Dessert

Naked Chocolate Banana Cake

July 27, 2015 • 5 Comments

My husband and I didn’t have a traditional cake at our wedding.

We actually didn’t have a cake at all. Instead of feeding each other cake, we fed each other Dairy Queen Blizzards. This was commemorative of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other, over a Butterfinger and Hawaiian Blizzard as the third wheels of a couple we both knew.

The magic that is Alex and I all started with a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. But if it hadn’t, you can bet your boots I would’ve had a naked cake at our wedding.

Naked cakes are so unassuming. They aren’t showy and they don’t have to get all dressed up — they are simply beautiful in their natural state. When I think about the beginning of Alex and my relationship, or the beginning of many great love stories for that matter, I think about how similar they are to a naked cake. It’s all kinds of happiness and sweetness wrapped up in an adoration for someone for simply being who they are.

At the end of the day the deepest kind of love isn’t based on someone’s outward appearance, it’s based on recognizing and being captivated by someone’s beautiful soul. Peter confirms this in 1 Peter 3:4. He writes, “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”Read More

Salted Caramel Brownie Mini Trifles

July 6, 2015 • 1 Comment

Do you ever wish you could just repeat a series of events over and over again?

That’s how this Fourth of July weekend was for me. Never have I realized just how blessed I am to be a part of two incredible families. Seriously, who gets lucky enough to not only have a great immediate family but marry into an awesome family as well?

My hand is up. Way up in the sky. Because after a U2 concert in Chicago, pool party with the hubby’s fam and a day at the lake with my fam, I could never feel more grateful for the moments I get to experience because of the lovely people that are in my life.

My mother-in-law even let me, miss crazy food blogger, take over her kitchen so I could make these knock-your-tastebuds-off, delicious mini trifles to share with you guys.

These babies — along with the crab leg we enjoyed to celebrate the fourth — were the cherry on top of our visit to Indiana. In this recipe, three decadent layers come together to form the ultimate dessert. The trifle layers are as follows: Canyon Bakehouse Brownie Bites, coconut whipped cream and salted caramel sauce. Combined, they make a dessert that is difficult to resist.Read More

Strawberry Rhubarb Cashew Crumble Pie

June 1, 2015 • 9 Comments

Some say the best things in life are free.

But I also think some of the best things in life are unplanned. Of course, some of the worst things in life can be unplanned too, but I prefer to focus on the positives! This past Saturday my husband and I awoke at the crack of dawn to make it into downtown Minneapolis for a doctor’s appointment. (I’ve had some weird pain/burning/numbing sensations in my leg and foot and we wanted to get that checked out.) Unfortunately on the way there the doctor had to canceled.

Although I was frustrated at first it ended up working out because we were able to go to the St. Paul Farmers Market together — something we do maybe once a year because 1) it’s a hike and 2) my husband likes to sleep in.

This unplanned trip was just what the doctor ordered, for the soul at least. It was so wonderful to be around local vendors and learn about some of the things that they grow/make. Because we hadn’t planned on stopping at a farmers market that morning, we were short on cash. But we had just enough to get one bunch of fresh rhubarb.Read More

Lemon Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream

May 25, 2015 • 6 Comments

When life gives you lemons …

You should make lemon cupcakes! Totally a better pick me up than lemonade, right? These lemon cupcakes are my second gluten-free baking adventure on the road to improving my fibromyalgia symptoms. This is also week three of being gluten free (week two of dairy free) and I am happy to report that my headaches are not as bad as they used to be!

It’s incredible how food can impact the body. It has the power to nourish, transform and heal. How wonderful is it that our God gave us foods that can help us feel better? I feel so lucky that I am living in a day and age where food research is more active than ever and food options are more varied. It has made the transition so much easier. It has also allowed me to explain to people why I am doing what I am doing. I’m not jumping on some food trend bandwagon, I’m trying to salvage my wellbeing.Read More

Coconut Macaroons

March 5, 2015 • Leave a Comment

Ever looked at something and thought, “This is too simple and good to be true?”

I know the feeling. It’s how I feel about peanut butter and chocolate; a glass of wine; quick bread; the quiet of a sunrise or sunset; reading a book in the park; walking hand-in-hand with my husband; and basking in the presence of God. At their core, each of these things whispers simplicity and produces an indulgent moment and memory.

Our lives can be such a complicated balancing act, full of work, appointments, meetings and errands. I think that’s what makes simple things so enjoyable. They allow us to escape whatever madness is around us and hit the pause button.Read More

Reese's Peanut Butter Pie

January 20, 2015 • Leave a Comment

I believe special occasions are best celebrated with smiles, laughter and baked goods (preferably something sweet).

Some of the best memories I have in life were formed over scoops of ice cream, a perfectly formed pastry or decadent slice of cake. Sweet things are even better when they are shared. They make life a little brighter, and they enhance whatever situation we are in.

So when it was announced that someone was leaving the Spyder Trap team that I have the pleasure of working with, you bet I jumped on the opportunity to make something. You could call it a celebration pie, or an “excuse to make something totally over the top” pie, but whatever the motive I think this Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie hits the spot.Read More