baking

12 Pictures

1. This is Brandy, Hannah’s new cocker spaniel puppy! Brandy was a surprise gift for Hannah’s 15th birthday.

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2. Zucchini brownies. With a chocolate glaze. Can’t go wrong with a chocolate glaze!

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3. My brother and sister-in-law know me so well. They brought me home some awesome gifts from the Dominican Republic. I’ve already used almost all of the honey!

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4. Zucchini + banana + Nutella bread. Yes.

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5. Have I ever mentioned that I adore my sister? I do. I love her so much.

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6. This skirt = so comfy.

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7. I’ve been making pickles like crazy lately! So far, I’ve made a sweet ginger batch, and a spicy banana pepper and red pepper flavored batch. I definitely prefer the sweeter flavored pickles.

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8. I received this candle as a gift from someone at my church. It smells amazing and I’m kind of depressed that it’s a limited edition candle.

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9. Hey. It’s Felix.

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10. Ear plugs. Random, right?! Well, I live in a split-level house with 3 family members and four pets. Everyone in my family is on a different sleep schedule and sometimes it can get loud at night. So, I bought ear plugs and they work really, really well. Now my parent’s are afraid I’ll sleep through a fire alarm or tornado.

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11. I love this boy.

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12. Okay, one more photo of Brandy. She’s just too cute!

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Almond Butter Cookies

This wonderful recipe was passed on to me by one of Jimmy’s co-workers when she found out I was baking cookies for my brother’s wedding. She told me that she bakes a batch or two for special occasions and people always rave about them.

almond cookies

These cookies are easy to make, pretty, and freeze really well!

Almond Butter Cookies
Recipe makes 3.5 dozen cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400*. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, and almond extract.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet until a dough forms. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Flatten dough balls to about 1/4-inch thickness with the bottom of a buttered glass. Sprinkle sugar over top of cookies.
5. Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until cookies are set and edges are slightly brown. Cool completely before glazing. Glaze recipe follows.

Almond Butter Cookie Glaze
Ingredients:
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
4-5 tsp. water
3/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:
1. Combine powdered sugar, almond extract, and water in a large bowl and mix until a smooth glaze forms.
2. Glaze cooled almond cookies and place a sliced almond on top. Enjoy!

cookies