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?

Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding

The sweetness of strawberries comes together perfectly with the creaminess of coconut in this easy to make Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding...

So, one of my favorite things about us going from late spring to early summertime is those first of the season strawberries. There is just nothing quite like them- wouldn't you all agree? Not only do they seem to be at their very best, but the prices drop dramatically and you can snag a big ole package of them for just a few bucks. 

But unfortunately when there are only two people in your house most of the time, a big ole package of strawberries doesn't seem to get consumed quickly enough. Not wanting to see them go to waste, I brainstormed what I could do with them. 

I also happened to have on hand a loaf of locally baked sourdough bread I needed to use and some leftover canned coconut milk from when my boyfriend made me homemade Indian food from scratch a few days before. 

Fresh strawberries + sourdough bread + coconut milk? It was a no-brainer, folks. It was time to whip up a new homemade bread pudding recipe! ;)

Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake

This Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake combines sweet, roasted beets with locally grown strawberries in a moist & buttery buttermilk cake...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. 

I started this locally inspired recipe series last summer, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of June, I am sharing a delicious summer dessert recipe with an unexpected ingredient- roasted beets! This Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake combines sweet, roasted beets with locally grown strawberries in a moist & buttery buttermilk cake. 

Top with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream or some homemade whipped cream, and you have an impressive dessert to serve at your next summertime get-together...

Banana Split Ice Cream Pops

These cool & creamy Banana Split Ice Cream Pops are made with just 3 simple ingredients- vanilla ice cream, cold milk, & fresh fruit. A perfect frosty treat for summertime!

This dairy packed recipe was created in partnership with the ADA Mideast. As always, all thoughts & opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

The countdown to summer break is on in this house! My youngest has less than a month left of school & then the summer fun will officially begin. 

We have road trips, lazy days at the local pool, tennis camp, and nights by the fire pit making s'mores already on our summer break agenda. I also see lots of fun homemade popsicle making in our summertime plans starting with this recipe for these layered Banana Split Ice Cream Pops. 

This cool & creamy frozen treat is made with just 3 simple ingredients: vanilla ice cream, cold milk, & fresh fruit. And they come together in no time at all with a little help from your blender. 

Not only are these ice cream pops fun & 100% kid approved, but I can also feel good about treating my kiddo to these thanks to the high standards of safety & quality being enforced by our local dairy farmers. 

In a world where we seem to be constantly hearing about contaminated foods & recalls, it is reassuring to know that dairy foods are the among the safest & most highly regulated foods out there.

Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu

Sweet summer strawberries & two classic Italian desserts come together perfectly in this no-bake Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu...

Now that summertime is pretty much in full swing, I am ready to break out all the no-bake recipes. I try to avoid turning on my stove top or oven as much as possible in the summer months. 

I mean, 80+ degree temps + a hot kitchen = no bueno, am I right? So from late June right on through the end of August, we are grilling, slow cooking, and no baking every chance we get. 

While I definitely have a pretty deep arsenal of slow cooker recipes & grilling favorites, I have realized that I really need to step up my no-bake desserts game on the blog. 

Inspired by the sweet summer strawberries that are just now starting to come into season around here & a two of my favorite Italian desserts, I came up with this easy to make Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu. And the best part? It is 100% no-bake, folks! :)