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Northern Ginger Cookies
This week marks five years since I hit “publish” on my first blog post! When I started this blog, I honestly thought I might do it for a year or two. But five years in, I’m still loving it and have no intention of stopping. To celebrate five years of baking and blogging fun, I decided to create a signature cookie recipe: one that reflects not only the name of my blog, but also the cozy vibes of this beautiful place I call home (and some of my favorite flavors). Everyone give a warm welcome to Northern Ginger Cookies! A New Kind of Ginger Cookie Northern Ginger Cookies are soft…
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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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Mini Almond Biscotti
One of the first times I visited a newer coffee shop in town, I ordered my usual coffee (decaf americano), and it came with a teeny tiny almond biscotti. It was adorable. And delicious. I knew then and there that I had to go home and make my own mini almond biscotti. And here they are! Mini But Mighty These cuties have every bit of the flavor of a regular-sized biscotti, but in mini form. They’re the perfect little treat for your afternoon coffee break (or for breakfast…you do you). Plus, they’re easy to make. If mini isn’t your jam, I have a regular-sized biscotti recipe on the site too.…
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Chai Spice Pound Cake Cupcakes
Harvest season is in full swing. Farmer’s market counters overflow with pumpkins and squash, orchards are bursting with apples and pears, and all I want to drink is warmly spiced cider, mulled wine, and chai. (And, yes, the occasional pumpkin spice latte…I’m not immune to its charms.) Two years ago I created my Chai Spice Snickerdoodles, and with it my own chai spice mix. From there, I added that same spice mix to apple pie, and have used the leftover mix in my coffee as well. Spoiler alert: it’s delicious. Then the following spring, a friend asked for chai-flavored pound cake for her birthday, so I added that chai spice…
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Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows
Happy Christmas week! (And Happy Saturday to those who don’t celebrate!) This weekend I’m finishing up my holiday baking, picking up a few last-minute gifts, and wrapping presents. Even though everything else is different this year, the one thing that hasn’t changed is that I’ve still managed to give myself way too much to do! There are just so many delicious holiday treats I want to make that I can’t bring myself to pare down my list. These peppermint swirl marshmallows, for instance, are so delicious that I’ve already made them twice. They are the perfect thing to add to your Christmas morning cup of cocoa or coffee, roast in…
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Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies
Happy December and happy holiday baking season! As a baker, this is undoubtedly my favorite month of the year for making treats. Since I give cookies as Christmas gifts, I get to bake a TON of treats over the course of a few weeks. It’s SO much fun! Since Thanksgiving, I’ve already made 6 kinds of cookies, and as I’m writing this there’s another batch of dough chilling in the fridge and candied grapefruit peel drying on my counter. I’m basically in holiday cookie heaven. While I like to try lots of new recipes each year, there are a couple of family favorites that just have to happen every December.…
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Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies
Normally I wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to start baking holiday cookies. There are so many delicious fall treats to enjoy, why rush into the holiday season? But last weekend I was having SUCH a craving for gingerbread that I couldn’t wait. Last Christmas I made Love and Olive Oil’s Soft Amaretti Cookies, and they were DIVINE. So this year I tweaked those deliciously chewy cookies to make a gingerbread version, and oh boy are they tasty. Say hello to Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies! History of Amaretti Cookies Amaretti cookies are a traditional Italian dessert that can be traced as far back as the 17th century. They are known…
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My Top 12 Cookbooks: A Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is upon us, my friends! If you haven’t started gift shopping yet, now’s the time. Below I share with you my top 12 cookbooks of all time (plus a bonus one at the end) — the ones that I use the most or are the most inspiring to me. Every one of them would make a fantastic gift for your friends and family who love to cook or bake. Or if you’re in need of a new cookbook or two yourself, take a look and see if you can’t find a few to add to your own list! Baking Cookbooks Dorie’s Cookies by Dorie Greenspan I adore…
Recipes and Musings from the Zenith City
