A glass of Cupcake

photo courtesy of detnews.com

I admit it, I first bought a bottle of Cupcake Chardonnay because the label was perfect for a friend's birthday. Good thing I did the old "one for you, one for me" and came home with a bottle of my very own. It's a delicious as it looks (and surprisingly, not too sweet). If you can get over the fact that it's not the ritzy Cakebread label, then pick up a bottle and try it for yourself. 88 points by Wine Spectator for a $10 bottle ain't so shabby.

And while you're at it,enter to win a trip for two to Monterey, CA, compliments of Cupcake Vineyards.

Easy as brownie pie

My entire family was in town this past rainy weekend (parents, siblings, siblings-in-law, nephews). It was a zoo. And I loved every second of it.

On Saturday night we had dinner out, but all packed into our apartment for dessert. I served a family favorite: brownie pie. The best part about this recipe is that you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen:

Mother's Brownie Pie
1 stick butter
2 squares of baker's chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
dash of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cups chopped pecans or almonds optional

In a sauce pan, melt butter and chocolate squares. Take off heat, stir in sugar. Beat eggs in a separate bowl and add to saucepan (careful not to cook the eggs). Stir in flower and salt. Pour into a greased 8 inch pie pan* and cook for 25-30 minutes at 325 degrees

Serve with vanilla ice cream, raspberries and homemade whipped cream. Voila!**

*Just like my mother, I only have a 9 inch pie pan, so we add half more of everything for a total of 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter, 3 squares of baker's chocolate, etc...

** Perfect for breakfast the next day as well, in my opinion.

iSnap

Washington, DC


Yes, you saw that right - Halloween candy in September. And for breakfast! (sorry Mother)