Allergy-Friendly Fruit and Seed Chocolate Bark

Time and time again, it happens.   I'll have my schedule planned out for all the goodies I want to bake for my friends and family.  I'll have my kitchen set up like an assembly line, with cookie sheets taking up every counter space available.  Gift boxes, treat bags, tissue paper and ribbon are scattered haphazardly all over the kitchen table.  If I'm ahead of the game, I'll have an early start in the morning and be finished by dinner.  But most of the time, I'm baking late into the night.  And then it happens.  Something always happens.  I run out of an ingredient and it's too late to go run to the store.  I burn a batch of cookies (or two) because I had my headphones on with my music too loud, and I didn't hear the oven timer (yes, I realize now I should be using my phone timer instead).  As a result, I don't have enough cookies to fill all the boxes.  And the biggest thing that happens...I run out of time.

But don't worry, I've got a backup plan...

Allergy-Friendly Popcorn Balls

Halloween would not be complete without this quintessential holiday treat.  These caramel-coated popcorn balls are just the right combination of sweet, salty and crunchy. Not only are they perfect for your little ghouls and goblins to enjoy, they're also so quick and easy to make.

White Chocolate and Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Christmas is just a few days away and I've been busily putting together boxes of goodies to give to friends and family.  But I thought I'd take a moment to share this quick recipe.  They're my shortbread cookies drizzled with melted white chocolate and topped with dried cranberries.  It's my simple yet festive way to dress up these classic cookies for the holidays :-)

Classic Chocolate Truffles

Over the years, I've slowly come to realize that when it comes to making holiday treats,  I need to simplify things.  As much as I'd love to make all my favorite desserts for everyone, it's physically impossible for me to do it.  I've tried!  Oh boy, have I tried! And it was not pretty.  All those late nights baking all sorts of cookies and making two or three or four different candies.  Not sleeping!  It was crazy!  And I was crazy for putting myself through it!  

Maple Syrup Cinnamon Rolls

There's just something magical about the smell of cinnamon. Whether you're baking a pie or a batch of cookies, this sweet and spicy scent will find its way into every corner of the house and beckon you to follow its trail back into the kitchen. To me, it's the quintessential scent of the holidays.  And these warm and cozy cinnamon rolls will definitely bring some holiday cheer into your home.  

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I can't believe I'm saying this...but I think I'm starting to warm up to pumpkin.  Well, just a little.  I'm still steering clear of pumpkin pie.  I've tried it a few times over the years and even with a mountain of whipped cream, I just don't enjoy it.  I'm sorry.  I just can't.  It's not you, it's me.  Something about it's texture and taste just doesn't make me happy.  BUT I'm not dismissing pumpkin entirely.  I did try to make pumpkin spice cupcakes before and they were deeeeelicious!  So I'm gonna give pumpkin another try.  This time, I made cookies!

Crazy Delicious Rice Krispie Treats

My boys are home sick this week.  Poor babies.  They've been curled up in the couch with fevers and all they want to eat is Jell-O.  I feel so bad when they're not they're happy little selves.  And what's more, they're gonna miss out on all the fun activities at school tomorrow.  My little one even made cards for all his buddies.  Sad to say, but they won't be receiving them :-(

Peppermint Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

If you're looking for me for the next few days, I'll be in my kitchen...baking cookies and making truffles.  I kinda had a late start this year (read: procrastinate), so friends and family, if you're reading this, yes, I am sending you a box of goodies...soon (I hope). 

Reindeer Chow

"When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings..."

- Bing Crosby

Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Aaaaaaaaah...yes I'm back.  It's been a while since my last post and you might be wondering, "What happened???"  Well, if you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook, you already know what's been going on.  But for the rest of you, I've got some awesome news to share.   After months and months of looking, stressing, crying, crying some more, holding my breath and crossing my fingers - FINALLY, we did it!   We bought a house :-)

Brigadeiros (Brazilian Chocolate Candies)

Oh...my...goodness! I have these adorable candies to share with you! They're so quick and easy to make that I guarantee, once you take a bite of this fudgy confection, you'll be back for more.

Coconut Palmier Hearts

On a previous post, I mentioned that I made these coconut palmiers for a family get-together and they absolutely loved it. Well, I'm finally sharing the quick and easy recipe with you.  And I'm also going to show you how to make them into these cute little hearts.  They're just perfect for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Desserts

Egg-Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Hello lovers everywhere! Valentine's Day is just around the corner and if you're planning to seduce your sweetie with a decadent dessert, I have a few sinful suggestions that will definitely get you and your Valentine in a romantic mood.  And what's the magical aphrodisiac in these desserts? Chocolate of course.

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.

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.

Deep Fried Apple Pies

Okay. I know what you're thinking. Deep fried apple pies? For Thanksgiving? Why....YES! Come to think of it, these are perfect for any time of the year.  I'm planning to make these next week and I'm sure they'll be a hit with everyone :-)

El Diablo Chocolate Truffles

If you love my Mexican Hot Chocolate Truffles but wanted more heat, I've created these fiery hot truffles just for you.  El Diablo (Spanish for "the devil") has three times the amount of cayenne pepper in them and I've sprinkled a generous amount of cayenne pepper on top, just in case it's not hot enough for you :-)