Hello Dolly Bars

More sugary treats coming your way! It’s okay though. I can justify it because the holidays are upon us! Especially since these are one of my all time favorite desserts, then again, I probably say that about most desserts. But seriously, these do have an extra special place in my heart because these bars were one of the very first things I ever learned how to bake. I used to make them for our girl scouts’ bake sale. Let me explain. In Nicaragua we didn’t sell girl scout cookies like the ones you have here, instead we sold real cookies made by girl scouts. In my opinion, our cookies are better than some samoas in a box but hey, what do I know?

I made these hello dolly bars for our bake sales, and they were a best seller. I should mention, that they produce the most amazing aroma when they are baking.

Advertisement

Cinnamon and Chocolate Chip Rugelach Cookies

Remember that cookie swap I was telling you about, this is what I made. It’s a great treat for the holiday season, or any season for that matter. They are fairly small as well, meaning you can eat three of them and not hate yourself for it. Such a win.

The cookie swap turned out to be a whole lot of fun. I must have tested a dozen cookie recipes in the last few months. I’m stocked with cookie dough for the winter. This recipe was one of my absolute favorites. They were easy to make, relatively inexpensive to make and they held up really well after several days without refrigeration.

Still Alive and Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies!

I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve been on here. Once I started my fall quarter I just didnt have a moment to stop and think about the blog. I’ve been juggling school and travel. I spend Monday through Thursday with my nose in a book, and then I jump on a train to San Diego for the weekend where I forget about school, books, emails and other technology of that sort. Having a long distance relationship is tough but we are lucky enough to be only be 2 hours away. That’s why I’ve been traveling every weekend, and blogging fell by the wayside in the process. But now I’m back! At least kind of… I’ll be back more fully on Dec. 8th, once I’m done with my first quarter at UCLA!

Now to the important stuff: COOKIES!!!

Couscous Salad

I know, I’ve been a bad blogger recently. Regular blogging is tough. Maybe its because I’m easily distracted. Look at the pretty butterfly over there….What was I saying? Oh yes, distractions, they happen and often. It is easy and surprisingly fun to write this blog once I get into it but sometimes I forget I even have a blog. Every once in a while it is nice to have a pizza-booze-tely night with my lovely boyfriend and leave the cooking to the professionals over at pizza hut. How I love their cheese stuffed crust, such a guilty pleasure. And after one of those nights it’s easy to become lazy about cooking. I’ll end up making quick meals or things we’ve had a million times–nothing blog worthy.

Then there are other times, like tonight, when I cook up a storm. I’ve got five different dishes on the menu tonight, four of which still need to be assembled–maybe I should be writing this later. The masses can wait. After all the chef should be able to decided when it’s dinner time. But as for the dishes, I’ll be blogging most of them in the near-ish future once I get my computer fixed.

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart

This tart makes me feel like a European chef. I can imagine myself taking a day off from my restaurant and staying home to make something like this. We would lounge outside on the patio enjoying a light dinner of wine, tarts, and cheese. Ah, the life… Even if you aren’t actually in your dream villa or anywhere close to it, this tart will transport you. Let it take you to your happy place.

The goat cheese and the slightly charred tomatoes marry so well. I’m still shocked that I willingly eat tomatoes. Why didn’t anyone tell me how amazing summer tomatoes can be? I’m sad to think that their moment is ending. Soon we’ll be moving into the fall vegetables.