Lemon Bar Macarons

It’s lemon season here in Arizona and my ginormous lemon tree is busting with lemons. It’s one of my favorite times of year as I not only cook with lemons, but bake all sorts of lemon desserts. I married both of my two favorite desserts; the macaron and a lemon bar. These might be my…

Lemon Chiffon Pie

I love this time of year when my lemon tree is just bursting with fresh lemons. I have always loved any kind of lemon dessert. As a kid growing up my Mom would always let us kids choose our kind of birthday cake and I always chose white cake with lemon filling. I still this…

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Just like the ‘You know who’ coffee shop without having to get dressed, because muffins taste way better in your robe and slippers. It’s a fact… So, are we tired of pumpkin treats yet? Nope. Can’t stop, won’t stop. At least for a while, or until Christmas, or my cravings start for everything peppermint candy…

Mojito Layer Cake

A lot of (obsessive) thought went into the creation of this beauty. I wanted to make sure all the components of a mojito cocktail came through. The mint, the lime, and the rum all had to be there but not with one overpowering the other flavor. I a took a gamble on coming up with…

Snickers Chocolate Cake

People laugh at me when I say I make my own Birthday Cake, but it’s something I love doing, and have done for several years now. There’s a certain calmness knowing you don’t have to worry about if the decoration is perfect, or the flavor is not something someone else doesn’t quite like, because well;…

Passionfruit Cheesecake

I never knew what passionfruit was until pastry school. Ever since, I have been obsessed with the flavor and love it immensely. It’s something that is hard to describe; but I’ll try. It is tangy, sharp but a pleasant floral fruity taste. If you are a lemon or citrus lover you will like passionfruit. If…

Black Forest Cream Puffs

I feel like cream puffs don’t get as much love as they should. Their first cousin the eclair does, but not sure why the simple and understated cream puff does not. I’m about to change that; or a least try with this elegant recipe that uses the fresh harvest of cherries that are in stores…

Moscow Mules

  Do you like your drinks ice cold? Me too. I can’t drink a warm beer or even one that is somewhat cool-it has to be ice cold! Do you love to experiment with new cocktails? You KNOW I do by just perusing my blog. Quite often we see particular mugs or glasses associated with…

Blood Orange Poppy Seed Loaf

Lets face it-there are certain fruits or foods which given their name do not exactly evoke a tasty image. Case in point, the blood orange. I mean….how could one get excited over something with the word blood in it if you’re going to be shoving it in your mouth? Well, these little beauties lend the…

Rose Macarons

Do you love rose flavored treats? I do. What better way to celebrate Valentines day than having a rose flavored treat. I was so inspired I even treated myself and picked up some pretty pink roses. I just love sneaking in a little rose water with different desserts when possible. Try it in blueberry pie…

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies

I must admit- I’ve never really been into whoopie pies until last year when I made my first batch. I suddenly occurred to me that you know that trick everybody does where they take their cupcake and tear off the bottom and place it on top of the frosting to create a sandwich? well…it’s kind…

Peppermint Marshmallows

Some treats evoke a sense of cozy. Marshmallows are cozy. Fluffy, soft, sweet- what’s not to like. This is the season of joyful  and cozy eating and indulging. Just go with it. Forget the diet for now. Just once in your life you need to make homemade marshmallows. I think Christmas time is the perfect…

Pumpkin~Spice Glazed Scones

  Pumpkin season is here! Have you been to Trader Joe’s?!  If you have, then you know what I’m talking about- they take it to a whole other level,  it’s  a PUMPKINpalooza. Crazy. I left there in awe of all the pumpkin things they offer- it got me inspired to make a good pumpkin scone….

Jamaican Meat Pies

Several years ago I went on a Caribbean cruise with a stop in Jamaica. It was a quick stop and I really, really, really,  wanted to go on this agricultural tour, so I signed up since I’m a total geek when it comes to things like that (I love anything that involves a working plantation where…

S’more Martini

Do you ever go blank when your waitress or waiter ask you what do you want to drink? You KNOW you want a cocktail; but you want something different or something fun and special. I love it when restaurants or bars carry a specialty drink list-and especially if they include a picture of the cocktail!…

Key Lime Pie Bars

Key Lime Pie Bars Please note: This is a repost of my original post; I changed my recipe sl. by adding an extra egg yolk. Key lime pie just might have to be part of my final meal on Earth. I know that sounds rather morbid…but when it’s time to cash in my chips, this is the…