The adorable carrot cake crepes will be the star of your brunch spread this spring season, made easy with premade crepes.

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It’s the last day of Spring Sweets Week and I saved the cutest recipe for the end – carrot cake crepes that look like carrots! Seriously, how stinking cute are these? And they are so simple to put together using premade crepes.

The filling is a blend of cream cheese, whipped topping, pulverized carrot cake flavored Oreos (but you can substitute dry carrot cake mix), fresh shredded carrots, and pecans. Add a little orange for extra flavor and you’re ready to spread that creamy carrot cake filling over half a crepe to then be rolled up into a cone/carrot shape.

But the real trick is saving some of that filling before adding the smashed Oreos, carrots, and pecans, adding food coloring to dye it orange, drizzling on top and then sticking in some fresh parsley, cilantro, or maybe you have some carrot greens leftover from the carrot you shredded.

If you did happen to snag some carrots with the greens still attached, chances are you have a ton left (and carrots), so you should just go ahead and make carrot gnocchi with carrot top pesto to use them up and then serve these carrot cake crepes for dessert. Although I guess crepes are for breakfast? Do whatever feels right. Just know these don’t store well and are best enjoyed immediately.

Check out even more Spring Sweets Weeks recipes to serve along with these carrot cake crepes:

• Orange Poppy Seed Muffins by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Pineapple Pistachio Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Deviled Egg Sugar Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Carrot Cake Tamale by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Dubai Chocolate Easter Eggs by Magical Ingredients
• Kentucky Derby Pie by Art of Natural Living
• Fresh Strawberry Snacking Cake with White Chocolate Chips by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Lemon Raspberry Pound Cake by Rave About Food

EASY CARROT CAKE CREPES

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Yield: 20 Crepes Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 Tbsp orange juice (~1/2 orange)
• Red and yellow food coloring
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot cake Oreos* (~8 cookies)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans**
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 10 crepes, halved (I used Melissa's Produce brand)
• 2 tsp milk
• Fresh cilantro, parsley, or carrot top greens, for garnish
• Orange zest, for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, blend together the cream cheese, whipped topping, and orange juice. Remove 1/2 cup of mixture and place in a small bowl; set aside. To the medium bowl of filling, fold in the carrot cake cookies, chopped walnuts and shredded carrots until evenly distributed.
2. Spread 2 Tbsp of filling over each crepe half, leaving 1/2-inch around the edges. Starting at one end, roll the crepe up to create a cone/carrot shape. Repeat with each crepe half***.
3. To the small bowl of reserved filling, add a couple drops of red (~2) and yellow (~4) food coloring and stir to create an orange color. Add 2 teaspoons of milk to thin it enough to drizzle over the crepes.
4. Insert the stems of the carrot greens, mint, or parsley into the top of each crepe with leaves sticking out to resemble a carrot. Sprinkle with orange zest, if using, and serve immediately.

Notes

*If you cannot find the carrot cake Oreos, swap for 2/3 cup carrot or spice cake mix, but make sure to heat treat by heating in microwave to 160 degrees F - about 1 minute stirring every 15 seconds. **You could also add/substitute nuts for toasted coconut or raisins if you prefer. ***If not serving immediately, keep components separate until ready.

Source: Adapted from my Carrot Cake Dip, Cake Batter Fruit Dip, Oreo Cheesecake Fruit Dip, and A Season to Smile.

Stuffed with cranberry sauce, surrounded by mushroom stuffing, and wrapped in flaky puff pastry this Turkey Wellington is dressed to impress.

This post is sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association, but all opinions are my own.

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It’s that time of year when turkey finally gets to be in the spotlight! But I am here to say that turkey shouldn’t be restricted. In fact I think turkey was meant for even greater things, such as Turkey Wellington – who says only beef gets to be wrapped all cozy in puff pastry anyway?

I was first introduced to an alterative to Beef Wellington in a virtual cooking class during COVID lockdown where we made Beet Wellington. Spoiler alert, it’s just as good as the traditional version. I would know because we tried them side by side.

So when it came to coming up with a fun new way to present turkey this season, I decided that if beets can be transformed into Wellington so can turkey. Heck, you can get half of the traditional seasonal recipes in one dish (turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing).

For this Turkey Wellington recipe, three pounds of turkey breast tenderloins are butterflied, stuffed with cranberry sauce, surrounded by a mushroom-pecan stuffing, and wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Sure this Turkey Wellington is dressed to impress but it’s cozy enough to serve any time.

To make things even easier, you have two chances to pause and refrigerate before continuing on with the recipe – after the turkey is cooked with the cranberry stuffed inside or when you’ve sealed it all in puff pastry.

While this version of Turkey Wellington very much so pulls inspiration from traditional Thanksgiving dishes and flavors, you could easily substitute the cranberry sauce (or omit entirely) or change up the seasonings in the mushroom-pecan stuffing to fit different occasions. But since it is November I plated mine with steamed green beans, blue cheese potatoes, and drizzled with gravy.

But even when cooking a fancy looking bird there are still rules to follow to ensure food safety. First, wash your hands and any other surfaces that come into contact with raw turkey before proceeding. Hand washing for at least 20 seconds is one of the simplest and most important health discoveries in history. I think we all can spare 20 seconds to make sure no one gets sick.

Next, you will notice the recipe calls for the use of a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F. This ensures that the bacteria are killed and also means you do not need to rinse off your turkey. In fact I advise against it because what you’ll end up doing is spreading contaminated droplets all over your kitchen. Trust me, I’m a microbiologist.

Finally, if you end up with more than enough turkey (usually 1-2 pounds per person for whole turkeys so 3 pounds of breast should serve 6) you need to store those leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours. Yes the bacteria were killed when cooking but unless your kitchen is completely sterile you reintroduced some when slicing and they multiple quickly – especially in moist warm things like freshly cooked meat. Won’t eat all the leftovers within 3-4 days? Turkey can also be frozen for 3-4 months.

The last little factoid I will bestow upon you before the recipe is that the state in which I live, Ohio, is one of the top ten largest turkey farming states in the nation, producing nearly 305 million pounds every year. I cannot even fathom that amount but I am happy to support my local turkey farmers by inspiring you to hopefully make this recipe this season and maybe even year round!

To learn more about Ohio turkey farmers and get cooking tips and nutrition information, please visit OhioTurkey.com and follow OPA on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X  and YouTube.

TURKEY WELLINGTON WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

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Yield: 4-6 Servings Prep Time: 1 Hour Cooking Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes 2 Hours 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

WELLINGTON

• 3 lb. turkey breast tenderloin*
• 1 (14 oz.) can jellied cranberry sauce, cut lengthwise into quarters
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water, for brushing

STUFFING

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot, finely diced
• 16 oz. mixed mushrooms**, pulsed in food processor until pureed
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh sage, minced
• 3 large eggs, divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. For the turkey: Preheat oven to 350°F. 
2. Place turkey breasts on a cutting board and carefully butterfly slice open like a book. Arrange the narrow portions to slightly overlap one another to form a rectangular shape the best you can. Season with salt and pepper, then place the quartered cranberry sauce jelly lengthwise down the middle of the turkey. 
3. Fold the breasts back on themselves, sealing the cranberry sauce inside, using a few toothpicks and/or cooking twine to secure the seams together. 
4. Transfer the turkey to a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast in the oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F at the thickest part. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Remove the cocktail sticks and/or twine if using (you can stop here and refrigerate overnight or proceed).
5. Meanwhile prepare the stuffing: in a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan to a large bowl; set aside.
6. Return pan over medium heat and add mushroom puree. Cook until mushrooms have released their moisture and boiled away, about 10 minutes. Remove from pan to the bowl with the onions. 
7. To the mushroom-onion mixture, add fresh breadcrumbs, pecans, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Mix until evenly distributed. Add 2 eggs and season salt and pepper, mixing until thoroughly combined. 
8. Dust a large sheet of greaseproof paper with flour, then roll out the puff pastry sheet to a size that will wrap around the turkey. Spread 2/3 of the mushroom stuffing onto the middle of the puff pastry to cover the bottom and sides of the turkey.
9. Place the turkey breast on top and spread the remaining stuffing over the top packing it all in and smoothing it out so that the whole breast is covered. Gently fold the puff pastry over the breast, pushing out excess air and press the seams together to seal. 
10. Brush with remaining egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water (you can stop here and refrigerate overnight or proceed).
11. When ready, preheat oven to 350°F and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until beautifully golden and the turkey has an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for around 20 minutes before slicing.
12. Serve with gravy and your favorites sides. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours for 3-4 days or frozen for 3-4 months.

Notes

*It will look like one piece in the packaging but it's usually 2 separate breasts. When you butterfly them you will arrange them into a rectangle the best you can with the narrower edge overlapping. **I used cremini and shitake.

Source: Adapted from Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary, Jamie Oliver, and Bleu & Fig‘s Virtual Cooking Series, Class 2.

Skip the sweetened condensed milk for a layer of cream cheese filling in these Seven Layer Cheesecake Bars topped with semi-sweet and white chocolate, butterscotch, pecans, and coconut.

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It should come as no surprise that after making seven layer brownies that I made seven layer cheese cake bars. But instead of a brownie crust I went back to the traditional graham cracker crust and instead of the sweetened condensed milk there’s cheesecake filling. Giveth back one traditional component of seven layer bars (AKA Hello Dolly bars) and taketh one away.

The Layers of Seven Layer Cheesecake Bars:

• Graham cracker crust
• Cheesecake filling
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Pecans
• Sweetened shredded coconut

I originally made these in honor of my undergraduate student’s last day working in our lab. When I asked if he had any requests for a going away dessert he replied with 7 layer bars, cheesecake, or something Oreo-flavored. So I combined two of them into seven layer cheesecake bars!

I almost made with this an Oreo crust to encompass all three. I may regret not doing so just a little bit but they were stellar regardless. Guess that just leaves the door open to yet an Oreo 7 layer bar version in the future. I’ve certainly made my share of different versions of this recipe and I doubt I will stop anytime soon.

My favorite recipes are those that can be easily modified based upon the season and frankly what I have in stock in my kitchen and/or pantry. Which is why I also have a bounty of chocolate chip cookie variations, cheesecake bars, deviled eggs, pizza, mojitos, etc.

Speaking of recipes with versatility, it occurred to me that the start of college football season is only a month away which means it’s almost time for another round of #PBchocSat! Time to brainstorm new peanut butter and chocolate buckeye recipes.

SEVEN LAYER CHEESECAKE BARS

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Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 53 Minutes 53 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

CRUST

• 10 oz. graham crackers, finely crushed
• 8 Tbsp (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted

FILLING

• 2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
• 3/4 cups pecans
• 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on opposite sides, and lightly grease. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and cool completely.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, yogurt, sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed just until blended.
4. Pour batter into crust and spread evenly. Top with semisweet, white, and butterscotch chips, followed by the pecans and coconut.
5. Bake 40-45 minutes* or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

*Cover with foil if the top browns too much.

Source: Adapted from my Birthday Cake Oreo Cheesecake Bars and 7 Layer Brownies.

Chocolate pecan pie bars are delicious but so is peanut butter and chocolate so why not combine all three? Seems only logical.

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Over the last 2 months about half of the new recipes I have shared involve peanut butter and chocolate. I apologize to anyone who does not like this combination but my primary motivation for this is the continuation of #PBchocSat in the post-season College Football Playoffs.

True, today is Friday not Saturday, but tonight Ohio State battles Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinals! Depending on how tonight goes there could be one more unofficial #PBchocSat recipe until the 2025 season in the fall. I dislike that Texas is basically getting a home-team advantage but hopefully it won’t be a factor.

Continuing my trend of taking over the state desserts of the teams we are playing (Indiana/Tennessee/Oregon), today I am Buckeye-ing a pecan pie. Just like buckeyes and the buckeye trees on which they grow on in Ohio, pecans and pecan trees are the state nut and tree of Texas, respectively.

As expected, the state dessert of Texas is pecan pie. Unfortunately in Ohio we cannot make a pie out of buckeyes as they are poisonous, so instead the Ohio state dessert is buckeye candies. Hence my favorite cheer – Go killer nuts!

I have made pecan pie bars with nutella before, so it was a pretty easy swap to use peanut butter instead. Then I made the crust chocolate and added a little drizzle of both peanut butter and chocolate on top to really get the point across. You can’t be subtle if you’re going to live up to the name of peanut butter chocolate pecan pie bars.

Hopefully tonight the Buckeyes play as well as these pie bars taste!

Ten years ago: DIY Hair Ties

Twelve years ago: Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

Thirteen years ago: Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie Bricks

Fourteen years ago: English Muffins

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE PEACAN PIE BARS

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Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 50 Minutes 50 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

CRUST

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

FILLING

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cups light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. For the crust, mix together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, butter and brown sugar until crumbly. Press into the baking pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.
3. For the filling, melt butter in a metal bowl set in a skillet of water that is just below a simmer (or use a double boiler). Remove the bowl and from the water when butter is melted, whisk in sugar and salt. Whisk in eggs, corn syrup and vanilla. Place bowl back into the water and whisk until hot and the temperature of the mixture registers 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the heat and whisk in pecan pieces.
4. Into the bottom of the pre-baked crust, smear the 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter over the bottom evenly. Pour filling evenly over the baked crust and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.
5. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cool completely and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the refrigerator if you live in a warm/humid area with no air conditioning).

Did You Make This Recipe?

I want to see! Tag me on Instagram at @TheSpiffyCookie and hashtag it #TheSpiffyCookie.

Source: Adapted from my Nutella Pecan Pie Bars.

Love a good dessert mash up? The crunchy sweet filling of pecan pie is baked into a brown sugar cookie crust to create these delightful pecan pie cookies.

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If I could only pick one pie during the holidays, it would be pecan pie. Preferably with a scoop of ice cream on top, of course.

Christmas may be more about cookies than pies but that won’t stop me from turning my favorite pie into a cookie! After all, cookies are my favorite thing to bake, so it just makes sense.

Originally, after being inspired by a horrible AI generated recipe on Facebook, I was going to make these as standard drop cookies. But I worried the filling wouldn’t stay on top as they baked. Thus enters the cupcake pan.

With a brown sugar cookie acting at the crust, these pecan pie cookies are first partially baked in a standard-sized cupcake pan, topped with partially cooked pecan filling on the stove top and finished in the oven again.

And guess what? Since it’s baked in a cupcake pan you don’t need to chill the dough like I usually suggest in pretty much all of my cookie recipes.

The end results in the perfect little mini pecan pies. Good luck eating just one. Proof of how good they are is evident in the fact that I ate the first one without even considering getting out a scoop of ice cream to put on top. Heck I got through taking all these photos without thinking of it either.

Check out some other great additions for your holiday cookie tray this season:

• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Sandbakkels by Art of Natural Living
• Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Sprinkles by Blogghetti
• Cornmeal Dried Cranberry Brown Sugar Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Peppermint Candy Sugar Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Chocolate Mint Thumbprints by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Christmas Wreath Treats by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Turtle Cookie Bars by Magical Ingredients
• Welsh Cakes by That Recipe
• Sesame Shortbread Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

PECAN PIE COOKIES

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Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 40 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

COOKIES

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to almost room temperature
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

FILLING

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 Tbsp (or heaping 1/3 cup) packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecans, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 12-cavity regular cupcake pans with shortening and lightly flour.
2. In a medium bowl, Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
4. Shape dough into walnut-sized (1-1/2-inch) balls (I used a medium cookie scoop), place in prepared muffin cups, make an indentation in center of each*. Bake 8-10 minutes, rotating halfway through, or until barely light brown.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: melt butter in a metal bowl set in a skillet of water that is just below a simmer (or use a double boiler). Remove the bowl and from the water when butter is melted, whisk in sugar and salt. Whisk in egg, corn syrup, and vanilla. Place bowl back into the water and whisk until hot and the temperature of the mixture registers 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the heat and whisk in pecan pieces.
6. Reform indentations in the center of each cookie*. Spoon 1 tablespoon of pecan filling into each cookie cup.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes, rotating halfway through, or until edges of cookies are just starting to brown. Let cool on sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

*Use thumb or the end of wooden spoon.

Source: Adapted from my Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies, Nutella Pecan Pie Bars, and Betty Crocker.

When Brownies say Hello to Dolly, you end up with these 7 Layer Brownies. Everything you love about 7 layer bars but on top of a brownie instead of a graham cracker crust.

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7 layer brownies are basically the same as regular 7 layer bars (aka hello dolly bars) but instead of a graham cracker crust you have a brownie! I figured I’ve done Funfetti 7 layer bars, why not 7 layer brownies?

Peel back the layers of 7 Layer Brownies.

1. Brownie mix
2. Flaked coconut
3. Toffee bits
4. Semisweet chocolate chips
5. White chocolate chips
6. Chopped pecans or walnuts
7. Sweetened condensed milk

Although depending on the recipe, butter counts as a layer when using a graham cracker crust. I find this to be silly because it’s not a layer if it’s mixed with graham crackers as part of the crust. Do the water, oil, and eggs count as a layer in the brownie crust of this recipe, then? No, the brownie is clearly just one layer of these 7 layer brownies.

That’s the best part of 7 layer bars though, you can really layer in whatever you want in there. Don’t have toffee bits? Use butterscotch chips instead. Don’t like nuts? GET OUT! Just kidding :-P. But seriously, if I can make layer bars with leftover Halloween candy, you can use just about anything.

This is why I am slowly amping up my stock of layer bar recipes on this website of mine. I keep finding new flavor combinations that need to be explored. I’ve done chocolate peanut butter 7 layer bars, s’mores 7 layer bars, chocolate coconut pecan 7 layer bars, and even fruit cake 7 layer bars. What will I 7-layer-bar next?

7 LAYER BROWNIES

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Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 10 MInutes Cooking Time: 50 Minutes 50 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 (18.3 oz.) box brownie mix (and ingredients listed on box)
• 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup toffee bits*
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 (14oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over edges of pan. Grease bottom and sides of foil with shortening or cooking spray. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread in pan.
2. Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean.
3. Quickly remove from oven, and sprinkle the top evenly with layers of coconut, toffee bits, both chocolate chips, and pecans. Drizzle condensed milk evenly over the top.
4. Return to oven and bake another 15-20 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbling along edges. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 3 hours. Use parchment paper to lift brownies from pan, peel away, then cut into 24 pieces.

Notes

*Or butterscotch chips - or anything really as these are very adaptable.

Hummingbird Granola is one way to work the southern favorite Hummingbird cake into your breakfast routine, with banana, pineapple, pecans, and white chocolate.

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I adore homemade granola. You really can make just about any flavor you want, and lately I’ve been feeling the tropical vibes so I decided to turn Hummingbird Cake into granola! Hummingbird granola is certainly one way to get away with eating cake for breakfast.

Have you ever had Hummingbird Cake? It is a banana-pineapple spice cake originating in Jamaica but has since become a popular dessert in the southern United States. Ingredients of note include banana, pineapple, cinnamon, pecans, vanilla extract, and usually a cream cheese frosting.

We all know how much I love cream cheese (frosting), but incorporating one of my favorite ingredients into granola didn’t seem feasible. I thought about letting the yogurt I inevitably would serve this humming bird granola with to substitute for cream cheese, but then I found some sense and added white chocolate chips.

Obviously I also didn’t use fresh pineapple or banana. I also didn’t just use dehydrated because I find dehydrated banana and pineapple to be a bit chewy sometimes. Instead I opted for freeze dried for some extra crunch! But if you struggle to find either in your local grocery stores like I did, feel free to use regular dehydrated.

Welcome to #BrunchWeek! This event has been around for over 7 years. It’s a fun way to share our love for all things brunch related to help celebrate Mother’s Day! We have 11 bloggers sharing over 30 recipes this year!! That’s 30 plus delicious recipes to help celebrate mothers, family, and friends. If you’re putting together a brunch, then you’ll appreciate all the variety this event offers! From cocktails to baked goods and even sandwiches, there’s something for everyone.

Here are today’s #BrunchWeek recipes:

• Chechebsa (Ethiopian Torn Flatbread Breakfast) from Tara’s Multicultural Table
• Iced Brown Sugar Tea Latte from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Kombucha Sangria from Palatable Pastime
• Peaches and Cream Cookies from For the Love of Food
• Sous Vide Yogurt from Art of Natural Living
• Strawberry Lemonade from Magical Ingredients
• Verde Mary from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

HUMMINGBIRD GRANOLA

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Yield: 5 cups Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 30 Minutes 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed or hemp hearts
• 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup coconut oil*
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried banana slices
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried pineapple pieces

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flaxseed or hemp hearts, and pecans. Mix well.
3. In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil and syrup or honey. Microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until melted*. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Stir in the white chocolate chips, banana, and pineapple.
6. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

*You could alternatively use vegetable oil, in which case microwaving is unnecessary.

Source: Adapted from my Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Granola and Hummingbird Cake.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see! Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

These carrot cake biscotti are dressed up for spring with a drizzle of lemon glaze and dried lemon peel on top. Perfect served with a cup of tea or enjoy alone!

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

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Somehow, in over 12 years these Carrot Cake Biscotti are only the third biscotti recipe to ever grace the pages of The Spiffy Cookie – the other two being Nutella Stuffed Biscotti and Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Biscotti (I like stuffed things, evidently).

But they are the ninth carrot cake-inspired recipe, joining the ranks of: Carrot Cake Banana Bread, Carrot Cake Batter Dip, Carrot Cake Cookies and even Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies, Carrot Cake Oatmeal, Carrot Cake Pecan Pie, Carrot Cake Waffles, and of course Carrot Cake.

I don’t know about you, but carrot cake is one of the first cake flavors I think during the season of spring.

To freshen up the flavor of carrot cake for spring even further, once they are double baked, these carrot cake biscotti are drizzled with lemon glaze and sprinkled with with dried lemon peel on top. You can thank the generous sponsors of #SpringSweetsWeek for that flavor inspiration.

Speaking of, make sure to check out the other delicious treats listed before the recipe card. Then after the recipe card you can learn more about these fabulous sponsors of ours and enter to win some sweet swag!

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

CARROT CAKE BISCOTTI

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Yield: 14 Biscotti Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

BISCOTTI

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup shopped walnuts or pecans

TOPPING

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Juice from 1 lemon
• Dried lemon peel, optional for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time and extracts until just blended. Add the flour mixture on low speed of your mixer, stirring until smooth. Fold in the carrots and walnuts until evenly distributed.
4. Scoop the dough onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll out into a 10×6-inch rectangle. Carefully lift and transfer to a cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool on the pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F
6. Remove from the parchment and use a serrated knife to cut into 3/4-inch slices. Place back on the parchment-lined cookie sheet, cut-side-down, and bake 10 minutes. Flip and bake another 10 minutes or until golden.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cookies cool, in a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice and powdered sugar. Drizzle over cooled biscotti, sprinkles with dried lemon peel and allow to set before serving.

Source: Adapted from my Nutella Stuffed Biscotti and Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies.

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This tailgate cake is so easy and delicious! Mix German chocolate cake mix, coconut pecan frosting, water, oil, and eggs together and bake in a sheet pan.

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Normally on the last day of the year I would be sharing the best of 2022. However, my Buckeyes are back at it in the CFP and since it happens to be a Saturday you know what that means – #PBchocSat is back!

To be honest, after the embarrassing game against Michigan I don’t have high hopes in beating Georgia today but I’ve seen stranger things happen. People keep pointing out that the last time we came into the CFP ranked as #4 we ended up winning out and while that was true, I think we were a better team than we are now. We had fire under out butts for many reasons, none of which we have this year.

That being said, I’m not going to miss watching the game, let alone an opportunity to eat something peanut butter and chocolate. Although I have to admit that this tailgate cake technically has no peanut butter in it at all. I remedied this by topping it with Buckeye Scream ice cream from Indulgence – chocolate with peanut butter swirl.

Why did I not add peanut butter to this cake? Well, mostly because it’s a recipe my mom gave to me a long time ago and I’ve been meaning to make it. I’m not entirely sure where she got this recipe. I did find the same recipe online but she didn’t have the internet. Interestingly it’s from Houston and since we used to live in Texas there’s a chance a friend mailed it to her from a newspaper clipping, or she had it stashed away from when we used to live there… I may never know.

Regardless of the original source, I have two copies of it that she mailed me – one from 2008 and again in 2009. Clearly we both forgot she had already sent it to me and she enjoyed it enough to send it twice, so I decided it was best to try it as written the first time.

The most interesting thing about this cake is that instead of topping the cake with frosting, it is mixed and baked right into it. Then to serve you add a dusting of powdered sugar on top instead – or as I mentioned, a scoop of ice cream.

One year ago: Best of 2021

Two years ago: Best of 2020

Three years ago: Best of 2019

Five years ago: Best of 2017

Six years ago: Monster Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Eight years ago: Best of 2014

Ten years ago: Best of 2012

TAILGATE CAKE

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Yield: 2 dozen Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 35 MInutes 35 MInutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 box German chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 jar coconut pecan frosting
• Powdered sugar, for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch sheet cake pan with overhanging parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together using an electric hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
3. Pout into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick in center comes out clean.
4. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before lifting using parchment overhang to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Once cool, cut into 24 squares and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar on top.

Source: My mom, but originally? Uncertain.

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These flavorful homemade pumpkin goat cheese ravioli are the perfect fall meal when paired with pecans, crispy sage, and brown butter sauce.

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People often ask me what is my favorite thing to make and my answer is always cookies, however pasta is a close second. Sure it takes a bit of time, but it’s not particularly difficult as long as you have the right tools. It’s actually kind of therapeutic feeding the dough through the pasta rollers over and over, getting thinner and thinner. Certainly helps that the end result is damn delicious – hard to beat fresh homemade pasta!

Besides gnocchi ravioli are probably my favorite type of pasta to make. Like cookies you can pretty much stuff them with anything your heart desires, trying different cheese and herbs, etc. You can also change up the dough flavor (I’ve done whole wheat and sun-dried tomato). And then as a bonus if you have any dough leftover, you can just cut it up into fettucine and freeze it for later.

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Ravioli

These ravioli are wrapped in a standard dough but the inside is nothing but. Fresh pumpkin puree (or you can use canned) is blended with goat cheese, romano cheese, and aromatic spices for a ravioli that is ready for fall. A little dumpling packed with that much flavor doesn’t need much for a sauce, so I went with brown butter. Add a little crispy sage and pecans for texture and you’ve got one satisfying meal.

That being said, between the ingredient list and the directions, this recipe is not for the feint of heart, so I get it if you’re thinking to yourself “Yea right, I’m never making this”. But before you dismiss this recipe, here are some tips for making it a little more approachable.

Shortcut Semi-Homemade Ravioli Ideas

• Dough – Instead of making and rolling the dough yourself, try using individual wonton wrappers. Avoids the need for a food processor, pasta rollers, and a ravioli form.
• Filling – Try equal parts pumpkin pie filling and goat cheese (or other creamy cheese like ricotta or cream cheese).
• Entire Ravioli – It’s no secret that you can buy pumpkin ravioli. So the ultimate shortcut is to buy those. You can whip up the sauce in the same amount of time as it takes the ravioli to boil.

Pumpkin season is here, and we are celebrating our love of pumpkin with #PumpkinWeek hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures. All week-long 13 bloggers will be sharing over 40 pumpkin-filled recipes for all your Autumn celebrations, including breakfasts, baked goods, savory pumpkin recipes, desserts, and drinks.

More #PumpkinWeek Recipes Below:

Beverages

• Pumpkin Chai Latte from Our Good Life

Breakfast and Breads

• Pumpkin Bread Rolls with Maple Cinnamon Butter from Sweet Beginnings
• Pumpkin Oat Streusel Muffins from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
• Yellow Pumpkin Crumpets (Serabu Labu Kuning) from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Mains, Salads, and Sides

• Pumpkin and Beet Salad from Palatable Pastime
• Pumpkin Beef Stew from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Pumpkin Goat Cheese Ravioli with Pecan and Sage Brown Butter Sauce from The Spiffy Cookie

Desserts

• Frosted Butter Pecan Pumpkin Cookies from For the Love of Food Blog
• Pumpkin Boston Cream Pie from The Redhead Baker
• Pumpkin Creme Brulee from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pumpkin Toffee Crunch Cake from Eat Move Make

Did you miss a recipe? Head to the Pinterest board to find all the #PumpkinWeek recipes shared this week.

Four years ago: Smoked Tomato Soup

Six years ago: Midwest Loco Moco

Seven years ago: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Yogurt Covered Pretzels

Nine years ago: Sweet Potato Kale Pizza with Rosemary & Red Onion

Ten years ago: “Don’t Judge Me” Mac & Cheese

PUMPKIN GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI

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Yield: 4-6 Servings Prep Time: 2 Hours Cooking Time: 10 Minutes 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

FILLING

• 8 oz. pumpkin puree

• 8 oz. goat cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 1/4 teaspoon chopped sage

• 1/4 teaspoon chopped rosemary

• 1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

DOUGH*

• 3 eggs, beaten

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling dough

• 1 tsp salt

SAUCE

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• Handful of fresh sage leaves

• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the pumpkin, goat cheese, romano, egg, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate while you prepare the dough.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the eggs and oil to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the flour and salt. While the machine is running, add the flour mixture through the feed tube. Process until the mixture holds together and forms a ball**. 
3. Remove the dough from the work bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let rest for 20-30 minutes at room temperature.
4. Cut the pasta dough into fourths. Wrap three of the pieces in plastic wrap, then set aside until needed. Flatten the remaining piece into a rectangle, approximately the same width as the pasta machine rollers. Adjust the pasta machine rollers to their widest setting.
5. Roll the rectangle of pasta through the rollers one time. Then, fold the rectangle into thirds and feed it through the rollers 6-8 more times, folding the dough into thirds each time. Dust lightly with flour, if necessary, to keep it from sticking. Tighten the rollers of the pastas machine one notch, and feed the dough through the rollers without folding. Continue to feed the dough through the rollers without folding, tightening the rollers one notch each time, until the pasta is the desired thickness.
6. Repeat the rolling process with the remaining three pieces of dough. Allow the pasta sheets to dry for 5 minutes before filling.
7. Using a ravioli form, lightly coat with nonstick spray and lay a sheet of pasta over it. Place the top of the form on the pasta sheet, pressing gently to make impressions for the filling. Remove the top of the form, and place a heaping teaspoon (or small cookie scoop) of filling in each impression. Lightly moisten the border of the pasta sheet and in between the filling with water, using a pastry brush. Cover the filled impressions with a second sheet of dough. use a rolling pin to roll over the top of the form to cut and separate the ravioli. Push the finished ravioli out of the form. Transfer the ravioli to a flour-dusted baking sheet or a clean kitchen towel; let dry for 5-10 minutes***. 
8. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sage and cook until butter just begins to brown, about 4 minutes (do not overcook or butter will burn). Remove from heat and mix in balsamic vinegar and pecans. Set aside.
9. Bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pasta and immediately stir to separate the individual pieces. Cook the ravioli, stirring once of twice during cooking, until al dente, about 2 minutes, or until they float. Remove from the water using a slotted spoon, add ravioli to the hot butter sauce, and spoon sauce over to coat ravioli. Transfer to plates. and serve immediately.

Notes

*Looking for a shortcut? Use wonton wrappers instead of homemade pasta dough. **If the dough is too dry, add a few drops of warm water and process briefly. If the dough is too sticky, remove it from the processor and knead it with just enough flour to make it smooth and elastic. ***These can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. Just thaw in the fridge the day before and continue the recipe as normal.

Source: Adapted from my Homemade Whole Wheat Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with Tomato Pancetta Butter and Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce.

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