Peppermint Meringues

 When I first saw this recipe I wanted to make them for two reasons. First in honor of my sister who lives far away from here, she's a big fan of peppermint. And secondly, because I have never tasted meringues before and they intrigued me. These were super cute because they were swirled with red and white and had a great peppermint flavor to them. They just burst and then melted in your mouth. I will be making another batch of these soon even though the holidays are behind us. They are simple and taste great, what more can you ask for in a treat?

German Apple Pancakes

My grandmother would always make us pancakes when we went to visit. They were quite different from the traditional pancakes you are probably thinking of. They are fried in a pan and we only ate them dusted with a bit of sugar. She always had apples on hand for those of us who wanted them in our pancakes.

This recipe is not quite the same in that it is baked in the oven instead of fried in a pan but it was still very tasty and brought back some fond memories. This is a perfect warm breakfast dish for the chilly winter mornings.

Banana Cream Pie "Bake Off"

Years ago while visiting Rob at school he made me a banana cream pie. Apparently it was a pie he had made many times. But that was 6 Christmases ago and he hasn't made it for me since. I found another recipe online and thought we could give it a go. Shortly after finishing this pie we decided that Rob should also make his version so we could do a side by side comparison of the two.

Eggnog Cupcakes

Alright so I might be on an eggnog kick right now. But hey, this is a special time of year and you can't have too much eggnog right? These cupcakes worried me because they do not call for any additional eggs. I made a rule a few months ago about not trying cupcakes on their own before they are frosted. I cannot seem to keep this rule and these were no exception.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I'm a chocolate lover and a peanut butter lover. Naturally I'm a fan of both of these two working together. This was my first time making candy at home and it was quite fun. I see more candy making in my future. The filling is so smooth it almost melts in your mouth.

Eggnog Cheesecake Bites with Dulce De Leche

Eggnog is one of those special time of year treats that is always associated with Christmas. I love all things about Christmas. The movies, the music, the decorations, the baking, the reminder that Jesus, my savior, was born. These things all combine to give me the warm fuzzies. But I have a confession...

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Believe it or not the weather down here in California is pretty chilly. We are going to see rain for a good week starting tomorrow. It might, just might, reach a high of 60 degrees. When the weather cools down it usually means it is time for some hearty filling warm soup.

I had not ever made soup from scratch before so I was a bit nervous. This soup was incredibly tasty and simple. Most of all it was quick to prepare. I am already planning to make a second batch of this in a few days.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

I love gingerbread. Well, I guess I should say I love the idea of gingerbread because most gingerbread items are way too spiced for my tastes. I always cut down the amount of spice I add. My kids also enjoy the more milder versions.