Pecan Pie with Salted Caramel

After some dissertation, I am once again back and will soon be able to get back to my regular posting schedule. Lots has been happening the past few months where I was mainly focusing a lot towards my growth in my work. Now that it has finally slowed down a little, I could breathe with ease and I feel like floating in the air too...dancing to every single upbeat Christmas song I hear and my personal favourite has to be the Jazz-Blues, Traditional Pop genre. I grew up listening to wonderful singers like Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, just to name a few. However, I do have a current personal favourite too. I have been hooked to this wonderful singer ever since his first album. Perhaps it comes as no surprise to my friends, that at this time of the year, I will be caught humming and tapping to the tune of Winter Wonderland, listening to the smooth-silky voice of Michael Bublé.

Since I'm in the mood for the holidays, let me present to you my all time favourite nutty PECAN PIE with SALTED CARAMEL is a classic. There may not be a lot of people around me know, that I have a soft spot for them. Just a slice of this luxuriously crunchy, caramelized aroma and taste pie is enough to make your knees wobble. Pronounced either as "pee-CAN" or by some as pee-KAHN", this is one Classic Pie that is perfect for the holidays. So start cranking up the oven peeps!

Dulce de Leche & Espresso Macaron

If you're a fan of sparkles, pink, lilac, coffee and caramel; then this DULCE DE LECHE & ESPRESSO FRENCH MACARON is definitely your go to pick me up of  the day. Having both of these flavours marry together is seriously a match made in the kitchen dying to happen.

Boozy Banana Cream Pie

Talk about starting off my holiday mood early. Ever wonder what to do with left over banana? Banana is one of those fruit that when ripen it turns black really fast. So instead of letting it go to waste and tossing it out in a bin, try making some banana pudding, smoothie or better yet, give this pie a try. Whenever I think of a dessert with banana, it somehow ends up being something decadent and satisfying.

Here's a little secret too. I really love this fruit in almost any possible way you could think of adding to a treat. Banana splits, Pancake with sliced Banana, Bacon & Maple Syrup, Chunky Monkey Milkshake and how about a BOOZY BANANA CREAM PIE (a grown up version)?

Baking Recipe: Caramel Pear Cheesecake or Tart or Pie

Oh look! Is that a cheesecake, nope I think it's a tart, or maybe a pie?!?!. Gosh.. I give up. Either way you look at it, I only have one word to sum it up.. Delish!! Don't you just love the combination of caramel and pear? Then add some fluffy cream cheese and to take the sweetness level down a notch, the caramel pear cheesecake is paired with an aromatic light gingersnap cookie base.

To digress for a bit before I jump down to just talking about food, how many of you follow the TV reality series The Bachelor or The Bachelorette? Honestly, I don't follow but I do watch it once a while when I am completely bored out of my mind. That got me thinking.. "Really?? Can people find their soul mate and love by just smooching or chatting to every single gal or guy???.. for real.. can you just find love in just 9 weeks or is it close to 3 months? All of the gals or dudes looks too good to be true right? Then pop the biggest question where I think most people would take forever until they are ultra sure about it". Call me a skeptic.. but my optimism level could only go so far sometimes. Hmmmph.. anyways that is just my crazy mind talking and I do think the latest bachelor, Ben Flajnik is pretty cute, nerdy cute? He's a wine maker from Sonoma. Not bad eh? Doesn't he reminds you a little like Josh Groban? Those dark wavy hair and 'innocent' eyes? I am beginning to think that I admire a certain type of man. Anyways, we shall see who's the lucky gal. Okay enough of my gibberish thoughts..

It was time I gave a spin to using digestives. Instead, I opted for gingersnap cookies and yes, they do sound slightly festive, but hey! I think I just found a way for you to switch up your gingersnaps. Sick and bored over with your Christmas cookies, make them into another dessert. Don't toss them out. Reading through my post right now, I sound like an info-mercial. LOL..

For recipe: Click on image + zoom

For those of you who cringe just thinking of gingersnaps, well don't. This is year 2012, time to open up to possibilities and new beginnings. I may not be overly crazy on gingersnaps, but I think I found a way to tone down the ginger-y taste by slathering a wicked amount of soft caramel spread bought from La Boulangerie. Their caramel spread is ultra smooth and soft. So soft that it was seriously tempting me to dip my finger into the jar just to feel the smooth texture.

Till then, and have you been keeping up to your New Year 2012 resolution? As for myself? I say "What resolution?!?!.. Just Live Life and Let Good Music Move You!!"

xx