I didn't realize the importance of having an excellent pumpkin cake recipe until last year. I had to make a dessert for a potluck, and was told it couldn't be a pie or cheesecake. The solution to my problem was a delicious pumpkin spice layer cake with whipped cream cheese frosting. If you enjoy baking for the holidays, you must add a pumpkin cake to your arsenal of recipes. It's a surprising alternative to pumpkin pie and perfectly highlights the flavors of Fall. While I prefer to make the cake from scratch, you can always jazz up a boxed mix and call it your own. To take a look at two tasty recipes, read more

As a child, I wasn't really fond of shortbread cookies. After all, why would I want a boring butter cookie when there were chocolate chip cookies to be had? Yet, when I got a bit older I realized that I had spent many years missing out on the subtleties of a great shortbread cookie. The smooth buttery texture and creamy flavor really go well with a nice cup of tea. The flavor combination got me thinking, what if we went ahead and put the tea into the cookie? I've found this wonderful looking recipe for green tea shortbread and I can't wait to try it out! To get the recipe, read more

If you love the idea of gazpacho, but can't seem to get past the puréed texture, then you should definitely check out this gazpacho salad. Better act fast, tomato season is just about over! — Smitten Kitchen

This time of year, there are many different pink products available to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. TeamSugar bookmarked a few delicious cookies, tatti33 found these cute cupcakes, and I bookmarked a few more to make the list more robust. From cookies to cupcakes — aren't these Eleni's Reach for the Cure cookies adorable? — there's something out there for every sweet tooth. If you don't have time to actually bake for the cure, then have someone else do it. This way you can help raise money and awareness, and still shove sweets in your face!

Last month, TeamSugar member audreystar posted a tempting recipe for Chicken and Dumplins. At the time — the end of summer — I wasn't quite ready for it, but now that fall is kicking in and the weather is getting a bit cooler at night, a hearty meal sounds like perfection. You start off with a bit of chicken stock and finish it off with buttermilk biscuits. There are step by step pictures, so be sure to check it out. For the recipe, read more

This week's bento box comes from blogger Akinoichigo. Her adorable Miss Bunny — from Bambi — bento has me in awe. I guess you could say I'm "twitterpated!"