This recipe solves a pesky little kitchen problem that I will bet anything you have run across. It goes like this: You find a great recipe for some pumpkin muffins, or maybe pumpkin doughnuts. You open a typical grocery store can of pumpkin puree, measure out the one cup needed for the recipe - and don't they all just need that ONE cup - and then thriftily scrape out all of the remaining pumpkin into a refrigerator dish and pop in in the fridge. "I'll make some thing out of that later in the ... Read More about Skillet Pumpkin Fudge Brownies
Cookies - Bars
Peanut Butter Bars with Milk Chocolate Ganache
Though for the most part, I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate, there is one exception to the rule: milk chocolate and peanut butter, as in these Peanut Butter Bars. This flavor combination brings back memories for me every time. Closeted in my bedroom as a teenager, devouring book after book, and nibbling on my secret stash of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. As the oldest of five kids, I felt I had a lot from which to hide, along with a bunch of teen-aged angsty stuff that we all go ... Read More about Peanut Butter Bars with Milk Chocolate Ganache
Lime Buttermilk Bars
Happy Thursday! Wait - you say you aren't having a happy day? I think I know why. It's because you don't have any of these Lime Buttermilk Bars at your house. We can fix that! You will feel like spring has come to stay when you bite into one of these delightful, citrusy, creamy-on-the-top, crunchy-on-the-bottom bars. Trust me when I tell you this, because I am always truthful when it comes to dessert I have to tell you a story about the making of these bars. Well, more about the photographing of ... Read More about Lime Buttermilk Bars
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies
We have lots of big changes going on in our family. Mostly because our younger daughter and her husband are expecting their first baby, and he is starting a new job and they are moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Besides general moral support, we get to be involved to the extent that we are keeping Sammy the super-jowly dog while they get moved, as well as having them stay with us off and on through the process. If there is a better time to make Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies than when ... Read More about Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Almond Shortbread
I have a terrible weakness for the rich, buttery taste of good shortbread, most recently, for Almond Shortbread. I taught Sunday School for years and each Christmas, the Mom of one of the families in the church made each teacher a lovely little shortbread cake. They were about 6 inches across with golden edges and little holes all over the top. Once all 3 of that family’s kids had gone through my 1st and 2nd grade class, I just happened to move into the Junior High class, which meant I got to ... Read More about Almond Shortbread
Apple Crisp Bars
There is no big back story here - I love apple crisp, and I wanted to turn it into something a little more portable, like a bar. Apples have done very well around here this year, which has brought the prices way down, and it is really difficult for me to pass up a deal, so we've ended up with quite a supply of all my favorites - Northern Spies, Cortlands, Jonagold, Macintosh and Macouns. Later in the season, some of these varieties get a little softer, and they aren't so great for baking, but ... Read More about Apple Crisp Bars
Almond Brownies
Brownies. Really, there are few things in life that are more sublime than a really nice batch of fudgy, rich brownies. it is one of the first things I ever remember baking on my own, using my Mom's stained recipe card to guide me. Mom was a bit of a chocolate freak, so this recipe had been used many times. This was quite a long time ago, when box mixes were in their infancy, and pretty terrible. Mom held them in very low esteem, and I have to say that I agree with her about that. Particularly ... Read More about Almond Brownies
Molasses Spice Bars
You have GOT to make these. I know, I know - I always tell you that you ought to try my recipes, but this time, I really-really-REALLY mean that this is one recipe you have got to try! They are totally groan-worthy. In fact, if you live in an apartment, or have close neighbors, you should turn up some music or something before you start eating them, because otherwise people are going to think you are engaging in some kind of illicit activity, due to the uncontrollable sounds of pleasure ... Read More about Molasses Spice Bars
Chewy Coconut Almond Blondies
Life seems just a touch busy right now. As soon as I returned from the visit with my folks, I had to play catch-up on spring chores around here. I still hadn't planted all of the seedling trays for the veggie and herb gardens and the weeds definitely took advantage of my absence by trying to take over the perennial gardens, and I had absolutely no spare recipes on hand for the blog. Normally, I try to cook/shoot ahead a little, so that if I get behind, I still have something ready to go. And - ... Read More about Chewy Coconut Almond Blondies
Orange Coconut Slices
I spent the first 10 days of the new year at my sister and brother-in-laws house, because my sister had knee surgery and she needed a little help around the house during her recovery. I was glad that I was able to go lend a hand, and it was nice to get some extra time together, even if that time did consist of watching her grimace in pain as she worked to get used to her new knee, and trying to get 3 dogs to do I wanted them to, when they saw no reason whatsoever that they should have to listen ... Read More about Orange Coconut Slices
Cinnamon Pecan Blondies
Is there anything more wonderful than Blondies? So easy, so packed with rich chewy flavor, and so variable that you never run out of the endless possibilities! And a twist that I love to use is baking them in brownie pans. Lauren gave me the ones I have for Christmas a couple years ago, and I'm not sure where she got them, but they are similar to this one: Brownie Pan. With a sectioned pan like this, every cookie has yummy, chewy edges and comes out looking all neat and beautiful, which makes ... Read More about Cinnamon Pecan Blondies
Apple Butter Caramel Bars
I just wanted to get a quick recipe up before all of the family stuff starts for Thanksgiving. Once the family is all in one place, there is no time for editing photos or typing out recipes. I mean, I love you guys, but I'm not about to miss a game of Old Maid with the grandkids to tell you how I came up with my latest culinary masterpiece. So, let's get right to it - these bars came about because I had a couple of things around the kitchen I was sure would be just fantastic together. The apple ... Read More about Apple Butter Caramel Bars