Rustic Polenta Cake with Rhubarb

Rhubarb always reminds me of my grandmother.  Late every spring, she froze rhubarb to enjoy throughout the year.  To my grandmother, the word rhubarb did not just refer to the celery-like stalk, it was the actual recipe.  Her rhubarb was just like applesauce, only red and with a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Though…

Peanut Butter Energy Bars

Six years ago, my friend Carrie Johnson asked me to meet her for coffee to discuss a program she had been researching.  Carrie was seeking input and, as a runner who volunteered in the community, she figured I might have an opinion or two. A few weeks prior to our meeting, Carrie and her husband…

Dark Chocolate Blondies (grain-free, no refined sugar)

Typically, I don’t mention the specific brand I use in a recipe unless it is integral to the recipe’s success or I just really love the product for one reason or another.  I first became familiar with Bob’s Red Mill many years ago when my dad discovered he had to eliminate gluten. He never complained about all the…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs

My grandmother’s recipe for the classic treat, this time-tested recipe rivals a Reese’s peanut butter cup. The recipe can be prepared in stages and makes enough to share!    When I think of my grandmother, many things come to mind. She was full of life, funny and frugal, yet so very generous. This was a…

Quickie Cookie Baked Oatmeal

When I have the pleasure of some one-on-one time with my 3-year-old niece, I like to think of a project or activity she will really enjoy.  Whether it’s making homemade play dough (has to be blue!) or a simple walk to the playground, I have at least as much fun as she does. After making…

Butterscotch Bread Pudding

Crispy edges, tender insides, and notes of caramel and butter take the classic bread pudding to new heights. Easy and irresistible! Last fall, I mentioned that I was all set to share a recipe for butterscotch bread pudding when a thoughtful reader emailed me the recipe for her prized beet cake. Like my chicken in…

Classic Chocolate Cake

Light, moist, and perfect for any celebration, this classic chocolate cake mixes up quickly in a single bowl with ingredients you likely have on hand. (And the gluten-free adaptation fools even the gluten-eaters!) When it comes to chocolate cake, this tried-and-true recipe is, without a doubt, the best that I have found. It has been…

Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting

In our family, February is full of birthdays.  There are three, all spread out exactly one week after the next.  With Valentine’s Day thrown into the mix, there is ample opportunity for cakes and other sweet treats! As I have previously reported, adoration for homemade caramel frosting runs deep on my husband’s side of the family.…

Chewy Almond Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

For those who know me or have followed The Fountain Avenue Kitchen for a while, you know I have cooked a lot of oatmeal.  Several years ago, I began to feel as though I was doing my part to bring the humble oat back into vogue!  With good reason–it’s a convenient, hearty, and healthy way…

2-Ingredient Breakfast Cookies…with options (and a fun kitchen experiment!)

  I never set out to be an oatmeal expert, but one baked oatmeal with an enormous following at a local cafe put the wheels into motion. For those who haven’t read the story in one of my umpteen other recipe posts for baked oatmeal, I initially started making baked oatmeal years ago to replicate…

Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Citrus Glaze

This is one of those recipes that I have made over and over again, tweaking many times until I arrived at an end result that my family loves.  It is moist and full of flavor, and I get requests for it often. The citrus glaze is a delightful addition.  When I first made a glaze…

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable tags included!    A delicious cookie-in-a-jar recipe was harder to devise than I expected.  Not only did the cookie have to taste great, the mix…

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