Snickerdoodle Cookies

I've enjoyed this recipe for many many years, but had never actually made the cookies myself until I started writing this blog.  The first thing I said when mom emailed the recipe to me was "Shortening??!?!  Really mom, this isn't the 1950's.  Who uses Crisco anymore??"  Clearly I've come around since then and always have a (small) can of Crisco in my fridge waiting just for these cookies.  Other than the 2 hour chill time for the dough, these are one of the easiest cookies to throw together on a whim!  Unfortunately, 2 dozen snickerdoodles are NEVER enough...grandma always said to be weary of doubling though, so keep it to one batch at a time my friends!

Buttermilk Biscuits

These are the best biscuits I've ever made!  Ok ok...these are one of the only recipes I've ever made haha, but I swear they're really buttery, flaky and just overall yummy!  I don't know if any of you get the Martha Stewart magazine Everyday Food, but it's one of my all time favorites.  I've found SO many fabulous recipes from the magazine over the years, and this is just one to add to the list.

Strawberry Pie minis

Ok, when it comes to baked goods, there are two things I'll never be able to do without...mini's (duh) and pie crust!!!  Not only are these morsels bite-sized, but they also have the absolute perfect ratio of filling:crust.  Although I have to admit, they were quite arduous to make, but the payoff was well worth it when I popped the first twelve one in my mouth...

Nutella S'more Bars

That's right, you heard me...Nutella. S'more. Bars.  I think that says it all.  How could something with so many delicious individual parts be anything less than spectacular when combined??!!?  Well let me tell you, this recipe did NOT disappoint.  Unfortunately, I really can't take any of the credit for this one.  The brilliance came directly from Nikki at chef in training (via Pinterest of course).

(Please excuse the plate...I didn't cut these babies until I got to work this morning, and there weren't many options to choose from!)

Apple Pie

In addition to making the cranberry sauce, I was also put in charge of baking the apple pie for Thanksgiving last year (yes, that's right...it's August 2012 and it's been a busy year with little time devoted to baking and even less time devoted to blogging.  Clearly...)  The blueberry-ginger pie was my first pie creation, and since then, I've been hooked!  I honestly think that the pie crust is my favorite part, which is why this post is perfect for readers like me!  I've included my mom's recipe for rugelach (aka the little cinnamon sugar pinwheels made from the leftover pie crust).

Ginger-Orange Cranberry Sauce

I've been assigned to make cranberry sauce and apple pie (post soon to come) for the Thanksgiving feast this week, so of course I had to share!! This is definitely the best homemade cranberry sauce I've had, and on top of that, it's SOOOO easy to make!!  Literally, all you do is throw the 6 easy ingredients in a pot, stir occasionally for 10 minutes, and voila!!

Check out the before and after pics:

    

Spicy Mexican Brownies

First off, I must start by saying that a batter defines a recipe....good batter generally means the final product will taste good (not necessarily look great, but oh well!)  And with this recipe, I literally licked the bowl.  I'm serious...I scraped the whole thing out 'til it was clean!!  Eeek!!  Only slightly embarrassing, but I'm over it  :)  And on a side note, my kitchen smells aaamazing!!!