Easter Sweet Treats ~ Link Love

How are you doing on this lovely Good Friday afternoon?! I am feeling just awesome! Today is the first day of a four-day long weekend for me and I'm really looking forward to 4 fabulous days! This morning we woke up to some gorgeous sunshine --- the temperature is a tad on the cool side, but there isn't a cloud in the sky. I hear that`s what we can expect all weekend long ---- sah-weet!!!! 

All week, I've continued to battle my chest cold, but I made the decision earlier this week that regardless of how I was feeling, I was going to get myself out for a run today. I got up, got dressed and got myself out the door bright and early before I could talk myself out of it. I did an interval run where I did run/walk intervals for 28 minutes. I was planning to do a 50 minute run, but my lungs just couldn't handle it. My legs felt great, but I was definitely winded quickly. Even though it was tough and I'm definitely not feeling 100%, it felt really great to get out there and get active after 10 days of sitting around waiting to feel better.

Later this afternoon, Derek and I are heading over to spend the day and evening at our friends' place. It's going to be a relaxing night filled with good friends, lots of good food and probably a couple of lip-licking bevies.

We were told that we didn't have to bring anything, but I could never show up empty-handed! I`m a food blogger for goodness sakes and I have like a trillion recipes I want to try! Get togethers are a great excuse to make some of the sinful treats that I love so much, but can`t be trusted with when left on my own. I like to make and then give away :) 

I knew what I was going to make right away because I`ve drooling over them for ages. If you haven`t planned out your sweet treats and desserts for Easter, then I hope to inspire you with 3 fabulous recipes that are absolutely to die for.

Easter Creme Egg Fudge

This tastes EXACTLY like a Cadbury Creme Egg!

It`s really sticky and messy, but it is soooo perfect for Easter!

Next time I think I`ll try making it into eggs because you almost have to eat it with a spoon.

(Not that that`s a bad thing wink wink)

Chocolate Pudding Cookies with Easter M&Ms

The softest, awesomest cookies ever.

It`s hard to find a chewy cookie that`s as good as a pudding cookie!

These are super cute and would be fun to make with your kids.

Skor Bar Trifle

Ok, so this is one of mine, but I made it last year and

it`s been requested again this year and it`s too freakin`awesome not to mention.

If you`re feeding a crowd, this is the crowd-pleaser that you want to end your dinner with!

Trust me, I would never lead you astray ;)

So now I better be off! Derek wants me to whip up a spicy barbecue marinade for some shrimp (eek! I`ve never eaten shrimp in my life so I`m not really sure what concoction we`ll end up with!) and then we`ve gotta move our booties to get ready to go.

Do you make any sweet treats for Easter. If you`ve posted any of your fave recipes link up so I can check it out!

Is this a long weekend for you. How many days off are you lucky enough to get. Only some people in Canada get Easter Monday off and I am fortunate to be one of the lucky few :)

I hope you`re having a fabulous day and I wish you a warm and wonderful weekend spent with all those who are near and dear to you!

Andrea

xoxo 

Christmas Cookies

I love to eat all the Christmas baking that is shared through the holiday season, but last year was the first time I actually did some baking myself. I've  always said that I wasn't a baker, but I had so much cookie success that I've decided I'll make an exception at Christmas.

source

As a kid, my all-time favourite Christmas Cookie was a buttery shortbread. I still love me some shortbread, but I've gotta spread that love around to a whole bunch of others too. I'm not great at coming up with cookie recipes myself, so I browsed the blog world last December and found these amazing recipes.

Oreo Balls (recipe by Jessica) - You're going to notice that a lot of my recipes came from her last year, but every single thing she makes is just so good, I can't resist her recipes! These were like mini oreo cheesecakes and were my absolute favourite cookie last year!

Soft Gingersnap Cookies (recipe by Maria) - Ok, so Maria is an awesome baker too! I never had a real love for gingersnaps....until these!

Gingerbread Men - I think the secret ingredient in this is butterscotch pudding!

Peanut Butter Blossoms - Who doesn't love a peanut butter/chocolate combo??

Holiday Thumbprints (recipe by Mother Lovett/Jessica) - simple, traditional and delish! I coloured the coconut red & green and that made these a huge hit with my neices and nephew.

Shortbread Cookies - These are melt-in-your mouth delicious! I didn't add anything to fancy them up because they are perfect all on their own.

Last year, our freezer was filled with these delicious little bites and they all froze really, really well.

....and this year, I'm planning on adding these bad boys to the list:

Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe by Maria) - I'm going to use Christmas M & Ms in place of the chocolate chips

Cookies and Cream Oreo Bark (by Naomi) - Okay, so I love oreos especially when you add chocolate! This is one of my "pins" on Pinterest.

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge - I confess this is another Pinterest find! You've gotta have a little peppermint included in your Christmas baking --- it's just one of those unwritten rules!! :-D

So is your mouth watering yet???
Do you have some Christmas baking that's become a tradition in your family?
If you have some great family recipes that you'd like to share, attach a link so I can check it out!

Now go grab a snack {wink wink} and have yourself an amazing day!

Andrea