Raspberry Hand Pies

Raspberry 💓 Hand Pies! The aroma of homemade filling …. just grab a spoon 😉 Raspberry scrumptiousness filled inside a flaky pie crust & topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

My heart cookie cutter has been busy. These adorable hand pies are sooo delicious. Do you like ice cream with pie? Slightly melted, a little bit of everything in one mouthful 😁

Heart shaped food is a little extra special – year round. My original plan was strawberry & blueberry hand pies however, raspberries kept popping up in my feed 😋 I knew the perfect raspberry filling to make. Previous bakes include homemade pop tarts and hand pies from two different recipe developers. The jammy raspberry is so darn delicious!

If you have a heart shaped cookie cutter — it’s great for heart sandwiches, waffles, cookies or pie crust. Happy Tuesday, thank you for following. Be Awesome! Be Great 💓💗

Pie Crust Recipe by How to Feed A Loon, please click on the link below for the full recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting your work surface
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter chilled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 2 tbsp shortening chilled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 5- 6 tbsp ice water

https://howtofeedaloon.com/perfect-pie-crust/#wprm-recipe-container-13023

Jammy Raspberry by Half Baked Harvest Please click on the link for the full recipe

FILLING

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/raspberry-cream-pretzel-hand-pies/

Chocolate Banana Bites

Chocolate! Bananas! Peanut butter! Fresh sliced bananas with peanut butter in between then dipped in chocolate 😁

As a kid, I dipped bananas into chocolate syrup. As an adult, I make PB banana toast — a combination of favorites made into the perfect snack 😋 Anyone else love peanut butter banana toast? These little cuties are fun to make & so yummy for snack time. A small confession ~ a previous batch was made {last week} however, there weren’t enough left to photograph 😬

Happy Friday! You don’t need to be perfect to be amazing 🌟 Thank you for following — Stay safe! Be Awesome! Be the Change 🤎🍌💛 #goingbananas

Banana Bites by Erin Lives Whole

Ingredients: 3 bananas – coconut oil – chocolate chips – coconut flour or protein powder – peanut butter – sea salt or chopped nuts optional

Directions: Cut 3 bananas into coins, lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup coconut flour or protein powder. Add PB to one banana coin & top with another banana coin. Freeze for 1 hour. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 TSP coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Stir. Dip half the frozen bites into the chocolate and freeze again for 30 minutes. Enjoy : )

Shakshuka

Shakshuka! It’s fun to say & eat 😁 My weekend started with this super tasty dish — Poached eggs in tomatoes, onions, garlic, fresh herbs, seasoning & feta cheese : )

How do you pronounce it ? Shak-shoo-Kuh — it’s light, flavorful & simple to make. A little chopping & sautéing = deliciousness!

Beginner blogger – I’ve always enjoyed cooking & baking however, clueless about photography. Reading about food photography + an on-line class taught me a lot. I originally photographed Shakshuka in 2017 {see below} Yikes 😬 While it’s lacking the “eat with your eyes” appeal… it certainly was good. Progress vs perfect ~ practice, take that first step. You never know where your passion will lead you! We all start somewhere : )

Shakshuka is a great breakfast or brunch idea to make in the comfort of your home. Dip with toast or a pita, dig in and have a great Sunday! Stay safe! Be Awesome! Thank you for following 😉❤️🤘 #brunchisalwaysagoodidea #happyweekend

Recipe by Feel Good Foodie

Please click on the link below for the full recipe : )

https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/shakshuka/

Maple Cinnamon & Ginger Roasted Pears

The perfect pair 😉 Drizzled maple syrup, warm spices and topped with vanilla Greek yogurt!

Do you like poached pears? I make this sweet treat throughout the year because it’s sooo darn delicious.

A sheet pan shot was my original vision however, it was a hot mess 😬 I adore photographers dark-charming food shots so… when the sun set I started clicking.

An incredible dessert idea that will satisfy your sweet craving! Top with granola, nuts, creme fraiche or ice cream. A few simple ingredients to a pear-fect dessert : ) Thank you for following ~ Be Awesome! Stay Safe! Be Yourself! 💃🍐❤️ #roastedpears

Recipe by The Feed Feed – Please click on the link below for the full recipe : )

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pears, halved and cored
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 tablespoon ghee
  • Pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of ground ginger
  • Vanilla yogurt
  • Walnuts, as garnish

https://thefeedfeed.com/briewilly/maple-cinnamon-and-ginger-roasted-pears-with-vanilla-yogurt

Strawberry Banana Bread

Strawberries! Bananas! Chocolate Morsels!The best way to use up overripe bananas ….bake banana bread of course : )

What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries are my absolute favorite. I snacked on a couple prior to baking 🤫 Summer flavors can be enjoyed anytime of the year! This combination was right up my alley — I’ve had my share of strawberry n’ banana smoothies, ice cream and yogurt …. so delicious! The bread is slightly sweet with the option to use your favorite sweetener. Did I mention it’s so simple, gluten-free and scrumptious 🍓

Happy Saturday ~ Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy! Thank you for following. Have a great weekend! Be Awesome! Stay safe 💃🍓❤️ #goingbananas #sweettooth

Recipe by The Big Man’s World {One Bowl Strawberry Banana Bread} Please click on the link below for the full recipe : )

Ingredients

https://thebigmansworld.com/healthy-strawberry-banana-bread/#wprm-recipe-container-23227

Creamy Tuscan Salmon

Salmon! Cream! Fresh Vegetables! Pan-seared salmon, cherry tomatoes & spinach in a garlic Parmesan cream sauce : )

I love salmon! It’s a favorite so, I’m always searching for new ideas. This recipe is tasty, healthy’ish + it’s ready in 30 minutes 👏

Do you like salmon? The holidays are over and ☹️ My son’s wedding is 11 months away — I’m planning ahead with lighter-healthy’ish meals. Well…mostly 😉 Thank you for following — I hope you have a great day! 💃❤️ #salmonlover #itswhatsfordinner

Be Safe! Be Awesome! Be Yourself!

Recipe by The Food Charlatan, Creamy Tuscan Salmon

Please click on the link below for the full recipe: )

https://thefoodcharlatan.com/creamy-tuscan-salmon/

Kentucky Butter Cake

Happy New Year 🎉 Buttering up the New Year with a Kentucky Butter cake. It’s sweet, vanilla’ish with a perfect poundcake texture : )

First bake of the year! Kicking 2 0 2 0 in the bundt 😉 I cooked a few “lucky” New Year’s foods including a ring-shaped cake. It’s scrumptious and infused with more sweet butter 💃

Photographing this delicious bundt was a challenge. Perhaps it was me 🤪 or the early morning light. After 45 minutes attempting different angles, plate settings + 2 cake stands….I felt frustrated & took a break.

The photo above was shot prior & the lighter {first} photo was post-break. I continue to learn everyday …in and outside of the kitchen! Teaching myself hand lettering, increased exercise, reading more, practicing grace & gratitude. Positive changes — Challenge yourself! 2 0 2 1 will be what you make it {even with restrictions}. Thank you to Olivia Blake for an inspiring- positive New Year outlook.

Be Safe! Be Awesome! Be Yourself! Wishing you & your loved ones a Happy, Healthy New Year 🎉💜 #thankyouforfollowing #allaboutthebundt

Recipe by The Anthony Kitchen {Kentucky Butter Cake} Side note: I replaced all purpose flour with cake flour. No sifting & fluffier.

https://www.theanthonykitchen.com/kentucky-butter-cake/

Maple Roasted Carrots

Maple! Brown butter! Carrots 🥕 Tender roasted carrots in a garlic brown butter sauce : )

I hope you had a wonderful & safe holiday! Need a simple go-to side dish? I absolutely love roasted vegetables — the sweet & savory flavor combination compliments the carrots perfectly. So irresistible! I’m ready to make them again😁 A new side I added to our holiday dinner. Such a great idea for any meal. What is your favorite holiday dish?

I chose a darker filter for these shots. Hope you have an awesome day & stay safe. I’ll see you in the New Year. Thank you for following 😚🥕🧡🤘 #carroton #newsidedish #grateful

Recipe by The Olive & Mango {Brown Butter Garlic Maple Roasted Carrots} Please click on the link below for the full recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds carrots scrubbed clean or peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick of butter) 
  • 3 Tablespoons maple syrup 
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme plus more for garnish

https://www.oliveandmango.com/brown-butter-garlic-maple-roasted-carrots/

New York-Style Cheesecake

Classic Holiday Cheesecake! Dreamy, creamy deliciousness on a homemade graham cracker crust : )

Are you cheesecake obsessed? My first attempt baking cheesecake {20 years ago 😫} was disappointing with several cracks Lol. Important tip, do not over stir/beat the cream cheese mixture. I speak those exact words while beating the scrumptious mixture.

Keep your patience while waiting for the cheesecake to set overnight {don’t touch} then allow it to sit at room temperature for that perfect creamy texture 💃 This is definitely 1 of my top 5 favorite desserts! My son, sisters & Aunts love cheesecake. A popular request from so many people. Perfect on its own or topped with fruit & whipped cream. This will not disappoint your cheesecake lovers.

Helpful tip: don’t feel intimidated using a water bath. Firmly secure aluminum foil around the bottom & along the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. I add 3 layers…just to be safe.

Last bake of 2020! Wishing you Happy Holidays & a Merry Christmas 🍒❤️ #staysafe #happyholidays

Please click the link below for the full recipe Baker By Nature {The Best New-York Style Cheesecake}

https://bakerbynature.com/the-best-new-york-style-cheesecake/

Baking Spirits Bright

Gifting goodness! I baked a variety of cookies to share with Santa, family & friends {see previous post}. This classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is our absolute favorite : )

I postponed baking our favorite cookies to make them {+ holiday memories ☺️} with my son & his fiancé. Unfortunately, our plans changed due to COVID concerns. Of course I was disappointed however, it’s important not to allow negative emotions to control our day. So….I baked the classic CCC to add to my goodie tins. The kitchen counter was a sweet mess 😁 covered in cookie deliciousness, tins, ribbons, peppermints & cellophane. Ready to ship & personally deliver to locals.

In the true spirit of Christmas, I’m gifting freshly baked CC cookies to a few local families. Christmas spirit is in your heart❣️ Add a special touch with wrapping, fill mason jars or ornaments they make great DIY gifts ~ we have the opportunity to shine and brighten another person’s day! “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone ” Happy Holidays 🎄❄️🌟

#joyofgiving #bakersgonnabake

Inspired by The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients: 3/4 cup Crisco Butter flavor shortening – 1 1/4 cups brown sugar – 2 TBSP milk – 1 TBSP vanilla extract – 1 egg – 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour – 1 TSP salt – 3/4 TSP baking soda – 1 cup or more of semi sweet chocolate chips- 1 cup pecans chopped, optional

Instructions: Heat the oven 350. Beat the shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Beat in the egg. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Mix into the shortening until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded measuring TBSP onto a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake 10-13 minutes for chewy cookies. Remove to wire rack & allow to cool.