Neely's Lime Bars

I'm such a sucker for lemon bars, so I had to try these out. Just a little twist on your classic lemon bar: lime curd swapped for lemon. They turned out heavenly. I think just a little less sweet than your normal lemon bar. I brought these to work for my last week at Summerlin Hospital and they were a hit! They're good for making ahead as well. Just refrigerate them and pull them out a little ahead of time to bring to room temperature before serving. Wait to dust with the powdered sugar just before serving.

Neely's Lime Bars via Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/neelys-lime-bars-recipe/index.html



Snickerdoodle Blondies

These were a quick, impulse project just because I was in the mood to bake and had everything on hand. If I'm working the next day, it's always a good day to bake. That way I know everything will get eaten! Snickerdoodles are a classic flavor and these were no different. Just a different shape to play with the flavor. I think I still prefer the cookie shape, but either way these were tasty! 

Snickerdoodle Blondies via Tracey's Culinary Adventures:

http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/03/snickerdoodle-blondies.html

Strawberry Crumb Bars

Can I just start by saying, these are awesome! ...and so pretty too! These are actually a modification of a previous post that I did, that I really loved back then too! See previous: http://ovenphilosophy.blogspot.com/2010/11/peach-shortbread.html. I ran into this recipe on Smells Like Home and realized it was a revamped edition of the peach shortbread that I had previously made from Smitten Kitchen. I am such a sucker for shortbread. These were well received from all my recipients. :) Love being the bearer of good gifts!

Strawberry Crumb Bars via Smells Like Home:

http://smells-like-home.com/2011/05/strawberry-crumb-bars/

Snickers Brownies

These are the type of evil culminations I seem to come up with during all my free time now at work. Shameless, I know. I've pretty much come to terms with the lost cause of my vanity versus my necessity for baking. How could I not try though? So tempting! I have to admit I wasn't completely disappointed to discover that there were 6 extra fun size Snickers in the bag after the 12 necessary for this recipe. Damn.

Snickers Brownies via My Baking Addiction:

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/snickers-brownies/

Brown Butter Brownies

The process of browning butter is one that can seem daunting to some... but once you do it a couple times, you will have it down pat. Don't be intimidated! Once you try it, you will be so glad you did. Brown butter adds a depth to anything that you could never imagine afterwards without it. I actually have a confession in making this recipe, (something that I still have no explanation for)... I had no vanilla in my pantry! This NEVER happens to me. My only thought is that this whole move has just really put me out of my element. So I had to make a substitution... and an unconventional one at that: almond extract. But I have to say it worked out well. I'm used to a brownie/almond combination anyway... but the extract in the brownie itself was a stretch even for me. Live & learn. 

Brown Butter Brownies via The Parsley Thief:

http://www.theparsleythief.com/2011/02/brown-butter-brownies.html

Whole Lemon Bars

So today is my big 26th! I guess this points me in the direction of that scary "3" number. Where does life go?! Unfortunately I have to work tonight, luckily I will get to celebrate at home this weekend in the company of some great friends. I knew I wanted a dessert for my birthday, (dessert is a birthday must), but I haven't been feeling very cakey as of late. I've been wanting to try this recipe since I first saw it, so here was our perfect chance. WHOLE lemon bars! I am such a sucker for a good lemon curd. These are INCREDIBLE, possibly a new favorite all together. Have a safe holiday weekend. Happy Easter & Happy Birthday to me!

Whole Lemon Bars via David Lebovitz:

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/02/whole-lemon-bars-recipe/

Caramel Nutella Crumb Bars

I'm always going to have a memory of these little treasures because I made these yesterday to take to work for my last day full time as a PICU RN at Loma Linda. I'm still a little unsure of where this path in life is leading me, but yesterday was a day flooded with emotions from beginning to end, and these did help ease those emotions just a little. I'm going to miss my coworkers, my hospital, my patients, and the families. I've learned so much here in these last few years, and I truly hope God's plan for my life somehow ends up bringing me back to this amazing place. I love you guys!

This is a news story that I really loved on one of my patients that I will never forget. Keep fighting Leilani.

http://www.kmir6.com/global/Category.asp?c=169134&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5545881&flvUri&partnerclipid

Caramel Nutella Crumb Bars via Buns in my Oven:

http://bunsinmyoven.com/2011/02/09/caramel-nutella-crumb-bars/

Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats

Who really doesn't like rice krispy treats?! These are even better! These are like the adult version rice krispy treats... all grown up with the ingenius addition of browned butter. If you haven't yet met my friend browned butter, introduce yourself today. Browned butter is a bit of a process, but it makes EVERYTHING better. These won't last long!

Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/salted-brown-butter-crispy-treats/ 

Hello Dolly Bars

I made these to take to work for a farewell soiree for one of our dietitians, Grete. These were a HUGE success, so much so that they were actually renamed "OH BABY BARS." I thought that was quite amusing. They are very rich, so I would recommend cutting them in pretty small pieces. Even one inch squares should suffice. The only thing I might do differently next time is try substituting peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch chips. 

Hello Dolly Bars via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/10/lookin-swell-dolly/

Peach Shortbread

This is the first recipe I ever made from Smitten Kitchen... and the one that won my heart over eternally. A big thank you to my charge nurse, Heather, for introducing me to all these amazing food blogs! My life is changed! These are an awesome little treat. Crisp, salty, sweet... just splendid.

Peach Shortbread via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/09/peach-shortbread/