Taste of Home September/October 2018

Twenty-five years ago, we launched the first issue of Taste of Home. It was 1993 and we had a dream. We wanted to create a magazine that would bring home cooks together, inspire them in the kitchen and provide a way to share their love of cooking with others who enjoyed the same passion. We had no idea back then that this dream would lead to more than 2 million print readers. And even further from our minds was this thing called the internet, which now enables Taste of Home to reach nearly 30 million people every month from a website, and millions more through social media channels. Indeed, a lot has changed in 25 years. Like it or not, the world moves at a much faster clip. And it…

TRY OUR BEST LOVED BRANDS We select our favorite pancake mixes, condiments, snacks and frozen foods beginning on page 33—don’t miss this tasty feature. Plus, find more category winners online. tasteofhome.com/bestlovedbrands Carrot Cake Pancakes Here’s a fun way for fans of carrot cake to have their favorite dessert flavor for breakfast. —Leane Goering, Salem, IN Takes: 30 min. • Makes: 1 dozen (1 cup syrup) 2 cups pancake mix1 tsp. ground cinnamon¼ tsp. ground nutmeg⅛ tsp. ground cloves2 large eggs1 cup whole milk1 cup finely shredded carrots TOPPINGS ½ cup maple syrup⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon⅔ cup whipped cream cheese1 Tbsp. whole milk½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toastedFinely shredded carrots, optional 1. Combine pancake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Beat eggs and milk; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.…

[Secret Ingredient] Sweet & Sauerkraut Who knew? After a quick rinse, sauerkraut adds incredible texture and moistness to baked goods—and you can’t even taste it, we swear. Try it yourself in this Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake, page 16. Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake This cake comes from our friends at The Fremont Co., makers of Frank’s sauerkraut—the secret ingredient that makes it super moist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Prep: 20 min. • Bake: 35 min. + cooling Makes: 16 servings ½ cup butter, softened1½ cups sugar3 large eggs, room temperature1 tsp. vanilla extract2 cups all-purpose flour½ cup baking cocoa1 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. baking soda½ tsp. salt1 cup water¾ cup sauerkraut, drained, squeezed dry and chopped SILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING 1⅓ cups butter, softened4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted1½ tsp. vanilla extract4 cups confectioners’…

Coconut Oil’s Benefits Excellent moisturizer Reduces redness Good for sensitive skin Avocado’s Benefits Soothes and moisturizes Protects against sun damage Packed with antioxidants Coconut Oil Mask For dry or combination skin: In a small bowl, melt 2 Tbsp. cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Stir in 2 Tbsp. plain yogurt and 2 Tbsp. honey until blended. Smooth half the mixture on face, avoiding eye and lip area. Wait 15 minutes. Wash off completely with warm water. Rinse with cool water. Store remaining mixture in the fridge in an airtight container up to 3 days. Makes 2 masks. NO TIME TO DIY? Try these! Avocado Face Mask For oily or combination skin: Stir ½ mashed avocado, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. plain yogurt and…

ALCOHOL If your dogs lick up a few drops of your favorite India pale ale that splashed on the ground, there’s no need to freak. But if they manage to lap up half the glass when you’re not looking, you should phone a vet. Alcohol has the same effect on our pups as it does on us, but for dogs, even a small amount can cause diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems and worse. AVOCADO Avoid feeding your canine friends this fruit. It contains persin, a compound in the meat, pit and skin that can be toxic to dogs. If you happen to grow avocados, keep an eye out for any dropped fruit. BACON While one nibble of this fatty food here or there isn’t the end of the world, don’t make…

WHEN IT COMES TO COOKING FOR MY FAMILY, I’M HAPPY TO TAKE DIRECTIONS—from Grandma, the Taste of Home Test Kitchen…even my friend’s 8-year-old daughter, Isabel. Recently Isabel sent me a handwritten note titled “How to Make a Cake.” Looking it over, I thought, I need to make this with Layla. You see, my 3-year-old daughter is what I would call a cake aficionado. And she loves to help me out in the kitchen. Together, we agreed to follow Isabel’s instructions to the letter. Step 1: Combine flour and sugar. Lots of sugar. “First you get a bowl. Next you pour 3 or 2 or 5 cups of flower and suger,” Isabel wrote. Layla clarified that Isabel meant 3 cups of flour and 5 cups of sugar. I asked Layla if…