It's the most wonderful time of the year! And it can be one of the most challenging times of the year - it's a struggle to keep it all straight, to think of fun and clever gifts, to find something for the person who has everything! And while cooking gadgets and appliances aren't the sexiest of gifts....sometimes, it's the more practical gifts that mean the most! While I … [Read more...]
Christmas Lights Cookies
I love to bake. I love to bake with my boys. Especially around the holidays and for giving gifts. We have a baking afternoon planned for this weekend - because we are going to make a ton of cookies for the police officers who direct the traffic at our school entrance every day. The boys are mostly into decorating cookies - and seeing how high of a "frosting mountain" they … [Read more...]
Homemade Vanilla Extract
The holidays are coming. In a few months, yes. And if you want to give the gift of this homemade vanilla...I suggest that you make this RIGHT NOW. It takes at least 2 months to reach quality flavor potential, 3 to 4 months if you can swing it to really maximize the flavor. So write down on your errands list to stop at the liquor store to pick up some rum or vodka...and … [Read more...]
15 Holiday Recipes for Cookies, Fudge, Truffles & More
Whether you are baking for your own family or sharing with friends, neighbors, and coworkers, holiday cookies are always a delight! I think sometimes we get so caught up in finding the best deals during the holidays that we tend to forget that homemade gifts (especially edible ones!) can be the perfect gift for a loved one. They are made with love and come from the heart. So … [Read more...]
Peanut Butter & Cookie Dough Valentine’s Bites
These Peanut Butter & Cookie Dough Valentine's Bites make for an easy after school snack or quick dessert idea this week, just in time for Valentine's Day. Plus, if you are a big fan of eating cookie dough while you bake, then you'll love this recipe! It tastes just like it, but there's no eggs, so no worries. But, most importantly...they are just so cute! Look how easy … [Read more...]
Homemade Gift Ideas: 10 Tasty Christmas Treats
We are in the "less than a week before Christmas" frenzy, which can cause crazy stress as you try to figure out what to get a particular friend or loved one. How about instead of one more trip to the store or one more online order (really isn't that the most fun way to shop?!), get yourself into the kitchen and whip up one of these 10 Homemade Gift Ideas for Tasty Christmas … [Read more...]
Easy Cashew Bark
This cold winter weather is the perfect excuse to stay indoors and make lots of yummy desserts like this super simple cashew bark! We like to make lots of this yummy stuff during the holidays and give it away as gifts. I bought some Christmas themed coffee mugs that I plan to fill with cashew bark and wrap with pretty cellophane for the kids to give as teacher … [Read more...]
Gourmet Homemade Microwave Popcorn
There are controversial chemicals in packaged microwave popcorn but our family loves to eat popcorn as a healthy snack, and I really enjoy the convenience of popping it in the microwave, so we simply make our own using brown paper lunch bags. It's quick and easy to make and also costs a fraction of the price of the packaged variety. All you need are a few simple … [Read more...]
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Do you know the reason why you should freeze cookie dough?! Here I explain why you should freeze cookie dough and how to properly freeze cookie dough! I've shared a few of my tips for how to freeze cookie dough in the past, and I wanted to revisit it again as we move into the holiday baking season. I'm planning on doing a couple of "dough makes" in November, as … [Read more...]
Peppermint Divinity
As soon as you pack up the Christmas decorations the candy canes become out of season treats. However, peppermint never goes out of season, so I crush my candy canes and use them to add peppermint flavor to candies and treats. Peppermint Divinity makes a delicious hostess gift if you attend any New Year's Eve parties. It is also a lovely Valentine's Day … [Read more...]