SMiLes by Meg

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars

To my readers that have been requesting a peek at the new location of SMiLes, I’ve heard you! And, even better, I’ve remembered to take pictures! My new kitchen is great, lots of space, and renovated this past summer so brand new appliances. And, of course, yellow. Because if I’ve learned anything from my mother, it’s that you should fully commit to your favorite color and let it permeate every possible part of your life.

Caramel Apple Bars

The Green Harbor Labor Day Races were the highlight of my summers growing up. Every year, we spent the long weekend at the beach with my mom’s whole family, competing in (and winning) swimming, running, and three-legged races, egg tosses, and the local parade. We had cookouts, went looking for crabs, walked on the jetty, and generally did everything you would think we would do in a quintessential New England beach town.

Old-Fashioned Snickerdoodles

This past Thursday marked my first official day as a law student. Yes, it is still orientation. And yes, my current obligations include things like free food truck lunches and a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery tomorrow. But, I did succeed in arriving to orientation without Harvard informing me that they had made some horrific mistake by sending me communications for the past couple of months indicating they would like me to attend, which is a pretty big win in my book.

S’mores Whoopie Pies

It’s my last weekend of summer vacation. And I still haven’t had a s’more. For some reason, as you grow up, the number of opportunities you have to consume s’mores in the summer greatly decreases. When I was younger, I feel like there was always a fire pit ready and waiting for me to perfect my marshmallow roasting skills, whether on a beach, at a campsite, or in someone’s backyard. We even had an indoor s’mores maker for when there wasn’t a fire handy. This summer, however, I can distinctly remember the one opportunity I had (back in July at

Blueberry Crumb Pie

Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly blog-writer-ish, I take stock of what I’ve posted and what I’m lacking. In the world of baking, it quickly becomes apparent that I love to make cookies. I have four pages worth of cookie posts, and they are always what I turn to when I’m not sure what to make. I also like cupcakes. And brownies/bar cookies. But then I get to my pie category, and realize that it could use some love.

Soft Serve and Flake

 I am currently in London, watching The Queen after spending a day at Stonehenge. Obviously, I am unable to bake at the moment. So instead, I’ve decided to enlighten you all on a dessert that America is missing out on: soft serve ice cream with Flake, a Cadbury chocolate bar that takes the place of jimmies, or chocolate sprinkles. I first had this in Ireland when I was 12, and absolutely loved it. It’s actually the lightest type of ice cream dessert that I willingly eat – usually I go for flavors along the lines of cookie dough. When I

Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies

Greetings from Dublin! Well, actually, I’m writing this on Friday while sitting at my kitchen counter in Massachusetts. But, ever the planner, I wanted it to be ready to just hit “publish” because on Saturday I’d be flying to Ireland and England for a trip with my mom! So, as you read this, I am either at Guinness learning how to pull a pint, or, if you happen to be reading later in the week, hanging out with the wonderful Cate Laporte-Oshiro at Oxford, who I haven’t seen in far too long.

Mini Cannoli Bites

Usually, when I start a blog post, I’m fairly confident it will turn out OK. Occasionally, I’m certain it will be fine and then end up with entries like this or this. Then, there are days like today. Family dinner at five. Less than a week until I’m in England. Not sure how to balance the two. And somehow, against all odds, I manage to pull off something as impressive as this:

Pistachio Cookies

Summer has this really annoying way of seeming like it stretches on forever until all of a sudden the other end of it is almost here and you’re running out of time. Last weekend, my mom and I were casually browsing travel books while we planned our trip. Today we are in a position, two weeks from being in London,  where we should really have hotel accommodations booked.

Lime in the Coconut Pie

This post starts with a new Saturday morning tradition. Last week was the first time we tried this, but since its been two weeks in a row, I’m calling it a tradition. I start a run from my parents’ new house and my mom starts to walk. I go out around to the beach and back, and it times out perfectly (like, arriving-at-the-door-at-the-exact-same-time perfectly) that we meet at the bakery we always used to go to from their old house.