Berry Cheesecake Tarts with Chocolate Crust

You might think the world just doesn't need another cheesecake recipe...but, I mean, can the world really have too many cheesecake recipes?  What makes this one special is that it is made with natural ingredients (made as healthy as possible), has a killer flavor combination (which leans towards 'festive' with the chocolate crust), and comes together in a flash.  What's not to love about a knock-out dessert that doesn't take all day in the kitchen?  The smooth tart filling is contrasted with the cocoa flavor and nut crunch of the crust, topped off with a high note of berry flourish (enhanced with just a hint of rosewater) as a beautiful, glistening finish, making a gorgeous finale to any holiday get-together.

Cranberry Orange Galette

Love the holidays...HATE the frantic pace.  One of my favorite flavors of the holidays is cranberry.  I eagerly look forward to the happy day every fall when fresh cranberries appear in the stores.  They are beautiful, bursting with flavor, and packed with healthy goodness.  Another of Nature's jewels.

This is a super-easy dessert, perfect for the holidays.  Traditional, yet rustic.  Full of flavor, yet light.  It can be dressed up or down, adjusted to any and every fruit to suit personal tastes, and is so very satisfying.  I borrowed heavily from the Pastry Studio peach galette recipe.  I adjusted the nuts and filling to match the season, added some whole wheat flour, and brightened everything with a splash of orange.  When a heavy dessert after a big holiday meal seems groan-worthy, this light and bright galette provides just the right note of 'finis' to your lovely get-together.

Apple Harvest Muffins

...so, where was I?

Oh, yes, fall.  This is without a doubt my favorite time of year.  I can't believe it has been a year (almost) since my last post.  Life happens, as I'm sure you all know.  Work, family, life.   Sometimes there is just not enough hours in the day, and something has to give (like blogging).  Well, here is a recipe to help us all slow down and appreciate the simple things in life...like jewel-toned leaves, sparkling skies and cooler breezes, even if life feels a little bit like a whirlwind sometimes.