Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookies - total time 1 hour

I heard about the Food Blogger Cookie Swap a couple years ago and was so mad when I missed it last year!  So I got on the reminder list and was probably one of the first to sign up for 2015.  The premise is every blogger donates to Cookies for Kids Cancer then bakes three dozen cookies and sends a dozen to three random bloggers.  It was fun coming home to cookies on our doorstep and connecting with bloggers from around the country!

I sent cookies to: Baking Bandit, Thyme & Passion, A Sprinkle of This and That
I received cookies from: Koko Likes, Bake Love Give, A Mama, Baby, & Shar-pei in the Kitchen



I have been baking these cookies for nearly 15 years now and everyone always loves them!  It's easy to change it up a bit with different types of chocolates in the cookies... I started with Hershey Kisses back in high school because it was a cute shape inside when you bit it in half.  But my favorites have been Reese cups and Dove dark chocolates.  Mmmm...

There are no eggs in these cookies, so when you inevitably taste a little (or a lot) of the dough, it's okay!  There is no baking powder either.  So these are definitely not your normal everyday chocolate chip cookies.  They actually remind me of biscotti.  So while you can certainly go the traditional route of having milk with your cookies, hot cocoa and coffee are also perfect accoutrements.  So bake a batch, make some hot cocoa, and snuggle up by the fireplace and enjoy these tasty cookies with a little candy surprise inside!  :)

The Best Granola Ever - total time 30 minutes

You know the phrase "that's so granola"?  Describing something that is plain and boring...   Well those people have never had this granola!  I pretty much make it every week mainly for breakfast parfaits, but it also makes a great snack, especially when you need a few bites in between meals. 

You might buy granola in the store... it might taste good... but it is probably expensive, maybe three servings at best, and you don't know all of the ingredients, or maybe you don't like some of the ingredients.  Granola is soooo easy to make at home!  I had my doubts at first too.  But it really is just combining all the ingredients in a bowl and then spreading it on a cookie sheet, ten minutes in the oven and woop, there it is. ;)
I definitely save money too.  We would normally go through three bags of granola a week plus cereal and English muffins.   I get the main ingredients from bulk bins and the others are usually local and last through many, many batches of granola.  It also keeps me full longer in the mornings, so less snacking before lunch.  And you can make it into granola bars for a snack on the go.

So, chocolate and peanut butter... best combination ever, right?  You probably can't eat Reese cups every day, but this granola is actually healthy and has just enough sweet.  Whole grains and great protein from the seeds and nuts.  Plus it is naturally sweetened with a little honey and maple syrup... oh... and the dark chocolate chips of course... which are totally healthy, I promise!  :) 

Nutella Raspberry Tart with Wholly Wholesome

Despite my reputation at work, I actually don't bake that often.  Baking from scratch requires quite a few ingredients and I hate going to the grocery store for just one or two items (even though I can walk to it).  So when Wholly Wholesome asked me to review their products, I gravitated toward the premade pie crusts since I have had those tarts from Europe in my thoughts (chocolate tarts in Rome and raspberry tarts in Paris).  

Wholly Wholesome is a all natural, organic baked goods brand.  Many of their products are also gluten-free.  As such, they are normally in your grocer's freezer section which is great because you can always have some pie crusts or pizza dough stocked up and just pull it out of the freezer the night before.  You can find Wholly Wholesome in Whole Foods, select Kroger stores, and many other organic grocers (use their store locator).

So this tart... using a pie crust... it is sooo easy!  Only five ingredients!  Starting with your Wholly Wholesome flaky pie crust, which is perfectly buttery.  Then the Nutella ganache... yes, Nutella ganache... drool!  Topped with juicy raspberries which are $0.99 at Kroger so I bought all of them.  :)  Totally rich and dreamy... and barely any work at all (thanks to Wholly Wholesome).  You have to try this recipe!

Chocolate Cherry Bombs - total time 50 minutes

I looove cookies... but seriously, I need a break from them right now.  Too many Christmas cookies!  

So we were running through the produce section of our grocery store the other day (really just to grab some lettuce for tacos) and I noticed cherries.  I have always associate cherries with summer.  Cherries are the kind of fruit you can't have year-round in the produce department, so I looked into it, and it is currently the Southern hemisphere's cherry season (makes sense)!  I guess Australians associate cherries with Christmas, which made me think... Christmas is really different down under, wearing shorts in the height of summer season and celebrating Christmas... strange thought!

Any way... there are a lot of birthdays around Christmas and I have been thinking about making cake pops, but instead of a pop, a cherry stem.  So I grabbed a bag of cherries and made these super rich and chocolaty cherry bombs!  And I mean they are really gooood.  This is coming from someone who doesn't typically like chocolate cake or cherries... but these are the bomb!  (Haha... pun intended!)

Just so you know, the stems are a little finicky.  I really wanted mine to look like little cherry bombs, so I tried my hardest to keep the stem on throughout the process (specifically when dipping them in the chocolate).  These would be just as delicious balled up without the stem or even put a pop stick in them.

So before your New Years resolutions are set, get in one last indulgence!

Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes - total time 50 minutes

One of my friends made this awesome chocolate cake from zucchini and I remember being so surprised that something so sweet could have three cups of zucchini in it.  Seriously!  That's a lot of zucchini to be in a cake!  That was... like... seven years ago.  Now I find myself with more zucchini than I want zucchini bread and I thought back to that cake.

This cake is a bit different... it is triple chocolate cake with three cups of zucchini.  :)  The zucchini makes the cake really moist and you really can't taste it (there was a little bit of a shredded texture, so if you're worried, just shred the zucchini extra fine).  But don't tell people they are eating vegetables in their dessert.  It seems a lot of people avoid vegetables altogether sometimes.  So just leave it at "tripe chocolate cake" and everyone will be happy!

Salted Caramel Mocha Brownies - total time 1 hour 15 minutes

People go crazy for Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte.  But the seasonal drink I always look forward to is their salted caramel mochas... mmm... mochas...

Thankfully, we have several months of Spring and Summer to enjoy before those drinks are back on the menu board.  So until then, we'll have to settle... hmmm, not the right word... devour some salted caramel mocha brownies instead!

They are the perfect texture, somewhere between a dense cake and fudge.  And gooey... those caramel pockets are sooo good!  

Easter Basket Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

I think Mother Nature is trying to teach us a lesson... enjoy the sunny and 80 degree days because the next day there could be an inch of snow on the ground!  Oh my poor daffodils.  :(  What can you do...

Since it is cold outside again, might as well whip up some Easter treats from scratch!  My grandma used to make the best yellow cake and chocolate frosting ever!  She would make it when the whole family was coming over for a holiday dinner; Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas... and once in a while throughout the summer when my sister and I were over at her house during summer break.  To this day, it is the only cake I would ever get seconds of (unless you count cookie cake as a cake... and then that throws the whole idea out the window).  I can't quite remember what made her cake so special, I just remember really enjoying it.

My husband's favorite cake, as it turns out, is also yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  So I thought I would give it a go making yellow cake from scratch.  Turns out, it is egg yoke (not butter, like I originally thought) that makes yellow cake yellow (unless its a box mix, in which case there is probably some food coloring that makes it extra yellow).  He said these are the best cupcakes yet... and I've made so pretty darn good cupcakes (according to other people, of course... case 1, 2, and 3)

I had the idea of these chocolate shavings Easter baskets last year (because I don't like coconut) and it just didn't work out.  I used a vegetable peeler, which made the shavings too wide.  Then I used a grater and the chocolate melted in my hands.  This year I used my handy parmesan grater and it worked out nicely.  Knowing most people don't have room in their kitchen for an extra gadget (and a parmesan grater is definitely not a necessity), you could use parchment paper around the chocolate and take breaks to toss the chocolate in the freezer to prevent a melty mess.  Or you could use chocolate sprinkles and avoid the complication altogether!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Granola Bar - total time 1 hour

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I've never been one to skip breakfast, I would never make it to lunch without gnawing my arm off.  So to keep my hunger at bay, I start most mornings with a quick parfait.  I loooove this granola I get from Green Bean delivery.  It is so yummy!  And I have tried a lot of different granolas, definitely all of the ones with chocolate in them.  But this one is definitely the best, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, and a little chocolate.  Perfect way to start the day... top it with some berries and yogurt... even better!

We go through this stuff like crazy, like, a couple bags every week.  It's kind of ridiculous.  But we don't always have time in the morning even for a simple parfait (I easily lose track of time before I have had my coffee... even after sometimes... so mornings can go from a leisurely stroll to a mad dash out the door pretty quickly).  So what's a girl going to eat when she's run so fast out the door that she forgot to brush her hair and her phone is still sitting on the kitchen counter?  Granola bars!  A quick grab and go solution.

You could probably just take premade granola and bake it into bars.  But where is the fun in that?  This way you control everything that goes into the bars and can feel good about what you're eating.  No added sugar and tons of protein and fiber... and so yummy... just like McCabe's granola.

It takes a bit of time from start to finish, but it's mostly hands off time.  I walked my dog while everything was cooling, came back, covered them in chocolate, and then went back out with Snoop to finish our walk.  Probably only spent 15 minutes in the kitchen.  Easy peasy!  

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes - total time 1.5 hours

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve!  I know parties started yesterday, maybe even Friday, and everyone is drinking their green beer (well, the true Irish are drinking Guinness... or observing it as a holy day and not drinking).  Whether you really are Irish, or just a wee bit Irish this time of year, here is a cupcake everyone will enjoy!

Originally inspired from Brown Eyed Baker and then slightly tweaked since 2012, people start talking about these cupcakes in January!  Of course, these sweet little cakes are inspired by the drink with Guinness, Baileys, and Jameson (although any whiskey will do), which brings me back to my first St. Patrick's Day of legal drinking age.  Losing my ID on our way to Court Street, buying some Guinness at the BP, and heading back to our apartment to chug car bombs using full 15 ounce cans.  Those were the days...  ;)

Side note: I keep typing carb bomb... my subconscious is trying to be honest with you.  But that's why they are mini cupcakes!

Side side note:  Not all of the alcohol is cooked out of these cupcakes.  There is still a bit of Baileys in each bite.  But you would feel the effects of a sugar high before feeling the least bit tipsy.  Even still, keep these guys an adults only treat.

Okay, back to the cakes.  If you have ever had Guinness cake before, it really boosts the flavor of the chocolate.  And the creme fraiche keeps the cakes nice and moist.  I use ganache in a lot of my cupcake recipes... this recipe might have been the beginning of that habit.  I think it seals the cakes in and keeps them from getting the least bit stale.  And the frosting... I could probably just pipe the frosting right into my mouth and be happy as a clam (a clam that is wired on sugar)!  Altogether, the perfect little cupcake people wait all year for... it's here!

Chocolate Chip Scones - total time 45 minutes

You know the saying you should always try something once?  I whole-heartedly agree that everyone should at least taste things they aren't familiar with.  You never know until you try it.  But in some cases, you have to try things multiple times to realize you love something!

That is so true for me and scones.  I've had scones before... they are usually dry and crumbly.  Scones usually sit next to muffins and donuts in the breakfast line up of choices.  Let's see, dry, crumbly scone or moist muffin that looks like a cupcake or sweet, sweet donuts... I'm probably not reaching for the scone.

Then I had the most delicious scone ever!  We were staying at a bed and breakfast in Olympic National Park where they made us so many tasty breakfasts.  One the last morning, there were these blueberry scones.  So delicious and buttery.  Almost like a muffin top, but better (which kind of made me think of that episode of Seinfield about Elaine selling only the muffin tops).

So, when you have some time in the morning to spend some time on breakfast, or if you're in the mood for brunch... try this scone recipe!  I swapped out the blueberries (which look awful right now, since they aren't in season) and swapped in some dark chocolate chips which made it almost like a dessert.  :)

Buckeye Cookies - total time 1 hour

If you live in Ohio, you're probably getting excited about the Ohio State bowl game (well, as long as you're over the loss to Michigan State).  I'm sure there are other teams that get the same level of fan-demonium as the Buckeyes, but without a professional football home team to cheer for, everyone gets behind the Bucks.  

For us, game time is a great time to get things done in town... no traffic, no crowds, no worries!  But it is still fun for us to watch with a large group of friends and family with a spread of tasty appetizers and a few cutesy themed desserts!  

I'm no stranger to a peanut butter and chocolate dessert... they are definitely some of my favorites!  I love the sweet and salty mix, it just heightens the flavors.  I remember making buckeyes in my freshman dorm room with only a microwave and my desk (no fancy double boiler, or even a stove top available) for the Ohio State v Michigan game.  When you have to have buckeyes for the biggest rivalry in college football, you'll find a way.

So after years and years of making traditional buckeyes, I now try to twist that tradition into other desserts.  Buckeye Brownies, Buckeye Bark, Buckeye Mix-Ins... to name a few.  Well, my favorite dessert category is definitely cookies... so this year it is Buckeye cookies for game day!

Oreo Cookie Bars - total time 2 hours

Eep, I still have a good amount of Christmas shopping to do... what about you?  I should really write my ideas down as soon as I have them because even a few minutes later I have forgotten and wonder around aimlessly for inspiration.  Several hours were spent going from store to store today for those last few gifts.  Inspiration was lacking even with the big sale signs covering most retailers right now.  With so many sales, it is hard to keep from buying things for myself!

I'm finishing off my holiday baking today while the weather is a little dreary.  Of course that involves more cookies, yum!

These Oreo cookie bars are kind of like taking a few Oreos and making a giant one, but the cookie part is more like an Oreo Truffle.  So, if you like Oreos, this cookie is for you!  It is so rich, I haven't been able to finish one yet.  My husband, on the other hand, has had no trouble and sometimes gets a second!   

Cake Batter Cookies - total time 2 hours

It is the season of indulgence... where calories don't count because we are going to holiday parties, doing cookie exchanges, eating holiday meals, and spending time with our families (which usually means more food and drinks)!

Okay... so calories still count no matter when you eat them...  But you shouldn't feel bad about enjoying some holiday treats... just don't go overboard!

This cookie is one you just can't pass up.  It is soft and chewy with the buttery flavor you get from yellow cake.  There is something about yellow cake and chocolate icing that even a person who doesn't care for cake (i.e. me) can't refuse a piece.  Make that into a cookie and you have a perfect dessert!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins - total time 45 minutes

Banana bread muffins used to be something I baked pretty frequently.  I always bought bananas and never seemed to eat all of them before a few turned "extra ripe".  Every time I would tweak the recipe... add cinnamon, mix in some brown sugar, a little lemon zest... I would bring some over to my grandma and she would tell me if it was a good tweak or if something was missing.  Then we would talk for an hour or more about random things.  She always had a good story to tell, even if I had already heard it seven times it was still fascinating.

Over Thanksgiving my dad wondered aloud where I got the cooking and baking gene from.  Definitely not from my parents; they will fully admit to that.  It is completely from my grandma who taught me so much.  Who cooked and baked from scratch nearly every day.  Who showed me how to garden and how much fun it could be.  Who inspired a craft project one hour and timed me in my math tables the next.  Who taught me how to be thrifty and appreciating what I have.  Who had a kind heart, but knew when tough love was needed.

After she passed, I didn't bake banana bread muffins for a while...  I have only made them a few times since then and it brings back those happy memories every time.  It's just one of those things that will always be connected.  I brought out my recipe card, stained with butter grease and smashed banana... and made one tweak. 

As we celebrate the holidays, do you have a tradition that has passed down over generations that reminds you of specific friends or family members?  If you are looking for a banana bread recipe, this one is pretty basic.  Maybe it could become part of your family tradition.  All I know is this recipe is grandma-approved... :)

Nutella Stuffed Cookies - total time 1.5 hours

OMG!  I looove chocolate chip cookies!  I also love Nutella!  I have made Nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies before and they were delicious... but really messy.  And then I saw Izy's way to stuff her chocolate cookies with caramel and I realized she had something.  I love this thumb print method... it keeps your hands clean and the Nutella stays in the center of the cookie... mmm...

So, I made these a couple weeks ago.  I am usually making baked goods for a special event or to bring into work.  In this case, we just really wanted some cookies at home.  I ended up making about ten cookies at a time and leaving the dough in the fridge for later.  That meant fresh, homemade cookies straight from the oven every other night... now that's how you make a girl happy!

Take 5 Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

Happy Halloween!  Trick-or-treat is postpone tonight because of a big storm heading our way (it is already getting windy and rainy outside)... so we're watching scary movies tonight instead of passing out candy.

Halloween is probably the most fun holiday.  It's all about sweets and treats, being creative and dressing up, getting scared.  All kinds of cute kids in costumes and fun parties for adults.  What's not to like?!

Every year I make sure to buy a bag of my favorite candy; Take 5.  Then I hide all of them in the bottom of the bowl and act surprised when they're the only candy left after all of the trick-or-treaters have gone home.  I feel like I never see Take 5 candy bars unless it is Halloween, so I have to save some for myself!  I mean, whoever thought to combine these five ingredients is a genius!  

So it seems only logical to turn my favorite candy bar into a cupcake (I mean, I already made a Muddy Buddies version).  Peanut butter frosting is one of my favorites!  Between PB frosting and Baileys frosting, I can't decide which I love more.  These little cakes are so delish... it is really the perfect combination of sweet and salty indulgence!

Baileys Brownies - total time 1.5 hours

Have you tried Starbucks VIA yet?  It has been available for a couple years now.  I actually haven't had it plain yet (you know, just as coffee), but it has been awesome for baking!  The instant coffee that was available before VIA was so bitter that after a few coffee flavored desserts, I just couldn't make any more!  But that has changed!

My favorite way to have coffee is with a little bit (or a lotta bit) of Baileys.  Some times that craving just happens and it is either not time for coffee (and the caffeine that accompanies it) or it is too early for Baileys.  So my favorite coffee ends up being reserved for the weekends... unless... you make it into a brownie!  Didn't think you could make that coffee and Baileys combo any better... but we just did!  :)

This recipe is definitely rich with all of these bold flavors, so the brownie is a little fluffier instead of fudgy... otherwise you wouldn't be able to eat more than a bite or two! Pair it with a tall glass of milk because you're going to need it!

Poptails - total time 2.25 hours

Beach vacations always call for some cold, boozy drinks.  The forecast is 90s and sunny on the beach this week... so I'm thinking those cold drinks need to be frozen!  Before we left, I test out a couple poptail recipes... popsicle cocktails... yummy!  Just a few ingredient mixed with some booze make some really tasty frozen treats.

I experimented with four recipes... a yogurt mudslide, blackberry cheesecake, banana Nutella, and piña colada.  All were pretty tasty... but I picked two to make at the beach this time.  And the winners are yogurt mudslide and banana Nutella (the two with chocolate, I guess that isn't too surprising).  (For more ideas go to endless simmer.)

The instructions for all four poptails is the same... blend all the ingredients together, pour into popsicle mold and add popsicle stick, and freeze for about two hours (depending on your popsicle molds and freezer).  All ingredients listed below will make about eight popsicles...

Ice Cream Bars - total time 1.5 hours

After Lindsay at Pinch of Yum posted her Oreo Fudge Ice Cream Bars, I knew I had to make something similar because these are perfect for summer.  So I made these for my step brother's 30th birthday!  

Lindsay used and Oreo crust and made fudge sauce.  Now I'm not a big fan of Oreos... actually I don't like them at all unless their in something... and even then.  But I'm a huge fan of chocolate chip cookies!  So I used that as my base and dark chocolate ganache as my barrier between the melty ice cream and chewy cookie.

Although cookies and ice cream have really always gone together (ice cream sandwiches!)... it wasn't until I had my first BJ's Brewhouse Pizookie that I became obsessed with this combination (okay, maybe obsessed is a strong word).  So now I make my own quick pizookies at home when we have cookies and gelato on hand (which is pretty much always) by heating up the cookie for 15 seconds in the microwave.  Makes such a big difference!  (Note to self: stop making cookies and buying gelato, you can't help yourself.)

So back to these ice cream bars... sooo good!  Although you can't heat the cookie and ganache to make that warm and cold pizookie combo, this is still just as delicious.  The cookie is just a little under baked so is still tastes a little like cookie dough.  The dark chocolate provides a rich crunch.  And the ice cream is cool and creamy.  You could eat these bars by just biting into them... or... the less messy way (based on experience doing both), with a plate and fork.  

Take 5 Muddy Buddies - total time 20 minutes

Probably the first thing I ever learned how to make myself was puppy chow.  Or muddy buddies if you prefer.  Both names are kind of weird.  I mean, puppy chow?  People think you are trying to feed them dog food.  And then muddy buddies... kind of like mud pies.  Why would mud be appetizing?

Puppy chow is so easy to make!  Just melt some chocolate, peanut butter, and butter on Chex cereal... shake in a paper bag... then add powdered sugar... done!  Once everyone gets over the name, they are scarfing down the chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness.  Tastes like childhood!

Fast forward to adulthood and sometimes you just want a snack that will take you back to simpler times.  This time we're adding caramel and pretzels to the mix... a little extra sweet and a little extra salty.  Yum!