Cran Marnier Truffles

Decadence – unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.  Yeah, that’s this.

One truffle is all you’ll need to send you into bliss, but no one will judge for indulging in several more.

Irish Soda Bread with Whiskey Glaze

As we prepare for a day of feasting and green beer, may I suggest you sop up some of that liquid bread with the real thing?

Easy and delicious, my two favorite words when it comes to cooking, are perfect descriptors for this bread.  One bowl, no kneading, minimal cooking time, no lie.

Orange Pecan Beer Cake with Orange Glaze

Dear Sixties Housewives, you were really onto something with this whole “bundt” thing.  Well done!

“It’s a Bundt.” “Boont?” “BundTT!” Cake, bread, gelatin, ice cream cakes, what can’t these little wonders do?!  Seriously, the bundt cake has it all – it’s quick, it’s easy, it looks great, cooks evenly, and tastes great – a baker could not ask for more.   Why have I waited so long to get on board?  Who knows, but the obsession has begun.

HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! Have a Pudding Shot!

Throughout the course of the past five years, chances are, on any given day,  you could open my freezer and find the following : bags of creamed spinach and… PUDDING SHOTS!

Pudding shots came into my life through a website that I stumbled upon in 2007.  Ladies… is a sports site, by women, for woman – so instantly, I was hooked.  Over the course of the next few years I followed it religiously, and made almost everything that came up on Football Foodie Fridays.

In 2009 they put out an open call for writers and I, being a huge sports fan, threw my hat in the ring.  I soon joined this band of amazing ladies, and trial and errored my way through WordPress.  After about a month I realized it was a breeze and subsequently threw up this here cooking site.  The rest is how you say, history.  I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful women who I’ve had the pleasure of emailing with and writing along side for the past few years.  I’m so honored to be a part of this site, and though I’ve fallen off in my posting and presence on the site, I’m still there in spirit.

Orange Bittersweet Chocolate Cake with Blood Orange Compote

One of my goals for cooking in 2012 is “seasonal.”  Seasonal eating isn’t one of those hokey new-age eating fads, it’s one of the most simple and beautiful ways to fuel your body.  The earth is offering up these fruits and veggies at a certain time, practically begging us to eat them.  How cool is that?!

So what does this have to do with an orange chocolate cake? I’m getting to that.  Blood oranges are currently “in season” in my area and I’ve been dying to throw them into a delicious dish.  Enter… the cake!

Eggnog Stuffed French Toast

One of the funniest Tweets I’ve seen in awhile came this week from MayChow. “Egg Nog (for me) is like that guy that you’re just not into.  You see each other every Xmas & at parties, you give it a try, but nada.”  I couldn’t agree more.  I get that eggnog is festive, but quite frankly it’s just kinda gross.

Feeling the need to include it in this holiday recipe line-up, and already having given you my Beer Nog recipe last year, coming across this Eggnog French Toast seemed the ideal compromise.

Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

You didn’t think I could make it through a holiday extravaganza without beer making its way into the mix… did you?

From start to finish the smells this cake produces are insane.  The smell of stout and molasses getting together is reminiscent of Brew House smells, so you know I was diggin’ that!  The cake baking fills the house with smells that could not be more Christmasy.

Bourbon Chipotle & Rosemary Spiced Nuts

Stumbling upon Ina whipping up these nuts one day, I knew I had to bring them to the holiday party.  My only complaint… where’s the booze girl?  I added bourbon to mine, and a few tablespoons of Vermont Maple Liquer Sapling.  If you can find this in your area… get it, it’s amazing!

This nuts pack some serious punch with the chipotle powder and an unexpected depth of flavor from rosemary and bourbon.  They’re super yummy… make two batches, they’d make a great present for anyone not allergic to nuts… and/or awesomeness!

Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with Streusel Topping

If the idea of cramming a piece of pie or cake into your already overly stretched stirrup pants on Turkey Day isn’t your idea of fun – step into the light my friends.  This tart is just the amount of sweet to curb your sugar cravings, come next Thursday.

A buttery, silky, smooth tart crust provides the home for a sweet and delicious pumpkin filling, while a crunchy topping rounds it out.

A little sliver of this decadent treat is all you’ll need, but I won’t judge if you take a giant hunk and smother it in whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

Easy Cannoli

“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”  This is not a post about the convergence of pastry, violence and classic cinematography, but that might be a good idea for later.  It should go without saying that the preceding quote is not only from The Godfather, but also one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies, You’ve Got Mail, a fantastic book by Sarah Vowell, and encompasses the love we feel towards this Sicilian pastry.

A crunchy shell.  A creamy center.  A rich chocolate punctuated with salty pistachios.  Cannoli is a fantastic portable dessert that fires on all cylinders.