It is like grabbing an apple pie to go with dried cranberries, cinnamon granola, and Pink Lady apples.

1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/8 oz.) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup cinnamon granola (such as Nature Valley), divided

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

12 (5-inch) parchment paper squares

1 large Pink Lady apple (about 8 oz.), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir together flour, cranberries, baking powder, apple pie spice, salt, baking soda, and 3/4 cup of the granola in a large bowl. Whisk together applesauce, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

2. Fit 1 parchment square into each of the lightly greased cups of a 12-cup muffin pan, pressing folds into paper as needed. Divide muffin batter evenly among prepared muffin cups in pan.

Lightly press apple pieces into tops of batter, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup granola.

Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 27 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Drizzle with Sticky Maple-Caramel Sauce before serving, if desired.

Southern Living

SEPTEMBER 2016

Cranberry-Apple Granola Muffins

October 13, 2025

Heavy cream adds body and richness to this classic chicken and rice soup. Adding collard greens makes it heartier. Use leftover rice, and you can use the meat from a rotisserie chicken for this soup.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large leeks, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only; 4 cups)

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced (1 cup)

2 celery stalks, finely chopped (1⁄2 cup)

2 large garlic cloves, minced (1 Tbsp.)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 whole chicken)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish

4 cups chopped collard greens (from 1 bunch)

2 cups cooked white rice

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add leeks, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring often until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add broth, chicken, and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in collard greens; cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cooked rice, cream, salt, and pepper. Garnish servings with additional thyme.

Recipe Credit Southern Living

Anything with chicken and rice wins big in our home.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

October 8, 2025

Maple Leaf Wreath with Cape Gooseberry

Welcome your family and guests with this handmade wreath.

Lifelike garden-inspired wreath adds personality and warmth to your home.

Display on your front door, mirror, window, or wall, from kitchen, living room, dorm room to office.

See here on Amazon

This was my pick of the week.

Disclosure: This site includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love, use myself, or would personally buy. Little Cypress Lodge shares items that reflect my honest preferences. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note that prices may change at any time.

Maple Leaf Wreath

October 6, 2025

Pumpkin Bread is a Fall favorite, and adding chocolate chips makes it even more delish. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

3⅓ cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1 teaspoon pre-ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons baking soda

1½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups sugar

1 cup browned butter, cooled to room temperature

4 eggs

½ cup water

1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and browned butter. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs and beat until fully incorporated. Alternately add the flour mixture and water to the egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in the pumpkin, then stir in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.

3. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove the loaves from the pans and discard the parchment paper. Let the loaves cool completely on the wire rack. Once cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Joanna Gaines Recipe Here

How To Make Brown Butter
While brown butter tastes luxurious, it's a cinch to master using one simple ingredient and keeping a watchful eye. Make delicious brown butter following this method. Use the amount of butter required by the recipe:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When it boils, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until foamy.
Continue cooking, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the foam subsides, the butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and the milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to the bottom. This will take about two to seven minutes (depending on the amount of butter used).
Remove from heat and immediately transfer to a heatproof bowl unless otherwise noted in the recipe (your butter may burn if left in the hot pan).

How to Use Brown Butter in Sweet and Savory Recipes

Try drizzling brown butter over just-cooked chicken, fish, or still-warm polenta, risotto, or mashed potatoes.

Tip
To guarantee you always have brown butter on hand to enhance pastries, sauces, and more, make a big batch and freeze it in ice-cube trays.

A Martha Stewart Recipe Here

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

October 5, 2025

My Product Pick This Week

Palo Santo Pumpkin

Blends creamy pumpkin puree with rich sueded wood & freshly grated cinnamon.

HomeWorx has quickly become one of our go-to candle brands.
Their premium candles are thoughtfully crafted with high-quality essential oils and precision-engineered wicks, offering a strong scent throw that fills any space. Each candle provides a clean, even burn and long-lasting fragrance for 20 to 40 hours.

See Here

Visit the Little Cypress Shops ...

Christmas Shop | Fall Shop

Kitchen Shop | Beauty Shop

Fashion Shop | Patriotic Shop

Home Shop | Summer Shop

And if you like to eat, visit...

...join our mailing list to be the first to know what's new, and a little note from me.

Also, check out our NEW Little Cypress Lodge Facebook Group Page.

Have a wonderful week!

Autumn Candles

October 1, 2025

It's pumpking time!

These hearty jumbo muffins have pumpkin pie spice flavors and a crumbly nut topping. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or an ice-cold glass of milk.

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped pecans

topping:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in pecans. Fill 6 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans, and flour, then cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Recipe by Taste of Home

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins

September 28, 2025

Bedding is on Sale at Kohl's

This is my Happy Little Find today.

Madison Park Simone 6-piece Comforter Set with Coordinating Pillows $67.99

See more Here

All Bedding see Here

Visit the Little Cypress Shops ...

Christmas Shop | Fall Shop

Kitchen Shop | Beauty Shop

Fashion Shop | Patriotic Shop

Home Shop | Summer Shop

If you like to eat, visit...

...and join our mailing list to be the first to know what's new, and a little note from me.

...check out our NEW Little Cypress Lodge Facebook Group Page.

Have a wonderful week!

Disclosure: This site includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love, use myself, or would personally buy. Little Cypress Lodge shares items that reflect my honest preferences. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note that prices may change at any time.

Bedding is on Sale

September 16, 2025

This pasta, chicken sausage with collard greens dish is low in calories. By cooking this recipe in one pan, including the pasta, the starch thickens the liquid, making a thick, rich sauce without butter or cream.

2 teaspoons olive oil

12 ounces fully cooked sweet Italian-style chicken sausage (such as Al Fresco), cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced

4 cups unsalted chicken stock

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 cups chopped, stemmed collard greens (about 3 oz.)

10 ounces uncooked penne pasta

1 cup thinly sliced red onion (from 1 onion)

1 tablespoon thinly sliced garlic

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add stock and next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in vinegar, and sprinkle with crushed red pepper.

Southern Living Recipe

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

September 11, 2025

Welcome to Little Cypress Lodge!

Hi friends! I’m so glad you’re here.

Here are this week's picks. I even purchased two of the picks.

Elevate your bedding with the Klarera Embroidered Pillow with Tassels. It blends effortlessly with boho, classic, or modern interiors.

Microwave and Oven Safe. Multi-Use Soup Bowls – These French onion soup bowls combine a deep 27oz capacity with 4 unique embossed patterns, from French onion soup and beef stew to pot pies, shepherd's pie, desserts, and more.

Embrace the spirit of fall with the Celebrate Together Fall pumpkin decor, a perfect blend of warmth and charm for your home. This delightful piece adds a touch of festive allure to any table or shelf.

Haunted movie nights and cozy autumn mornings find their match in these Dearfoams unisex Halloween memory foam scuff slippers. Soft, plush lining wraps your feet in warmth while a cushioned memory foam footbed pampers with each step, making these shoes a charming treat for any household celebration. From Dearfoams.

Thanks for stopping by!

Which item is your favorite this week?

Embroidered Pillow with Tassels - Bealls

Embossed Ceramic Soup Bowls with Handles - Amazon

Dearfoams Unisex Halloween Memory Foam Scuff Slippers - QVC

Celebrate Together™ Fall Resin Pumpkin Table Decor - Kohl's

Visit the Little Cypress Shops ...

Christmas Shop | Fall Shop

Kitchen Shop | Beauty Shop

Fashion Shop | Patriotic Shop

Home Shop | Summer Shop

And if you like to eat, visit...

...and join our mailing list to be the first to know what's new, and a little note from me.

Also, check out our NEW Little Cypress Lodge Facebook Group Page.

Have a wonderful week!

This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.