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Homemade Dark Chocolate Marshmallows
Happy almost-Christmas everyone! It’s been a weird holiday season, with no snow in sight here in Northern Minnesnowta. But there’s nothing like a pile of delicious seasonal treats to get you in the holiday spirit, right? I know marshmallows might not be on your list of typical holiday treats, but, honestly, they should be. Especially these homemade Dark Chocolate Marshmallows. Marshmallows Are the New Cookies If you’ve been following along on this blog for a while, you may have noticed I’ve become a little obsessed with homemade marshmallows. Case in point, the three other marshmallow recipes I’ve already created: Some would call this a “problem;” I prefer to call it…
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Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Originally published March 2019; Updated Dec 2023 Soft, buttery, a little tangy, and slathered with a thick layer of creamy frosting: my list of what makes a perfect sugar cookie. You know those soft sugar cookies you find in most grocery store bakeries with the crazy thick layer of sugary frosting? Like those, only more buttery, less plastic-tasting (you know it’s true), and made with ingredients I can pronounce. These Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the closest I’ve come to those infamous grocery store cookies. Soft, Satisfying, and Perfect for Holiday Baking! These cookies are on the softer side, but they still have a slight firmness that makes them…
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Holiday Gift Guide: Cookie Lover’s Gift Guide
Happy holidays everyone! Here’s a new gift guide for you holiday shopping needs — this one’s all for the cookie bakers in your life. From baking sheets to cookie cutters, cookie cookbooks, and more, this cookie lover’s gift guide has gift ideas for all your baking friends. (Note: None of the items I’m sharing are paid advertisements — these are the tools I actually use and love!) Cookie Sheets A good cookie sheet (or sheet pan/baking sheet) is one of the most important tools in your cookie toolbox. The cookie sheet you use can make a big difference in how your cookies bake. For example: a dark-colored baking sheet will…
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Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Halloween is over, so naturally I’ve started planning out what holiday cookies I’ll bake this year. Not that I’m ready for Christmas decorations, music, and movies yet…I’m a firm Christmas-starts-the-weekend-after-Thanksgiving person. In the meantime, I’ll be snacking on these Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies while I do my holiday cookie planning. The Ideal Cookie for the In-Between Season These chocolatey cookies straddle this in-between season perfectly. With warm fall spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice), they’re perfect for both your Thanksgiving dessert table AND your holiday cookie tray! Or for, you know, snacking while holiday gift shopping. And while I’m a fan of all the traditional flavors of this season —…
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Toffee Apple Crisp
It finally feels like fall! We’ve got that crispy air going, sweaters on, leaves turning red, orange, and yellow…that means it’s time for all things APPLE. Apple pie, applesauce, apple cake, apple donuts…and, of course, apple crisp. This recipe is a slight twist on a classic apple crisp, with little bits of homemade toffee mixed into the crumble topping. Sound good? Let’s make some Toffee Apple Crisp! Classic Apple Crisp: Updated There’s not really much to an apple crisp. This classic, easy treat typically has a filling made of apples, white or brown sugar, cinnamon, and maybe a little flour and salt. That gets piled into a pan, and topped…
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Soft Espresso Amaretti Cookies
Happy Fall, y’all! I know it’s cliche, but fall is my favorite. Crisp air, warm sunshine, beautiful leaves…and the BAKING. It’s all so cozy and I’m here for it. While these Espresso Amaretti Cookies don’t have the traditional fall flavors you might expect (I see you, pumpkin spice), they make such a lovely little treat to enjoy alongside your favorite warm fall beverage that it felt like the perfect time to share them. All About Amaretti A traditional Italian dessert that can be traced back to the 17th century, amaretti cookies are known not just for their flavor, but also for the gorgeous tins they’re sold in. There’s even a…
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Peanut Butter S’mores Bars
Getting this one in just under the wire (before summer is over). Summer is traditionally the high season for s’mores, though I think fall, with its campfire-y vibes, is just as good a time to enjoy this iconic treat. However, I propose we make s’mores a year-long affair. These Peanut Butter S’mores Bars will help us do just that. Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Grahams, and Marshmallows = Heaven in a Bar These bars have all the elements of the campfire treat we all love: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. But they have one more thing that really takes them over the top: peanut butter! If you’ve never had peanut butter on…
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Rosewater Marshmallows
Ok, I can already hear you thinking, “flowery marshmallows? Really??” And I get it — it’s a little unorthodox. But I love floral scents and flavors in baked goods. Plus, I’ve enjoyed rosewater in meringues before, so I thought, “why not put it in marshmallows?” And boy, am I glad I did! If you’ve ever had Turkish delight, you’ll have a general understanding of the flavor profile of these ‘mallows. They don’t have the pistachios you often find in Turkish delight, however (though sprinkling some chopped pistachios on top is a great idea). But their pink hue and the hint of rosewater in them is definitely reminiscent of that tasty…
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Toasted Coconut Snack Cake
Sometimes, you just need a little cake. Something to go with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea that tastes great and lifts your spirits. Or something special for a brunch that’s quick to throw together and serve with fresh berries and a mountain of whipped cream. This Toasted Coconut Snack Cake is that cake. A Scone-Like Coffee Cake Perfect for Dessert, Brunch, or Whenever You Need a Sweet Snack This is a coffee-cake-style cake. But instead of cinnamon streusel, it’s covered in a heaping mound of toasted coconut topping. Its texture is a little dense and almost scone-like. It’s the perfect canvas for ripe summer berries, roasted peaches or…
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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Consider this the chocolate chip cookie of the summer. All the things you love about a chocolate chip cookie, just…brighter. Fruitier. Dare I say…sparklier? A party of a cookie that’s just begging to be made into ice cream sandwiches and brought to the beach. Let me introduce you to Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies! Dark Chocolate + Freeze-Dried Strawberries = an Ideal Flavor Match I’ve recently become obsessed with freeze-dried fruit — especially berries. Freeze-dried raspberries and strawberries have made their way into my granola (especially this Chocolate-Lover’s Granola — YUM), oatmeal, trail mix, and, of course, baked goods. When it’s freeze-dried, the flavor of the fruit is more concentrated…
Recipes and Musings from the Zenith City
