Smitten Kitchen brings us these yummy looking pumpkin cupcakes with maple-cream cheese frosting (adapted from a recipe by David Leite). AND she also provides a couple links to tutorials on making these beautiful frosting roses. It’s not as tough as it looks, she promises. I’ve been so stuck in two-dimensional frosting art, that these are definitely inspiring me to … Read More ...
Colorful Christmas Cookies
This post could last for eons, so I’ll try and keep it manageable by sharing just a few of the most intriguing cookies I’ve come across. I’m sure I’ll post more on cookies in the upcoming month. Much more. (Especially if you’ve seen my bio, you know I can’t escape cookies.) First, check out these neapolitans from Woman’s Day. … Read More ...
Dessert Mix Gifts
What to get for the person who has everything? Edible gifts. Everyone needs to eat, so you can’t go wrong. And ideas from these lovely, crafty bogs sound yummy.
First, WhiMSy love gives a tutorial on making cookie mix jars, based on a recipe from allrecipes.com. As a bonus, she includes fun photography to guide you.
Next, not only … Read More ...
Apple Pie All Geeked Up
Check out this Apple Apple pie from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories made from a square springform pan. They suggest making a lattice to keep the design from deforming while baking, which can be done by hand. But, of course, they used a “45 watt carbon-dioxide laser.” I put that in quotes because I don’t know what that is exactly. Pretty … Read More ...
Walking Through a Pocky Wonderland
I’m so glad to have stumbled upon “Not Quite Nigella,” a lovely, Australia-based foodie blog. Travel with the writer through her pocky forest. She provides details of her journey making this Japanese treat (cookie sticks dipped in chocolate) as well as gorgeous photography, recipes, how-tos and tips along the way. She experimented with organic fairtrade cocolo, cranberries, … Read More ...
How to Make Macarons (No, Not Macaroons)
So inspired by Mad Baker, a Singapore based blog with beautiful images of these colorful macarons, I set out to find some recipes and how-tos to make them. (Her chestnut macarons shown below. Read about her adventures with baking on her blog.) Macarons–not misspelled macaroons, as I admit to first thinking–are traditional French pastries, cookies made from egg … Read More ...
Marshmallow Men (Vintage 1960)
Like the blogger from “Gingerbread Snowflakes,” I’ve been devouring my Better Homes and Gardens since I was a kid. She’s held on to this clipping from December 1960 and was kind enough to share the instructions for these super cute marshmallow men with us. She gives step-by-step instructions and (updated) photographs. 
Also follow the link in the to … Read More ...
Hardly Befitting the Title “Leftovers”
“Leftovers” seems such a sad title for a happy, much wanted thing as delicious abundance. Maybe “edible holiday reminders”? Check out these two sites for some ideas on what to do if you make too much. Or if you purposely make too much in order to have more holiday reminders. Domino magazine gives us this dessert recipe for individual trifles … Read More ...
How do YOU kill a Twinkie?
The good people at Cakespy tried 50 innovative ways to kill a Twinkie
… no small task. So if you need some inspiration, scroll through their clever attempts at Twinkiecide. Make it listen to Randy Newman, have Teddy Grahams attack, make it into croutons, put bleach in its coffee (a la Heathers), turn it into a hot dog, feed it … Read More ...
Sweet Turkeys
Perhaps Tom would prefer you nibble on these turkey desserts rather than the real thing! Here are some ideas and links to how-tos for cupcakes, cakes, and more to celebrate turkey day.
The first is the most complicated of the bunch, but look how full of character he is. The detailed instructions can be found at pastrywiz.com. This site … Read More ...
Veggie Vases…Perfect Fall Centerpieces
I’ll be sure to write about this website more, as Celebrations.com has no end to their party ideas, recipes, crafts, tips and activities for holidays, themed parties and more. But for now, I’ll just focus on one tiny corner of their site: these veggie centerpiece vases. They’re all pretty easy to make, and Celebrations gives you all the step-by-steps. See … Read More ...
Throw a Snowy Party…or Install a Skylight
O’ Domino…. so much more than a magazine. Their site offers decorating galleries, a hearty blog, DIY projects, answers, crafts, how-tos and more. Learn how to build a fire, make homemade Christmas ornaments, remove wallpaper, build a closet, install a skylight, consolidate old lipsticks. Click here for ideas on planning a White Christmas party (see the picture above), like … Read More ...
Pumpkin Martinis and More
I love magazines and always have. Even as a kid I tore through my mom’s “Bon Appetit,” “Family Circle” and “Better Homes and Gardens.” I still get that thrill when I see my BH&G, “Living” and “Real Simple” every month in the box. Ahhh, “Real Simple,” I think you’re my favorite of all. And look at allll these pumpkin-inspired treats … Read More ...
Bilingual Cheesecake Ornaments
Clumbsy Cookie gives us the recipe and step-by-steps to create these stunning edible ornaments made from cheesecake, jam and fondant. So clever! AND she has the instructions en espanol, too. (Forgive me, I can’t figure out how to type the tilde on this computer. Hmmm… will have to figure that out.… Read More ...
Sweet Simplicity
The perfect gift for the chocolaholic statistician. This simple “Chocolate Pie Chart” can be found and purchased ($20) from the super-simple-n-sleek-mathematically principaled site of “Mary and Matt.” Titled “Website.” Of course. The pie is found in the “General Store,” but also check out their “blog“, as well as “friends,” links … Read More ...