I want candy

Confession time: even though I'm crazy about chocolate and peanut butter, I'm not a fan of Reese's peanut butter cups. I know, I know...how can I call myself a candy fanatic if I don't love Reese's? Well, if you've been reading this blog for any length of time you probably already know it has more to do with texture then it does flavor.

I just prefer natural, smooth peanut butter in a crispy, hard shell of chocolate. And while we're at it, a good quality dark chocolate is in order. And to make it even more grown up, I'll take a bit o' sea salt sprinkled for good measure. But to keep it festive, egg shapes are necessary and that requires a bit of conjuring. Or some disposable pastry bags and patience. 

Do you make any homemade candies? I really want to start making more, so I'd love to hear suggestions on what I should make next!

one giant pancake

When Kent and I were first married, I tore this recipe out of Gourmet Magazine because I liked the simplicity of it. It stated that it served 2, which is very hard to find when there really is just two of you eating (although it really serves 4). We both fell in love with the soft, eggy texture and crispy brown edges, and I (over)cooked the apples so they'd be soft too.

Sautéing the apples in butter gets this recipe off to a great start. Then the batter is blitzed in the blender and poured into the buttery apples and the whole pan is placed in the oven until the pancake is puffed and golden. Couldn't be easier or tastier.

coco coco coconut!

 Flour bakery is a local bakery in the Boston area, where they're famous for their brioche sticky buns (they're amazing!), and my sister gave me their cookbook about a year ago.

Last year for Easter I made these coconut macaroons into sweet little "nests" and was so disappointed with the flavor- mainly because there was none to be found. I liked the simpleness of the recipe (basically a lot of coconut and egg whites) but was so unhappy with the taste that I thought I just didn't like coconut macaroons.