Sally McKenney's Blog, page 176
June 16, 2014
Vanilla Almond Granola.
Sweet, sticky, and crunchy granola exploding with vanilla and almond flavors. Ditch store-bought, healthy homemade granola is easy!
I’m a little granola obsessed. Can’t get enough of it, any which way. Apple, pumpkin, and especially when it tastes like peanut butter cups. (!!!)
Homemade granola may be boring to some people, but it is actually one of my favorite things to munch on. I can say no to Doritos and french fries. Sometimes. But fruity, nutty, crunchy granola? My self control never stands a chance.
The other day I came home from running 5 miles (for my 100 mile goal this month – am I crazy?) and craved crunchy carbs like a mad woman. I had quite the interesting array of ingredients and flavorings in the pantry and decided homemade granola was on the menu.
Continue reading:Vanilla Almond Granola.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 13, 2014
Blueberry Peach Pie.
A classic lattice-topped homemade blueberry peach pie bursting with juicy flavor. Serve with some vanilla ice cream for an unbeatable summer treat!
Happy Father’s Day weekend. 
Kevin and I are in Philadelphia this weekend visiting my parents and looking for our new home. Yep, we’re moving! We have been back and forth so much lately for wedding planning and house searching – I’m ready for life to calm down!
Or it stressed the new normal?!
I also had my first dress fitting. 3 months to go… I can’t even believe it!! Don’t worry, Kevin doesn’t read my blog or follow me on Instagram to see that photo of the back of my dress. (Nor does he even know how to work Instagram…)
Moving right along. Let’s talk pie! The real reason you’re here.
My dad’s favorite fruit are blueberries. When brainstorming Father’s Day dessert ideas, I immediately thought a blueberry crisp of sorts would be perfect. A warm crisp, some melty vanilla ice cream… perfection. But when some fresh peaches stared me down, I somehow couldn’t leave the store without a dozen. Yes, 12. I’ve got fruit problems.
Continue reading:Blueberry Peach Pie.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 12, 2014
Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad.
A hearty, healthy salad recipe with creamy avocado, nutty quinoa, chicken, fresh cilantro, and lots of bright citrus flavors. The perfect light dinner or easy lunch!
Ladies and gents (do any guys read my blog?), I bring you my new favorite meal. It’s protein packed, bursting with flavor, bright citrus, fresh cilantro, a little spice, a lot of avocado, and some serious staying power.
I made this colorful salad as a light dinner on Monday night and enjoyed leftovers for lunch the next day; it kept me full for hours as I worked in the kitchen. I made two pies, one of these and a special one for Father’s Day. Stay tuned for that sweet summer recipe.
This satisfying bowl of healthy goodness has so much going on. So many flavors and textures; each bite you get a little something different! It’s the perfect recipe for those of us who like the “stuff” in salads, rather than the lettuce. Are you like that too? There’s no lettuce in this salad at all, by the way.
Hearty, super-healthy quinoa is the base for todays salad recipe. I love quinoa because it is impressively versatile. When I’m not adding it to salads, I love making crispy quinoa patties. Just had those for dinner last week – they’re so simple and make a ton of leftovers.
Continue reading:Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 10, 2014
Glazed Apple Crumb Muffins.
Big, buttery cinnamon apple muffins with a brown sugar crumb topping and sweet vanilla glaze. Better than a bakery, trust me!
These giant, bakery-style apple crumb muffins aren’t really a summertime recipe, but oh well. Apple anything makes my heart skip a beat!
On top of the stunning, surreal sites we saw in the Rocky Mountains the other week – we ate some pretty darn incredible food too. For example, a “cookie dough delight” cookie sandwich so rich that it took two days to finish. (Seriously.)
Kevin and I also visited a couple little bakeries each morning for breakfast. The first day, a giant melt-in-your-mouth apple crumb muffin stared me in the eye. A sucker for anything apple flavored, I bought it intending to share with him. Somehow the muffin disappeared before he got a bite. ?? Whoopsies.
And here I am two weeks later… still thinking about that glazed apple crumb muffin! Yes, I’m a dork. I tried my hand at a few test batches this past weekend and after two bland disappointments, came out with a winner. Third time’s a charm!
Continue reading:Glazed Apple Crumb Muffins.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 8, 2014
Superfood Power Smoothie.
A slim-down power smoothie recipe filled with super foods including spinach, strawberries, flax, and apple. Refreshing, nutrient packed, with no added sugar.
I can’t imagine summer Sundays without a big brunch. In an effort to keep my June detox going, we made a lightened-up meal this morning. Complete with cheesy spinach quiche, heavy on the spinach and crustless style– try it that way if you’re looking for a protein-packed, low carb option. And a batch of skinny double chocolate muffins for my sweet tooth fix. Though after eating 3… are they even skinny anymore?
Whatever, it’s the weekend. Also my excuse for a couple margs last night.
Additionally, I made a double batch of these smoothies later in the day. I call them power smoothies because they are filled with some of my favorite super foods like apple, spinach, flax, strawberries, and banana. The perfect drink to fuel up for my 100-miles-in-June goal.
Today’s power smoothie recipe combines two of my favorite smoothies in one.
As you can see, there are two different layers. I layered this smoothie recipe for two reasons. (1) Because mixing all of these ingredients together creates one ugly brown/green concoction, horrible for food photography. And (2) layered smoothies taste better. No?
Continue reading:Superfood Power Smoothie.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 6, 2014
Flourless Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies.
These Flourless Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies only have 7 ingredients. Easy to make, chewy, gluten free, fudgy, soft, and you won’t miss the flour and butter!
This week I’ve been doing a little post-vacation detox of sorts. I have my first wedding dress fitting in 1 week and the wedding countdown is almost at 3 months. It’s getting close!
This month, I’ve made a goal to walk/run 100 miles and to eat a little cleaner (lots of these). For all you long distance runners, 100 miles in 4 weeks may not sound like much but it’s certainly more than I’ve ever done in 30 days! So far, I’ve logged 28 miles in 6 days and currently cannot feel my legs. Tomorrow is a rest day with a lot of wine.
Question: do you have any workout goals this summer?
Yesterday’s recipe may not be considered health food, but I absolutely will put these indulgent-tasting chocolate peanut butter cookies into that category. I find that “healthy” is a relative term and what may seem healthy to me, may not be healthy to someone else.
Flourless cookies, starting from a base of homemade peanut butter and unsweetened cocoa powder, is absolutely what I would call a healthy dessert option.
Continue reading:Flourless Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 4, 2014
Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries with Vanilla Icing Dip.
Crispy baked sweet potato fries coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a sweet vanilla icing. I call these fries a potassium-rich dessert!
A couple weekends ago, Kevin and I met a few friends at a brewery in downtown Baltimore. We ordered some beer, shared a few appetizers, and while browsing the menu for dessert (always dessert) – our waitress suggested a plate of the sweet potato fries.
Um, what?
She said the fries are one of their most popular dessert items. These fries, coated twice with cinnamon sugar, are served with a lip-smackin’ sweet vanilla icing dip. There’s never a crumb left, she says. Well, twist my arm. Let’s order ‘em.
We ordered a plate and within 1 minute, the fries were gone. Cinnamon sugar coated our fingers and I considered licking the plate clean, only to be reminded we were in public.
Oh my gosh. I couldn’t get those overloaded sweet potato fries out of my head!! I made them the first chance I got. (The next day, clearly.)
Continue reading:Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries with Vanilla Icing Dip.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 3, 2014
Classic Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting.
A rich, tender homemade chocolate cupcake topped with my favorite vanilla frosting. You’ll find every excuse to make this classic cupcake over and over again!
I’m taking a break from all things overloaded today. Don’t get me wrong, an Oreo cake with Oreo crumb topping, Oreo cream filling, and milk chocolate buttercream is welcome in my apartment any day. But sometimes I crave a little simplicity. And it doesn’t get much simpler than a classic chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting.
And sprinkles… uh, naturally.
Speaking of overloaded, a couple weeks ago I made Marshmallow-Filled S’mores Cupcakes. Have you tried them yet? PLEASE DO. (Sorry… shouting.)
Well in that post, I briefly told you about my new favorite chocolate cupcake, which is used as the base underneath all that s’mores stuff. Today’s cupcake recipe starts with the same basic, simple chocolate cupcake batter. Let me explain these homemade chocolate cupcakes a little further because they are in the spotlight today.
Continue reading:Classic Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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June 1, 2014
Chocolate Chip Scones.
Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip scones. Tender and moist inside with a slight crunch on the edges, these buttery scones are sure to please even the pickiest eaters!
We’re headed home today, leaving with a ton of exciting Colorado vacation memories, like seeing this beautiful view of the world at 14,043 feet high.
(Mount Sherman in Fairplay, CO.)
Time to face reality, the 3 month wedding countdown, bridal showers, dress fittings, workouts, a big move to Philadelphia, and all of the other craziness summer brings.
I’ll need another spa day (or 5) during all this madness.
Question: how do you stay calm and composed when life gets a little overwhelming? I need all the advice I can get this summer!
Before the trip, I made two batches of strawberry lemon scones and today’s scones. The two recipes start with the same basic ratio of ingredients, with only a few changes. I have many more ideas for different varieties of scones, too.
I’m officially the crazy scone making lady these days. Don’t send help.
Continue reading:Chocolate Chip Scones.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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May 30, 2014
Photo A Day, May.
Welcome back to my Photo A Day posts! I’m posting this from sunny, breezy Breckenridge Colorado. Kevin lived here for quite some time before we met… skiing, snowboarding, biking, etc. As a little “pre-wedding madness” vacation, he’s showing me around his beautiful old home. It’s that weird time of year after winter when it’s not busy, but before the summer vacationers get here. It’s peaceful and perfect right now.
Let’s rewind to the rest of May, though. The month I had my 2nd TV appearance, celebrated my best bud’s wedding in Mexico, turned 29, perfected cookie cutter sugar cookies, and frequently drank margaritas. But hey, what else is new?!
(I’m posting this with 1 day left in the month, I know. But tomorrow we’re going white water rafting and I will not be on the computer.)
May 1. Riviera Maya, Mexico.
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Continue reading:Photo A Day, May.
© Sally’s Baking Addiction 2012
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