Go 'nuts for these donut cookies!

Cookies are high on the LP hierarchy. 

Make that cookie look like a donut and you're speaking our language! 

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Baked Sale Cupcakes

Baked sale goodies are the best. Especially when topped with homemade buttercream and nonpareils!

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Get ready for the leprechauns!

St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, so why not dress up your desserts with festive green and white jimmies?!

What kind of desserts are you going to make?

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This little piggy went to the market.....

....This little piggy stayed home! 

Look at these adorable pig cupcakes!!

Oink, oink!! 

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Eat a cupcake

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DIY Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Team LP loves everything rhubarb. ESPECIALLY when rhubarb is accompanied by strawberries. This is a very easy and tasty recipe for a strawberry rhubarb cobbler. What makes cobblers so great, is that they can be a brunch item, dessert or mid-afternoon snack!

En lieu of the recipe below, we used 1/4 cup of the egg mixture from the morning's french toast, which consists of egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla. (Substitute one egg and 1/4 cup of milk). 

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Behind the Apron TIP: Prep, prep, prep!

We came across this procedure in a cookbook circa 1951. Follow this when making cakes at home from scratch!

1. Read the recipe. Every word!

2. Turn on and set the oven.

3. Assemble ingredients. (Ingredients should be at room temperature)

4. Assemble utensils

5. Prepare the pans

6. Sift flour. Measure ingredients.

7. Always measure on the level

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DIY RECIPE: Irish Soda Bread

If you're planning a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal this holiday weekend, don't forget the soda bread! This recipe for homemade soda bread is sure to impress your guests!

Irish Soda Bread
4 cups sifted flour 1 Tbsp baking soda 1 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cream of tartar	1-1/2 cups dark raisins or currants 1-1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk 1 to 2 Tbsp melted butter

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add enough buttermilk to make a dough, mixing with a fork until the ingredients are moistened.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 1 to 2 minutes or until well mixed. Shape the dough into a large ball and place either on a well-greased baking sheet. Flatten the dough into a 7-inch circle and cut a 1/4 inch X in the center.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when rapped with knuckles. Remove the loaf to a wire rack and immediately brush with the melted butter.

Let stand until completely cooled before slicing. Enjoy!

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DIY recipe: Smoked Salmon Pizza

Want to wow your guests this party (and every) party season? Serve them this smoked salmon pizza! This is a staple at our Christmas brunch, and whenever we have reason to celebrate. But be careful! Be sure to grab yourself a piece, because once served, this hors d'oeuvre disappears fast!!

What you need:

pizza crust (Boboli, or refrigerated dough, whichever you have/prefer!)

approx 8 oz smoked salmon, or lox pieces

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

1 medium red onion, chopped

1-2 tablespoons dill (fresh is best, but dried will do!)

Preparation:

Bake pizza crust as per instructions on dough and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

Mix cream cheese and onions in a medium sized bowl using a spatula or wooden spoon. Spread over cooled pizza crust.

Place salmon over cream cheese mixture and sprinkle with dill. Cut into slices and serve!

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Happy Holidays!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! It's hard to believe the new year is upon us! Do you make a resolution? More travel, macarons, and pilates perhaps??

Be wise and be safe!! xoxo

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Triple Chocolate Christmas Cookie RECIPE!

This recipe is full of chocolately holiday goodness in every bite! Even better: since it is a drop cookie, little baking technique is required, which makes this super kid-friendly!

Ingredients:

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), cut into 1 Tbsp chunks
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
3 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet morsels, chopped

1/2 cup milk chocolate morsels, chopped

Desired toppings such as M&Ms, Andie's mints, Christmas-colored sugars, crushed candy canes

Preheat the oven at 325 degrees

Mix ingredients in a large bowl using an electric mixer until well combined. 

Using two teaspoons, spoon batter onto 2 baking sheets, covered with a Silpat liner. Top with first layer of toppings. Bake for 6 minutes. 

Add more of the desired topping and place back into oven for another 6-7 minutes. 

Transfer to cooling racks, pour yourself a nice glass of milk and enjoy! Makes about 48.

 

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Bake Me a Christmas - Gift idea #6: Microplane

This a uber-handy tool that makes life a lot easier! It is a professional quality zester that works with hard cheeses, or lemon and lime zest. You can also use it for grating chocolate or garlic and ginger. A microplane is also a great tool to have when grating fresh nutmeg!

It is made of  surgical grade stainless steel, and features a generous grating surface. Yes, it's dishwasher safe!


To order, click on the following link:
Microplane 12-in. Premium Classic Series Premium Zester/Grater, Pink Pin It

Bake me a Christmas - Gift idea #2: Beater Blade

Meet the Beater Blade. 

   This guy is like a successful blind date! It's a hunked up version of the original paddle attachment and you probably didn't know it existed! It scrapes the bowl as you work, eliminating that pesky batter roll up!! 

 PERFECT holiday gift for the woman on your list who loves her Kitchenaid mixer!   Click on the link below to order!
BeaterBlade 5-qt. Tilt Beater Blade Mixer Attachment, White  

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DIY Dessert: Rich Chocolate Souffle!

First of all, the Silver Palate cookbooks are a definite must have! The recipes are easy to follow, and oh so delicious! At a recent dinner party, I served their "Rich Chocolate Souffle". It was the first time I've ever made a souffle and it came out beautifully! I accompanied the dessert with Martha's Caramel Anglaise. Delish!

My first souffle!

Send us a picture of your latest baking triumph! 

Email LolapearlBakes@gmail.com!

Elf note: Order the cookbook I used on Amazon.com for only $10.85! Pin It