Welcome to Rachel's Sweets and Treats!

100% homemade treats from scratch! No box mixes, bag mixes, or anything from a can, and I love to test out new ingredients and recipes!

Any suggestions, comments, or requests?
email me! rachellovesbaking@gmail.com

Search for a treat!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving!
What a perrrfect time for togetherness & baking! My annual Thanksgiving signature: Apple Pie.
Tried making a new recipe this time and it was DELISH! The key was turning the brown sugar mixture into a sauce, essentially a caramel sauce, and mixing it in with the apples. Then, after arranging the lattice top-crust, I poured more of the sauce over the top. Yummm. Perfectly sweet and amazing topped with vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt). No leftovers, which was sad, but at least that means it was enjoyed by my loving family! :)



On Friday I made these peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, in the spirit of giving of course, for my two brothers to bring back to college with them! I brought some back to DC with me for my roommates too!


Next post: December!! Christmas cookies here I come!


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Look what you can do with a bottle of wine...

Wine + Baking = AMAZING! Now, I'm not a big cake person...I personally prefer the denseness of a brownie to the fluffy crumb of a cake. BUT this cake, along with the ~2 others posted on this blog, are the exceptions.

First time making this Red Wine Chocolate Cake, and it certainly will not be the last! The wine and chocolate flavors meld well together and create a unique taste that is out of this world! So moist it's like it melts in your mouth. Made some whipped mascarpone topping to go with it and it was the perfect compliment to the cake! Picture it with some fresh strawberries (when the season is right)...mmmmmmm.....

Red Wine Chocolate Cake with Whipped Mascarpone


My first piece :-D


SO the way I got started with baking with Red Wine was with these cookies. I made them for the first time in May and have been doing so ever since! Simple Red Wine Cookies. The flavor of the wine is subtle and the cookie is just sweet enough. You won't be able to eat just one (which is why I make them little)! ;)


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Healthy, In-Season, & Scrumptious: That's What It's All About

Happy Fall!
The colorful, cooler season brings warm, comforting flavors to the forefront, and gives me an excuse to test out lots of new pumpkin and apple recipes!

I made these little guys for my group's presentation to Whole Foods.
They are Pumpkin Apple Cinnamon muffins. Made them mini so that everyone in the class could try them! The best part? They are whole wheat, fat-free, reduced sugar, and DELICIOUS! The Marketing Manager of Whole Foods loved 'em, that says something, right?!


More Fall Baking to come!!