This was probably one of my favorite posts from last fall on my blog. I love the idea of serving guests something totally unexpected at bridal showers and weddings. These warm and cozy desserts are perfect for fall weddings when the air gets chilly at night or even if you plan to have a brunch the morning after the big day.

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Featured Desserts Include: Caramel Apple-Cherry Pie, Chocolaty Harvest Fruit-Topped Cake, Stout Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce, Raspberry Fudge Pudding Cake, Maple Creme Brulee, Chocolate Lover's Cake {all images courtesy of BHG.com}

Well, today's post took a bit of a different direction. I had scheduled to feature a real wedding that was submitted to me via Two Bright Lights and I was showing up as the only one having accepted it so I was excited about an exclusive first feature. But, at 6 pm, the photographer emailed and asked if I could wait on posting it as she "was really wanting to put it in print publication". I have now removed it permanently from my schedule and since I was bummed I couldn't share it with you, I decided something sweet would be the best solution. So here, are my favorite gluten free chocolate chip cookies that are made without butter along with a cute way to send your guests home with cookies if making them for a party. {I should probably mention the following for my readers that don't already know . . . my 7 year old daughter is gluten-free and nut-free so I tend to turn many pinterest recipes into "safe" options that we can all enjoy with her.}

Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies without Butter

adapted from: the 20/10

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend {I use Domata a lot lately}
1 egg
4 tbsp of sugar
1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips {these are gluten + nut free}

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350

1. In a bowl, sift together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Set aside.  

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, both sugars, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until the two are just blended. Then stir in the chocolate chips. I always end up using my hands here to be sure the chocolate chips are mixed in as the mini chips tend to stay on the bottom of the bowl.

4. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the dough and shape into rounds of about 1" and flatten in your hand before placing on your baking sheet {about 2" apart from each other}. I line mine with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookies.

5. Bake for around 10 minutes. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

my personal notes for you:
I'm sure you could substitute other oils for the vegetable oil but I'm personally not able to use coconut oil as we have been told to avoid anything with coconut due to the nut allergy. These cookies can be a bit harder the next day - but a quick little run in the microwave not only softens them up, it makes them nice and warm again. Just like freshly made ones :)

Lastly - since this is a wedding blog - wouldn't it be super cute to make cookies for your guests at a bridal shower or wedding and send them home in these adorable dessert favor bags?

I am in total awe of these two unique and super fun desserts that would be perfect for weddings or bridal showers. The best part is that these desserts have a little {or should I say BIG} surprise inside them. I like to call them "Edible Pinatas". These desserts have got to be one of the most clever I've seen yet. Do you remember the pinata cake I wrote about a while ago? Well, these desserts use the same idea - but in a totally new way. Are you ready?

First up are the adorable pinata meringues from A Subtle Revelry. Wouldn't these be the cutest surprise for your party guests? Victoria's blog has the complete recipe and step-by-step instructions for creating your very own meringues and turning them into pinatas.

And, now for the brilliant dessert creation from Tiffanie of corner blog. This mini pinata cake is actually made from homemade baked donuts that are stacked with the center holes made a bit larger and filled with treats. The cakes are then frosted and ready for slicing into. Wouldn't these cakes be adorable to have a few presented to each table for your guests to dig into? And, for summer . . . how about filling with fresh berries? Tiffanie's blog has the complete step-by-step instructions for creating these mini pinata cakes.

There's a chill in the air each morning and the days warm up beautifully. I LOVE this time of year. And, with fall, comes amazing warm desserts. For those planning a fall wedding or even a bridal shower - why not surprise your guests with something a little unexpected? These fall inspired desserts are the perfect choice to serve on chilly evenings, in the late afternoon as the sun is starting to set, or even at brunch.

Caramel Apple-Cherry Pie, Chocolaty Harvest Fruit-Topped Cake, Stout Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce, Raspberry Fudge Pudding Cake, Maple Creme Brulee, Chocolate Lover's Cake {all images courtesy of BHG.com}

I'm so loving this trend . . . serving your guests pie for dessert instead of the traditional wedding cake or the popular cupcakes. There are so many flavor ideas to choose from and you can even send your guests home with either slices of pie or their very own mini pie. You might even like to consider making it a family affair and have your family members and friends make their favorite pie to share on the wedding day. You could then offer copies of the recipe for your guests using these blank recipe cards from Jen at Blush Printables. And, if you are looking to label each pie - I've even created printable pie labels for you. This is also a great idea for a bridal shower and you might like to collect all the recipes and present them in a pretty paper booklet or mini book for all guests at the event to take home with them.

And, please don't forget about the current giveaway where you can of course download fun DIY printable pie goodies as well as enter to win your very own personalized pie plate. What a wonderful keepsake.

Image Credits: mini pies, pies on tree stump chargers, sweet pies buffet, fruit pie buffet,
mini pies {photo by Stephanie Williams Photography}, crumble pies, pie pops