Cookies & Scream Chocolate Cookies

Sunday, October 28, 2018


Target's holiday section always gets me.  From the cute decor items to fun seasonal food and goodies, it's just such a fun area to explore and get inspired by.  A few weeks ago I was walking up and down the aisles and spotted some really fun M&M's that I thought would make for a fun spooky cookie this time of year.

Available for a limited time only, Cookies & Scream M&M's are cookies and cream flavored Halloween candies.  They are dark and white chocolate flavored and boy are they good!


These fun Halloween themed cookies have a delicious chocolate dough that creates a really nice base for the M&M's and the sprinkles add a little texture and a really fun pop of color!

Cookies & Screen Chocolate Cookies
{Yields: about 3 dozen}

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1 8oz. package of M&M's Cookies & Scream Halloween Candy
1/2 cup multi-colored sprinkles

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees then line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Using a stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended.  Scrap down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Add the two eggs and beat well.

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and Kosher salt.  Then gradually blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture and blend well.  Once combined, stir in by hand the M&M's and multi-colored sprinkles.

Using a cookie scoop, place well-rounded teaspoons onto your prepared cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are set.  Make sure to not over bake!  Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely before eating.

These cookies will stay fresh for about a week if covered tightly and stored at room temperature.  Enjoy!


Fall Mood Board

Friday, October 26, 2018

I thought it would be fun to make a mood board for fall to share all things that are inspiring me color and fashion wise lately!  With fall being my favorite season this was a really fun project to whip up.


My October Lust List

Monday, October 22, 2018

Here are some items that I have caught my eye this month!


1. Capes - I love capes but the weather is a little too warm here in Southern California to justify purchasing one for fall, but that doesn't stop me from lusting after one!  And this cape from Draper James is just adorable.
2. Fall Mini Dress - Dresses are my absolute favorite thing to wear and in the fall that is no different.  The color and style of this Maggie dress from Gal Meets Glam is perfect for fall styled with over the knee boots.


3. Silk Leopard Print - My love for leopard print is always strong, but especially in the fall.  This silk button-up shirt from J. Crew is what my leopard dress-shirt dreams are made of and its 25% off right now!


4. Pink Wool Coat - Like I said before the weather is too warm and I have no need for a wool coat, but I am obsessed with this light pink coat from J. Crew!  The silhouette and pockets are a match made in heaven.
5. Tassel Earrings - I am not a huge statement earring person, simple and small is usually my go-to, but I am loving these moss topknot tassel earrings.  The color is perfect for fall and would be so cute with sweaters or to even just jazz up a classic white t-shirt and jeans!  They are the perfect length coming in at just 2.5 inches long.

 6. Colorblock Purse - My mom was the one who turned me onto this perfect purse a couple of weeks ago.  I love the color blocking on it and the shape!  The straps are removable which would allow you to really transform it to fit any look you are going for.


7. KitchenAid Limited Edition Stand Mixer - I am in LOVE with this stand mixer.  The misty sky blue and the hobnob white ceramic bowl are just beautiful together.  I already have a KitchenAid stand mixer in the color raspberry, but like the saying goes, two is better than one and I personally don't think you can have too many KitchenAids!

What are some items you are lusting over this October?  Share in the comments below!

Halloween Playlist

Saturday, October 20, 2018


Halloween is pretty much one of my favorite holidays.  I love dressing up and being able to transform into someone or something completely different for a night.  One of my friends has thrown an epic Halloween party the past couple of years and it has become something that we all look forward to this time of year.  At some point in the night, we all usually turn up the music and dance like no one is watching...and having the right music always makes even the shyest one in the group want to go out and bust a move!

So if you are throwing a Halloween party this year or just want to get into a festive mood while carving pumpkins, then I have the playlist for you.  It's full of great classics like Thriller and Time Warp, but also has some fun songs like Disturbia and She Wolf thrown in to mix it up!

Friday Favorites | No. 41

Friday, October 12, 2018


Yay, Friday is here!  The first two weeks of October have flown by really quickly for me.  Can you believe that we are in the middle of October already?  Where has the year gone?!

Halloween is just a few weeks away and all of my favorites shows are all back on TV.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Hocus Pocus is one of my absolute favorite movies and I feel like I really need this doormat for my front door.

I love this adorable tote bag!

I have never painted pumpkins before but might have to give it a try.

This fall garland is super cute!  I love the colors and simplicity of it.

If you are looking for a new phone wallpaper for October, check this one out.

This cape is too cute.

Hope you all have a fun and safe weekend!

Fall Bucket List

Thursday, October 11, 2018


Its the most wonderful time of year and I couldn't be more excited!  From carving pumpkins to sipping on cider, there really is something for everyone in the fall that makes it such a fun season.

To celebrate, I came up with my bucket list full of fun fall things to do and enjoy!  For baking a pie from scratch try this fun recipe while watching best Halloween movie of all time.  And for a cool and crisp day at the pumpkin patch, I love this outfit.

What are some of your fall buck list items?  Let me know if the comments below!


To download on iPhone, click on the image, then tap on the image and chose "Save Image."  For desktop download, click the image, then right-click and choose "Save Image As."

Apple Crumb Cake

Monday, October 8, 2018


I've said it once and I'll say it again, fall baking is my absolute favorite!  I mean give me all the pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, maple, pecan things...I really just can't get enough.

When I came across this recipe on Pinterest about a month ago I knew it was a must try.  I am a sucker for anything with a crumb topping and this one has a TON!  I was also looking for something to bake that wasn't pumpkin.  Now don't get me wrong, I love pumpkin and have some recipes coming to the blog in the next couple of weeks, but sometimes you have to change it up a little!


This soft and buttery cake topped with fall apples and a really delicious buttery and cinnamony crumb topping is a perfect breakfast treat or a fantastic afternoon pick me up with a good cup of joe!

Apple Crumb Cake
{Yields: 12 servings}

Crumb Topping
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Cake
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup peeled chopped apples (about 2 apples)
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Icing (optional, but like why not!)
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. milk

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and set aside.

To make the crumb topping mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and Kosher salt together in a medium bowl.  Then stir in the melted butter and mix together using a fork.  Add the flour and mix until you get a nice crumble mixture, then set it aside. 

In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples and cinnamon together until fully coated, then set aside.

For the cake batter, whisk the flour, baking soda, and Kosher salt together until combined, set aside.  Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat the butter and granulated sugar together on high speed until smooth.  This process should take about 2 minutes.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.  Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla and beat on medium to medium-high speed until combined.

Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.  Then with the mixer on a low speed, add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth.  The batter will be thick.  Do not over mix!

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.  Top it evenly with the cinnamon apples then add the crumb topping.  Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to really press the crumb topping down into the apples and batter so it sticks.

Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes.  Baking times vary, so keep an eye on the cake.  You will know it is done with you insert a toothpick or cake tester in the center and it comes out clean.  If the edges or top are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil.


Remove the cake from the oven and let it set to cool on a wire rack.  Allow it to cool for a least 30 to 45 minutes before slicing and serving.  If you would like, which I highly suggest, top the cake with vanilla icing.

This apple crumb cake will stay for 5 days in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!


Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
© Perfectly Katie Bear. Design by FCD.