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Welcome to The HeartStone Homestead

Recipes
Breakfast & Brunch all the way to Dinner & Dessert

Health & Wellness
Discussions About our Mental & Physical Wellbeing

Travel
Travel News & Tips

Pets & Wildlife
Articles to help your beloved household friends live their best lives too! Also information about wildlife.

Food News & History
Fun food history, along with information about food recalls, restaurant & grocery store news.
All Recipes


French Fries History: The Potato War Between France and Belgium
Golden, crispy, salty perfection. Whether you call them fries, chips, frites, or pommes frites, the world agrees they’re irresistible....


Caesar Salad: The Border-Town Dinner Rush That Created a Culinary Icon
It’s the summer of 1924 in Tijuana, Mexico . The air is buzzing with jazz-age energy. Prohibition in the United States is still in full...


Hot Spinach Dip: A Cheesy, Bubbly Appetizer with Crispy Bacon and Golden Mozzarella
Few appetizers are as universally loved as hot spinach dip. Creamy, cheesy, and bubbling from the oven, it’s the kind of dish that always...


Easy Bisquick Sausage Balls: A Cheesy, Savory Bite-Sized Favorite
Few appetizers are as beloved — or as easy to make — as Bisquick sausage balls. These golden, cheesy bites are savory, satisfying, and...


Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: A Spicy, Tangy Party Favorite with a Slow-Cooked Kick
Buffalo chicken wings may get all the attention, but these Crock Pot buffalo chicken meatballs are a game-changer. Juicy, tender, and...


Grape Jelly Cocktail Meatballs: A Sweet and Savory Party Classic
Few appetizers have stood the test of time quite like grape jelly cocktail meatballs. With just a handful of ingredients, this retro...


Old Fashioned Johnny Cakes (Hoe Cakes): A Historic Cornmeal Griddlebread with Deep American Roots
There’s something incredibly special about a recipe that connects us directly to history, and old fashioned Johnny cakes (also called hoe...


Panera Copycat Creamy Tomato Soup: A Creamy, Comforting Bowl with Fresh Basil and Parmesan
Few things are as comforting as a steaming bowl of tomato soup, especially when it’s thick, velvety, and bursting with the flavor of ripe...


Cracker Barrel–Style Meatloaf: A Homestyle Comfort Dish with a Sweet and Tangy Glaze
There’s something truly nostalgic about sitting down to a plate of hearty meatloaf, especially when it tastes just like the kind you’d...


Crockpot Beef Stew & Dumplings: A Hearty, Slow-Cooked Comfort Meal with Fluffy Potato Dumplings
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes rival a hearty beef stew simmered for hours until the meat is fall-apart tender and the broth...


The Best Ever Pizza Soup: A Cheesy, Hearty Bowl That Tastes Just Like Your Favorite Slice
What if you could enjoy all the flavors of a gooey, cheesy pizza… in a bowl? That’s exactly what the best ever pizza soup delivers. This...


Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese: A Silky, Comforting Spin on the Italian Classic
Alfredo sauce is one of the most beloved pasta sauces in the world, and for good reason. Creamy, garlicky, and rich with parmesan, it’s a...


Chicken Enchilada Pasta Bake: A Cheesy, Comforting Casserole with Bold Southwestern Flavors
If you love enchiladas but don’t have the time or energy to roll tortillas one by one, this enchilada pasta bake delivers all that zesty...


Easy Mexican Spaghetti: A Cheesy, Zesty Twist on a Comfort Food Favorite
Spaghetti is one of those weeknight staples we all turn to, but sometimes it needs a little more personality. Enter easy Mexican...


Orange Rum Bundt Cake: A Citrusy, Boozy Dessert That Delivers Pure Indulgence
There are cakes that taste good, and then there are cakes that stop you in your tracks with each bite. This moist and dense orange rum...


Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Cheesy, Comforting Baked Pasta That Lives Up to Its Name
Some pasta dishes feel like everyday dinners, but million dollar spaghetti is the kind of meal that instantly makes any table feel...


Vanilla Bean Pound Cake with Buttermilk: A Fragrant, Velvety Dessert That Celebrates Pure Vanilla Flavor
There’s something timeless about a slice of pound cake — buttery, tender, and simple enough to be dressed up or enjoyed on its own. This...


Brown Sugar Apple Cake with Warm Cinnamon Frosting: A Cozy Dessert That Tastes Like Fall in Every Bite
There’s something about the combination of apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar that feels like a hug on a chilly day. This brown sugar...


RumChata Pound Cake with Warm Cinnamon RumChata Sauce: A Boozy, Buttery Dessert That Feels Like a Celebration
If you’ve ever enjoyed a sip of RumChata — that creamy blend of Caribbean rum, real dairy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla — then you know...


Blueberry Coffee Cake with Buttery Streusel Topping: A Tender, Fruity Bake Perfect for Any Occasion
There’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee cake baking — warm cinnamon, buttery crumbs, and sweet fruit mingling in the oven. This...


Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake: Gooey, Fudgy, and Ready in Minutes
Sometimes dessert cravings strike and waiting an hour for something to bake just isn’t an option. Enter this chocolate peanut butter mug...


Lime Blueberry Pound Cake: A Bright, Tangy Twist on a Beloved Classic
Pound cake is a timeless dessert, but when you infuse it with lime zest and fold in juicy blueberries, it transforms into something truly...


Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting: Moist, Spiced Perfection with a Maple-Sweet Finish
When fall rolls around and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of pumpkin, cinnamon, and sugar baking in...


Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting: A Sweet Carnival-Inspired Treat in Cupcake Form
If you love churros, you’re going to adore these churro cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. They capture the flavors of the...


Spiced Eggnog Pound Cake with Eggnog Glaze: A Festive Holiday Showstopper
Eggnog isn’t just for sipping by the fire — it makes an incredible baking ingredient, too. This spiced eggnog pound cake takes everything...


Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping and Cinnamon Maple Glaze: The Cozy Autumn Bake You’ll Want All Year
If fall had a flavor, it would be this cake. Imagine a tender, spiced pumpkin base, a buttery cinnamon-sugar crumb topping that crunches...


Buttermilk Pound Cake: A Velvety, Tender Classic with Old-Fashioned Charm
Pound cake has always been a timeless dessert, but when you bring buttermilk into the mix, you get something truly special — a soft,...


Mini Turtle Cheesecakes: Creamy, Chocolatey, Caramel-Pecan Bliss in Every Bite
If you’ve ever had a turtle candy — the classic chocolate, caramel, and pecan confection — imagine that same decadent experience...


Slow Cooker Cheesy Taco Pasta: A Tex-Mex Comfort Food Fusion Bursting With Bold Flavor
When you can’t decide between tacos and pasta, why not have both? Slow cooker cheesy taco pasta takes everything you love about taco...


Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup: A Cozy, Flavor-Packed Bowl With Creamy Southwest Comfort
There’s something magical about a slow cooker soup that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas all day long. Slow cooker chicken...


Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore: Rustic Italian Comfort with Fall-Off-the-Bone Chicken
There’s nothing like the aroma of a rustic Italian stew simmering all day, filling the kitchen with the scents of garlic, herbs, and rich...


Amazing Slow Cooker Pot Roast: Fall-Apart Tender Beef with Rich, Savory Gravy
Few meals are as soul-warming and timeless as a pot roast, and when the slow cooker is involved, the results are nothing short of...


Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff: A Creamy, Savory Comfort Food Classic With Tender Beef and Rich Mushroom Sauce
Few dishes deliver the same sense of cozy, old-world comfort as beef stroganoff. Tender beef simmered with mushrooms, silky noodles, and...


Fluffy Japanese Soufflé Pancakes: Tall, Cloud-Like Pancakes That Practically Melt in Your Mouth
If you’ve ever longed for a breakfast treat that looks as magical as it tastes, fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes are the answer. Unlike...


Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs: Sweet–Smoky Party Meatballs With a Tangy Kick (Set-It-and-Forget-It!)
When you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, these slow cooker BBQ meatballs deliver: tender, saucy bites bathed in a sweet–smoky, tangy...


Chicken Piccata Meatballs: Juicy, Zesty Meatballs Simmered in a Bright Lemon-Caper Sauce
Chicken piccata meatballs take everything we love about the classic Italian chicken piccata — lemon, butter, capers, and a silky white...


Almond Joy Cookies: Chewy, Chocolatey, Coconut-Packed Treats With Crunchy Almonds
If you’ve ever loved the candy bar that combines coconut, almonds, and chocolate into one irresistible bite, then these almond joy...


Old Fashioned Oatmeal Apple Crisp: A Warm, Buttery Dessert Packed with Tender Spiced Apples and Golden Crunch
There are few desserts more comforting than apple crisp. The smell alone — apples baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar under a...


Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole: A Creamy, Comforting Southern Classic Packed With Flavor
Few dishes bring people to the table faster than a bubbling cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole. It’s the definition of comfort food —...


Easy Frito Taco Pie: A Cheesy, Crunchy, Crowd-Pleasing Weeknight Dinner
If you’re craving a recipe that combines the crunchy satisfaction of Fritos corn chips with the hearty comfort of a taco casserole, then...


Easy Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup: A Hearty Comfort Meal with All the Flavors of Classic Cabbage Rolls Made Simple
There’s nothing like a big pot of warm, hearty soup simmering away in the slow cooker, especially when it has all the cozy flavors of...


Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings: A Creamy, Comforting Classic Made Easy
Chicken and dumplings are one of the ultimate comfort foods — tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables, rich broth, and fluffy...


Lasagna Roll Ups: Cheesy, Meaty, and Perfectly Portioned Italian Comfort Food
Lasagna roll ups take everything you love about traditional lasagna — tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of...


Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies: Soft, Spiced Pumpkin Cookies With a Creamy Cheesecake Surprise Inside
If fall had a flavor, it would taste like these pumpkin cheesecake cookies. Each bite begins with soft, chewy pumpkin-spiced cookie dough...


Apple Slaw: A Crisp, Tangy, and Refreshing Side Dish That Brightens Any Meal
If you’re looking for a crunchy and refreshing side dish that balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, apple slaw is it. With crisp...


Almond Meltaway Cookies: Soft, Buttery Almond Cookies With a Sweet Glaze That Melts in Your Mouth
If you’re searching for a cookie that’s as delicate as it is flavorful, almond meltaway cookies are it. Tender and buttery with the...


Mini Lemon Cheesecakes: Bright, Tangy, and Creamy Individual Treats with a Buttery Crust
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s just as stunning as it is delicious, mini lemon cheesecakes are the answer. These bite-sized...


Millionaire’s Shortbread: Buttery Shortbread Topped With Golden Caramel and Silky Chocolate
If you’ve ever wanted a dessert that combines the best of all worlds — buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and a glossy layer of chocolate...


Philly Cheesesteak Skillet Dip: A Gooey, Meaty, Cheese-Layered Party Dip That Feeds a Crowd
If you’re looking for the ultimate game-day or party appetizer, this Philly cheesesteak skillet dip is it. All the bold flavors of the...


Iced Soft Cranberry Cookies: Tender, Fruity Cookies Topped With Sweet Vanilla Glaze and Sugared Cranberries
These iced soft cranberry cookies are the kind of treat that instantly makes any day feel festive. Soft and pillowy in texture, they’re...
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