Baking goodies for others to enjoy is quite possibly my favorite tradition during the holidays.  The only thing that makes it even more fun is having happy little helpers!  My niece Cadence and I have a history of making sweet treats together, last year Lila was by my side as I whipped up Christmas goodies, and this year I am excited to share this yearly tradition with our foster daughter!
(Be sure to turn your volume up to hear Cadence's merry humming :)

Christmas cookies may be my favorite treat to make and share with family and friends. Here are a few reasons why:
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- You can make multiple flavors and put together mixed treat boxes.
- Most cookie doughs freeze really well, so you can make dough in advance!
- Cookie decorating allows you to be creative and give your treats a festive touch.
- Cookies are naturally single-servings, so they are great for holiday parties.
- Santa loves cookies!

In the past, we've shared our favorite Sugar Cookie recipe, as well as the ever-famous Fruitcake Cookie recipe.  Both of these recipes are classic Christmas treats, and will quickly become family-favorites!  You can find the recipe cards for these two cookies in our Recipe Archive!

Today I wanted to share one of my new-found favorite cookies with you!  Often called Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, these fudgy treats are covered in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful effect when baked.  Not only are they showy, but oh-so delicious!  These are the perfect dessert for the chocolate lovers in your family.

This Christmas, I hope you'll try a new recipe or two, make unforgettable memories with your little ones, create new holiday traditions, and share yummy treats with your family and friends!  
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If you're looking for a unique way to package your Christmas Cookies this year, consider our Cookie Box Kits!  Each kit contains 6 cookie boxes, twine and tags to create the sweetest gift!

It is no secret that I love a good cocktail!  A few weeks ago I shared with you my favorite champagne cocktails.  Click HERE to find them if you missed it, they are definitely worth trying!  In this post I want to share with you my favorite gin cocktails.  In the winter I am more of a bourbon girl, but when the summer heats up, I am in the mood for a lighter, refreshing option.  Gin and citrus fruit are my go-to ingredients during summertime.  

The drink I have enjoyed the most this summer is a little something I came up with myself, called the Gin Roxie.  It is a take on the Gin Rickey with a little extra flair!  To make this cocktail you will fill your favorite cocktail glass with ice.  Squeeze the juice of a large orange wedge (or two of my frozen cubes), the juice of a large wedge of lime, and 1.5 ounces of gin.  Top it off with club soda and a lime slice and you have yourself a Gin Roxie.  This drink is so refreshing!  If I am sitting outside I love to sip it from my pretty floral, insulated cup from Paulk Vineyards winery.   

Whether you are getting together with friends or just relaxing on your screened in porch, I hope these recipes inspire you to take a little time and enjoy the simple pleasures of summer in the south!

To find a recipe card for the Gin Roxie, click HERE to visit our recipe archive.  Look around while you are there and find a little inspiration for your next summer soire! 

Check out our store for a great selection of recipe books, including this cute cocktail book, "A Spot at the Bar".

I love the 4th of July. I love decorating the shop with flags and buntings.  I love the color red, I love sparklers, and I love cook-outs and all of the traditional southern dishes that are served at them! I love the sense of pride that surrounds this special day, filled with concerts, parades, family gatherings, and fireworks.  

​My grandpa was a WWII vet and a history/government teacher so he never missed an opportunity to educate us on historical happenings and he did his best to instill in us a love of our country.  He was a patriot through and through.

Though my 4th of July celebrations have become a bit more simple and quiet as an adult, it is still fun to get together and reflect on the blessings of living in an independent nation.  Whether we get invited to a barbeque at a friend's house or just hang out with whoever is home on Alder St., we always eat well!  The meal always includes something off the grill, and of course potato salad.  We southerners love our potato salad. There are so many delicious versions of this classic dish.  I will confess to you that I have never been a fan of traditional, southern potato salad with pickle relish.  I much prefer the more interesting versions full of extra veggies, unusual dressings, and maybe even a little blue cheese.  Bacon ranch potato salad has quickly become one of my favorites, second only to my dad's famous potato salad.  

We have tweaked this recipe over the years and it has become one of the most popular versions of potato salad that we serve in our café.  Filled with boiled egg, celery, bacon, and ranch dressing, how can you go wrong? If you are looking for something new to try this 4th of July, head on over to our recipe archive and give this extra special potato salad a try.  ​

You will also find many other delicious recipes, perfect for your summer gatherings.  Happy cooking and Happy 4th of July!

You will find a great selection of cookbooks full of delicious southern recipes in our online store.  Be sure to check them out while you are here!

We had such a pretty spring this year here in South Georgia and Matt and I found ourselves out on the patio almost every evening.  The patio is always more fun with a cocktail so I decided to share a couple of my favorites with you.  These two cocktails require simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand and are quick to mix up for unexpected guests or impromptu porch parties.  I purchased everything I needed at my local package store and my local Piggly Wiggly, definitely no fancy ingredients here!

Another delicious champagne cocktail is the Champagne Julep.  It is a crisp and bubbly alternative to the classic mint julep and is every bit as good! For this drink you will need: simple syrup, champagne, sugar cubes, and fresh mint.  I grew this mint in my little garden which makes it taste extra special to me!

Pictured here in a vintage champagne glass, this drink is traditionally served in a silver julep cup. See the video below for measurements and instructions.

If you love champagne, I hope you will take the time to try one of these delightful concoctions and let me know what you think.  From my porch to yours, cheers to the start of a happy and healthy summer!

If you get excited about fun and unusual cocktails, these two bar books are full of good ideas, and they are available on our website!  The French 75 recipe is from "Southern Cocktails" and I found the Champagne Julep, along with many other tempting libations in "A Spot at the Bar".  

To get all of the details on the tools and ingredients you'll need to make these two cocktails, along with measurements, check out my video below!

After picking more berries than our arms can carry, we develop a game plan to make the most of our haul.  We usually dip a good many of them in chocolate, make a few fresh strawberry milkshakes, whip up a cobbler or two, eat some with yogurt or cereal, and did I mention dip some in chocolate?

This year (after the initial chocolate dipping) I decided to recreate a Strawberry Crisp recipe that was shared with me a few years back by my friend Kaitlyn.  

This recipe is so simple to make, and uses items that you probably have in your pantry already.  It's a quick and delicious dessert that is sure to please a crowd.

The crunchy topping, made up of brown sugar, flour and oats create the perfect contrast to the soft strawberry center.

I've made this dessert twice already this season!  The last time I made it, I decided to try baking it in ramekins.  I love all desserts, but I especially love anything that is served individually.  There is just something so fun about being presented your very own dish!

They baked so beautifully, and I think that they may have even tasted better than usual!

You should know that this Strawberry Crisp, however, should never be served without a scoop of ice cream on top.

If this Strawberry Crisp recipe doesn't get you excited about Strawberry season, I don't know what will!  I hope you'll check it out and try it for yourself.  If you live in the area, you should definitely visit Paulk Vineyards pick-your-own strawberry fields.  If you don't, search your surrounding area and see if you can find one near you!  Make a day of it, with your family and friends, and start a tradition of your own!

​If you're looking for more fun ways to use fresh berries this year, check out our beautiful cookbook, Berries!

Here in the South, we love to call a dish a "salad." Think about it - Watergate Salad, pear salad, chicken salads, congealed salads, frozen salads, ham salad - what really makes a salad a salad? Maybe it just makes us feel better about eating it? 

Possibly the most confusing "salad" we serve at our Cafe is a dish called "Hot Chicken Salad," which is really more of a casserole. Adding to the confusion is the fact that we keep these Hot Chicken Salads in the freezer for sale for customers to bake at home! ​

It may be confusing, but one thing is for sure - it is delicious! Creamy chicken and rice, dotted with celery, boiled eggs, and almonds, all baked together makes for comfort food at its finest. Its ingredient list is simple, making it perfect for a weekday dinner or covered dish supper, but it can also be dressed up for company with a few extra almonds on top. Pair it with a green salad (meaning one made with lettuce, but no judgment if it's a Watergate Salad),  or green beans for an easy meal just about anyone will eat!

Since it is a comfort food dish that almost anyone will eat, it's perfect for taking to a church potluck or to someone's house who's just had a baby or death in the family. In fact, the recipe is enough to make two large (9x13) pans, so you can bake one for your family and one to share! Tara's blog post, A Little Food Goes a Long Way, tells just how much sharing food with our neighbors really means!

If you love the carved wooden spoon and cotton trivet in the picture above, you're in luck! Both are available to purchase in The Southern Mercantile Kitchen category.

If there has been anything that I have experienced so far this summer, it is what it feels like to be hungry and hot!  Now being 8 months pregnant, I have found myself in a current state of snacking, rather than eating large meals.  While doing so, I have done my best to keep the snacks as healthy as possible.  You know that's a hard task with the sweet tooth I have!  

Here are a few favorite snacks that I thought any family would love--adults and kids alike!  Great for hot summer days, or relaxing summer nights, make a few new memories in the kitchen (or backyard) this year!   

Frozen Fruit Salad
This recipe was introduced to me by Mr. Terry, Roxie's dad!  He brought in this delicious treat one day at lunch and I just fell in love with its refreshing flavor!  This recipe can be made in individual servings or by the pan.  Perfect for a summer dinner party or afternoon snack, you're going to love this Frozen Fruit Salad!  Visit our Recipe Archive to find this recipe, along with other great recipes to try!

S'mores
There is something magical about s'mores...or maybe it's just the campfire.  Either way, I'll never turn them down!  Making memories around a fire with friends and family is always fun.  Whether you stick with the classic stack of graham crackers, hershey bars and roasted marshmallows, or you put a new spin on an old classic, you can't go wrong!  (I found a delicious S'mores Bar recipe that is so fun, and easy to make.)  My Nana always made a simple and yummy treat for us grandkids when we rustled up an appetite.  She would lay out saltine crackers on a pan, smear a little peanut butter on each one, and top them with a few mini marshmallows--then pop them in the toaster oven until the marshmallows were perfectly toasted!  It never failed, this simple treat would always make my night!  Maybe the magic is actually in the marshmallows...

Homemade Popsicles
Homemade popsicles are also something we would make as kids, that seemed so fancy at the time!  Even if it was something simple, like kool-aid, that my mom would pour in the molds, I felt like a summer princess eating my popsicle on the back steps.  I'd savor every bite while the melted drops of juice stained the dirt. Now, there are endless possibilities for making your own pops.  There are a million recipes ranging from using fresh fruit and yogurt (more healthy options) to fudge and ice-cream (a more indulgent choice).  Whichever you choose, popsicles should be pressure-free, fun snacks!  My personal favorite right now is a combination of homemade lemonade and fresh strawberries!

Trail Mix
A simple trail mix is as classic as it gets when it comes to summer snacks.  Whether your taking a week long road trip or a 30 minute grocery store run, a baggie of trail mix can save the day!  Mix it up ahead of time for a quick snack on-the-go!  Keep it as simple as you wish using cereals and pretzels, or shoot for a healthier option with dried fruits and nuts.  Trail mix is a great way to get the kids involved in choosing a fun snack they'll love to munch on!

Slushies
A slushie is another great way to sneak a little fruit into your daily diet, not to mention a quick way to cool down!  I usually opt for a quick combination of frozen fruit, ice and a splash of juice when I'm on the run--but your options are once again endless!  There is just something special about those tiny bits of chipped up ice that makes a simple drink all the more refreshing.

Fresh Popcorn
When it comes to summer nights, fresh popcorn is right up there on the list next to s'mores!  Whether you make it over a campfire, or on the stove, this fresh and flavorful snack is always a winner!  My roommate in college loved to make this quick and simple snack for us to have while we watched a movie or socialized.  I just love all of the possibilities and flavor combinations--they're endless!  Mary Claire's staple recipe was coconut oil, popcorn and salt.  It is so light and such a guiltless snack when kept simple!

Be sure to check out our Southern Summer board on our Pinterest page for more great summer snack ideas!  The possibilities are endless--so let loose and have a little fun with your food this summer!

Peach season is finally upon us, and we are taking advantage of it daily!  We love this time of year, because not only is it our favorite fruit season here at The Southern Mercantile, but it is also our customer's favorite at The Cafe at Fourth and Cherry!  

Not only do we top this salad with fresh peaches, toasted pecans, craisins, red onion and feta cheese, but we also serve it with a fresh peach vinaigrette dressing that is to die for.

We love this recipe so much, we thought you might too!  It would be perfect for your next summer dinner party.  With fresh peaches and a homemade dressing, you're sure to impress!  This recipe is always a crowd pleaser and it is super simple to make.  We hope you'll decide to try it out and let us know what you think!

Visit our Recipe Archive to browse around and find a few new favorite recipes, or click HERE to go straight to this delicious recipe!

The origins of macaroni and cheese may not be southern, but like so many things, it has been perfected here. Although the box with the yellow "cheese" powder is certainly a staple for kids and college students, the homemade version is a mainstay on the Church covered dish table. There are many variations on the recipe, from different types of cheeses to the cooking method used.

We've chosen some of our favorite mac & cheese recipes to share with you. Which is the best? That depends on to whom and how you're serving it!   

Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Last, but certainly not least, crockpot macaroni and cheese makes dinnertime yummy and easy with just a little bit of work ahead of time.  This is a great recipe to use if the other items on your menu require a little more attention.  It is even perfect for Sunday dinner after church, since it only takes two hours to cook!

We've all tried countless Mac and Cheese recipes, and these are the ones we keep coming back to!  Each are delicious and simple to cook.  We hope you'll try one for yourself, maybe even for Easter dinner!  Let us know what you think, and which ones are your favorite!

If you saw something in the photographs that caught your eye, be sure to shop our kitchen category for fun new finds!  

Who doesn't love an iced sugar cookie?  And the prettier it is, the better!  Sugar cookies are a staple around here, so we are always looking for fun and creative ways to decorate them!
 
While dreaming up our Valentine's Day treats for our brick-and-mortar location, I was inspired by the marbling trend.  I thought that if you could do it with paint and dye, why couldn't you do it with royal icing?  I thought I'd give it a shot and share my tips and tricks with you!

Start with your favorite sugar cookie recipe.  Make sure that it is a sturdy cookie-not a crumbly one!  This will be important when you start to ice the cookies.  If you don't have a favorite of your own, you can find our favorite sugar cookie recipe in our Recipe Archive!  Roll, cut out, and bake your cookies.  I chose a heart-shaped cookie cutter for Valentine's Day!  Our sugar cookie recipe will make about 25 heart cookies per batch.  Let them cool completely before icing.

Whip up your favorite royal icing recipe and separate it into two bowls.  Choose two colors that you want to use and dye each bowl of icing using gel food coloring.  I chose pink and white!  If you choose to use a color other than white, just make sure that it blends with the other color you choose. (Examples: pink and purple, pink and red, blue and purple, orange and red, orange and yellow)

Take a spoon and zig zag the lighter color icing in the bowl with the darker color.  Then take a toothpick and drag it going in the opposite direction to give the icing the marble effect.

Take the cookie and dip it face down in the icing.  Make sure that you are holding the cookie as flat as possible to ensure an even coating of icing.  Also, make sure that your finger tips don't get in the way!  When you pull the cookie out of the icing, allow the excess to drip into the bowl.  You can even give the cookie a little shake to get some of the extra icing off.  Flip the cookie quickly to reveal your beautiful pattern!  Each cookie will be unique--which is what makes this so fun!

I don't like the icing to run off the edge of my cookies, so while the icing is still wet I will wipe the sides if needed.  If you need to fill in certain areas that didn't get an even coating of icing, you an do this with a toothpick while the icing is still wet.  You can even do the marble technique on the cookie if you decide it needs a little extra color in one spot!  Just drop a dab of icing and swirl it with your toothpick.  I always let my cookies dry overnight to be sure that the icing has hardened completely.

If you love the idea of gifting special sugar cookies this Valentine's Day, we've put together a must-have kit for you!  Our Valentine's Day Cookie Kit includes just what you'll need to put together 6 cute cookie boxes.
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Kit Includes:
6 Cookie Boxes
6 Valentine's Day Gift Tags
Red and White Yarn
Valentine's Day Sprinkles
Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter
The Southern Mercantile Sugar Cookie Recipe Card

We hope you enjoyed this how-to and we hope you'll give it a try!  We'd love for you to tag us on Instagram or Facebook to share your Valentine's Day treats with us!