Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! There’s just something really fun about getting dressed up and walking around with friends collecting yummy treats. Even better, it’s an excuse to invite all our neighbors and friends over for snacks.

I’m often asked, “What’s it like to work in the Test Kitchen?” or I hear comments like “It must be a dream job!’. To tell you the truth being a Test Kitchen Home Economist is special and is the way I exercise my passion of sharing my love of food and recipes with consumers everywhere. Providing excellent recipes and baking and cooking information is what it’s all about. Some days it’s a piece of cake…. And some days, like any job, it isn’t.

Nothing makes me happier than having guests over for the holidays.  It means I can do what I enjoy most...cook for people I care about.  And because none of our family lives nearby (not even in the same state), we typically invite friends over.  Nothing says family like a great group of friends!

I love fall. Have I made that clear yet? What I may not have mentioned yet is that I also LOVE girls' nights! 

If you're looking for the ultimate Halloween party dessert, look no further!  This treat looks incredible but tastes even better. 

Fall is definitely in the air!  Cooler weather, changing leaves, hot cider, fresh apples, and plenty of comfort food...I love every bit of it!  Now that school is in full swing, I have been busier than ever.  Many of the fall activities at our school are underway, so my responsibilities as Vice-President of the PTO and Head Parent for Sydney's 3rd grade class have kept me beyond busy.  Between redesigning the PTO website, planning fundraisers, and getting parties planned for Sydney's classroom (in addition to everything I do as a stay-at-home mom), I don't have much free time.  But who's complaining?  I really do love it!

My experience with maple flavoring is pretty much limited to the maple syrup I douse my pancakes and waffles in. I love it - which explains my husband's quips like, "Would you like a little pancake with your syrup?". But I have always categorized maple as a "breakfast" flavor (or occasionally "brinner" - as we affectionately call breakfast-for-dinner at our house).