Simple buttercream icing is typically flavored with vanilla extract to add something beyond the sugar and butter flavors, but the vanilla extract can be omitted or substituted for a different flavor. You can still use the icing to top cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

Underdone, soggy pie crust can put a damper on an otherwise tasty dessert. Crusts get soggy because the filling, usually fruit, releases juices, keeping the dough from getting crispy even as the pie bakes; pie shells under creamy custards also may remain soggy after baking.

A popular college student cuisine, Ramen noodles are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. Traditionally cooked in a pot of boiling water and combined with the enclosed high-sodium seasoning packet, you eat the noodles as a soup or drain them and enjoy as a pasta dish.

Sliced almonds make quick work of adding crunch, protein and flavor to baked goods, salads and meats. While you can purchase a bag of sliced almonds at the grocery store, it may be more economical to purchase whole almonds and slice them yourself, as needed.

Baking brownies in a slow cooker such as a Crock-Pot frees up your oven. It also allows you to make a fix-and-forget dessert via the same technique that allows you to prepare roasts and stews with little muss and fuss. Crock-Pot brownies feature a gooey center, similar to chocolate lava cake, and a crunchy crust.

Roasted, sliced almonds offer a healthy and filling alternative to the many unhealthy snacks that might tempt you throughout the day. Try a handful of roasted sliced almonds as a quick snack or as a topper for a fresh garden salad, fruit or cereal.

Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans and has been consumed in a variety of forms for countless generations by indigenous peoples, particularly natives of South American countries.

While using vegetable oil is a healthier option than butter in a store-bought cake mix, you can substitute one for the other if your bottle of oil is empty. Just replace the vegetable oil with melted butter.

For some people, baking a perfect cookie is a difficult task that requires careful consideration and ample practice. While some people prefer cookies that are thin and crispy, others like them soft and chewy, while still others prefer a combination of the two.

Adding a little cocoa to your child’s cup of milk or sprinkling a little bit on a piece of fruit may encourage your child to eat healthy foods he may not want to eat. Chocolate can be part of a healthy and balanced.

You might have heard recently that microwave popcorn isn't safe because it contains chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. The most common rumor is that it is associated with lung cancer, but in reality, there's no direct link.

When you're trying to stay healthy, lose weight and get in great shape, it can be difficult to determine which snacks are healthy and which aren't. Apples with peanut butter are actually a very healthy snack to eat any time of the day.