Brownie Pie

Brownie Pie

Whenever I’m feeling kind of meh, I have a few options. A nap isn’t usually possible (there are small children about), so I can either try to sneak episodes of whatever TLC show is new on Netflix without the li’l ones noticing, or I can make a pie. It’s hard to hide what my iPad is doing, so I think the pie wins this one.

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Tricked-Out Graham Cracker Crust Tutorial

Tricked-Out Graham Cracker Crust Tutorial

I have a lot of strong beliefs. Here are some:

1) The Indianapolis Colts will rise again.

2) Taking time for yourself is not an act of selfishness, but necessity.

3) Cakey brownies are a crime against humanity.

4) A lot of brides need to stop wearing strapless gowns. Other silhouettes rock!

5) Trying to sleep in my class is an act of disrespect.

6) Hope springs eternal as long as you’re getting enough sleep.

Oh, and here’s another for you: graham cracker crust needs to be tricked out!

What do I mean by that? I’m so glad you asked!

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Chocolate Mousse Pie

Chocolate Mousse Pie

In the mood for something sweet that’s a bit lighter? Today’s your day!

I’m not really sure how to classify this dessert. My grandmother, who taught me how to make it, called it a cake. In fact, she made it for my grandfather’s birthday every year. But darn it, whenever I make it, I just see a pie. So we’ll go with that. Sorry, Grandma.

Whatever you call it, this dessert is fabulous and easy to make. It’s one of those happy recipes that are mind-numblingly easy to create but that will still impress the masses. Impressing your fans is important. You want people to think that you worked so much harder than you did.

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Cookies And Cream Pie

Cookies and Cream Pie

Have you ever been able to eat just one Oreo? I’m asking this question seriously. Feel free to let me know immediately, if not sooner.

You see, I think there’s something in Oreos. Something addictive, and most definitely illegal. No, smarty pants, not sugar. I’m thinking along the lines of old-school Coca-Cola. You catch my drift?

If not, do some research into the history of that particular beverage. I have no time to explain it now. We’ve moved back to Oreos. Stay with me, people!

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Peanut Butter Oreo Pie

Peanut Butter Oreo Pie

Every now and then, a dessert comes along that is so darn special that you cut all the garbage and get right to the point.

This, my friends, is one of those times.

I was messing around this morning and wound up with this miracle of a pie. This can’t-stop-eating, peanut buttery cookies and cream madness of a pie. And it’s so ridiculously easy to make that I’m smacking myself for all the wasted years!

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie

It’s Monday morning and I’m a little on the exhausted side. Father’s Day was great, but crazy partying comes at an expense to my beauty sleep.

You see, my husband and I had to have margaritas last night. I knew at the time it wasn’t going to feel good this morning. I knew it. But I went ahead anyway. And I know that my past self isn’t sorry, and my future self won’t be either. But man, my present self is a little ticked off.

On the plus side, we made it through the holiday with a minimum of our usual string of disasters, with the exception of my son getting sick once again. What is it with my child? Does he enjoy curling up on the couch with his stuffed animals and conking out? Actually, that sounds pretty good right about now. Or anytime, really.

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Magic Bar Pie

Magic Bar Pie

There’s a bakery chain in the DC area called Firehook. They sell a lot of good stuff, to put it mildly. I used to pop in for soothing cups of tea and baked goods on long cold walks from my condo to grad school. I was not a fan of grad school, and it seems like sugar always helped me out with that.

In those long-ago days, I pretty much always hoped to find a big chocolate chip cookie behind the glass cases at Firehook. They were good. And don’t get me wrong. I still love those big cookies! But one day, I saw a big bar wrapped in plastic. It was called a seven-layer bar, and I’d never heard of that before. Don’t think I’m oblivious. It was like thirteen years ago!

When I tried the bar, I couldn’t believe all the fun packed into that one square! Coconuts and pecans and chocolate chips, all atop a fantastic graham cracker crust. I later learned that this concoction is also known as a Hello Dolly or a Magic Bar, and you know, I preferred the latter name. Those bars taste like magic!

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Nectarine Crumb Pie

Nectarine Crumb Pie

It's Fun Friday! Be sure to check out my link-up post to add your recipes! With the end of the week here, you'd think I would be thrilled. And I am. It's just that I have fifty thousand research papers…

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Key Lime Pie Bars

Key Lime Pie Bars

Once again, Friday is here and I’m in need of a serious dessert kick! It’s been a really nice week with Cinco de Mayo, my mini-vacation and the weather warming up, so let’s celebrate with some key lime!

I’m all about lime, all year long. But this time of year is special because it’s socially acceptable to like lime in May. In November, not so much. That doesn’t stop me from squirting lime juice onto everything all the time, from salads to fish to salsa. Mmm.

Key lime is even more fun. Those little limes are so cute! They come in a bag and they just look so happy that someone is loving them and using them in dessert. And boy, are they right. I don’t know what I’d do without those little suckers.

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Peanut Butter Cup Cheesepake

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesepake

No, that’s not a typo. Remember my obsession with pake, the pie-cake hybrid? Well, the love continues with this cheesecake in a pie crust. Behold the cheesepake!

This one is special, folks. While I say I don’t like to play favorites with my desserts, this one is too good for me to lie about. It’s ridiculous. If you’re a peanut butter and chocolate addict, making this cheesepake is not even optional. Get into your kitchen. Now!

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