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Granite is one of the most popular stone countertop materials, thanks to its array of colors and patterns. Marble’s patina and cold surface are appreciated by bakers and professional cooks, while other stones such as soapstone and slate have become trendy, as well. Quartz, an engineered stone that can be customized to mimic the look of natural stone, is another popular option, thanks to its durability. Stone can be honed to a matte finish or polished to high-gloss....

Chocolate Glaze: In a medium bowl stir together 2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in 1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread and enough milk to make of dipping consistency (2 to 4 tablespoons). Dip donuts in glaze then sprinkle with chopped toasted hazelnuts, almonds or peanuts. Makes 1 cup glaze.Nutrition analysis per serving: 453 calories, 6 g protein, 78 g carbohydrate, 13 g total fat (3 g sat....

The tradition dates back hundreds of years—and there’s an interesting story behind how the baby made its way into the cake. The practice of making and serving king cakes actually dates all the way back to the origins of Mardi Gras itself, which was first celebrated in America in 1699, but baking a baby into the cake wasn’t common practice until the 1800s. Before you don your beads or fire up that delicious batch of gumbo, arm yourself with the details about why there may be a small baby in your slice of cake and what it means if you’re the one who finds it....

For starters, if you don’t already own a quality tape measure, buy one. Get one with a 25-foot-long blade that’s 1-inch wide and has a lock to keep the blade extended, such as the Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure ($11, The Home Depot). The wide blade extends a long way without buckling. If possible, get a tape measure that doesn’t have the first few inches divided into 32nds. These fine markings are rarely needed in carpentry projects and can be distracting....

While bats may not be the most glamorous creatures, they’re superheroes when battling insect pests. This is good news for your garden, where plant-eating beetles, moths, hornworms, grasshoppers, and stinkbugs are among bats’ favorite meals. These nocturnal winged mammals also help curb mosquito populations. Here’s how to attract bats so they’ll get to work in your yard. Why Bats Are Beneficial First of all, insect-eating bats have huge appetites. Some bats, especially pregnant females or nursing mothers, may consume close to their body weight in bugs each night....

How to Bake Chicken Breasts From seasoning slicing, here’s our step-by-step guide to baking chicken breasts. Step 1: Choose Your Seasoning While your oven preheats to 375°F, pick your favorite seasonings or prepare a spice rub to add pizzazz to plain chicken breasts. We love the combination used in our Spice-Rubbed Chicken recipe, but you could simply season with salt and black pepper, garlic powder, lemon-pepper seasoning, seasoned salt, a chili powder-cocoa blend, really anything in your spice cabinet....

How to Bake Chicken Pieces Most nights of the week you just need to know how long to bake chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks, not necessarily a whole bird. Prep and bake for a hands-free entrée while you whip up a veggie side dish. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pieces Arrange chicken pieces, bone sides down (if using bone-in cuts), in a single layer in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan ($13, Target) or shallow roasting pan....

See photo ledge arrangements we love. Editor’s tip: We recommend resting your photo ledge on pieces of scrap wood to make painting the edges a little easier.

Farmhouse fabrics are informal and treasured for their countrified associations, high-contrast color combinations, touchable weaves, and hand-stitched beginnings. Utilitarian textiles like recycled grain sacks, ticking-striped towels, red-checked tablecloths, and calico aprons are finding new life in country decor. They pop up as upholstery fabrics, throw pillows, bed skirts, and quilts. Want to establish farmhouse style in your home? Here’s a look at the fabrics, patterns, and textiles that let you create country character....