I really love you guys. Seriously. Over the past week and a half, I’ve spent my free time sifting through the hundreds of blog and magazine recommendations you passed along during the Silpat giveaway. If you have a few hours (or days) I would highly suggest checking out all the awesome links in that post. Goal achieved: my Google Reader is absolutely packed with great new finds. Here are a few of my favorite new revelations: Sugar Plum BlogJudging by … Read More

Happy “Week Before Valentine’s Day” my dear readers. If the day dedicated to love isn’t up your alley, please forgive me for what’s shaping up to be a very chocolate and love intensive week. Regular posting will resume next week, I promise! Greater than my love for chocolate is my love for semi-healthy desserts. I have been known to incorporate whole wheat flour, ground flax seed and fruit into sweet treats because it makes me feel just a little bit … Read More

To say that I can’t stick with the same hair color or style is a vast understatement. With summer and a wedding coming on quick, I’ve transitioned my hair color to blonde and am working on growing it back out. Since I’ve never had long blonde hair, I’m excited for the change. Though anyone who has ever tried to grow their hair out knows the pain I’m going through! My mom and Joey are going to be in town this … Read More

When I started Espresso and Cream, my motivation wasn’t to discuss food politics or controversial topics. It was to be a feel-good, creative space for me to share recipes and little snippets of life. And for the most part, it will remain just that.  I planned on talking about wedding hair today, but after watching Oprah yesterday, I changed my course of action. For those of you who didn’t see the episode, Oprah and many of her staffers went vegan … Read More

Confession time: I lied to you all. I promised to deliver a healthy dessert and instead I give you these Dark Chocolate-Almond Butter Bars. In all fairness, they aren’t completely unhealthy. It contains dark chocolate and almond butter, both of which can be very healthy in moderation. And compared with cheesecake, it’s practically health food. Each month for work I spend a few days off-site on photography for one of the magazines I work on. Beautiful photos of food are … Read More

    {Emily and Brian who are getting married in May!} Happy Monday, everyone! Have I told you all how much I love you? You seriously rock. I now have a whole lot of ‘fun homework’ ahead of me this week, checking out the blogs and magazines you all recommended, and I have a feeling my Google Reader is going to get lots of fun, new additions! And while we’re on the subject of giveaway entries, let’s get to the … Read More

(Source) For Christmas I got many beautiful, useful gifts, but none have been used as often as my new favorite kitchen mate. My Silpat baking mat. You may have noticed that I have been calling for the use of a Silpat in many of my recipes, and for good reason. This thin, silicone baking mat that is used in many professional kitchens. In its simplest form, the Silpat frees you from having to use parchment paper or nonstick cooking spray … Read More

More often than not, I get asked about what I eat. Sometimes the question comes from ardent meat-eaters who can’t fathom going an entire day without consuming animal protein of some sort. Other days it’s simply from those who are serious about health, eating well and cutting out processed food from their daily routine. In both cases, I am by no means an expert, and I don’t intend to start blogging every meal I eat. However, I thought it might … Read More

{Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies}   {Molasses Crinkles} {Alfajores} {Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies} {Oatmeal and Golden Raisin Cookies} Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Madison

This weekend my grand plans for a weekend up in Minneapolis were sidelined by the cold I’ve been attempting to ward off for over two weeks. You see, I’m not all that good at accepting that I’m sick. Even when my throat is burning and my chest is heavy, I’ve been known to head for the gym. Seems as if exercise and good food aren’t the solution to everything. So instead of heading up north for a couple days of … Read More

Slowly but surely working my way back to blonde for our wedding! It’s not a glamourous process in the least bit, and a bit hard on my hair, too. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, right? Six months and counting! madison

Gosh I’ve missed you all! Over the past few days I’ve fallen off the face of the earth and into the hole known as family Christmas (all four of them!). In other news, I’m taking the entire week of to be with family and friends. I haven’t exercised in days, eaten a few too many sweets, and have yet to get out of pajamas this morning. Send help. And finally. I wish I had this recipe for Monster Cookies from … Read More