Raspberry Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Cream Puffs

February has been a busy, busy month. A list of all the events that have gone by so far: a company party, my parents' wedding anniversary, Jon's class Valentine's Day party (Jon's birthday is next week too!), my mom's birthday, and now...my birthday. How old am I turning, you ask? Mmm...let's just say, mid-twenties. ;)

Over the last few years, I've found that I'm not particularly crazy about big birthday cakes anymore. I had a fruit tart last year, chocolate souffles the year before that, and a pie the year before that. So I've decided to continue this No-Birthday-Cake tradition...with cream puffs!

If I had to come up with my dream dessert, it would have...fruit (duh), chocolate, something creamy, and something baked. Basically, these Raspberry Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Cream Puffs are pretty close to my idea of perfection! I also love that they're easy to make and it's easy to make A LOT of them. Because who wants to get stuck with complicated and time-consuming on their birthday...

Cranberry Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

When I think of Christmas, I think of cookies...gingerbread, decorated sugar, ones to serve Santa Claus on Christmas Eve...'Tis the season for cookies! (Jon's kindergarten class just had their Christmas party, and you know what there was plenty of???)

This recipe is a fun, simple "holiday dress-up" for my favorite cookie of all-time. Warm, always-comforting chocolate chips are festively paired with red, tart cranberries and rich, crunchy pecans! Not only is this an easy dough to whip up, the recipe makes a lot of petite-sized cookies. They're perfect for swap/exchange parties this weekend, nibbling on with tea or hot cocoa, and (of course) sharing with the kids!

Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Banana Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip. Buttermilk. Banana. Cupcakes.

Want a rich, homemade cupcake? Mom's banana bread? How about your grandmother's chocolate chip cookies, in case you're craving the whole From-My-Childhood Package? These are some good old-fashioned comfort cupcakes, with classic flavors rolled into one yummy dessert. And as if there wasn't enough nostalgia in each bite already, thick cream cheese frosting is spread right on top for a more rustic look.

I came up with these cupcakes with my nephew Jon, who actually doesn't like bananas. (He cringes if he so much as smells them near him.) Desserts are a great way to lightly veil "unappetizing" fruits and vegetables, like carrot and even zucchini! By involving Jon in the actual baking, it only heightened the appeal (and the anticipation!)

Chocolate Chip Cookie & Ice Cream Cake (Happy Birthday, Jacquelyn!)

While everyone was busy getting ready for their Memorial Day barbeques and graduation parties, I was busy also figuring out what kind of birthday cake to make. Jacquelyn celebrated her 3rd birthday on the 24th! This little lady has already appeared a few times on the blog...getting ice cream-wasted at Disneyland, proving her status as a farmers market veteran, and even serving as the inspiration for my Strawberry-Kiwi Shortcakes...I thought that it was only right that she had something special to dig into for her big day!

Last year, her Lemon-Raspberry Cake was inspired by the beautiful, pink hydrangeas starting to bloom in the garden. (SO HANDY, those Buster Posey cups are...) I was definitely motivated to top last year's creation, so there were two things taken into consideration: Jacquelyn's love for ice cream and Jacquelyn's love for chocolate. My sister was the one who suggested that I make an ice cream cake. The only thing was...I'd never made an ice cream cake before. But I'm never one to shy away from a challenge or experiment!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Italian Meringue Buttercream

I've been on a desserts streak lately, and my sweet tooth has been out of control. Pies, chocolate bars, ice cream, macarons...And I already made cupcakes earlier this week...

It was raining yesterday, complete with blah-gray skies, and I had an open schedule with free time to do a whole lotta nothing. But you know what fixes rainy-blah-days like this? Baking.

To really make a day out of it, I also decided to clean out my pantry. I figured it was time for me to clean out what was lurking in baskets and tupperwares...half-full bags of chocolate chips, past-their-prime canisters of baking powder and cornstarch, barely used 2-lb bags of powdered sugar...I guess I've been buying some, using a little, stashing it away, and forgetting about it. Then, I'd buy a new bag. And, apparently, this happens a lot...

So, in order to reduce my pantry clutter, to cure my ugly-weather blues, and to sooth my aching sweet tooth, I baked my favorite Chocolate Cupcakes and whipped up Italian Meringue Buttercream in two flavors, peanut butter and Mexican chocolate!