Molten Lava Cakes

These indulgent little desserts are cakey on the outside with a center of warm chocolate oozing through the middle. Top with a scoop of your favorite ice cream to really take these Molten Lava Cakes to the next level!

Hello, friends! How was your Christmas? I know this holiday looked a bit different for many of us this year, but I hope you had a wonderful day no matter what you did or who you spent it with. Our celebration was small and intimate; just me, my parents and my youngest son. This was the first Christmas day that I didn’t get to be with my oldest son which, I'll be honest, felt really weird. I knew this day would come eventually, I mean that’s what happens when your children grow up. Thank goodness for modern technology and FaceTime!

Chocolate Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Cake

This Chocolate Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Cake is the perfect combination of a chocolate cookie crust, creamy 

peppermint ice cream and crunchy peppermint pieces to make one delightful holiday dessert!

When my sons were very young we started a tradition with my parents to have a fun and festive Christmas Eve celebration. Instead of fixing a big dinner, we each pick a few of our favorite appetizers and make a big spread to snack on all night long. We watch our favorite holiday movies, play board games, and simply enjoy each other’s company. A few years back I decided to add to our tradition and surprise everyone with a special new recipe for dessert. This Chocolate Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Cake is one dessert that is easy to make and is adored by the whole family. It tastes like Christmas and is beautiful too!

Eggnog Bundt Cake

Celebrate the holidays with this festive Eggnog Bundt Cake! This cake is simple to make 

yet tastes so divine, it's perfect for all of your holiday parties!

Merry Christmas Eve my friends! As we get ready to celebrate these glorious holidays, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being here. Thank you for reading my blog in 2016. Thank you for leaving comments and for letting me know when you make my recipes and for sharing your thoughts. Thank you for supporting me as I do the thing I love - cooking and baking and sharing my food with family and friends, and with you. Without you, I probably wouldn't still be here! I mean, I'd still be here. But the blog might not. 😍

Banana Layer Cake with Banana Buttercream Frosting

This Banana Layer Cake with Banana Buttercream Frosting one of my favorite family recipes, handed down to me from my grandmother. Although it's a simple cake, it's definitely a showstopper for the holidays or any family gatherings!

Not only do I love baking during the holidays, but I especially love baking with my family. We always set aside a day that we bake cookies together (SO many cookies!), and I enjoy pulling out the tried and true recipes that have been handed down to me. I've got a cute old fashioned recipe box just filled with recipe cards for cookies, cakes, homemade candy, and so much more. This amazing Banana Layer Cake with Banana Buttercream Frosting just happens to be one of them!

Coconut Pecan Cake with Coconut Rum Frosting #SundaySupper

Filled with coconut and pecans and topped with a decadent coconut rum frosting, this cake is unbelievably

 simple to make, but beautiful and delicious enough for your holiday table.

We can all use more cake in our lives, don't you agree? I know I don't make it nearly enough. I feel like cake is more for celebrations than an everyday dessert, and it's definitely perfect for the holidays. So many of us are baking now and preparing for the holidays, and I think this cake should be on your list. It's soft and tender and topped with a decadent and delicious coconut rum frosting. It's simply amazing!

Best Blackout Cake #WeekdaySupper

The darkest of chocolate cakes, a rich chocolate syrup, and a creamy, dreamy bittersweet chocolate frosting come together to make one rich and decadent Best Blackout Cake! This is one dessert your family and friends soon won’t forget.

My son started his senior year of high school this past Monday. Yes, you heard that right. My baby is a senior! It seems like just yesterday he was starting his high school career, and here we are almost to the end. I’m proud, excited, sad, stressed…I’m just a mixed bag of emotions right now. I know this is all part of parenthood, but it sure isn’t easy.

Ever since my boys started school many years ago, I’ve always had a tradition of doing something special on their first and last days of school. Usually it’s a celebratory lunch or a fancy dinner out, and sometimes it’s a special sweet treat. Since I love to bake, I really enjoy making them something homemade, that’s from my heart.

Simple Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

This Simple Glazed Orange Bundt Cake is full of delicious citrus flavor and is perfect for 

dessert, afternoon tea, and even breakfast!

There's just something amazing about citrus flavors in the summer. As much as I love berries, I have an equal amount of love for citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons and limes make me think of sunshiny days and being outdoors. Taking a bite out of an orange or drinking a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade just makes me smile and my heart happy. Do you know what I mean?

One of my favorite ways to use citrus is in baked goods. There are so many things you can make and although I tend to see a lot of lemon desserts, orange desserts are just as delicious. Take this Simple Glazed Orange Bundt Cake for example. This cake gets its wonderful orange flavor from Indian River Select® Brand Orange Juice, fresh orange zest, and orange extract. Plus there's a simple orange glaze that's drizzled  over the cake after cooling. One bite of this cake and you'll be all smiles!

Chocolate Espresso Skillet Cake with Fudge Frosting

This decadent, fudgy, and delicious cake is the perfect pick me up any time of the day! Topped with 

a warm fudge frosting and chopped pecans, it will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!

I love cast iron pans. For Christmas I received a large, 12-inch skillet, and I've been happily using it ever since! I love the versatility of these pans. From searing steaks and seafood to make deep dish pizza to baking sweet treats, there isn't much you can't do in a cast iron pan. 

My sweet tooth was nagging at me last weekend, pushing me to make something decadent and delicious. I had grabbed a Chocolove Coffee Crunch in Dark Chocolate bar from Door to Door Organics with my last order, and I couldn't wait to bake it into something amazing. As my mind was reeling with ideas of chocolate goodness, this Chocolate Espresso Skillet Cake with Fudge Frosting was born and boy oh boy, let me tell you, it's divine!

Apple Coconut Breakfast Cake

This sweet and delicious coffee cake is loaded with apples and coconut and is perfect for breakfast!

I love cake. Pretty much any kind of cake. But I really love a cake that is made for breakfast. I'll admit, I've had a piece of chocolate cake or birthday cake on an occasional morning with a cup of coffee. Admit it, I know you have too! But make a cake specifically for breakfast and I'm ALL over it.

Recently I received a box of gorgeous Stemilt Pinata apples and although they taste amazing as is, I couldn't wait to put them in a few recipes. This Apple Coconut Breakfast Cake was the very first thing I made and man was that a good idea! Pinata apples are crisp and juicy and have a tropical taste, which pairs perfectly with the coconut in this cake.

Rich Chocolate Cake with Coffee Frosting

This rich and decadent chocolate cake is light and fluffy thanks to the addition of coffee! 

Topped with a delicious coffee frosting, you'll find yourself making this cake again and again!

It's no secret that I'm a coffee addict. Everyone knows it! But did you know that in addition to drinking my coffee, I love to cook with it, too? Coffee is rich and flavorful, and can add depth to your dishes. Whether you're making something sweet or savory, it gives your dish a whole other flavor profile.

Take this Rich Chocolate Cake with Coffee Frosting, for example. Adding a cup of strong black coffee to the cake batter gives it the deepest, richest chocolate flavor I've ever had. Not only that, but it makes the cake incredibly light and fluffy. It's honestly the most tender cake I've ever made!

Pumpkin Pound Cake with Buttermilk Glaze

This tender and delicious pumpkin pound cake is lightened up so you can feel good about eating dessert this holiday season!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 
#SamsClubMag #CollectiveBias

With all of the get together's and parties this holiday season, it's inevitable that we will have leftovers! I have always been one to get creative and turn them into something new and exciting so that my kids will eat them. There is no way they will go for eating Thanksgiving dinner three days in a row. I know you all feel the same way!  Whether I'm making open faced turkey sandwiches piled high with mashed potatoes and gravy, or turning that leftover honey ham into breakfast omelets, I make sure no leftover gets left behind. 

I also try to make sure that we eat healthy during the holiday season. There are cookies and candy and fudge to be eaten, and I think it's fine to have those treats in moderation. But I also want my family to eat their fruits and veggies and drink plenty of water and try to eat clean when we can. 

Hot Cocoa Snack Cake

This tender, fluffy snack cake is filled with lots of surprises, making this dessert a winner for the holidays!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

#BakeInTheFun #CollectiveBias

In my last post I mentioned that I was really excited about Fall baking and how the holidays are coming quickly, whether we want them to or not! Well, I was shopping in Walmart the other day and casually took a stroll down the seasonal aisle to find all of the Christmas candy out. I mean ALL OF IT. I was both excited and scared. {Scared only because Christmas is coming too quickly!!} But it gave me inspiration almost instantly do some holiday baking, so I did. I made the most delicious Hot Cocoa Snack Cake, and I just HAD to share it with you today! 

I spruced up a Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Cake Mix by adding cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, and some of my favorite M&M's® Holiday flavors. There are M&M's® inside the cake, plus more on top for decoration. It's cute and fun and perfect for holiday parties, or just for your own family! I know mine loved it and didn't want me to share, they wanted it all for themselves!

Zucchini Ginger Cake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

Tender, moist, and packed with flavor, this Zucchini Ginger Cake is a MUST make recipe!

There's been an abundance of zucchini around my house lately. I've been getting it in my weekly produce delivery, as well as picking some up at the local grocery store. From eating it fresh to roasting it and sometimes shredding it and putting it in other dishes, my family and I have been loving it all.

About a week or so ago I decided to shred up some zucchini and make a zucchini layer cake. But this isn't just any zucchini cake. This cake has delicious, spicy ginger in it as well. Gourmet Garden has a new line of lightly dried herbs that are out of this world. They take fresh herbs and dry them just enough so that they last for 4 weeks once they've been opened. The flavor and aroma of Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Ginger is almost exactly like fresh ginger. In fact, I like it even more and prefer using it over fresh!

Raspberry Vanilla Cream Cake

This super moist and flavorful raspberry cake is topped with homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberries. 

The perfect summer dessert!

I was looking for a simple but beautiful dessert to serve on Memorial Day. I wanted something light and fresh, and of course delicious. Although I love chocolate, I didn't want a chocolate dessert this time around. 

The cake I ended up making was perfect. Simple to make, super moist and tender, and extremely bright. Homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberries pulled the whole thing together. 

Iced Almond-Lemon Loaf Cake

This luscious cake is tender and lemony, and has an extra citrus kick from the 

sweet lemon icing that's drizzled over the top. 

I'm a huge yogurt lover. Even as a child I can remember getting yogurt cups at the store with my mom. Strawberry and blueberry were always my favorite. Of course nowadays my taste has expanded and I love much more than just those two flavors.

Not only do I eat yogurt for breakfast and as a snack, but I love to cook and bake with it as well. If you've been reading my blog long, then you know this all to well. From Mini Banana Cream Parfaits to Cardamom Pecan Pound Cake to Blackberry Frozen Yogurt, I use yogurt in many ways.

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake

This cake is light, tender and full of fresh citrus flavors. It's so delicious, it won't last long!

I love citrus fruits. I also love to bake with citrus fruits. They make everything so light and flavorful, and I never feel guilty about eating dessert. This time of year is perfect for all things citrus. From oranges to lemons to tangerines, I want to devour every single one.

I received some beautiful blood oranges in my recent Door to Door Organics delivery, and could hardly wait to make something with them. It took me a bit to decide what to do, but I am incredibly excited over the recipe I developed.

Apple Pecan Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle

This delicious cake is filled with Michigan apples and pecans and topped with a decadent salted caramel drizzle. 

It's a great dessert, but I love eating it for breakfast with my coffee!

Today I'm really excited to be the Guest Blogger over at Michigan Apples! Last year I was blessed to go on an amazing tour with them, and I learned firsthand the history of apple orchards, the growing process, the picking process, and so much more. It was such a fun day and I learned a ton! (You can read all about my experience here) When I came back all I wanted to do was cook with apples. The great thing is that apples can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. They are very versatile like that. The first recipe I created once I was back home was an Apple, Fig, Feta and Arugula Pizza. A sweet, spicy and savory treat that my whole family loved.

Banana Pecan Pound Cake

This light and tender cake is filled with delicious bananas and pecans and makes a perfect dessert for any occasion!

Lately I've become quite obsessed with my Bundt pan. First off, it makes adorable cakes. Second, said cakes are delicious. Third, they are so very versatile. Plus they are simple to make. You can dress them up with a fancy glaze or drizzle for a party or get together, or just dust them with a little powdered sugar to give it a little extra somethin' somethin'. Any way you decide to make it, these cakes are downright delicious.

Since I also have a banana obsession, I thought I'd marry my two favorites - bananas and my Bundt pan. So here we have a Banana Pecan Pound Cake. Pecans are also my love. So many delicious things in this cake, and it's a breeze to make. I'm calling it a pound cake versus a Bundt cake because the texture is most definitely like a pound cake. And there isn't a glaze or a frosting, just a simple bit of powdered sugar. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Delicious and decadent, this beautiful Bundt cake is minty, chocolaty, and perfect for Spring!

Do you love Girl Scout cookies as I much as I do? Come on, fess up. I know you do! I don't think I even know anyone who doesn't like them. I always look forward to this season so I can stock up on these delicious gems. My favorites are Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs. 

My newest creation, this beautiful Bundt cake, was inspired by the Thin Mint. A deep, rich chocolate cake infused with peppermint extract, plus some milk chocolate chips for good measure. Sounds good, right?

Orange Date Cake

This simple bundt cake gets its burst of flavor fresh fresh oranges and dates!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! It seems the weeks of preparation to get ready for the big day are all behind us now. Buying gifts, wrapping, decorating, cooking, eating, laughing, spending time with our loved ones; in one short day it's all over!

Thankfully I was able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my parents and boys and we had a wonderful time. My boys and I still have all next week off and plan to play games, watch movies and eat lots of good food. I will be savoring every minute of our time!