SMiLes by Meg

Small Batch Magic Bars

If you’ve known me at any point in my life, you know that a constant is my all time favorite dessert: magic bars. I’ve shared my favorite recipe for them before, and even tried some seasonal variations, but I haven’t made any since COVID started because I know myself and my complete lack of self control. If I made a full pan of magic bars, I would eat a full pan of magic bars. Then, this weekend, Alexandra sent me a recipe for a salted caramel pretzel version that looked great, and reminded me that I was really missing a

Butternut Squash Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving was different this year, and I definitely missed the big family gathering, traditional holiday foods (mostly the secret stuffing) and post-meal nap/movie on the couch. But, if we couldn’t have that this year, our little Thanksgiving was the perfect Plan B. We made this pie the night before, and decided, since there was no one coming over, there was no reason we couldn’t eat it for breakfast on Thanksgiving day. This could very much turn into a new tradition. The rest of our meal came together throughout the course of the day, interspersed with video calls with family and

Lime Curd Bars

Happy Father’s Day! My dad likes lemon meringue pie, but I’ve made that before, so I decided to try to make something in the same family. Boston is in a heat wave (it is so hot out), and I initially wanted to make something no bake. However, when I found these, they seemed perfect – quick to make, didn’t have to buy many ingredients, and in the general family of lemon squares (but lime!). Start by making the graham cracker crust. In a medium bowl, toss together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs and sugar until the texture of wet

Individual Flan

I’m writing this from my kitchen counter, taking a break from packing, but by the time I post it (a day early, I know) I’ll be in Washington State, catching a ferry to Alaska. I’ll spend the entire month of September there, hiking, kayaking, exploring, and, obviously, baking. With Erik moving to Anchorage for two years to clerk, and me not starting work for another couple months in Boston, I’m very excited to have the opportunity to get to know a state I’ve never visited. AND I’m very excited to take this ferry, which will bring us from Bellingham, Washington

Flan

First day of Spring, and we’re due for a snow storm tonight. If that doesn’t perfectly capture New England weather, I don’t know what does. But that’s not going to stop me from moving forward with my lighter, more summery desserts – a week in sunny Florida definitely has me in the desserts-I-can-eat-with-a-spoon mood.

Magic Bars

I had a really hard time deciding what to bake this weekend.  I was home in Massachusetts with my parents, who are currently in the the process of selling the house I grew up in, and when I have the whole kitchen at my disposal I always feel like I need to make something extra special.  Also, when I bake at their house, I know that I won’t have to bring the treats home with me, so there is little danger that I will eat them all.  This also makes me want to bake more extravagant things.