These chewy sugar cookies have a delicious twist – I added some of my favorite fall flavors including molasses, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.

These easy to make rolled cookies were a hit at my latest book club and holiday party! 

This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West. Every year, food bloggers get together to share new holiday cookie recipes to make and give.

This year we are raising money for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer, which is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer.

Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.

Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.

Another exciting thing is that Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is in a matching window with their friends at OXO, meaning OXO will be matching every dollar raised through the end of 2025, up to $100,000. Whatever money we raise will automatically double on our fundraising page!

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Molasses Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

• Melt butter over low heat.
• Cool, add sugar, molasses, and egg.
• Beat well.
• Sift together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, add to first mixture.
• Mix well and chill.
• Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in sugar.
• Place on a greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

Recipe by Lucy Burdette from "An Appetite for Murder".

Melt butter over low heat then cool and add sugar, molasses, and egg.

Mix well.

Sift together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, add to first mixture.

Mix well and chill.

Form the dough into 1-inch balls

…and roll them in sugar.

Place on a greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.

Fast Facts:

Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease of children in the U.S.
More than 40,000 U.S. children are actively battling cancer right now.
The average age of a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer is 6.
The combined 12 major groups of pediatric cancers receive 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget.
2/3 pediatric cancer patients will develop long-term side effects, many life-threatening—a result of the treatments that “cured” them.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is committed to funding research for new, improved and less toxic treatment options for kids.
There are 300,000+ new cases of cancer affecting children worldwide annually. That’s more than 800 new kids affected every day.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is in a matching window with their friends at OXO, who will be matching every dollar raised through the end of 2025, up to $100,000.

Whatever money we raise will automatically double on our fundraising page!

Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.

The post Molasses Sugar Cookies appeared first on For the Love of Food.

These pumpkin pie tarts are a delicious recipe that can be whipped up in minutes and served as a holiday dessert, party snack, or fall sweet treat! 

“There is always something to be thankful for.” 

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Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Makes approx 30 tarts

Ingredients

• 2 boxes phyllo shell tarts or mini pie tart shells
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 egg beaten for egg wash
• whipped cream for topping

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Line a baking sheet and add 4-5 rows of empty tart shells.
• In a bowl add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice and mix well.
• Add a large spoonful of pumpkin filling in the center of each pie tart.
• Bake for 12- 15 minutes.
• Repeat with remaining tarts and filling.
• Let cool and serve at room temp topped with a dollop of whipped cream on each.

Start with tart shells. My favorite are these prebaked flaky phyllo shells.

They are bite size and can be filled and served right out of the box or filled and heated like I did in this recipe. 

 In a bowl add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice and mix well.

Add a large spoonful of pumpkin filling in the center of each pie tart.

Bake for 12- 15 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Repeat with remaining tarts and filling. 

Let cool and serve at room temp. topped with a dollop of whipped cream on each. 

The post Pumpkin Pie Tarts appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Pumpkin Pasties  are a delicious pumpkin shaped spiced fall treat.

These sweet, flaky pastries are inspired by the Harry Potter book series and perfect for serving at movie night and fall gatherings.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Welcome to 2025’s #HalloweenTreatsWeek event!

This is our 8th year doing #HalloweenTreatsWeek … has it really been 8 years? Wow!

#HalloweenTreatsWeek is a Halloween blogging event that is hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife every October. This event is an online, week-long event that is filled with some amazingly wicked Halloween treats and recipes from some fantastic Halloween-loving bloggers!

Make sure to check out all of the fun Halloween recipes that we’re sharing this week!

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Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties

Ingredients

• 1 box 2 rolls pie crusts
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 egg beaten for egg wash
• cinnamon sugar for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Roll out the thawed pie crust one at a time.
• Using a pumpkin shaped cookie or pie cutter cut out pumpkin shapes and place on a lined baking sheet.
• You need two per pastie so try to get at least 10 pumpkins per pie crust roll, gathering leftovers and re rolling the dough to cut more.
• In a bowl add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice and mix well.
• Add a large spoonful of pumpkin filling in the center of half the pastries.
• Top each filled pumpkin with another pastry.
• Add a few slits in the center to vent each pastie.
• Brush the tops of each pastry with egg wash.
• Crimp the edges of the pastry with a fork.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of each.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Let cool then serve.

Notes

Adapted by Pies and Tacos.

I used this adorable individual pumpkin pie press for these pasties. You could also use a cookie cutter. 

Roll out the thawed pie crust one at a time.

 Using a pumpkin shaped cookie or pie cutter cut out pumpkin shapes and place on a lined baking sheet.

You need two per pastie so try to get at least 10 pumpkins per pie crust roll, gathering leftovers and re rolling the dough to cut more.

In a bowl add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice and mix well.

Add a large spoonful of pumpkin filling in the center of half the pastries.

Top each filled pumpkin with another pastry.
Add a few slits in the center to vent each pastie.

Crimp the edges of the pastry with a fork.

Brush the tops of each pastry with egg wash.

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of each.

Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let cool then serve. 

The spiced pumpkin filling is so delicious.

Check out this recipe and more at 50+ Harry Potter Recipes and Crafts . 

This is such a fun Harry Potter inspired recipe to serve during fall gatherings!

Check out Wednesday’s Bloggers’ Halloween Treats Week Recipes:

• Witches Brew Risotto by Big Bear’s Wife
• Magic Wands by Semi Homemade Recipes
• Melted Witch Fudge by Southern Halloween Queen
• Chocolate Haystack Werewolf Paws by Savory Moments
• Graveyard Brownies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Cookies and Scream Cupcakes by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Skull Lava Cakes by The Spiffy Cookie
• Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball by Art of Natural Living
• Monster Meat Pie by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties by For the Love of Food

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This delicious cheesecake stuffed berry dessert is easy to make and looks so pretty displayed on a platter at brunch or an outdoor summer gathering.

Welcome to this year’s #SummerDessertWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. We’ve got 10 spectacular bloggers/ blogs creating some of the best summer desserts this week and sharing the recipes! We will be sharing our recipes on our blogs (some of those recipe links posted in this post) and on social media with the hashtag #SummerDessertWeek.

We hope you’ll find some new favorite recipes this week and have fun with us as we celebrate summer!

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Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Bites

Ingredients

• 1 pkg 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 pint large strawberries destemmed and cored
• crushed graham crackers for topping
• mini chocolate chips for topping

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla and beat with a hand mixer until creamy.
• Spoon the filling into a piping or ziptop bag then snip the corner of the bag.
• Fill the cored strawberries with the cheesecake filling in the piping bag.
• For topping: sprinkle on mini chocolate chips or dip the top of the strawberries in the crushed graham crackers.
• Add berries to a platter and serve immediately.

Start with a pint of large strawberries, freshly washed. 

First, remove the stems. 

Then using a small knife, core the strawberries.

I just scooped out the center but careful not to cut all the way through.

In a medium bowl, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla and beat with a hand mixer until creamy.

Spoon the filling into a piping or ziptop bag then snip the corner of the bag.

Fill the cored strawberries with the cheesecake filling in the piping bag.

These berries are so pretty and tasty!

For topping: sprinkle on mini chocolate chips or dip the top of the strawberries in the crushed graham crackers.

Add berries to a platter and serve immediately. 

Check out Friday’s Summer Sweets Week Blogger Recipes!

• • No-Churn Banana Nutella Swirl Ice Cream from Big Bear’s Wife

• • Strawberry Blueberry Cheesecake Dip from Semi-Homemade Recipes

• • Blueberry Shortcakes with Lime and Ginger from Jolene’s Recipe Journal

• • Preserved Lemon Loaf Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm

• • Strawberry Shortcake Trifle from Our Crafty Mom

• • No-Bake S’mores Parfait Cups from Easy Recipes For One

• • Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Bites  from For the Love of Food

• • Root Beer Float Caramels from Sweet ReciPEAs

The post Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Bites appeared first on For the Love of Food.

• • • • Blueberry Peach Pie Parfaits from Big Bear’s Wife
      • Watermelon Poke Cake from Semi-Homemade Recipes
      • Ice Cream Bread from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
      • Strawberry Shortcake Fluff from Cheese Curd In Paradise
      • Orange Skillet Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
      • Easy Key Lime Pie from Blogghetti
      • Homemade Drumstick Ice Cream Cones from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
      • Pool Party Jello Cups from For the Love of Food
      • Drumstick Cheesecake Cheeseball from Sweet ReciPEAs
  •  

These colorful Jello treats are decorated for a summer pool party with gummy candy and paper umbrellas.

Serve this fun snack at your next outdoor summer gathering. 

Welcome to this year’s #SummerDessertWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. We’ve got 10 spectacular bloggers/ blogs creating some of the best summer desserts this week and sharing the recipes! We will be sharing our recipes on our blogs (some of those recipe links posted in this post) and on social media with the hashtag #SummerDessertWeek

We hope you’ll find some new favorite recipes this week and have fun with us as we celebrate summer!

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Pool Party Jello Cups

Ingredients

• Blue Jello individual cups
• Gummy Bears candy
• Peach gummy rings
• Sour Ribbon candy cut into squares
• paper umbrella decorations

Instructions

• Remove top on each Jello cup and place the cups on a serving tray.
• Top each cup with a peach ring or a sour ribbon square.
• Add a gummy bear on top of each.
• Finally, add an open paper umbrella to the center of each Jello cup.
• Serve with spoons and enjoy!

I am always excited to host a summer party!

These adorable jello cups were the perfect treat for our summer bingo party in June.

Sweet Summer!

Book Bingo fun at the library.

I am so happy to host two of these fun events at our local libraries every month!

Wrapped “Blind Date with a Book” make the best prizes!

Check out the Wednesday Summer Dessert Week Blogger Recipes!

• • • • Blueberry Peach Pie Parfaits from Big Bear’s Wife
      • Watermelon Poke Cake from Semi-Homemade Recipes
      • Ice Cream Bread from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
      • Strawberry Shortcake Fluff from Cheese Curd In Paradise
      • Orange Skillet Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
      • Easy Key Lime Pie from Blogghetti
      • Homemade Drumstick Ice Cream Cones from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
      • Pool Party Jello Cups from For the Love of Food
      • Drumstick Cheesecake Cheeseball from Sweet ReciPEAs
  •  

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This creamy dessert dip is the perfect summer treat! Easily prepared in minutes with just two ingredients, serve this delicious dip with fresh fruit and cookies for dipping.

Welcome to this year’s #SummerDessertWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife.

We’ve got 10 spectacular bloggers/ blogs creating some of the best summer desserts this week and sharing the recipes! We will be sharing our recipes on our blogs (some of those recipe links posted in this post) and on social media with the hashtag #SummerDessertWeek .

We hope you’ll find some new favorite recipes this week and have fun with us as we celebrate summer!

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Strawberry Fluff Fruit Dip

Ingredients

• 8 oz strawberry cream cheese spread
• 7 oz jar marshmallow creme
• sliced fruit graham crackers or vanilla wafers, for dipping

Instructions

• In a medium bowl add the cream cheese and marshmallow cream.
• Using a hand mixer, blend until smooth.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Serve with sliced fruit and vanilla wafers or graham crackers.

I love that this easy dip is made with just two ingredients: marshmallow creme and strawberry cream cheese. 

In a medium bowl add the cream cheese and marshmallow cream.

Using a hand mixer, blend until smooth.

Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Serve with sliced fruit and vanilla wafers or graham crackers.

I served this dessert dip at the monthly Book Bingo that I host at our local library. 

I kept it chilled with an ice pack underneath and served with with grapes, strawberries, and vanilla wafer cookies. 

It was delicious and a hit with everyone! 

Check out Monday’s Summer Sweets Week Blogger Recipes!

• No-Churn Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream from Big Bear’s Wife
• Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches from Semi-Homemade Recipes
• Root Beer Float Cupcakes from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Snickers Ice Cream Cake from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Rhubarb Upside Down Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake from Our Crafty Mom
• Mango Coconut Lime Popsicles from Blogghetti
• Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Strawberry Fluff Fruit Dip from For the Love of Food
• Rainbow Sherbet Sweet Rolls from Sweet ReciPEAs

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Fruit skewers are always a popular snack for my kids and I am always trying to come up with creative ways serve them. 

I made this cute heart shaped version for the spring holiday events we attended and they were such a hit with both kids and adults,

I have added them to my regular snack menu!

Scroll down to see today’s recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek. 

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Heart Fruit Skewers

Makes 15-18 skewers

Ingredients

• 1 container of large strawberries
• 1 bag of large green grapes
• cake pop sticks

Instructions

• Start by washing a container of strawberries and a container of green grapes. Remove the stems and pat dry.
• Simply cut the grapes in half and then flip one over and fit together in a heart shape.
• Pierce a hole with the stick in the center of each grape and slide two grape hearts on the skewer.
• 4.Cut a triangle into the top of the strawberries to make a heart shape.
• Slide the bottom of the cake pop stick through the center of the heart shaped strawberry, so that it is on top of the two grapes.
• Repeat until you use all the fruit. I made about 18 skewers.

Start by washing a container of strawberries and a container of green grapes. 

Remove the stems and pat dry.

I use cake pop sticks for these small skewers. They are the perfect size for 1 large strawberry and 2 grapes. 

If you want them bigger you can use a wooden or metal skewer.

These green grapes make the cutest hearts!

Simply cut the grapes in half and then flip one over and fit together in a heart shape.

Pierce a hole with the stick in the center of each grape and slide two grape hearts on the skewer. 

Cut a triangle into the top of the strawberries to make a heart shape. 

Slide the bottom of the cake pop stick through the center of the heart shaped strawberry, so that it is on top of the two grapes.

Now you have the cutest heart fruit skewers! Repeat until you use all the fruit.

I made about 15-18 skewers and filled a platter.

These adorable skewers are a sweet and healthy treat everyone will love! 

Wednesday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

• Blueberry Blondies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Caramel Twix Dessert Dip Recipe from Crazy For Couponing
• Carrot Cake Shortbread Cookies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Easy Tangerine Cake from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Heart Fruit Skewers from For the Love of Food
• Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream from Art of Natural Living
• Lemon Greek Yogurt Bread from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Lemon Lush Bars (redo) from The Spiffy Cookie
• Nutella Stuffed Crescent Rolls from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Sheet Pan Pancakes from Cheese Curd In Paradise

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These sweet and salty snacks are a fun party treat to make and eat!

Made with just three ingredients, these bite size sweets are the perfect pretty pastel colors for springtime.

This is my first recipe for #SpringSweetsWeek 2025.

Scroll down to see all the tasty spring recipes shared today and be sure to come back on Wednesday and Friday for more spring sweets!

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Springtime Pretzel Bites

Makes approx 130-150 bites

Ingredients

• 1/2 bag pretzel snaps
• 1 10 oz bag white chocolate melting wafers
• 1 10 oz bag pastel colored M&M's colors separated into bowls

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 225°F.
• Line a baking sheet and add rows of pretzel snaps, about five across.
• Place one white chocolate wafer in the center of each pretzel snap.
• Bake pretzels for 2-3 minutes until warmed and lightly melted.
• Remove from oven and immediately add on colored M&M candy on top of each chocolate pretzel, pressing gently.
• Let sit for about 15 minutes until cooled and hardened.
• Repeat with remaining pretzels and chocolate.
• Add to a platter or seal in a bag until ready to serve or gift.

I love that these treats are made with just three ingredients!

You can also use different flavors and colors of chocolate wafers .

Before you start separate the spring colored M&M’s into individual colors in bowls.

Line a baking sheet and add rows of pretzel snaps, about five across. 

Place one white chocolate wafer in the center of each pretzel snap.

Bake pretzels for 2-3 minutes at 225 degrees until warmed and lightly melted.

Remove from oven and immediately add on colored M&M candy on top of each chocolate pretzel, pressing gently.

Let sit for about 15 minutes until cooled and hardened.
Repeat with remaining pretzels and chocolate.

Serve on a platter or add to a zip top bag until ready to gift or eat.

Monday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

• Basil Strawberries and Cream Cookies from The Spiffy Cookie
• Butter Toffee from Art of Natural Living
• Carrot Cake Shortbread from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Flower Pretzel Bites from For the Love of Food
• Funfetti Easter Cupcakes from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Irish Apple Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Lemon Matcha Muffins from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• No Bake Salted Caramel Cheesecake from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Small Batch Carrot Cake from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Twix Cookie Cups from Crazy For Couponing

The post Springtime Pretzel Bites #SpringSweetsWeek appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This festive holiday display is a fun way to serve donuts for a family brunch or Christmas gathering.

The donut wreath can be assembled easily and is always a hit with kids!

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Christmas Donut Wreath

Ingredients

• 2 14 oz packages about 4 dozen assorted donut holes
• 1 14 oz package about 20 mini powdered donuts
• foam craft wreath
• plastic wrap
• toothpicks

Instructions

• Add plastic wrap to a foam wreath completely covering.
• Set the wreath on a platter.
• Begin to add the donut holes all over the top and sides by inserting toothpicks at an angle halfway and gently pushing a donut hole through the center of the toothpick.
• Continue to add donut holes and fill in with the mini powdered donuts too on the top.
• Add donuts until completely covered.
• Wrap with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
• Optional: you can add a bow or ribbon to the center front of the wreath.

Add plastic wrap to a foam wreath completely covering then add to a platter.

I used one package of mini powdered donuts and two packages assorted glazed donut holes.

Begin to add the donut holes all over the top and sides by inserting toothpicks at an angle halfway. 

Then gently push the donut holes through the center of each toothpick.

Continue to add donut holes and fill in with the mini powdered donuts too on the top. 

Add donuts until completely covered. 

Optional: you can add a bow or ribbon to the center front of the wreath.

Serve right away or cover with plastic wrap to keep from going stale.

I recommend you serve the day or the day after you assemble. 

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This delicious Christmas recipe is viral online for a reason!

Only three ingredients are required for this sweet and tart holiday treat. I bet you can’t eat just one.

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Viral Candied Cranberries

Ingredients

• 1 bag of fresh cranberries
• 12 oz can of Cranberry Ginger Ale soda
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• optional 1 cup orange juice

Instructions

• Add cleaned cranberries to a large bowl and pour cranberry ginger ale on top. You can also add OJ too.
• Soak overnight up to 24 hours.
• Strain all the liquid.
• Coat the cranberries in powdered sugar, tossing gently to coat.
• Spread out on a lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 200 degrees for 5 minutes to "dry out".
• Remove and chill in fridge until ready to eat.

Enjoy this sweet and tart treat with a crunch! They are addicting! 

This recipe makes a bowl full. The perfect amount to share.

They last about a week covered in the fridge- but i doubt they will last that long!

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