This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Sharon O.! Sharon, I hope you enjoy all that wonderful coffee!

This month’s recipe is all about Fair Trade Island Coconut coffee. I created a cookie that I think highlights all the best coconut has to offer while still being just a darn awesome cookie.

As with each recipe I create for GMC, we want you to have the opportunity to taste the featured coffee and find out how awesome it is for yourself.
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Read the rest of Giveaway: Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade Island Coconut (296 words)

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Post tags: baking, chocolate, coconut, cookies, Desserts, giveaways, Green Mountain Coffee, sponsored posts

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It’s my favorite day again: Fritos Friday! I swear, I will eventually move away from pushing Fritos into candy and dessert applications, but right now, I’m really having fun with it.

Fritos Chocolate Crunchies are no exception. The idea comes directly from Kaleta Doolin’s book, Fritos Pie, but I have no idea if this recipe is even remotely similar to hers, as somehow my copy of the book has disappeared in our unpacking-from-Texas process.

I’m sure it will turn up again, but in the meantime, I decided to wing it. Hello delicious! The only thing I might do differently is to use all milk chocolate in future, as I think the dark chocolate can overpower the Fritos slightly, and you really want them to shine here.

Make Fritos Chocolate Crunchies using the small Oxo cookie scoop and you’ll have perfectly poppable nibbles. They’ll be great on a game day table, your Easter table, or as a Birthday Party treat. They’d also be fabulous as the garnish on top of a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting.
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Read the rest of Fritos Friday: Fritos Chocolate Crunchies (504 words)

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Post tags: candy, chocolate, Desserts, Fritos, Fritos Friday

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A while back, I happened upon an NPR sponsored radio show, Hidden Kitchens: Texas, narrated by Willie Nelson.

Listening to talk radio is not normally my thing, but I was intrigued by the description: “the Texas experience through food and the stories of people who find it, grow it, cook it, sell it, celebrate with it, and write about it”.

As I listened, flashes of old ice houses around San Antonio, taco restaurants that are still open today, it was all brought to life by Willie’s voice.

One part of the show that totally captivated me was the interview with Kaleta Doolin, the daughter of C. E. Doolin, the founder of the Frito (and later, FritoLay) Company.

She spoke of her mother and grandmother creating recipes using fritos, of her dad thinking fritos were a perfect food, and of him bringing home fresh bags, straight from the fryer (but before they’d had salt added – he was actually vegetarian, and quite health conscious).

You may not realize that Fritos are a San Antonio creation. While C. E. didn’t invent fritos (originally fritas – spanish for “little fried things”), he did recognize their genius, and purchased the patent and materials from the original maker for $100.

One recipe Kaleta mentioned during the broadcast is quite simple, but also quite ingenious – Frito Jets. Fritos dipped in milk chocolate and then cooled.
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Read the rest of Fritos Friday: Frito Jets (318 words)

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Post tags: chocolate, Fritos, Fritos Friday, party food

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Today’s guest post comes to you not from a fellow food blogger, but from a dear friend. Jenny and I have known each other since high school, through her husband Nate. Nate and I were best friends throughout high school, and our sisters played volley ball together, so we occasionally ended up staring off into space together at parent-enforced game attendance. Jenny wears many hats in her household – wife, mom, student – Super Woman, really. She took the time to write up one of her favorite recipes for me and you. Thank you, Jenny, for being so awesome!

My Aunt Delia is everything to me, she took me into her home when I was seven years old and raised me as her own. For that I will be forever grateful. However that is another story all together. This is about our never ending search for the perfect macaroon.
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Read the rest of Guest Post: Coconut Almond Macaroons (627 words)

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Post tags: baking, chocolate, coconut, cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free

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I’m super stoked today to have Jamie from My Baking Addiction guest posting for y’all. To quote something Jamie says often, I love her more than cheesecake. She’s my sounding board, one of my best friends, and often referred to by my Brit as “the other woman” – simply because she’s the only person that rivals him in text message count in my phone. Jamie, thanks for guest posting today. You’re a lifesaver.
 

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Post tags: baking, chocolate, cookies, Desserts, King Arthur Flour, peanut butter

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I’ve been in Texas since December 24th, and in terms of weather, it’s been absolutely blissful. Not even the teensiest threat of snow, I tell you! But of course, in true Murphy’s Law fashion, the northeast has had hardly a winter at all, with only one real sticking snowfall so far.

But you know, no amount of great weather can make up for the distance between The Brit and me. He’s been flying back and forth whenever he can, but we haven’t been apart this long since our dating days when we saw each other a week at a time every 3 months!

I’m in Texas because of a surgery that required extensive recovery. James and I have no family up in New Jersey, so it seemed the safest course to choose a surgeon and a hospital near my family to help with my recovery. Especially since my sister is a nurse – and let me tell you, she has been a Godsend. I am SO grateful she is my sister.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think this was the right choice, but it doesn’t help the misery of missing my Brit, and my cats, and my house.

This will be the first Valentine’s Day we’ve spent apart in a very long time. I don’t know about y’all, but I think he would murderise me if I sent a bouquet of flowers or somethin’ to his office. Guys seem to be a little sensitive about mushy stuff like that. So instead, I baked.
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Read the rest of Ghirardelli Stuffed Brownies (781 words)

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Post tags: baking, brownies, chocolate, dessert, Ghirardelli

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If you’re Texan, you know Shiner. Shiner, Texas, that is. Famous for one thing: Shiner Bock beer. Spoetzl Brewery, where Shiner Bock is brewed, has been in business since 1909, and is the oldest independent brewery in Texas.

Shiner Bock is Spoetzl’s flagship beer. Brewed since 1913, this dark and dangerous brew was originally considered a lent beer. Only about 30 years ago did Spoetzl start making Shiner Bock year round.

Now, we’ve discussed before that I’m not a beer drinker. But I sure can use it in a baked good. It makes me a very proud Texan to say just how amazingly diet-crash-worthy these cupcakes are.
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Read the rest of Shiner Bock Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (646 words)

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Post tags: baking, beer, Booze, chocolate, cupcakes, Desserts, Shiner Bock

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I may be in the minority here, but I love hot chocolate any time of year. There’s just something so alluring about that drinkable chocolate goodness.. I can’t help myself!

I think maybe my Keurig may have something to do with this. Ever since we first got our Keurig, I’ve been a huge fan of the Cafe Escapes line.
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Read the rest of Giveaway: Cafe Escapes and BirchBox (680 words)

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Post tags: Cafe Escapes, chocolate, Keurig, Keurig K-Cup Ambassador, sponsored posts

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If you’ve never heard of Chuao Chocolatier, you’re in for a treat. I had a chance to sample some of their chocolates last year, quite randomly, around Easter.

At the time, their hazelnut praline Easter Bunny with popping candy was flat out the best piece of chocolate I’d ever eaten. It was like fireworks of hazelnut and chocolate goodness going off in my mouth.

Chuao Chocolatier contacted me last week regarding their Valentine’s Day plans, and I just knew I had to share them with all of you.
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Read the rest of Chuao Chocolatiers Contest (307 words)

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Post tags: chocolate, Chuao Chocolate, contest, reviews

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This is it, y’all. Crunch time. Normally I count myself in the few that has Christmas shopping done by October. This year? Not so much.

In fact, I’ll fully admit that not four hours ago, I purchased the last of the gifts we’ll give this Christmas, and I really hope it reaches my brother-in-law in time. But, since we sent him a bottle of booze, I’m pretty sure he’ll appreciate it, even if it arrives late.

I may have just spoiled the surprise, but something tells me my 21-year-old car-obsessed baby bro-in-law doesn’t read this blog too often.

So today and Friday, I’m going to give you guys some quick and easy recipes that you can make an hour or two before the guests arrive, and still look like a superstar cooking diva that’s kicking backside and taking names.
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Read the rest of Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes (477 words)

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Post tags: baking, chocolate, Christmas, cupcakes, Desserts, King Arthur Flour, peppermint

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