Cookie Dough Bites

The best way to say "I love you" to a sweet tooth is with cookie dough. Trust me.

Greek yogurt is the secret to making this cookie dough recipe egg-free and granting you the permission to lick the bowl, spoon, your fingers, and eat as much as you like. Simply blend the ingredients together as you would a normal cookie recipe: blend butter and sugars, add vanilla and yogurt, mix in the dry ingredients, and lastly, the chocolate chips.

For quick cookie dough bites, drop the dough onto a cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop. Pop those bad boys into the freeze and you're done! For a more festive treat, spread the dough into a jelly roll pan and cut into shapes with cookie cutters after freezing.

Homemade Peanut Butter

Welcome to peanut butter eaters anonymous. 

Confession: I eat peanut butter straight from the jar, with a spoon.

Peanut butter can be expensive, especially if you prefer all-natural and go through a jar as fast as I do. Wholesale peanuts, on the other hand, are less expensive and can be quickly whipped into a smooth butter with the help of your food processor.

It's as easy as,

one

two

three

If you like your peanut butter crunchy, stop blending a bit early, or toss some chopped peanuts into your butter at the end. You can also try this recipe with almonds or cashews for something different!

Homemade Peanut Butter

Fills 2, 8 oz. jars

16 oz. unsalted peanuts

1 T. coconut oil

1 t. salt

Blend peanuts in a food processor until spreadable, using a spatula to periodically break up clumps of peanuts. Add coconut oil and salt, and blend until smooth.

Transfer peanut butter to clean, airtight glass jars and store in the refrigerator.

Apple Butter and Appled Brandy for a Homemade Holiday

As soon as you become a pretty serious vegetable gardener, or spend that extra dollar or two to get the freshest produce at the local farmer’s market (or better yet, to pick your own!), you will realize the benefit of preserving the harvest.

I was intimidated by canning for a while. If you have ever read the introduction to a canning book, you know what I’m talking about. Better not screw up or you’ll give all of your loved-ones botulism, right? Wrong, if you’re smart and don’t break the rules. Start easy with acidic foods like fruit butters, jams, and jellies. It’s the low-acid foods like vegetables that are trickier.

What’s the best fruit to can in the fall? APPLES!

My friend Dawn and I ventured to Solebury Orchards in New Hope, PA for our apple needs this year. We hit the orchards in mid-October when the Stayman Winesaps were perfect for picking and both left with 20 lbs. of apples, cider, and the obligatory cider doughnut.