Happy Happy Joy Joy.... and a new KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

For the longest time I wanted a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, but I just couldn't afford it, there were always other things that took priority over a new Kitchen gadget. Then my wonderful Mom Christa and Dad Stefan stepped in and told me they were giving me one for Xmas. How cool is that? Here it is my new best friend in the kitchen

They even got me a a nice cover for it, that way I can just leave it on the counter, which is recommended anyway cause the thing is pretty heavy..... so schlepping it around is not easy.

The mixer came Thursday and I've made full use of it today.... making eggnog cupcakes with eggnog cream cheese frosting, Linzer Cookies and Coconut Macroons.... recipes will follow soon, but here's a preview.

The cupcakes are semi-home made, I used a baking mix for it, that I changed to what I needed. The Linzer Cookies are gluten-free, made with sweet rice flour and filled with Apricot and Raspberry preserves. The original recipe has been handed down from my great-grandmother, so for us they are called "RiesnerKrapferl"