Livin' the Dream in Lima

I don't remember where my mom & I got this recipe... we started baking these about 8 years ago. And haven't stopped since! The name says it all - there is a 'buried cherry' in each cookie. The cookie itself is chewy and chocolatey, and inside there's a surprise cherry! It's all topped with a unique type of frosting; it is poured over the cookie before  it's baked. It's like a cookie version of a chocolate-covered cherry! (Without all that nasty sweet white goo inside...) Here's a step-by-step break-down: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Make an indentation in each ball. Place a cherry in each indentation. Make the frosting. (And don't forget to lick the spoon. And scrape the sides of the pan.) Top with the frosting. Bake! And then wonder what to do with the leftover 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk. (What kind of recipe only calls for 1/2 cup?) I guess I could be like my friend Jen , as she tol...

While we were in Door County, we ate lots of delicious food . Obviously. One night we ate at a restaurant called The Cookery . Part wine bar, part casual restaurant - it was awesome. Being my typical self, I scoured the menu online before we left to check out the options. I had my heart set on a flatbread, but when we got there, it was not  on the menu! (Turns out it was on the wine bar menu only, and we were dining in the restaurant.) But... after a few minutes of sweet talking and schmoozing with the waiter, I was able to order it! (Okay, I basically just asked and he said yes.) I ordered the Chicken & Cherry Flatbread --house made cherry chutney, roasted chicken, caramelized onions, and gorgonzola on wheat crust. I wanted to take my plate home. It was really neat. It was so delicious! The flavors all complimented each other so well. I knew I would have to repeat the same flavors at home. And thus, the Chicken Cherry Panini was born! Yes, it's on a ...

... are the best. Yesterday was such a relaxing day. I spent the morning sitting outside by the pond, sipping iced coffee, reading a book. Then we were off to church. On the way home, we stopped at the grocery store for a few items. And  where they were giving out free (!) brats. So a nice free lunch. The afternoon was spent baking bread, and napping while the bread was rising. There's nothing more beautiful than rising bread dough. I don't know if I've ever talked about how I got into baking. My mom baked a lot when I was growing up. I got started in the kitchen with her. But then I got my first job. When I turned 16, I got a job at the infamous Katie's Cafe  in my hometown. Sadly, it's no longer open. :( They were well-known for their ginormous cookies, fresh salads, homemade soups, and the bread. Ohhh, the fresh herb bread. Which came with just about everything you ordered. My job description was "baker". How fun! I worked after s...

This post is quick... it's been a long and busy day. I will recap more tomorrow! Enjoy! Cherry Bon-Bon Cookies Servings/Yield 2 dozen 24   maraschino cherries, juice reserved ½   cup   butter, softened ¾   cup   powdered sugar 1½   cups   flour pinch   salt 2   tbsp.   half-and-half 1   tsp.   vanilla extract Glaze 1   tbsp.   melted butter 2   tbsp.   reserved cherry juice 1-2   cups   powdered sugar Method Preheat oven to 350*F. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in flour, salt, half-and-half, and vanilla. Shape dough into 24 balls, covering each cherry completely. Bake 18-20 minutes in preheated oven. Drizzle with cherry glaze. To make glaze, whisk together melted butter, cherry juice, and enough powdered sugar to get the glaze consistency that you desire. (More powdered sugar for thicker glaze, less powdered sugar for thinner glaze.)