Snickerdoodle Bars

While waiting in line at the checkout counter at my local grocery store, my eyes scanned the magazine rack. I flipped through several before impulsively purchasing a pamphlet-sized beauty published under the Betty Crocker brand. That was nearly two years ago. I found the magazine while organizing my bookshelves recently and decided to give this [...]

Cinnamon Roll Cake

There once was a time when I knew Chicago’s O’Hare airport like the back of my hand. Nearly each week, I would board a plane to some far off city (typically the west coast); get whisked to a windowless conference room where I would eat Chinese take-out, and work into the late evening. Then it’s [...]

Raspberry Lemonade Marshmallows with Coconut

Distraction can be a beautiful (and tasty) thing. In a time when I should be focused on a thesis proposal and other projects for my graduate studies, I somehow gravitate to the kitchen in search of inspiration. This week’s inspiration came from a new cookbook by Shauna Server called Marshmallow Madness. Filled with a seemingly [...]

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

My sister Rosita was the first person to introduce me to Pinterest nearly six months ago. And I have been hooked ever since. It is the latest online darling to hit the social media scene that is quickly earning its place next to Facebook and Twitter. For me, the site is a wonderful way to [...]

Chocolate Beet Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

After several weeks of unusually warm weather, winter has finally arrived in Pittsburgh. That means it’s time to gear up for some much needed baking. The warmth of the oven offers a sense of comfort that can only be appreciated when a dusting of snow swirls across my front lawn. I had a couple of [...]

Apple-Cranberry Panko Crisp

I arrived home after a long day of activities to be greeted by a package on my doorstep. The box, measuring 24”X24”, contained a wide assortment of products from my friends at Kikkoman. We had such a blast last year hosting a Tasty Turkey Party and they asked if I was interested in testing a [...]

Spiced Rum Vanilla Extract

Baking cookies has always been a guilty pleasure for me. The first recipe I ever created was a monstrous cookie adapted from three distinct recipes. Even as an adult, I have a well-practiced system that ensures perfection each and every time. However, there is one special ingredient that makes my cookies even more unique than [...]

Limoncello Mint Sorbet

The warm weather has me craving frozen treats lately. Making actual ice cream, with a kitchen dance of cream and eggs, can be pretty daunting. That’s why I’ve been looking for interesting sorbet and sherbet recipes for inspiration. I first made this recipe back in March when I hosted a 24X24 Foodbuzz dinner party. Words [...]

Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake

Baking this cake was somewhat a departure for me because I’m not a huge fan of super dark beer. However, it was a project for one of my classes and a group of friends who drink stout religiously that inspired me to give it a whirl. Truth be told, I actually baked two versions of [...]

“Green Stuff” Marshmallow Salad

This recipe has a long tradition for being a holiday staple in my family. I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t smack square in the center of the table with at least one of my siblings screaming for more “green stuff”! Even now that we are adults, my siblings still call it “green stuff”. [...]

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