L.O.V.E.

Ahhh yes Valentine's Day.  The day when you shower your loved one with goodies.  Some say it's a "Hallmark" holiday, I say it's another reason to bake (as if I really needed one).  It's also a day to get flowers delivered to your work so that you can make your co-workers jealous.  haha what? did I say that? :)

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and while millions of men run out last minute to buy their sweetheart something special, I'll be in the kitchen baking up some yummy treats. There are endless goodies one can make and I know these days most people are looking for the most economical (aka cheapest) and easiest treats to whip up. In fact, ATTENTION MEN! You can bake this stuff too!! AND homemade is MUCH more romantic than picking up a cake at the good ol' grocery store (plus their frosting/icing is usually g.r.o.s.s.). Wow her with your baking skills! or if you have kiddos, you guys can make these together.

Check out these fun/easy (and of course yummy) ideas for treats!

ahhh yes the simple red velvet cupcake. This is the most popular cake requested on Valentine's day (duh, it's red!). Slap some cream cheese frosting on this puppy, sprinkle some red sugar and done! Make anyone's heart (and mouth) melt.

Cookies! Anyone can make these, from the little kiddos to the big guys.  The funnest part? Decorating them of course. The possibilties are endless!! Serve them on a pretty platter or wrap them up with a nice ribbon.  Everyone loves cooooookies!

These are similar to the whoopie pies I just made. VERY easy to make. Buy a kit, follow directions and BAM, red whoopie pies (they are deelish!)

These are America's favorite treat (ok maybe I made that up but it sounds true right? Just go with it). People have been making Rice Krispie Treats for decades and this is a good one if you want the little boogars to participate. They are sticky and fun...and what kid doesn't like a sticky mess.

and last, if you have zero baking skills but have the ability to buy a cute little jar like this one (find one at your local Michael's, WalMart, JoAnn's) buy some brownie bites (although they are seriously easy to make but buy if you must) fill them up in a jar and wrap some decorative ribbon around it for a homemade (almost) treat like this!

Ok don't say I didn't try to help out.  These are fab ideas that would make anyone's day, wife, mom, sister, grandma, aunt, girlfriend, co-worker, secret admirer, stalker (well it may piss your stalker off but you get my point).

Hurry up you've got 5 days left!

Christmas ParTAY!

Sweet tooF and I had an early Christmas Party (in fact it was an ugly sweater christmas party haha) and it was a blast!

We had yummy food and for dessert, I made Red Velvet Cuppies with Cream Cheese frosting. Check out the toppers I made too! So cute :)  I called them "Red Stocking Cupcakes"

I also made strawberry jello shots! Tis the season to be merry, VERY merry haha!

Gobble! Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you had a fabulous turkey day and you stuffed your bellies to no end (I know I did). What am I thankful for? Stretchy pants!!  This year my brother hosted Thanksgiving so yay! no cooking for me! (but boooo no turkey samiches leftover style). 

Tons of food was cooked, it was all so yummy!! Of course I baked some goodies and brought them along to the par-tay.

I made Pumpkin Spice cupcakes with a NEW Cream Cheese frosting recipe (it turned out GREAT)
and also made Pumpkin Mini Loafs.  Check it out!

Sister in law made homemade pumpkin pie! What's Turkey day without it :)

Hooray for New Tools!

So I've mentioned before that I absolutely LOVE LOVE the store Sur La Table. Sweet tooF purchased some AWESOME pans for me and they are FABULOUS! Now I want one in every size, shape, you name it. If they sell it, I want it. In the words of that spoiled brat Veruca Salt from one of the BEST. MOVIES. EVER. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original, not the lame Johnny Depp one)  "I want it now!"
On my recent visit, I spotted this bad boy:

Awesome you say? Why yes, it is. It's an 8 count Mini Loaf Pan, perrrrfect for the holidays. This will make the cutest little pumpkin bread loafs. Perfect gift for a  friend, co-worker (the actual loaf of bread, not the pan, however, the pan kicks ass so it really would be a great gift too).  Every year we make pumpkin bread in a regular loaf pan and it takes forever to eat, it's like an never ending loaf, but with these, they're mini (and everything mini is cute right?) so we can freeze a few while eating the others!

I'm heading over today to pick this little guy up AND I just heard they are having a Friends and Family Event 20% off that ends TODAY.  I'm so there. ( oh and sweet tooF, I promise not to max out the credit card hehee...)