Sweets for the sweet. That’s what’s on my mind in February. I’m a baker by nature and prefer baked goods, both making them and eating them, over candy any day. My husband also prefers baked goods…unless it’s toffee. He does have a sweet tooth for toffee. Wanting to surprise him one Valentine’s Day many years …
Homemade Mincemeat
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s that time of year when we cling to favorite recipes and traditions. Making Mincemeat falls into that category at our house. Dutifully looking at a recipe shared with me years ago, I go about using different ingredients and amounts than what is suggested on the card. It’s kind of …
Oatmeal Crispies
What’s more welcome in a lunch bag or lunch box than home baked cookies? Cookies can be symbols of the goodness of home tucked in a lunch to provide a little emotional nourishment along with the repast of physical nourishment. Aww, that sounds so poetic, now doesn’t it? At least, it’s a little more poetic …
Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
My son, Steven, recently informed me that we had a problem. The cookie jar was empty. With a twinkle in his eye, he asked, “Would you like to fill it up with Chocolate Mint Cookies?” My newest cookie creation has been a hit in our household. It started last December when I passed by a holiday …
April Fool’s Day “Flower Pot” Cake
Having a little fun, where there’s no harm done, is alright with me! In considering a recipe for April the family said I had to make a flowerpot cake…in celebration of April Fools’ Day. Really??? Okay, so how come when you know a joke it seems, at least in your own mind, that everyone already …
Pineapple Lime Gelatin
This is a recipe for gelatin, or as my Great-Grandpa Baker would have called it, “Nervous pudding.” While Jell-O is only a brand of gelatin, most people refer to gelatin salads or desserts as “Jell-O”…kind of like most tissues are called “Kleenex”. With more sugar, chemicals and coloring than we prefer to consume, I wanted …
Sugar Cookies
This sugar cookie recipe is one of my favorites. While I’m not opposed to making rolled sugar cookies, the kind you stamp in different shapes, like hearts at Valentine’s Day, I’m not always in the mood for all the extra effort. Sometimes I just want festive and yummy homemade goodness, without all the time and …
Thumbprint Cookies
Whether you want cookies for an open house, reception, some other special occasion or want to deliver an impressive platter of goodies, Thumbprints are a show stopper. Surprisingly easy to make, these little nut studded shortbreads with their fruit-jeweled centers will add sparkle to your holiday assortment. Fruit jams of your choice can be added …
Pie Crust
Homemade Pie Crust tastes different than store bought…in a good way:) In this video I’ll show you how to make your own Crust from scratch. It’s not very hard but it does take some patience working with the tender dough. Have fun! Single Pie Crust Recipe*: 1 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt 1 Tbsp sugar …
Caramel Corn
Temperatures are getting crisper and so are the apples on the trees and in the market place. All kinds of varieties make their appearance; it seems like there is always a new one to try…along with favorites that only make an appearance once a year. What a wonderful fruit; round, fragrant, crisp, juicy and sweet …
Soft Molasses Cookies
Cookies…I’ve always loved to make them, and lucky me, I have a family that loves to eat them. Early in my cookie baking childhood I expressed disappointment to my grandfather about making cookies and having them disappear almost immediately. He suggested that I might feel much worse if they didn’t disappear. He had a point. …
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Strawberry Pie is one of those desserts that has the unique ability to communicate that delightful word, “Summertime!” A beautiful mountain of ripe, red berries in a pie shell, what could be better? …except, perhaps, topping it with a generous helping of fresh, sweetened whipped cream. Or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, we won’t …