Holiday Gifts

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini

I’ve done a lot of liqueurs lately haven’t I? Cranberry Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur for the holidays and in my case made to give to friends and family as holiday gifts. I’ve got Limoncello in my brewing facility (OK, garage) that will be ready for summer but for right now? How about Chocolate Liqueur made [...]

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Wood Butter – A Recipe for Your Utensils!

Several months ago Wendi with Bon Appetit Hon, did a post on Wood Butter; like you I had a moment of Huh? What? Well, typically called Spoon Oil, Wendi had decided that Wood Butter fit better and I agree; leave it to another food person to put the perfect name on this elixir that is [...]

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How to Make Cranberry Liqueur and the Perfect Champagne Cocktail for the Holidays

This is one of my favorite things to make over the holidays yet because I put it on my blog a couple of years ago, it has for the most part languished in the nether world of being there but no one knowing it. As I work to finish the batch for this year along [...]

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Better than Kahlua – How to Make Coffee Liqueur

My youngest daughter Lauren works at Nordstrom’s in their Visual Merchandising department; she is one of the elves that work behind the scenes for weeks in preparation for the big reveal of all things Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I won’t say it’s not hard for me that we don’t spend the holiday together but [...]

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Sage and Caramelized Shallot Brown Butter on Pumpkin and Sage Biscuits

I’ve mentioned to a couple of friends that I was developing some compound butters for Kerrygold, my favorite butter for baking. They were unfamiliar with that phrase and though I could explain it easily enough the fact is that I think what’s come from this effort deserves a new name. I can’t help but think [...]

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Cocoa, Cayenne and Espresso Roasted Walnuts for #HappyHourFriday

As soon as I saw Jen Schall at My Kitchen Addiction post a recipe for almonds with a crispy coating that included cocoa, I knew I would be using that recipe as inspiration for my own appetizer for this week. I used to be all pecans all the time but I’ve been awakened in the [...]

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MY Best – Brown Butter and Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies #baketogether

Really…I’m not on a tangent about BESTS all of a sudden, it just happens that after a discussion on how I best like to make mashed potatoes that I wanted to post these cookies. I have tried so many recipes that people proclaim as the best. Whether they really think they are or are simply [...]

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Sugar and Spice Popcorn

It’s time for the monthly ‘Secret Recipe Club‘ I’m a part of and I’m the first to admit it may look like I took the easy way out of this effort. Not my intent at all, it just turned out to be the perfect opportunity to share something simple I love. It’s no secret…I love [...]

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Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam

Maybe for others it’s been a week of planning, packing, flying and socializing. BlogHer Food in Atlanta, Eat, Write, Retreat in DC and Plate to Page in Germany. I miss meeting the bloggers that I’ve gotten to know professionally and ‘virtually’ but it’s helped immensely that I’ve had a great week with bacon and I [...]

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Cinco de Mayo Recipe Roundup

Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz, Matt Bites Tomorrow (May 5th) is Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over the French Army in the 1862 battle of Puebla. Though becoming a more well known tradition across the country, it is of significant importance in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain [...]

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Brown Sugar and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Maple-Espresso Glaze

This was one of those moments when all I had to do was see the photo and I was hooked. Line and sinker. Well, the name didn’t hurt. I love cakes made with brown sugar, what’s NOT to love about chocolate chips in a pound cake and then…the pièce de résistance. Maple Espresso Glaze. Done [...]

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Espresso-Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate-Mascarpone Frosting

I was honored to have my sweet friend Lora, the Cake Duchess herself, ask me to help her with a post while she is going through some personal stuff. Every now and then I’m reminded of just how real our relationships are in this globally connected world and I’m not just happy to help; I’m [...]

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‘Irish Coffee’ Cake and a Great Cause for Children – St. Baldrick’s Foundation

St Patrick’s Day will be here soon and I’ve got enough Irish in me to start thinking about a celebration. Not a big party but an opportunity to pay homage to a part of my ancestry (My Dad’s parents were German and Swiss; my Mom’s English and Irish). I’ll usually make corned beef for dinner, [...]

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Salted Chocolate Toffee Squares

If there is one thing I’ve been in love with forever, it’s toffee. I think a Heath Bar resulted in my first need to have a cavity filled when I was a girl and nothing has changed. I love a brand of toffee made locally called Enstrom’s (though miss the days before they become so [...]

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Raisin Walnut Bread

A simple but satisfying bread with raisins and toasted walnuts that is an old family recipe. I already make Pecan Butter Ball cookies every year for the holidays and I attribute that recipe to my Grandmother Bathe. They are a favorite of mine and I recall fondly helping her as a girl and making them [...]

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