Golden Champagne Truffles

Aren't these truffles absolutely gorgeous?  I thought I'd take some Champagne Truffles and dress them up for New Year's Eve.  I coated them with white chocolate and brushed them with some shimmery gold luster dust. They look almost too pretty to eat!

Graham Cracker Gingerbread House with Marshmallow Icing

I was picking up my son from school last week and he was admiring all the gingerbread houses that the 4th and 5th graders were carrying home.

Son: "Wow! Mom, did they bake ALL those gingerbread houses at school today?"
Me: "No honey, I think those are made out of graham crackers."
Son: "Ooooooooh! Can we make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers too?"
Me: "Sure."

Holiday Candy Ideas

My kitchen has turned into a mini chocolate factory. It's candy making time! For the past few days, I've been filling these boxes with all sorts of mouthwatering candies to give to my friends and family. Yes, it's been a little crazy in the kitchen and I'm sure my lack of sleep has contributed to my loopy mental state, but I think it's all worth the effort in the end. I just couldn't think of anything more special to give to my loved ones than these homemade candies.

Red Wine Truffles with Dried Cherries

I was trying to come up with a new truffle recipe this week and I remembered how much my grandmother Dolores loves Champagne Truffles.  I always send her a box every Christmas along with other sweet treats.  Last year, I actually made them for her 90th birthday celebration. This year, I thought I would create a truffle inspired by her. She's the one who taught me how to make delicious Filipino desserts and I'd like to think I inherited her passion for cooking and baking.  So Lola Do, if you're reading this, I dedicate this truffle to you :-)

Cookie Exchange 2011 Roundup

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for sharing all your wonderful cookie recipes! To be honest, I was a little nervous about this.  This is the first time I've ever hosted a virtual cookie exchange and I wasn't sure if anyone was going to respond. My stomach was in knots for the past two weeks.  I basically just crossed my fingers, my toes and my eyes, hoping for a good turnout.  So I'm very happy and very grateful to all of you who were so sweet to take time out of your busy holiday schedule to participate in this event.

Not-So-Nutty Fruitcake Cookies (Vegan, Nut-free and Soy-free)

I may have doomed these cookies for life by naming them after a much despised holiday treat.  And I know a lot of you will dismiss them just because of their namesake.  You might even think I'm nuts for picking such a horrible name for these delicious cookies, but I don't think so.  If you like fruitcake, then these Not-So-Nutty Fruitcake Cookies will definitely remind you of it.  But if you don't like fruitcake, I still think you'll like these cookies because, unlike the infamous fruitcake, they're not basted with booze and they're not cloyingly sweet with candied fruit.  Laugh as you may, crack a few jokes or two, but after you take a bite, you just might think I'm not-so-nutty after all.

Tutorial: Baby Elmo Birthday Cake and Cupcakes

Photo Credit: Kristen Somera

Guess what? My little boy turned two this summer and I still haven't written about his FIRST birthday cake.  How lame is that?  So what's my excuse?  Well, for one thing, I didn't get a chance to take any pictures during his party.  I was running around like a crazy mom while Hubby was busy keeping the kids entertained.  Pretty much the same thing happened this summer but we made sure we took pictures this time.  And of course, I'll be writing about it next year...when he turns 3!  Anyway, I gathered up all the pictures I could find (with the help of friends and family) so I can finally sit down and write about his adorable little cake.