Christmas Treats!

I'm back to blogging now and so excited to share new things! I know I skipped blogging about Thanksgiving and that's why I wanted to be here for Christmas. My main Thanksgiving dessert was the one and only pumpkin cheesecake which I enjoy baking every year. For Christmas, I love to have a variety of treats...from cookies to bars to homemade quick breads and cheesecake (of course). Here are some of my favorite ones for this year and from years past:

 

Here are some recipes too!

1. Maple glazed gingerbread marshmellow treats
2. Starbucks (copy cat) Cranberry Bliss bars
3. Choco Hazlenut Latte cookies
4. Glazed Eggnog bread
5. Gingerbread Cheesecake
6. Cinnmon rolls  (Homemade every year on Christmas morning!)

Birthday Cookies for a Princess!!

For Molly's 8th birthday I made her favorite cookies...giant M&M cookies! Of course, I added extra chocolate chips :) Here's how its done



Cookie Heaven

Here they are from top left to right:

1. Double fudge oreo crunch

2. Chocolate chip red velvet (with pumpkin cream cheese filling!)

3. Shortbread cookies with frosting and berries

4. Cinnamon bun cookies
5. Nutella thumbprint

6. Monster cookies

7. Kahlua and espresso chocolate chip

8. Pillow Cookies

The best cookie book:

Sweet tooth + Love of baking=

This weekend was definitely relaxing...one way I relax is by baking! I had to make more than one dessert while I was at it. Here were the results...

Peach Crisp. Just took it out of the oven all bubbly and warm and ready for vanilla ice cream. The perfect match! Recipe?...my own :)

Chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Here's the recipe (I added the white choc chips!) I just took a bite, they are still hot!

Small Sweets are Good!

Mini desserts are my favorite! Sometimes all you need is just a few bites of something sweet. I've noticed many restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops have mini desserts and dessert shots available! But you can even make these yourself. The good thing is that you can top each one differently. The best thing anout them is that you can indulge without feeling like you've eaten an entire cake!

Mini Cheesecakes


Mini Brownies

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Mini  Pies
Pumpkin
Cherry
http://www.bakerella.com/

Mini Cupcakes

Strawberry

Mini Cookies

 Black and white cookies

Recipe: Here

Friday Inspiration

 I love dessert tables like these for any party or event. You can transform a simple array of sweets into either an elegant spread or a playful treat buffet. When it comes to desserts you can't go wrong with variety. Just add a simple sign right above the table and display flowers for color and decor. You can also use all the platters and stands you have tucked away...there are no rules! Presentation is important when entertaining. Enjoy

The little things...

I want to begin my blog with something I love (obviously by the title). Yes, chocolate and cookies and chocolate chip cookies...but more specifically, the things that make life sweet and bring sunshine to an ordinary day. As you continue reading in the days to come, you will encounter things that I enjoy. The more I  experience both joys, trials and everything in between I realize there is so much to be thankful for. The little things, the details, are just as much of God's grace as the bigger things. God is involved in every detail of our lives even in the midst of a stormy trial where life seems dark and hopeless, there He is pouring out His grace on us and shining His light on us. I like to take the time to notice those "overlooked graces" that we don't always appreciate. Enjoy!
Psalm 112:4 "Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous".