Cookbook Crush: January 2016

I meant to tell you all about these cookbooks in October. And then in November. And then again in early December so you'd have time to order them for Christmas.

So, yeah.

This might be perfect timing, though, right? If you did not get these books for Christmas, well...it's time to treat yourself. (Or, ask for them for Valentine's Day.)


1. The Cookie Companion by Georganne Bell.


Georganne is the mastermind behind LilaLoa. Georganne is an artist with a fabulous eye for color and design. Her cookies are whimsical, beautiful and fun, and her book is just the same.


Packed with great cookie decorating info, the book contains recipes, tutorials, and tips. The book is organized alphabetically, so you'll find "eyeballs" under E and "Piping bags" and "Pumpkins" under P. Every letter is an adventure. :)


Wait until you see Georganne's vintage technique! So cool!

So, here's where I almost passed out upon seeing the book...the color charts:

Georganne walks through how to make stunning custom colors mixing gel paste food colorings.


Oh, and then there are the color palettes. *faints* I love this part. It makes my heart go pitter-patter.


Love cookie decorating? Interested in cookie decorating? You'll want The Cookie Companion.


2. The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime by Ree Drummond

Just to start, I always love the covers of Ree's books, but this one is particularly beautiful, I think.
Hey, Ree!

Ree's latest book is all about DINNER! (I bet you guessed that!)


The cookbook is filled with Ree's signature...and super helpful...step-by-step photography.


You'll find 16-minute meals, freezer meals, breakfast for dinner...AND dessert. Ree wouldn't forget dessert!


I love how Ree's cookbooks are just a good read in addition to the recipes. And those ranch photos? *sigh*


I've made several recipes from The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime so far. Do I even need to tell you they were delicious? (They were.)


I'd like to send one of these lovely cookbooks to one of you! :)

Leave a comment on this post telling me which one you'd like. US addresses only, please.

Comments accepted through 11:59pm CST January 27th. Good luck!

*this post contains amazon affiliate links. thank you!

Chocolate Ginger Cookies

We are now in the season of "all ginger, all the time" around here. December may as well be called Ginguary.

*this post is sponsored by Wholesome! Read down for a fabulous giveaway!



I love, love, love and adore the combination of ginger and chocolate. Don't you? Well, these soft, puffy chocolate ginger cookies are the best of both worlds. Richly chocolate, heavily spiced...heaven.


Once you bite into the cookie, you'll find melty chocolate and bits of crystallized ginger. Crystallized ginger is just SO pretty...you can find it at the grocery store. I got mine at Trader Joe's.


I definitely think Santa would approve of these being on his cookie plate! ;)


Chocolate Ginger Cookies
{makes about 18 cookies}

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup Wholesome!™ Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
1/4 cup Wholesome!™ Organic Light Corn Syrup
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
granulated sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate chips together over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and let cool.

Whisk the flour, cocoa, spices, baking powder, and salt together. In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat the coconut sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Beat in the chocolate mixture. On low speed, add in the flour mixture in two additions, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in the chips and crystallized ginger.

Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop* to make balls of the dough. If desired, roll in granulated sugar. Place onto the prepared sheets. Bake for 12 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. (Place the dough back in the refrigerator between batches.)

*amazon affiliate link, thank you. 



Now for a giveaway!!!
Wholesome!™ has an AMAZING giveaway for one of you this Christmas season.  Here's a little hint of what you might win...


I told you it was fabulous!!!

To enter and to read the details, click over to the Wholesome!™ site! Good luck!!!

Land O Lakes® Butter and Pioneer Woman Cookware Giveaway!

Get ready...this giveaway is so fun!

To go along with my post for Land O Lakes® Butter yesterday (did you see the Butter Mint Cut-Out Cookies?), they are sponsoring a holiday giveaway! Yay!!!

Here's the low-down on all of the goodies that someone will win:


Set of 15 Mix-and-Match Bowls from Pioneer Woman Cookware (15!!! Oh my gosh!)


Set of 4 mugs from Pioneer Woman Cookware (OK...these are just the cheeriest way to start any morning!)


Set of 6 ramekins from Pioneer Woman Cookware (I use mine allllll the time.)


Butter dish from Pioneer Woman Cookware (Um, this is the cutest.)


4 place settings of Country Garden Dinnerware from Pioneer Woman Cookware (I ran out and bought a set of these dishes the DAY PW's line was released. I absolutely LOOOOOVE them!)


12 coupons for free Land O Lakes® Butter (butter!!!)

2 copies of Dairy Good Cookbook (You know this is a good one.)
*amazon affiliate link, thank you. 

Holiday cookie cutters (Not pictured, but who couldn't use more cookie cutters?)

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite recipe to make over the holidays.

For an extra entry, spread the love. Share on Twitter, Facebook, email you sister, call your Nana, whatever. Leave a separate comment letting me know that you did.

Winner will be notified VIA EMAIL, not by posting on the blog, so make sure I have a way to contact you! 

US addresses only. Entries accepted through 11:59pm CST, December 8th.

Good luck and thank you to Land O Lakes® Butter and The Pioneer Woman for generously sponsoring this giveaway! 

Is this like being on the Wheaties box?

Last year, my friends at Imperial Sugar asked if I'd be interested in making some cookies to go on their new powdered sugar packaging.

Wait. WHAT??? 

Of course, the answer was, "Yes! Of course!" And the in the back of my mind, I was thinking, "Maybe they emailed the wrong person." 

Anyhoo, last week the boxes finally arrived in my grocery store. I might of stopped dead in my tracks, then spent a few minutes straightening the display. Then, I took a picture and totally forgot what else I was there to purchase. 

The whole process of the cookies and pictures for the box was really interesting. I made a bunch of cookies...and took, oh, about a zillion pictures with the cookies stacked and grouped in different combinations. Here are a few...

There was feedback from Imperial and then more cookie combinations and photo taking. After that, there was just the waiting to actually SEE the boxes on store shelves.

Now, they're here! Yay!!!

{I know, how many pictures of powdered sugar boxes can one person take? Answer: a lot.}

I'm thinking this is my version of being on the Wheaties box. You know, without having to exercise. 

To celebrate, I thought we'd have a little giveaway...

First, Imperial Sugar will send the winner a case of 1 pound powdered sugar! 

Second, I'll send the winner signed copies of both of my books, Decorating Cookies and Decorating Cookies Party. 

{Here are a few of the cookie projects from the inside of the books.}

Third, how about some baking inspiration to go with that sugar? I'll also send the winner the Kate Spade "Eat Cake for Breakfast" apron and insulated tumbler. 

Want to enter? Leave a comment on this post. Easy, right? 

Entries accepted through 11:59pm CST, August 31st. US addresses only, please. 

(Winner will be notified via email.)

*book links are affiliate links*

Good luck and thanks for celebrating with me! ♥