i'd rather be baking

Our busy summer gave way to a busier-still fall. The rain has started and I know we have many months of fading daylight ahead…which means I’m basically stockpiling all things cinnamon and cable-knit at this point. I can’t be trusted around all of the seasonal stuff at Target and Trader Joe’s. It’s getting a little iffy.

All summer long I meant to make a fruit crisp healthy enough to eat for breakfast. I’m a little late, but I have finally done it. This feels like a magic trick. I’m eating dessert for breakfast every dang day.

Read more »

I’ve been wistfully eyeing this cookie since 101 Cookbooks first wrote about it woefully long ago. The only thing stopping me from making it was the fact that I didn’t have a cast iron (or any sort of oven-safe) skillet. I know; I’m from the South, this isn’t normal. Don’t get me started.

And then Megan posted it. With toasted coconut on top. And I immediately decided it was time, and I bought the dang skillet. And boy, am I glad I did.

Read more »

I don’t know about you, but for having the world’s biggest sweet tooth I’m already about sugared out, and it’s not even Christmas yet. I got pretty excited to make this snack mix and you’d better believe that none of it is being shared with Ryan’s officemates.

I know this might seem a bit basic, but who doesn’t love chex mix? The great thing is that you can use whatever you’d like in it. And it travels well (which I’m looking forward to, come Friday).

Read more »

Traditionally speaking, I am not a big cake baker. I’ll chalk it up to my lack of patience, although working in a cupcake bakery is slowly but surely changing that. Nonetheless, the whole process of evening layers and smoothing frosting really gets on my nerves, so I try to avoid it. That’s why I like cakes like this, that need no frosting and really need no actual cake pans.

I was looking for inspiration the other night and found it, not surprisingly, in this cake. It’s almost ridiculously simple, requires only one bowl, and doesn’t have any annoying frosting issues. I love this cake.

Read more »