Bake or Break

Pecan and Salted Caramel Cheesecake

View a printable recipe or more photos Recently, I read somewhere that 2008 was a big year for salted caramel. I don't think I'm in any position to agree or disagree with that, but I will say that I had a little love affair with it myself. (Hello, salted caramel hot chocolate!) This cheesecake is a prime example of salted caramel at its finest. I actually found the recipe while looking for something else. Of course, once I found this I was immediately so smitten that whatever I was looking for was quickly forgotten.

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Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Bars

View a printable recipe or more photos Some of you may have noticed that I've been absent of late from BoB. I have many excuses, but I won't get into all of that. The important thing is that I finally share with all of you some of the things I've been baking. First up are these amazingly delicious bars. Imagine a buttery pecan crust. Now, let's put some cheesecake on top of that. But not just any cheesecake - chocolate cheesecake. Sounds good, huh? Well, how about a pecan pie layer on top of that? I know!!!

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Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Chocolate and Nuts

View a printable recipe or more photos Now, that is a title. In this case, I really think you need every bit of it to convey all of the delicious components. It's not just a coffee cake. Not even close.

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Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

View a printable recipe or more photos I've mentioned before that I'm not much of a "pretty dessert" maker. I lack the patience for intricate detail work or even for frosting a cake. When I make cupcakes, they are the ones without all the pretty frosting and such. I'm all about simple.

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My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

View a printable recipe Last month, BoB quietly celebrated two years of baking and blogging. I tried desperately to come up with some clever, unique way to mark that mini-achievement. Sadly, nothing seemed to come to mind. Then, I thought if BoB is all about baking, why not share with you one of my very favorite recipes?

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Triple Chocolate Pecan Cookies

View a printable recipe or more photos My cookbook buying habits have changed over the years. I used to want all of those comprehensive books, the ones that covered how to make everything from appetizers to dessert. Now, I seem to be drawn to the more specific ones. Of course, I buy general baking books, which I suppose are specific themselves. But, I like those books dedicated to something even more specific. I figure that if someone decides to narrow their topic that much, then they will probably know a lot about it. Carole Walter has written several cookbooks on specific subjects. I have a few of hers, including Great Cookies, which is the source of the recipe for these cookies. With all the tempting recipes, it was hard to pick just one. So, why this one? Look at that title. How could I not make these?

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