Sunday Sweets: {Dried Cherry and Pistachio Scones}

Happy Sunday all!

It would be a whole lot happier if my Spartans were advancing to the final four, but C'est La Vie:(

I've given up sweets for lent, but a breakfast scone isn't really a sweet...right?  

 I love baking treats, but I especially love to take my sweet treats to people I love.  A family friend lost a loved one this week and these seemed like the perfect treat to take to them to help brighten their day.  The kids were along for the ride when I dropped everything off, and it was a great to show them this small act of kindness.  I'm always trying to find ways to show them how you can be thoughtful.

Dried Cherry and Pistachio Scones

These were easy friends...and don't forget the orange glaze on top, it makes the scones but doesn't make them too sweet.

And let me tell you this game changing tip for cutting butter to make your baking life easier!  Freeze your butter and grate it on the larger side of a cheese grater, then stir into the flour.  Hello?!?  It was that simple!

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bars}

I almost didn't post this because it's just a box mix from Trader Joe's with a tiny tweak.  But that tweak makes them a little healthier and still really good!

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bars are delicious but one box calls for an entire stick of butter!  A friend made them and said you can substitute half the butter with pumpkin puree.  I think we are always on the look out for healthier options that don't comprise flavor.  This is one of them!  

If you give it a try let me know!

Also, if you double the recipe just place in a 9X13in pan...that is what I did the first time I made them and actually thought they turned out better.

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Pumpkin Scones}

I'm a day late, but I didn't want another week to pass without giving you this great recipe.  Especially since it seems fall has finally decided to arrive.  

I've never had the pumpkin scones from Starbucks, but these are apparently a scone clone!   They are delicious!  Great for a snack or breakfast...perfect with your coffee!

Here is the recipe:

 Pumpkin Scones

The only change I made was in the glaze.  After spreading the powdered sugar glaze, there was a ton left.  So instead of making a separate spiced glaze, I just halved all the spices and added them to what was left from the first glaze.  

Enjoy!

Sunday Sweets {Marshmallow Crunch Brownies}

I found another good one for ya!

These were delish and got rave reviews by several of my taste testers.  The title doesn't include that the crunch is rice krispies and there is also a little peanut butter snuck in there too!

I found these Marshmallow Crunch Brownies from the Brown Eyed Baker, they were just as fresh on day five as they were on day one.  Everything I've tried from her blog has always been a hit.  I have to confess that I intended to make these just as her recipe calls, but I ran out of time and used a box mix.  I'm sure some of you are gasping while others are thanking me for making this easier.  Apologies to the brown eyed baker.

Check out the recipe if you are looking for something new...you can also check out her top ten brownie recipes that look equally tempting!

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Strawberry S'more Tart}

We may be overwhelmed with where to start project wise and our list seems never ending but we are feeling more and more settled.  For me that was finally having the desire to whip up something sweet this weekend and share it you.  Billy had the idea of doing s'mores last night which lead to me making this delicious dessert.  How pretty is this tart?  

I found the recipe on The Chocolate Moosey and like most of the sweets I make it's another dessert that can be made ahead of time.  Perfect when playing hostess! 

I recipe was easy and you could swap the strawberries for other fruits.  I didn't have a tart pan so I did use a pie plate.  The next time I make it I would use less graham cracker, it was a little thick...but who doesn't love a little extra crust!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Chocolate Mousse with whipped cream & fresh berries}

I'm straying from my usual love for cookies and bars this Sunday to share an incredibly easy dessert when hosting a few guests.  

I'm not even sure if Jocelyn remembers but she was hosting a few of us for dinner one night after work several years ago and I arrived early to help.  She asked me to whip up this chocolate mousse and it's been a go to dessert ever since.

I love this dessert when playing hostess because it can be made hours ahead of time.  I was whipping these up at 8am.  You simply add milk and the powder and blend away.  The brand pictured is what I always use and is available at most grocery stores.

To make it look like there was a little more effort I serve the chocolate mousse in martini glasses.  These glasses have been used for dessert more than they have for cocktails.  This time I added reddi-whip and fresh berries, but I've served the mousse plain as well.

Preparing for guests can be a lot of work, so anything that is easy and can be done ahead of time is always a plus!  Do you have any go to foods when having company to make things easier?

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets: Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy Easter friends!  You've probably had your fill of chocolate eggs and bunnies, but here's a great Sunday Sweet for ya:)

I love these cookies!  L-O-V-E!

I found this recipe a few years ago and whenever I feel like baking cookies to just have as a special treat for the kids, this is what I make.

I randomly wrote the recipe on this piece of paper and I've lost it half a dozen times, but it always manages to resurface.  I re-found it last weekend and since the ingredients are pantry staples, we whipped a batch up.

I found the recipe and actually wrote it down wrong...a little too much salt.

Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Brown Eye Baker has a lot of other great recipes, so be sure to check out!

This last time I baked them I used dark brown sugar because I heard it adds more flavor...honestly, I didn't notice a difference.

My helpers loved them from start...

...to finish:)

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Bars}

I've got another good one for you!

I pinned this recipe forever ago and when I went to make it the link was dead.  I searched and this one seemed nice and easy and it was!

Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Bars

These were ooey gooey just out of the oven, but still soft once they cooled!  I think under cooking like the instructions said did the trick!

ENJOY!

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars}

I've still got this sweet tooth so I was at it again today with a new treat!

These peanut butter chocolate bars were so easy, like talking on the phone and mixing easy.

They are made using a yellow cake mix and while still warm they were almost too gooey and rich.  Sampling again after completely cooling, they were much better.  Still on the rich side though.  I would say these are perfect to make and take to a big party, but maybe too sweet to have an entire batch in your house all week.  

The recipe can be found here!

XOXO

Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Coffee and Cookie Brownies}

I love baking something sweet on Sunday to have in the house for the week, take to a neighbor or friend, or even send a plate full with Billy to work.

Bars, brownies or cookies are the perfect because they make enough for us to enjoy and give away.

I cut this recipe out of a Better Home and Gardens magazine in 2007.  This is the first time I've made these coffee and cookie brownies and let me tell ya...we've been missing out on this goodness.  

I already packed a goodie bag for our neighbor. The label took no time to make and I always keep these fun clear bags on hand.

Here is the recipe, let me know if you try them!

Coffee and Cookie Brownies

XOXO

Aubrey