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Kisses + Caffeine

Sharing my journey as a mother, wife, homemaker, Jesus girl, entrepreneur and all things in between!

Archives for October 2021

Cozy Slow Cooker Taco Soup

October 19, 2021      Leave a Comment

Let’s be friends! Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Cooler weather has hit the North Carolina mountains, and that means it’s officially soup season! This cozy slow cooker taco soup is so easy, it only takes a couple of minutes to throw together, and you are all set for a delicious meal. I like to make it using my Ninja Foodi because I can brown the beef on the sautée setting and then simply add everything else and switch it to slow cook! Less dishes and way faster prep time.

Check out my Instagram Reel to see it in action:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Lee (@kisses.and.caffeine)

Yes, it literally is that easy! I typically will make a double batch which is enough to feed our family of 4 and then freeze 3-4 EXTRA meals worth! This is a great dish to prep when you are taking meals to friends, as well. 

Cozy Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Simple and savory, this slow cooker taco soup is one of my all-time favorite meals. My kids love it and it always is a huge hit! If you want to make it more of a chili consistency, double everything except for the V8!

Having company over? This soup pairs really well with my Charred Corn Fiesta Dip! Football game watching perfection!

Charred Corn Fiesta Dip (Cowboy Caviar)
Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Cozy Slow Cooker Taco Soup

This recipe is so stinkin’ easy that it takes minutes to throw together!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: crock pot, mexican dip, slow cooker, soup, taco, taco night, taco soup, taco tuesday

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef browned and crumbled
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can corn drained
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix
  • 1 64oz jug V8 Original vegetable juice
  • Optional toppings: Fiesta Blend cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, guacamole

Instructions

  • Brown and crumble your ground beef. ( I like to use my Ninja Foodi here so that I can do all steps in one spot!)
  • Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Serve with whatever toppings you like! We love cheese, tortilla chips and sour cream in ours!

Video

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Lee (@kisses.and.caffeine)

Notes

This recipe is so easy, it only takes a couple of minutes to throw into the slow cooker and you are all set for a delicious meal. I like to make it using my Ninja Foodi because I can brown the beef on the sautée setting and then simply add everything else and switch it to slow cook! Less dishes and way faster prep time.
This recipe doubles beautifully, too! I typically will make a double batch which is enough to feed our family of 4 and then freeze 3-4 EXTRA meals worth! 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Wow your friends and family this Thanksgiving with a scratch-made Apple Pie!

Easy Apple Pie From Scratch
Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Hilarious Goodbye Cookies for a Departing Coworker

October 14, 2021      Leave a Comment

Coworker Goodbye Cookies

A good friend of mine reached out to me asking for these hilarious Goodbye Cookies for her boss’ final day last week. I think they may just be some of my favorite cookies yet! 

Coworker Goodbye Cookies

The color scheme was a simple black, white and red because they work at Ruth’s Chris (side note: you have to try my Copycat Ruth’s Chris steaks!). To give them a little pop, I added this Edible Glitter. It’s my favorite to use on cakes and cookies for the wow factor!

Coworker Goodbye Cookies

As always, these are done with my delicious melt-in-your-mouth No-Spread sugar cookie dough (recipe HERE). The icing is my viral Royal Icing recipe (found HERE). The cookie cutters are from my go-to Plaque Cutter Set (HERE). They are super versatile and pretty! 

Coworker Goodbye Cookies
Coworker Goodbye Cookies

Seriously. How cute are these? The most fun way to send a coworker off in style!

Coworker Goodbye Cookies
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Lee (@kisses.and.caffeine)

Check out more of my cookie design ideas here!

Crossfit Baby Shower Cookies
Crossfit Baby Shower Cookies
Boho Rainbow first birthday party
Farmhouse Style Housewarming sugar cookie set
The best Farmhouse Style Housewarming sugar cookie set! Perfect realtor or welcome gift!
The cutest Llama, taco and cactus decorated sugar cookies
The cutest Llama, taco and cactus decorated sugar cookies
Pretty Floral Horse Sugar Cookies
Pretty Floral Horse Sugar Cookies
Hysterectomy sugar cookies
Hysterectomy sugar cookies
Sugar Cookie recipe
Royal Icing Recipe
Ruth's Chris Copycat broiled filet

Dang Delicious (& Easy) Apple Pie from Scratch

October 12, 2021      Leave a Comment

Let’s be friends! Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Easy Apple Pie From Scratch

We started home preschool with my 3 year old and 1 year old a few weeks ago. This past week, their lesson was “A is for Apple,” so of course, mama wanted to do all the fall things! Including making up a recipe for this dang delicious apple pie from scratch!

If you want to see more of our Homeschool journey, get ideas for your own, and more, make sure to check out my Instagram Story Highlights! I’ve added tons of ideas for inspiration!

Note: Cold butter is SO important! Make sure you chill it first. I like to stick mine in the freezer for a bit while I am prepping.

First, you will stir together the flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands or a pastry blender (we think hands are fun!), smash the butter and the flour mixture until most of the butter is incorporated. You’ll have some chunks of butter coated in flour. It will look lumpy and dry, which is what you want.

My sweet girl had so much fun  squeezing the butter chunks in her little hands, and it was a great sensory activity. Those big chunks of butter give your crust that flaky texture that makes it so divine.

Little Hands Making Pie Dough

Drizzle the ice water and vinegar into the flour/butter mixture. Use your hands or a pastry blender to mix this together until everything pulls together into a dough. Knead the mixture a few more times until you’ve got a nice, smooth ball. Cut the dough into 2 equal parts, roll each into a ball and wrap individually in plastic wrap or a ziplock.

Scratch Made Pie Dough
Now, here is the deal. You can do this step a couple of days out and store in the fridge, or the day of. It needs to chill for at least an hour to firm up, two is optimal. While your dough is chilling, we will make the pie filling!
 
You will need to core your apples and then slice into thin slices (peeling is optional). I personally LOVE using my Pampered Chef Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer to do this. It makes the process so much faster! Total game changer (you can grab one HERE).
In another large mixing bowl, toss your apple slices, half of the sugar, brown sugar, flour, vinegar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Set this mixture in the fridge until your dough is ready.
A note on the cinnamon: 

“Korintje cinnamon is the most popular type of cinnamon used by professional bakers. It’s what makes their cinnamon rolls and apple pies taste extra special! Trust this high-grade pure cinnamon to provide the classic, sweet flavor your remember from your childhood.

We know how much time and love you put into making cookies, cakes, and pies for family gatherings and to give as gifts. That’s why we want you to use the best.”

Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Look at that gooey goodness…

Once your dough has chilled, go ahead and beat the egg and water in a small bowl, just enough to blend. (This is your egg wash. It gives the crust that delicious golden sheen!). Preheat your oven to 375º.
 
Remove one of your dough balls and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. You want a circle about 12 or 13 inches in diameter, to allow room to overlap. Carefully wrap the dough around your floured rolling pin to make transport easier. Gently lay the rolled-out round of dough to a 9″ pie dish, allowing the dough to slump down into the bottom and up over the sides.
Scratch Made Pie Crust
Scrape your apple filling into the pie crust (make sure you get all of those yum juices!). Brush egg wash around the outer edges of the crust.
Apple Pie filling in Homemade Crust
Roll out the remaining disk of dough and place it on top of the filled bottom crust. You could get fancy here and cut your top crust into strips for a basket-weave, etc. Most of the time, I prefer to just keep it simple!
 
Press the edges of the top crust to the edges of the bottom crust to crimp and seal. I like to roll them upward and tuck/crimp to make sure the pie stays together. It’s okay if this isn’t perfect! It gives your pie that rustic, cozy, handmade look.
Ready to bake Pie
Using a pastry brush, coat the pie all over with egg wash mixture. Sprinkle it with the remaining sugar (I like to add a dash more cinnamon here, but you don’t have to!). Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits in the top of your pie to allow it to vent while baking.

It’s super important, unless you love scraping the bottom of your oven, to place your pie on a parchment or foil lined cookie sheet! Because this pie is packed with goodness, sometimes that goodness spills over the sides. If you don’t follow this step, that goodness will drip to the bottom of your oven and burn there for all of eternity. I doubt you want that. Do the cookie sheet! 
Apple Pie Ready to go into the oven
Place the pie into the oven, and put a pie crust shield on if you have one (you can make one out of foil if you don’t! Or order one here. This will keep your edges from burning).
 
Bake the pie for about an hour and 15 minutes, until it is golden brown and the juices are bubbly. It’s really important to make sure you don’t underbake it! I remove the crust shield at this point and bake about 10 more minutes.
 
Allow the pie to rest on the counter for a half hour or so before serving. This gives the juices time to settle. We like to drop a big fat scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
 
 
Apple Pie from Scratch
When making this pie, you can chill it, unbaked, overnight and bake it the next day to make things go more smoothly. Just don’t forget to add the egg wash before baking (do not do that step the day before!). You can also fully bake it the day before and serve it at room temperature or warm it back up in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.
 
There you have it! Dang delicious apple pie from scratch, and it wasn’t even as hard as you think! Wow your friends and family this Thanksgiving by dropping in with one of these!
Apple Pie from Scratch

Side note: if you do much of anything with apples, this guy will be your new best friend! You can grab one from my PC site HERE!

Apple Peeler, Corer and Slicer
Full week of meal plans, grocery lists included!

Check out my viral Blackstone Griddle Recipe Roundup!

Blackstone Favorites

Want more pie?? Try my Easy Icebox Coconut Cream Pie!

Easy Icebox Coconut Cream Pie
Apple Pie from Scratch

Dang Delicious & Easy Apple Pie from Scratch

This pie will make you look like the rustic little Pioneer Woman you have always dreamed of, but it really is not that hard! Wow your family and friends (and yourself) with how amazing this is!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple pie, apple pie from scratch, apple pie recipe, apple recipe,, dessert, fall recipe, pie
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • Deep Dish Pie Plate
  • Pie Crust Shield (optional)
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pastry Blender (optional)

Ingredients

  • For the crust:
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp. sugar
  • 1½ tsp. salt
  • 1 cup 2 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces Salted or Unsalted doesn't matter.
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup ice water I always make the ice water and let the ice melt, and then pour out to get what I need!
  • For the filling:
  • 8 apples, sliced. I personally love HoneyScrip or Fuji! Granny Smith are good, too!
  • ½ cup sugar divided
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon This Korintje cinnamon is my favorite! SO flavorful!
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg gently beaten with a 1/2 TBSP of water.

Instructions

  • First we will do the crust:
  • Chill your butter. I like it stick it into the freezer for a few minutes while I am prepping. The colder, the better!
  • Stir together the flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands or a pastry blender (we think hands are fun!), smash the butter and the flour mixture until most of the butter is incorporated. You'll have some chunks of butter coated in flour. It will look lumpy and dry, which is what you want. The butter chunks are what make that flaky crust!
  • Drizzle the ice water and vinegar into the flour/butter mixture. Use your hands or a pastry blender to mix this together until everything pulls together into a dough. Knead the mixture a few more times until you've got a nice, smooth ball. Cut the dough into 2 equal parts, roll each into a ball and wrap individually in plastic wrap or a ziplock.
  • Now, here is the deal. You can do this step a couple of days out and store in the fridge, or the day of. It needs to chill for at least an hour to firm up, two is optimal.
  • While your dough is chilling, we will make the pie filling!
  • Core your apples and then slice into thin slices (See the recipe notes for the easiest way to do this!)
  • In another large mixing bowl, toss your apple slices, half of the sugar, brown sugar, flour, vinegar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Set this mixture in the fridge until your dough is ready.
  • Once your dough has chilled, go ahead and beat the egg and water in a small bowl, just enough to blend. (This is your egg wash. It gives the crust that delicious golden sheen!)
  • Preheat your oven to 375º.
  • Remove one of your dough balls and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. You want a circle about 12 or 13 inches in diameter, to allow room to overlap.
  • Carefully wrap the dough around your floured rolling pin to make transport easier. Gently lay the rolled-out round of dough to a 9" pie dish, allowing the dough to slump down into the bottom and up over the sides.
  • Scrape your apple filling into the pie crust (make sure you get all of those yum juices!).
  • Brush egg wash around the outer edges of the crust.
  • Roll out the remaining disk of dough and place it on top of the filled bottom crust. You could get fancy here and cut your top crust into strips for a basket-weave, etc. Most of the time, I prefer to just keep it simple!
  • Press the edges of the top crust to the edges of the bottom crust to crimp and seal. I like to roll them upward and tuck/crimp to make sure the pie stays together.
  • Place your pie on a baking sheet (I like to put a piece of parchment over it) to catch any drips from baking.
  • Using a pastry brush, coat the pie all over with egg wash mixture. Sprinkle it with the remaining sugar (I like to add a dash more cinnamon here, but you don't have to!). Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits in the top of your pie to allow it to vent while baking.
  • Place the pie into the oven, and put a pie crust shield on if you have one (you can make one out of foil if you don't! This will keep your edges from burning).
  • Bake the pie for about an hour and 15 minutes, until it is golden brown and the juices are bubbly. It's really important to make sure you don't underbake it! I remove the crust shield at this point and bake about 10 more minutes.
  • Allow the pie to rest on the counter for a half hour or so before serving. This gives the juices time to settle.
  • We like to drop a big fat scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
  • When making this pie, you can chill it, unbaked, overnight and bake it the next day to make things go more smoothly. Just don't forget to add the egg wash before baking.
  • You can also fully bake it the day before and serve it at room temperature or warm it back up in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.

Video

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Lee (@kisses.and.caffeine)

Notes

For prepping the apples, THIS contraption will make your life SO quick and easy! I detest peeling apples, so this is a game changer.
This is my go-to Pastry blender!
And as for a pie crust shield, this is the one I use!
Oh, and a note about the Cinnamon.... (Get you some HERE!)
"Korintje cinnamon is the most popular type of cinnamon used by professional bakers. It’s what makes their cinnamon rolls and apple pies taste extra special! Trust this high-grade pure cinnamon to provide the classic, sweet flavor your remember from your childhood.
We know how much time and love you put into making cookies, cakes, and pies for family gatherings and to give as gifts. That’s why we want you to use the best."
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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It just makes me a better person 😅. Are you a c It just makes me a better person 😅. Are you a coffee drinker??
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#coffee #coffeetime #coffeelover #cafe #coffeeshop #coffeeaddict #explore #espresso #love #coffeelovers #breakfast #barista #explorepage #momlife #foodie #motherhoodthroughinstagram #instagood #coffeegram #foodporn #coffeeholic #monday #instacoffee #latteart #coffeebreak #momlife #motherhood #instafood #cappuccino #mom #goodmorning
Two little girls who think their daddy hung the mo Two little girls who think their daddy hung the moon 🌙 🤍
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#holdthemoments #family #momlife #dadlife #fatherhood #sweet #myheart
Magnatiles, popsicle sticks, blocks…everything t Magnatiles, popsicle sticks, blocks…everything this week is “The Tower of Terror.” 🤣 @disney @waltdisneyworld 
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#disney #disneyland #disneyworld #disneygram #disneylife #disneyprincess #waltdisneyworld #love #mickeymouse #explore #starwars #explorepage #disneyparks #frozen #disneyfan #disneylove #disneyplus #waltdisney #wdw #instadisney #disneylandparis #disneymagic #pixar #disneychannel #adorable #disneyaddict #toystory #disneyinsta #magickingdom #disneyphotography
Emmarie Faith 🤍. It took us quite a while to se Emmarie Faith 🤍. It took us quite a while to settle on this one, but it couldn’t be more perfect. My Grandma Tucker- who I loved so very much- was named Emma Marie. My Granddaddy lovingly called her ‘Rie. So this name spelling is a special nod to her. Pronounced like “Emory” but spelled with sentiment. We are so excited to meet this sweet girl in just a couple of months!

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#babygirl #baby #pregnant #babygirlnames #itsagirl #sweet #ultrasound #mom #momlife #momma #mommy #momlifeisthebestlife #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodthroughinstagram #babynames
We finally have a name for this sweet baby girl 💕! But for fun before I tell you, I’m taking guesses! 👇🏼👇🏼 If anyone gets it right, I’ll pick someone and buy you a cup of coffee! (Friends and fam- If we have already told you, you’re disqualified 😘)
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#babygirl #baby #pregnant #babygirlnames #itsagirl #sweet #ultrasound #mom #momlife #momma #mommy #momlifeisthebestlife #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodthroughinstagram #letterboard #etsy
My midwesterner husband and I arguing over what to My midwesterner husband and I arguing over what to call the fizzy 🫧 drinks. 🤣 There’s always the Aunt/Ant debate, too! What do you call them?? Soda or pop?? 👇🏼
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#soda #pop #sodapop #midwest #midwestlife #southern #southernliving #marriage #marriedlife #debate #poll #mom #dad #marriagehumor #momlife #wifelife #husband #funny #explore #explorepage #vote #virginia #indiana #hoosier #love #wearred #fyp
They may remember, they may not. But this past wee They may remember, they may not. But this past week of memories is something I will cherish for a lifetime, and has been more than worth every penny we saved and worked hard for to make this happen. If you’re on the fence…just take the trip. You will not regret it 🤍
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#holdthemoments #happiness #explore #explorepage #parenting #mom #disney #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #disneygram #wdw #disneylife #disneyparks #magickingdom #disneylove #disneymagic #instadisney #mickeymouse #waltdisney #disneyinsta #disneyprincess #epcot #disneyig #orlando #disneyaddict #disneystyle #disneyphoto #hollywoodstudios #animalkingdom #disneyvacation
Our last day was a blast! Huge photo dump coming s Our last day was a blast! Huge photo dump coming sometime when I have the energy. For the record, if you saw how badly Addie denied Woody in my stories, she did eventually hug him when mommy came too 🤣 (see second pic) 
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#disney #toystory #toystoryland #hollywoodstudios
We had the wildest day 🤍🐅🐆🦓🐘🦒🦬🦏
If you haven’t looked at my stories, it’s been If you haven’t looked at my stories, it’s been a day. Not at all the way I planned this magical first day but very thankful it wasn’t worse. I’ll update more tomorrow when I have the energy on exactly what happened for those asking, but I just want to brag on this man of ours for a second.

He had me for the first maybe 1/3 of our day and then I had to leave him in the park, by himself, with 2 and 4 year old girls. (I wouldn’t let them come sit at the hospital and waste their day unless it became urgent. He tried). 

This guy didn’t miss a beat. He did all of the princess meet and greets, rode all the girly rides, the potty breaks, the snacks, the parades, all of it. He stepped up and made sure our babies still had the time of their lives and got to do pretty much everything that they wanted. And as a mom, that is the most romantic thing he could ever do for me. He is the best dad and leader and I’m so proud he’s mine. And very thankful I was able to rejoin them for the fireworks 🎆 🥰

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