Oatmeal Carmelitas with an Amazing Cherry Twist

Oatmeal Carmelitas are an incredibly indulgent, classic baked dessert oat bar with caramel and chocolate chips. The original recipe was a finalist in the 1967 Pillsbury Bake-Off competition. I’m excited to share with you a twist on this classic dessert with the addition of chewy dried cherries and, of course, my homemade caramel sauce. TheContinue reading “Oatmeal Carmelitas with an Amazing Cherry Twist”

3-Ingredient Creamy Caramel Sauce: Rich, Smooth, & Sweet

I love a rich, buttery, and creamy caramel sauce. A homemade version is simple to make and can be used throughout the year for many desserts. I love it drizzled over ice cream, apple pie, the cream of my hot chocolate, or in my chocolate and cherries caramel oat bars. Anywhere you enjoy caramel sauce,Continue reading “3-Ingredient Creamy Caramel Sauce: Rich, Smooth, & Sweet”

Gooey Butter Cake with a Decadent Almond Twist

The traditional gooey butter cake has been around since the 1930s. The simplest recipes include a box of cake mix along with butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and eggs. Put these ingredients together and you get a dense cake layer topped with a custard-y, gooey sweet cream cheese layer. Many of us have eaten gooeyContinue reading “Gooey Butter Cake with a Decadent Almond Twist”

Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake: Less than 5 Minutes!

I love a quick and easy sweet treat that only takes minutes to make. Many years ago, I discovered microwavable cakes. I couldn’t believe I could make a homemade dessert in minutes for one person. Since then, I have made and created so many different versions depending on what I have available in my pantryContinue reading “Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake: Less than 5 Minutes!”

Easy Black Forest Fudgy Brownies: Surprisingly Gluten Free & Vegan!

Chocolate and cherries are one of my favorite sweet combinations. The first black forest cake I ever ate was the one my grandmother baked for one of my childhood birthdays. I loved it so much; it is the only birthday cake I truly remember from my childhood (even though I had one every year). IContinue reading “Easy Black Forest Fudgy Brownies: Surprisingly Gluten Free & Vegan!”

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Gluten-Free, Vegan, & Easy on the Hips!

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with lots of flavor? Really? My husband and I have had our share of food intolerances over recent years, and I LOVE sweets. So, I created this recipe that we both can eat given our different intolerances. And there’s a bonus! These cookies, while super yummy, are easyContinue reading “Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Gluten-Free, Vegan, & Easy on the Hips!”

Holiday Sugar Cookies: A Fantastic Frosted Family Favorite

Is there a better sweet treat during the holidays than a soft, frosted sugar cookie decorated in holiday fashion? This sugar cookie recipe has been in my husband’s family for generations. It is by far our favorite sugar cookie, not because it’s a “family” recipe, but because in addition to the usual sugar cookie ingredients,Continue reading “Holiday Sugar Cookies: A Fantastic Frosted Family Favorite”

Swedish Gingerbread Cookies: Thin, Snappy, & Holiday Spiced

Swedish gingerbread cookies are commonly eaten during the fall and winter holiday season. They are flavorful, spiced gingerbread crispy cookies often used as the cookie base for gingerbread houses due to their sturdiness and crispiness. I went all out on spice in my version of this recipe. The spices aren’t many, but they are prettyContinue reading “Swedish Gingerbread Cookies: Thin, Snappy, & Holiday Spiced”

Gingerbread Hot Cocoa: Great Gift Idea & Seasonal Warmth

A warm, spiced, sweet, and chocolatey beverage makes everything better. I don’t’ know about you, but for me, a cup of warm, spiced hot cocoa hits the spot when the temps get cooler and the holiday season approaches. I’m happy to share the gingerbread hot cocoa recipe I’ve been making and giving away as giftsContinue reading “Gingerbread Hot Cocoa: Great Gift Idea & Seasonal Warmth”

White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Holiday Cookies: Gluten Free & Vegan!

Recently I posted my recipe for White Chocolate, Cranberry, and Orange Holiday Cookies. In that post, I promised a gluten-free, vegan-friendly version for the “same” cookie. Well, here it is! The recipe is obviously not the exact same, but the results look and taste it. Regardless of food allergies and intolerances, we all deserve theContinue reading “White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Holiday Cookies: Gluten Free & Vegan!”