Come see me this Saturday, June 12th at Pepper Place Farmers Market and my Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips Cookies. It’s a great way to spend saturday morning purchasing the best of the best in fresh produce, flowers and other great items. I went last weekend, and I purchased the most delicious and fresh blackberries, squash, tomatoes and peaches. Hope to see some local friends there.

Every year my sister, Julie, bakes with her college friend, Toby, and they make dozens and dozens of wonderful Passover desserts. I’m in awe when I go see what they have cooked up in the kitchen in just one day. They are always trying new Passover dessert recipes, but some have been passed to them by their other college friend, Elaine. Elaine’s mother, Joan May, told them about this recipe for Crescent Cookies a few years ago. Since then, this recipe has been a staple dessert on Passover in Julie’s and Toby’s homes.  Sometimes they dip them in chocolate, but I personally like them with a small dusting of powdered sugar. They are airy, light and so incredibly addictive. They taste nothing like a Passover cookie (no offense to Passover). They are great and only 5 ingredients. Thank you Toby, Julie, Elaine and Joan for letting me share this recipe with my readers.

I love baking kid’s treats, and Easter is a perfect time to make delicious confections. These Shortbread Cookies make decorating cookies so fun! I love to use Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa’s) recipe for Shortbread Cookies. I omit the chocolate instructions and use Easter egg cookie cutters. My daughter, Leigh, decorated these and had a blast making them. I used store-bought icing and sprinkles to make life a little easier.

Mandel Bread, or mandelbrot, is a crisp cookie that is similar in texture to biscotti. Since flour cannot be used during Passover, this recipe is made with matzo cake meal and potato starch (both can be found with the Passover section in your grocery). Mandel Bread with Chocolate Chips is really easy to prepare and always a family favorite on Passover. It’s great as a light dessert or even breakfast, dipped in coffee.

Yesterday I has the awesome opportunity once again to be on “Talk of the Town Newschannel 5 in Nashville making this recipe for Chocolate Chipotle Cookies. I developed this recipe for Wisconsin Milk and Marketing Board and http://butterisbest.com working on a “regional holiday cookie” recipe project. This recipe represented the Southwest with the chipotle chocolate twist. Everyone at the station went wild over these cookies. They are wonderful for Christmas gifts or for a holiday cookie swap . Here’s the link from the television spot.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/category.asp?C=85286

These Fennel-Pistachio Cookies are so delicious. I know it sounds a little strange, but the combination of fennel seeds, lemon zest, and amaretto, is incredible. See me on Tuesday morning CBS 42 in Birmingham on “Wake Up Alabama” between 6 and 7 a.m making Chipotle Chocolate Cookie as well as these and Cinnamon Chai cookies. I developed this recipe for http://butterisbest.com. Butter is great to use for holiday baking, especially cookies.

I live in interesting (and fortunate) life as a Recipe Developer creating Christmas recipes in the heat of July and summery recipes and grilling during winter. I created this recipe last summer for a “REAL BUTTER” recipe project coming up with “regional” cookie ideas and recipes. I’m not from the west, but I thought a touch of chipotle mixed with chocolate in a shortbread-type cookie would rock. They did! My assistant, Alacia, has been a fan of chipotle ever since. You can’t go wrong with Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread Cookies. They are perfect for holidays or anytime of the year.

I have a lot of of television cooking segments coming up next month in Birmingham and Nashville. One of which is making “lower” fat desserts. Everyone wants ideas for great, easy desserts to take to a party, and if they are reduced-fat, even better. I like to use a combination of dark and semisweet chocolate and all egg whites in these Dark and Semisweet Chocolate Brownies. Feel free to make them with or without nuts but just remember: keep a glass of cold milk (or red wine) nearby.

Everyone thinks Leigh and Zachary, my middle and youngest children, are twins. They are actually two years apart, but they are so close in size that I get that question all of the time. They are both incredible kids and are huge food lovers as well as helpful in the kitchen. This is one of their favorite chocolate cookies from Southern Living magazine. If you’re looking for a wonderful but basic Chocolate Cookie recipe, look no further.

I just finished up a huge holiday cookie recipe project, and these Pumpkin Maple Cookies were my kid’s favorite. The pumpkin flavor combined with maple syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon is fabulous, and they are moist and not too sweet. School starts next Tuesday, and these are perfect for school lunches, fall, Christmas or anytime of the year.