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Showing posts from December, 2013

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake-Filled Cupcakes

Dulche de Leche can be used in many diverse ways and these Dulche de Leche Cheesecake-Filled Cupcakes are a special treat to share with your loved ones. This post was sponsored by Collective Bias® to help others learn the many uses of dulce de leche but, as always, the recipe and the opinions in this post are my own. The holidays are the season of giving, and it's also the season to recognize others and to say "thank you." I created these Dulce de Leche Cheesecake-Filled Cupcakes using Nestle's La Lechera Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Kit to deliver to Big Brothers Big Sisters in order to say thank you for all of their work in helping children realize their fullest potential. In 2009, I became a Big Sister to my Little, and we were matched for about three years until I started graduate school in 2012. During that time, it was amazing to see how she matured and grew... both mentally and physically (she ended up being taller than me after a couple years!). He

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies Today is a fun post for you all because it's the 2013 Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap ! Not only do bloggers swap cookies and recipes with each other, this cookie swap also raises money for Cookies for Kids' Cancer . This year, the participation of bloggers raised over $13,000 to benefits kids with cancer! This is my second year participating in this cookie swap and I was very much looking forward to this year's swap! Last year, I received such wonderful cookies and was introduced to some great bloggers and bakers, I was exciting to continue with this tradition that is yummy, educational, and charitable! Check out my post from last year to see what I made and to see which bloggers I sent cookies to and received cookies from! I decided to make one of my favorite cookie recipes this year, but with a twist to it! A favorite cookie recipe of mine is Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and they are one of my most requested desserts that I

Calabacitas Tacos with Hash Browns

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. As always, the opinions and the recipe contained in this post are entirely my own. Many people think of hash browns as something that is strictly for breakfast.  Growing up, my mom used to use hash browns or cooked tater tots in our homemade tacos. We all loved them, especially my brother and me. While I thought it was added to make the tacos more special, I didn't know until much later that my mom actually made our tacos with hash browns or tater tots in order to stretch the meat in order for us to have more food to share. Because meat was expensive on a budget, adding potatoes were a good alternative to have more food to feed your family. To this day, I love tacos with added hash browns or tater tots. Not only does it remind me of my mom's tacos, but it adds some additional flavor as well

Olive Oil Cookies with White Chocolate, Cranberries and Pecans

As you all start your holiday baking, please remember that you can make your holiday goodies with a healthier option using olive oil! This post was sponsored by Collective Bias® to help readers learn more about the benefits of cooking and baking with olive oil.   As someone who loves to bake, I tend to use only butter in my baking... especially cookies. There are only a few recipes that I will venture out and use shortening or lard. I've always thought that butter tends to yield the best results in terms of taste and texture, however (insert a big HOWEVER), there is a little known secret-- you can use olive oil in your baking! Seriously, no lie! And, trust me, you need to try it! The secret with olive oil is that it's not confined to just using as a cooking oil or in salad dressing... you can use olive oil in your cakes, cookies, and even ice cream. The flavor isn't even noticeable. You can find a plethora of recipes that use olive oil as the main fat component