SMiLes by Meg

Category: Uncategorized

Lavender Honey Shortbread

I don’t know why I one day saw dried culinary lavender in the grocery store and thought “THAT is something I need in my life,” but I did, and here we are, about a year later, finally using it. I move in a month, and can’t really bring all of my food with me, so am trying to make recipes that use up as much of it as possible in an effort not to waste it. When I was in the pantry yesterday, I came across the lavender, and remembered a fun cookie book I had that I could have …

Maple Pecan Cookies

This week was a lesson in I-should-have-listened-to-my-five-years-of-baking-blog-experience-gut. I made the batter. I knew it looked too runny to be cookie dough. I triple checked the recipe. I tried to bake it anyway thinking “maybe it won’t spread.” It did spread. And I ended up with cookie pie rather than cookies, and not even good cookie pie at that. Come with me on this journey. First, melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan, swirling occasionally. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. …

White Chocolate, Toffee, and Pecan Brownies

I’m posting this from Alaska, but not on an Alaskan trip where I anticipated to have time to bake. So instead, I baked on Tuesday, and after already bringing Irish Soda Bread Scones to work on Monday, brought these brownies on Wednesday. I feel like maybe I’m bringing too many baked goods to work – but also Lent, so it’s not like I can eat them. Regardless, people don’t seem to mind. Turns out, offices are a place you can ALWAYS get rid of baked goods. Now, midweek baking means I had to pick something that wouldn’t be too time …

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Baking is amazingly therapeutic. If I’m stressed out, it calms me down. If I’m upset, it cheers me up. If I need some time with friends, it has a way of bringing them together. I can tailor the recipes I choose to the mood I’m in. Day already going pretty well? A short recipe with a quick result makes it even better. Day going pretty rough? I turn to something more involved that I can get lost in.

Mini Key Lime Pies

My only complaint about blog-life is that I feel like I can never repeat recipes. When I’m going to bake something new every week, there doesn’t seem to be time. And when I know that my dad’s favorite thing I’ve made is Lemon Meringue Pie, but I need to make something new, it’s kind of frustrating to have to say no.

Blueberry Rum Pie

If I could have any kitchen appliance added to my collection, it would be a food processor. I talk a big game about wanting the Breville ice cream maker, but in terms of versatility, it’s no match for a Cuisinart food processor. I could make pie dough. And lots of other stuff that I can’t think of right now that always tells me I need a food processor.

Donut Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

I have had my eye on this recipe since I first got my Boozy Baker cookbook. And it’s not like I haven’t had ample opportunity to make it before. I always have whiskey on hand. Donuts are easy to go get. I’m a huge fan of anything that only involves one dish.

Apple Cider Donuts

I think the only good thing that comes out of the Patriots not being in the Super Bowl is that while the game is on, I’ll be able to get work done. Which means I was able to spend a good amount of the afternoon baking. And, more importantly, baking a recipe my roommate sent me probably in October: Apple Cider Donuts.