Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 48

I am the girl who hates turning down dessert. I have a constant sweet tooth. Whyyyy did this pop up on Pinterest!? It's like Pinterest knows I love chocolate chip cookies and s'mores!

Chocolate Chip Cookie S'Mores | Cooking Classy

I'm going to go drool now. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 43

I love when a Pin becomes inspiration and a jumping off point. It spurs creativity. A few weeks ago I shared I was on a committee to plan a conference. That conference took place yesterday (which is why this post is coming to you on a Saturday). In our search for fun catering ideas we came across donut bars (shared here) and cannoli bites!

Cannoli Bites | Cooking Classy

For the conference ours were a little different. Little clear boats filled with the cannoli cream and a couple of cannoli shells for dipping. Cannoli dippers! Thanks to our catering team who came up with the fun idea. All inspired by this pin!

Hopefully I will be sharing some pictures from the event soon. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 41

Happy Friday! Yesterday was National Drink Wine Day...who participated?! :) My boss let me off work an hour early so I took advantage of the beautiful weather and sat on the porch with Lexi and drank a glass of wine.

Today's post revolves around adult beverages, but baking with them. When we were in Breckenridge (read about it here) we visited the Breckenridge Distillery. The hubs and I had been on a previous trip, but in four years they have really expanded. During the tour/tasting we tried their spiced whiskey. The spices used are inspired by the master distiller's grandmother's pumpkin pie recipe. Talk about delicious. I immediately though it would taste good in a cake. Here are some recipes I thought might be good to try it in.

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Happy baking! Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 27

TGIF! You came back because my last post said today would focus on fall desserts. I see how it is...all you followers with a sweet tooth. :) LOVE it! Here's what you came for:

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Apple Crisp

Oatmeal Molasses Cookies

Do you have a "go to" fall dessert recipe? If so, share it in the comments.

Find all my other dessert Pins here. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

I took advantage of a quiet Sunday afternoon and got back in the kitchen to bake. I was craving a warm chocolate chip cookie. When I traveled for work I often stayed at Hyatt Place hotels and one located in Dallas would heat up a chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie for me almost every night. It was a simple comfort of home that made hotel living easier to handle. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

8 Tbsp. butter, softened
½ cup sugar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1½ cups all purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips (I used ½ cup milk chocolate and ½ cup white chocolate)

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add vanilla and egg, beat until incorporated
3. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Add chocolate chips until incorporated
4. Drop by the spoonful onto greased baking sheet. Makes about 12 cookies.
5. Bake for 13-18 minutes, until edges are slightly brown
6. Let cool and serve

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 19

For the last few weeks I've avoided the kitchen. I know, what's wrong with me!? I think the Texas heat plus the lack of interest in food won, but I am happy to report I have rediscovered this room again!

This week I've been busy in the kitchen. My latest goal is to add more vegetables to every dish. Doesn't hurt to sneak a few in here and there. A food processor is your best friend ;) Today I'm sharing a pie recipe that requires no cooking. Glorious, another easy dessert recipe!

Another obsession of mine (besides black and white everything!) is peanut butter. So today is a Peanut Butter Pie from allrecipes.com. Thank goodness for Pinterest because my mom used to make this pie for me all the time, but I've misplaced the recipe. The one I'm sharing is pretty close.

The original recipe is for 2 pies, but I'm giving instructions for 1.

1/2 8oz package of cream cheese
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
8oz package frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 9-inch prepared graham cracker crust

1. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
2. Spoon into pie shell, cover and freeze until firm.

I try to make this pie 1 day in advance so it can stay in the freezer overnight. Let it thaw just a little before serving so it's cold and creamy. Great summer dessert.

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 11

Welcome back for another Friday! Ever have guests over for dinner and need a dessert idea? OR have unexpected guests and need a dessert? Here's a twist on a classic and guess what...it's done in under 5 minutes. Brownie Waffles! For years I have seen Pins about all the crazy things you can make in a waffle makes, but until now I hadn't tried any. Well...now I need to go try all of them because this was so simple!

Start with your favorite brownie mix, add ingredients according to package + 1 extra egg. Mix it up and pour batter into greased waffle maker. Top however you like...fruit and whip cream, ice cream, or serve plain.

Have a great weekend everyone! Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 5

Who enjoyed some queso and margaritas on Cinco de Mayo? This girl!!! The hubs and I had a few people over for tacos and drinks. I'll be posting more about that next week. In the tradition of Favorite Pin Friday, lets get right to it. Today I'm sharing the dessert we had at our party, Churro Cupcakes. I found the recipe at Lady Behind the Curtain and modified it to save time (aka used a box cake mix).

They smelled delicious while baking.

STAND: Crate and Barrel

The crunchy topping and cream cheese frosting were divine!

Churro Cupcakes


Ingredients
Cupcakes:
1 box white cake mix
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
7 tbsp butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp milk (if desired)


Instructions
Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Follow directions on cake mix. Fill each cupcake liner (I use 1/4 cup per cupcake). Bake for 20 minutes.

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Once cupcakes have completely cooled, brush melted butter on tops and dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until well blended. Mix in vanilla and cinnamon; add confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a few drops at a time until desired consistency. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes.

Since I didn't put a lot of frosting on each cupcake I could have easily cut that portion of the recipe in half. I've decided the leftover frosting will taste amazing on a warm bagel or homemade Belgian waffle! So this post is now a two in one lol Cupcake frosting+breakfast topping. You're welcome ;)
Until next post...xoxo Becca