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!

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!

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.

Red Velvet Cake Frites & Southern Comfort Dipping Sauce

Red velvet cake frites & SoCo dipping sauce 

Valentine's Day is the perfect day to allow yourself to indulge your sweet tooth in something sinful. Red velvet cake frites paired with a dark chocolate Southern Comfort dipping sauce is just the dessert to help you do that.  These cake frites take classic red velvet cake to a whole new level, and the dipping sauce adds a pop of flavor that balances the dessert beautifully.  I also have some exciting news to share with you guys!  Today I'm featured in a national news story thanks to Raycom Media and reporter Joseph Neese.  It involves a dessert for every stage of your relationship, and you can check it out here.

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.

Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake

I can't get enough of meyer lemons right now.  They have such a beautiful color, pack a ton of flavor, and add so much brightness to desserts.  To me they're like a little burst of sunshine in winter.  I picked up a few pounds of them this week, and the first thing I did was make a big batch of meyer lemon curd. I've made many different desserts using meyer lemons, but for some reason it always go back to curd.  I love the silky texture of it, and how it really showcases the flavor of the meyer lemons.

Nan's Potato Chip Cookies

Happy New Year!  Did you all have a fantastic holiday?? I hope so!  I've been hearing a lot about resolutions this week, and while that's the norm, January 1st is something totally different for me.  January 1st was my nan's birthday, and she was a big influence on me in the kitchen.  Today I would like to share with all of you the last recipe she passed on to me.

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.

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.

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 & Goat Cheese Muffins with Candied Bacon

For some reason muffins remind me of lazy Sundays, slowing down, and taking a break.  I also love them because they give me an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast!  I think right now it's really important to remember to slow down.  With the holidays upon us it's easy to get caught up in the craziness and miss what's happening right now.  I've been a bit caught up in the madness lately myself.  When someone asked me what projects and desserts I had planned for Spring, I almost collapsed.  My list of projects I want to make for the holidays is daunting enough, please let me get through that first! Anyway, these muffins are a good way to decompress.  A few bites and all the stress melts away, for a little while anyway!

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?

Sweet & Sassy Gingerbread

Gingerbread is one of those treats I never really cared for until a few years ago.  It always had way too strong of a taste for me, and to be honest I thought it was kind of boring.  After I realized that the type of molasses you use in baked goods can drastically alter the flavor, I decided I wanted to give gingerbread another chance, and fiddle around with a new recipe.  I'm glad I did because this is a wonderful little cake that is now a staple in my fall and winter baking.

Apple Crisp Cupcakes

I have this tendency that as soon as I'm done making a dessert, I immediately start thinking of how I can take it to the next level and make it better.  Sometimes I can really drive myself crazy, but this time it totally worked in my favor and yours!  

Carrot Cake Frites & Cream Cheese Aioli

Have you ever had an idea in your head that you just can't shake?  One that constantly nags you until you finally give in and try it out?  For me that idea was carrot cake frites, and I'm really glad that I gave in and finally made them!