My Top 5 Holiday Copycat Recipes on a Budget: Cracker Barrel, Starbucks, Olive Garden & More!

[@lisagrafton2529]

I love that you are taking time to let your son help in the kitchen, even though it slows you down! I'm blessed to have three of my grandchildren live close to us, and when they come over, I try to have them help me in the kitchen; (at least the 2 older ones). My daughter told me it seems she's always in a rush to get them fed, and then clean up, so she doesn't always take the time to have them help. My husband is retired, and I was a stay at home mom of 4, who home schooled our kids, until they got to 9th grade. I was able to teach the all, even the boys, the things we used to learn in home ec! They learned to cook, write a shopping list for a menu of meals they decided to cook, do laundry, iron, etc. My husband could barely boil water, when we got married! My two sons learned to cook really nice meals! They are married, and I know their wives really appreciate that they can cook AND do laundry!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Haha I had to teach my husband how to wrap a present tonight 🤦‍♀️ I laugh at him…but try to give him the patience I try* to give my kids. 😄 patience isn’t always easy but I try!

[@SBL1932]

I really like the copy cat recipes. Thank you for sharing

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!!! I’ll be doing more!

[@audreyrobles1505]

I remember helping my mom in the kitchen. They are precious memories. You are such a gem! ❤❤❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you! It’s so special!

[@audreyrobles1505]

I just messaged her with your video. 🥰

[@ravennotte78]

I use orange extract in a shortbread cookie recipe then roll the dough in a ball and idk if they still have them but use to get a dark chocolate Hershey kiss and smashed it into the ball to make an Orange & Dark Chocolate Blossom

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh my gosh! Yum!!!!

[@ravennotte78]

@@MealsWithMaria They Are

[@christeenprice5637]

The boys are growing up so fast. Merry Christmas

[@ChezChristine57]

I love orange/cranberry muffins

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yes! I need to try those!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

It all looked fabulous. Thank you for the video and have a lovely day!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re so welcome! You too!

[@PatSchettling]

It's true about this mixer. Happens to me every time but I still love mine. Your son is so sweet. I baked with my son when he was little but he's 34 now. He did surprised me with my mixer a couple of years ago.

[@BarefootBeader]

When I make cheddar bay biscuits, I use a mixture of melted butter, garlic salt, and Old Bay seasoning, to spread over the tops of the biscuits. It's really tasty. All of your recipes look so yummy. :)

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yummm! Sounds like a great addition!

[@patrice1966]

Merry Christmas! I used to use a pastry blender until I started grating my frozen or very cold butter. You get much better butter distribution by grating it on the large holes of a box grater. The orange extract can be used in muffins, particularly cranberry orange nut muffins. I also like to use the orange extract to make creamsicle fudge.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh such a great idea!! I will try that! Yes, I plan to try some muffins like that!

[@AW-lp4vm]

​@MealsWithMaria maybe you could make some homemade Creamsicle flavored ice cream too...

[@ajdavis3798]

I haven’t tried it myself, but I watched a video the other day that used orange extract to make creamsicle fudge…looked yummy!

[@MealsWithMaria]

That sounds great!!! Love that idea!!!

[@jeanniedorsey6772]

Ben is so adorable! Such a good helper. 😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’d have to agree ☺️

[@CareBear391]

Learning to cook is an important life skill. So it is amazing to see the way you are teaching him

[@sharonwilson6465]

I love copycat recipes. Thank you and Ben 😂 for sharing. Ben is adorable and such a good helper. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎉 Hope you and your family are all feeling better soon.

[@brendareynolds2669]

I love your attitude when it comes to cooking and ingredients. Improvise, skip or substitute ❤ Orange extract uses - great in white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and if you have some orange zest to add, that takes them over the top 😊

[@carolgladney9890]

Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit extracts are super easy to make. Peel fruit, stuff into a Mason jar, I use pints, but I cook a LOT. Pour a decent vodka over the peels, put lid and ring on. Set in cool, dark place for a month. It's good forever. If you think it's losing flavor, just remove the peels, and replace with fresh. Works with vanilla beans, split them first. Also almonds, pecans, walnuts, just about anything you can need.❤

[@cathydecosmo4174]

Love your helper. He will be your best helper. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing the recipes .

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!! Merry Christmas!

[@leewillers4621]

Merry Christmas Maria and family! Ben was so cute helping you.😊🎄☃️

[@MealsWithMaria]

Merry Christmas!!

[@Trjlal]

Speedy recovery wishes sent your way ❤ I’m glad you feel good tho- that’s way helpful!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you so much!

[@biggyrat1313]

Great to have the little ones helping out baking Christmas goodies!! Merry Christmas and I hope you are feeling better. 🎅🎅🎅🎅

[@MealsWithMaria]

Merry Christmas! Thank you so much!!!

[@alicehunsaker7876]

Great recipes ! Love your helper !

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you!!!

[@utopicconfections5257]

Measure with your heart....love it. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

[@lauralarita2896]

Ben is such a good boy and a great helper❤ merry Christmas to you and yours and have a wonderful New Year’s. May God bless you all.❤🎉🎉🎉😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️❤️ he’s a sweetie! Merry Christmas 🎁

[@shawnward-m8f]

Those all look good. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@annethompson2212]

Merry Christmas 🎁

[@MealsWithMaria]

Merry Christmas!!

[@ameliastelmach148]

These look amazing. Such an aforable son. Happy holidays. So glad to see he obeys your instructions not to touch the mixer.

[@dangergirl7960]

It all looked fabulous. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎉🎄🎋

[@anneholden9908]

Merry Christmas to you all ❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

🎄Merry Christmas!!

[@peggyjohns7893]

Good recipes, and I loved Ben!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😄😄❤️

[@ericarandall2692]

For your mixer, there is a way to adjust a screw that will move your paddle down ever so slightly. Look up the dimensions test for Kitchen Aid mixer and you should find a video that explains it. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh thank you so much!!! Merry Christmas!!

[@lethiapage4767]

Orange extract goes with anything choc and anything cranberry. So...craisins and orange in oatmeal cookies. In your choc chips cookie recipe. Add to the liquid coffee creamer (plain or sweet Italian) and use for coffee or hot choc. Add to your sugar cookies and brownies. Make homemade truffles. Add to sweet and sour chicken? Is it sugary? Add it to iced tea or sprite type sodas, or in mango smoothies. That should get you inspired. Merry Christmas!

[@sherrylewis9327]

And that is why, way back in the dark ages, my home ec teacher told us to never ever measure anything over the bowl, LOL! Too much vanilla or onion powder.... sometimes you can save it and sometimes you can't. Wishing you and your a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@angelabutler7761]

I would add some actual orange zest to the frosting for the first recipe. That would make the orange flavor pop even more.and I am going to have to try that recipe. It looks so good.

[@justme5544]

Merry Christmas!! 🎄

[@MealsWithMaria]

Merry Christmas!!!

[@debramorra7237]

Merry Christmas!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You too!!! ❤️🎄

[@simonalyneenderz3247]

Merry Christmas dear!!❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

You too!

[@GrandmaTeresa455]

good ideas, Merry Christmas

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@terripurciello8113]

What do you think about using fresh cranberries instead of dried in the Starbucks copycat recipe? These all look great! Thank you!

[@thenubalicious]

Fresh would probably add too much moisture when they burst

[@MealsWithMaria]

I think you could dehydrate them in the oven first and then use them? If you used fresh it would definitely be wet more like a muffin? I’m not sure what would happen.

[@terripurciello8113]

Thanks! Just wondering bc I had a few extra bags with the holidays upon us! maybe better to stick with the dried. Thanks for the response!​@@MealsWithMaria

[@wallashakalla]

I reconstitute dried cranberries on the stove in about a cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes before adding them in. They’re moister imo

[@kathyclarke6327]

He loves to talk to you😂❤

[@cheryl1095]

Your mixer needs adjusting. Put a dime in bottom of clean mixing bowl. Open the top of mixer where you add the attachments (pasta machine, meat grinder, etc). Turn the the machine on low and adjust screw until the paddle just touches the dime and moves it around the bowl. Hope this helps

[@clarasaavedra4981]

How about making Panera bread orange scones with the orange extract. That would be good

[@maggiesapanara3959]

Can you make ahead and freeze?

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’ve done it with the cookies and the bliss bars!

[@nancycarney]

Ben is getting so big. When I started watching your channel you were pregnant with him. Way to go Mom teaching them about the kitchen.

[@katmoore4465]

Use thr cube frozen hashbrowns to make the zuppa.😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

Good idea!

[@momlookingup3555]

FYI, butter isn't the problem. Will need to deal with the sugar in January. 😊

[@BEANBUG26]

I think people use orange in cinnamon rolls too

[@catherinekhalili4412]

Does brown sugar stay soft if you keep it in a container like that?

[@MealsWithMaria]

I find that it does!

[@catherinekhalili4412]

@ thank you!

[@JESUSLOVESYOU.150]

♥️

[@MealsWithMaria]

🎄❤️