I decided to try a twist on a seasonal cookie this month. March 9-10 is Purim in the Jewish faith, and Hamantaschen are the treat associated with that holiday. Continue reading
S’Mores Hamantaschen
Lemon Meltaways
Although I am making these cookies for Christmas, the fact is that Lemon Meltaways are perfect year-round. In the wintertime, they are a great complement to a cup of hot tea, with lovely citrus notes that offer a change to the typical peppermint and cloves that we enjoy so much during the cold months. But, in the summer, too, these pair well with lemonade or fruit, a great snack while sitting outside watching the world roll by. Continue reading
Pear Butter Cupcakes
If you’ve had your fill of Christmas Cookies and need to mix it up a bit, I’ve got a great recipe for you. These Pear Butter Cupcakes do require a bit of extra effort due to the fact that you have to make the pear butter and add it to the center of the cupcake, but I think they’re worth it. Continue reading
Eggnog Sugar Cookies
It’s about that time – cookie season! In all likelihood, you have a list of your favorite go-to Christmas cookie recipes. But, if you’re like me, you also like to try new cookies to keep your selection interesting. Sugar cookies are pretty much always a safe bet, but this slight modification–adding eggnog to the dough and icing–turns a classic into something extra special. Continue reading
Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles
Every fall, the street I live on has a neighborhood block party of food, games, and music. I knew I wanted to make cookies, and settled on Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles. Continue reading
Watermelon Krispies
This post is less about a recipe and more about fun. Most readers will have already made krispy treats. These are a variation of that, intended to make children (or the young at heart) smile. If you know how to make krispy treats and you have a springform pan, this should be a breeze. Continue reading
Blueberry Marshmallow Crumb Bars

Last month I focused on strawberries, and this month it’s blueberries! I really can’t get enough of fruits and berries in the summertime. And I’m not talking about supermarket berries – I mean farmers market berries, pick-your-own berries, berries from your garden. The burst of flavor that they provide is so delicious! This month I’ve made a fresh Blueberry Marshmallow Crumb Bar. This recipe is easy to make, but most importantly – you don’t have to turn on your oven! Perfect for the steamy days of summer. Continue reading
Shortbread Two Ways – Lemon Verbena and Lavender Citrus
Shortbread cookies are among my favorite types of cookies. Sweet but not too sweet, a great base for all kinds of flavor ideas, and rather simple. This summer I was growing Lemon Verbena in my backyard (until I killed it despite assurances that it is un-killable, but that’s another story), and I also attended a local Lavender festival which offered some inspiration for this post. Continue reading
Nectarine Raspberry Galette
This past Sunday I went to my local farmers market and made a beeline for “the peach guy.” I was happy to discover that not only were peaches available, but so were nectarines. They always have samples of the varieties on sale that day, and I discovered a White Nectarine that was the most delicious thing I have tasted in recent memory. Never in my life have I had such a juicy, delicious nectarine. I bought a bagful, along with a bounty of other fruits and veggies, and headed home to indulge. Continue reading
I love brownies, but here’s the secret—the ones made from a box are 99% of the time better than brownies made from scratch. I know, blasphemy. So, for that reason, I rarely bake brownies unless I’m really trying to re-convince myself that they are worth my time. These non-brownies, though—aka blondies—are a nice bar that you can’t get from a shelf-stable box. They’re a bit chewy, a bit dense, and lasted only a hot second when I took them into work.