Secrets of a SPECTACULAR sugar cookie!

This post comes a little late for your holiday baking, but I just had to share my top 2 sugar cookie tips since I have seen many a sugar cookie misfortune this holiday season.

First, let's think about what a sugar cookie is. According to Wikipedia, "A sugar cookie is a cookie made from sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and either baking powder or baking soda. Sugar cookies may be formed by hand or rolled and cut into shapes. They are commonly decorated with frosting, sprinkles, or a combination of both. In North America, decorated sugar cookies are particularly popular during holidays such as Christmas and Halloween." May I point out one thing - a sugar cookie is made with BUTTER. Not shortening. This is very important for the end result to be ridiculously decadent and just what you've always wanted.

My standards are high. I would say that 9 out of 10 sugar cookies I see during the holidays do not meet my standards (not a very scientific ratio - I just know it is a lot!). Eating a sugar cookie can be a blissful event if you follow these 2 tips:

#1 - Roll 'em thick! No thin sugar cookies here. The thicker the cookie the more heavenly it will feel in your mouth - seriously. Also, a nice thick layer of frosting compliments a plump cookie.

#2 - Do NOT overcook sugar cookies! This is by far the most important rule to sugar cookie making and the rule I see broken the most. Resist the urge to leave the cookies in longer! You will look at them and think, "Those are not quite done. They need another minute or two." But DON'T DO IT! Take them out. Trust me. See below? The cookie below was left in the oven too long...

The cookie below is perfect! Sugar cookies are not meant to be brown. If they are brown around the edges, you have cooked them too long. Sugar cookies are not meant to be crispy in any way. There is nothing more disappointing to see than a beautifully decorated sugar cookie that is brown and crunchy.


Now everyone has their favorite recipe but I think mine is the best sugar cookie recipe. In fact I've had people say my sugar cookies are the best they've ever had. My sister's boyfriend says I should sell them and make a business out of sugar cookies. Just sayin'. If you are interested in my recipe, leave me a comment. If there is enough interest I will post it here on the blog. I hope these tips help you make amazing sugar cookies because that is how it was meant to be.

And if you ever need an idea for some entertainment at a party or get-together, for children or adults...bake up a batch of sugar cookies, make some frosting, set out some sprinkles and sparkling sugar and watch your guests have a blast decorating cookies. Seriously. Even adults love decorating sugar cookies. I have done this numerous times this holiday season and it has been a hit every time!

Do you think YOU have the best sugar cookie recipe? Let me know, because I would love to put it to the test! Happy baking!

'Oh Christmas Tree' Fruit and Cheese Tray

So I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus...in case you haven't noticed :). I was suffering from a mild case of blog burnout. But I hope to be back blogging more regularly - maybe.

I wanted to share this super easy Christmas fruit and cheese tray I put together for my son's preschool Christmas party. I signed up to bring a healthy food item for 12 kids. So that ruled out sugar cookies or cupcakes piled with frosting...I needed something festive looking and fun for the kids. So the fruit and cheese tray in the shape of a Christmas tree was created:

Isn't it cute? And it was so easy to put together! Grapes, sliced apples, pear slices, and cheese cubes with a little fruit dip "tree trunk" and some cheese star "ornaments." The kids went crazy for it - particularly the cheese. Kids love cheese. You can never go wrong with cheese cubes at a kids party. And cheese slices cut into shapes with a cookie cutter? Even better!

Just about any fruit/veggie tray can be jazzed up by creating a shape using the items on a big platter. A heart for Valentine's Day, a flag shape for the 4th of July, a snowman or tree shape for winter/Christmas... the possibilities are endless!

It's the small and simple touches that make things special...

Happy Halloween....uhh...2 weeks late. I know. Lame.

So I officially stink at blogging lately. Here are my ridiculously late pictures from our Halloween party this year. It was definitely not the large affair it was last year. In fact, it was rather lame. My motivation to dazzle my party guests plummeted as couples continued to bail out on us up until the afternoon of the party. Of the 10 couples I invited only 3 came (and they were all family members). I didn't even dress in costume. I hope that those who did come weren't affected by my lack of enthusiasm and bad attitude. So enough with the complaining - here's the food spread:

What was on the menu?
Creamy Chicken Taquitos with guacamole and salsa for dipping - love these things!
7 layer dip - courtesy of my sister-in-law, Erica
Bacon wrapped lit'l smokies
Brownies - courtesy of my sister-in-law, Shanna
Mini Oreo cheesecakes - courtesy of my sister, Roxanne
Lime Slush
Apples with cream cheese caramel toffee dip (I can't find the link for this recipe)


I promise to do a better job of blogging! With the holidays approaching, I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities.

Are you ready for some football? Food that is...

Here is the spread from our Texas Tech vs. A&M football game party.
Tech lost, but the food was definitely a winner!

Table centerpiece:
The Football Subway Art can be found HERE and is available in other colors too.
Dollar Tree hurricanes adding some red candy color to the table

I was so excited to find Texas Tech plates and napkins in the clearance bin at the grocery store for 50 cents a package!

I picked up these cute red and black pom pom toothpicks in the dollar spot at Target.
They make my sausage balls look really festive!

Here's a rundown of the menu:
A big crockpot of chili
chips and queso/salsa
sausage balls
apples picked from the apple orchard with caramel dip
"Elizabeth's 1st prize at the fair" cookie bars (recipe coming soon!)
spinach artichoke dip - courtesy of Joanna
red velvet brownies - courtesy of Roxanne
bread bowl dip - courtesy of my mom
(I will share the recipe for this soon! It is always a winner!)
chocolate chip cookies - courtesy of Shanna
Puppy chow - courtesy of Roxanne
veggie tray - courtesy of the Cluff family
tamales - courtesy of my mother-in-law

As you can tell, we had a TON of food! But it was oh so delicious!
What food do you like to eat for football watchin' / tailgating?

For the love of yummy food :)

I have been itching for an excuse to make some yummy food. My recipe binder is OVERFLOWING with recipes I need to try. So I made up my own excuse. My sister left today to go back to college for her last semester, so last night we had a family get-together where we all sampled my delicious food. What better reason to eat good food? Take a look at this deliciousness:

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls
Loved this! So yummy. You can find the recipe HERE.

Ham and Cheese Sliders
These were a winner too! Recipe HERE.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
I am always looking for a good cupcake recipe.
The orange-cream cheese frosting is amazing!
Check out the recipe HERE.

Strawberry Cream Puff Cake
This is every bit as heavenly as it sounds! You should SO make one today.
Recipe HERE.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair Cake
I knew this chocolate-peanut butter variation of THIS CAKE wouldn't disappoint!
FYI: Chocolate graham crackers can be found at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock (but not Walmart).
You can find this recipe, with better pictures HERE.

Garlic Chicken Puffs
I would make a few changes to this recipe next time.
Less garlic powder and add a small can of green chilies (my personal preference).
Recipe HERE.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes - I would love to know what you think!
Happy Cooking!

Celebrating Baby Girls

This is the beautiful sight I get to wake up to each morning (and multiple times a night). I am so lucky :). We welcomed little Presley Grace to our family on Tuesday, August 23. I have thoroughly enjoyed basking in all things girl and celebrating this new addition to our family.

However, in the last few weeks, with my pregnancy, delivery, and adjusting to life with two kids - lets just say the creative juices have not been flowing much! I hope to resume a more regular blogging schedule in the next few weeks. After all, fall is almost here! And then comes Halloween and our annual Halloween party! There will be much to blog about...

Until then, here is a baby shower favor I put together for my friend Brittany's baby shower. She too is preparing to welcome a new baby girl in mid-September.

I baked up some Snickerdoodle cupcakes and layered them with cinnamon buttercream frosting in 8 oz. mason jars. (I shared this recipe on the blog last year. You can find it HERE.) I tied a pink ribbon around each jar and added a sign next to the tray of jars telling guests to take one home with them. Jar cupcakes are an easy, portable take home favor for any shower or party and they make such a great impression on guests!

"Sugar and spice and everything nice...that's what little girls are made of."

Snickerdoodle cupcakes supported this classic recipe for little girls since they are full of sugar and spice too! I can think of no better way to celebrate a baby girl than with a sweet cupcake!

* If you like the idea of food in a jar as much as I do, check out this list of 50 foods you can put in a jar. I love all the possibilities!

A better world, one cookie at a time...

Just a quick gift idea for you - I attached this lovely quote,

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon..." - Robert Fulghum

To a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies, topped with a package of magic milk straws and finished it off with a ribbon bow. Isn't it so cute and delicious looking?

I found these plastic containers at Target on clearance for $1.25 and filled them with cookies. The magic milk straws are fabulous and fun - kids love them! If you are not familiar with them, here is how one website describes magic straws, "Simply pour a nice large glass of milk and insert your magic straw to enjoy the flavor of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream. The straws are filled with flavor pellets that release flavor and dissolve as the milk passes through." Pretty nifty, huh? I found them at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock but I have also ordered them online HERE.

A super easy, thrifty gift with a homemade touch = great for kids AND adults!
Just helping to make the world better one cookie, and glass of milk, at a time ;).

Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Cupcake BLISS

These cupcakes are HEAVENLY! I'm not sure if it is the peanut butter cup in the middle of the cupcake that gets all gooey after it's baked or the ganache frosting topped with more peanut butter cups that I like best. I was given this recipe by my friend Elizabeth (I think she got it from Taste of Home), who shares my mutual love for cupcakes. Try them...you won't be disappointed!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 package (18 ounce) chocolate cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

½ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup canola oil

3 eggs

24 miniature peanut butter cups

Frosting:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup peanut butter

Additional miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until smooth.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake. Cover each with 1 tablespoonful batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until it reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.

Spread over cupcakes; immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups. Let stand until set. Makes about 2 dozen.

A Flower Shower for Baby Girl Davis

I have been a little MIA lately when it comes to blogging. Being 37 weeks pregnant will do that to you...

But I did need to show you some pictures of the amazing baby shower my sisters, mom, and a good friend had for me. You know I love me a good shower! They certainly came through for me in every way - adorable decorations and delicious food. Love can certainly be found in the small and simple details and I am very grateful for all their hard work for me and for my baby girl. To see more detailed pictures, you can visit my sister's blog HERE.

The food table.

Another food shot - I can't resist taking pictures of a great food spread!


The take-home favors table - My mom made white chocolate popcorn, tinted pink with a little food coloring. My sister added this adorable sign to thank everyone for coming.

Thanks for all your hard work Natalie, Mom, Roxanne, and Kate!

Thanks to all my amazing friends and family who came to support and celebrate with me.

A Culinary Tour of Alpine, AZ

Where is Alpine, AZ you say? It's about 6 miles from the Arizona/New Mexico border in the central part of Arizona. Alpine is a small town with a population of about 330 people. I have been visiting Alpine since I was a child and have many fond memories of vacations spent there with family. The town was recently threatened by the massive Wallow Fire in Arizona this past month, but came through relatively unscathed thanks to the amazing fire fighters.

Now don't get me wrong: Alpine is certainly no mecca of culinary art. But, there are several places that are little jewels of food happiness nestled in this small town. Here are some of those places:

The Bakery. Need I say more? I think we probably went there every day of our last visit to Alpine, and we were there for almost a week. I guess I could blame the need for daily home-baked goods on pregnancy?

Look at that deliciousness... I am in love with the cinnamon rolls, the blueberry scones are to die for, and the cranberry peach strudel was delightful. Spencer enjoyed the homemade chocolate covered donuts and the jalapeno cheddar bread was tasty too. I wanted to buy one of everything. Their menu changes daily so I could have easily spent all my vacation money on baked goods and eaten my weight in pastries.

The Alpine Country Store is a small market with over-priced basics you don't feel like driving 30 minutes to get at the next grocery store. This is usually our fountain drink and slushies, beef jerky, and candy stop in Alpine. It's a quaint little store that also rents movies. We usually go to the market once a day while in Alpine to stock up on something. And if you look at the picture closer you can see the cute, old man in overalls and a cowboy hat standing out in front of the store. Having that man in the picture just made it 100% more authentic :). Love it.

The Bear Wallow Cafe is one of three places to grab a meal in Alpine - and is my restaurant of choice. They have great hamburgers, including the 1/2 pound Bear Wallow Burger that is bigger than the bun it is served on. I also enjoy the vegetable beef soup and I heard the homemade pie is AMAZING but have yet to try it for myself. I can't believe in all my years of visiting the Bear Wallow I have never tried the pie! Jeremy and I plan on visiting the Bear Wallow again for the single purpose of eating pie... one slice of every flavor ;).

The Alpine Grill is another Alpine eatery we usually frequent for ice cream. Mmm...strawberry cheesecake ice cream...makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Attached to the Alpine Grill is the delicious Lollipop Shoppe, known for their fantastic homemade fudge. I *heart* the Lollipop Shoppe fudge. Vanilla/Chocolate swirl and chewy praline are some of my favorite fudge flavors. I could certainly eat my weight in fudge too if my budget would allow! (And there I am in all my pregnant, swollen ankle glory... only 6 more weeks.)

So there you have it -some of my favorite Alpine, Arizona food spots. If you are ever in Alpine be sure to let me know what you think!

Patriotic pancakes and a refreshing drink

Our Sunday morning breakfast was just a little more festive and patriotic, courtesy of some red food coloring and blueberry syrup. I divided the pancake batter in half and colored one half with red food coloring. The blue came in the form of blueberry syrup topped with a little whipped cream. Even as an adult, I love adding some coloring to my food to make holidays more special!

The pancakes were very yummy!

And here is a refreshing drink idea for those hot summer days. I mentioned this recipe on my family blog last summer, but wanted to share it with you again. It's called Brazilian Lemonade and is oh so easy to make.

Mix together 1 container of Simply Limeade with 1/2 a can of sweetened condensed milk in a glass pitcher. I use a whisk to make sure that the condensed milk gets incorporated.

Pour yourself a glass and garnish with a lime slice if you like.

The taste is sweet with a little tang from the lime.

It is delicious and quickly becoming one of my favorite summer drinks!

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Egg Coloring Party Recipes

Here are the two recipes from the Easter Egg Coloring Party that I promised you. And in case you think this is becoming just a food and recipe blog - stay tuned. I plan on sharing some of my thrifty garage sale finds soon, now that garage sale season is gearing up for the summer!


Cinnamon Breakfast Casserole

2 pkgs. crescent rolls
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
ground cinnamon to taste
1/2 stick butter

In an 8x8 dish, layer 1 pack of crescent rolls. Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar together and spread over crescent rolls. Layer 2nd package of crescent rolls over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon to your preferred taste. Sprinkle brown sugar over that evenly. Slice the butter and place all over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the top is crunchy and brown. Serve warm. Not the most visually stunning dish, but SO delicious!

Pizza Frittatas

10 large eggs

1 tsp. salt

shredded mozzarella cheese (I used a cheddar/jack mix)

pepperoni slices (or turkey pepperoni slices if desired)

1 cup each of chopped mushrooms and chopped bell pepper (optional)

pizza sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute veggies if using. Coat a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray and divide veggies evenly into each cup (if using veggies), then line the inside with pepperoni slices.

Whisk 10 large eggs and salt. Pour eggs evenly into muffin cups and sprinkle each with shredded cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until egg is set and puffy. Serve with your favorite pizza sauce for dipping.

I didn't put veggies in these since I was serving them to kids and expected to have some picky eaters. I think the veggies would add alot to the flavor, but they were really good without them anyway.

You win some, you lose some

I had grand plans for posting about a fabulous Easter Sunday, complete with beaming family picture and delicious food buffet. Unfortunately this is the only picture I got of our Easter dinner. Sad, I know.

(My carrot-esque utensil/napkin bundles for Easter dinner. That didn't even get used...)

Now, I did take my camera with me and I had planned to get some great food buffet photos. But as I walked into my parents' house for Easter dinner, low and behold my family had started eating without us. According to my watch, and my husband's watch, we were not late. But they just "couldn't wait." Because heaven forbid they wait a few extra minutes for the rest of the family to arrive, on a holiday no less, with two of the side dishes, the utensils, and dessert. I was very upset about the whole situation. So my beautiful carrot cake, deviled eggs, jello salad, and the rest of the Easter buffet went un-photographed. I guess holidays with the family can't always be picture perfect.

So instead you get my win/lose food review for two new recipes I tried this past week. Because I think it is important to share the disasters as well as the triumphs.

Round #1 - 2 ingredient Lemon Bars = LOSS

I was intrigued by this idea of a 2 ingredient lemon bar recipe that was recommended HERE. It is always nice to have a few easy, delicious recipes you can fall back on when you are in a pinch. I was not at all pleased with the end result! The bars ended up having a really rubbery consistency, kind of like chewing on a sponge, and I couldn't imagine serving them to anyone. In fact, I threw the whole thing away after sampling them.

Round #2 - Chocolate Drizzled Strawberries and Cream Pie = WIN!

This recipe from my favorite food website, Our Best Bites, was a complete WIN. I absolutely loved it! It was wonderful. I found myself sneaking the last piece for a late night snack - and I don't usually eat late at night! Better yet, it required no oven usage which is great for those hot summer days when you don't feel like heating up your kitchen. You can find the recipe for this delightful dessert HERE.

The moral of this story: You win some, you lose some. And that's ok. How can you grow your collection of well loved recipes if you never take a risk and try something new?