Made. by Lia, Everyday Craft Baking by Lia Holter, Reviewed

Growing up in a suburb of St. Louis, I’ve always had a soft spot for local gems, so discovering Made. by Lia, Everyday Craft Baking by Lia Holter, the heart and soul behind the adorable Made. by Lia bakery, felt like a homecoming. As someone who doesn’t consider herself to be a master baker (though I dabble), I was drawn to this book not just for its recipes but for the warmth and nostalgia Lia pours into every page. Her story, rooted in family, community, and a triumphant win on “Next Great Baker" resonates deeply, especially since her bakery is in the very suburb where I spent my childhood.

What I love most about this book is how approachable it feels. The recipes, from crowd-pleasing Lemon Blueberry Scones to the indulgent Chocolate Cherry Birthday Cake, are written with such clear, concise instructions that even a baking novice like me feels confident tackling them. The Birthday Cake Scones? Adorable and drool-worthy. The Butter Biscuits? They’re on my to-bake list this week, and just looking at the photos makes my mouth water. Lia’s ability to balance simple and complex recipes ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out.

The book’s design is a thoughtful touch, especially for someone like me who appreciates readability as I get older. The sans-serif font is large, clear, and easy on the eyes—perfect for flipping through while covered in flour. I was also thrilled to see vegan and gluten-free options, making this a cookbook that truly welcomes all bakers. The chapters on scones and cakes stole my heart, particularly the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, which had me practically licking the page.

Lia’s passion for baking as a craft shines through, and her professional tips make you feel like she’s right there in the kitchen with you. This book isn’t just about recipes; it’s about creating memories, sharing love through food, and embracing the joy of baking. It’s become a staple in my kitchen, and I can’t wait to pass these recipes on to my own family.

 You can order a copy here.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ready Press Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Black Bean and Fresh Corn Bisque

The couple of cool days we had last week (and by cool, I'm talking nighttime temps that dipped into the fifties!) had my friends and me stalking fall crafts on Pinterest, and pulling out the pumpkin recipes. Perhaps it's because summer is my least favorite season that it just seems to last FOREVER. I had every door and window open in the house trying to suck in the chilly goodness, hoping to capture it for when things ultimately heat up again.

I found myself at the stove, stirring up a favorite fall bisque to enjoy one lazy afternoon out on the lanai. This recipe is easy and delicious, and a swap out of the chicken stock for vegetable makes it vegetarian.

Black Bean and Fresh Corn Bisque

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 ear fresh corn, husked, kernels removed*
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeño, ribbed, seeded, and chopped (more or less to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Melissa's chopped garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
4-5 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil until it shimmers. Add corn, carrots, onion, and jalapeño, and sauté until onion becomes translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in salt.

Stir in garlic, chili powder, and cumin, and cook until the spices are fragrant, about one minute. Add tomato paste, vinegar, beans, and 4 cups chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, 35 to 40 minutes. If soup is too thick, add more stock, ¼ cup at a time, until desired thickness is reached.

Remove from heat and stir in cilantro, lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Leave as is, or do as I do, and purée it with an immersion blender. Garnish as you see fit, or top with corn and avocado salsa.

*I char mine on the grill to give it a more complex taste, but you don't have to

PRINT RECIPE

This post is linked to:

 Inspire Me Tuesday

Tuesdays with a Twist

The Scoop

Dream, Create, Inspire

O My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday
 Homestead Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Wine’d Down Wednesday

Full Plate Thursday

Crunchy Chocolate Clusters

Fess up. You love chocolate, right?  And while it has been found that dark chocolate can be beneficial to health, my guess is that a portion of you aren't that keen on the bitterness that can sometimes be present in the cacao rich dark chocolates, am I right again?  So, how do you eat milk or semi-sweet chocolate to satisfy your chocolate cravings and still feel virtuous?  Easy!  Make yourself a Crunchy Chocolate Cluster, the basis of which is Melissa's delicious, and super nutritious Clean Snax™ .  Chock full of nutrient-packed chia and flaxseed, and laced with honey and light salt, Clean Snax™  is also gluten-free and absolutely magical when covered in chocolate. You will love them, your kids will love them, and they are nutritionally sound. Who could ask for anything more?

Crunchy Chocolate Clusters

 1 container Melissa's Clean Snax™ in your choice of one of the following flavors: Almond, Pumpkin Seed, Coconut and Cranberry (I chose coconut).

1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cover a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper (or a Silpat).

Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, carefully cut each Clean Snax™ square into quarters. They will crumble, and that's fine. Largely you just want to break them up and have both big and small crunchy bits.

 In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt chocolate chips. When chocolate is melted, fold Clean Snax™ into chocolate, coating well.

 Using a tablespoon, scoop up mounds of the chocolate-coated goodness and plop it onto your covered cookie sheet. Allow to set out until cooled and the chocolate has hardened.

Chow down and feel virtuous!

This post is linked to:

Metamorphosis Monday 
Melt In Your Mouth 
Amaze Me Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday

Foodie Friday

Clean Snax™ A Truly Healthy Snack...no kidding!

What's the first thing that comes to mind when I say “healthy snack” (after you stop laughing, that is)? Impossible?  Non-existent? Tasteless? Cardboard? Or worse, perhaps?  If you, like me, have always found snacks that fall into the “healthy” category to be sorely lacking in everything from taste to texture to true nutritional value, let me tell you that this problem has been solved. 

Melissa's Produce, a name synonymous with good health and quality, has recently introduced four varieties of their Clean Snax™ (Isn't the name alone a comfort?  Clean.) Square morsels of crunchy goodness, gluten free Clean Snax™ contain both chia seeds (that alone pack a powerful nutritional punch), and flaxseed (a nutritional Amazon, with some evidence that they may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes). That's a lot of benefits in a snack food!

They come in four tasty varieties to suit every palate (though I find them all equally yummy): Almond, Cranberry, Coconut, and Pumpkin. Most importantly, they are good, very good. Mr. O-P had no idea that he was eating something good for himself when he popped open the lid on the convenient plastic container of the cranberry variety, and started noshing away. Considering he has been known to run from healthy food, if you don't tell him how good these are for him, neither will I.

 
A great snack to keep in the car for a boost of energy on a long drive, or to revive kids after a hard day at school. The perfect take along for camping, or for getting some protein into that afternoon coffee break.  These crunchy nuggets also make a great breakfast food crumbled a bit and drizzled with milk. Use them to top yogurt or pudding parfaits, crumble them into pancake or waffle batter, stir them into cookie dough in place of chocolate chips, or use them in place of streusel on baked goods. You are limited only by your imagination. But here's a tip: If you can, buy these by the case. You'll thank me later.

Disclaimer: I was provided with these snacks to sample from Melissa's Produce in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, you will love them.

This post is linked to:

 Show and Tell Friday 

Friday Unfolded
Fridays Flash Blog

Simple and Sweet Fridays

Finally! A Healthy Snack

I am one of those people who think that popcorn should be its own food group. After all there is just so much that you can do with it. Popping it, of course, but then thereafter you have an ingredient to season, flavor, flatten into cakes, roll into balls, crumble into cookies, candy coat, toss in salads, and garnish soups. 

Americans eat more popcorn than any other country and, by volume, it is America's favorite snack food. If you are concerned, however about the quality of the corn you are shoveling into your face during a particularly suspenseful movie, then you should give Shred Pop a try.

At only 33 calories a cup, it is gluten-free, fiber and protein rich, has no cholesterol, no MSG, no trans-fat, is made from whole grain Non-GMO corn, and comes in a variety of flavors. With all of this going for it, I was leery of the taste.  I was sent a sample of the white cheddar and kettle corn in exchange for an honest review. Each surprised me in a different way. While I am not a particular fan of the kettle corn variety of popcorn, I liked this a great deal because, unlike traditional kettle corn, it was neither sticky nor cloyingly sweet. It has the same taste and texture as regular popcorn with just a pleasant touch of sweetness. The white cheddar had less taste than most of the cheesy brands that I've tried, but this variety left hands far less messy than the name brands. As I sat at my desk munching away on it, able to continue to use the keyboard without any cheesy disasters, I found that it was quietly addicting.  I was also most thankful, having noticed the empty bag, that I had only consumed 100 calories.

If you're concerned about what your family is eating, want to send your kids to school with a truly healthy snack that they will enjoy, and feel perfectly virtuous with your late night nibble, then give Shred Pop a try.