In the middle of winter, it’s easy to get a bit stir-crazy from the bad weather outside. Instead of pacing a track in your hallway, use that time to get creative in the kitchen and try a few new recipes! A homemade treat is a sure-fire way to beat the winter blues – and a freshly made dessert is just the thing to tempt family and friends to come over for a visit.
- The traditional way to make s’mores is over a campfire, but as a huge s’mores fan who doesn’t always have access to a woodsy campfire, I enjoy recipes that let me get my fix without going outdoors. In Let’s Eat Cake‘s S’mores Cookie Cups, you will find all the flavors of a s’more in a neat little package. The cups are made with a graham cracker cookie base that is filled with rich chocolate ganache and topped with marshmallow frosting.
- Madeleines are a dessert that is a cross between cake and a cookie and their delicate texture has inspired many hungry writers over the years. You may not have given it much thought before, but you can actually fill a madeleine to make them even more delicious. Over at The Taste SF, a batch of Meyer Lemon Curd-Filled Madeleines are waiting for you. The delicate cookies have just a touch of velvety, zesty Meyer lemon curd in the center, adding a pop of unexpected flavor when you take a bite.
- IF you have frozen berries in your freezer, you don’t need to wait until spring or summer to enjoy berry desserts. The Cherry Blueberry Galette from Shiny Happy Bright is an easy dessert that is rich with berry flavor – and it can be made entirely from frozen berries, which allows you to make it any time of the year. Galettes are free form tarts that are easy to shape right on a sheet pan, making them a good choice for beginning tart bakers and bakers who simply appreciate a streamlined dessert. Serve this one with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side!
- Recipe Throwback: Chocolate chip cookies are always welcome in my cookie jar. There are times when I make them without any mix-ins besides chocolate chips, and times when I want something a little different. These Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts and Apricots are an easy variation on a classic recipe that brings in some unexpected flavors. Buttery walnuts add crunch and honeyed apricots add a fruity, chewy texture to the cookies. Yum!