olive cheese tarts

Olive cheese tarts are the perfect impromptu party snack.

They're cheesey. They're salty. They're spicy. And you can make a batch to keep in the freezer and just pop in the oven whenever a friend or neighbor shows up.

Or... you know... when you get a craving for something cheesy and salty and spicy.

superbowl bites

Well friends, it's Superbowl weekend!

I'm not hosting or attending a party this year [sad face]

but here are some recipes for those of you who are:

Game Day Mexican Layer Dip

Traditional game day dip with a fun football twist.

game day mexican layer dip

College football season has officially begun! For those of you who don't know, 

I cheer for the Michigan State Spartans. I graduated from MSU a few years ago. 

I met my Husband there. My Grandfather both attended graduate school and taught there. 

And many many of my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins from both sides of my family 

attended as well. [including my brother who is a sophomore there this year- Hi Eric!]

One game day tradition I have when hosting a tailgate is to make mexican layer dip.

And I've discovered a fun way to make it even more football appropriate.

By turning it into a football field!

margarita cake pops

I can't tell you how excited I am to share this recipe.

Two of my favorite things: Margaritas and Cake Pops.

Finally combined into one little edible heavenly bite on a stick.

I've been dreaming of margarita cake pops for a long time, 

and when I saw Bridget from Bake at 350 post these lemon cake pops, 

shortly followed by Pioneer Woman's link to these margarita cupcakes... 

I knew it was time to take the plunge.

pineapple-coconut-almond-rum cookies

The other weekend, I had a few friends over to watch the season finale of Lost. Even if 

you've never seen the show, you probably know that the majority of it takes place on an island. 

So I thought I would make something a little tropical. 

What's more tropical than pineapple and coconut (and a little almond for good measure)?

chocolate-dipped peanut butter cake pops

Peanut Butter and Chocolate: One of the world's most perfect combinations.

Ever since I made the Peanut Butter Cupcakes a few weeks ago, I've been thinking of

turning them into cake pops. My friend Lisa has been dying to try cake pops

ever since I discovered them on Bakerella and started making them-

so her birthday was the perfect occasion to try these out!

football cake pops

Let me introduce you to... cake pops. Adorable bite-sized portions of cake
on a stick. They can be shaped and decorated like just about anything. But since
it's SuperBowl weekend and I have a party to host tomorrow, we are
making footballs. The original cake pop recipe comes from one of my favorite
baking sites, Bakerella. Check out all of her awesome cake pop designs,
and other adorable baked goods.