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. 

Christmas Cookies

Happy National Cookie Day! I hope you are staying safe & well. I’ve been busy baking, baking, baking 😁 and ready to share a few Christmas cookies….

Who loves holiday baking? I do : ) Our house “believes in the magic” ~ I have fond memories baking cookies for Santa with my son. He added the chocolate chips, the important fun part! The sugar cookie cut out recipe I chose last year was a huge fail — they would not hold their shape even after refrigerating. Thanks to https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-sugar-cookies/ Sally’s Baking, these cut out cookies are great! My first time making wintery marble icing. I’m pleased with the outcome.

Have you made Oatmeal Lace cookies? OMG’osh goodness : ) Thin, sweet, chewy with a crisp edge and perfect for gifts. My new favorite! The recipe is SO simple and oatmeal lovers will thank you. Stack & wrap in cellophane with ribbon.

Last but not least, gingerbread! Chewy, good and definitely hold their shape. I’m still searching for that one gingerbread that tastes amazing.

I need to wrap this up and finish icing the cookies! Excited to share these homemade goodies. Wishing you Happy Holidays and Stay safe ❤️❄️🎁 #getyourbakeon #holidaybaking

Please click on links below for individual cookie recipes.

Oatmeal Lace recipe https://julieblanner.com/lace-cookies/

Sugar Cookie Cut Out Cookies https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-sugar-cookies/

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies http://www.3scoopsofsugar.com/best-soft-chewy-gingerbread-cookies/

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! It’s National Dessert Day ~ layers of chocolate cake, mousse & topped with chocolate ganache : )

Do you love chocolate? I wanted to dive straight into the Ganache & mousse bowl 😁 Both can be prepared ahead of time — it’s tempting to sneak a few spoonfuls 😉

The first bite is amazing. Rich, decadent and pure indulgence! Layers of chocolatey goodness that want to be shared. I mistakenly relied on my memory to purchase dark cocoa powder prior to baking 🙄 The cake should be darker.

If you love dessert as much as I do …indulge… it is National Dessert Day 😉 I hope you have an awesome & safe day! ❤️💃🍫 #sweettooth

Recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction {Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake} Please click the link below for the full recipe

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/dark-chocolate-mousse-cake/#tasty-recipes-72931

Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash

Getting squashed! Creamy cheesy broccoli baked inside a gorgeous roasted squash : )

I absolutely love cheddar broccoli — this is great idea for lunch or dinner. SO delicious + a fun presentation 😃 Sauté garlic & shallots while the squash is roasting. It smells fantastic!!

Anyone else dislike cutting squash? It’s tough!! Come on muscles 💪 or perhaps my knives need to be sharpened 😆 I hope you have a nice evening, stay safe & thank you for following 🧡🍂😃 #broccolicheddarlove

Recipe by How Sweet Eats

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 spaghetti squash, cut in half with seeds scraped out
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups grated white cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs

https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/09/broccoli-cheddar-spaghetti-squash/#wprm-recipe-container-68242

Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Bread

Perfect Fall treat! Warm sweet spices packed with pumpkin flavor : )

The color! The flavors! A scrumptious bread idea for pumpkin spice lovers. The pecan streusel is amazing 💃 I was planning to share one loaf {recipe makes 2} then a brilliant idea popped in mind … 2 mini loafs. Yes!! I filled one regular loaf pan & 2 minis. I love sharing sweet treats + the smiles!

An easy Fall in love recipe that will fill your home with a delicious aroma. Perfect with a hot cup of coffee {definitely me} or hot tea! Have an awesome day & thank you for following 🧡🍂

Recipe by The Little Holly That Could {Butter Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Bread}

Ingredients:

3 cups of flour

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of baking soda

2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of flavorless oil

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of brown sugar

4 eggs

1 can of pumpkin

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Half a stick of butter, melted

1/2 cup of chopped pecans

Note: I added 1/2 TSP nutmeg and an extra 1/2 TSP of pumpkin pie spice

Mummy Berry Hand Pies

Mummy-licious! A scrumptiously sweet & simple idea for kids & adults : )

Halloween pies with blackberry jam, silly edible eyes & golden pastry crust. They may not be perfect mummies but they’re super delicious 👀🧡

These adorable pies are easy to make with just a few ingredients. Choose your favorite jam/preserves! I chose an easy recipe so I could enjoy the gorgeous, sunny weekend pumpkin and apple picking 🙂 Anyone else love visiting the Pumpkin Patch?

Add a scoop of ice cream on top and enjoy! Have an awesome day, stay safe & thank you for following 🧡👀🖤

Recipe by Alida Ryder, Simply Delicious Food

Ingredients

  • 500 g ready-made puff pastry sheetsthawed
  • 1 cup berry preserves/jam
  • 1 egg beaten
  • googly eyes for decorating

https://simply-delicious-food.com/halloween-mummy-berry-hand-pies/

Googly eyes purchased at Target

Breakfast Charcuterie

Breakfast goals! Mini pumpkin shaped pancakes, baked french toast sticks, fresh fruit & my semi-candy corn waffle resemblance 😉☀️

Where are my breakfast & brunch lovers? Inspired by the Food Network to make candy corn waffles. The color dyed batter is spooned separately into the waffle iron to create the cute candy corn appearance ….I forgot to purchase white chocolate to dip the tops 😬 The delicious dunk-able French toast sticks are baked with cinnamon, vanilla & sugar. I made everything except the granola… it’s on my list though : )

A fun idea for weekend brunch or holiday gatherings! I hope you have a good & safe day. Thank you for following ☀️🧡🥞 #breakfastgoals

Baked French Toast Sticks by Cooking Classy

https://www.cookingclassy.com/baked-french-toast-sticks/

Candy Corn Waffles by Food Network

Perfect Whipped Cream by Add A Pinch

Mini Pumpkin Pancake/Waffle Maker from Crate and Barrel

S’mores Brownies

A classic with a twist! Fudgy rich brownies layered between graham crackers & toasted marshmallowy goodness : )

Who loves s’mores? This recipe jumped to the top of my baking list. Homemade brownies with a torched marshmallow meringue topping. Yes please!!

Get ready for gooey, sticky scrumptious treats that will quickly disappear! If you or someone you know loves s’mores, this is a must try. Have an awesome day & stay safe 🧡 #smoresplease

Recipe by Mike Bakes NYC

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

  • 4½ graham cracker sheets
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Domino® Golden Sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp coarse sea salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Marshmallow Meringue Topping:

  • 2 large egg whites
  • ½ cup Domino® Golden Sugar
  • ¼ tsp cream of tartar
  • ½ tsp vanilla bean paste

https://mikebakesnyc.com/smores-brownies/

Butternut Squash Curry

Ultra delicious!! Thai-inspired creamy, spicy & so cozy. The sweet butternut squash pairs perfectly with spicy flavors : )

Who likes spicy foods? The red curry paste adds a kick combined with freshly chopped shallots, garlic & minced ginger. My love for curry began a few years ago when a colleague cooked & shared a Thai-inspired dish. I absolutely loved it!!

This recipe is simple + vegan friendly!! Served with a side of basmati rice. I hope you have an awesome & safe weekend 🧡🍂 #falldinneridea

Recipe by Chelsea’s Messy Apron

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large shallot, diced (~1/3 cup)
  • 3 cloves minced garlic (~1 and 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced ginger(from a 1 and 1/2 inch piece)
  • 1 butternut squash, diced (~4 and 1/2 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons red curry paste Note 1
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 3/4 cup Pacific Foods’ Organic Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
  • 1 can (15 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) good quality fire-roasted diced (or crushed) tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons white sugar, optional
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • Serve with: cooked basmati rice, crushed cashews/peanuts/pistachios, chopped cilantro, lime wedges

https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/butternut-squash-curry/