Raspberry Linzer torte- and a giveaway

My Aunt Carol makes a bazillion cookies every year for Christmas. What is my all time favorite that she makes?

Yup, she let me have her recipe. And what do I do? I make it healthier, because I have a problem. My newest problem is realizing I can't control myself around linzer torte. Even though it's healthier, it's still not healthy for you. Yet somehow I kept saying, oh it's ok to have another square... and the next thing I knew 1/2 the torte was gone. WHOOPS.

Seriously. Amazing. I can't stop eating it. This can be served sliced like a cake, but she always cut them into little squares so I followed suit here.

Instead of using 1/2 POUND of butter, I used a 1/2 CUP of Melt. It's an organic butter substitute that uses healthy for you fats (think coconut butter). It gave the torte an amazing texture and this thing was so super delicious, I can't help myself... must go eat more...

Want to win your own Melt giveaway pack! (coupons to try melt for FREE, a cutting board, and a cool spreader). Just comment below and tell me what flavor you'd like to try first. US entries only, you have until Sunday Oct 6th to enter. Wow, when did October get here??

Linzer Torte- healthier
recipe adapted from Aunt Carol

1/2 cup Melt Original
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp lemon powder (or 2 Tbs lemon zest)
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup ground walnuts
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup raspberry jam

Preheat oven to 350, lightly spray a 8" springform pan. Beat melt and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating each in. In a separate bowl mix together flour, lemon, walnuts and spices, salt, baking powder. Mix dry into wet and stir until incorporated. Place 2/3 of the batter into the spring form pan. Top with 1 cup raspberry jam, and then remainder of the dough. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until edges start to pull away from pan. Fully cool and then cut into bite sized squares.


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Instant Uplift and a giveaway

Giveaway closed. The winner is...TJ!! I've sent you an email!

Spring has sprung! Well according to the calendar it has, but as I look out my window all I see is snow. *sigh* It's ok though, I got an instant uplift when I opened this package in the mail from Lipton!

It's as easy as open, steep, sip, enjoy! Not only did they send me a ton of their black tea, they sent me this instantly uplifting infinity scarf. The thing is gigantic, seriously I think I could make it into a dress come spring. The pop of yellow just cheers you up, well it at least cheers me up. Seriously how can you not smile wearing this thing? And it came in a sweet vintage lipton box tin (see above)! Double bonus.

You might be wondering, what's so uplifting about black tea? Research shows that black tea’s hydrating benefits and natural caffeine provide a gentle ‘uplift’ to help you stay energized throughout the day - increasing feelings of work productivity, decreasing feelings of tiredness, and improving attention/concentration. I can use all the uplift I can get this time of year so I'm game, how about you?

To enter the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment telling me about what you find to lift your spirits this time of year? (you win what is pictured in the first image, same as me!)

Winner will be picked by random.org and notified via email- so enter an email you actually use when you comment ok? :)


Products were provided to me for free, I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are mine.




Your email will never be displayed publicly, so don't be scared to comment! :) Oh and make sure you type in your blog link so I can click over to you! There is a spot you can type it in.

5th Blog-iversary

GIVEAWAY Closed. Congrats Sarah you won!! Will email you :)

Wow, 5 years. I've been blogging for 5 years now which seems kinda crazy if you ask me. I started this thing as a way to keep my recipes organized, and to try to cook healthier fun meals for my then boyfriend, now husband. So here we are! Thanks for reading, commenting, and passing links along. This wouldn't be possible without you all and I want to thank you for being such good cheerleaders for me!

To celebrate I wanted to put together a wicked fun prize pack. It involves a little dash of everything steph chows has to offer you all!

First, off the "life is short eat dessert first" part.
Almond Saltine Toffee: it's crack, and horrible for you. But come on people... everything in moderation! (Will happily switch out the nuts if you are allergic)


Second, from the healthy eating that tastes good side: Healthy delicious granola. The recipe is a little different every time, but it will involve oats, coconut, and almonds for sure. (if you are allergic to something just let me know and I promise not to poison you)


Third, from the crafty side!
A fabulous button closure wrap scaftlette.


Entering is easy. Leave a comment letting me know something you enjoy about the site, or leave me a note about something you'd like to see me change/do better.

Want more entries? (up to 6 extra entries)
Follow me on twitter (then comment and let me know you did or already do)
Like me on facebook  (then comment and let me know you did or already do)
Follow me on pinterest  (then comment and let me know you did or already do)
Tweet, FB, or Pin this post  (then comment and let me know you did)

I'm happy to ship to US and Canada, sorry the rest of my international readers, I fear things would get stale in the transit time. 1 winner will be chosen by random.org and emailed so I can get their shipping address. (AKA leave a comment using an email you will actually check.)

Again thank you thank you thank you for reading, commenting and being a part of steph chows!



Your email will never be displayed publicly, so don't be scared to comment! :) Oh and make sure you type in your blog link so I can click over to you! There is a spot you can type it in.