Sticky Sweet

I got the urge lately to try my hand at homemade cinnamon rolls.  The kind with yeast, that you have to let rise, and knead, and rise, etc.  They take a long time, and a lot of love, but it's worth it in the end!  I based my cinnamon rolls off a recipe I found from the Pioneer Woman, and then I came up with my own cream cheese frosting.  I'm from the Midwest, and a cinnamon roll isn't a cinnamon roll unless it's smothered in cream cheese frosting - right?  The recipe made 6 pans of rolls, so I gave some away, and then froze some for future treats.

Blessings-
LC

Flavorful Fall

I really like fall - mainly because it means Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner!  I also love the scents of cinnamon and spice that start lingering in the air, and of course the changing colors of the leaves.  But perhaps my most favorite thing about fall is pumpkins - plain, carved, candles, and of course... dessert!  I pretty much love anything pumpkin - bread, cake, cookies, and even pie (even though I'm not a pie kinda gal).

This is my favorite pumpkin cake, which I adapted into miniature cupcakes for a party.  I should have taken a picture of them next to something so you could see them to scale.  They really were sooooo cute!  They were just small enough for one bite if you didn't care about social etiquette, or a couple of smaller bites for those of us who are a little more conscious of our company - perfect for a party!  And with the dreamy cloud of cream cheese frosting on top, there was not one left at the end of the night - which is too bad because I really want one right now.

Blessings-
LC

Tart 'n Tasty

So these photos are from "the archive."  This last spring, some good friends of mine got married in Brazil, and then had a state-side reception for all their US friends.  The bride's favorite color is yellow, and her favorite flavor is lemon... isn't it nice how that worked out?  She had given me a picture of what she wanted her cupcakes to look like, and 100 cupcakes and several bottles of yellow food coloring later, this is how they turned out!

 





  

Blessings-
LC

Crack Mix

First of all, I don't encourage or condone illegal drug use, but this stuff is addicting - hence the nickname. : )  Several years ago I was at a friend's house, and per usual, her mom had some snacks set out for us.  I'm embarrassed to admit that the bowl of party mix was devoured that night, and I've been addicted to it ever since.  Every time I make it, I try to get it out of the house as quickly as possible, because I literally can't stop eating it!  It's the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy.  Over time I've altered the recipe slightly from what was originally given to me, so this is now my perfect kind of treat.  That's a dangerous combination!

See how it kind of sparkles and glitters?  Yeah, that's straight butter and sugar - it doesn't get much better than that!

Blessings-
LC

Apples!

It's that wonderful time of year when the trees are heavy laden with perfectly ripe apples.  An afternoon trip to the orchard was not only a welcome escape into the open countryside, but left me with a whole bag of apples just waiting to be baked into a delightful treat.

I'll admit, I've never been much of a pie gal.  Something about the texture just doesn't make it my favorite.  But who doesn't love apple pie - especially when the crust is flaky and delicious and the apples were hand picked?  So I decided to try my turn at this classic American treat and made little individual hand-held pies.  Kind of like a fried pie you'd see at a fair, but lighter, and flakier, and without the heavy "I've been soaking in a vat of grease" taste.  And even this not-usually-a-pie-kinda-gal has to admit... they were DELICIOUS!!!  It was like a taste of fall.  Warm, cinnamon, buttery apples inside a perfectly flaky and light crust.  Plus, they were the perfect size to hold in your little paw and devour without feeling guilty that you didn't share.

I think this may have converted me.  I just might be a pie-kinda-girl after this!

Blessings-
LC

And so it begins

I have to admit - I love to bake.  I think about it all the time.  I find myself constantly dreaming of my Kitchen Aid mixer whirring with the sounds of Frank Sinatra in the background as I whip up some delightful treat.  And as the years have passed, this hobby of mine has become an obsession and a true passion.

At the urging of many friends and family, I have now embarked upon an experiment in online promotion and expansion of this "hobby."  I'll be posting stories, pictures, and descriptions of my baking adventures on here for anyone interested and willing to read.  I am just beginning to dabble in this, and to be honest, the whole thing both terrifies and excites me.  I am neither an artist nor a writer, so this is bound to be a wonderful learning experience!  Please spread the word to your friends and family, and of course, if you would ever like to order something, please contact me at DelightfulTreatsByLC@gmail.com.  I'd love to provide you with a delightful treat for your next special occasion!

Blessings-
LC