SMiLes by Meg

Magic Shell

Remember that time I said the busier I was at work the more complex my baking projects? There’s a limit to that, and I found it this week, so instead I’m sharing a very simple (very satisfying) recipe with you. As a kid, I remember loving Magic Shell. Erik didn’t know what it was when I asked him if he remembered it, and Madison remembered it at Dairy Queen but not as a store bought treat. I remember going to A&P and begging to get a bottle from the ice cream aisle, right next to the sprinkles I obviously also

Double Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Hi friends! I know your social media feeds might be slowing down on the #blacklivesmatter posts, but I hope you also know that doesn’t at all mean that the work is done. After this week, though I may not include a little blurb at the beginning of my blogs, I hope you’ll join me in continuing your impact and fighting for real change however you are able. If you’re looking for something sweet and you’re in the city of Boston, I highly recommend you check out Petsi Pies, a black-owned bakery in Somerville that I used to frequent while in

Brown Butter Blondies

Week 2 of quarantine baking and I still haven’t come up with a good word for it. “Quaranbaking”? “Sugar isolation”? Those are both so bad. If someone has already figured this out, let me know. I’m also quickly realizing that baking treats when you don’t have a kitchen to offload them into is a different experience. This week, a friend in the building requested blondies, so that’s what I made, and now they aren’t in my kitchen! If you live in the Boston area and are looking for something sweet, PLEASE let me know – I will happily make it

White Chocolate Pecan Bars

I’ve been having such a nice weekend. Erik and I have started alternating on what year we spend with each other’s families on Thanksgiving, and this year we’ll be heading to San Francisco where Erik’s sister will be hosting. On years where the plan is to go with Erik’s family, I’ve started spending the weekend before with my parents, while my mom is getting ready and Duxbury is full of holiday activities. My mom and I ran the Turkey Trot on Saturday, and for the second time in 3 years I was able to win the women’s overall group. That

White Chocolate Peanut Brittle Ice Cream

Photographing ice cream continues to be one of my weaknesses in the food blog world. I really enjoy eating ice cream, but usually do so out of a mug, which is not really the best presentation. I could probably start keeping cones around for this purpose, but who, sitting on the couch late at night with a glass of wine, wants to eat an ice cream cone? It also didn’t help that I was making this ice cream on a rush basis before heading down to Rhode Island for a wedding, so didn’t actually get to take a picture of

White Chocolate, Toffee, and Pecan Brownies

I’m posting this from Alaska, but not on an Alaskan trip where I anticipated to have time to bake. So instead, I baked on Tuesday, and after already bringing Irish Soda Bread Scones to work on Monday, brought these brownies on Wednesday. I feel like maybe I’m bringing too many baked goods to work – but also Lent, so it’s not like I can eat them. Regardless, people don’t seem to mind. Turns out, offices are a place you can ALWAYS get rid of baked goods. Now, midweek baking means I had to pick something that wouldn’t be too time

Quick Bark

Ever find yourself in need of a quick dessert for a holiday? This is your solution. All it takes is a quick trip to Michael’s (or whatever other craft store you know of that sells every possible color of Candy Melts), and maybe 30 total minutes of assembly and waiting time. End result looks very impressive, is endlessly adaptable to your tastes, and can be piled in a tupperware without worrying about ruining it. Extra perk? It fills the need at cookouts for something sweet at the end of a big meal without requiring the commitment of a slice of

White Chocolate Ginger Cookies

It has been a baking marathon at my parents’ house this week. I have made four separate, brand new, types of cookies AND have the components of a trifle in the works right now. Doing the math, I actually won’t have to bake again until the end of January. And you’ll get new cookie recipes for a month! Which, really, is better than making all four types of cookies at the same time. Because my family is getting dangerously close to kicking me out from what I can tell, since everyone’s main food group has now been cookies for 3

Black and White Russian Cookies

You know you’ve found some great friends when they show up at your apartment, start rooting around in your cabinets, and ask if there’s enough time for them to bake a batch of cookies before taking off on a 6 day vacation sure to be full of kitchen time. That’s what happened on Wednesday when a couple friends from college showed up (Happy Birthday, Marj!).