Homemade Fall "Oreos"

Is it me - or do these look AMAZING?

 {Photos courtesy of Confubilation}

These are looking more and more like a MUST-MAKE the more I stare at them.

Find the recipe over at Smitten Kitchen!

Giada...I Think I Love You

My two favorite cooking shows are Giada at Home & Barefoot Contessa.  I love me a good Paula Deen show too, but these two shows are my "go-tos."  I look forward to nothing more on Saturday morning than waking up and lounging on my couch with my coffee in hand, catching up on the latest episodes.

I love Giada De Laurentiis for so many reasons...

She's gorgeous!

She's a great chef & baker - and nothing she makes is too difficult for the average at-home cook.

She has a chic home and great sense of style.

She is a hard-working woman who has {from an outsider's perspective} a great relationship with her husband, Todd.

She has the most adorable little daughter ~ Jade Marie!

I think I love her show so much because she incorporates all of these things into each episode ~ you get a real "glimpse" of who she really is, and I love that! 

Lastly...the lady loves Chocolate!  A woman after my own heart.

On a recent episode, Total Comfort, Giada made these Double Chocolate and Espresso Cookies for her and her daughter. They look unbelievably decadent...I must try these!

HERE ARE THE INGREDIENTS

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (recommended: Ghirardelli)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup dark chocolate-covered espresso beans

1 cup flour

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs, at room temperature

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (recommended: Nestle Toll House)

DIRECTIONS

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the chocolate and butter. Place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.

In the bowl of a food processor, finely chop the chocolate covered espresso beans. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chopped espresso beans, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

In another medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients and stir until thick and smooth. Fold in the melted chocolate. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, scoop level 1/4 cupfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until slightly puffed and the tops begin to crack, 18 to 20 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets and serve.

TIP

You can find dark chocolate covered espresso beans at Trader Joe's - they're inexpensive, and they make for a delicious snack!

I have a pretty busy week coming up, but I'm thinking these need to make their way into the schedule somehow!

12 Days of Cookies!

12 Days of Cookies have officially come and gone.  Here are the last of the 12 days of cookies {I posted the first 6 here}. 

Before we start...I did make Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cookies and the verdict is...

 ...mmm...mmm...MMMM!  I have a feeling these will become a staple.  So yummy!

OK, now on to the last 6 days of cookies...

Day 7:  Rasberry Cake Bars

These look super easy - they remind me of a simpler version of Martha's peanut butter & jelly bars.

Day 8:  PB&J Thumbprints

These are right up my alley!  I love peanut butter and jelly anything, and I am a sucker for any cookie with a cute jam puddle in the middle of it!

Day 9:  Fruit & Nut Shortbread

Ehh...not too sure of how I feel about these ones.  The ingredients sound yummy...but they just don't scream "holiday cookie" to me.  Maybe they just don't sound unhealthy enough.

Day 10:  Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

These look so pretty and sound intriguing!

Day 11:  Polvorones {Walnut Meltaways}

These sound melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Day 12:  Crazy Oatmeal Cookies

I am a sucker for a good oatmeal cookie.  These ones are dangerously tempting.

I hope you are all finding time to enjoy lights, joy, Christmas songs, family, and sweets this holiday season! 

{All photos courtesy of Food Network, where all recipes can be found}

12 Days of Cookies Countdown!

Have you been keeping up with Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies countdown?  I hadn't been, until today.  I have cornered myself into {yet again} a weekend where I have committed to doing too many things and being at too many places.  Eeek!  I was in desperate need of a quick cookie recipe {I've been a little cupcake crazy lately}.  I turned to Food Network and ya know what?  They never disappoint.

Take a look at their first 6 Days of Cookies!

Day 1:  Paula Deen's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

These babies are the cookies I will be making this weekend - can't wait!  The recipe looks quick, easy, and delicious!

Day 2:  Aarti's Ginger Cookie With Garam Masala

Day 3:   Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Macaroons

I make these every year and they are amazing!  Even better dipped in some dark chocolate.

Day 4: Anne's Dried Cherry and Almond Biscotti 

Yum!  I wish these could somehow miraculously appear on my doorstep tomorrow to enjoy with my morning coffee.

Day 5: Giada's Lemon Ricotta Cookies With Lemon Glaze

Day 6: Claire Robinson's Turtle Graham Bars

These didn't make the countdown, but these Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars are definitely on my Christmas Cookie-Making To Do List this year...

WOW!

Wishing you a SWEET weekend!

Back to School!

For teachers {and students} all around the world, summer is officially drawing to a close and a new school year is beginning.  Some of you may have children of your own that you have sent off already to another year, another grade.  I have had a wonderful summer, but I am ready to get back to work and get to know my new sixth graders! 

I can't get over these darling cookies I came across at Bake at 350! 

{all photos courtesy of Bake at 350}

Want to know how to make them?  Click here!

I am so glad I stumbled across Bake at 350!  Be sure to check out their website for lots of ideas and inspiration.

Happy New School Year to everyone!