Happy Easter! ♥

Hello Lovely Friends!  ♥

I feel like only a minute ago it was Monday.  The week flew by and I can't even tell you what I did yesterday.  I think some laundry....I went to the grocery store one day...worked a lot....it's all a blur to me.  Can you relate?! 

Last Sunday we had our family holiday dinner here, which was wonderful!  For the rest of the week I've been eating fruit and salads to try to balance all the desserts and mini eggs that are still lingering around the house! That struggle is REAL : ) 

Today I made a big salad with hard boiled eggs for lunch and it was delicious.  

But then it was right back to the mini eggs!  #helpcantstop

Speaking of Sunday, I wanted to share two desserts that I prepared.  

If you are a coconut lover like I am, then you would love these macaroons.  They are so easy! 

I felt like they needed a little PIZAZZ so I drizzled them with some melted chocolate chips.  

It was a wise decision!

♥

Recipe linked here if you want to treat yourself.  

They are as big as golf balls and so yummy! 

 

I also made a banana cream pie which was luscious.  It's the Susan Branch recipe that I love so much.  You basically make a cooked vanilla custard filling and pour it over the bananas and let it chill.  It feels very old fashioned and tastes like it too.   

This time I made a graham cracker crust because I find that sometimes with cream pies a pastry crust can get soggy.  This did not.  

I will confess that I did use Cool Whip instead of real whip cream! I have no regrets : ) 

Everyone loved it!  Recipe linked here.  

If you don't know by now I want to be Susan Branch when I grow up!  Love her soooo much! 

♥

Anyway, Easter dinner #1 was a success!  This Sunday we are invited to my brother in laws for dinner with Rob's family.  I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone.  And I heard there might be an egg hunt.  I hope that rumor is true!  I'm pretty good at egg hunts.  It's one of my hidden talents : ) 

I'm planning on our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then we'll go to an early mass as a family.   

We'll have plenty of time to relax before we're off to dinner.  

 

I'm wishing you all a happy and healthy Easter!  

I hope you spend your day with your loved ones, eating chocolate eggs & jelly beans!  

Remember to wear your stretchy pants! 

♥

Because you'll need them!  

♥

Is the Wizard of Oz or Mary Poppins on Sunday night?  When I was a kid I remember they were ALWAYS on Easter night and it was a BIG deal!  Remember that excitement?  

Ahh...take me back! 

Happy Easter friends! Have a wonderful weekend! 

xoxoxo

12 Days of Christmas // Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons ♥

Hello Everyone! It's day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas, and it's finally cookie day!

 

I had today off from work so I spent it in my slippers, listening to Christmas music, and making cookies.  After all the rushing around these last few weeks it was so nice to stay home today.  PLUS it was rainy and stormy out so it worked out even better ♥

 

 

 

 

 

I've been looking forward to making cookies all week.  I started with 3 batches of the raspberry thumbprint cookies that I made last year (click here for the recipe). 

 

 

This year I made some with raspberry jam and some with apricot ♥

 

 

 

 

These cookies are addictive! They are the most delicate butter cookie with yummy jam in the center. So delicious with a cup of tea in the afternoon. 

 

 Don't worry, I've set aside a stash just for me : )

 

 

In addition to the raspberry thumbprints, I tried my hand at this recipe for coconut macaroons.  They were super easy to make and only had a few ingredients (which I loved!).  I  have several coconut lovers in my family so I'm sure these will be a hit on Christmas eve!  After the cookies cooled I dipped the bottoms in melted chocolate to give them a little extra love!

 

My cookie testers told me they were very tasty! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recipe from Allrecipes.com

 

 

2/3 cup flour

5 1/2 cups flaked coconut (I used sweetened coconut)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

 

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

 

In a large bowl stir together the flour, coconut, and salt.  Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla - using your hands until well blended.  Using a cookie scoop  drop dough onto the prepared cookie sheet. Cookies should be about golf ball size.  Bake 12 - 15 minutes in preheated oven, until coconut is toasted. 

My oven was exactly 13 minutes  :)

 

For the chocolate - melt 1 bag of milk chocolate chips over a double boiler until smooth.  Once cookies are completely cooled, dip bottom (flat side) into the melted chocolate.  Carefully lay back on cookie sheet to set.  I put the entire sheet in the fridge overnight.  Store in airtight container.

 

♥

 

Tomorrow we are headed over to my mother in law's house for our annual Christmas lunch.  I'll be bringing a plate of these cookies for sure!

 

See you tomorrow! xo