My holiday greatest hits

I’ve already got my elasticized waist pants ready.

Surely you’ll find yourself incredibly busy this time of year, no matter what holidays are around the bend. Luckily, I have a few recipes in my arsenal to give you some inspiration.

Triple chocolate chip cookies

Triple chocolate chip cookies — I actually made six dozen of these rich, chewy cookies last night. Yep. SIX. Always a showstopper, and a foolproof recipe to convert even the most finicky dessert-eaters. Let me put it this way: people who claim to not like chocolate, or cookies, now request these on a yearly basis.

Chewy molasses spice cookies

Chewy molasses spice cookies — Grownup and kid approved. Plus, like the triple chocolate chip cookies, one batch makes a ton—perfect for parties and gift-giving. Need I say more?

Bourbon pumpkin cheesecake

Bourbon pumpkin cheesecake — Seriously, I just can’t. This cake is too much amazing! Just make it.

Honey cake

Honey cake — Celebrating Hanukkah, or just prefer a soft, spiced loaf cake for dessert? Look no further than this incredibly easy gem. It’s my go-to for quick dinner party desserts. I usually serve it with some vanilla whipped cream, because why not?

Apple pie muffins

Apple pie muffins — Perfect for chilly winter mornings. I am making these for Christmas Day, to go along with Eggs Benedict and a terrifying amount of coffee with eggnog! If there is one day for me to indulge above all other days, it’s Christmas Day.

 

Happy holidays!

Best cocoa brownies

Oops. Fell off the grid a bit. Truth be told, I have been contemplating a revamp of this blog into something greater. This will take some time, though, as my 8-year-old PowerBook can scarcely handle how infrequently I update here. No matter, as 2013 will bring me a shiny new computer and a shiny new blog. Stay tuned.

I now bring you something I never thought I would admit to liking: brownies. Normally I find them either boring or saccharine, but these are an exception. Courtesy of Bon Appetit‘s December issue—which is bursting with goodies—I decided to give a go-ahead to what they deem, “The best—and easiest—brownies you’ll ever make. This recipe belongs in your repertoire.” Turns out that statement is bang-on! These brownies are rich, not too sweet, and delightfully soft with a crispy crust on top. Add a hint of cinnamon or instant espresso, and they are over the top incredible.

Strawberry dream cupcakes

Best cupcakes ever? The answer is YES.

September has already been the busiest month I have had this year. And the poorest. Luckily these cupcakes were big on taste and didn’t come close to breaking the bank.

Today’s post is one installment from the constant stream of birthday treats that I’ve been cranking out since autumn’s chill crept in two short weeks ago. Delicate, sweet, fresh (it’s possible!), and naturally flavoured. What’s not to like?

Peach blueberry tart

Blueberries and peaches are exploding ’round here, y’all.

So is the amount of work I have to do, though I still find time to take respite in baking summer treats. But where to start? The problem with being on a budget and short on time is finding that your ambitions can dwindle when you realize many recipes ask for far more groceries than your wallet will allow.

Mocha cupakes with espresso buttercream

Sometimes you need an indulgent dessert to break up what could be otherwise referred to as a whirlwind, mind-numbingly busy summer. As always, sugar became my answer.

The last couple of months saw me take on a new volunteer position, travel a few times, finish an intense online course, and overhaul my technological life. Still to come: new computer (!), new apartment (!!) and new stand mixer (!!!).

Cobb salad with grains

Man, oh, MAN, do I love this salad. Right here is another one of those crowd pleasers that disappears within minutes.

Now, I know it doesn’t look super great to some of you, but trust me when I say that the flavour is off the charts. Sweet shallots combine with spicy Dijon, honey, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to create a zesty, rich dressing that’s light enough not to dominate this (relatively) healthy salad.

Apple pie muffins

Summer is almost here, and the comforts of fall and winter are nearly behind us. That doesn’t mean that all familiar flavours and ingredients have to fall by the wayside too, right?

Home fries

Wish this was scratch 'n' sniff.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed with the amount of stuff you have accumulated throughout your home? I’m not talking about hoarder-type activity. That’s for another time.

I’m talking about pantry shelves that are about to tip, freezers that cough out food every time you open the door and refrigerator tiers that are packed so deep, you can’t even remember what’s in there. Today is the day that I started the Great Kitchen Cleanse of 2012.

Asparagus gruyere tart

Savoury and deceptively simple.

I can’t even handle how delicious this is! A great, super quick appetizer or side dish, any occasion is perfect for this savoury snack.

Martha Stewart (or her team) has knocked it out of the park again. There are few things in this life that taste so good, nor are they as simple as this: line after line of crisp, roasted asparagus imbedded into gooey gruyere, all atop buttery, flakey puff pastry. Try this immediately!

Chocolate Cappuccino Cheesecake

Gorgeous.

**Update! Crumb crust has been doubled. See below the cut.

Not much to say here, except this is probably the best cheesecake I have ever made, tied only with one (Caramel Macchiato cheesecake) I will be featuring very soon.

Actually, I’m starting to think I should just go into making cheesecakes full-time. In 3 months I have made, or been asked to make, seven cakes. Seven, glorious, silky, rich, amazing cakes. This chocolate cappuccino wonder is no exception! I don’t even like chocolate in my cheesecakes (in fact, I typically loathe it), but this has turned that sort of thinking on its head.