The Amazing Stuff

If you love food and pretty things, then Tal Spiegel’s Instagram account, Desserted in Paris, is about to become your favorite thing on the Internet. Based in Paris, Spiegel is both a pastry chef and a graphic designer.

Not only can he create seriously mouthwatering pastries, but he can also make them look completely gorgeous. The result is one of the most delicious Instagram accounts out there. Here’s a small sampling of his work.

A pistachio-cherry pastry that looks like a flip-flop.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Jul 23, 2015 at 2:36am PDT

A gorgeous chocolate design.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Jun 3, 2015 at 5:17am PDT

A little lemon sun.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Oct 7, 2015 at 11:49pm PDT

A raspberry meringue.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Oct 1, 2015 at 1:40am PDT

Another chocolate pastry (because you can never have too many).

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Oct 4, 2015 at 2:40am PDT

We’re not sure exactly what this one is, but we like it.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 30, 2015 at 2:00am PDT

Snapshots of food uploaded to Instagram can get old really fast, but these are too good to be annoying. It’s also kind of cool that his shoes often make it into the shot. Shoes and food are both popular Instagram subjects, after all. Combining them into one picture might sound awful, but Spiegel makes it work.

A lime and strawberry tart.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 29, 2015 at 12:03am PDT

Some graphic eclairs.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 27, 2015 at 12:30am PDT

We’re glad there’s photo evidence, because they probably taste as good as they look.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 24, 2015 at 2:17am PDT

It would be so hard to eat this!

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Jul 7, 2015 at 1:22am PDT

Pastries don’t have to be bright to be deliciously beautiful, though.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 22, 2015 at 2:33am PDT

This one is like a tiny, edible collage.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 13, 2015 at 1:00am PDT

We’re the first people to make fun of food photos on social media (even though we’re all admittedly guilty of taking them), but when the food looks this good, we can’t blame anyone for snapping a quick photo.

It looks like modern art, but this is bourbon vanilla buttercream, salted caramel, and praline.

A photo posted by Tal Spiegel (@desserted_in_paris) on Sep 8, 2015 at 1:08am PDT

(via A Plus, Design Taxi)

For your daily dose of drool-inducing aesthetic pleasure, check out the rest of Spiegel’s Instagram, which includes many more images of mouthwatering and beautiful desserts.

I’m going to make a broad, sweeping generalization: candy bars are great. It’s true. What, if anything, could be better, though? I’ll tell you…frozen candy bars. You get the sweet confection with the added bonus of ice cream!

There’s just one problem…they’re also usually way more unhealthy. Well, the folks at Instructables have a super-simple recipe that’s tasty, healthy, and reminds you of your favorite frozen delight:

Start with two over-ripened bananas — they’re extra sweet and have the perfect consistency for this snack.

Instructables

Cut them into pieces, then halve them lengthwise.

Instructables

Put them in the freezer for a few hours (or overnight).

Chop off the ends and save those for noshing on or make ’em into a smoothie!

Instructables

Chop up two tablespoons of roasted, salted peanuts, mix them with three tablespoons of peanut butter and two tablespoons of honey.

Instructables

This should be the consistency.

Instructables

Take your bananas out and spread the peanut butter mix on top.

Instructables

Return them to the freezer.

Next, chop up about seven ounces of dark chocolate.

Instructables

And melt it — you can do so with a double boiler (like below) or just microwave the chunks.

Instructables

Be careful not to burn the chocolate, though!

Finally…take your bananas out a few at a time and coat them with the melted chocolate.

Instructables

Spin them around on a fork. Return them to the freezer.

Only remove them from the freezer when you’re ready to devour them!

Instructables

(source Instructables)

If that didn’t make you seriously hungry, I don’t know what will. I’m making a batch of these TONIGHT.

Autumn is closing in, which means that baking season is rolling in along with it. In the middle of whatever fantastical desserts you might be planning, though, you can’t forget pies. These simple but delicious desserts make the best of fall harvests. Even though they aren’t covered in pretty frosting, they can still get fancy.

If you’re in the mood for pretty pies, check out some of these surprisingly simple ways to make your fruit-filled creations into something truly beautiful. Click the links below for more detailed instructions!

1. The little leaf crust.

The Story of Kat

Use a cookie cutter to layer cutouts.

2. The bigger leaf crust.

Bella’s Banquet

You can do them in any size, and they’re perfect for fall.

3. The lattice crust.

Sweet Dreams

This classic design never goes out of style.

4. The twist crust.

Recipe Tips

This looks a lot more complicated than it actually is. Trust me.

5. The decorative edge crust.

Better Homes & Gardens

For pies without a top crust, this is an easy way to add a little flare.

6. The flower crust.

A Taste of Home

Like the leaf crusts, this one adds some unexpected texture.

7. The cutout crust.

King Arthur Flour

You can use any shape for this quirky technique.

8. The braided edge crust.

Martha Stewart

This border adds an unexpected twist. If you can braid your hair, you can pull this off.

9. The honeycomb crust.

Martha Stewart

Small circles make for an alternative to the lattice top.

10. The mini crust.

She Wears Many Hats

A mini pie made in a cupcake pan is a great alternative to making a large pie. They’re great for parties!

11. The doily crust.

Wildwood Collective

Solid top crusts can get fancy with a cute impression. This works for cookies, too.

12. The shape top.

Hungry Happenings

A custom cutout adds the perfect touch to a holiday pie. You can make any shape you want, depending on the occasion.

13. The written crust.

Style Me Pretty

A sharp knife lets you write a personalized message.

14. The herringbone top.

Style Me Pretty

Like a lattice top, but a little more chic.

(via Diply)

Now that you’re a pie-making expert, you can wow guests at your next gathering. Be careful, though, or you might become the go-to baker after showcasing these skills.

Fall is finally poking its breezy head around the corner. Our days will soon be filled with cozy sweaters, hot ciders, and delightful sweets like this scrumptious-looking caramel apple crisp.

The simple recipe yields some seriously yummy results. You definitely won’t want to wait for the leaves to change before you try out this dessert for yourself.

Slice five to six apples and put them in a bowl.

Rumble / littlethings

Granny Smith’s work great.

Mix together your dry ingredients:

Rumble / littlethings

1/4 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.

Then pour on top of the apples and mix until the apples are coated.

Rumble / littlethings

The juice from the apples will create a slightly syrupy consistency.

Place the mixture in a pan and scatter small balls of caramel over the apples.

Rumble / littlethings

For the crisp, grab a new bowl and combine a half-cup of oats, three-quarters cup of flour, one-quarter cup of brown sugar, two tablespoons of sugar, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Rumble / littlethings

Add six tablespoons of soft butter to the dry mixture and blend into a batter.

Spread the batter on top of the apples in the pan.

Rumble / littlethings

Place into your preheated 350 degree oven and wait 25-30 minutes.

Pop it out of the oven once it’s nice and golden brown.

Rumble / littlethings

Watch the video to see the taste test of approval:

This is totally going on my Thanksgiving recipe list…not that I’ll wait that long to whip it up just for myself, of course.

We can all agree that Frappuccinos from Starbucks are pretty good, right?

Pine and Crave

And marshmallows are great, too, but both of these items are kind of ordinary on their own.

Flickr / Mark S

Well, what if you could combine the two into a perfectly caffeinated confection?

Pine and Crave

That’s just what food blogger Mackenzie Schieck did on her blog called Pine and Crave, and she went even further by fancying them up like real coffee shop treats for Hello Giggles. Using relatively simple ingredients, Schieck made her own coffee-flavored marshmallows. And they’re just as heavenly as they sound.

She figured out that by layering coffee-flavored and plain marshmallow batters, she could recreate any coffee, latte, or cappuccino.

Pine and Crave

Get the details on how to make these basic variations here.

To make them round, Schieck uses a mini cheesecake pan. But you can also do it in a regular pan and cut them into cubes.

Pine and Crave

Of course, no Starbucks drink is complete without some fancy flavors and decorations. Taking her “Coffeemallow” recipe to the next level, Schieck began experimenting with flavored latte marshmallows.

She started with the Coffeemallow base, and then dipped the treats in melted chocolate. To make them even more delicious, she topped them with caramel drizzles and candied orange peels. This clever cook essentially recreated her favorite Starbucks drinks in bite-sized candy form.

This could be dangerous.

Pine and Crave

From left to right, we have white mocha, mocha valencia, caramel latte, and mocha latte.

Pine and Crave

If you’d like to try your hand at making some Coffeemallows, follow these directions for the basic recipe, and these for the fancier varieties. You can even experiment with your own custom flavors! Coconut mocha latte, anyone? Send me a box when you master that one.

If you’re still craving coffee in its liquid form, check out this fascinating latte art:

Source: Amazing coffee art will blow your mind! by Dog on Rumble

Feeling hungry? After looking at the .gifs below, you might be even hungrier. After all, these are some of the most satisfying, hunger-inducing images of food production we’ve seen. We guarantee you’re going to be tempted to break into some sweet snacks after you see them. At least that’s what we’re doing…

Honeycomb being sliced

Whipped cream on a Frappuccino

via Distractify

Taffy being pulled

via Distractify

Cookies baking

OrkuGifs

French fries frying

via Distractify

Cupcakes getting iced

via Distractify

A regular cake getting iced

Giphy

Homemade lollipops being poured

via Distractify

Pop-Tarts being enveloped

via Distractify

Wieners everywhere!

via Distractify

Hard candies being formed

via Distractify

Snack cakes being rolled

via Distractify

Pizza getting crispy

via Distractify

Are you hungry yet? We’d write more, but our fingers are already coated in frosting and powdered sugar.

Almost everyone loves cookies! But sometimes, even the biggest cookie fanatic wants more from their sweet treat. But what could that possibly be?

Luckily, the folks over at A Beautiful Mess came up with the perfect solution: cookie butter. Imagine that instead of dipping cookies into things, you can now dip things into cookies. I know what you’re thinking: that sounds like meddling with the very fabric of space and time. But don’t worry, the recipe is really quite simple and (probably) won’t result in a black hole.

A Beautiful Mess

As an added bonus, making cookie butter is a great way to keep cookies from going stale.

Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups of cookie crumbs


• 1/2 stick of butter


• 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk


• 1/4 cup of evaporated milk


• Water as needed

First, choose your cookies.

A Beautiful Mess

If your cookie has a soft filling, like an Oreo, separate the two sides and scrape out the filling. Set it aside.

Put your cookies into a food processor or blender.

A Beautiful Mess

Add them in small amounts at a time and crush until you have a fine, consistent powder. Don’t overwhelm your food processor!

Next, melt the butter, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together in a pot and stir until smooth.

A Beautiful Mess

If you used a cookie with a soft filling, you can add that filling into the milk mixture. Add a bit of water if it becomes too thick.

Add it to the cookie crumbs and stir until it’s an even consistency.

A Beautiful Mess

Depending on how buttery your cookies were, you may need less of the milk mixture. Be sure to add it in small amounts while stirring. Do so until the crumbs are just wet enough to stick together, but not too gooey.

This is the texture you’re aiming for, similar to a cookie dough.

A Beautiful Mess

Put the cookie butter in the fridge for about two hours to chill. If you like this texture, you can stop here.

If you want the cookie butter to be smoother and easier to dip things into, you can add a bit of water.

A Beautiful Mess

Add very small amounts of water (start with about 1/8 teaspoon) and mix until the cookie butter loosens up. Keep working until you get the texture you like.

Now it’s time to go wild and dip everything in your house into cookie butter. This stuff will store nicely in a jar in the refrigerator, and it also makes a great holiday gift.

If you liked this recipe, check out more at A Beautiful Mess and be sure to follow them on Facebook!

There’s a lot more you can do with cookies than just pairing them with milk: