Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken

After browsing through multiple chicken recipes online, I created this dish based on the ingredients I liked best from each one. I didn't think to take a picture of the dish straight out of the oven because I had no idea it would be such a resounding success! My kids regularly request this dinner and the leftovers (pictured) are just as delicious.

Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• splash white wine (optional)
• 2-3 Tbsp minced garlic

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Line chicken tenders in single layer in dish (do not overlap). Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. In small bowl, stir together melted butter, lemon juice, wine, and garlic. Drizzle evenly over chicken.
4. Cover dish with foil. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Serve hot! Sauce tastes delicious when drizzled on rice, mashed potatoes, and/or steamed vegetables. Enjoy!

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Fudge is a Christmas tradition in our house. I've been making my cookies & cream fudge for over a decade now, so it's the gold standard that all other fudge recipes get compared with. And let me tell you, my kids said they have found a new favorite in this creamy peanut butter fudge! It's smooth, rich, and full of flavor. I will definitely be adding this recipe to our annual holiday baking list!

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
• 2/3 cup (5 oz can) evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (I use Jif)
• 7 oz jar marshmallow creme
• 10 oz pkg peanut butter chips

Directions

1. Line shallow 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper (leave extra hanging over two longer edges for easier removal after cooling); set aside.
2. Combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Bring to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and peanut butter chips; mix until smooth.
4. Pour fudge into lined pan.
5. Cool at room temperature until pan is no longer warm (about 2-3 hours). Then move pan to refrigerator to chill (about 1-2 hours).
6. Lift fudge from baking pan using parchment "handles" and discard parchment. Cut into small pieces. Store in refrigerator in airtight container.

Recipe adapted from Art and the Kitchen.

White Chip Chocolate Cookies {Bars}

Like many families, I try to maximize every dollar in my grocery budget. To minimize the financial impact of my need to be dairy free on top of gluten free, I have started making small batches of DF/GF desserts just for me while continuing to make regular GF baked goods for my family. An easy way to do this has been to cut cookie recipes in half and bake them as bars. I have included both versions below!

White Chip Chocolate Cookie Bars
Yield: 8x8 pan

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Fold in white chocolate chips.
4. Dump dough into prepared pan and flatten into even layer.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until center is set.
6. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

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Dairy Free Option

• Country Crock has a new line of plant based butters that are both dairy free and gluten free. I used the avocado sticks in this recipe, and they work just like real butter!
• Nestle Tollhouse has a line of "Simply Delicious" baking morsels that are free from the 8 major food allergens. It's the first company I've seen that offers dairy free white morsels in-store!
• Both of these products were purchased from Walmart, so you don't have to visit any specialty shops to make this recipe; you can simply pick up these ingredients during your regular shopping trip!

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White Chip Chocolate Cookies
Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Fold in white chocolate chips.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoon on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (This allows for easier removal from pan after cooling. You can reuse the same parchment between batches to cut down on waste!)
5. Bake 9-11 minutes, or until centers are set. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before removing to wire rack.
6. Cool completely before storing.

Recipe adapted from Very Best Baking.

German Chocolate Cake

My grandma used to bake the best German chocolate cake ever! Given our dietary restrictions, I adjusted her recipe to make it gluten free. I think she would be proud. :) I will be celebrating her, along with my birthday (it's tomorrow), this year!

German Chocolate Cake
Yield: 3-layer cake

Ingredients
Cake:

• 2 cups plus 3 Tbsp Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 oz German chocolate
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk*
• 4 egg whites, room temperature

Frosting:

• 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 8 egg yolks, room temperature
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 14 oz bag sweetened shredded coconut
• 3 cups finely chopped pecans

*Buttermilk substitute: 1 Tbsp lemon juice plus enough (almond) milk to measure 1 cup, stir & let stand 5 minutes.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease bottoms and sides of three round cake pans with Crisco. Line bottoms with wax paper rounds and lightly flour sides.
3. Sift together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
4. Melt chocolate in boiling water; let cool.
5. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until smooth.
6. In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment and fresh bowl, beat egg whites on high speed until stiff, about 3 minutes. Fold lightly into cake batter.
7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn cakes out of pans onto cooling rack and discard wax paper. Cool completely before frosting.
9. While cakes are cooling, prepare frosting. Stir together evaporated milk, sugar, butter, yolks, and vanilla in large saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook on medium heat about 30 minutes, or until thick and golden brown. Remove from heat.
10. Stir in coconut and pecans. Cool to spreading consistency in refrigerator, uncovered, for about an hour.
11. To assemble cake, place dollop of frosting in center of cake platter and place one cake layer on top, spread with 1 cup frosting, top with second cake layer, spread with 1 cup frosting, and end with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
12. Store covered in refrigerator. Cake ages well!

Note: Cake is best prepared one day in advance to allow frosting to set.

Chocolate Oreo Cake

My daughter requested a "Cookies & Cream" cake to celebrate her 6th birthday, and this recipe did not disappoint: three layers of moist chocolate cake covered in sweet buttercream frosting filled with (literally) an entire package of crumbled up gluten free "Oreo" cookies!

Chocolate Oreo Cake
Yield: 3-layer cake

Ingredients
Cake:

• 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 2 tsp vanilla

Frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 8-9 cups powdered sugar
• 10.5 oz package gluten free "Oreo" cookies (crumbled, about 3 cups)
• 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
• 4-6 Tbsp almond milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Lightly grease three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray again.
2. Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt to large mixing bowl; whisk together. Add eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, coffee, and vanilla to dry ingredients; mix well.
3. Divide batter evenly between prepared cakes pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few crumbs.
4. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn cakes out of pans onto cooling rack and discard parchment. Cool completely.
5. Once cakes are cooled, prepare frosting.
6. In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat together butter and shortening until smooth. Slowly add 4 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Add vanilla and cookie crumbs; mix until smooth. Add another 4-5 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add almond milk 1 Tbsp at a time until spreadable consistency is reached.
7. To assemble cake, place dollop of frosting in center of cake platter and place one cake layer on top, spread with 1 cup frosting, top with second cake layer, spread with 1 cup frosting, and end with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.

Note: Cake is best prepared one day in advance to allow cookie crumbs to soften.

Recipe adapted from Life, Love and Sugar.

Peanut Butter Fluff Blondies

If you've visited my blog before, you may have come across my Reese’s Fluffernutter Bars. Well this, my friends, is an even better version of my previous recipe! These sweet and chewy blondies are loaded with peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a marshmallow swirl that will leave you totally addicted. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Peanut Butter Fluff Blondies
Yield: 7x11 pan (see "Notes" below)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup Reese's peanut butter chips
• 1 cup marshmallow fluff

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between each addition, then add vanilla and combine. Scrape down sides of mixing bowl as needed.
4. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients in two parts, mixing after each addition.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
6. Spread 2/3 of batter in prepared pan.
7. Spread marshmallow fluff on top of batter layer in pan.
8. Spread remaining batter over fluff.
9. Bake 27-30 minutes, or until center is set and doesn't wiggle when pan is moved a bit. Remove pan from oven to wire rack and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

• If you like your blondies thinner, use a 9x13 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
• If you like your blondies thicker, use a 9x9 or 10x10 pan (8x8 pans are a bit too small for this recipe) and bake for 35-45 minutes.
• Bake times can also vary based on pan type, not just pan size, so start at the low end of the range and keep an eye on them.
• Make sure to spray your pan with nonstick cooking spray even if you're using a nonstick pan. Fluff is super sticky!

Recipe adapted from Sugar & Soul.

Maple Snickerdoodle Cookies

After the holidays are over, I love finding seasonal merchandise marked down to basement-level clearance prices. I found these Nestle Toll House Maple Morsels for only $1 per bag! The seasonal aroma of maple and cinnamon emanating from the warm oven made our home feel so cozy and comforting while the soft, fluffy texture delivered just what you'd expect from a traditional snickerdoodle cookie. These limited edition morsels will definitely be on my radar to buy again next fall/winter!

Maple Snickerdoodle Cookies
Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients
Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 2/3 cups (10 oz pkg) Nestle Toll House Maple Morsels

For Rolling:

• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In small bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels.
6. In small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp sugar and cinnamon.
7. Roll dough into 1 1/4" balls (I used small cookie dough scoop) and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake 11-12 minutes, or just until centers are set. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

(Recipe found on back of package. Pecans were omitted here.)

Jodie's Toffee

When I was growing up, my mom was a first grade aid one school year and this recipe was given to her by a fellow teacher. (Of course, the original ingredient list included saltine crackers, so I had to do my research to find an equivalent gluten free replacement!) It is my absolute favorite Christmas treat and makes the best homemade gift... everyone raves about it!

Jodie's Toffee
Yield: depends on how large/small you make the pieces!

Ingredients

• 2 (4.1 oz) packages Schar Gluten Free Snacker Thins or 1 (7.4 oz) package Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers
• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 3 cups milk chocolate chips (or 12 full size Hershey's milk chocolate candy bars)
• 1 cup ground/chopped almonds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 12x17" rimmed cookie sheet with nonstick spray. Line with foil and spray again.
2. Place crackers side by side on prepared pan. (Break into smaller pieces, if necessary, to cover all the way to the edges.)
3. On stovetop over medium heat, boil butter and sugar for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over crackers. Bake for 5 minutes.
4. Remove pan from oven, sprinkle chocolate (or line up bars) over top. Return to oven for 30-60 seconds to melt chocolate. Remove from oven and spread chocolate with offset spatula. Quickly sprinkle with almonds and pat down to set.
5. Once pan is cool to touch, place in refrigerator to chill overnight. Break into desired-sized pieces. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

With fall comes all things pumpkin! So get working on this recipe to bring the aroma of autumn to your kitchen. Your taste buds will thank me later!

Pumpkin Crumb Cake
Yield: 8x8 pan

Ingredients
Crumbs:
 1/2 cup brown sugar
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1 Tbsp cinnamon
 1/4 tsp salt
 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Cake:
 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 3/4 tsp baking soda
 3/4 tsp baking powder
 3 tsp cinnamon
 1/4 tsp salt
 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
 1 egg, room temperature
 1 cup pumpkin puree (can substitute butternut/buttercup squash)
 2 Tbsp almond milk

Glaze (optional, not shown in photo above):
 1 cup powdered sugar
 3 tsp almond milk
 pinch of salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Make Crumbs: Mix dry ingredients together, then add butter; stir until combined and set aside.
3. Make Cake: Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl and set aside. In stand mixer, cream together sugars and butter. Add egg and mix until well blended. Add pumpkin and mix, making sure to scrape sides of bowl to ensure all ingredients are combined equally. Add dry ingredients and then almond milk; stir until combined.
4. Spread cake batter into pan and top with crumbs. Press down gently.
5. Cook 35-45 minutes. Cake is done when top bounces back.
6. While the cake is cooling, mix glaze ingredients together, if using. Drizzle cake with glaze when ready to serve.

Recipe adapted from Sweet Caffeine.

Snickerdoodle Apple Bread

Now that it's officially fall, that means two things: apple picking and football!

It has become an annual tradition in our family to take a trip to Country Apple Orchard for a tractor ride out to pick apples. We eat to our heart's content and bring a giant bagful home to pack in school lunches and for baking. The best pairing with apple is cinnamon, of course, so this bread combines the best of both worlds!

And let's not forget to cheer on our favorite NFL team now that the football season is officially underway... Skol Vikings!

Snickerdoodle Apple Bread
Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients
Bread:
 1/2 tsp salt
 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
 1 cup light brown sugar
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
 2 eggs, room temperature
 1 Tbsp vanilla
 1/4 cup milk (I use almond milk)
 1 Granny Smith Apple, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
   *can substitute any tart, firm baking apple
   *toss chopped apple with a little lemon juice to prevent browning

Topping:
 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 335°F. (I have a convection oven. If using a standard oven, increase temperature to 350°F.)
2. Grease loaf pan with Crisco. Line pan with parchment paper (for easy removal) and spray with nonstick cooking spray (see photo below). Set aside.
3. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Set aside.
4. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter, both sugars, and cinnamon for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping sides as necessary. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth, again scraping sides as necessary.
5. Turn mixer to low and add in flour mixture and milk in alternating additions, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in apples and stir until just combined.
7. Mix together sugar and cinnamon for topping.
8. Pour 2/3 batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with 1/2 of topping. Layer with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining topping.
9. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until bread is set and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
10. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift from pan, remove parchment, and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature.
12. Store at room temperature for a few days or in refrigerator for longer.

Recipe adapted from Cookies & Cups.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

My good friend gave birth to a baby boy in June, so I am headed over to her house tomorrow morning to meet her little bundle of joy! I've learned through the years that the best gift you can bring to a new mom, whether it's her first or fourth baby, is freshly baked, homemade treats. I selected this tried and true recipe from my collection because it pairs nicely with a warm, soothing cup of tea or coffee, the perfect pick-me-up for any mom!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Yield: 2 loaves (or 1 bundt cake)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 cups sugar
• 6 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 2 loaf pans with Crisco, line with parchment (fold extra over sides as shown in photo above), then grease with nonstick cooking spray. (If using bundt pan, grease with Crisco, then dust all sides with flour.) Set pan(s) aside.
2. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Add flour and baking powder; mix well. Pour into prepared pan(s).
3. Bake 70-80 minutes for loaf pans (80-90 minutes for bundt pan), or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4. Cool in pan(s) 10 minutes. Gently lift loaves from pans using parchment folded over sides, remove & discard parchment, and place loaves on wire rack to cool completely. (For bundt pan, firmly tap pan on counter before inverting onto wire rack to cool completely.)
5. Store at room temperature. Cake ages and freezes well!

Magic Cookie Bars

This classic dessert is transformed into a gluten free version of the original recipe by replacing the graham cracker crust with an almond flour base.

Magic Cookie Bars
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients
1 stick of butter, melted
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup pecan chips
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Stir together butter, almond flour, and both sugars until thoroughly combined. Press crust mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust in pan, followed by butterscotch chips, coconut, and pecans.
4. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over top.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
6. Cool completely in pan on wire rack before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

Cheesecake Snickerdoodle Blondies

This recipe is dessert perfection: the soft, chewy, cinnamon-sugariness of a snickerdoodle cookie combined with the rich, creamy, sweetness of a slice of cheesecake... all in one delicious treat!

Cheesecake Snickerdoodle Blondies
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients
Cheesecake Layer:
 2 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese, softened
 1/2 cup granulated sugar
 2 eggs, room temperature
 1 tsp vanilla extract

Snickerdoodle Layer:
 2 1/4 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
 1/2 tsp baking soda
 1 tsp salt
 3/4 cup butter, softened
 1 cup granulated sugar
 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
 2 eggs, room temperature
 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar:
 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Prepare Cheesecake Layer: In stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat together cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until combined. Set aside.
3. Prepare Snickerdoodle Layer: In medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until combined. Add in flour mixture; stir just until combined.
4. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
5. Assemble Bars: Spread 2/3 of Snickerdoodle dough into prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of Cinnamon Sugar mixture. Pour Cheesecake mixture over the top and smooth with a spatula. Add remaining Snickerdoodle dough to the cheesecake layer by breaking it up into small pieces and placing on top of the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until center is just slightly jiggly and edges are set.
7. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Once at room temperature, cover and store in refrigerator overnight before serving.
8. Slice into bars and enjoy!

Note: This recipe needs to be made one day in advance!

Recipe adapted from Your Homebased Mom.

Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cake

Growing up, all five members of my family had birthdays in November (crazy, right?!). So it was totally fitting when my son was born just a couple days before my husband's birthday! Since we have two celebrations so close together, it's nice that this cookie cake (and the one I made for son) is on the smaller side to recognize the birthday boy with his own special treat without going overboard and eating cake for days on end. (I can't believe I just said that...)

Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cake
Yield: 9" springform pan

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 2/3 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies, not nonpareils)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9" springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until completely combined.
3. Pour in flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cornstarch; stir just until incorporated (don't overmix!).
4. Once combined, gently fold in white chocolate chips and sprinkles.
5. Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake 18-24 minutes, or until very lightly browned on top. You want the cookie cake to be extra soft in the center, so be careful not to overbake.
6. Allow cookie cake to cool completely in pan on wire rack before removing sides of pan. (The center will slightly sink - that's normal!) Frost and decorate, if desired, then cut into slices and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

This recipe has become somewhat of a tradition at our house because my son is not a big fan of classic birthday cake (blasphemy, I know!). If it weren't for our uncanny resemblance to each other, I might question whether or not, in fact, he is actually related to me because cake is my favorite food! But he is the birthday boy this weekend, and I am happy to make whichever sweet treat is requested. :)

For decoration, I like to make my buttercream frosting (cut the recipe in half and make it on the stiff side) and pipe it around the edges with a star tip. Then top the cake with additional mini M&M's or sprinkles to make it even more colorful! I haven't frosted the cake above quite yet (my son's birthday is on Sunday), but here is the cake I made for him two years ago:

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Yield: 9" springform pan

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs, room temperature
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup + 2 Tbsp M&M’S Minis milk chocolate baking bits, divided

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9" springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; stir until completely combined.
3. Pour in flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt; stir just until incorporated (don't overmix!).
4. Fold in 1 cup mini baking bits by hand until evenly distributed.
5. Press dough into prepared pan until even and level. Sprinkle reserved 2 Tbsp mini baking bits on top of cookie cake and press down lightly with hand. Bake 16-20 minutes, or until top/center just starts to golden slightly. Cookie cake may look underdone in middle, but it will set up as it cools and stay extra soft.
6. Allow cookie cake to cool completely in pan on wire rack before removing sides of pan. Frost and decorate, if desired, then enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Sprinkle Some Sugar.

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

I don't know about you, but my stand mixer is the most-used appliance in our kitchen! This was the very first birthday present that I ever received from my husband. Boy did he set the bar very high for himself! But here it is, 12 years later and still rocking the recipes right along with me. And of course it's pink, because that's my favorite color. :)

I made this fancy dessert today because our family is having an early Easter gathering this weekend, and a rich decadent cheesecake just begs to be shared with a crowd! The last time I made a new recipe for a get-together, I forgot to take a picture of the final product before it was devoured. (Remember this post? The truffle theme was a total coincidence, I promise!) So here are a few snapshots of the cheesecake as I made it this morning.

Crust pressed into the springform pan:

Filled crust before going in the oven:

Cheesecake immediately after baking:

Cheesecake after cooling for 3 hours at room temperature:

Hopefully there will be a slice leftover so I can add a photo to this post showing you a cross-section of the crust and filling. Otherwise, if I don't update this post, then I suppose the recipe was a rousing success! ;)

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake
Yield: 9” springform pan

Ingredients
Crust:
 1 1/2 cups almond flour
 1/2 cup powdered sugar
 1/3 cup baking cocoa
 1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling:
 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
 2 tsp vanilla
 4 eggs
 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

Garnish:
 Whipped cream or cool whip
 Mini semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Combine all crust ingredients. Press onto bottom and 2” up sides of 9” springform pan. Chill in refrigerator.
3. For filling, beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla in large bowl, at medium speed, until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted chocolate chips until evenly incorporated. Pour into crust.
4. Bake for 65 minutes, until center is almost set (will still jiggle slightly). Cool on wire rack for 3 hours at room temperature. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Just before serving, remove sides of pan. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate chips, if desired.

Note: This recipe needs to be made one day in advance!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

This caramel buttercream is a delicious blend of salty and sweet! With only three ingredients, the prep time is super short and the frosting comes together in a matter of minutes. It is the perfect topping for cupcakes and can be scaled up for decorating layer cakes or special celebration cakes, too!

Caramel Buttercream Frosting
Yield: about 2 cups

Ingredients
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp caramel sauce

Directions
1. Cut butter into cubes and beat with electric mixer on low speed until soft.
2. Beat in powdered sugar in small batches.
3. Once butter and sugar are fully incorporated, beat in caramel sauce until smooth.

Notes
• Use thick caramel sauce that comes in a jar (not thin syrup in a squeeze bottle).
• Recipe makes plenty of frosting for a dozen cupcakes (with some leftover).

Recipe adapted from Charlotte's Lively Kitchen.

Caramel Brownies

This recipe originally called for a box of chocolate cake mix. I tried using a gluten free version of boxed cake mix and the result was a disaster! Rarely do I have to throw food away and start over, but that time I did. Since I had already melted the caramels in the microwave, I quickly scoured the internet looking for the perfect made-from-scratch cake mix substitute. I tweaked a few of the ingredients and these brownies turned out to be the best I had ever made!

Caramel Brownies
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients
Brownie layer (top & bottom):
 3/4 cup butter, melted
 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 1 1/2 cups sugar
 1/2 cup cocoa powder
 1 Tbsp baking powder
 1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup evaporated milk

Caramel layer:
 11-oz package caramel bits plus 1/2 cup from another 11-oz package
 1/3 cup evaporated milk
 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Make brownie layer: Stir together butter, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and evaporated milk. Press half of batter into greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. Make caramel layer: Melt caramels and remaining evaporated milk until smooth.
4. After 10 minutes, remove pan from oven. Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips over brownie layer and pour melted caramel over chocolate chips. Layer remainder of batter over caramel. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chocolate chips.
5. Return pan to oven and bake an additional 20-25 minutes.
6. Cool completely before cutting into bars.