back to basics ~ breakfast muffins

Often times mornings can feel a bit rushed leaving you with little or no time for Breakfast. These nutritious muffins are a perfect way to start your day.  A grab and go breakfast that can be made ahead of time helping to fuel your day when you are short on time.

shortbread cookies // coconut + macadamias

These cookies, THESE cookies are so freakin' amazing. Before posting I ended up testing this recipe about 5 times and they were spot on 4 out of 5 times.....the first time around, I attempted a gluten free version and that was a total fail, it didn't even make it to the freezer phase of the recipe. Then I moved onto the good ol' all purpose flour and there was not turning back- they were perfect.

pumpkin pie muffins // coconut + brown sugar

This recipe was originally suppose to be something completely different but I procrastinated and cherry season came and went. But, I am pretty happy I dragged my feet- if I didn't I am not sure these muffins would have ever come to be. 

These muffins in my book are perfect- everything a muffin should be. Sweet, but not overly so, big and fluffy with the perfect muffin top.

coconut cranberry bread // coffee glaze

Every year for as long as I can remember my Aunt Nancy makes Cranberry Bread for Thanksgiving, Christmas + Easter, her cranberry bread is the anchor among the cream cheese filled celery sticks and olives that serve as our pre dinner snack  alongside bowls of "crack your own" nuts and cashews. For 20 years I thought her cranberry bread was homemade......people, I was deceived. Our entire family was deceived, our beloved cranberry bread was from a box. I was heartbroken.

When Paradise Meadow brand by Decas Cranberry Products, Inc reached out to see if I would like to bake with their new Julienne cooking + Baking Cranberries  I jumped at the chance. I thought, move over boxed cranberry bread, there's a new bread in town ready to take over the Holidays.

chocolate chip coconut muffins // almond flour + walnuts

It is finally feeling like Summer here in New Hampshire and I'm loving it! Aside from the massive amounts of black flies, mosquitoes and ticks it has been pretty awesome spending as much time outside as we possibly can. Our morning hikes have turned into a hiking and swatting session with creatively made head gear about  half way through the hike with whatever piece of clothing we can bear to lose. I am pretty certain we are going to invest in those crazy screened in hats or learn to outrun the bugs. Hopefully this bug season will be short lived - fingers + toes crossed!

chocolate chip cookies // dates + almond flour

Chocolate chip cookies are the number one dessert request in our house - hands down they are Justin's favorite cookie. He would have no problem eating cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner....come to think of it he sometimes does. Years ago, when we first started dating he bought me a Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer under the one condition that I bake him chocolate chip cookies once a week. I didn't quite live up to that promise, it's more like once a month, sometimes every other week in the Fall + Winter months.

mini moringa cakes // matcha frosted

Who doesn't love cake? I love cake but in moderation- given a choice between cake and ice cream and I'll always choose ice cream, always, always, always. However these mini cakes are the perfect size for when I need to satisfy my sweet tooth in the form of cake. 

What makes these cakes extra special you ask? They are filled with super foods galore - moringa powder, cacao nibs + matcha green tea.

anadama bread

When I was probably around 10 or so there was an amazing bakery located in a building that my Uncle owned, it was about a 10 minute walk or so to the bakery from our House. I remember the Baker/Owner was younger, had a wonky eye and always had on his floured covered white bakers apron when he greeted us. 

The one thing that stands out in this memory was his Anadama Bread- my Mom and I would make special trips to the Bakery just for a loaf of his Anadama. The bread was incredible and to this day nothing compares. My Anadama comes close, but its not the original from my Childhood memories.

cinnamon apple pecan pull apart bread

My inspiration and creativity comes and goes- ebbs + flows. I can pick out patterns throughout my years of blogging and see where my creativity was at its peak during certain months and at other times not. Not only was this Summer incredibly busy I just never felt fully inspired, it was to the point that Justin was wondering if I had given up on blogging all together.

My inspiration and creativity change with each passing season. 

This time of year is one of my favorites, it' just so happens to be the time of year I feel most creative.

maple peanut butter apple tarts

Apple Picking is forever a battle in our house- to simply put it Justin is not a fan of Apple Picking and I totally am, however he was totally into these tarts which is a rarity as he is not big on apples.

Lucky for me, my Girlfriend has a weird boyfriend that doesn't like apple pie or any cooked apples matter of fact, but likes apple picking so she had a ton of apples for the taking. I was totally all over her offer when she told me she had some to spare!

pumpkin cake + maple cream cheese frosting

YAY for all things pumpkin! 

Bring cake into the picture and you have a winner. 

The frosting, well the frosting is a total game changer. Just sweet enough and oh so creamy; if you are not a fan of overly sweet + sugary frosting's this one is for you!

A super simple cake that looks really impressive- no joke, 1 bowl for the cake + 1 bowl for the frosting. 

Making just enough cake to share.

chai coconut almond granola

Fall is officially here! Here's to comfy sweaters, tall boots, slouchy beanie hats, campfires + s'mores, everything pumpkin, apple picking and the beauty in the changing of the leaves. 

Hands down, Fall is my favorite season of the month- there is nothing I dislike about Fall. When it arrives, it comes in the form of a big long hug from a long lost friend.

To kick off the Fall Season, I'm cranking on the oven and cooking up batches of granola, slowly simmered chilies + stews and canning up a storm. 

This granola is so , so good and super easy to put together , it also has the bonus of making your home smell oh so good.

almond pear cake

Did you know...

My last name translates as "Pear" in french

My sister and I have  matching pear tattoos  

I love pears and cake- together they make my mouth water

I originally had another recipe planned for non dairy month- Peanut Butter Waffles to be exact. However I had a few pears in the fruit bowl just begging to be put to good use.  I wanted a super simple cake with big vanilla and almonds flavor- thus, this cake was born.

almond sea salt chocolate chunk cookies

There are few things in life that I love more than chocolate chip cookies. These are by far my favorite, the added oats give you a boost of fiber and the dark chocolate sea salt almond chocolate is a game changer – these are a must make on a Sunday afternoon!

When Justin bought me my Kitchen Aide Mixer our deal was I would make him chocolate chip cookies once a week...needless to say I don't make chocolate chip cookies once a week, maybe once a month if he is lucky - making them a little less often makes us appreciate them a little more plus I am still able to fit into my jeans- that is a very good thing .

triple berry tart & perfection

Puff Pastry can be a lifesaver in the dessert making department- easy to use, readily available & bakes up fast in a totally impressive way. Normally I have a few sheets of pastry in my freezer, you do need to think ahead a bit in order to defrost the pastry prior to using. I like to pop it in the fridge overnight so it is ready the next day.  I was in need of a quick dessert over Memorial Day Weekend; who doesn't love pastry and fresh fruit? This tart would also fit the bill nicely for 4th of July. 

coconut oat scones // maple cinnamon glaze

I don't make scones very often, but I had a super craving for scones and a cup of tea a couple weeks ago and couldn't get the idea out of my mind. There was only one solution- makes scones! 

Keeping in theme with non dairy month, these beautiful little scones are made with Pacific's Organic Oat Milk. They turned out even better than I had imagined- you will want each and every last crumb.

rustic seeded boule

 I fell hard and fast in love with this bread. I mean I love all bread, but time after time seeded, crusty, rustic bread steals my heart. I want to eat this bread all day, every day no exceptions. Not only does it taste amazing slightly warmed slathered in orange marmalade or butter but is also makes a pretty incredible grilled cheese & panzanella. Oh rustic seeded boule, if I was stranded on a dessert Island with the choice of only five things to eat you would be my number one, right alongside sweet potato, avocado, peanut butter & blueberries.

peanut butter donuts // chocolate pb frosted

 

I cannot begin to tell you the heartache associated with these donuts ; much like the brownie fiasco of 2013 this recipe took multiple times to get just right...like so many times that Justin sighed and grumbled every time he asked me "whatcha baking" and I replied "...donuts". Now don't get me wrong, he loved the first two times I whipped up a batch, however I probably have made at least 6 batches of donuts within the past 2 months. Let me share with you what I have learned on this doughnut making adventure.

blueberry turnovers // maple miso drizzle

This is one of the simplest dessert and/or breakfast treats you will ever make - like incredibly easy that the recipe is more of a method than an actual "recipe". The filling is interchangeable and the hardest part of making is waiting for the puff pastry to thaw out.  These little beauties would make an awesome Sunday morning treat or bake up a batch just before your bestie comes over for some girl talk.

coconut chocolate chip banana bread {gf}

OMG whoever said gluten free baked goods are dry, crumbly and lack the amazing taste and texture that their traditional counterparts have, was so wrong. This gluten free banana bread is incredible; moist, flavorful and so freakin' good! Chocolate, banana's, flaked coconut make a drool & lust worthy gluten free banana bread. Once you have eaten the entire loaf you will be so very sad it is gone and wonder why you were so nice and shared a piece or two with your friends. Next time, you will be certain to make a loaf for you and a loaf for your friend.