Coffee Break

Popping in on this Tuesday-before-Easter to say hi! Let’s catch up. Our last coffee break I was in St. Lucia soaking up the 80 degree weather and warm sunshine. Today it’s sunny, for sure, but nothing like 80 degrees. There was snow 2 days ago.

But how are you? What’s going on in your life? Can you believe it’s Easter week already? I just got out my Easter decorations… yesterday. Even though the rest of the house is in complete shambles and there are random boxes for moving in all corners, I like to feel at least somewhat festive.

Random, but important question if you like colorful and/or glittery things: do you dye Easter eggs every year? I haven’t done it since I was about 12. I see all sorts of super fun kits now. Ones with glitter! Have you done the glitter ones? I see the kits at Target every year but always remind myself that I’m a grown up. Am I too old for that? Can’t wait to have children because… glitter Easter eggs.

Speaking of color! I contributed two recipes to a new cookbook called Peeps-A-Licious. It’s a cookbook from my publisher! Above are my Marshmallow-Filled PEEPS Cupcakes found inside the 2nd chapter. It’s the most adorable cookbook, my friends. It literally has 50 recipes… all using PEEPS.

I’m making two cakes for Easter dessert this year– pineapple upside-down cake (a yearly tradition) and my new cheesecake swirl carrot bundt cake. How much cake is too much cake?

On healthier note, I’m on a smoothie bowl kick right now. We’re talking super suuuuper thick smoothie situations in a giant bowl topped with anything and everything. They’re my post-run snack. Do you have any favorite easy smoothie bowl recipes? Looking for new inspiration. I usually go for green smoothies, but I poured this skinny strawberry banana milkshake into a bowl the other day, topped with goodies, and can’t get enough.

Food bloggers, will I be meeting you at the Everything Food Conference in Salt Lake City this May? I’m counting down the days. I’ll be speaking as well as hosting a baking show. We’ll bake (you’ll be baking too!), eat, and chat all morning. There’s limited availability, so register soon if you’re interested. I’m trying to schedule a book signing while I’m there too– so if you aren’t a food blogger and live nearby, stay tuned. The book signing will likely be Wednesday, May 18th in the evening.

I’ve been to Salt Lake before and I’m really excited to go back! Kevin actually used to live there, as well as in Colorado at one point, so it’s always fun to visit his old stomping grounds. Have you ever been?

I got a new camera lens and I’m loving it. It’s the most expensive lens I own, but at this point in my career– I really want to work with top quality equipment. The new lens is the canon 24-70mm f/2.8. Crystal clear, tack-sharp photos and fantastic for low light situations. Plus the bokeh with a larger aperture (like f/2.8) is flawlessly gorgeous. It’s quite pricey, but well worth it! Don’t mind the crumbs on it.

I shot this with the new lens:

(and the chewy chocolate chip cookie dough at the top)

They’re my Irish whiskey chocolate truffles. I made them for People’s website last week. They’re insanely good, as you can imagine. The whiskey isn’t overpowering at all. (If it were, I’d pass on ’em.) But the slight flavor is complimented by the orange zest, chocolate, honey, and vanilla. I love these! Instead of Nilla Wafers cookies, you can use graham crackers. I have a similar recipe in Sally’s Candy Addiction called cocoa rum balls. A holiday favorite, for sure. Try those too!

Ever eat or bake with Cara Cara oranges before? I have a fridge full of them. Cara Caras are wonderfully sweet with a little tangy attitude! What I love most is their coral/pink interior, obviously. I just learned that the pink is from the presence of lycopene. I baked something new with them yesterday; will share soon!

Will you just look at this cutie. ♥

PS: Hoping you’ve seen more behind the scenes shots on snapchat lately. (username: sallysbakeblog) The pan-fried tofu was actually really good last night! And no, Kevin did not touch it as I expected.

Share this post