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



Fall Baking Heaven

1. Apple cider bread
2. Cheesecake topped brownies with pumpkin butter swirl
3. Autumn cheesecake
4. Pumpkin cream cheese muffins
5. Iced cinnamon pecan biscotti
6. Maple oat nut scones

Friday Inspiration

SINnamon Rolls

1. Pumpkin Maple cinnamon rolls
2. Chocolate chip cookie dough stuffed
3. Chocolate cinnamon rolls
4. Blueberry cinnamon rolls
5. Cake batter rolls
6. Mini buttermilk cinnamon bun pops

Black and White Fall Decor

Black and white is a wonderful combination that is elegant and never boring. Here is a different twist to the typical Fall colors of orange, brown, green and red. Please enjoy and recreate!

Haunted house candle holder

 



Lovely chandelier napkins



A black cakestand contrasted by a white pumpkin

 

Mini pumpkins on a candlestick



Scary books can be used to create height in your centerpiece

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!

Quick Dinner Menu

I love planning ahead, especially when visitors come. I like to be ready to properly host my guests. But sometimes there is little to NO time at all and you need something quick and easy and impressive! Ok here's a few last minute recipes that are delicous:

Main course

Chicken Spaghetti
 Recipe

Buttered Rosemary Rolls
 Recipe

Chicken Caesar Salad


Dessert
Brookies (Brownie/Cookies)
 Recipe is seriously easy! Eat it warm and ooey gooey with ice cold milk or topped with ice cream. Top with chocolate ganache.

Send them away feeling happy and loved!

Ice Cream Heaven

July was National ice cream month but since it was kinda busy for me I am now paying a tribute to the most delicous dessert ever! This is my ice cream heaven...




Here are the flavors:
(starting with top left to right)
1. Blueberry muffin
2. Brownie batter
3. Mint chocolate chip
4. Blackberry
5. Strawberry cheesecake
6. Banana bread

Don't forget to pick this up for a good Summer ice cream guide:

Healthy Summer Sweets

Mixed berries with homemade whipped cream

Dark Chocolate: the higher the percentage the better it is for you, also antioxidants.

Apple slices with cottage cheese (or yogurt) sprinkled with cinnamon

There are a lot more options for healthier desserts and Summer is a great time to stock up on fresh fruits and a lot of water! Raspberry and strawberry picking is also fun ways to be outside and motivation to make something of the berries you worked so hard to pick.Take advantage of it and enjoy feeling better this season!