Katie Lee on balancing life as a new mom and her holiday menu: 'It's 2020, all bets are off!"

Katie Lee attends the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One

(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for NYCWFF))

published 23 December 2020

For Food Network star Katie Lee, the holidays are looking a bit differently this year. Not only is she adapting to this "new normal" COVID-19 has us all facing, but the 39-year-old is adjusting to yet another life-change: a newborn baby girl, Iris — who she welcomed with husband, Ryan Biegel, earlier this year.

But don't think for a second that all of these changes are slowing this new-mom down! In reality, this cooking pro is busier than ever.

Ahead of the holiday season, Lee teamed up and joined forces (via a partnership) with both Duncan Hines and Orville Redenbacher.

Her reasoning? This new mom is not only looking to avoid any new mom shame (or guilt) but also alleviate any of the inevitable stress that comes alongside the holiday season, and her key to achieving a stress-free holiday season? "[She's] looking for simpler recipes that don't take as much time."

Since it will be just her and her husband this year (alongside their adorable newborn baby girl), the two will be sharing the responsibilities when it comes to their holiday menu. "He [is] making some of the recipes, and I am making others," she reveals, and if you're wondering how she feels about yet another change? She is all for it.

When it comes to her upcoming holiday menu? " We have some things that are more labor-intensive and other recipes that are freaking easy," and if you need to take a short cut? Lee is here for it.

"If you need to say, 'You know what, guys? We are having pizza this year!’ Go for it! It’s 2020 all bets are off." We couldn't agree more! And if you're looking to take a play out of her playbook this season? Now you can.

As a result of her partnership —with both Duncan Hines and Orville Redenbacher— Lee revealed two recipes that are easier-than-ever to recreate.

Cooking essentials you'll need:

1. Holiday Peppermint Brownies

The reason Katie Lee and Duncan Hines teamed up for this brownie recipe? It's "because I like taking shortcuts here and there, and for me, brownies are not one of those things you need to make from scratch. The mix is so delicious, thick and fudgy," she explains.

Supplies you'll need:

Ingredients:

PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 pkg (18.3 oz each) Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
16 peppermint patties
1 container (16 oz each) Duncan Hines Classic Chocolate Creamy Home-Style Frosting
2 candy canes, crushed

Directions

- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides so that it can be used later to remove the brownies from the pan.

- Prepare brownie mix batter according to package instructions. Pour half of the brownie mix into a prepared baking dish and top with an even layer of peppermint patties. Pour the remaining brownie mix on top.

- Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

- Remove brownies from the pan using parchment paper. Transfer to a cutting board. Using an offset spatula or a butter knife, evenly top with frosting. Decorate with crushed candy canes. Cut into squares and place on serving platter.

Top them off the Katie Lee-approved way, with the following:

Katie Lee Pro-Tip: "I put this layer of peppermint patties in there and decorate with chocolate frosting, and candy canes and they are just super fun and a great way to bring some holiday cheer!"

2. Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars

As a longtime popcorn fan, Lee deems it "one of [her] number one snacks in her entire life." Which is why she "created these chocolate peanut butter popcorn bars. Over the summer when I was pregnant to satisfy some cravings; and now we make them all the time and are going to give them as gifts this year. They are like crispy rice treats but with Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and peanut butter."

Supplies you'll need to start:

Ingredients

PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1/2 cup Peter Pan® Creamy Peanut Butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pkg (10 oz each) miniature marshmallows
2 bags (82.3 g each) Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet® Butter Microwave Popcorn or 14 to 16 cups Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet Popping Corn, prepared according to package instructions
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
3 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions

- Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

- Melt the peanut butter and butter together in a medium saucepan over low heat, then stir in the marshmallows. Continue to stir until the marshmallows are melted.

- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the popcorn to coat evenly in the melted marshmallow mixture. Pour the popcorn mixture into the coated baking dish and spread out into an even layer.

- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals until liquid.

- Drizzle the popcorn with the melted chocolate mixture. Optional: Decorate with edible gold glitter or holiday sprinkles for a festive touch. Allow the popcorn treats to cool for 30 minutes, then cut into bars.