Happy Anniversary to CSPS! It’s been 8 years since I started this silly endeavor and happy to say that I still love it very much. It’s helped me in so many ways, I can’t even count. So to mark the occasion, here are some Chambord Royale Mini Cupcakes (Champagne Cupcakes and Chambord Raspberry Frosting. Happy Happy!
Happy Valentine’s Day! OK, it’s still a full on 10 days until Valentine’s Days, but I like to make cookies ahead of time. And Linzer Cookies it is, because I seem to *always* make Linzer Cookies at Valentine’s Day. This year, I went with some of both my standard (raspberry) but also Passion Fruit, which is a jam that is harder to find. Search around for a bit – it’s worth it (note: I found it in a Latin American bodega… language lesson of the day is that passion fruit in Spanish is Maracuya!)
Not sure if I have ever mentioned my love of honey. I absolutely adore it! Some of my relatives in the Black Forest have been bee keepers (as a hobby) for a few generations so it’s always a treat to visit — and sneak home a jar of good raw honey. These cookies accentuate the honey flavor, and combine that with pistachios, actually give it a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor. Yum!
Here’s a little bit of a riff on your standard peanut butter kiss cookies — Almond Butter Blossoms! While peanut butter is ok, I like almonds better, so I thought I would try these out. The Hershey’s Kisses are also the ones with almonds in them, so a little surprise inside. Easy to make and this recipe makes a bunch (it can be halved).
When life hands you beat up looking bananas, make some spectacular Caramel Rum Banana Streusel Muffins! This recipe is actually originally for banana *bread*, but I have now made this same recipe also as coffee cake and muffins. All have been great, but I do have to say that the original *bread* version is still my favorite. Happy Monday!