Pumpkin Beer Bread with Cream Cheese

October 1, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts
Photos by Jeff McSweeney

Ingredients:

1 Box of Pumpkin Bread mix

plus Ingredients listed on box of mix

1 Bottle of Pumpkin Beer...

Cheers to Apple Season

September 2, 2014

by Nicole Watts (with a little help from her friends)

In honor of apple season, we sampled a variety of apple ciders and ales at our Labor Day BBQ. Our findings were interesting. Angry Orchard’s Crisp Apple Hard Cider and Smith & Forge Cider were the favorites. Mike’s Hard Smashed...

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

September 1, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts

photos by Jeff McSweeney

(A special thanks to Job Abraria for the back to school PBJ theme)

I went to the liquor store in search of a peanut butter vodka, but struck out. What I did find was Manischewitz Concord Grape Wine...

Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream Cupcakes

August 4, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts

My long time pal received a bottle of Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream for her birthday and knew that if she cracked the seal it on it, all the fuzzy memories of shots of Tequila Rose during college would come flooding back. To be able to enjoy the taste without the hangover, she handed the bottle over to me so I could...

Red, White & Booze

July 1, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts

Duncan Hines recently came out with a Blue Velvet cake mix. With July 4th upon us, I felt that Red Velvet and Blue Velvet sandwich cakes would be the perfect installment for... READ MORE

Salt, Sugar, and Cracked Pepper

July 1, 2014

by Nicole Watts

Salt (www.saltpeoria.com) is located in Peoria Heights at 4542 N. Prospect Rd. Salt is without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Peoria and my default location for celebrations! It has a quiet ambiance and friendly and attentive staff. Both the lunch and dinner menus are delightfully... READ MORE

Beer & Bacon Cupcakes

June 1, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts

Photos by Jeff McSweeney

My favorite guy requested something lighter and sweeter than last year’s Bourbon Cupcakes for Father’s Day this year, so we have Beer & Bacon... READ MORE

Rainbow Vodka Cake

May 4, 2014

Baking with Booze
by Nicole Watts

Photos by Jeff McSweeney

For each layer of cake, take one box of white cake mix and substitute a flavored vodka for the water. Follow the rest of the directions on the cake mix. Then add... READ MORE

Girl Scout Cookies & Cocktails

April 1, 2014

Baking with Booze

by Nicole Watts

I left the baking to someone else this month, but the pairings are tons of fun. Some of the cocktails perfectly mimic the cookies while others complement the flavors of the... READ MORE

Irish Car Bob-ombs

March 1, 2014

Baking with Booze by Nicole Watts
Photos by Jeff McSweeney

In 2009, I stumbled across this recipe for chocolate whiskey and beer cupcakes. These are still a household favorite. http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/01/car-bomb-cupcakes/
For our St. Patrick’s Day party last year, I made Jell-o Shots. Based on... READ MORE

Papparazzi Worth a Look

March 1, 2014

Papparazzi
Worth a Look
By Nicole Watts

Papparazzi is a quaint and quiet Italian restaurant nestled in behind the Peoria Heights police department. This hidden gem features northern Italian dishes in a warm, cozy atmosphere. The staff is welcoming and... READ MORE

Cheeseburgers in our Riverfront Paradise

February 1, 2014

by Nicole Watts

We took a look at 4 very unique burger places. Depending on where you are and what you’re looking for, I don’t think you can go wrong with... READ MORE

Trivia Nights

February 1, 2014

by Nicole Watts

Peoria has a number of trivia nights at local bars. We checked out three. Blue and Fox Pub both offer a challenging, friendly, and fair environment with good... READ MORE

Pink Champagne Cupcakes

February 1, 2014

Baking with Booze
By Nicole Watts

In honor of the most unnecessary, commercialized, overrated, and superficial holiday, I present Pink Champagne Cupcakes. READ MORE

Best of 2013: Best Eatery, The Creek

January 2, 2014

by Nicole Watts

If you have not made it in to The Creek yet, you need to add it to your priority list. They were voted the best new eatery in Peoria in 2013. Their Facebook page shows that the users have given them an average of 4.3 stars. READ MORE

Millionaire Cupcakes

January 1, 2014

Baking with Booze

by Nicole Watts

Millionaire Pie is a southern dish that is basically a type of ambrosia served up in a graham cracker crust, made famous at Furr’s Cafeteria of Texas. My personal preference for these is to serve them up as mini-cupcakes so that you get all of the... READ MORE