Moist, delicious coconut date squares. Holy moly, they almost make me want to return to the days of exclamation points. Cakey and chewy. Coconut Date Squares Makes 12 large pieces. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups sour cream 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1 […]
Lemon coconut scones with cream cheese frosting are filled with refreshing lemon juice and topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting & toasty coconut. How to Make Scones Scone dough, just like pie crust dough, doesn’t like to be played with after the wet ingredients are added. Just mix the wet & dry ingredients until they […]
Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins. The blueberry season opens in 72 days, 9 hours, 54 minutes and 28 seconds here in the Northwest. You know, either that or in about 2 1/2 months. I do believe, however, it is imperative to have a perfect blueberry muffin recipe for any day of the year. Blueberry Cream Cheese […]
Sometimes my recipe ideas are well thought out and planned and other times, I happen upon a miracle like Boston Cream Pie Napoleons while looking at the ingredients I already have on hand. This happened one-day last year while Jessica and her husband were visiting The Old Hen. This is the “this” that happened. Boston […]
The girls in our family were looking through old cookbooks this week. Almost everything in certain books were combinations of processed foods with corny names… naughty names even. If there is one dessert that every girl should know how to make, it’s Better Than Sex Dessert. Good Christian women call it “Better Than Robert Redford […]
Cherry & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding. There are few things as beautiful as a perfect flavor combination. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that is something I was learning when I used to sit on a stool and watch the bakers do their magic on doughnuts, pastries, and bread. While all I could […]
Mud Pie or How to Make Friends and Influence People. My treasured mud pie recipe as seen on TV. Years ago, I decided to have a Christmas party. I didn’t realize it then, but the party would become a tradition and I’m convinced my friends are still in my life because of the dessert. Memorize […]
Frozen Lemonade Tarts are the best way to celebrate Girl Scout cookie season! I was a Girl Scout. I remember earning badges, skits that made us laugh, and quite literally crossing over the bridge from Brownies over to Juniors. I even remember learning how to cover matches with wax to protect them from the rain […]
Cream Horns and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. It’s my birthday. It’s not a big deal, really. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve survived quite a few. One involved being snowed in but that was okay. I just pretend I’m Laura Ingalls Wilder (we share a birthday and we’re soul sisters). I’m pretty much a first-born […]
Chocolate Crepes With Almond Whipped Cream & Red Wine Chocolate Sauce. Since my birthday is close to Valentine’s Day, I always start celebrating the month of February quite early. Come to think of it, I don’t think there is any holiday I don’t start celebrating early. I suppose there is more chocolate involved with the […]
This Chocolate Almond Heart Cookies recipe is Adorable and simple. These sweethearts are a perfect gift for friends this Valentine’s Day… that is if they even make it out of your very own kitchen. Chocolate Almond Heart Cookies This recipe makes about 36 mini heart cookies. Cream together 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter 1 cup […]
Blackberry Crumble Bars are an old-fashioned favorite. Traditionally a summer treat, we don’t have to wait for the sunshine anymore with frozen blackberries available year-round. Let us celebrate blackberry crumble in January and February and March, and… well, you get the idea. Blackberry Crumble Bars Berry Filling 6 cups blackberries 1 1/2 cups sugar […]
Maple Boy Doughnuts. If you’re looking for a special Christmas morning breakfast, you have come to the right place. These adorable little boys have become a tradition at family gatherings. Everyone loves them and all of their mapley goodness. This recipe makes about a dozen Maple Boys. These are perfect for making on Christmas Eve […]
Dear friend, Have you met my friend, Spicy Dutch Speculaas Cookie? You surely must. Speculaas. She is spicy and sassy and exceptionally gorgeous. Spicy Dutch Speculaas Cookie Cream together 1 1/2 cups butter 1 1/2 cups brown sugar Add remaining ingredients and mix together well: 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon baking powder […]
These buttery Cream Cheese Mints are perfect for weddings, baby showers, parties, teas, and luncheons. They are beyond easy to make and require no cooking or baking. Cream Cheese Mints Place all of the ingredients into the mixer. 2pounds powdered sugar 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 4 ounces butter, softened (about 1/2 hour on the counter […]
This sexy Chilled Strawberry Soup Recipe is perfect for the strawberry season but can be enjoyed all year with readily available frozen strawberries. Once I served it to my B&B guests, it became a most-requested treat. Swirly goodness and mercy. Chilled Strawberry Soup Makes about six 8-ounce servings. 4 cups fresh strawberries, frozen 1/4 cup […]
What would the holidays be without a perfect gingerbread boy cookies recipe? Sugar, spice, and everything nice… we could all use a little more of these things in our lives. Start celebrating today with these Gingerbread Boy Cookies which win in the category of “Most Likely to Make Someone Smile.” Gingerbread Boy Cookies Preheat oven […]
When one is feeling fall-ish, one often thinks of pumpkin – Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes to be exact. These little pumpkin cakes are comforting little creations that are perfect for breakfast or dessert. Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes Pumpkin Cakes Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 stick unsalted butter, melted 1 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown […]
Overnight Caramel Apple French Toast for fall. Every year, our family decorates for fall the night before school starts. Fall leaves, rustic orange candles, and mini wool pumpkins adorn my mantel. Candy dishes are filled to the rim for guests. Yes, honest, it’s for my guests. That is unless I happen upon my favorites first. Fall is good for […]
One of my favorite fallish treats while working at Scandia Bakery & Lefse Factory as a teenager was the sailor jack spice cups. It represented everything lovely and spicy about the holidays in one cute little cup. You, too, will love these sweet things! Sailor Jack Spice Cups Makes about 10 large muffins or 20 […]
Apricot Sour Cream Bars. Have I ever mentioned Scandia Bakery? Maybe I have. Maybe even often. Maybe because I’ve made it one of my mini goals to try to recreate the amazing goodies that the bakers made and I still cannot find anywhere else to this day. Like apricot sour cream bars. They’re like mini […]
Banana Coffeecake with Maple Frosting. When I moved into the B&B house, I found a little recipe card tucked away in one of the drawers. I had been looking for this recipe card, quite honestly, for 15 years and it wasn’t even mine. I had been on the lookout for a great – not good […]
Whipped cream is so delicious that it is almost a dessert in and of itself. It is simple. It is sweet. It is heavenly. Whipped Cream 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/3 – 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pour heavy whipping cream into a mixer. If you’ve never made (as I like […]
Strawberry Sour Cream Pudding Cups. As you probably know by now from my posts, I worked in a bakery while in high school. It was one of my very favorite places to be as a teenager because of being surrounded by goodies, and my friends, and the goodies. One favorite of all of us who […]
If there was ever a dessert meant for strawberry season, it would be the Strawberry Pudding Tart With Fresh Strawberry Glaze. Strawberry Pudding Tart With Fresh Strawberry Glaze This recipe will make one 9-inch tart or about four 4-inch personal-size tarts. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shortbread Crust 11 tablespoons high-quality unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon […]
If you’ve never learned how to make vanilla pudding, this recipe will help you change your mind about whether or not it’s worth it to think outside of the box. Spoiler alert. It is. Vanilla Pudding Makes about 4 one-cup servings. 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 cups half and half […]
Easy Fried Chicken and a Graduation. This week was Dotter’s graduation. I am excited to see the professional’s shot of this one. Finding the kids we know in my copy is like playing Where’s Waldo. Besides the graduates tossing their caps in the air to celebrate, there were grad parties throughout the town. Parents went […]
Balsamic Strawberry Salad. Every April in the Seattle area we try with all of our might to hope spring into existence but we all know in our hearts that the truest sign of spring is the strawberry booths on the side of the roads. I’ve been known to risk my own well-being with my sudden, […]
I’m about to share my top-secret Dark Chocolate Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting recipe. This is just between you and me, right? Dark Chocolate Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting Makes about 12 large cupcakes or 24 regular-size cupcakes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Chocolate Cake 2 cups sugar 2 cups flour 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder […]
How to Make Panoramic Sugar Easter Eggs. When I was still old enough to believe in the Easter Bunny, my mom was just getting into cake decorating as a hobby. One of the first things I remember her making was panoramic Easter eggs. She would make them and people would save them for years. I […]
How To Make Cake Pop Topiary Trees Cake Pops 1 batch chocolate cake (recipe below) 1 1/2 sticks (or 3/4 cup) butter, softened 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar 2 bags Wilton white candy melts 1/2 bag Wilton green candy melts 1-2 tablespoons shortening (as needed to thin candy melts) Small candy flours of your choice […]
Their love was mean to be… Oatmeal Cookies With Raspberry Filling. They met in a kitchen. Raspberry and oatmeal. People often mistook them for a famous couple found on grocery store shelves. Oatmeal Cookies With Raspberry Filling Makes about 40 cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (or 3 sticks), softened 1 […]
Pumpkin Cheesecake. This New York treat turned fall will wow your guests. And with the butterscotch topping? Well, fo’get aboud it! Pumpkin Cheesecake With Butterscotch Topping Preheat oven to 350°F. Graham Cracker Crust 12 long (4 sections on each) graham crackers 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick unsalted butter, melted Crush graham crackers in […]
Rocky Road Chocolate Tart. It only took us over a year to finally get together after meeting through our community emails. When we finally did, I was thrilled that she had an English accent but I was the one who ordered tea. Meeting people for the first time always comes with lovely surprises and in […]
This Chocolate Covered Cordial Cherries recipe couldn’t be more cordial. cor-dial: warm and sincere; friendly: a cordial greeting; cordial relations. Chocolate Covered Cordial Cherries Makes about 50 cordial cherries. 50 maraschino cherries without stems 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 pounds powdered sugar 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice 1/8 cup cherry liqueur (cherry juice if […]
Mini Pecan Pies. One of the most beloved pies of all time… the Pecan Pie. Pecan Pie Makes 12 mini pecan pies or 1 large pie. Preheat oven to 400°F. 1 recipe Basic Pie Crust 3 eggs 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla […]
I’ve been hunting for this Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake recipe for years. Turns out, I didn’t really have to look all that far for there it was right in our old family cookbook. I am convinced that I have now found the cause of my chubby childhood for these chocolaty bars were at every family […]
Move over, traditional pumpkin seeds… here come sugared pumpkin seeds and they’re sweeter than you could ever be. For a unique spin on pumpkin seeds, try these yummy treats. This recipe also works awesome for sugared pecans, walnuts, almonds. Sugared Pumpkin Seeds Preheat oven to 250°F. Pumpkin seeds from two sugar pumpkins (or pie pumpkins) 2 egg […]
Nothing says autumn more than colorful fall leaves and Pumpkin Coffeecake with Cream Cheese swirls and pecans. With the leaves still falling at the inn, I just had to make an autumn breakfast treat for our guests. One mention of it on Facebook and Twitter made for recipe requests. This recipe was just invented last […]
Looking for a beautiful and unique fall treat to make on a rainy day? Why not try caramel pears? They are super yummy and very pretty. Just follow the steps for caramel apples on the package of Kraft Caramel Bits only, you know, use pears that are perfectly ripe. I found these caramel bits at […]
I made this Butterscotch Glaze Frosting recipe up on the fly to go with my hummingbird cake but after making it, I was thinking of so many other ways it could be enjoyed. Butterscotch Glaze Frosting 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 3 cups powdered sugar 1 cup milk 1 cup butterscotch chips In a medium […]
This Hummingbird Cake with Butterscotch Glaze has a delightful new twist. Well, okay a few twists but I think you will like every turn. Hummingbird Cake with Butterscotch Glaze Preheat oven to 350°F. Hummingbird Cake 1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks) 2 cups of sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 peeled, mashed medium-sized ripe […]
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls. When your kids are as nuts over chocolate chip cookie dough as mine are, maybe you can relate to my thoughts of, “Why even bother baking the cookies?” After years of my kids begging me to not bother, I finally came up with a recipe to their liking – no […]
Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Cookie Bars. It’s amazing what a little snow and the holidays will do for relationships. My kids actually liked each other this week. They must know that Santa is watching. Today’s Christmas Cookie Crunch recipe is one we made up but you might notice a strong resemblance to a certain Seattle-based coffee […]
Would you like to create some extra Lollipop Sugar Cookies this year? Something that will be pretty enough for a centerpiece or a gift? These cookie ideas are full of sugary sparkle and easy peezy to make! That moment. First, “that moment.” The moment that an idea hits you and you have to make sure […]
You’d think most kids might run if you were to mention coconut and walnuts in the same No Bake Coconut Date Ball Cookies; but, when I was little, this was my favorite holiday cookie. I still love making them today because they are as yummy as I remember and easy too! No-Bake Coconut Date Ball […]
This Peanut Butter Balls recipe is the best I’ve tried so far. Rice Krispies Peanut Butter Balls 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup powdered sugar 2 cups puffed rice cereal 1 1/2 cups Wilton dipping chocolate Mix peanut butter, butter, and salt together. Carefully and slowly add in powdered sugar […]
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark is a beautiful treat for the holidays. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark 1 pound white chocolate 1 12-ounce package red Wilton candy melts 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 4 regular candy canes, crushed Melt white chocolate in the microwave in a glass bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir in between each interval […]
Almond Roca Bars Cookie. Oh my goodness. So much for baking without sampling. I just made these bars for church and they are Hoops & YoYo delicious. Almond Roca Bars Cookie Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter, softened 1 egg yolk 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt Press mixture into […]
Halloween Treat Ideas. Our community center had a Haunted House and Dotter and I provided a bake sale for the event. Culinary geeks that we are, we overworked ourselves and could hardly keep our eyes open while selling them. Adorable, creative, tired witch. A cookie tombstone cemetery on crushed Oreo dirt. Want to make your […]
