Dessert

Weekday Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

August 5, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

I call these “weekday” chocolate peanut butter crispy bars because they’re a little better for you than normal ones. Perfect for when you want to make a quick dessert or snack, but don’t want to make a whole batch of cookies or brownies. I know – do those times really exist??

I love to keep them in the fridge when I know I’m going to have a busy week because they’re great for those times when you need something quick and filling to eat. But you could just as easily take them to a friends house for dessert because who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? Truly a perfect treat!

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Cocoa Krispy Treat Nests

March 24, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

How can you not smile when you see these nests? We used to make all kinds of “themed” Rice Krispy treats when I was growing up and they’re still so nostalgic to me. Plus, Cocoa Krispy treats are one of my dad’s favorites so we were (and still are!) always finding excuses to make them.

This would be such a fun project to do with kids. I love making them now, but think they’ll be even more special when I can make them with Guy next Easter. But something tells me he’ll be more focused on eating than helping…

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Cinnamon Sugar Sour Cream Coffee Cake

February 16, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Is there anything more comforting or nostalgic than cinnamon and sugar? My mom used to make a version of this coffee cake when I was growing up and the taste and smell take me back to my childhood. I love it!

The sour cream makes the cake incredibly moist and tender. Plus it helps keep the cake moist for a couple days, so it’s the perfect thing to make a head of time for a brunch or holiday. Or to eat warm out of the oven on a snowy Tuesday because, why not?!

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Salted Brown Sugar Blondies

January 20, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

I know this is a controversial statement, but I like blondies better than chocolate chip cookies. Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate chip cookies, but there’s just something about a blondie. The texture, the deeper flavor, I could go on and on!

I love them so much that they were the first thing I ever baked for my husband. We’ve been together for over 6 years so that must say something, right?

It’s my go to baked good to take to friends, family, and bake on a Friday night when we want something special. I hope you love them as much as we do!

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Fudge Cookies with Peppermint Buttercream and Crushed Candy Canes

December 9, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Do you have something that just tastes like Christmas to you? These cookies are that to me. That’s probably because 1. my mom and I have been making them for as long as I can remember and 2. I only make them at Christmas. So I guess you could say these are a signature Christmas cookie?

The fudge cookie is a recipe my aunt gave my mom over 30 years ago and is truly unique. The texture is a cross between a brownie and fudge (hence fudge cookie!). I’ve never seen another recipe like it. They are great on their own, but the peppermint buttercream makes them so festive and special. I hope you love them as much as we do!

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Mom’s Almond Cake

December 2, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This is hand’s down one of my mom’s best recipes. It’s stood the test of time – mom got the recipe out of the Columbus Dispatch’s Wednesday cooking section years ago and with a few tweaks it has remained a favorite.

It’s so simple, but that’s the beauty of the cake. In fact calling it a cake is a bit of a stretch. Is it a cake? Yes. But not in the traditional cake covered in buttercream and sprinkles that were used to. Instead it’s a sophisticated cake that’s just as perfect with coffee for breakfast as it is with ice cream for dessert. I made it for Rich’s birthday this year and we enjoyed it both ways.

What makes this cake even more appealing? It’s quick, takes minimal ingredients most of which you likely have on hand, and is just as good the next day as it is straight out of the oven. If that doesn’t convince you to make it, I’m not sure what will. Enjoy!

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Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel

November 20, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

My love for cranberry orange muffins started young. We used to have a great grocery/general store in Columbus called The Andersons. The Andersons was one of those stores where you could buy a bottle of Dom Perignon, local zucchini, and paint. They also had a great bakery that started my love for cranberry orange muffins. Sometimes my mom and I would split one as a treat, and that was it. Love at first taste.

Unfortunately The Andersons closed a few years ago, taking my muffins with them. This means I now have to make my own. After trying multiple recipes, this one is my favorite. It’s a play on my Perfect Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping and I have to say, these are pretty perfect too. While these muffins are good all year, they would make the perfect Thanksgiving morning breakfast or really anytime this holiday season!

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Caramel popcorn with sea salt

September 29, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This isn’t the one note, overly sweet caramel popcorn you’re used to getting bagged in stores or part of a popcorn tin at Christmas time. This is a rich popcorn with layered flavors of butter, sugar, and salt that will make you look at caramel popcorn in a whole new light.

What makes this caramel popcorn unique? The use of dark brown sugar rather than light which produces a deep, dark caramel. You can use light, but I highly recommend using dark – you’ll be amazed by the difference it makes! Plus the use sea salt in the caramel and then sprinkling flaky salt on top makes it even more addicting the normal caramel popcorn. These few tweaks take the caramel popcorn to a whole new level.

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Classic Brownies with flaky sea salt

September 10, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Is there anything better than a warm brownie fresh out of the oven? I really don’t think so. My mom used to bake brownies from scratch when I was growing up when everyone else’s mom made them from a boxed mix. Are those boxed ones good? Sure, but they’re nothing like homemade. I always wanted to say to those boxed mix moms, you know making brownies from scratch isn’t that hard. Good thing I was a shy kid, something tells me those editorial comments wouldn’t have gone over well…

Always in search of the best brownie, I’ve made dozens of different recipes over the years and I think I’ve finally found it!

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Peanut Butter Cookies with M&Ms and Chocolate Chips

August 18, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Is there a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate? I don’t think so.

I’ve been working on perfecting this recipe for years. I started with the classic Jif peanut butter cookie recipe and made multiple changes. Changes to the ingredients, ingredient proportions, and the baking temperature to achieve the perfect peanut butter cookie. I went through batch after batch of cookies, hard work I know but someone has to do it.

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