sweet treats – In Good Taste

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Maris Callahan — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 19:45:07 +0000

I know, I know. I’m sharing a cookie recipe after Christmas, right when the Internet is breathing a collective sigh of relief that cookie season is finally behind us and that it’s time to return to our regularly scheduled diets. I won’t lie, I have a yoga class scheduled this afternoon and I’m listening to non-Christmas music for the first time since Thanksgiving, so I appreciate the break. At the same time, I’m all for anything that will extend the festive Christmas spirit for a few more days and these ginger molasses cookies happen to fit the bill. There are so many things about the Christmas season that I wish were simply winter traditions. I’m all about the magic of Christmas and I realize it bears some pretty significant religious symbolism for a lot of people, but for me it’s about celebrating the people, places and experiences that you’re grateful for and celebrating the year. I love the music, the decorations, the excuse to bake (a lot) and eat (a lot) with loved ones. Even though the Christmas season is rooted in religion, there is a lot about the Christmas season that has brings out the good in people and I think that’s something to […]

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Cookies, Chocolate & Cheer [Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars]

Maris Callahan — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 04:31:30 +0000

Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars are moist, dense and have a little added kick from a ginger cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for rounding out a holiday cookie platter or packing up as a holiday hostess gift. I know, I know. This time of year there are sweets and cocktails everywhere and you’re actually sick of desserts and you’re tired of drinking and you just really want to eat a salad. Well, to that I say: TOO. BAD. Not only did I make cinnamon snickerdoodle blondie bars, but I am co-hosting an amazing event on Tuesday, December 13th, so put on your party pants and get ready to sip cocktails, decorate cookies and take home some delicious artisan chocolate. I am teaming up with a few of my blogging friends to host a cookie decorating party to raise money for Youth Outreach Services, an organization in Chicago uniquely dedicated to providing prevention services, child welfare, juvenile justice support and mental and behavioral health counseling to at-risk teenagers, all with the intention of helping these young adults reach a brighter future. Here’s the scoop on how you can join us too: Freehand Chicago 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 United States What better way to get in the […]

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Vanilla Pound Cake

Maris Callahan — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:06:36 +0000

Sara Lee pound cake was pretty much a staple in my freezer growing up. It was what my mother would serve guests and a great breakfast treat when we were feeling especially decadent (or more likely, when my mom was feeling particularly averse to preparing breakfast, because what child doesn’t want to eat any kind of cake for breakfast? One of my pet peeves in the food blogging world (I know, this is a happy place, but sometimes I really can’t resist some cheese with my whine)…is the constant belittling of any food item that isn’t 100% from scratch homemade. The same cooks who were once horrified by the idea of using processed cheese, today get paid to use the same product to make bacon cheddar honey mustard monkey bread grilled cheese sandwiches that will go viral on Pinterest. Before I paint myself as a big fat hypocrite, here is what I think about homemade, scratch cooking and baking: it’s glorious, when you have time to do it. Time is a luxury we don’t all have, especially when we’re away from home for 9-10 hours a day at our j-o-b. Maybe if you live on a farm, you’re churning your own butter, baking your own […]

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Blueberry Lemon Cake or Bread

Maris Callahan — Sun, 08 May 2016 05:00:20 +0000

Blueberry and lemon are two of my favorite flavors. Though I have the willpower to resist most pastries when I want to (let’s just not talk about soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies), the tartness of lemon and blueberries tends to balance out the sweetness of coffee cake, quick bread, cookies or scones. Or Blueberry Lemon Cake. So what if I talk about baked goods like most connoisseurs talk about wine? When fresh blueberries and bright, tart lemon zest are involved, it’s hard to go wrong. I mean, there are ways. You could sub baking powder for baking soda, and you could mistake the salt for the sugar, but I don’t really know how you’d manage that. Let’s not overthink this. It was hard to decide whether to call this a bread or a cake. It has all of the qualities of a quick bread, with all of the wondrousness of a cake. Because people like cake (like, a lot), I’m calling it a cake. I’m nothing if I’m not a people pleaser. Regardless of what we call it, what we have here is a really lovely and simple Blueberry Lemon Cake or Bread recipe. It’s perfect for brunch, perfect for effortless […]

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A Sweet and Simple Spring Brunch Party [Recipe: Tres Leches Martini]

Maris Callahan — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 05:21:56 +0000

This post was created in sponsored collaboration with Chila ‘Orchata. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information about Chila, visit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. This message is intended for those of age 21+, please enjoy Chila responsibly. A Tres Leches Martini made with Chila ‘Orchata Cinnamon Cream Rum is the perfect beverage to sip while wishing you were vacationing on a Caribbean island or while you’re spending an afternoon with your girlfriends on a patio. Though the trees are finally sprouting a few buds and we’ve had a few glimmers of sunshine here and there, Chicago isn’t exactly known for it’s warm, lush, spring weather. The expression “April showers bring May flowers” was probably coined here. Luckily, Chicago has a way of making you fall in love all over again, just when you’re about to hop on the next plane south and call it quits. This past weekend we had two beautiful, glorious, wonderful days of sunshine. I wish I could have captured that little slice of spring in a bottle, but being a realistic adult, I know that isn’t actually possible. The next best way to cure a case of the grey sky blues? Shaking up a batch of cocktails […]

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