Reasons to Love Roasted Pecans

Freshly roasted pecans are crunchy, delicious, and perfect for snacking! With Wind & Willow Mixes they are also quick and easy to make. Whip up one egg white until it gets frothy, toss 3 cups of pecans until they are coated, then combine with our sweet Cinnamon Sugar Mix or the savory Cracked Pepper & Garlic Mix. Bake in the oven for 22 minutes and enjoy! If that isn’t enough, check out our list below for even more reasons to love Wind & Willow Roasted Pecan Seasoning Mixes.

Greet Fall with a Gift

Roasted pecans make the perfect fall gift. Pack them up in a cute glass jar to thank a teacher or the host of your next gathering.

Fill Your House with Warm Aromas

While seasoned pecans roast in the oven, sweet or savory, their fragrance begins to fill the whole house. Scented candles don’t hold a candle to the real thing!

Let Sweet Meet Savory

Is there anything better than the contrast between sweet and savory? We dare you to make a batch of sweet Cinnamon Sugar pecans and a batch of savory Cracked Pepper & Garlic pecans to enjoy at the same time. As hard as it is to stop going between each flavor, they won’t last long!

Bring Back Good Memories

The smell, taste, and even site of roasted pecans brings back memories of fall harvest festivals. Roll them up in a parchment cone for a little extra dose of nostalgia.

Make a Show Stopping Cheesecake

A classic Wind & Willow Quick Cheesecake gets a fall makeover when decorated with Cinnamon Sugar Pecans. The crunch they add is well worth waiting to cut into the pie before you eat them all!

Pump Up Game Day Snacking

Portable, crunchy, sweet & savory. Roasted nuts check off all the must haves for a delicious game day snack in our book!

Pick Up Both Flavors to Have on Hand

Check out all of our fall favorites here. Don’t forget to tag us on social media @windandwillow when you serve or gift one of our mixes. We love to show off your creations!

Everything Bagel Bombs

Served as a quick breakfast, an easy afterschool snack, or a fun appetizer, our everything bagel bombs are delicious any time of day! They are super easy and only require 4 ingredients. Let’s jump right in to the recipe!

First, combine Everything Bagel Appetizer Mix (reserve topping for later) with 8 0unces of cream cheese, and set aside.

Next, prep your biscuit dough. Each Bagel Bomb will take 1 regular sized refrigerated biscuit or half of a jumbo sized biscuit. (This recipe calls for 15 regular or about 8 jumbo biscuits). Gently roll or press the dough into a flat round disk.

Then, place a tablespoon of your cream cheese mixture into the center of each flattened biscuit. Gently gather the biscuit dough around the cream cheese, making sure to press the dough together to seal.

After forming each ball of dough, coat the top with an egg wash (1 egg + 1 Tbs water beaten). This step will make sure the topping sticks and ensure a beautiful golden brown bagel bomb! Sprinkle the top of your bagel bombs with the everything bagel topping packet.

Lastly, bake or air fry the bagel bombs (careful not to overcrowd as they will expand) at 380 degrees for 8 to 11 minutes or until the outside is crispy and golden brown, and the dough on the inside is completely cooked through.

These jewels are super savory, crunchy on the outside, ooey-gooey on the inside, and a total crowd pleaser! Bagel Bombs are the perfect addition to your brunch spread or a super fun appetizer for game day!

Watch the video below for a quick visual on how to prepare Everything Bagel Bombs! Check us out on social media @windadnwillowfoods for more content like this!

Key Lime Pie Recipes

Key Lime Pie Cheeseball & Dessert Mix was one of the original sweet cheeseball flavors. Since the beginning, it has continued to be one of our top selling mixes year after year. From a simple Cheeseball to some unexpected recipes, we never get tired of its sweet and tangy flavor. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to use the Key Lime Pie Mix.

Quick Cheesecake

A FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPE!  Quick Cheesecake

This classic recipe is printed right on the back of the package! Combine the mix with cream cheese and fold in 8oz of whipped topping. Place the mixture in a prepared graham cracker crust, and sprinkle with the topping packet. It is really that simple!

Summer Chow

Key Lime Pie Puppy Chow

Move over puppy chow, Summer Chow is here! Simply coat rice chex cereal with melted white chocolate and toss with powdered sugar and Key Lime Pie Mix. Sprinkle the chow with the topping packet and a little lime zest.

Cheesecake Tart

Key Lime Cheesecake Tart

For that true baked cheesecake dessert, this recipe is hard to beat! Combine the mix with cream cheese and an egg, and bake it into your favorite graham crust. Find all the details here.

Key Lime Cuties

Key Lime Cuties

These bite-sized desserts are as easy as they are cute. Prepare cheeseball mix with butter and cream cheese. Pipe the mixture onto a vanilla wafer and top the filling with a second cookie.

Key Lime Pops

Key Lime Pops

When you need something to cool you off, these popsicles will do the trick! Combine Cheeseball Mix with water and yogurt. Freeze the mixture into popsicle molds and enjoy sprinkled with the graham crunch topping.

Margarita Cheesecake

Margarita Cheesecake

Last, but certainly not least, is a dessert just for the grown-ups. Add a shot of tequila to the traditional quick cheesecake recipe at the beginning of our list and make sure to pop it in the freezer before enjoying! We love to serve it in margarita glasses or layer it up in smaller shot glasses for individual portions.

The possibilities are truly endless with Key Lime Pie Cheeseball & Dessert Mix. Parfaits, dessert pizzas, cheesecake puffs, and more. Check out a full list of all the recipes that work great with Key Lime Pie Dessert Mix!

Follow us on social media @windandwillowfoods for even more recipes, inspiration, and deals!

The Best Recipes for Grilling

There is nothing like a summer cook-out. Everyone comes for the promise of good food and stays for the good company. Wind & Willow makes entertaining easy with delicious flavor combinations that can be used to enhance your grill go-tos and maybe even inspire your to try grilling a few unexpected items like mushrooms and jalapenos!

Jalapeno Peach Chicken

Jalapeno Peach Chicken

This recipe creates the perfect sweet, savory, tangy marinade for any cut of chicken. Once your grill reaches 350 degrees, cook your chicken for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Glaze the grilled chicken with reserved marinade for extra Jalapeno Peach flavor.

Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create these juicy, bite-sized appetizers on the grill. While your grill preheats to 400 degrees, fill each mushroom cap with cream cheese and Bacon Stuffed Mushroom Appetizer Mix. Sprinkle them with topping before placing them in a grill safe pan (we love using a large cast iron skillet). Cook for 12 to 15 minutes and enjoy warm. Check out the full recipe here.

Chipotle Burger

This might be the simplest and most delicious recipe on our list. Gently combine 2 lbs of ground beef with Chipotle Cheddar Dip Mix. Form patties and grill as you normally would. This adds so much flavor with minimal effort. Try other combinations with dip mixes like Asiago & Roasted Garlic, Back at the Ranch, or Roasted Red Pepper.

Gourmet Burger Sauce

A FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPE!   Zesty Burger Sauce

Ranch burger? Cheesy Bacon burger? These flavor combos are easy to add to your burger with Savory Wind & Willow Dips. Combine your favorite with mayo and sour cream to create a gourmet burger. We love the idea of making a few different dips and letting your guests decide on their flavor of choice!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos

Jalapenos stuffed with a savory cream cheese filling and wrapped with bacon… how could that get any better! These tasty morsels can be prepped ahead of time and be thrown on the grill as guests arrive. No one will be able to resist their smoky, spicy, savory flavor.

From burgers to bacon, everything tastes better fresh off the grill. These delicious classics are made even better with gourmet flavor combinations that will make your friends and family think you took ages prepping and planning your menu.

For more ideas this summer season join our email list with our home page sign up and follow us on social media @windandwillowfoods

Our Favorite Mexican Inspired Recipes

As the weather warms up, it’s time to pull out our favorite Mexican inspired recipes. These are our go-to dishes for when we want to feel like we are on vacation!

Chili Cheese Nachos

Chili Cheese Nachos

Can we offer you a plate of poolside nachos? This recipe uses Southwest Queso Hot Dip to punch up the flavor.

Santa Fe Stuffed Jalapeño

Santa Fe Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe

This recipe makes your average jalapeño poppers seem bland. Hot sausage, and Santa Fe Cheeseball Mix make these poppers a blast of flavor.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup is the perfect thing for a stormy summer day. This recipe includes a few extra goodies like corn and tomatoes that make this version heartier.

White Chicken Enchiladas

White Chicken Enchiladas

Ooey, gooey, cheesy, and packed with flavor, these are a Wind & Willow family favorite. Jalapeno Jack Cheeseball Mix cuts all the creamy goodness with a little bit of spice for the perfect bite!

Margarita Cheesecake

Margarita Cheesecake

Don’t forget dessert! This one is just for the grown-ups. Our Key Lime Pie Quick Cheesecake recipe takes on a whole new spin with the addition of tequila.

Stay Inspired

We hope this list inspires you to get creative in the kitchen with your Wind & Willow products. For more inspiration everyday, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest @windandwillowfoods

Easy Gourmet Toast

When you are in need of a hearty snack or quick lunch, there is no need to sacrifice taste! An easy gourmet toast topped with lots of fun fixings will be just the thing. You probably already have all the ingredients you need. Just be sure to stay stocked up on all your favorite Wind & Willow Appetizer Mix flavors.

How to Build your Easy Gourmet Toast

It is all about layering the flavors for this “recipe” (if you can even call something this simple a recipe). First, use your favorite bread or whatever you have on hand. Sourdough works especially well and we love a dark seedy bread, but even sandwich bread will do! Toast your bread to your liking and top it with prepared Cheeseball & Appetizer Mix (make it with regular or low-fat cream cheese and add butter or leave it out entirely). In the photograph above we used the Bruschetta Mix.

Next, stack the top of your toast with fresh veggies, a protein source, or something unexpected like a jam; here we used halved cherry tomatoes. Lastly, sprinkle your toast with the topping packet.

For a final touch, we drizzled the top of this toast with balsamic glaze. This step is optional but highly recommended for this flavor combination.

Some of Our Favorite Combinations

These simple gourmet toasts make a perfect quick lunch, hearty snack, or rustic appetizer for company. The best part is that there is no end to the possible combinations you could create. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started:

Smokehouse Bacon & Cheddar topped with rotisserie chicken and hot sauce

BLT topped with fresh veggies and extra bacon

Everything Bagel topped with smoked salmon and fresh dill

What combination are you most excited to try? Tag us on social media with your creations!

Hacks for an Easy Game Day Spread

There are a few essentials that every football party needs (chips, dips, and chicken wings to name a few), but how can you make this year’s spread stand out? Besides all of our Game Day Ready Recipes there are a few extra steps you can take with any of our mixes to make it Super special this year!

Make a Cheeseball Football!

Shaping a cheeseball into a different form adds a whimsical touch to a party that can pull in a theme! On game day try shaping Bruschetta or BLT into an oval football shape before sprinkling it with the topping. Then, cut a white cheese, like mozzarella, into strips to decorate the top with laces.

Have your bowl and eat it too!

The easiest way to elevate any Wind & Willow mix is to serve it in a fun and festive vessel. Our favorite is when the bowl is edible! Try Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix in a halved and cored bell pepper, or serve Fresh Picked Spinach Dip Mix in a hollowed out loaf of bread.

Wind & Willow boxes come with a decorative label!

Guests are often curious what flavor of dip or cheeseball you have out, and one of the best things about a Wind & Willow box is that it doubles as a label. Simply cut a square out of the front of the box from just under the Wind & Willow banner and around the edge of the box. Fold in half and place it in front of your appetizer.

Creativity takes our mixes to a whole new level!

Though every Wind & Willow Mix is amazing as it is, our favorite ingredient you add is creativity! From recipes to new ways of serving an item, there is no end to the ways you can make a Wind & Willow Mix your very own.

Show us how you make Game Day special with Wind & Willow!

We want to see how you make Wind & Willow your own on game day. Tag us @windandwillowfoods on Instagram and Facebook. Check out our Pinterest and subscribe to our newsletter for even more tips, tricks, and inspiration!

Appetizer Ideas for a Friendsgiving Feast

Friendsgiving is a special opportunity to show our chosen family a little gratitude during this season thanksgiving. This recently coined holiday is usually celebrated in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and is typically a more casual event. This makes it the perfect time to try out less traditional holiday dishes. We say, keep it simple with an all appetizer menu! Each of the recipes featured here can be prepped ahead of time and finished off in minutes on the day of, leaving you free to spend time with your guests.

Wind and Willow Bacon Stuffed Mushroom Cheeseball and Appetizer Mix

One appetizer that is a must is Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms. No time to stuff a turkey? No problem! This is one of the easiest recipes to make (only 3 ingredients!!), but tastes like it took you lots of time and effort. The best part is that they can be completely prepped the day before and baked as guests arrive so that your home smells warm and inviting. Simply combine Wind & Willow Bacon Stuffed Mushroom Cheeseball & Appetizer Mix with cream cheese. Fill small mushrooms (stems removed) with about a tablespoon of the mixture and top each one with the breadcrumb topping. Cover the mushrooms and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Jalapeno Cranberry Crostini are a fun twist on traditional flavors. Cranberry Sauce pairs with savory Jalapeno Jack Cheeseball for the perfect savory/sweet/heat combination. A garnish of rosemary completes this beautiful app. The best part is how simple it is to put together. You can toast baguettes ahead of time and prepare the cheeseball ahead as well. Just before guests arrive spread about a tablespoon of Jalapeno Jack Cheeseball onto each slice of toasted bread. Top with whole cranberry sauce and a bit of rosemary. These beauties will be the first thing to get polished off by your friends!

A board is the perfect way to display a variety of festive foods that guests can graze on. In addition to the traditional cured meats, cheeses, and fruit add a boost of flavor with your favorite Wind & Willow products! Savory Herb & Pecan Cheeseball, Tuscan Olive Cheeseball, and Cracked Pepper & Garlic Roasted Pecan make beautiful and delicious additions to this Friendsgiving platter.

All that’s left is to light some candles and set the food on the table for a family style feast. Fresh flowers, foliage, and seasonal produce can make fun additions to your table scape and can even serve as conversation starters!

From appetizers to desserts, drink mixes to soup, Wind & Willow has a product that will be perfect for you this holiday season whether you are hosting a holiday, attending a party, or picking out the perfect gift. Check out all our products and recipes on our website for more inspiration.

Find us on social media @windandwillow and don’t forget to tag us in your posts for a chance to be featured on our page!

16 Quick and Easy Fall Dessert Recipes Your Family Will Love

Pumpkin, Apple, Caramel, Pecan, Maple, and warm spices are all on display when the weather starts to get a little chilly. Making yummy homemade desserts full of these fall flavors doesn’t have to be tedious and time consuming. Below is a collection of every easy fall dessert from the Wind & Willow collection.

Caramel Apple Tarts

apple pie mini tart

Get this recipe featuring Caramel Apple Cheeseball Mix.

Cheesecake Baked Apples

Get this recipe featuring Caramel Apple Cheeseball Mix.

Apple Cider Pie

Get this recipe featuring Caramel Apple Cider.

Harvest Layer Cake

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

Graveyard Dirt Cake

Get this recipe featuring a Sweet Cheeseball Mix.

Incredible Apple Cake

Get this recipe featuring a Wind & Willow Cider Mix.

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Get this recipe featuring Caramel Apple Cheeseball Mix.

Pumpkin Harvest Cookies

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

Pumpkin Spice Custard Pie

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

Quick Harvest Cheesecake

Get this recipe featuring a Harvest Cheeseball Mix.

Caramel Apple Cream Pie

Get this recipe featuring Caramel Apple Cheeseball Mix.

Spiced Orange Cookie

Get this recipe featuring English Wassail Cider mix.

Spooky Dessert Pizza

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

Turtle Brownies

Get this recipe featuring Turtle Cheesecake Cheeseball Mix.

Whipped Pumpkin Dip

Get this recipe featuring Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix.

We can’t wait to hear what your favorite fall recipe is! Tag us @windandwillow foods on Instagram and Facebook to tell us which dessert you are planning to make. All tagged photos have the chance to be featured on our page. We especially love seeing the new recipes you come up with. So get creative and show us your work! Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Pinterest for even more delicious content.

How to Host a Fall Craft Night with your Friends

Nothing makes it feel more like fall than gathering with friends to celebrate the changing of the seasons. You don’t have to have a complicated menu or an elaborate activity to make a fun and memorable night. With Wind & Willow, it is easy to prepare simple gourmet snacks that will have your company thinking you have spent hours in the kitchen. As for the activity, there are a few things to keep in mind to choose a low-stress project and we are here to share all our secrets! So come along to discover how to host a fall themed craft night to kick off the season with your favorite people.

When hosting, it is easy to think you have to have dozens of different snacks that all require a grocery run, cooking, and lots of clean up. The truth is, for a small gathering, you really only need one sweet and one savory snack for everyone to nibble at while you work on your crafting. Wind & Willow Sweet Cheeseballs are easily prepared by combining the mix with a block of softened cream cheese and butter. After allowing the mixture to cool in the refrigerator, shape it into a ball and roll it in topping. For a taste of fall a Harvest Cheeseball flavor like Pumpkin Pie, Caramel Apple, or Maple Pecan French Toast will set the autumn mood. We used the back of a knife to create indentations in our prepared Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball and topped it with a bell pepper stem to create a pumpkin! Served on an orange plate surrounded by fall leaf cookies, guests won’t be able to resist digging in.

For savory fare, any Wind & Willow Dip Mix will do the trick, and they couldn’t be easier to prepare; combine the mix with a cup of sour cream and a cup of mayonnaise and refrigerate until guests arrive. We love Fiesta Ranchero for its crowd-pleasing taste and vibrant pops of color. Cheesy Bacon and Chipotle Cheddar would also make excellent choices. Consider serving your dip with hearty crackers and vibrant orange veggies that will carry the warm fall color theme right through this savory snack. Small whole carrots are an unexpected twist from baby carrots and are sure to create conversation.

When choosing a craft, look for something simple that everyone will enjoy creating. It is also important to pick something that you will actually want to use when it is finished! Fall garlands made with wood beads are the perfect pick for a night like this (no glue, glitter, or paint required). All you will need to recreate this craft is twine, wooden beads of different colors, pre-made tassels, and festive wooden ornaments such as maple leaves, pumpkins, or in our case, flat ornaments painted with fun fall sayings such as “gather.” All of these components can easily be found at your local craft store.

Simply tie a tassel to one end of twine. Then, thread wooden beads of different colors, sizes, and shapes onto the string in a pattern. At the end, attach your wooden ornament to the other end to keep the beads secured. It may be beneficial to make one ahead of time as an example, or even show these pictures for inspiration. Everyone will have fun choosing their unique combinations to create a work of art all their own!

These fall garlands make the perfect accent to your fall decor. Tie one around the handle of a basket for an instant autumn look; add it to a tray like we did to make a statement on your coffee table; or simply hang it on a hook to spruce up an entry way. Every time you or your guests see their creation, it will be a reminder of the fun evening you had together!

We love to see all the ways you use Wind & Willow to bring your friends and family together. Tag us @windandwillowfoods on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to be featured on our page. See all our latest blog updates, recipes, and more on Pinterest.