Lauren Gaskill

Encouraging women to live in faith and joy

 

lauren gaskill

a note from lauren

Welcome, dear friend! Whether we’ve known each other for years or are just meeting today, I am so glad you are here. Here’s one thing you need to know about me: My passion is to see Body of Christ find healing and joy through intimacy with God. Together, we can experience His transforming light and presence and carry that light and presence into the world.

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Reese's Peanut Butter Pie

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I believe special occasions are best celebrated with smiles, laughter and baked goods (preferably something sweet).

Reeses Peanut Butter Pie | recipe from Making Life Sweet

Some of the best memories I have in life were formed over scoops of ice cream, a perfectly formed pastry or decadent slice of cake. Sweet things are even better when they are shared. They make life a little brighter, and they enhance whatever situation we are in.

So when it was announced that someone was leaving the Spyder Trap team that I have the pleasure of working with, you bet I jumped on the opportunity to make something. You could call it a celebration pie, or an “excuse to make something totally over the top” pie, but whatever the motive I think this Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie hits the spot.Read More

Toffee Chocolate Shortbread Bars

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Aside from no bake dessert recipes, these shortbread bars may be one of the easiest things I’ve ever baked.

toffee chocolate shortbread bars | laurengaskillinspires.com

Though they taste and look complex, the recipe requires less than 10 steps. So, all of you who tell me you never have time to bake … do yourself a favor and make time for these bad boys. You won’t be sorry. Seriously, if I could eat five of these a day without jeopardizing my blood pressure or teeth, etc., I probably would. They are that good!Read More

Potato, Spinach + Artichoke Soup

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The last month and a half has been a whirlwind here at the Gaskill household. Amid the newlywed duties of exchanging wedding presents, unpacking from the honeymoon, writing thank you cards and building a strong marriage, I also have taken a new job opportunity.

Potato, Spinach and Artichoke Soup | Making Life Sweet

You are now looking at one of the content strategists for Spyder Trap, a digital marketing agency in downtown Minneapolis. It’s an exciting company, full of passionate and talented people, and I am so happy to be a part of it.

That being said, however, because my commute is much longer than it used to be, my husband and I more than ever before need an arsenal of quick dinner recipes that we can refer to in case traffic gets the best of me. The hubby is such a trooper — he even helps me out with dinner prep now! Read More

Toasted Coconut Muffins

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On our honeymoon (Oct. 13-21), the owner of the villa we were staying in on Jost Van Dyke welcomed us with two bottles of Cruzan Rum, the rum of the Virgin Islands. Though the hubby and I enjoy wine and beer, we aren’t the straight-up liquor type. To be honest, I can’t stomach it. Unless, however, it is in a mixed drink or delicious baked dessert.

toasted coconut muffins | from making life sweet

Seeing that we had plenty leftover after the honeymoon, I brought the different flavors home to use in some new baking recipes I’ve been wanting to try. This is the first round of rum-laced desserts in the Gaskill household. These muffins are so light, they could almost pass as a cupcake if you were to put a buttercream icing on top. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have. I just made them yesterday and we’ve finished off half of the batch!Read More

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Barbecue Ranch Salads

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We all have favorite meals and snacks that we crave from time to time.

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Barbecue Ranch Salads

 

For me, it can be something as simple as a fig, honey and goat cheese crostini, or something more hearty like Chicken Saag from my favorite Indian place down the road. For my fiance, it’s Chicken Barbecue Ranch Salads from the Cheesecake Factory. Read More

Honey Oat + Coconut Granola Bars

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Who says making granola bars has to be difficult and time-consuming?

Honey Oat + Coconut Granola Bars | laurengaskillinspires.com

If you’ve ever wanted to start baking homemade granola bars but were too daunted by the task — this post is for you.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walked past Nature Valley bars and told myself, “You should really try making those yourself sometime,” but then never took the initiative because I feared it would be difficult. Until today. One day last week, I woke up and just told myself I was going to try it, whether it was a success or flop. Now, I have learned that making granola bars from scratch is probably one of the easiest things to do in the kitchen, aside from cooking noodles and sauteing vegetables, or things of that nature.

What I love about these granola bars is that they are the perfect fix for when hunger strikes. Along with the usual dried fruit and nuts, I carry one or two of these around with me all day in case I have a snack attack. Another plus? Though many baked goods spoil within a few days, these bars still tasted the same after an entire week of being in a sealed container. Not too shabby …

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