Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Easy Swirled Sugar Cookie

In case you haven't noticed, Christmas is quickly approaching!  As in, it's already tomorrow!  Christmas sugar cookie making is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I love making the dough.  I love cutting out fun shapes.  I love decorating cookies.  I love adoring my work when I'm done.  But mostly I love to eat cookies!

Unfortunately, I just haven't had the time this year that it takes to make my traditional, beloved Christmas cookies.  But there was no way I could totally abandon sugar cookies this season.  I have seen pins on Pinterest with colored sugar cookies instead of frosted sugar cookies.  That seems more manageable for someone who wants pretty Christmas cookies, but doesn't want to spend all day making them.  This seemed like the perfect time to try them!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Makeover Monday: Nutella Swirl Baked Doughnuts


Nutella lovers, I have treat for you!  I imagine that at this point, the only people in America who don't love Nutella are the people who haven't tried it yet.  I first had Nutella in college.  My husband went on a trip to Germany and returned with a jar of the delicious spread.  I guess it took Europe by storm before making its big splash in the States.  I was a little leery of trying trying it at first (hazelnut??) but I did.  And it was love at first bite.

For whatever reason, I don't seem to have Nutella around  much.  Perhaps it is because I would probably be constantly dipping my fingers in the jar if I did.  But whenever I come across recipes that include Nutella, I am quick to save them.  And I have plenty of them!  I have been waiting for quite a while to make the Nutella swirl doughnuts.  Fortunately, I finally got around to trying it.  I knew when I saw the recipe that if I was going to splurge on Nutella that I would have to make this a "makeover" recipe.  And that's exactly what I did.  But trust me, these don't taste like a makeover recipe!