The baking has begun. 

Welcome to the holiday season.

Can you guess what this is?

My neighbor and baking-extraordinaire made TURKEY cupcakes!  Unbelievable.

The stuffing is made of tiny cubes of pound cake and the greenery is cereal.  I wish I was that creative/talented!

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For my first non-cleanse dinner, I made Sweet Potato Falafel based on these by 101 Cookbooks.

Sweet Potato Falafel

• 2 Medium sweet potatoes, cooked
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Coriander
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 C Rice flour*
• 1 T EVOO
• 1 T Toasted sesame oil
• Sprinkling of chia seeds
• Salt and pepper

Put the sweet potatoes, cumin, garlic, coriander, lemon juice and flour into a large bowl. Salt and pepper to taste, add EVOO and sesame oils, then mush with fork until smooth with no chunks. Place in fridge to firm up for 30 mins. The mix should be more gooey than wet.  If needed, add a bit more EVOO or flour (the water content of sweet potatoes varies).

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Using a tablespoon or a falafel scoop, scoop the mixture on to an oiled tray. Sprinkle seeds on top and bake in the oven for 15-20 mins, until the bases are golden brown.

Makes about 15 falafel.

*Amp up the protein by subbing half of the rice flour for Growing Natural’s Rice Protein Powder.

These were great with a salad and leftover grilled eggplant!

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Now for the fun, dessert-like things baked. 🙂

1. Angela’s Itty Bitty Carrot Cake Cookies (check it out on Oh She Glows)

2. Kentucky Derby Pie (the alco/choco-holic’s version of pecan pie)

This is one of my favorite “treats.”  Mom has been making it forever.

It is fantastic, easy to make, and perfect to gift a friend or bring to a dinner party.

Kentucky Derby Pie

• 1/2 C Salted butter, melted
• 1 C Sugar
• 1 C Light corn syrup (I use the Karo)
• 2 T Bourbon (I use Jack and pour those tablespoons generously over the bowl)
• 3 Eggs
• 1 C Semi-sweet or dark chocolate morsels
• 1 C Pecans, lightly chopped
• Pie crust (making your own is a pain unnecessary – use the Pillsbury.  It tastes just fine!)

Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup.  Add bourbon and eggs.  Mix well.  Fold in nuts and chocolate.  Pour in pie shell (I grease the pie dish before putting the shell in because the insides usually seep over and make it the crust stick).

Bake at 350 for 30-45 mins (this has taken up to an hour before… depends on your oven).  It will poof up a bit and may crack in the middle.  When it’s done it shouldn’t be real jiggly, but will have a little movement.  It will brown.  Let it cool before you serve it!  It is made to pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cup of bourbon coffee.

3. Flour-less Chocolate Crack Cake

This is good.  Close to perfect.  Recipe to come when I make a few tweaks.

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In anticipation of the 10K tomorrow morning, I tasted the baked goods verrrrry lightly.  And then I drank a neon-Green Monster. 🙂

Then I looked at the baking aftermath and shuddered.

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In the thankful spirit of the season, here are some things I am particularly thankful for this year:

• My mom
• My sisters
• Great friends
• A new job that I love
• Sticktuitiveness
• The ride

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!