Everyone needs a delightful, buttery Shortbread Cookies recipe. Shortbread Cookies Makes about 60 cookies. 1 cup + 6 tablespoons high-quality unsalted butter, softened (European butter is best) 2 teaspoons salt 1 1/3 cup of powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 cups flour Place the butter, salt, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixer. Cream together […]
Apple Pie. Please let me introduce you to the perfect apple pie. Why This Pie Works We follow all the finicky rules that make a buttery, flakey pie crust like using high-quality butter, keeping it cold, not over-processing the butter & flour, not playing with it too much, and letting it rest. We use Honeycrisp […]
These spritz cookies are super easy to make and are always a crowd favorite! Sprinkles, chocolate, cherries, butter. What’s not to love? Spritz Cookies Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons almond extract 1 teaspoon salt 2 1/4 cups flour Food coloring (optional) Candy sprinkles (optional) […]
Lunch Bag Snowflakes aren’t only easy to make, they are beautiful! Great news! If you’re a crafty person, you probably already have everything you need to make these. Lunch Bag Snowflakes 96 paper lunch bags (Here are some basic kraft paper lunch bags or these adorable polka dot lunch bags) Scissors About 12 inches of […]
How to Brine a Turkey Below you will find the recipe for a fantastic brine and charts to help you prepare your turkey. How to Brine a Turkey 2 quarts boiling hot water 1 1/2 cups kosher salt 1 cup brown sugar 2 gallons cold apple cider 2 quarts cold water 2 oranges Leaves from […]
I heard you wanted to decorate your own Christmas cookies this year so here’s my list of Cookie Decorating Essentials! KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Half Sheet Pans Half Sheet Parchment Paper Baking Sheets LorAnn Almond Bakery Emulsion Meringue Powder or Unflavored Egg White Powder Canvas Decorating Bags Stainless Steel Round Tips Standard Plastic […]
Norwegian Potato Lefse. The pounding of the rolling pin onto the pastry-cloth-lined 25-foot long table was comforting. The eight grills all in a line warmed me yet scared me as I walked by. The “Lefse Ladies” as we lovingly referred to them were always there with the best gossip and glorious giggles as they flooded […]
Chocolate Pizzelle Italian Waffle Cookies are fun to make and the prettiest little things you’ve ever seen. Nevermind the hours of cookie decorating when you can just bake the pretty right into your cookie in less than two minutes. Fill with frosting and lace with edible gold flakes and you have a magical treat everyone […]
When life hands you a broken candy cane… or two, don’t be crushed, make candy cane ice cream. Candy Cane Ice Cream Makes about 2 gallons of ice cream. 3 cups sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 4 1/2 cups half & half or milk 1 tablespoon peppermint extract 10-pound bag […]
This fresh & crispy Christmas Broccoli Salad is a great way to enjoy fruits & veggies that aren’t from a can, drenched in heavy sauces, or overcooked this Christmas. What a gorgeous addition to your Christmas dinner table. Christmas Broccoli Salad 1 pound fresh broccoli, chopped 4 ounces pomegranate (replace with raspberries or another Keto-friendly option […]
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake With Apple Brandy Whipped Cream is the perfect fall treat. A moist, dark cake with a delightful, light whipped topping. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon […]
Almond Crescent Cookies Almond Crescent Cookies 4 egg whites 18 ounces almond flour 18 ounces powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips Beat eggs well in a mixing bowl. Add almond flour and powdered sugar. Mix well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When the dough has chilled and you […]
Caramel-Filled Stroopwafels are fun to make and to eat. A perfect small fall-ish treat to go with coffee with friends… especially Dutch friends. Caramel-Filled Stroopwafels Makes 10 stroopwafels. Stroopwafels 1/4 cup lukewarm milk 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temp (or under 105°F) 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups flour 4 […]
Snowball Cookies are always a holiday hit. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best crowd-pleasers. Snowball Cookies Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup pecans, chopped fine Additional powdered sugar (for coating) Combine […]
The Norwegian Wedding Cake is such a special tradition for anyone Scandinavian. I remember them sitting upon many glorious catered tables of food for all types of celebrations. Norwegian Wedding Cake 4 egg whites 18 ounces almond flour 18 ounces powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Beat eggs well in a mixing bowl. Add almond […]
My years spent sleeping on bakery shelves before grade school are paying off for you once again. Today, I share with you the Almond Coffeecake. Almond Coffeecake 5 teaspoons yeast 1/2 cup lukewarm water (110°F or lower) 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup instant mashed potatoes stirred together with 3/4 cup lukewarm water 1/4 cup shortening […]
I present thee with Brown Sugar & Bourbon Glazed Ham No Easter is complete without a glazed ham. We’re adding a party today with a bit of bourbon whiskey. She is glorious. And sweet. And glorious. Brown Sugar & Bourbon Glazed Ham 10 pound smoked ham (approximate size will vary) 1 tablespoon whole cloves 1 […]
Once you have a great basic pie crust recipe, instead of a nightmare, pie becomes something one dreams about. Well, wait no longer. I got you. It’s easy and once you read through the tips, you’ll have a lovely, flaky crust every time. Here are some pies you can make using this crust recipe. Tips […]
New York Cheesecake… Ivory? Indeed. Plain? Never. Classy? Always. Sexy? You bet! Pearls and a classic cheesecake have much in common. New York Cheesecake Makes one 10-inch cheesecake (or six 4-inch pans). Preheat oven to 325°F. Graham Cracker Crust 18 whole graham crackers 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (or 4 ounces) unsalted […]
Hooray for the red, white, and sweet! This is a bake-a-day-ahead recipe. The cheesecake and cake need to be chilled for the best results. Cheesecake Makes about 8 servings. Preheat oven to 325°F. 1 1/4 pound cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Cream the cream […]
Here’s a list of Five Awesome Party Games for you & your loved ones. Tired of the same old holiday routine? Pull simple supplies together to surprise your family and friends with these Minute to Win It style games and fun challenges. Make sure everyone gets a try. Although the main point is to connect with […]
Dark Cocoa Mix. Because sometimes while you enjoy the childlike wonder of winter, you just want your hot chocolate to be a little more grown-up. Dark Cocoa Mix 3/4 cups dark cocoa powder 3/4 cup nondairy creamer 3/4 cup powdered milk 1 pound powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Place mix ingredients in a medium […]
Although this recipe is for Mint Milano Cookies, you can always trade out the flavor for plain chocolate or orange chocolate. Such lovely possibilities abound. Mint Milano Cookies Makes about 42 sandwich cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon […]
How to Make Wool Lambs. Please forgive my fascination with wooly balls. No, don’t. They’re so much fun and the cuteness. I mean, can you even? I know. I can’t either. I shall name him Shnookiewookiewoolsiewoosie. What you will need: 1 pound ivory roving wool 1/2 pound black roving wool Old (or new) nylons Washer […]
Sometimes a girl just has to break out of the traditional and make somethin’ a little funky. A little hippie. A little ballsy. What you will need: Roving wool in colors of your choice. Oh, the colors out there. So loverly! Old (or new) nylons Scissors Washer & dryer Large embroidery needle Gold embroidery thread on […]
How to Cook Prime Rib with Red Wine Mushroom Gravy. This post could easily be entitled “How to Make Guests Happy” for this is what a great prime rib roast dinner does. With the holidays coming up, perhaps eating prime rib would be a lovely way to celebrate. How to Cook Prime Rib with Red […]
When one goes to a fancy schmancy place, one feels fancy schmancy… that is, unless one doesn’t realize the appropriate attire for the Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet is semi-formal and one arrives in jeans. Then one does not feel so fancy shmancy. But, that is a story for another day. Or, you know, […]
Mocha-Filled Almond Florentine Cookies… oh, the joy that fills my soul. Only one thing could make a Florentine any fancier, any better, or any tastier. That thing would be mocha filling. I blame the Scandinavian peeps. Mocha-Filled Almond Florentine Cookies Makes about 3 dozen cookies. Florentine Cookies Preheat oven to 350°F. 2/3 cup unsalted butter […]
Flat Almond Florentine Cookies. I’ve lost count of how many cookie orders I filled each Christmas while working at Scandia Bakery many years ago but I haven’t forgotten everyone’s favorites. The little bakery in Stanwood, Washington drew crowds from all over Washington state. No matter where customers came from these dainty, lacey cookies were always […]
Frosted Gingersnap Cookies will become your new, tasty fall tradition. Frosted Gingersnap Cookies Gingersnaps Preheat oven to 350°F. 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons […]
I often forget about peanut butter cookies… so plain, so ordinary. But, then I have a hot-out-of-the-oven peanut butter cookie again; and, oh, the joy that fills my soul. Peanut Butter Cookies Makes about 18 cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1/2 cup sugar (plus more for stamping cookies) 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup peanut […]
One of the most admired cookies in all the cookie kingdom is the Chocolate Crackle Cookie. Shiny and crackly on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside. Chocolate Crackle Cookies Makes 24 cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 10 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 large […]
Salted Caramel Sauce. You need this sauce in your life just like you need a pumpkin spice candle, and a maple leaf wreath, and decorative gourds. Yes, you do. And you can have it in just five minutes. Lookie here for Salted Caramel Sauce featuring Pumpkin Pecan Cream Cheese Bread Pudding or, you know, Pumpkin […]
Coconut macaroons. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 laborers were needed to build the Great Pyramid at Giza (pronounced “gee-zuh”) in less than 23 years. By comparison, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris took almost 200 years to complete. But I have wonderful news. You can make these coconut macaroon pyramids in less than one […]
One of my favorite Scandinavian treats is the Raspberry Almond Mazarin Tart. It is rich and regal yet one of the easiest things one could make for friends… the perfect dessert. Raspberry Almond Mazarin Tart Makes six 4-inch tarts. Preheat oven to 350F. Crust 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 1 […]
Eggs Benedict with homemade hollandaise sauce. I’m on a kick lately. Back to basics… the traditional, if you will. The basics are good for the soul. Here are some others I’ve been in touch with lately: Take road trips. Be happy. Be kind. Be silly. Keep learning. There’s something about going back to the basics […]
White Limoncello Chocolate Cocktail. My friends on the east coast are shoveling snow while I’m over here in the Northwest with my door open to let the sunshine pour inside. This calls for a drink that brings us all together. Ahhhhh. I know, right? Winter and summer come together to create this dreamy springy cup […]
Chocolate Chip Cookies. Basic but not boring. Golden brown disks filled with dreamy chocolate nuggets. Childhood memories all in one perfectly baked cookie. Deliciousness that makes the whole household come to a complete halt almost as fast as homemade rolls or bacon. Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup white sugar […]
These Peppermint Patties will please everyone. Whether it be a brunch treat, an addition to this year’s Christmas cookie platter, or for no reason at all, everyone will be coming back for more. Every once and a while nothing will do except for a mint. A peppermint. A chocolate-covered peppermint to be exact. I have just […]
I present to thee something legendary Linzer Cookies. Linzer Cookies Makes about 18 sandwich cookies. 1 cup high-quality unsalted butter 2/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon almond extract 1 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon baking powder 2/3 cup almond flour 2 cups flour 2/3 cup raspberry or strawberry jam 1 cup powdered sugar Mix […]
Waldorf Salad. It appears I am not the only person on the planet who has the gift of making incredibly healthy food unhealthy. I am happy to carry on the tradition which has obviously been going on for decades. The proof? The Waldorf Salad – a must for every holiday table and a perfect snack […]
It is Christmas cookie baking time and thumbprint cookies are the perfect choice. Thumbprints are the gems of the cookie kingdom. Thumbprint Cookies Makes 18 small cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup […]
Making marzipan candies with my mom is one of my favorite childhood memories. Sometimes things look good for you but they’re not. You know, like Caesar salad and sledding from the back of an SUV. And, now, marzipan treats made to look like fruits and vegetables. I talked my mom into reliving one of my […]
Gingerbread Cookies With Apple Bourbon Frosting Gingerbread Cookies With Apple Bourbon Frosting Gingerbread Cookies Cream together: 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup brown sugar Add: 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground Jamaican allspice (or allspice will work fine) 1 tablespoon ground cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg […]
Sweet and Spicy Cornish Game Hens With Cornbread Stuffing. When I was single, I used to go for long drives in my pumpkin-orange, ’76 Chevette. I would drive until I got lost and then find my way back, making stops along the way to experience new stores and new restaurants. In losing myself, I would […]
Homemade Blackberry Pie. If there’s one thing a girl needs to know how to bake, it’s a Homemade Blackberry Pie. The good news is that it’s easier than it looks. Not to mention, it’s practically free if you have berries growing nearby. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make it perfect. There is something, well, […]
Have you heard met Parisian Hot Chocolate (also known as Le Chocolat Chaud) yet? Well, now you have. You’re welcome. Parisian Hot Chocolate Makes about 4 six-ounce servings. 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoons vanilla 10 ounces 65-70% chocolate (I recommend Valrhona Chocolate Guanaja 70%), broken or chopped into small pieces Dash of flaky salt […]
Sweet Red Cherry Pie. Summer at its best. That is unless you count the time I used dish soap so I could go faster on our Slip & Slide. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen our kids laugh as hard as they did that day nor have I embarrassed myself more – at least not […]
I had planned on trying this recipe years ago. Really. I did. I mean, who doesn’t rush to make a chocolate cheesecake? My first job was at a bakery. I didn’t have to wait until my forties to realize what a great job I had way back when. Nope. I was entirely grateful and savored […]
These Cinnamon Rolls With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are being brought to you after lots of practice. Practice making the dough. Practice making the filling. Practice making the frosting. And, well, you know. The practice of eating them warm out of the oven. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve always been good at the […]
