I've been a bad girl...

I've been super bad about updating.  Life has been so busy lately.  I've been baking (tons) and I've been dying to show what I've been cranking out of my little kitchen.  Everything from Black Bottom Cupcakes to Cheesecakes to practice runs for my sister's upcoming wedding.  She'll be getting hitched at the end of April...eeep!


Right now I'm in the process of finding the perfect White Cake recipe for my sister Sam's wedding cake/cupcakes.  I am just so stinking blessed to be able to do this for my sister.  She means the world to me, so I HAVE to make this PERFECT!  Wish me luck!

My handsome son Elijah just turned 18 a few days ago.  Seriously where has the time gone?!  Seriously.  This day was so bittersweet.  This is what he ordered for his day.  Turtle Cheesecake, and just in case there wasn't enough for everyone I created some Turtle Cheesecake Cupcakes.  (Chocolate cupcakes filled with chocolate ganache 'hearts', topped with cream cheese butter cream with homemade chocolate & caramel sauce & roasted pecans.)  My hips prove how delicious these suckers turned out.

I hope heaven is made out of cream cheese anything.

Gluten Free Chocolate Meringue Cookies

What's not to love about meringue cookies?  Seriously...what?

Seriously.

They are airy, chewy, crispy.  Need I go on?  Okay, these ones are super chocolatey too.  Score!  Yes, you'll need to whip these babies up to stiff peaks, but it's worth the effort and nerves.  Just be sure to use a glass bowl, room temperature eggs and a little patience.  Once you come to adding your cocoa powder, do not sift it.  I love all the little specks that appear.  Sift if you want, change up the flavors, add food coloring/sprinkles.  It's your cookies.  Go!


Preheat oven to 300° F and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment

4 egg whites (room temp)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Whip/beat until soft peaks

Slowly add 1 cup of sugar (add 1/4 cup at a time)

Whip/beat until stiff peaks then fold in 1/4 cup cocoa

Drop by spoonfuls or get fancy and pipe it onto cookies sheets

Bake for 30 minutes and turn sheets 1/2 way through baking.  When the 30 minutes are up, turn the oven off (don't open the door) and let them sit in there for 2 hours.  Then EAT!