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Make Homemade Pizza the Centerpiece of Holiday Parties

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Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Make Homemade Pizza the Centerpiece of Holiday Parties

Make Homemade Pizza the Centerpiece of Holiday Parties

(Family Features) During a season of turkey dinners and festive cocktails, those rich holiday staples may start feeling heavy. When it’s time to reset with a lighter, delicious homemade dinner, try a seasonally appropriate pizza as a simple solution for returning to routine. In fact, regardless of season, pizza remains one of the most popular food choices in the country. According to Current’s “Pizza Wars” survey, which explored preferences and habits among 6,500 respondents in America’s most populous metropolitan areas, the average respondent ordered nearly five pizzas per month. With New York-style rating as the top preference and pepperoni as the favorite topping, the survey found Americans would have to be paid an average of more than $14 million to give up pizza for life. Additionally, 45% of respondents identified undercooked pizza dough as the worst “pizza crime.” To help avoid that fate, experienced pizzaioli and everyday home cooks alike are turning more often to electric pizza ovens, which deliver restaurant-quality pies without gas or open flames. Energy efficient with capabilities for both indoor and outdoor use, they’re a versatile solution for apartment dwellers and those crafting homemade pizzas any time of year. Building on a mission to reimagine cooking with electric technology that’s smarter, cleaner and more sustainable, the Current Model P Smart Oven Pizza reaches 850 F, perfect for Neapolitan-style pizzas ready in just 2 minutes, such as this Truffle Mushroom Pizza that’s an ideal fit for complementing all those heavy holiday meals with a lighter weeknight bite. Its design combined with a cordierite 12-inch cooking stone ensures uniform heat for authentic, crispy crusts with multiple cooking modes, giving you the versatility to cook any way you like. Controlling through a smartphone app offers digital temperature monitoring along with chef-curated recipes or a “pizza build calculator,” which takes the guesswork out of pizza-making – you can personalize a 12-inch pizza with your chosen amount of sauce, cheese, toppings and even dough thickness, and the app will compute a customized time and temperature for perfect cooking. A thoughtful gift for foodies and gadget fanatics alike, you can bring the joy of pizza to the holiday season with these topping ideas and celebration inspiration:
  • Bring comfort to winter with toppings like sausage, roasted squash, mushrooms, caramelized onions and smoked gouda.
  • Take advantage of leftovers from holiday gatherings with a pizza that includes brie, cranberry drizzle, roasted turkey and spiced butternut squash.
  • For a sweet treat, top with hazelnut spread and marshmallows – perfect for capping off holiday parties.
  • To get loved ones involved, host a pizza party swap where friends and family create pies with favorite seasonal toppings.
  • Host a DIY pizza bar allowing guests to personalize their own pizza creations, a delicious way to wind down the festivities.
To find more pizza-infused holiday inspiration, visit CurrentBackyard.com. 17684 detail embed1

Truffle Mushroom Pizza

Recipe courtesy of Chef Trimmell Hawkins, Current Cream Sauce:
  • Oil or butter, for sauteeing
  • 1/4       cup onions, small diced
  • 3          garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2       cup mushrooms (such as baby portobello, button or shiitake), minced
  • 1          tablespoon picked thyme
  • 2          cups heavy cream
  • 2          tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4          tablespoons water
  • 2          tablespoons truffle oil
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
Pizza:
  • 1          pizza dough
  • grated or fresh mozzarella cheese
  • mushrooms
  • spinach (optional)
  • cooked sausage (optional)
  1. To make cream sauce: In saucepan over medium heat, add oil or butter. Saute onions until translucent then add garlic and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms release moisture and begin to caramelize.
  2. Stir in picked thyme and cook 1 minute to release oils.
  3. Add heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer. Let it reduce slightly, 5-7 minutes.
  4. In small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make slurry. Slowly whisk into simmering cream sauce until it reaches desired consistency.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in truffle oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. To prepare pizza: Preheat Current Model P Smart Pizza Oven to 850 F. While oven heats up, roll dough out to 8-12 inches and add desired amount of cream sauce.
  7. Top with mozzarella, mushrooms, spinach and sausage, as desired. Once oven is hot, cook pizza 2 minutes until bubbly.
collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures SOURCE: Current
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Foodie News

National Muffin Day Belongs at Corner Bakery: $2 Muffins Hit Cafes Feb. 20

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Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Daily News Staff

National Muffin Day has a way of sneaking up on us—one minute it’s a normal Friday, the next you’re suddenly thinking about blueberry crumbs, warm cinnamon tops, and whether “just one” counts if you also grab one for later. This year, Corner Bakery Cafe is leaning all the way into the holiday with a deal that’s as straightforward as it is tempting: any muffin for $2 on Friday, February 20, all day, at participating locations.

Corner Bakery Cafe president Erin Hasselgreen summed up the brand’s approach in the announcement: “If there’s a day to celebrate muffins, it belongs at Corner Bakery. We bake them fresh every day… and on February 20 we’re making it easier than ever to celebrate with $2 muffins all day long.”

Why National Muffin Day still matters

Corner Bakery Cafe is marking National Muffin Day with $2 muffins on Feb. 20. All flavors, all day—plus tips for making the most of it.
Corner Bakery Cafe is celebrating National Muffin Day with a simple, delicious deal guests won’t want to miss.

Food holidays can feel a little gimmicky—until they give you a reason to try something new, revisit a favorite, or turn an ordinary day into a small tradition. National Muffin Day is one of those low-stakes celebrations that fits almost any schedule:

  • Breakfast on the go (no fork required)
  • A mid-afternoon snack that feels like a reward
  • A sweet pick-me-up that doesn’t need a special occasion

Corner Bakery is betting on that exact vibe: muffins as a comfort food that’s familiar, easy to share, and always welcome.

The $2 muffin lineup: classic, seasonal, and “grab an extra” flavors

Corner Bakery says the deal covers all muffin flavors, which means you can keep it classic or go seasonal depending on what your local cafe has available. The brand highlights a mix that hits the usual favorites and the cozy, winter-to-spring crossover cravings:

  • Blueberry
  • Chocolate
  • Cinnamon Crumb
  • Cranberry Orange
  • Banana
  • Pumpkin
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you’re the type who likes to make National Muffin Day a mini tasting flight, the $2 price point makes it easy to mix and match—one safe pick, one “why not?” pick.

Muffins are timeless for a reason

In the release, Hasselgreen calls muffins “one of those timeless bakery items that never go out of style… comforting, versatile, and always satisfying.” And honestly, that’s the whole appeal. Muffins sit right in the sweet spot between pastry and snack—less fussy than a layered dessert, more satisfying than a cookie, and flexible enough to pair with coffee, tea, or a quick breakfast run.

They also travel well, which is why they’ve become a go-to for:

  • Morning meetings
  • School drop-offs
  • Road trips
  • Office snack tables
  • “I’ll eat later” moments that turn into “I’m eating now” moments

The details (so you don’t get surprised at the register)

Here’s what to know before you head out:

  • Deal: Any muffin for $2
  • When: Friday, February 20 (valid all day)
  • Where: Participating Corner Bakery Cafe locations
  • Note: Pricing and availability vary by location

Corner Bakery recommends confirming participation by contacting your local cafe.

A little National Muffin Day game plan

If you want to make the most of it, here’s a simple way to approach the day:

  1. Pick your “must-have” flavor (the one you’ll regret skipping)
  2. Add one seasonal wildcard (pumpkin cheesecake fans, this is your moment)
  3. Grab a second muffin for later—because future-you always appreciates past-you

About Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and catering across 18 states and Washington, D.C. The brand traces its roots to a neighborhood bakery that started in downtown Chicago in 1991, built around fresh ingredients, artisan breads, and a “warm and comfortable place” feel.

For more information, visit cornerbakerycafe.com or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on social media.

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Explore STM Daily News Food & Drink for crave-worthy recipes, restaurant and brand news, seasonal picks, and the trends shaping what we’re eating and sipping right now. Start here: https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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Food and Beverage

Pizza Hut Brings Back Heart-Shaped Pizza With Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter + Howie Dorough

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Pizza Hut is bringing back its iconic Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine’s Day — and it’s doing it with a pop-culture assist from Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter and Howie Dorough.

Pizza Hut is bringing back its Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine’s Day, teaming up with Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter and Howie Dorough for a limited-time campaign.
PIZZA HUT PARTNERS WITH BACKSTREET BOYS’ NICK CARTER AND HOWIE DOROUGH TO CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF ITS ICONIC HEART-SHAPED PIZZA

Announced Feb. 10, the limited-time collaboration is titled “The Shape of My Heart-Shaped Pizza,” a nod to the group’s hit “Shape of My Heart” and a neat fit for a product that’s basically made for February 14.

A Valentine’s campaign built for social (and nostalgia)

Pizza Hut says it teamed up with Carter and Dorough to create a series of social spots inspired by “Shape of My Heart.” In one featured video, the duo leans into a playful generational debate — Millennial vs. Gen Z hand-heart gestures— before settling on the one thing both sides can agree on: sharing a slice.

The timing also taps into a bigger Backstreet Boys moment. The band recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its album Millennium and continues its “Into The Millennium” residency at SPHERE in Las Vegas, keeping the nostalgia engine running for longtime fans while pulling in younger audiences.

Pizza Hut PARTNERS WITH BACKSTREET BOYS NICK CARTER AND HOWIE DOROUGH
PIZZA HUT PARTNERS WITH BACKSTREET BOYS’ NICK CARTER AND HOWIE DOROUGH TO CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF ITS ICONIC HEART-SHAPED PIZZA

How to order Pizza Hut’s Heart-Shaped Pizza

The Heart-Shaped Pizza is available now through Feb. 22, with a medium one-topping option starting at $11.99.

Pizza Hut is pitching the limited-time pie as an easy win for Valentine’s Day — whether you’re planning a cozy night in, surprising someone with a low-lift dinner idea, or leaning into a solo celebration.

To learn more or place an order, Pizza Hut directs customers to: https://www.pizzahut.com/c/content/heart-shaped-pizza

Offer details (quick fine print)

  • Limited-time offer
  • Medium one-topping pizza
  • Hand-tossed crust only
  • Pizza arrives uncut
  • Extra toppings/cheese cost more
  • Availability, pricing, and participation may vary

What to watch for

Seasonal menu items are nothing new — but Pizza Hut’s heart-shaped pizza has the kind of built-in shareability brands chase: it’s instantly recognizable, it photographs well, and it’s tied to a calendar moment people already post about.

Adding Carter and Dorough gives the campaign a second hook: nostalgia that travels fast on social, plus a light “generational” angle that’s easy to remix in comments.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, was founded in 1958 and operates nearly 20,000 restaurants across more than 110 markets and territories. The brand is known for icons like Original Pan and Original Stuffed Crustpizzas. Pizza Hut also continues to push digital ordering, with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders.


At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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Food and Beverage

Stop the Sniffles with Sick Day Soup

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Stop the Sniffles with Sick Day Soup

(Feature Impact) Coughs and sniffles don’t have to derail you for long – not with a fresh, homemade stockpot full of Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup. Loaded with rotisserie chicken, celery and carrots, it’s sure to warm you from the inside-out as a warm, comforting meal. Plus, with eight servings, this dish can help solve dinnertime dilemmas throughout the week by storing leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating on the stove.

Warm up your winter meals with more comforting ideas available at Culinary.net.

17786 SickDaySoup detail embed

Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup

Recipe adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8

  • 1/2       tablespoon butter
  • 2          ribs celery, diced
  • 3-4       large carrots, diced
  • 1          clove garlic, minced
  • 10        cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1/8       teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/8       teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8       teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • chicken bouillon cubes (optional)
  • 4          cups dry egg noodles
  • 3          cups cooked rotisserie chicken
  1. In large stockpot over medium-high heat, saute butter, celery and carrots 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  2. Add chicken stock or broth and season with rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes, if desired, for flavor.
  3. Bring to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Remove from heat once noodles are tender.
  4. Add chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures

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Culinary.net

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/


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