Chai-Spiced Gingerbread Kiss Cookies

Happy Monday and let us talk about cookies!

You absolutely HAVE to add these cookies to your holiday baking menu. They are soft and pillowy, bursting with warming spices and kissed with chocolate!

That's right. These are Chai-Spiced Gingerbread Kiss Cookies, and trust me when I say that they are here to put your classic peanut butter blossom cookies to shame. If you love gingerbread, you will absolutely devour these beauties.

OH and not only are these part kiss cookies and part gingerbread, but they are also part snickerdoodle. Yes yes yes. Before going into the oven, these cookies are getting rolled in sugar and a mix of chai spices that will truly knock your socks off. That includes cinnamon, nutmeg. and ground ginger. There is no spice combination more warming this time of year than chai. I just love it! It's not just for tea anymore :-)

Now, I know that everyone has their own holiday traditions and cookie recipes that they hold strong to this season. But if you're looking for a new treat to wow the whole family (and Santa, for that matter) I'm quite confident this is it. Happy baking!

Oh, P.S. This recipe is 100% kitty approved!

Fried Pumpkin and Sage Arancini

AKA Festive Balls of Happiness!

That's what these are, and I would love it if I could perhaps insist that you add these to your holiday party menu.

Fried Pumpkin and Sage Arancini is the exact type of recipe we need in our arsenal this type of  year. Indulgent and bursting with flavor. Crunchy yet creamy, salty and a tiny bit sweet. This is the recipe that will take center stage on your buffet table and impress your guests for days after.

About a year ago, we first dipped our toes into the world of homemade arancini. It was a little bit scary, but we learned a lot. We learned that arancini, in any form, is totally delicious and will most definitely fly off the table. We learned you can't eat just one. We also learned that, no matter how much we doubt it, arancini is actually not all that difficult to make. With a little planning and a little patience, we all can do it - seriously, we can!

I should also tell you that you can make these ahead, freeze 'em, and then reheat them when you are getting ready to serve them!  Simply follow the entire recipe below, cool the arancini completely, then store in between layers of parchment paper in a freezer bag. Once frozen, they will keep for about 2 months. When ready to serve, place them on a rack set over a baking dish and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes until hot throughout. See!? As if the golden brown crust and oozing centers didn't convince you, this proves that these really are the perfect party appetizer!

Fourth of July Recipe Round-up!

Can you believe it is almost the Fourth of July?! For me, July 4th is really the official kick-off to summer. We are hot, we are sweaty, and we want to spend long days on the beach or by the pool with a cocktail in hand! Whether you are hosting or heading to a cook-out, spending the day on a boat or a beach, or just want something delicious to eat this weekend, I have rounded up some winning recipes below. Add one, two or a few to your menu! 

Mains

Chicken Caesar Sandwiches with Dill Potato Salad

These delicious sammies are a perfect picnic treat! Grill up some chicken breasts, assemble, and pack your cooler for a (delicious) day in the sun!

Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Cole Slaw

When it's too hot to put on the stove, oven, or grill, don't forget about your trusty slow-cooker! Pulled pork is a true crowd pleaser and serves a ton! Let everyone make up their own plates by putting out a spread of seeded buns, coleslaw, pickles, banana peppers, and extra BBQ sauce.

Grilled Salmon with Coconut Lime Rice and Mango Pico

This is a tropical paradise on a plate, and a lighter alternative for your grill. Mangoes are sweet and juicy this time of year - the perfect side dish! Make extra and serve with tortilla chips. 

Salads and Sides

Fresh Corn and Pesto Salad

This is a perennial favorite here on Gas Stove Girl. Sweet summer corn, salty tangy pesto, crunchy peppers and juicy tomatoes - my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Perfect for any outdoor buffet table.

Watermelon, Spinach and Feta Salad

If you've never had watermelon and feta in the same dish, you are missing out! This classy and pretty little salad is as refreshing as it is tasty. Hosting a dinner party al fresco? I have your first course right here!

Creamy White Bean Dip

This is hummus' lesser known but more deliciously creamy older brother. Pack this dip with all the fresh herbs you can get your hands on, serve with homemade foccaccia bread or pita chips, and watch it disappear! 

Spicy Taco Layer Dip

I have a saying that pretty much goes: anything that starts with cream cheese and ends with melted, oozing cheddar cheese is the way to a man's heart. Bring this along to a backyard BBQ, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes, whip up a batch of margaritas and be the real MVP.

Spinach and Artichoke Hummus Dip

Dunk anything and everything you can get your hands on in this dip! Two universally loved dips come together in amazing harmony. Best for those who can't decide between two of their favorite things!

Dessert

Firework Cookies

It does not get any more patriotic than this! Just look at these amazing, beautiful cookies that you can make from scratch! Sure, they make require a bit of prep work, but they are guaranteed to be the biggest hit no matter where you serve 'em.

Lemon Bars

I could eat Lemon Bars all day, every day. They allow us to highlight one of summers best fruits - lemons! Plop a few blueberries or raspberries into the custard for a delightfully patriotic twist on an old classic. Salty shortbread, gooey lemon custard, a lovely dusting of powdered sugar - there's a reason this dessert has stood the test of time!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Pink Lemonade is a quintessential summer beverage, so why not delight children and adults alike by putting this tangy sweet treat into a cupcake?! Precious decorations absolutely required!

A Cocktail, for good measure

Raspberry Gin Fizz

Serve a crowd with this fruit packed, boozy creation! Gin, raspberry liqueur, and champagne get the party started. Fill this pitcher with any delicious fruit you can get your hands on, and drink responsibly!

Eggnog Scones

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is big glasses of thick, delicious eggnog. The warm flavor of the nutmeg with sweet egg cream. It represents everything that I love about Christmas time!

I was wondering what it might be like to bake with eggnog...would the eggnog lose its flavor? Because scones are so simple to cook and require very little finesse, I went to Pinterest to find the perfect eggnog scone. P.S. Follow me on Pinterest here!

{While we're at it, Gas Stove Girl is all over social media! Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page!}

I didn't want to invest in eggnog extract--I wanted a recipe that used the real stuff! These Eggnog Scones totally fit the bill.

The smell of nutmeg fills up your kitchen while these delicious, buttery, crumbly scones bake up. The taste of eggnog really comes through in every bite. The outside of the scones are perfectly golden and crispy, while the inside stays soft and tender. These are a great breakfast treat to bring to your family this holiday season!

If you're feeling wild and crazy, you could also drizzle an eggnog glaze on top of the scones. Mix together about a cup of powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of eggnog and a dash of nutmeg. Totally divine! I found the scones had a nice, light sweetness on their own, so I just enjoyed them straight up with a warm cup of coffee. Perfection!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Do you find that any baked good that is modified by saying it is "Pumpkin XYZ" makes it instantly better? Pumpkin Cheesecake -- YES. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting-- YES. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles -- YES.

Enter: Pumpkin Coffee Cake. If you love the taste of those delightfully addicting Dunkin' Donuts pumpkin muffins, I think this recipe is going to make your skirt fly up!

What's with that saying? Let's agree to use it more often this holiday season.

Actually, no. That's not appropriate.

FOCUS JESSICA!

Alright, here's how the story goes. We are going to take basic coffee cake, add a bit of pumpkin puree along with some crucial spices (that is, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger oh my!), then add toasted pecans to the yummy crumbly topping. The perfect breakfast, dessert, or snack cake to bring home to your family this holiday season!

A warm cup of coffee and a wonderfully spiced cake--that is the right way to start ANY morning.