Berry Love

berry mint heart

I love berries!  Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries.  They are one of those foods that taste best to me in their purest form.    Sure – it’s hard to pass up a Blackberry or Red Raspberry Pie…  Homemade Strawberry Jam on fresh baked buttered bread……. Blueberries are devine on my breakfast cereal too…. But just popping berries in my mouth pretty much rocks my world.

If I want to make a nice fruit salad, I love berries the best.  Mix them together, then make a simple “dressing” from just a smidge of brown sugar and a splash of balsamic vinegar.  I know it sounds strange, but it really makes the flavors burst!  Then top that with some fresh mint leaves and a sprinkling of lime zest – and ooooo laaa laaa!

berry salad

Sometimes adding a simple, beautiful homemade shortcake biscuit and some whipped cream make berries even that much more special!

Four Berry Cobbler

To make 8 shortcakes, I simply mix 2 cups flour, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 stick (8 Tbsp cold butter, cubed) with a pastry blender until crumbly.  I then add 2/3 cup half and half and form the dough (being careful not to overmix and make it tough).  I then cut the dough into 8 biscuits, brush with a little more half and half on top and sprinkle with some raw sugar before baking at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes.

So that’s what hubby got for dessert last night.

Which is your favorite berry?  What is your favorite way to eat them?

berries in bowl

And I thought you might get a kick out of seeing a “behind the scenes” shot of my berry professional photo shoot set up early morning on the side porch.

berry heart photo shoot

Yep – that’s how I roll…

at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Chewy Butterscotch Toffee Cookies

butterscotch toffee cookie

BIG butterscotch flavor ROCKS this new cookie recipe I tried that is based on a suggestion a friend recently shared from Taste of Home.

butterscotch toffee cookies

These SUPER EASY chewy, buttery cookies are LOADED with butterscotch chips that just burst with flavor in every bite!

butterscotch toffee cookies 2

If you are looking for something new and different to take to a picnic, share with friends, dunk in milk, nosh on with a cup of coffee or satisfy your sweet tooth for a late night snack, whip these up in minutes and toss in a Ziploc bag in your freezer to have on hand.  You will NOT regret.

Butterscotch Toffee Cookies

  • Servings: Approx. 3 dozen
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Ingredients:butterscotch toffee cookie

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat eggs and oil until blended.  Add cake mix and flour and mix well. Fold in chips and toffee bits.  Refrigerate dough for a couple hours or overnight.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a baking stone. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute before removing to wire racks.