• caramel apple cookies
    Baking,  Food

    Caramel Apple Cookies

    Bite through a rich caramel coating into a crisp center, and you know the deliciousness of the sweet, buttery, tart caramel apple. I prefer mine dipped in peanuts, which adds a little salt to the mix too. These cookies capture all of the flavors of the quintessential fall treat, with the added bonus of giving you an excuse to whip up some delicious caramel sauce.

  • Maple pecan granola
    Baking,  Food

    Maple Granola

    As a child, breakfast was not my favorite meal. Some kids prefer mounds of pancakes, but my go-to breakfast was a tiny package of granola clusters. Simple and enjoyable to make, homemade maple granola reminds me of those school day breakfasts while having all the flavors that satisfy my adult cravings. When you are in the mood for a crunchy, flavorful treat in the morning or just need a fast, healthy breakfast or snack, granola is a great option. With plenty of pure maple syrup and the perfect blend of salty and sweet, this recipe makes a complete breakfast all on its own, but it also works well as a…

  • apple cider streusel muffins
    Baking,  Food

    Apple Cider Streusel Muffins with Glazed Pecans

    The scent of apple cider signals the coming of crisp fall days and cozy nights. Apple picking is fine, but when we head to a local orchard, the true pleasure for me is returning home with gallons of apple cider and way too many doughnuts. Experimenting with some of this cider led to delicious muffins that feature a middle layer of cider glazed pecans and a cinnamon streusel topping. With cider incorporated into the buttermilk batter, they smell so good that we always eat them while still freshly-baked and warm.

  • cornmeal scones with red cheddar and apricot
    Baking,  Food

    Cornmeal Scones with Red Cheddar and Apricot

    With a sweeter flavor than other varieties, red cheddar always strikes me as the ideal cheese for breakfast. A perfect complement to fruit, it calls to mind my father’s predilection for topping apple pie with a slice of cheddar. Why opt for sweet or savory when you can have both?

  • raspberry goat cheese tart
    Baking,  Food

    Raspberry Goat Cheese Tart

    At a bakery I rarely can resist the raspberry filling and nutty crust of a linzer torte or the cookies inspired by this classic Austrian dessert. I use the term “dessert” loosely, of course, since linzer tortes are perfect for breakfast. Consider them an elevated jam on toast. With my predilection for dessert as breakfast, I used classic linzer torte flavors to create a cheesecake style tart that is perfect for any time of day. The vanilla bean flecked filling and almond crust are topped with lightly sweetened, macerated raspberries. Serve this tart after lunch or dinner, with afternoon coffee or tea, or join me in having a slice in…