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This past weekend, I was supposed to run the Hollywood Half Marathon. I had signed up last summer with a killer coupon code and it just sounded like a good idea at the time. I had wishful thinking of being a pregnant runner, but that just didn’t happen. But I still went to the expo anyways and picked up my bib and I surprised myself by how sad I was that I wouldn’t be running. I really miss the running scene, more than I thought I would. I miss the camaraderie, the runner’s high, the good-for-your-heart training sessions. I am more motivated than ever to get back out there and make my running comeback. Hoping for a 10k in the fall and a half marathon in the spring! Fit Mama, here I come!

So while we were supposed to be running 13.1 miles, my friend Erica and I decided that having a NINE hour baking session would be a good substitute instead. So we trekked over to the market and got all of the essential ingredients. This day was going to be epic.

We had big plans on making FIVE dessert recipes and one savory dinner entrée. Ready….set…GO!

First up were Hilton Waikoloa Village Shortbread Cookies .

They came out so good! But they seemed a little boring, so we melted down some chocolate and dipped them. Mmmm. Perfect.

Next, we whipped up a batch of Birthday Cake Batter Popcorn.  I know, how amazing does that sound?

Happy Easter!!

It was white chocolately, rainbow-sprinkled, salty-sweet goodness. Delicious!

Then we started on what would become the KING of all things chocolate…. S’Mores Stuffed Brownies!!! Uh, hi.

Inside this bad boy are layers of brownie, graham crackers, hershey’s chocolate and marshmallows. Yep. That just happened.
 

Next up was a little detour from chocolate…. let’s hear it for Bananas Foster Bread Pudding! *clap clap clap*

I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical of this one since it’s not a dessert I’d normally choose… but it was awesome! And super easy to make. I’ll have to remember this when I need a recipe for brunch.

PS… I bought this pie dish especially for this recipe and I felt like such an adult! Adults need fancy pie dishes, right?

And our fifth and final dessert recipe for the day was a batch of Oh Baby Bars (basically a homemade Reece’s peanut butter cup).

Before we could sample ANY of our days-worth of treats… we dove into making dinner! We chose a recipe for Chicken Palava (African Peanut Stew). Something totally different than what I would make or order, but it was really really good.

Dinner was enjoyed over a game of Bananagrams.

I’ve never had a day in the kitchen just for fun before and I really enjoyed it! Maybe next time I’d swap some desserts for more entrees that we can eat throughout the week, but I was encouraged by how easy it was to prepare so many dishes once we had recipes and ingredients on-hand.

I’m so excited for the many bake-sales that might be in my future in five years or so. Watch out!