The Willow Tree's Recipe Blog

At The Willow Tree, we've always believed life is about more than what you wear—it's about the moments you create. This is our place to share the recipes that fill our homes, bring our families together, and make every season a little sweeter. Whether you're planning a weeknight dinner, hosting friends, or baking something special just because, we're so glad you're here. Pull up a chair, stay awhile, and welcome to our table.


Elizabeth’s Trail Mix 

A Team Favorite, Grab & Go Snack by Elizabeth on our Shipping Team


INGREDIENTS

SAUCE

1 CUP MELTED BUTTER

2 TABLESPOONS WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

1 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

1 TEASPOON ONION POWDER

½ TEASPOON GROUND GINGER

2 TABLESPOONS BROWN SUGAR

1 TEASPOON BROWN MUSTARD

2 TABLESPOONS SRIRACHA

MIX INS

8 CUPS CRISPIX CEREAL

3 CUPS CHEEZ-ITS

1 (8-OZ) CAN SALTED CASHEWS

3.5 OZ WONTON STRIPS

AFTER BAKING

7 OZ WASABI PEAS

16 OZ MINI M&M’S

STEPS

  1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 250°F

  2. WHISK SAUCE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER.

  3. TOSS CRISPIX, CHEEZ-ITS, CASHEWS, AND WONTON STRIPS WITH SAUCE.

  4. BAKE 1–1½ HOURS, STIRRING EVERY 15 MINUTES.

  5. COOL COMPLETELY, THEN STIR IN WASABI PEAS AND MINI M&M’S.

 

Anna’s Old Fashion Chocolate Pie

A Classic, Quick Dessert by Anna on our Marketing Team


INGREDIENTS

1 STICK OF BUTTER

2 SQUARES OF SEMI SWEET BAKERS CHOCOLATE

2 EGGS BEATEN

1 CUP OF SUGAR

1 DEEP DISH PIE SHELL


STEPS

  1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 DEGREES

  2. IN A LARGE SAUCE PAN MELT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE

  3. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ADD SUGAR WITH HAND MIXER. (DON’T DO THIS BY HAND! IT HAS TO BE WITH A MIXER.)

  4. ADD EGGS WITH A HAND MIXER.

  5. POUR INTO PIE SHELL.

  6. BAKE FOR 20-30 MINUTES.




Ashley’s Lasagna

A Willow Tree Staple by one of our Live Team Members


INGREDIENTS

3 CUPS SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE (12 OZ) 

1 CONTAINER (15 OZ) RICOTTA CHEESE

4 OZ CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED 

1/2 CUP SHREDDED PARMESAN CHEESE (2 OZ) 

2 CLOVES GARLIC, FINELY CHOPPED 

1 EGG, SLIGHTLY BEATEN 

1 JAR (25.5 OZ) PASTA SAUCE (I PREFER A CHEESE BLEND SAUCE)

1/4 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM 

9 OVEN-READY LASAGNA NOODLES 

1 LB LEAN (AT LEAST 80%) GROUND BEEF

STEPS

  1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375°F. SPRAY A 13X9-INCH (3-QUART) 

  2. GLASS BAKING DISH WITH COOKING SPRAY.

  3. IN A LARGE BOWL, MIX 2 CUPS MOZZARELLA, RICOTTA, CREAM CHEESE, PARMESAN, GARLIC, AND EGG UNTIL COMBINED.

  4. SPREAD 1 CUP PASTA SAUCE EVENLY IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BAKING DISH.

  5. IN A 10-INCH SKILLET OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT, COOK BEEF FOR 7–9 MINUTES UNTIL BROWNED; DRAIN. STIR IN THE REMAINING PASTA SAUCE AND WHIPPING CREAM.

  6. LAYER IN THE DISH: 3  LASAGNA NOODLE, HALF THE CHEESE MIXTURE, & 1 CUP BEEF SAUCE

  7. REPEAT THE LAYERS. TOP WITH REMAINING NOODLES AND BEEF SAUCE. SPRINKLE WITH THE REMAINING 1 CUP MOZZARELLA.

  8. COVER TIGHTLY WITH FOIL AND BAKE FOR 30 MINUTES. UNCOVER AND BAKE 12–15 MORE MINUTES UNTIL CHEESE IS BROWNED AND BUBBLING. 

  9. LET STAND 15 MINUTES BEFORE CUTTING.

Kelsey’s Pickle Dip

A Light, Crowd Favorite from Kelsey on our Shipping Team

INGREDIENTS

7 TO 8 WHOLE DILL PICKLES 

8 OZ CREAM CHEESE 

TEASPOON OR MORE OF GARLIC POWDER

2 TABLESPOONS PICKLE JUICE

SALT AND PEPPER

DRIED DILL 

WAVY CHIPS AND/OR CRACKERS


STEPS

  1. CHOP 7 TO 8 WHOLE DILL PICKLES VERY FINE.

  2. IN A BOWL, ADD 8 OZ SOFTENED CREAM CHEESE AND MIX UNTIL SMOOTH.

  3. STIR IN THE CHOPPED PICKLES.

  4. ADD 2 TABLESPOONS PICKLE JUICE AND MIX WELL.

  5. SPRINKLE IN GARLIC POWDER (ABOUT A TEASPOON OR MORE TO TASTE).

  6. ADD SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE AND MIX EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

  7. STIR IN DRIED DILL, THEN SPRINKLE A LITTLE EXTRA ON TOP.

  8. CHILL IF YOU WANT IT THICKER, OR SERVE RIGHT AWAY WITH WAVY RUFFLE CHIPS OR CRACKERS.





Maggie's Banana Bread

A Fruity, Sweet Treat from Maggie on our Marketing Team

INGREDIENTS

3 MEDIUM RIPE BANANAS

2 EGGS

½ CUP BUTTER

½ CUP SUGAR

½ CUP BROWN SUGAR

½ CUP MILK

VANILLA TO TASTE

1 ½ CUP OF FLOUR

1 TSP BAKING POWDER

1 TSP BAKING SODA

CINNAMON TO TASTE

CHOCOLATE CHIPS


STEPS

  1. ADD BANANAS TO BOWL AND MASH

  2. ADD EGGS, BUTTER, SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR, MILK, VANILLA TO MASHED BANANAS

  3. MIX

  4. ADD FLOUR, BAKING SODA, BAKING POWDER, AND CINNAMON TO MIXTURE

  5. MIX

  6. POUR INTO GREASED LOAF PAN AND TOP WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

  7. BAKE AT 350 FOR 40-50 MINS

  8. ENJOY!


Laura's Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies 

A Family Cookbook Secret from Laura on our Customer Service Team


INGREDIENTS

1 STICK OF BUTTER

3 TABLESPOONS OF HERSHEY CHOCOLATE COCO POWDER

2 CUPS OF SUGAR

3 CUPS OF OLD FASHIONED OATS

½ CUP OF CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER

½ CUP OF WHOLE MILK

½ CUP OF CHOPPED PECANS (OPTIONAL)


STEPS

  1. SPRAY CAST IRON SKILLET WITH NON-STICK SPRAY AND MELT BUTTER ON MEDIUM HEAT.

  2. SLOWLY POUR IN MILK, COCO POWDER, AND SUGAR. STIRRING FREQUENTLY.

  3. LET MIXTURE COME TO A BOIL, TURN OFF STOVE, BUT LEAVE PAN ON THE EYE.

  4. SLOWLY SCOOP IN PEANUT BUTTER AND PECANS. MIX WELL.

  5. ADD IN OATS. MIX AGAIN.

  6. CAREFULLY POUR MIXTURE EVENLY ONTO WAX PAPER.

  7. AFTER COOKIES HARDEN. BREAK INTO PIECES.