The Sweetie Pie

Maple Strawberry Crumbles

2012-02-09T13:13:00.001-05:00

I've been posting a lot about chocolate lately so I decided to give it a (little) break and post a tasty idea for Valentine's Day. Of course, if you want to add a little chocolate to this, it would be delicious and I won't tell anyone, but it works beautifully without it too. Fresh strawberries are definitely in the stores right now and they are actually quite tasty. I've been getting my from

Homemade (honey-sweetened) Chocolate Chunks

2012-02-07T22:40:00.002-05:00

I never really enjoyed science in school, but I think if my teachers had used recipes and food as our experiments I would have responded better. I love reading about food and the science of food. A couple of posts ago, I gave a recipe for my new favorite chocolate bar. I have been using that "bar" in several recipes lately. I made chocolate lava cakes and brownies with it over the weekend.

100% Whole Wheat Bread (that I'm finally proud of)

2012-01-31T11:56:00.000-05:00

Bread...it's a goal of mine. I feel pretty comfortable with flatbread; we regularly have whole wheat naan, whole wheat pizza dough, and whole wheat pitas on hand. Those are all a similar recipe, but sandwich bread has been a different story. I've made a few good loaves of bread with 50% whole wheat flour, 50% all-purpose white flour but not until this weekend did my 100% whole wheat loaf

A Little Citrus Love

2012-01-19T17:19:00.000-05:00

Like I mentioned last week, I have been doing a big of a cleanse over the past couple of weeks. Mainly, kicking out all sugars and actually this week I took a break from chocolate (crazy, I know). I've done a little juicing, and tried to eat lots of raw veggies and fruits. I've also been reading about food and finding new food blogs! I like doing this once or twice a year, especially after

New Favorite Chocolate Bar

2012-01-13T14:38:00.001-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for long, you know my affection for chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Since January is here and New Year's Resolutions are in play, I am trying to eat chocolate without eating sugar. I know that either doesn't sound possible or doesn't sound tasty. But, what I've been doing is delicious and worth sharing. It's really more of an idea than a recipe and

Together, Happiness, Celebration

2012-01-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

Time, love, laughter, family, togetherness, cooking, baking, snuggling, tanning, talking, birthday...these words describe my holiday season. This Christmas was one of the best ones I've had in a couple of years. I always love Christmas but sometimes the busyness and scheduling gets to be a bit much. This year it all just clicked, everything went as smooth as it possibly could and I loved it.

Thin Mints

2011-12-20T21:24:00.001-05:00

Well it just wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't give you at least one Christmas Cookie recipe, right? If you are a "recipe searcher" like me, you might have seen just one too many cookie recipes, but this one is just so worth it. I actually found the original recipe last year on Heidi's blog (www.101cookbooks.com) but this year, I've given it a bit of a remix. It is now a quicker and tastier

Mixed Berry Jam

2011-12-07T17:03:00.001-05:00

As the holidays approach my kitchen becomes a bit of a whirlwind. Last week, I began working on Christmas packages and wanted to try a few new things. After a bit of thinking and pondering, I decided it would be fun to use up the beautiful berries mom and I froze during the summer. A small jar of Mixed Berry Jam, who wouldn't like that as a gift?! So, I grabbed all the bags of frozen

Baking Classes

2011-11-25T10:36:00.001-05:00

I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach a couple different baking classes over the past few weeks. I am finding that each class I teach is completely different because of the people and location. The questions and conversations that the classmates have with me and with each other make each experience exciting, but I especially love showing people how to use healthier

Count Your Blessings

2011-11-10T14:38:00.001-05:00

Last weekend I was reminded just how blessed I am. Some people have friends they've know for a year and some for several years but these girls, I have known them since elementary school and we are still doing "Girls Night Out." Only now, we have 3 beautiful babies in the group and 4 husbands! This past weekend we celebrated our Christmas get-together a little early because we have baby #4

Maple Pumpkin Ice Cream

2011-11-03T14:05:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was just wonderful. The weather was nice and cool, the leaves were turning, Daniel and I got to spend a lot of time together, and I accomplished several things in the kitchen. Typically on Halloween weekend, we enjoy a fall meal together. Since we don't have children yet and don't really get into ghosts and goblins, it's our little way of celebrating Autumn. This year, our

Sweet Potato Pie

2011-10-27T12:06:00.000-04:00

One of the restaurants that I supply to, Coyote Kitchen, suggested we run a Sweet Potato Pie as a special this year and I am glad they did! Much like a pumpkin pie but just different enough to catch your attention, I hope you add this to your Thanksgiving meal. It comes together quickly, smells delicious while it bakes and has a silky smooth consistency. I know a lot of sweet potato dishes

Apples!!--Part 2

2011-10-20T13:52:00.000-04:00

I promised there would be two apple recipes this week and here's the second one! Let me start by saying I am SO excited about this post. Last week, as I finished my baking in the morning, I caught the tail-end of a show on the radio featuring seasonal produce. I don't even know which show it was or who the guest was but she started spouting off these wonderfully easy ideas for apples. So I

Apples!!-- Part1

2011-10-19T11:32:00.000-04:00

This week I am sending out two apple recipes that I hope you will try sometime soon, while apples are at their peak. Here's the first! This past weekend was gorgeous, wasn't it? The warm Fall temperatures allowed us to enjoy every second of our weekend. While we were drinking morning coffee on Saturday, Daniel noticed a fun recipe in the Wall Street Journal for Apple Chips. So, I gave them a

Freshly Baked- Old Timey Pumpkin Bake

2011-10-13T13:36:00.001-04:00

Once October gets here, we see pumpkins everywhere! Last weekend, Daniel and I bought our pumpkin from King's Drive Farmer's Market. While we were there, I also bought an old timey pumpkin. I actually learned about this pumpkin last year. I was shopping at the market on one of the last days of the season and these pumpkins had been marked half off so I grabbed one even though I wasn't

Roasted Butternut "Fries" and Black Beans

2011-10-07T18:20:00.002-04:00

This week's "Freshly Baked" turned into a dinner recipe instead. Since I taught the class at Poplar Ridge Farm, I've had Butternut Squash on my mind. I actually bought 4 when prepping for the class so that I could bake two for the class, bake one for myself, and make "fries" for dinner with the other one. I actually had it for dinner two times (in a row). Yes, it was that good! It might sound

Fall Baking at Poplar Ridge Farm

2011-10-05T22:35:00.003-04:00

Apple and Pear CrispPhoto by Lisa Leake You know what I love....Fall baking. I think it might just be better than any other season. I love the fruits and vegetables that are in season and I love smelling spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Today I was lucky enough to have another opportunity to teach a class at Poplar Ridge Farm and it was delightful. The class itself went well, the discussion

Freshly Baked-Fig Spread and Ginger Cookies

2011-09-30T06:50:00.002-04:00

Photo from Super Natural Cooking Fall is here, can you believe it? I certainly have no idea where this entire year has gone. It has flown. I love love love Fall. I love the tinge of coolness I feel when I walk outside, I love the colors, I love the clothes, and I LOVE the flavors of fall. I had a lot of ideas for this week's post and I hope to share some of those as the season goes on,

Partnering with King Arthur Flour for a Giveaway!!

2011-09-23T07:39:00.001-04:00

Today's "Freshly Baked" is slightly different because it's a GiVeAwAy!!! The Sweetie Pie has been in business for 3 years this week, so we wanted to celebrate with you. Continue reading to find out how to enter... When I first started The Sweetie Pie, it was very important to me to choose high quality ingredients. I researched and shopped at Harris Teeter, Earth Fare, Trader Joe’s,

Canning and Freezing at Poplar Ridge Farm

2011-09-21T17:41:00.003-04:00

This morning was wonderful. I was fortunate enough to do several of my favorite things at the same time. Spend time at Poplar Ridge Farm. It's gorgeous there; peaceful, relaxing, and alive. Meet new ladies who like spending time in the kitchen (which always means I learn something from them). Work in a kitchen Teach. My brother has always called it "first-child syndrome." Anyone else

Freshly Baked-My Go-To Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

2011-09-18T12:27:00.001-04:00

Hi All! Wow! This weekend sure does feel like Fall. It's weather like this that makes me want something familiar and something cozy. How about you? Often, that means a pan of brownies or some chocolate chip cookies. Those are two favorites for Daniel and I. They are quick to make and a perfect after dinner dessert (or daytime snack, or treat for the kids, you get my point) This recipe is my

Freshly Baked-Banana Oat Cookies

2011-09-09T13:12:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we were in Charleston spending a wonderful Labor Day Weekend with Daniel's family. I love my sister-in-laws and we had a great time talking about healthy foods. One night we got into a conversation about oats while we made peanut butter balls for dessert. When I got back home, I had oats on my brain and this week, I've used them a couple different ways. Bottom line, you can't go

Freshly Baked-Grilled Peaches with Sweet Cream

2011-09-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

It's Labor Day weekend! Hopefully this weekend will give you good weather, time to grill, a lot of relaxation, and a little time to "bake" (or grill a dessert)! It's a good time to be outside and enjoy friends and family. If you are able to do that, try this wonderful "end of summer" treat for dessert. I have really enjoyed peaches this summer. After mom and I canned the white peach jam, I've

Classes at Poplar Ridge Farm

2011-08-31T13:05:00.001-04:00

Hi All, Just wanted to let you know that I will be teaching three classes at Poplar Ridge Farm! Two of the classes will focus on Whole Food Baking and the third will be a Canning/Freezing class for your "end-of-summer" produce. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share with others how I bake in my own home and business. I have a strong belief that our bodies

Freshly Baked-Pizza Dough

2011-08-26T18:03:00.002-04:00

"Nothing promises pleasure more readily than the words "Freshly Baked."~Dorie Greenspan The weekends offer time to slow down and savor something special. I am hoping to post something like this each Friday so that you too can enjoy something "Freshly Baked" during the weekend. Whether it's something I've read that week or a favorite from one of my cookbooks, take a little time to give it a try.