cake batter cookie sandwiches

I often bake cakes just to lick the batter out of the bowl. It's a sickness I've tried to get help for (and yes I understand the threat of eating raw egg), but it's just so freaking delicious.

Thus, you can imagine my joy when I came across cake batter in cookie form on Pinterest. These might have just kicked my new raw batter eating addiction. Take that salmonella.

What you'll need:
- SPRINKLES. of course.
- 4 eggs
- 2 packages of Funfetti cake mix
- 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
- cream cheese frosting

Mix the cake mix, oil and eggs. Roll into 1-inch balls and bake for 8-9 minutes at 375 degrees. Let cool and then make sandwiches with the frosting and roll in the sprinkles. Boom.

oreo mint truffles.

These little dandies are by far my favorite discovery from our annual holiday bake-a-thon. I'm a fan of any mint flavored sweet, but It's definitely a taste I've acquired over time - considering as a child I would show disgust at my mom's chocolate chip mint ice cream while I devoured my gummy worm and chiclet filled bubblegum fro-yo. 

20 years later, my mother and I decided to put a minty twist on our usual mint truffles.

Truffles are a perfect indulgence, and might seem intricate and complicated. But yes, this version requires only 4 ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time. Plus, the cream cheese makes them melt in your mouth and highly addictive. 

                   {ingredients}

                                1 package of Mint Oreos | 8 oz. cream cheese | white chocolate chips |

                                                          green food coloring | sprinkles (optional)

                   {directions}

1. Mash up a bag of mint oreos
2. Place in mixer with cream cheese until fully blended together
3. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls 
4. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals (you can add a bit of vegetable oil here to make the chocolate smoother 
5. Add just a dash of green food coloring, enough to give it a light green tint
6. Dip each ball into the chocolate mixture and set on wax paper or parchment paper to cool
7. Immediately add sprinkles before the chocolate dries and then refrigerate for 10 minutes
8. Add a daily limit for yourself, as you'll likely eat the whole batch after the first one. 

peppermint chow.

A friend of mine made this at a recent girls' night gift exchange and I immediately went home and made some myself. And I'll likely be snacking on it until July. It's THAT yummy. 

It was a hit at our family holiday. Seriously, we must have refilled the bowl a million times. 

And on top of that it is CRAZY easy. A la any puppy chow. No preheating, baking or chilling required. 

For this version, simply substitute white for the usual chocolate you coat the Chex Mix with. I melted a bag of white chocolate chips in the microwave (and added a few drops of vegetable oil to keep it smooth). Once the Chex Mix is coated, throw in peppermint chips (or chopped candy canes work just as well!). 

Lastly, put 1 cup of confectioners sugar in a bag, add the Chex Mix and shake like a mad woman. If you have any little kiddies around this is a step best left to them. 

And voila. That's one ridiculously easy holiday sweet.

candy cane cookies.

Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe. I rely on Martha's. 

Then melt 1 bag of white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Dip cookies half way and lay on parchment paper, sprinking crushed candy canes before they dry. It's the perfect go-to for all those extra peppermint treats. Enjoy!

salted caramel blondies.

Yes, you heard correct. Salted. Caramel. Blondies. 

The combination of salt and caramel is simply brilliant. I hate admit my first introduction to this was via a salted caramel mocha at starbucks, but it was. And it was delicious. If you haven't tried the savory sweet concoction before, I would highly recommend it. 

These basically bring the flavor in blondie form. Don't be alarmed at the about of butter required. It is not a typo (you do need 4 sticks), but I promise it is worth it. 

For the Crust:

1 lb. (4 sticks) salted butter, softened

1 cup sugar 

1½ cups powdered sugar

2 Tbs vanilla

4 cups all purpose flour

{Mix together ingredients and press half into coated pan and bake at 325 degrees. 

Save the rest for the topping.}

For the Filling:

1 bag (14 oz.) caramel candies

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons sea salt

{Place unwrapped caramels, heavy whipping cream and vanilla in saucepan until 

melted and smooth - pour on crust and sprinkle with sea salt}

{Cover the caramel filling by sprinkling the remaining crust dough on top, and bake for another 25 minutes}

the pumpkitini.

How can you tell its fall? Jackets, boots, changing leaves - Starbucks brings back the pumpkin spice latte and everyone freaks out. I've been getting them almost daily this September. It's a problem, I know. I can't help it. They're just too fall-iscious.

So, what is better than pumpkin spice flavored anything? Pumpkin spice flavored with a little extra spike? I agree. Here is just the trick. 

{The Pumpkitini}

{What you'll need:}

graham cracker | pumpkin puree | milk | kahlua | vanilla vodka (optional) | honey

{start by rimming the glasses with honey and then dipping in crushed graham cracker}

{Mix the pumpkin puree, milk and liquor on ice in a martini shaker and pour}

{top with a bit of cream, and cinnamon}

{find a porch and enjoy this lovely little autumn}

lemon rosemary shortbread.

   

I rarely stray from any cookies that don't have loads of chocolate, but I stumbled across these little guys on Pinterest and was too intrigued. They really are a perfect summer cookie - lemony fresh with a little bite from the Rosemary. Nom nom. 

Heat that oven to 375 degrees, and here's what you'll need: 

2 sticks butter, room temperature
¾ cup sugar           
1 egg           
1 teaspoon vanilla           
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary           
2 teaspoons lemon zest           
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour           
½ teaspoon salt

{Mix ingredients together, adding the flour last. It helps to chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour to make it easier to work with.}

{Then roll it out on a floured surface and cut out small circles (I'm classy and used a shot glass for the right size. Bake for around 12 minutes, just enough before they turn brown. Enjoy!} 

caprese poppers.

These super easy little bites are healthy, quick to whip up and taste just like summer. 

Tomato with basil has to be one of the best food combos out there -  just add
some mozzarella and reduced balsamic and you've got one tasty little popper.

Disclaimer: (heavily addicting product) having "just one" popper will probably turn into 14.
But, they're light enough you won't feel like beached whale after. 

1. Start with cherry tomatoes, a basil plant, mozzarella pearls and balsamic vinegar. 

2. Slice the tomatoes and  skewer them with toothpicks, adding the pearls and the basil leaves. 

3. Then, reduce the balsamic on the stove until it thickens and drizzle over the poppers. 

4. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt. 

{and yes, these might draw a crowd}

watermelon cooler + st. germain.

What happens when you mix the best summer fruit with the liquor that jazzes up any drink?

This lovely (and delicious) little thing. 

    Simply puree the following and serve on ice:

• - 2 cups seedless watermelon cut into cubes

• - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• - 3 tablespoons St. Germain Elderflower liqueur

• - 1 tablespoon silver tequila (100 agave)

{Her new favorite treat}

best holiday o' the year.

In honor of my favorite country, culture and day of the year - and yes, I am biased
as an Irish gal myself - I decided to celebrate the holiday early with the following treat. It made me nostalgic of our last visit to the Emerald Isle, pictures below. 

Happy St. Patty's - Sláinte!

{Irish Grasshoper Cocktail}

Vanilla Ice Cream | Creme de Menthe liquor | Creme de Cacao liquor | Jameson Irish Whiskey

{The gorgeous coast}

{Countryside walks and hidden forts}

{Traditional Irish Breakfast}

{Dublin Streets}

{Irish Coffee - a perfect start to the day}

{The Cliffs of Moher}