Sugar & Spice by Celeste

The baking bug hit our house hard this past weekend.  We've got Chunky Monkey Bars, Blueberry Crumble Pie and these delicious Blueberry Muffins as evidence (or what's left of them). I've been craving Blueberry Muffins for quite a while, and when I saw these,  I just couldn't resist!  I mean....I had blueberries in the freezer practically BEGGING me to make them.  It would have been a shame to let them down, right?? Any baker knows that the best muffins have a beautiful, high rise and are mouth-wateringly fluffy.  These are straight-up bakery worthy and did not disappoint.   For these, I increased the amount of blueberries a smidge, and I also added extra cinnamon to the streusel topping (because extra cinnamon is NEVER a bad thing).  My changes are included below.  You can use any kind of milk that you have on hand.  I only had skim milk, but whole or buttermilk would have been even better. Enjoy, friends! Bakery Style Blueberry Streusel...

A stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes dripping with maple syrup is like a warm hug on a cold day.  I have a serious weakness for them, and they're always easy to whip together on an easy Sunday morning (are you humming the song now?). I have a handwritten journal where I jot down my very favorite recipes, which I turn to again and again and again.  This recipe earned a spot in it long ago and the page is now lovingly splattered from frequent use. If you're in a creative mood, you can add fresh blueberries, chopped strawberries, chocolate chips, chopped nuts or even mashed bananas to this batter.  The possibilities are endless!   Classic Buttermilk Pancakes   Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2  1/2  tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 cups buttermilk 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil Butter or cooking spray, for greasing the cook surface Directions: Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (for keeping the pan...

These beignets are an absolute DREAM for four reasons: 1.  They are pillowy and dreamy on the inside and crisp on the outside. 2.  They are healthier!  Thanks to an air fryer, these are NOT deep fried...plus they are made with greek yogurt. 3.  They are super EASY (only 6 ingredients). 3.  They are shaped like MICKEY! If you have ever been able to enjoy Mickey Beignets while visiting Disney World, you know how incredible Disney's version is.   There's just something about Mickey-shaped food, as well. I mean, it just TASTES better, right?? When making these beignets, I actually tried two different recipes/methods.  The first recipe involved yeast and evaporated milk.  While they were good and held their shape well, they were a little dense and not pillowy/soft on the inside.  The recipe below was much easier and tasted far superior. It was a win-win. There's no working with yeast and waiting on dough to rise with these.  You can whip...

Looking for something delicious to make over the weekend?   This sort of dish is perfect to make on a lazy Sunday afternoon, with some Italian music gently playing in the background.  It's worth the extra work...I promise! In searching for Lasagna recipes online, I came across this gem, and with a name like "World's Best Lasagna" I knew it better deliver.  And it does! This recipe has TWO kinds of meat in the sauce.  Sweet Italian sausage and ground turkey (or beef) are both added, and the sauce simmers for a good 1.5 hours to really make the flavors sing.  I chose turkey, just so it would be a little leaner and healthier. Pull the kiddos in to help assemble the lasagna.  They will love helping with the pasta layers! Enjoy! World's Best Homemade Lasagna Adapted from: allrecipes.com Ingredients: 1 pound sweet Italian sausage ¾ pound ground turkey OR beef ½ cup minced onion 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 (6 ounce) ca...

I think my husband said it best - These macaroons taste like they've been "dipped in magic butter." LOL No really...these are like eating a coconut cloud filled with sweet and salty, caramelly goodness. Remember that Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce that I made?  Well, it's the star in this recipe and really makes these cookies special.  The original recipe calls for caramel ice cream topping (which you can totally use instead), but I couldn't help but use my homemade version. The ingredient list for these is short, and they come together in a snap.  If you have someone that loves caramel and/or coconut, surprise them with these on Valentine's Day!   You could even dip the bottoms of each cookie into melted chocolate, or drizzle the tops with it instead. Now, please excuse me while I go scarf one down! Salted Caramel Coconut Macaroons Adapted from:    Allrecipes.com Ingredients : 5 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut ⅔ cup all-purpose flour  ¼ teaspoon ...

An ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie that's slightly crunchy around the edges and has melty, chocolaty goodness in the center should be in every baker's arsenal.  I mean, they are perfect for every situation from an after school snack to a late night indulgence.   I have a major weakness for them.   Especially these. This recipe takes it a step further.  These cookies are infused with creamy peanut butter in every bite.  If you have a peanut butter/chocolate lover in your life, these will make them swoon.   I couldn't resist using dark chocolate, but if you prefer milk chocolate, that's okay too. Also, now I see what the fuss is all about when it comes to adding flaky sea salt over the top of chocolate chip cookies.  De-lish! Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Adapted from:   Baker by Nature Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp 1 cup creamy peanut butter, room temp 2 tsp vanilla extract 1   1/2 cups light brown ...

Jack Jack's Num Num Cookie at Hollywood Studios As some of you know, we are a Disney loving family!! I so enjoy making Disney inspired dishes at home, so that we can have a little bit of the magic on our table. Several years ago, I was able to turn my passion for all things Disney into a side job where I can help families, just like yours, plan magical vacations. I'm a Travel Specialist for Second Star Wishes , an Earmarked Agency, and I couldn't love the role more! I can help you plan a vacation to ANY Disney destination, Universal Orlando, and just about any domestic or international destination you can dream up! I've had the honor of planning vacations for clients to destinations like: Disney World Disneyland Paris Universal Orlando The Great Smoky Mountains Hilton Head Island, SC Washington DC New Orleans, LA Florida beaches Paris, France Amsterdam Munich, Germany Dubrovnik, Croatia Just to name a few. So, friends, please keep me in mind next time you'd lik...

A fragrant, flavorful bowl of Hot and Sour Soup is just what you need right about now, on these cold winter days.  It's so easy to make this at home, and when paired with my Homemade Fried Wonton Strips , you'll have a delicious dinner to warm your soul. We loved the fresh ginger in this.  It smelled beautiful and tasted just as good.  Subtle, but there.  I was also able to go grab some fresh green onion out of my veggie garden to use in this.  My green onions and kale have been the only things to hold on for dear life during the cold weather.   Grab a bowl of this soup and enjoy! Hot and Sour Soup Adapted from: Everyday Food: Great Food Fast cookbook, from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living Ingredients: 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 Tbsp soy sauce 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 8 ounces fresh shiitake or white button mushrooms (about 4 cups), stemmed, caps thinly sliced 3 to 4 Tbsp rice vinegar 2 Tbsp cor...

A few nights ago, I pulled out the ingredients to make this Homemade Hot & Sour Soup .  My husband came home right about that time, and asked if I had any crispy wonton strips to add to the soup. Ummm....whoops! I didn't. And he was right...the soup NEEDED them like peanut butter needs jelly. After a quick Google session, I realized that I could whip some up pretty quickly.  And that, I did. Honestly, these were SOOO much better than any of the store-bought options.  They came together in mere minutes and were crunchy, crispy and oh so wonderful! Homemade Fried Wontons Adapted from: Allrecipes Ingredients: 1 egg ⅓ cup water 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt Canola oil, for frying Directions: In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Mix in the water. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center of the mixture and slowly pour in the egg and water. Mix well. If the mixture is too dry, increase the amount of water one teaspoon at a time ...

Did you grow up eating Little Debbie's Oatmeal Creme Pies as a kid?  I know I did!  I always loved finding them in my lunch box and having them as an afternoon snack.  I still don't pass up the opportunity to have one every now and then. And now...you can make them at home! This recipe for homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies is simple to make, plus they are filled with oatmeal...so they're healthy, right?!   The molasses, spices and dark brown sugar in these make them irresistible.  The cookies are lightly golden brown along the outside edges, yet perfectly soft and chewy in the middle.  With the addition of a cream filling, these are sure to become a favorite! Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies Adapted fron:  Sally's Baking Addiction INGREDIENTS: COOKIES: 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter softened at room temperature (2.5 sticks) 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 tsp vanilla extract ...

This recipe has been a holiday staple on our family's table for as long as I can remember.  It seems like yesterday that I was propped up on a chair next to my Grandmama's counter, helping her make this.  She would put one of my Grandaddy's shirts over my outfit, so that I wouldn't get my clothes dirty.  I love those memories, and I still miss them both so much. Now, as an adult, I make this every chance that I get, just so I can have a piece of home on my table.   Some call this dish Blueberry Delight, but my family lovingly calls it "Blueberry Dessert." You may have had this too...it seems like it's a southern staple at potlucks and church dinners.  It has a pecan-filled crust, which is layered with a sweet combination of cream cheese, whipped cream and confectioner's sugar.  It's then all topped off with a beautiful layer of blueberry pie filling that beckons you to cut a slice and take a bite. Make this lovely dessert and have a taste of home, ...

    If I told you that this babka was the best thing I've ever baked, would you believe me?   No, seriously...Something magical happens when brioche is paired with Nutella and a crumble topping. My husband even agreed, and I'm not going to admit how many pieces I had over the weekend.  You know who else agreed?  Our four-legged babka thief of a dog, Ava. You see, I was trying to photograph this Nutella-filled, straight from heaven bread, and I stepped away for MAYBE 2 milliseconds.  All the while, our wily Springer Spaniel was crafting a plan unbeknownst to me.  She saw her opportunity and grabbed it...snagging one of the slices right off the plate and literally inhaling it so fast that it was all a blur.  The sheer speed at which she made it disappear was impressive. I was admittedly not thrilled about the whole situation at first, but then I realized...Could I even blame her??  I mean, I would have done the same thing if I were her...h...