To ring in the new year, the Dutch make these Oliebollen Dutch New Year’s Day doughnuts… er dumplings and I love the way they don’t care about calories or fat grams right from the get-go. Nothing says, “Happy New Year!” like balls. Amitrite? Everyone knows I like my balls (insert hilarious but innocent link here). Growing […]
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cheesecake. Everything peanut butter and chocolate is gorgeous. And luscious. For six personal-sized luscious cheesecakes, see info at the end of this recipe about small springform pans. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cheesecake Preheat oven to 350°F. Peanut Butter Crust 12 peanut butter sandwich cookies 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Hot Fudge Sauce. One of the most popular searches that brings readers to this yard is “butterscotch milkshake“. It doesn’t matter that it’s November and the leaves are falling, people want their milkshakes. Here’s to you, butterscotch milkshake googler. I present thee with hot fudge sauce the day before Thanksgiving. Hot Fudge Sauce This makes […]
Pumpkin Pie Cookies. With Thanksgiving right around the corner and through the woods to Grandmother’s house, these little pretties are the perfect treat for your work, friends & family, and school parties. Placed in a cute clear bag with a bow, it’s like, well, a personal turkey day Valentine. The pumpkin spice frosting makes them […]
The zucchini is winning but never fear for Zucchini Walnut Sheet Cake is here. Must use all da zucchini. Must haz cake. Moist cake. And orange glaze-y frosting. Zucchini Walnut Sheet Cake With Orange Frosting Makes about 12 large pieces. Zucchini Walnut Sheet Cake Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup canola or vegetable oil 1 1/2 […]
My dear friend introduced me to this Peanut Butter Cup Caramel Corn a few years ago. It came in an adorable container and cost more than I could afford to maintain the habit. This was a good thing because had I been able to go back for more, I would’ve lost control. But I just had to […]
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies With Cream Cheese Filling. There is nothing as happy in this world as makin’ whoopie… or red velvet anything. Putting them together throws us over the top into just plain glee. Thus, I present thee with the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie. With mini flags. You’re welcome. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies 1/2 […]
This week I’ve been makin’ a lot of whoopie. Have you been making enough whoopie? If not, I implore you to do so. I see far too many packaged items and store-bought fried chicken at potlucks these days. So, please, bring back the whoopie… or, if you’re more straight-laced, bring another favorite old-fashioned recipe. But, just […]
You’re about to score with these Game Day Whoop Ass Pies. Here a new play on a classic dessert… the Whoop Ass Pie for game day. Go Seahawks! Not a Seahawks fan? Here’s the recipe so you can adjust to your team colors… if you must. Game Day Whoop Ass Pies Preheat oven to 350°F […]
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Hey, Punkin’! Here’s a little fallish treat for you and your loves. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies With Hazelnut Mousse Filling Pumpkin Whoopie Pies 1/2 cup butter (or 1 stick), softened 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup pumpkin 1 1/4 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking […]
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Well, you will want it to arrive even sooner after you see these adorable, edible place settings. get a leg up on your turkey day prep now… To make these darlings, you will need to order these little plastic bones in advance: Rubie’s Costume Bag’O Bones Costume Package (10 Piece) These are fantastic […]
The only way to properly follow up a post about Spanx is with a homemade cake doughnuts recipe. Amirite? And the only way to follow up a doughnut recipe is with a frosting recipe. And the only way to follow up all of the above is with sprinkles. You can take the girl out of […]
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 […]
It’s time for Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes With Maple Cream Cheese Sauce. Light the pumpkin candles. Cue the Christmas song list (Yes, Christmas. Because, well, one cannot get enough Christmas music.) Download the free “Turkey For Twelve” eBook. But, most importantly, print this recipe for tomorrow is officially fall. Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes With Maple Cream Cheese […]
How about being able to say your bake sale chocolate brownies are made from scratch without fibbing? How about PTA moms begging for your recipe? How about the pride when your kids asking for extra brownies in their lunch so they can share with friends? Just when you thought there was no such thing as […]
Blackberry Swirl Ice Cream. The first blackberry I see every summer reminds me of one of my favorite moments with my grandpa while Friday campin’. He grabbed an old Folgers Coffee can and said, “Hey, let’s go find some blackberries. We gathered five berries over five hours. Grandma laughed but the blackberries never really mattered cuz […]
Brown Sugar, Walnut & Plum Pound Cake. Walnuts. Plums. Brown sugar. Basically, we are going back into time. The month is August. We’re reaping the blessing of summer but ready to enjoy the dark, moist desserts of fall. We are in heaven… or, you know, at a family reunion where Great Aunt Wilma is still […]
Homemade Plum Jam. Nothing makes one feel more like an old-fashioned kid like balancing while walking across a log and picking fresh fruit from a tree. One of the most underrated fruits of all is the plum. How could we possibly overlook the colors, the smells and the taste of the gorgeous plum? Let us go […]
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 […]
Black Forest Chocolate Bourbon Cherry Cups. Sometimes a girl wakes up on a Monday morning in August and thinks of a recipe that is completely out of season but simply must be made. Today was that day. Chocolate Brandy Cherry Cups is that out-of-season recipe. I am that girl. And, it is my mission to […]
Peanut Butter Maple Truffles. If there is one combo I am sure of on this planet, it is maple and peanut butter. I’ve known this since I was five and my grandpa sat beside me giggling while I ate my pancakes topped with peanut butter and maple syrup. He called me his “Peanut Butter Girl”. […]
Pineapples Wearing Sunglasses Cookies. No matter how cool you are, you’re probably never gonna be as cool as pineapples wearing shades cool. Pinterest has made chalkboards, foxes, pallets, and owls popular; and, lordy, I don’t know who is responsible for this, but bless them. Pineapples with shades. Here is my ode to the hottest new […]
Praline Swirl Ice Cream. Everything caramel is better. Just ask Ben and Jerry and Haagen and Daz and, basically, any nut. Never mind the small talk. Imma just gonna let this recipe speak for itself with a moment of silence… Praline Swirl Ice Cream Make caramel sauce first so it has time to cool to […]
I love a dark, moist German Chocolate Cake. The real magic, though, might be the penuche topping. I can still almost see it on top of my great aunt & uncle’s bar… a 9X13 pan of chocolate cake – all messy and perfect and messy. German Chocolate Cake Makes one double-layer 9-inch round cake or […]
Pineapple Upside Down Cake. I collect old church cookbooks. I figure if you can’t trust the old recipes of good, Christian women trying to show off to their congregation, who can you trust? One day I went hunting for a pineapple upside-down cake that would not harm any boxed cake mixes. I, of course, started […]
I am afraid there is about to be a berry shortage. I am always afraid there is about to be a berry shortage. It is the only explanation for a grown woman to have bags of berries in her freezer. Every time I use fresh berries for salads (ahem, crepes, ahem) I toss the extras into […]
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 […]
Homemade Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. I admit, my memories of carrot cake are a bit abnormal. When a bakery shelf becomes your natural before-school nap habitat, you catch glimpses of bakers taking full sheet cakes out of a room-size, Ferris-wheel oven. You watch your mom carefully remove parchment papers the size of a […]
Emergency Chocolate Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting. I’m so proud of my kids. I’m proud of them because of who they have worked to become. While I’m also proud of their accomplishments, there are too many to list. Last night I received a typical call from Dotter getting ready to accomplish something again. It went […]
Penuche Coffee Cake. Life is about breaking the rules. Like, who says penuche is only for German Chocolate Cake? For new readers, I worked in one of the Seattle area’s most popular bakeries back in the eighties & nineties. It is where my love of all things small business, all things sugar, all things Scandinavian, […]
Maple Nut Ice Cream. I have fond memories of my parents taking us kids to Baskin Robbins. When I was little. I could never understand why they chose to eat maple nut ice cream when there were 31 perfect flavors such as root beer float and peanut butter & jelly right under our noses. And […]
Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream. I have to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of homemade ice cream the first time I made it. In fact, my ice cream maker sat in the top of a barn for about 8 years after the overwhelmingly creamy, ultra-thick blackberry misadventure of 2006. The recipe had too much […]
Old-Fashioned Date Bars. The date. Strong and subtle. Pair him with sugary, oats-y goodness and you have the perfect escort for your next potluck. Old-Fashioned Date Bars Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 pound dates, pitted & diced (pre-chopped in the package is fine) 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 3 cups oatmeal 1/2 cup flour […]
This Magic 7 Layer Bars recipe has a creative Halloween twist at the end. At a potluck this weekend I had memories of a classic – Magic Bars. No church cookbook (or blog) would be complete without this recipe so let’s have some church. Magic 7 Layer Bars Preheat oven to 350F. 3 cups graham […]
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 […]
As the oldest child, I remember having special privileges – privileges like staying up late with mom to watch Dynasty. Once a week, we would make lemon bars, snack ourselves into the world of shoulder pads, and male stunt doubles in awful wigs playing the roles of over-privileged, fighting women. Lemon bars never made me […]
If you’re on Pinterest, you’ve seen this cake before. I finally had a great reason to make one. Lucky me! It’s always so much fun to bring treats to my friends at New Day Northwest. If you’ve wondered how difficult they are to make, wonder no more. It’s super easy and really fun to do. […]
Money was tight. Sweet tooths were still alive and well. Potatoes were plentiful. The answer was potato candy. Depression Era Potato Candy 1 large russet potato A small pot-o-water 2 pound bag of powdered sugar 1 cup cocoa powder Yellow food coloring (optional) Peel and cut potato. Boil until soft enough to poke a fork through very […]
It’s authentic. It’s simple. It’s Apple Barley pudding. Irish Apple Barley Pudding 6 cups water 1/4 cup barley 4 large Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced Juice of one lemon 1/4 cup sugar Vanilla whoop cream (omit for vegan option) Bring water to a boil. Add barley and apples. Simmer for about 30 minutes or […]
