Sweet And Crumby

Baking, a Love Story


by 10 Comments

The S&C Annual, “These Are a Few of My Favorite Postings”

This is my FOURTH year of blogging and time for my now annual “These Are A Few of My Favorite Postings” (for my previous attempts, click here or here).

I have a strange obsession with The Sound of Music so I urge you to sing along as you read this and please forgive the rather crude missteps in my unpoetic rhythm and rhyme.

Peppermint Cupcakes And Quaint Cookie Mittens
Crisp Scottish Shortbread, I’m totally smitten.
Homemade Chai Spice Mix tied up in strings
These are a few of my favorite postings!

Tart Chocolate Orange Cakes and Crisp Apple Strudels
Gingerbread Spice Loaves  and Brodo with Noodles
Cranberries tucked into Spiked Bread Puddings
These are a few of my favorite postings!

Gorgeous Stuffed Grape leaves inhaled by the masses
Hazlenut Martinis make us fall on our a**es
Golden, soft Challah with fancy braidings
These are a few of my favorite postings!

When the Pie Burns!
When Souffles Flop!
When I’m Feeling Sad…
I simply remember my favorite postings,
And then I don’t feel so bad!

Happy New Year to all and may 2014 bring a quieter earth, a more peaceful existence and much happiness.


by 16 Comments

Cookie Baking 101 and Katina’s Greek Crescents

I will start and end this post with my family’s favorite Christmas cookies, Katina’s Greek Crescents. They are made with pecans and dusted with powdered sugar and bite after delicate bite literally melts in your mouth.  I actually never knew Katina, nor really know how she fits into my family’s life. I just know she must have been one heck of a baker and that officially gives her my seal of approval.

Cookies 101

Cookies are not tricky so you may wonder what I could possibly say about making them that would help you? Well, actually if you are an avid baker, I probably have nothing on you. BUT if you are in the group of people who bakes a batch now and then and wonders why sometimes they come out great and other times they spread out like pancakes, and why sometimes they are a little tough but other times they are perfectly soft and chewy, well then you have come to the right post my friends. Continue reading →


by 23 Comments

A Christmas Cookie Gifts Game Plan and Ginger Crinkles

If you are on my Christmas Cookie box delivery list then lucky you, and if you aren’t, you may want to start sending some bribes my way. I always accept bribes, usually in the form of compliments; I am a total compliment whore. Yeah, that’s right, I said it and my previous PG rating for Sweet and Crumby (S&C for those cool kids in the know) just went down the tubes. Sigh.

ginger cookies

Continue reading →


by 29 Comments

Never Would Guess They Are Gluten Free—Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Waffles

Want a breakfast that is decadent, homey, soft and spicy? Then you have come to the right place my friends. These Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles are all that and more. They are the perfect answer to feeding those guests who need to eat gluten free and everyone who needs to eat a tasty breakfast without the grainy or gummy texture some GF products can be known for.

IMG_9259

Continue reading →


by 29 Comments

Leftover Cranberry Sauce-d Bread Pudding {With Dark Chocolate and Brandy}

I know, if you have read my last post, then you may be wondering, “Just how much leftover cranberry sauce does this girl have?” and “Why?”. But truth be told my Left-Over Cranberry Sauce Muffins’  post was last year’s after Thanksgiving post and this year I happen to have a new leftover cranberry sauce recipe and it is a doozy.

IMG_9225

Continue reading →


by 27 Comments

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Streusel Topped Muffins

I hate to be alone in the mornings. It’s boring. When I was a little girl, and wanted my brother to wake up and get crackin’ so that we could play a game or watch Saturday cartoons together, I would throw a couple of dog biscuits onto his bed and our two Cocker Spaniels would jump on top of him and run all over the bed looking for the treats. When he would emerge from his room, I would be sitting on the couch, pretending to look uninterested in his arrival, and  I would try not to smile. Unfortunately, I have the worst Poker face known to man. The worst.

Continue reading →


by 20 Comments

A Pre-Thanksgiving Round-Up

Thankful. I have so much…too much. My grown kids are kind, happy and healthy, productive adults. That is everything to me. And my Golden Retriever, Sadie, is a constant love and complete noodge (I love both sides of her; the angel and the devil). I am surrounded by family and friends and always have food on my table and a warm bed. All of that is huge and Thanksgiving reminds me not to take it all for granted and to do what I can to help others to have the same necessities. Food and a warm bed should not be a privilege in a wealthy country such as ours. Unfortunately, that is not the case.  If you are feeling like you have more than you need, please think of homeless organizations in your area to donate to. One of my local favorites is West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation.

As to the food I’ve decided not to reinvent the wheel and just show you what Sweet and Crumby has got for the upcoming big holiday. I hope this list gives you inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu.

This Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad would be a tantalizing and bright way to start off your holiday meal. Add some dried cranberries or make a cranberry vinaigrette to give it that extra festive flare.

pumpkin salad

Continue reading →


by 13 Comments

Shake your GF Mixture Like A Polaroid Picture {Featuring Cinnamon Apple GF Pancakes}

I know, for most of us gluten free doesn’t exactly spell delicious. But these pancakes are heavenly. I am not a liar, at least I am fairly sure of that, and honestly these pancakes are spicy, soft, tender and not one iota grainy which some gluten free products can be infamous for.

img_0037

This batch happened to have chocolate chips as well. We live big around here.

Continue reading →


by 15 Comments

A Roasted Grape is a Beautiful Thing: Sauteed Chicken in Roasted Grape Sauce with Cinnamon Steeped Couscous

I know this recipe for Roasted Grapes with Pureed Grape Sauce Over Chicken is not new news. It’s from Rozanne Gold’s “Radically Simple”, and was posted in the NY Times in 2010, but it’s new to me and roasting grapes is totally new to me. Let me tell you, once you have roasted a grape you will wonder why you have never done it before.

Continue reading →


by 11 Comments

A Parade Of Halloween Treats and Meals…

I am a bit of a Halloween addict I am afraid and when perusing my own blog, I realized just how many recipes I have posted for Halloween inspired food. So here is the parade…and an easy spot to find all the fun and scary food you are looking for…

Blood-Red Heirloom Tomato Soup with Vampire Fang Grilled Cheese

Continue reading →