Goat Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

No matter what I do, I just can't stay away from the goat cheese for long.  It has a creaminess that works so well in baked goods, and I find it always offers this slight tanginess that balances sweet so well.  It has worked beautifully in ice cream, cheesecake,  and even frosting, but would it work in cookies?  I gave my classic thumbprints a goat cheese makeover, and the result was divine!

Hatching Chick Cupcakes

Don't they just make you smile?! I had originally planned to make a cake this week, and then these little gems popped in my head.  It all happened last week while I was shoe shopping.  Somewhere between picking which pair of heels would be coming home with me, I thought wouldn't it be so cute if I made hatching chick cupcakes.  Once this happens, everything else I'm doing goes out the window, even the shoes...

Cadbury Mini Egg Cheesecake Bars

Spring has officially sprung!  The weather is gorgeous, iced coffee is in full effect, and all of a sudden we can't go out to dinner anywhere that doesn't offer outdoor seating!  I feel like this all happened really quickly, I didn't even start Spring cleaning yet.  By Spring cleaning, you should know I mean cleaning out the shoe collection to make room for new ones ;)  Anyway, this burst of summer weather is definitely welcome.  I may not be getting much done, but I sure am enjoying it.  One thing I did get done this week are these Cadbury mini egg cheesecake bars.  My favorite Easter candy combined with cheesecake is a very good way to welcome Spring!

Irish Coffee Scones with Whiskey Butter

Let's talk about scones today guys.  In the past I haven't been very enthusiastic about scones.  I've had some that were good, but they've always been a take it or leave it kind of thing for me.  Normally I would look right past a scone and go for some cake, but that all changed last weekend when I made these little gems.  I have made five batches since then, I think that says something!

Baileys Irish Cream Cookies

Happy Friday friends!  I've been doing some major recipe testing all week, and I've got some sweet treats lined up for you in my Saint Patrick's Day series!  Growing up in a very traditional Irish family, and spending about sixteen years competing in Irish step dancing, let's just say Saint Patrick's Day is big in my family.  I'm really looking forward to sharing this series with you where I'll be incorporating products we are all familiar with, and introducing some that might be new to you.  Today I'm kicking off the series with these Baileys Irish Cream cookies.  In one word these cookies are boozylicious, and I don't know about you, but I like the sound of that!

Mascarpone Coffee Cookies

What a busy week guys!  Thanks to all of you for the wonderful response to my Chocolate & Goat Cheese Cupcakes!  I also want to thank Raycom news and reporter Joseph Neese for the feature, and you can check out the story here.  Today's post is another reader request, this time for coffee cookies. This mascarpone coffee cookie is one not to be missed!  It has a rich coffee flavor, and the addition of mascarpone adds a delectable creaminess that will keep you going back for more.

Chocolate & Goat Cheese Cupcakes

A stellar cast of characters create a cupcake not to be missed.

Last week Raycom Media asked me to come up with a dessert for an Oscar themed menu.  I was sent a list of all the nominated movies and a quick summary of each.  After reading through them, there were definitely some obvious desserts that I could have made, but I like to think outside the box. Instead of taking inspiration from one particular movie, I created a dessert inspired by Hollywood's biggest night itself.  One that is elegant, charming, and ready for the red carpet!  You can read the news story here.

Peanut Butter Peanut M&M Cookies

Peanut Butter Peanut M&M Cookies

There's something to be said for a simple cookie recipe.  One that's been tested a million times, that always comes out right on the money.  That's my peanut butter cookie, and thanks to a few recent requests, this comforting treat is getting the spotlight today!

Chocolate & Passion Fruit Truffle Cake

Chocolate & Passion Fruit Truffle Cake

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day!  Today I'm posting over at my friend Hillary's blog, Marche Dimanche.  I met Hillary over the summer at TECHmunch, a food blogging conference, and we hit it off right away.  We share a love of all things sweet and I am honored she asked me to guest post.

Love Monster Cupcakes

The countdown to Valentine's Day is officially on, and I'm in the midst of baking craziness friends. Today's post is fun project fit for all skill levels.  These Love Monster cupcakes are ridiculous and over the top, just the way I like them.  I love that they're so wonky looking, because I think love makes us all a little wonky!

Blondie Cheesecake & a Giveaway!

Today's post is a good one guys! This week marks my first year of blogging, and to celebrate I'm doing my first giveaway!  It's been such a great year filled with lots of desserts, videos, sprinkles, and disco dust!  I have learned so much this past year, and the biggest thank you goes to all of you!  I still can't believe how many amazing people I've met this year, you guys are awesome! Seriously, you have no idea how much I appreciate you reading, watching the videos, leaving comments, and just all your kind words and support.

Blood Orange Cornmeal Bundt Cakes

I made these little cakes for brunch over the weekend, and I definitely see more of them in my future. They were the perfect little cakes for the occasion, light, refreshing, and satisfying.  I started out making my cornmeal cake which has always been one of my go to recipes for brunch due to the fact that it's easy to put together and not overly sweet.  I wanted to make a blood orange version of the original cake, and once I started baking, it all just came together beautifully.

Persimmon & Champagne Granita

I'm so excited to share this recipe with all of you today due to my new found love of persimmons!  Have you tried them?  They're fantastic and definitely my new "it" fruit of the season!  Earlier this week I already had it in my head that I was going to make champagne granita for NYE.  It's the perfect dessert for the occasion, light, quick to put together, and boozy!  Originally I planned to use blood oranges, but after striking out on a mission to find them, I was introduced to the lovely persimmon.

Christmas Tree Cake

Well I finally put my Christmas tree up, and there's no doubt that it's totally me!  I make a Christmas tree cake every  year for my family, and I just wanted to do it up a little different this time.  I knew I'd be making walnut kiss cookies and peppermint milanos, so I thought it would be sweet if I tied everything together. There's also the my whole world is pink thing that might have been a factor in this project as well!

Penguin Cupcakes

To say I love penguins would be an understatement, so I had to put some on my blog.  I decided cupcakes would be the best way to go, and I'm delighted with how they turned out.  I can't help but smile when I look at them!  Of course I had to give them sparkly hats, because thats what all penguins wear, right?!  They're perfect for holiday parties, and were pretty simple to put together too.

White Chocolate Peppermint Milanos

Mint milanos have become one of my most requested cookies of the holiday season.  I started making them a few years back as a component of a chocolate dessert on one of my restaurant menus.  I found they were a playful twist to add to a plated dessert, and right away they were a hit.  I quickly learned that as soon as anyone hears the word milano, they smile, and are eager to try.  Like me, the recipe has evolved over the years.

Holiday Cupcake Tree

I'm so excited to share this cupcake tree with all of you!  I love cupcakes and I really love Christmas, so creating a Christmas tree out of cupcakes is almost too much for me to handle!  Mini cupcakes decorated with buttercream, gumdrops, and of course a bit of sparkle, give the tree a really fun look.  It is a great project for all skill levels,  and also makes a fabulous centerpiece for holiday parties.

Walnut Kiss Cookies

Walnut kiss cookies are definitely one of my all time favorite holiday cookies.  These little tea cakes have many names, but I always call them kiss cookies because they're light, nutty, and full of flavor.  They can definitely be made year round, but there's something about dredging them in powdered sugar that makes me think of snow and holidays.  As soon as Thanksgiving is over, and I start to pull out all the Christmas decorations, I head straight into the kitchen and whip up my first batch of the season.

Pecan Pie Napoleon

Pecan Pie has always been one of my favorite Thanksgiving desserts.  It's one of those classics that everyone loves, so I didn't want to change the whole thing, I just wanted to make it better.  I took everything I love about pecan pie, and turned it into a pecan pie napoleon.  Can you say upgrade?!  I also really love this dessert because you get three recipes in one.  My melt in your mouth butter cookies and salted almond & coconut dark chocolate bark are staples in my kitchen.  They are each fabulous on their own, but combined in this dessert, equal pure bliss.  I would also like to share some big news with you guys! I have been featured in a national news story! I want to give a big thank you to Raycom Media and talented reporter Joseph Neese for featuring me.  It's all very exciting and I am beyond grateful.  You can see the story here.

Pumpkin Ice Cream with Beer Caramel Sauce & Gingerbread Croutons

Croutons and beer in a dessert?  Yup!  I like to think of this as an ice cream sundae all grown up.  It contains everything I want in a fall dessert in a shot glass.  The pumpkin ice cream is silky, and all the spices add a warmth to it.  The addition of bourbon adds a nice little kick giving the ice cream another layer of flavor that leaves you wanting more.  It is divine all on its own, but why would I stop there?