Favorite Fall Recipes

I love Fall, even in Portland where Fall means lots of rain. I think it's because I love to bake, not to mention sip yummy hot drinks while watching movies all snuggled up on the couch. It also might be because October is my birthday month (yes, I celebrate all month). If you agree, here are some of my favorite Fall recipes (they are good all year long, but once the rain starts I just can't stop making this stuff!).

Yeast Dinner Rolls. Great for big get together meals, I love making my house smell like fresh baked bread.

Hot Chocolate. This is the most chocolatey smooth hot chocolate ever!

Mac n' Cheese. Ooey gooey delicious cheese and pasta. I love this on it's own or served on the side of just about anything.

Chai Latte Concentrate. Super yummy and making it at home lets you control the spices and flavorings.

Mocha Roasted Almonds. These make the house smell great and are an easy snack to make.

The Ridiculous Grilled Cheese. I like about any grilled cheese, but this one is my favorite.

What are your favorite Fall recipes? I'd love to check them out!

Friday Food Craft: Hot Chocolate

Before I dive right into my latest Food Craft post, I would like to invite you all to partake in my latest Giveaway! Just scroll to the bottom of my Sugar Skull Masks post and you will be able to enter to win your choice of three lovely books, two of which are baking/sweets related. Good Luck!


The temperature has dropped dramatically the last few days here in Portland, I foresee a long cold Winter. However, my spirit is lifted slightly by the fact I will have all the more excuse to indulge in this amazing hot chocolate. It is velvety smooth and just the right amount of sweet. It even puts me in the Holiday spirit a little early (I should really start shopping for those Holiday gifts).


To make this amazing hot chocolate for you and the ones you love you will need:

2 cups whole milk
4-5 ounces chopped dark chocolate (I used a chocolate with 54% cacao)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup (you could substitute Honey or another natural sweetener as well)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


Start chopping your chocolate as finely as you can and set it aside.

Pour your milk into a saucepan and heat over medium low heat until it is barely simmering. Add in your chocolate, vanilla and maple syrup and whisk until everything has melted together. Sprinkle in your cinnamon and whisk until combined.

Pour into the mugs/cups of your choice. Enjoy!

I generally use teacups for my cocoa, in which case this makes 4 servings filled to the brim. If you would like to add an extra festive touch, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract for the cinnamon as well to make minty hot chocolate. :)