Desserts

Toasted Coconut & Pecan Strawberry Shortcakes

Picture 8Helloooo Friends… how are YOU?

You know how sometimes life takes a turn and what you love to do has to take a backseat for a time so that you can step away and dive into something you never ever expected and you think,,,,

I’ll just take a little break over here and go over there for a bit… get all this new stuff figured out… then get right back to where I was.

Well, my get right back didn’t happen.

Obviously.

It’s been weeks since my last post.

In other words — I got a new job and huge learning curve with it. I’ve loved every minute of it but it certainly threw me off my game.

And then my sister called to tell me she ran into a friend who asked what happened to me… what happened to the blog?

Then that old stirring I remembered began to turn in my heart.

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So this little diddy…

I ran across it the other night while mindlessly perusing one of my favorite magazines.

Actually, after reading the recipe I couldn’t get the thought of toasted coconut and pecans loaded into a warm biscuit out of my head.

I mean have you ever heard of such a delicious thing?

Continue reading →

10 Best Tips for Baking Cookie Cutouts

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I think I could have been in that commercial.

Remember the one where the mom’s in the kitchen and she dusts her face with flour to fool her family into thinking she has baked for hours, then she hands them a plate of Rice Krispy treats?

Only my family would be on to me because they know Rice Krispy treats aren’t made with flour.

Now I am one busy momma, probably just like you, who likes traditions, especially for the holidays, and sugar cookies are my kid’s favorite.  They get really excited when they see cookie cutters on the kitchen counter. And I must admit, I enjoy making and eating sugar cookies, too! Continue reading →

The Perfect Apple Crisp

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She was pregnant when she shook that tree.

I was almost 10 and can still remember.

It was a hot summer’s night when Mom had a craving so we hopped in the car.

We travelled to the other side of town… to an orchard on this vacant lot.

It was dark and just a little scary but we did stuff like that in the 1970s.

Well my sister and I, we weren’t very tall and the tree’s branches were out of our reach. Continue reading →

Simply The Best Sugar Cookies

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Sometimes all the holiday bustle makes me lose my mind and I forget things…

… like, Whose gift did I just wrap?

Now my sons… they know how to help me with this.

They give the best reminders…

…like lists with gift ideas and corresponding store aisle…

…and hello ello lo echoes into the empty cookie jar.

They’re really into traditions, too…

… like tree trimming and Christmas carols and Butterball turkeys (well, one prefers grandma’s Dearborn ham spiked with Vernors ginger ale) and as many cookies as can be frosted.

Do you like traditions and frosted sugar cookies, too? 

Continue reading →

Homemade Pumpkin Pie With Walnut Crumble Topping {or not}

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Have you ever made your very own “real” homemade pumpkin pie? 

You know, from an actual pumpkin? 

I had not until this week when I baked two.

The first one — simple, elegant and delicious, served with fresh whipped cream.

And a second decadent little number — bedecked in walnuts, brown sugar and butter.

So good!

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Now, I didn’t set out to bake two in one week, but pumpkin pie pumpkins were on sale and a deal for just one dollar.

So I grabbed two — one for baking and another to decorate the front porch.

Continue reading →

Salted Caramel Dipped Pears

Pear 8

Did you know pears are a big deal this time of year?  

I’m not quite sure why this slipped my mind.

Maybe I never bothered to notice…

…or perhaps I have been consumed by fall’s superstar — The Apple.

My suspicion is that I have simply ignored this little gem.

How about you?

“Like a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…”

Granny Smith has always been the apple of my eye for autumn.

Until recently…

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When meandering through a glossy magazine this show stopper came on the scene.

And with a starring role to boot…

Continue reading →

Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

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Do you remember the theme song from Gilligan’s Island?

The tv show where Skipper and Gilligan get shipwrecked on a deserted island with Mary Ann, Ginger, The Professor and Mr. and Mrs. Howell.

“Just sit right back
And you’ll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful trip,
That started from this tropic port,
Aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailin’ man,
The Skipper brave and sure,
Five passengers set sail that day,
For a three hour tour,
A three hour tour…”

I loved that show.

The words to the song make me want to rent every episode and watch them with my sons.

My sister and I looked forward to seeing it every day after school.

Faithfully.

Continue reading →

Pecan Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

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I baked these babies the other night and I noticed something magical happens when their sweet aroma wafts from the oven… kids seem to appear out of nowhere, and grown-ups, too!  My family couldn’t wait to dive into their own stack of cookies and a tall glass of ice cold milk.

Packed with chocolate chips and pecans, they are soft and chewy with a nice, nutty crunch. Neither too thin, or too cakey, and very moist. Rolled oats give them extra texture and a slightly “healthier” edge to regular chocolate chip cookies.

Cookie:scoop
Be sure to allow them their own space on the cookie sheet as they spread while they bake. And try one while they’re still warm for extra gooeyness.

Cookies on grate

Walnuts work just as well in this recipe if you prefer them. Either way, they are super delicious and I think one of the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever have. Enjoy!

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Pecan Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Servings: About 20-25 Cookies
  • Print

2-1/2 cups rolled oats
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 (12-oz) package mini semisweet chocolate chips (or 2 cups)
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

1. In medium mixing bowl combine oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds until smooth. Add white sugar and brown sugar and mix on medium speed, scraping sides of bowl to mix well. Add eggs and vanilla and continue beating until combined. Then add 1/3 of flour mixture at a time, to combine well, until all the flour has been added. Batter will become thick and you may need to finish mixing with wooden spoon. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts and combine well with wooden spoon.

3. With a small ice cream scooper, drop dough (about 3 TBSP) onto parchment lined cookie sheets about 3 inches apart. Bake at 375* for 9-10 minutes, or until edges are light brown. Slightly cool for 3 to 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Makes about 20-25 cookies.

ModernHenHome.com


Lisa

 

 

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