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Ruffled Heart Cookies Tutorial

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Whether you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or both, heart cookies are always a fun treat to make. These cookies have that classic heart shape, but have an added sense of flair with a ruffled, ribbon-like border. I’ll show you how to use certain piping tips to create that ruffled effect.

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What You’ll Need:

  • Sugar cookie dough
  • Heart shaped cookie cutters
  • Buttercream
  • Food coloring
  • Offset spatula
  • Different colored sugar sprinkles
  • Several small bowls
  • Piping bags
  • Piping tips
  • Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

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Chocolate Covered Caramel Dipped Pretzels

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Chocolate covered pretzels are great, but have you ever had pretzels that are dipped in caramel and then covered in chocolate?! They are a serious game changer.

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I’m a big fan of the pretzel-chocolate-caramel combination and its salty-sweet flavor. I’ve made Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies and Chocolate Covered Pretzel and Salted Caramel Milkshakes, but I wanted to create a recipe that was a little more true to the pretzels in their original form.

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Raspberry Liqueur Brownie Trifles

Published on by Marisa Bakes

If you’re like me, you make New Year’s Eve all about the dessert. Don’t worry, I make sure to eat plenty of fun appetizers and other delicious food, but the dessert is the part I’m really waiting for. This year, I decided to take a fun twist on a classic one, the brownie. And the delicious Raspberry Liqueur Brownie Trifle was born!

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These individual trifles combine a fudge-like, raspberry liqueur flavored brownie with layers of fluffy whipped cream and fresh raspberries. They’re the perfect dessert to help you ring in the New Year!

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Cranberry Orange Christmas Tree Hand Pies

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Somehow Christmas is only five days away. I don’t know where the rest of December went, but I’m trying to pack in as many Christmas-y things in before the big day arrives. One of those fun things involves making these fun Christmas Tree Hand Pies. I even have a template you can use if you don’t have a Christmas tree cookie cutter. 🎄

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Cranberry and orange are two classic Christmas flavors, and they make for a sweet, yet tangy filling. Add a little bit of icing to each hand pie and you’ve got yourself some fancy, decorated trees.

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Chocolate Peppermint Pudding

Published on by Marisa Bakes

The season for chocolate and peppermint is officially upon us! Everywhere you look there are all kinds of fun desserts that feature the two ingredients. I’ve got another fun dessert that also features them, but in the form of delicious, creamy pudding.

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This Chocolate Peppermint Pudding is rich and decadent, with just a hint of a minty flavor. Plus, it’s topped off with fluffy whipped cream and homemade peppermint bark to make it even better.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Half and Half Cookies

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Chocolate and peanut butter, a combination so classic that it’s hard to beat. If you like chocolate and peanut butter together like me, you’ll be a fan of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Half and Half Cookies.

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These cookies take all the best things about a chocolate cookie (the rich taste and crispy, yet chewy texture) and combine it with all of the best things about a peanut butter cookie (the salty, yet sweet taste and soft texture) to form the hybrid cookie of your dreams.

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Raspberry Bat Hand Pies with Printable Template

Published on by Marisa Bakes

If you’re looking for something delicious, fun, and just a little spooky to make for Halloween, these Raspberry Bat Hand Pies will do just the trick. They have a buttery crust and sweet raspberry filling, and their frightening shape makes them perfect for any Halloween feast! I’ve even got a printable template you can use to make sure they come out perfectly 🦇

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One of the best things about this recipe is that it is pretty simple and does not require a whole lot of ingredients. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time to make the hand pies, because you’ll need to chill them throughout the process to ensure they keep their shape. Don’t worry though, they’ll be worth it!

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Jack O’ Lantern Stained Glass Cookies Tutorial

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Halloween is almost upon us, and it’s time to start dreaming up which Halloween treats you’ll make this year. These Jack O’Lantern Stained Glass Cookies are easy to make and give sugar cookies a fun twist. Plus, with the help of some melted yellow and orange hard candy, they look just like the real thing! 🎃

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What You’ll Need:

  • Sugar cookie dough
  • Pumpkin shaped cookie cutter
  • Small cookie cutters in common shapes or a small pairing knife
  • A handful of yellow and orange hard candies
  • A mortar and pestle or small plastic baggie and rolling pin
  • Small spoon
  • Toothpick
  • Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

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Chocolate Covered Pretzel and Salted Caramel Milkshakes

Published on by Marisa Bakes

One of my favorite flavor combinations involves salted caramel, pretzels, and lots of chocolate. I decided to add some ice cream and a little bit of milk and came up with the idea for these Chocolate Covered Pretzel and Salted Caramel Milkshakes.

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They’re salty because of the pretzels and salted caramel and sweet because of the ice cream and chocolate. They’re also super creamy and decadent, and a great way to cool down on a hot day.

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Chocolate Coconut Milkshakes

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Milkshakes are one of my favorite things to make when it’s hot outside, and I have been dreaming up all kinds of milkshake recipes lately. I love coconut, and one of my favorite things to pair with it is chocolate, which led to the creation of these Chocolate Coconut Milkshakes.

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They’re super simple and easy to make. The base of the milkshake is chocolate ice cream, and the coconut flavor comes from both coconut milk and shredded coconut. I decided to use sweetened shredded coconut in the milkshake to compliment the chopped chocolate. That way you can use your spoon to scoop up delicious spoonfuls of coconut and chocolate together!

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Chocolate Orange Layer Cake

Published on by Marisa Bakes

I know January can be exciting because its the start of the new year, which means lots of resolutions, reflections, goals and planning, and that’s pretty cool, but one of my favorite things about the month is all of the leftover Christmas candy I get to slowly work my way through. One of my absolute favorite types of Christmas candy is a chocolate orange. If you’ve never had one before, it’s basically a ball of chocolate that breaks apart into slices when you whack it on the counter. What’s not to love about that?

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Gingerbread Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Published on by Marisa Bakes

There are a lot of classic holiday desserts out there, but one of my favorite things to make every year is gingerbread cookies. Even though they can be fun to decorate, I’m all for a really good plain gingerbread cookie. It’s crisp around the edges, yet chewy in the middle, and it makes the whole house smell like ginger and molasses.

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Maple Cinnamon Cookies

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Are you more of a chewy cookie person or a crispy cookie person? I think the perfect cookie has a combination of both. I love it when cookies are crispy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. These Maple Cinnamon Cookies are exactly that. They’re crisp around the edges, but soft with just the right amount of chewiness in the center.

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Maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger are brought together to make a sweet, yet spice filled dough. I recommend using good quality Grade A Dark Color syrup because it has a stronger maple flavor. Don’t worry, if you’re looking for something else to make with the syrup, I’ve got you covered with this Buttermilk Waffle Cake with Maple Buttercream and these Maple Cream Scones.

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Caramel Apple Muffins

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so I’m all for celebrating it throughout October. There’s the house decorating, the pumpkin carving, the movie watching, the costume creating, and the caramel apple making. I made these Caramel Apples last year because I think they’re a classic Halloween treat, but this year I decided to mix things up a little.

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What if we took everything that makes a caramel apple, a juicy Granny Smith apple covered in delicious, chewy caramel, but made it into something you can sort of get away with eating for breakfast? Yes, these Caramel Apple Muffins now give you the excuse to eat globs of caramel first thing in the morning. You’re welcome.

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Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Does anyone else already have a long list of things they’re planning on baking this fall? All I know is my list starts with apple pie and it currently has no end in sight. There are just so many cozy desserts that need to be baked. If you’ve got a list, these Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies would look pretty good on it, and if you don’t have one yet, let’s make one!

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Yep, you heard right, Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies! They’re chewy and soft like oatmeal cookies, but have the classic fall flavor of pumpkin spice to help you celebrate all things fall. The pumpkin spice flavor is brought to you with the help of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, and pumpkin puree adds the classic pumpkin flavor.

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Strawberry Daiquiri Cake

Published on by Marisa Bakes

I’m not really sure how we’re already halfway through August, but I do know that making some daiquiris and a cake to go with them is a good way to cope with that.

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My favorite drink to order is almost always a strawberry daiquiri. They’re sweet, refreshing, and have the perfect balance of strawberry, rum, and just a hint of lime. Plus, they almost always come in a fun glass with a little umbrella, and what’s better than that? So, in honor of the classic strawberry daiquiri, I decided to transform my favorite fruity cocktail into a cake.

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Mint Chip Milkshakes

Published on by Marisa Bakes

I’m back with another milkshake recipe for you! I think we all deserve another milkshake with all of this heat, don’t you? If you love mint and chocolate as much as me, this is the milkshake for you. Delicious crème de menthe meets luscious vanilla ice cream and little bits of bittersweet chocolate for a cool and refreshing drink.

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Just like with my Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Cake, I love using crème de menthe because it adds just enough of a mint flavor without being too strong. You can use mint extract instead to make it more kid friendly, but be sure to add about 1 tsp at a time until you reach the flavor you want as a little goes a long way.

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Berry Pie Milkshakes

Published on by Marisa Bakes

One of my favorite summer desserts is a classic berry pie. I usually go for a combination of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, and I love snacking on a warm slice topped with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. So why not take that exact thing, but transform it into a milkshake? Yep, a milkshake!!

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All it takes is one slice of berry pie or two berry hand pies, some vanilla ice cream, some milk or almond milk, and a blender. Before you know it, you’ll have a delicious drink that tastes like berry pie fresh out of the oven, but in a cold and refreshing way, perfect for those hot summer days.

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Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies

Published on by Marisa BakesLeave a comment

Does anyone else love the combination of salty and sweet as much as me? These cookies are the perfect way to satisfy all of your salty and sweet cravings at the same time. A delicious chocolate cookie is met with a luscious salted caramel sauce and topped with a pretzel for an added salty crunch. And that’s not even mentioning that the cookie has the added bonus of chocolate chips!

Even though these cookies have several elements to them, they’re pretty simple and come together rather quickly. You’ll start out by making the salted caramel. Don’t let the words “salted caramel” dissuade you. This caramel recipe only takes four ingredients, and as long as you have your ingredients ready to go and you keep a close eye on your caramel’s color, you’ll end up with a delicious sauce! Trust me, you’ve got this. Plus, the next best thing? Any leftover caramel sauce can be stored in the fridge for all of your snacking/dipping/drenching needs.

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Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Cake

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Somehow May is almost already half way over, which in my family means it’s time to think up a delicious dessert involving mint and chocolate. My older brother’s birthday is this month, and as an avid fan of the two, his number one request every year almost always involves that pairing. Seeing as how my favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip, I never say no to testing out new desserts involving the two flavors! 🍫🌿

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That’s where I got the inspiration to dream up this Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Cake. Layers of a rich, dark chocolate cake are paired with a creamy mint chip Swiss meringue buttercream that’s pretty much like mint chocolate chip ice cream in frosting form. Pieces of chopped bittersweet chocolate are added to the buttercream for a little bit of a crunch, and crème de menthe is used to add a subtle, yet creamy mint flavor.

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Maple Cream Scones

Published on by Marisa Bakes

It’s hard not to love a buttery, soft, flaky scone. You know what I’m talking about…the kind that melts in your mouth when it’s still warm out of the oven. These scones are not only lusciously tender, but the maple syrup in them takes them to a whole new level.

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Imagine the perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and just a little bit of crunch from the sparkling sugar that’s sprinkled on top. They’re delicate and flaky, but sturdy enough to top with jam and take with you as you run out the door in the morning.

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Irish Cream and Chocolate Bundt Cake with a Dark Chocolate Glaze

Published on by Marisa Bakes

This cake is my new favorite Saint Patrick’s Day tradition…a rich chocolate cake with a hint of Irish Cream and a delicious chocolate glaze. Not only is it super easy to make, but it results in a decadent dessert that will easily have you wanting another slice. ☘️

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While I’m all for the excuse to make this cake year round, I think that it is best when it is served on the day of all things shamrock, corned beef, and green. Plus, it’s the perfect way to add a sophisticated touch to your Saint Patrick’s Day festivities.

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Buttermilk Waffle Cake with Maple Buttercream

Published on by Marisa Bakes

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Is there any meal greater than breakfast? Maybe it’s the endless number of options or the fact that it’s the first meal of the day, but breakfast food is one of my favorite kinds. So why not take a classic breakfast food, like the infamous buttermilk waffle, and transform it into a layer cake? I thought this would be a fun way to enjoy a breakfast food for dessert, and I’m sure that Leslie Knope would agree it’s the best excuse to eat cake for breakfast.

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Creamy Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Whenever it starts to get chilly this time of year, I can’t wait to make the season’s first delicious cup of rich, creamy hot chocolate. The smell of it makes me think of decorating the house with Christmas lights, wrapping presents, and watching those classic Christmas movies year after year.

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I grew up with instant hot cocoa, the kind that’s complete with a splash of milk and some mini marshmallows, but trust me, once you’ve had this hot chocolate, you’ll never want to go back to the instant kind. Instead of depending on cocoa powder for the chocolate taste, melting good quality chocolate gives the drink an overall richer and creamier feel, making it that much more irresistible.

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Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

Published on by Marisa Bakes

Can you believe it’s already mid November? It seems like pumpkins were just being carved for Halloween, but we’re already seeing Christmas commercials and just the other day I saw someone putting Christmas lights up on their house! Thanksgiving is almost here so now is the time to make everything pumpkin if you haven’t already. Why not let that list include a twist on a classic breakfast food? These pumpkin cinnamon rolls will brighten up any morning (or afternoon or night for that matter) and are somehow made even better when topped with the cream cheese icing straight out of the oven. 🎃

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We all know that yummy, melt in your mouth cinnamon roll taste, but these rolls take that to the next level by adding a hint of pumpkin. Not to mention, they make your kitchen smell amazing! Just the thing you need to feel excited for fall.

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Caramel Apples

Published on by Marisa BakesLeave a comment

Put a pot on the stove and get ready to watch it boil, it’s time to make caramel apples! Halloween is almost here, and the perfect addition to that spooky night is a delicious tart apple covered in the chewiest, creamiest caramel, and topped with all of your favorite toppings.

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Caramel apples have been around since the 1950’s, as they became popular after candy apples, and this quick and simple recipe makes it easy to have a batch whipped up in no time with only a few ingredients.

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Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Published on by Marisa BakesLeave a comment

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As of last week, fall is officially here, and I’m so ready for all of the pumpkins, scarf wearing, and pie making that comes with it.

Not to mention, one of the best excuses for baking (as if I need another) is that it’s chilly outside and what better way to warm up than with homemade scones or some delicious cookies? Just the sound of it makes me want to curl up with a good book or a classic movie while something bakes away in the oven.

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