Chocolate Pecan Toffee

What to do with those left over nuts from your Thanksgiving baking frenzy.... I think this says it all.

I had left over pecans after making a sinful little pecan pie cakelet  for Thanksgiving, from Teenie Cakes
So, decided to do what every good co-worker baker does and make some pecan toffee to share for the beginning of the holidays.

Hot sugar and butter.... a beautiful sight.

    Gooey bliss!

And it only gets better with some chocolate.

Chocolate chip, raisin, pecan cookies.

I am starting to think about the holidays and the lovely baking and cooking ahead. So, around this time of year I spend way too much time looking through cookbooks, food blogs , magazines and drooling over all the possibilities. So, in the mean time I wanted to make something easy, fast and tasty... a big old cookie. 

These cookies are adapted from non other than Martha and are so easy to make. You could  switch out different kinds of fruit and nuts and omit the chocolate chips if you wanted. Even adding in some citrus zest or juice could add all kinds of flavors. I choose, pecans, raisins and chocolate chips...but let your imagination run wild. That is if you are not already focused on pumpkin, cinnamon and apple tarts like I am.

Just make sure that you have a giant glass of milk and a smile waiting!

First Birthday Bash...and Korean BBQ Sliders

Whoo... this weekend was filled with great fun and great food. My baby boy turned one on Saturday and we had about 40 people over to fill our house with love... and to eat some good grub. It was a monster themed bash full of all sorts of finger foods and sweet treats.

 A pile of cupcakes...vanilla buttermilk with Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

 Korean beef sliders with homemade pickled cabbage on a sweet Hawaiian roll... these did not last long.

 Roasted potato skewers with smokey bacon....super easy, smokey and tasty.

 The whole spread as well as tomato skewers with basil and mozzarella cheese, BBQ chicken and of course sausages from Corralitos market We also had a great spicy black bean dip and tons of Halloween candy.

And I made cakepop ghosts that were as fun to eat as they are to make.... I also have a calm baby who sits in his jumpy chair and loves to watch mom bake...Thank goodness for that! We had a special weekend full of love and food and of course I had to share. Enjoy!