Gluten Free Sugar Cookies: Animal Shapes

With spring just around the corner, these animal sugar cookies were the perfect weekend project. I wanted to try the icing flooding technique and though I probably need to practice a bit more, I think they turned out pretty cute. Check out these super sweet cookie cutters that I picked up at Ikea for a few dollars. My favorite is the pocupine.
I watched a couple of videos to get the flooding technique down. Basically, you outline the shape and let it sit for a few minutes and begin to harden. Then, you slightly dilute the remaining frosting with a bit of water and pour it into the center of the cookie. Then use a spoon to spread the frosting into the corners of the shape. Here is the recipe I ended up using. The website has a video with lots of tips and tricks for the flooding technique.
If you end up trying this, let me know how it goes and what cool shapes you end up using.

Granola Bars

Due to my allergies, I basically can’t eat any type of energy bar. Either they have nuts, or soy, or wheat or some other ingredient that I am allergic to. So I came up with this recipe to fulfil my need for a quick on-the-go snack. Hopefully this granola bar recipe will fit within other’s dietary nuances as well. And even if you don’t have any restrictions, they are still quite tasty. Once I had mixed and baked the bars, I simply cut them up and wrapped them in paper so that they were ready to go.Get the printable recipe card here.

It’s only Monday and we’ve already had a record breaking storm and a pope resign. I wonder what is in store for the rest of the week.

Currently Lusting: Love is in the Air

1. Adorable set of tea cups // 2. A fashionable ipad case // 3. Macaroons delivered to your door // 4. The perfect shade of pink nail polish // 5. An elephant inspired iphone cover // 6. Bright red cake plater // 7. “The heart has it’s reasons” poster  // 8. Peach heart pillow

With V-Day just around the corner, I thought I would share some items that have a Valentine’s theme. Here are some super cute gift ideas for your friends, sisters, or even yourself. I mean, how fantastic would it be to get those French macaroons delivered to your doorstep every month?

xoxo,

Valentine’s Raspberry Chocolate Cupcakes

For me, anything that combines raspberries and chocolate is pure perfection. This past weekend I made these cupcakes without even realizing that Valentine’s Day was only a little over a week away. This treat would be great for V-day or any other day of the year for that matter. The cupcakes are gluten free, but my “taste testers” didn’t even realize the difference.I used this cupcake recipe from She Makes She Bakes, and just replaced the bread flour with Bob’s Red Mill gluten free flour. I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t turn out, but they were moist and rich. Just how I like my cupcakes.

Get the printable recipe card here.

I can’t believe it is only Monday, hopefully the weekend comes soon!

No Peanut Butter, Sun Butter Cups

My favorite candy used to be Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, until I randomly become allergic to peanuts, and all nuts for that matter. I had to give up Reese’s cold turkey and I thought I would never be able to eat one again. But last night, I got an urge to make myself some personalized Peanut Butter cups without the peanut butter. I substituted the PB with sun butter and skipped the crushed graham cracker so that they would be gluten free as well. They turned out very well to say the least. There are only a few left.I purchased this plastic container at Michael’s but you could also use a small cupcake tin and liners, though the cups might turn out a bit larger (which wouldn’t be a bad thing).
Pour a small amount of chocolate into each cup and use a spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides. Lightly tap the container to remove any air bubbles.Fill a plastic bag with the sun butter mixture. To do so, pace a large ziploc bag in a mug with one corner at the bottom, roll the extra bag over the mug. This way the mixture gets to the bottom corner easily. Cut a small opening in the bottom corner, about 1/2 inch.
Once the first layer of chocolate is relatively hard, fill each cup with the sun butter mixture (about 1/2 tsp.) Lightly press the butter into the cups so that it does not stick out over the top. Fill the remainder of the cups with the melted chocolate, tap lightly to remove any bubbles. Get the printable directions here.

Currently Lusting: For the Home

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8.

Now that I have my own place, I am always on the look out for fun home décor. Here are some things I have been eyeing.  How cute is that cookie jar? And that wingback chair is a super good deal right now. Also, stay tuned for a chevron pillow tutorial.

Gluten Free Apple Pie

After peach pie, apple pie is probably my favorite dessert. We’ve been having quite the cold streak here so this apple pie was perfect served warm. The filling is an old family recipe, I left out the tablespoon of flour so that the recipe was gluten free and I found a gluten free pie crust recipe here. It didn’t quite have the flakiness of a traditional pie crust, so I may keep trying other recipes, but it definitely satisfied my pie craving.
Get the recipe card here. 

Gold Blocked Jars

I seem to have a penchant for crafting projects that use gold spray paint. Check out my other gold inspired projects here and here.
It took me a while to collect a variety of glass jars, I even made my Dad finish the remaining maraschino cherries so I could use that jar for my project. I thoroughly washed the insides of the jars and removed the labels by soaking them in soapy water.  I strategically placed the frog tape where I wanted the gold to end, making sure it was adequately straight. I covered the top portion of the jar with paper and taped it tightly into place.I then made stripes with thin masking tape so that there was a bit of variety. I put the jars upside down on top of newspaper and sprayed two coats of paint, allowing the paint to dry in between coats. After the paint was completely dry, I slowly pulled off the tape to reveal the final product.How cute would these look with a variety of pink flowers in them?

Who is ready for the weekend, I am definitely looking forward to a relaxing time with friends.

New Year’s Eve Cocktails

Ring in the new year with one of these cocktails, they are sure to bring a little festivity to any party.

pomegranate citrus sangria // mint chocolate irish cream liqueur // clementine rosemary vodka // blackberry lemon gin and tonic // coconut eggnog coquito // vanilla pear cocktail

Have a fabulous start to the New Year and may you be celebrating with great friends.

See you in 2013,

Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip have always been my preferred cookies, they were definitely something I was unwilling to give up when I became gluten free. These cookies are somehow able to be both crunchy and soft, the perfect combination, and the chocolate adds a nice touch.

Get the printable recipe card here.

Have a very merry Christmas,