Lemon Drop Bread with Candied Lemon Slices

This Lemon Drop Bread with Candied Lemon Slices truly lives up to it's namesake. Moist, sweet bread with a hint of lemony tartness drizzled in a lemon-sugar glaze and topped with homemade candied lemon slices...

So, tell me how is it that up until last week I had never tried Limoncello before??  I mean I consider myself pretty knowledgeable in the world of booze, but I just had never bought a bottle of this lemon liquid gold before!   

Thank goodness for this month's Spiked! Lemon Liquor Recipe Challenge, right? ;) 

I have always been a big fan of the classic lemon drop shot.  For those unfamiliar with this tasty libation, it is generally a shot of vodka mixed with lemon juice that is immediately followed by eating a lemon slice dipped in sugar.  I have to admit that it has literally been years since I have partook in one of these delicious shots.  But I will never forget how yummy they are.

Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream

Super moist layers of lemony cake are frosted in an amazing homemade buttercream flavored with lemon curd & fresh lemon zest in this Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream...

Who else seems to be stuck in spring limbo (aka, what I am deeming as sprinter) where you live?? It is almost mid-April, & we have had snow flurries off & on over the past few days. Tomorrow it will finally feel like spring here in West Virginia with some sunshine and temps in the 60's. 

The weather man is predicting a high of 79 for both Saturday & Sunday (sprummer, anyone?), and then we are headed right back into the 40's with possible snow by the beginning of next week. I really wish Mother Nature would get it together already! 

In the meantime, I am just going to go ahead and create a little sunshine of my own with this luscious and bright Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream. ;) I actually made this cake for Easter dessert this year, and it was a huge hit with my family. 

You just can't go wrong with these super moist layers of cake bursting with lemony goodness, all frosted in an amazing buttercream flavored with homemade lemon curd & fresh lemon zest...

Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls

These Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls combine tart lemon with delicate lavender making them the perfect addition to a spring weekend brunch...

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For years, lavender has been one of my favorite scents as far as aromatherapy goes. I buy candles perfumed with its scent. I have a bottle of lavender-vanilla lotion that always sits on my bedside table. And when I am feeling stressed, I pour myself a nice warm bath, drop in a lavender scented bath bomb of some sort, & soak away my worries for a little bit.

What I haven't done, but what I have been wanting to try for months now is to start using more lavender in my culinary creations. It all started with an amazingly refreshing lavender lemonade I had at a cute little bakery in Corning, New York last fall. 

I had just never really thought about using lavender for anything else other than stress-relieving aromatherapy. It was a light bulb moment.

Fast forward about 6 months later, and I found myself browsing Amazon on the search for culinary grade lavender to start experimenting with in the kitchen. (Note: Make sure that the lavender you purchase is for culinary use & not ornamental!) I decided on a bag of USDA Organic Lavender Flowers & added it to my cart. Then I started brainstorming possible recipe ideas! 

I knew for my first recipe using lavender, I wanted to recreate that lemon & lavender flavor combination that I had loved so much while sipping on that lemonade in the Finger Lakes. The result? These perfect for spring Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls...

Blackberry Lemon Almond-Oat Bars

These Blackberry Lemon Almond-Oat Bars are just like your favorite blackberry crisp but in a deliciously plate-free/fork-free form...

**Updated with new photos 8/1/16.

I am coming at you all today with another delicious dessert recipe perfect for Mother's Day weekend.  These Blackberry Lemon Almond-Oat Bars are sweet with a hint of tart lemon. They are just like your favorite blackberry crisp but in a deliciously plate-free/fork-free form.

Blackberry season always evokes for me memories of my childhood picking wild blackberries with my mother and grandmother.  We would dress in long sleeves and pants (even in the heat of summer) and drive out to a spot that my grandmother had been told of. Then we would spend hours picking the sweet, juicy blackberries off the bushes into our buckets.

Okay, so not all of them actually made it into my bucket.... and my purple hued teeth and tongue may have given me away at times. ;)

But I have fond memories of foraging for the perfectly sweet ripe blackberries growing along the hillsides and thickets of my wild and wonderful West Virginia.

Those berry picking trips would result in pints of homemade blackberry jam from my grandmother and my mother's homemade blackberry pies which we all clamored for.   

Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

These moist Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins are brimming with blueberries and a cream cheese swirl...

When you happen to have been blogging for a few years (or in my case, about 5), you often look back at some of your earliest posts and maybe cringe a tiny bit. And I do stress the tiny bit part. Because it is also pretty awesome to see how far you have come as a blogger and a photographer. :) 

Over the last year or so, I have been very slowly revisiting some of my early yet super popular recipes and giving them a fresh update. And these Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins are definitely deserving of a little spruce-up on the blog. Not that I think my first shot of these muffins was all that bad...

Yes, that is the original photo from when I first published this muffins recipe in 2013. Honestly at the time, I thought I had done a pretty good job with the photos on this one. I mean, they are not horrible. At least the lighting was pretty decent, right? ;) 

But with over 50,000 direct pins from the site and being ranked #8 in my top 10 posts of ALL time, I decided these muffins had more than earned their right to some pretty updated photographs.

Lemon Blueberry Meringue Bars

I will admit it.  Until recently, I haven't been a huge lemon fanatic.  Give me the choice between something chocolate and something lemon, and I am going to go with the chocolate about 9.9 out of 10 times. 

But something strange and unexpected has been happening to my taste palate this summer...

I have been craving and actually wanting lemon flavors! 

Sometimes even over chocolate! <Gasp!>

It all started with those tasty and tart Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cookies I made last month... ;) 

I had a jar of Lucky Leaf Premium Lemon pie filling just hanging out in my cupboard when I read about the Lucky Leaf Recipe Contest on Something Swanky's blog.  It just seemed like fate at that point. ;) 

Using my Lucky Leaf Lemon pie filling, I created my delicious Lemon Blueberry Meringue bars- creamy blueberry meringue floating over a tart lemon custard on a soft, buttery shortbread crust.

I brought these to a covered dish dinner, and as one sweet girl who sampled this said... "It is like a bite of heaven."

I'll take that! ;)

Lemon Blueberry Meringue Bars

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

6052219

Ingredients (12 bars)

For the shortbread crust

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt

• 1 can Lucky Leaf Premium Lemon Pie Filling

For the blueberry meringue

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen blueberries, thawed)

Instructions

Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and the 6 tbsp sugar. Mix in the egg. Then add in the flour and salt and mix until well blended.

Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, and then freeze for 20 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Once the dough has been in the freezer for 20 minutes, bake it for 20 minutes rotating once halfway through. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees.

Once your shortbread crust has cooled, evenly spread over it the entire contents of the can of Lucky Leaf Premium Lemon Pie Filling. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together the egg whites and cream of tartar until white and foamy. Add in the 1/2 cup of sugar and continue to beat using medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (about 5 minutes).

Now beat in your blueberries until blended through, about 1 minute.

Spread the blueberry meringue over the lemon pie filling layer with an offset spatula. Form peaks and pretty swirls in the meringue. Bake at 350 for another 8-10 minutes, until the tips of the peaks start to turn a golden brown.

Allow it cool completely before cutting into bars.

Keep any leftovers refrigerated for up to one day.

Enjoy!

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So, how about you?  Are you team Lemon all the way?

Or are you a switch hitter like me? ;)

If you loved this recipe, you might also like my...

Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cookies 

Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

Homemade Chicken Lemon Soup

Make a Greek restaurant favorite at home with this easy recipe for Homemade Chicken Lemon Soup...

It is that time of the year again... time for chilly evenings, cups of warm cocoa, those first snow flurries.... and those cold & flu germs.

Yep. Those yucky germs with the coughing, stuffiness, sneezing, and sniffles they bring start invading the pleasantness of the season.

We pick them up at work or school and bring them home.  Friends & family who stop over & visit leave them at our doorstep.  Play dates always come with the risk of it.  You name it.

Pink Lemonade Tiramisu

A bright, lemony ladyfinger cake is frosted with a light & fluffy lemon mascarpone topping in this Pink Lemonade Tiramisu...

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

With over 250,000 people being diagnosed with breast cancer each year in this country alone, you would be hard pressed to find someone that you know that has not been affected by the disease. Everyone knows someone who has been directly or indirectly affected by it. Many have lost someone to it. And even more are supporting, caring for, and loving someone diagnosed with breast cancer right now. 

It is a cancer that does not discriminate. From a famous actor to the your next door neighbor, from a corporate CEO to a stay at home mother, breast cancer can affect every single one of us.  

Even with so many people out there directly affected by breast cancer and with all of the research that has been done to date, it can still feel daunting and overwhelming to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. So many questions, so many decisions, and there are often more options available than what is immediately being presented. 

Allstate recognized this need and is on a mission to help every person diagnosed with breast cancer by offering a free Silver Lining Companion Guide. The guide is designed to help them and their families through the experience that too many of us have to unfortunately endure...

Lemon Risotto with Brussels Sprouts & Crispy Ham

Bright lemon, fresh Brussels sprouts, crispy ham, and creamy arborio rice come together in this perfect for spring Lemon Risotto with Brussels Sprouts & Crispy Ham...

I am a gal that can enjoy a good homemade risotto any time of the year. It is pretty much my adult version of mac & cheese. A sophisticated take on comfort food, if you will. But there is just something about a good spring risotto- Am I right?

When you combine the bright, fresh flavors of spring with the creaminess of a risotto, delicious magic just happens, folks. ;)

When Speck Ham approached me about becoming their April Speckulator a couple of weeks ago, my mind was just spinning with the many ways that I could enjoy and prepare their amazing Italian ham that has been prepared and smoked using the same family recipe that has been passed down for generations. But ultimately, I knew that the smoky saltiness of their Speck Alto Adige ham would pair perfectly with bright lemon, fresh Brussels sprouts, and creamy risotto- a dish perfect for your spring dinner table!

Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini

This refreshing Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini is bursting with the flavors of fresh strawberries & tart lemon...

Who else could use a good, strong cocktail this weekend? Maybe some of you all are scrambling to get your taxes finished up over the weekend to make that Monday deadline. Or maybe the kids' spring break has just started, and you are already pulling your hair out. 

Or maybe you have recently delved into the world of online dating & need a drink or two to get you through the swiping. (Raises hand.) No matter your reason, this tasty Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini is just what the doctor ordered. 

Can we just chat about that latter reason for a quick second though? ;) For those of you who haven't picked up on it yet or just don't know, my husband and I got a divorce this past year. I won't go into too many of the sorted details of all of that, but I will tell you that the entire thing caught me off guard and totally shook up my world for a while. 

I am just now starting to find my footing again and am ready to move on & forward, so naturally I decided to sign myself up for a couple of online dating apps just to test the waters. 

Let's just say the waters haven't been all that warm & friendly so far. Maybe I am too picky (ain't nothing wrong with that, you all!) or maybe it is just because of where I live, but I haven't really made any real connections so far. 

What I have managed to make though are a few entertaining observations about men's dating profiles from the ones I have come across so far...

Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

These creamy & moist Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins combine two bright spring flavors- sweet strawberries and tart lemon...

It feels like spring has finally arrived here in my little corner of West Virginia! This whole week has been filled with warmer temperatures, lots of sunshine, and a few spring showers. Last weekend? It felt a little more like January.... 

My son had his first big track meet of the season last Friday and Saturday, and it was in the 20's and 30's the entire time. My daughter, mother, and I shuffled between watching my son run in his events, and then heading to the parking lot to sit in a warm car. I lamented in my head (and aloud) about just why spring had disappeared so suddenly.

But luckily, spring made her presence known again this week (and hopefully she is sticking around for good now!) this past week, and I am in the mood to celebrate in the way that I best know how to- with bright, fresh spring flavors! :) These creamy and moist Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins with their fresh sweet strawberry slices and bright lemon zest and juice are the perfect way to celebrate a sunny spring morning...

Spiked! Lemon Liquor Recipe Submissions {Submit 'Em If You Got 'Em!}

If you signed up for this month's Spiked Lemon Liquor Recipe Challenge, it is time to link up and share your tasty creations with us....

Be sure to review all the rules on the Spiked! Recipe Challenge Page and make sure you have included the Spiked! button in your entry post. :)  Just copy and paste the image below into your recipe submission post!  If the Spiked! button is not in your post, your recipe will not be considered for judging. 

The linky is only open for 2 days! Once the linky closes, no more recipe submissions will be accepted.  Only ONE recipe submission per blogger, please.  Please check back on April 25th here and at This Gal Cooks for the announcement of the Spiked! Lemon Liquor Recipe Challenge winner.

Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cookies

Inspired by a favorite summertime drink, these Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cookies start with a box of lemon cake mix & are topped with a fresh strawberry buttercream...

Post updated 7/20/17- This tasty Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cookies post deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

Blackberry Lemonade Green Smoothie

Juicy blackberries & freshly squeezed lemon come together perfectly in this creamy, delicious, & good-for-you Blackberry Lemonade Green Smoothie...

Post updated 3/21/18- This tart & sweet Blackberry Lemonade Green Smoothie deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

In case you all are curious, I am still on my green smoothie kick.  It did not end with my Green Smoothie Week.

Although I do have to admit that I am not having one every afternoon like I used to. 

But they are still my absolute favorite way to sneak in some extra leafy greens for myself and for baby girl.  Seriously you all- she sucks them down like they are the best thing ever.

Like she would have a green smoothie over an Oreo almost any afternoon.

I will take that any day. ;)

Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake

This super easy to make and delicious Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake is bursting with bright lemon, sweet mandarin oranges, and toasted coconut- just like summer on a fork!

So, the last time I posted a new recipe on here it was near the beginning of summer. I do apologize for the almost 3 month long hiatus, but I promise you all that it was for a very good reason. A very good reason that I can't reveal to everyone just yet, but that I should be able to tell you all about within the next two months or so. ;) So, stay tuned- because it is a pretty BIG. 

In the meantime, I am over here soaking up these last little bits of summertime and digging into this easy to make Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake. Seriously, folks. This citrusy and bright cake is summer on a fork.

And when I say summer, I mean the pre-Covid, all day at the pool, backyard family BBQ's, beach vacation summer. Because let's face it- this has been a super weird summer. Summer 2019 with its outdoor concerts, and the crowded city pool, and packed restaurant patios seems like a lifetime ago at this point- am I right?

Homemade Peppermint & Lemon Face Wash and Peppermint & Honey Facial Toner

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you have probably at least once witnessed one of my rants about my ongoing battle with my complexion.  At the age of 36, I have bouts with acne that rival & surpass anything I suffered as a teenager.  

And I have tried it all... every over the counter acne line ever made.  

Even the ones that combine the anti-aging with acne control.  

The breakouts just keep on coming.

About 6 months ago, I finally broke down and shelled out the money for one of those fancy anti-acne lines you purchase online.  I put down my foot and said it ends now.  

Well... yeah.  It didn't work any better than the other facial care lines I had been using from the drug store that costs a third of the pricier line.

I had been wanting to try some homemade remedies because at that point I was tired of pouring money into the store bought lines & really didn't feel that I had anything to lose but hopefully the breakouts at that point.  

I was hoping that I could post before and after photos for you all, but I chickened out.  I just couldn't put the complexion I try so hard to cover up out there on the internet for all to see. Call it vanity or what not, but I just didn't have it in me.

I have been using this Homemade Peppermint & Lemon Face Wash and the Peppermint & Honey Facial Toner for a couple of weeks now.  While my skin isn't perfectly clear, I have noticed a lot less breakouts since using it.  The jury is still out as to whether this is my permanent solution yet for my adult acne, but I cannot complain about the results so far.

Peppermint & Lemon Face Wash

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 3-5 minutes

6055016

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• About 1/5 of a bar of unscented glycerin soap (chopped)
• 5 drops of  Lemon Essential Oil
• 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Instructions

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the glycerin soap pieces. Stir until the soap completely dissolves.

Set aside to cool completely.

Once cooled, add the lemon and peppermint essential oils. Stir gently to incorporate.

Using a funnel, pour into a pump bottle. (I found mine at my local dollar store.) I stored the additional facial wash in a covered glass jar.

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** This facial wash recipe is inspired by THIS ONE from Homegrown & Healthy.

Just a couple of quick notes about this facial wash- #1 It smells AMAZING!

And #2, this facial wash will not be sudsy and foamy like other face washes you may be used to.  The glycerin soap doesn't do the sudsy thing.  So no, there is nothing wrong with your facial wash- it isn't supposed to suds up. ;)

Peppermint & Honey Facial Toner

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: None

6055017

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 6-8 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the warm water & honey until the honey completely dissolves.

Then stir in the water, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint essential oil.

Funnel into a small bottle. I stored the remaining toner in a small glass jar.

Apply the toner to your skin using a cotton ball after washing with the Peppermint & Lemon Facial Wash. Do not wash off.

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**This facial toner recipe is inspired by THIS ONE from Mommypotamus.

When I first made this toner recipe, I only put in 5 drops of the peppermint essential oil.  I would recommend adding a few more drops.  By week two, my toner has lost most of it's peppermint essence.  And now smells pretty much 100% like apple cider vinegar. 
I think I will be adding a few more drops of peppermint oil to the jarred reserve toner I have when I need to refill my toner.  It also may be a good idea to start out with the 5 drops & then add a drop each week to keep the toner more pepperminty and less vinegary. ;)

If you loved this recipe, you might also like my...

Homemade Lemon Kitchen Cleaner