, but he also pushes you to do your very best. He’s the dad yelling on the sidelines of the kids’ soccer game as if it were a serious MLS match. Aries dads can also be a lot of fun and super-playful, too....

Don’t you just love when your skin is soft and smooth? Your delicate skin takes a beating in winter, though — especially common trouble spots such as hands, elbows, and heels. The answer to your dry-skin problems could be as simple as making some of this fantastic homemade salt scrub! Your skin could really benefit from some extra care. Cold winter wind takes a toll, but staying inside is no solution: Indoor heat is also drying....

We had Chef Cullen Campbell fry up several turkeys for us at the MakeItGrateful.com booth during the 2017 azcentral.com Food and Wine Experience. Here, you can see what a perfectly deep-fried Thanksgiving turkey looks like, and get a step-by-step guide to the whole process from start to delicious finish! How to deep-fry a perfect Thanksgiving turkey Step 1: Get the equipment To deep-fry a turkey, you first, of course, need a turkey — plus a turkey fryer and lots of oil (peanut oil is usually recommended)....

Party punch might seem like something you’d find at prom night, but rest assured, this delightfully boozy cocktail is for adults only! A little bubbly paired with a hint of sweetness, refreshing lemon, rum and brandy — this drink is sure to… well, pack a punch!

Coconut oil Coconut oil in coffee has been having a moment in the wellness world. People who follow the ketogenic diet are especially fond of it, as the fat in coconut oil may help you maintain ketosis — the metabolic state that uses ketones rather than glucose. That’s because coconut oil is full of MCTs, medium-chain triglycerides, which are fats that are quickly absorbed in the body and then delivered to the liver, where they can be used as an energy source....

In his cookbook “Smashed, Mashed, Boiled and Baked — and Fried, Too” (Workman), author Raghavan Iyer writes that “the secret to mashed potatoes lies in the right floury potato (the russet), a potato ricer and, of course, indulgent fats such as cream and butter.” Here is Iyer’s basic recipe that you can season as you like. This recipe easily doubles or triples. Beyond ultimate: How to make some additions to your mashed potatoes Here are a few flavor options suggested by Iyer....

So, maybe you’ve already sampled infused fare, in which case you’re likely wondering if you should put CBD in your own food and, more pointedly, how. DIY edibles? Yes, indeedy. But here’s the thing: As buzzy as this topic has become, it’s relatively new — after all, marijuana-derived CBD is still effectively illegal and lacks any substantial regulatory framework. So, before you strap on your apron and get started, there are a few things you should know....

Hot crab dip This hot crab dip, from Alexandra at Alexandra Cooks, is so sumptuously satisfying, your New Year’s guests may just skip dinner and eat dip instead. Sure, hot crab dip is old-fashioned, but it also screams celebration with every creamy, cheesy, crabby bite. If you’ve never made crab dip before, this quick-to-the-table appetizer recipe will instantly make you a pro. All you have to do is make a well-seasoned cheese sauce with butter, half and half, cream cheese, cheddar, shallots and spices....

Thirsty for a fun and festive spin on the usual martini? Our Dublitini, inspired by James & Everett, is an Irish take on the traditional gin and vermouth cocktail. Smacking of sour apple and cranberry juice balanced with the smooth taste of Irish whiskey, this green-hued drink will make you want to dance an Irish jig. Though you may think boozy Irish drinks are best on St. Patrick’s Day, we recommend you shake up your holiday cocktail options with a Dublintini....

Seeking a scrumptious turkey gravy to pour over those perfectly mashed potatoes on your Thanksgiving table? Look no further! Created in our very own MakeItGrateful.com test kitchen, this lemon and rosemary turkey gravy recipe is a thick, rich gravy featuring intense meaty flavor from turkey broth, a delectable infusion of citrus and the earthy essence of fresh rosemary. We’ve eaten our share of Thanksgiving gravies and have tasted and tested more recipes than we can count....

Raw asparagus is a thing I’m betting you didn’t know that you can eat asparagus raw. The spears are succulent and tender, with a crisp, refreshing crunch. They offer quite a few vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamins C and B6, and thiamine. To top it off, they are packed with fiber. These nutrients (not to mention the crunch) tend to get lost in the cooking process, so this spring, try asparagus in all its raw glory with this gorgeous asparagus ribbon salad with garlicky breadcrumbs and a lemon-mint vinaigrette....

As an elementary school teacher for 19 years, I drew more pictures than I ever wanted to. I was very up front about my lack of artistic ability, and my students and I had big laughs over my drawings. I could relate to my students who also didn’t believe in their inner Picassos. However, I am thankful that my lack of ability has never stopped me from giving it my best....

Cheese tart with strawberry glaze When you think of cheesecake and fresh berries, do visions of hugs and long kisses dance in your head? Make this cheese tart with strawberry glaze and make your romantic visions a reality. Perfect for Valentine’s Day — and many other special occasions — this dessert is made with a buttery graham cracker crust and cheesecake filling decoratively topped with fresh fruit and strawberry glaze. Fresh raspberries, blackberries and strawberries give the tart vibrant color and bright flavor that are delicious counterpoints for the creamy cheesecake filling and sweet crust....

Let me be honest: At my age, I wouldn’t be caught dead going door to door to gather myself a bucket of candy. But what I am doing on Halloween is buying a bag of candy from the grocery store and pouring myself a big glass of wine to enjoy while I nosh on some chocolate and prepare to pass out candy to dressed-up kids. And because I’m classy, it only seems right that my wine complement my sweet tooth....