Anytime I'm invited on Home & Family (H&F), I get so excited because everyone there is so friendly and really makes you feel like family. The culinary team is absolutely amazing and every producer I've worked with is super organized, enthusiastic and professional.  I was especially happy to meet Ali Fedotowsky, who was guest hosting that day. I love reading her blog and following her journey to becoming a Mama of two. Hopefully you'll see a collab with her very soon. 

For this appearance on H&F I wanted to create a playful dessert for Spring.  We came up with a sprinkled loaded cookie dough...that you eat in a cone (or on a spoon or out of the bowl-no judgement here!).  This raw cookie dough recipe is safe to eat because it features no raw egg and instead using applesauce for a little sweetness and for the right consistency.  Start with the cookie dough base and have fun adding your own mix ins and toppings. Mr. A's favorite is loaded with Reese's Pieces and chopped Reese's Cups with salted almonds. You get the picture. The possibilities are endless.

Go here to watch the video and for the full recipe.

Traditionally, ice box cakes are made with chocolate wafer cookies but I've given one of my favorite desserts a festive twist. Made with six layers of gingerbread, homemade whipped cream, and buttered toffee pretzels this cake is sweet, salty and perfect for the holidays.

Get the recipe and watch my video on how to make it below plus head to the World Market blog for more of my favorite desserts this season. 

How could you resist these adorable little cuppies made with Dr. Pepper?!

Anyone that knows me knows I love Dr. Pepper. We've had a thing since I was a teenager. I love everything about DP. I prefer it in the can but love a good fountain drink with baby ice. If I drink it from the bottle, it's gotta be the one made with cane sugar.  God I love the way it feels going down the ole pie hole. It's so good! And the flavor is amazing! Some people like to compare it to root beer (gasp!) or even cherry coke (what the what?) but there is NO substitute.  Dr. Pepper has helped me through break ups, final exams in college and it's my drink of choice on a hot summer's day.  It's not like any other soda out there. Anytime I go home my Dad makes sure the fridge is fully stocked. I remember in college my girlfriend, Jola and I would drink 2-3 in one night. She always had cans of it in the fridge and we'd talk about boys and gossip and just sip our happy drink- it was the BEST!  

Ok...I just reread this and now you all know what I weirdo I really am, but I don't care. Did I mention I've been to the Dr. Pepper factory in TX? And I own the Dr. Pepper bbq sauce, the Lip Smackers lip gloss and a vintage photo of a Dr. Pepper pick up truck? SO RANDOM. Anyway, WATCH HERE to learn how to make my Dr. Pepper Cupcakes! And scroll down for the full recipe. 

DR. PEPPER CUPCAKES by Brandi Milloy

INGREDIENTS

1. For cupcakes:
2. 2 cups all-purpose flour
3. 1 cup granulated sugar
4. 3/4 cup brown sugar
5. 1 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
7. 1 (12-ounce) bottle Dr Pepper Made With Cane Sugar
8. 1 cup unsalted butter
9. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
10. 2 large eggs
11. 1/2 cup buttermilk
12. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. For icing:
2. 1/2 cup butter
3. 5 cups powdered sugar
4. 1/2 cup cream cheese
5. 5 tablespoons Dr Pepper
6. 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

1. Garnishes:
2. Maraschino cherries
3. Dr Pepper gummy candies

DIRECTIONS

1. To make cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with wrappers.
2. Into a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add Dr Pepper, butter, and cocoa powder. Cook for a couple minutes until a boil starts to form. Pour into flour mixture.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until blended. Add to batter and mix. Pour into cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. To make icing: Into a medium-size bowl, whip butter until light and fluffy. Beat in sugar, followed by cream cheese. Then slowly beat in Dr Pepper and cherry juice.
6. To assemble: Frost cupcakes and garnish with Dr Pepper or cola gummy, maraschino cherry, and a small straw.

Makes: 24 cupcakes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

When my husband and I were planning our wedding we knew we wanted a dessert table. How incredible would it be to have a buffet of all of our favorite sweets & candies?! From our favorite homemade Oreos at Superba Food + Bread to Mr. A's favorite Milk Jar Cookies, our guests were absolutely spoiled with the very best! Learn how to make your own dessert bar and get inspiration from ours! Click here to see all of the photos and sweets we choose featured on POPSUGAR.com

When I first started dating my now husband, I asked him what dessert I should bring to his parent's house for my first time over for dinner. He started saying "something with peanut butter and Oreos and chocolate and....". He was partially teasing because those are all of his favorite things.  I decided to make a peanut butter pie but I swapped out the Oreo crust for a fudgey brownie. This dessert is so rich and sweet and decadent, you really only need a sliver. It's like the never ending dessert perfect for a party. I got to make this pie on the TODAY Show and it was one of their most popular recipes. Enjoy!