Mariel here. Apparently our sweet-teeth weren’t sated last week since both my mom and I opted to post desserts this week. There’s just something about the holidays that screams for more-more-more sugar. But I’d like to think I have an even better reason than that…today we’re celebrating both my husband’s and my step-father-in-law’s birthday. Yesterday was my dad’s.

In honor of the big guys’ special days, I did something a little out of character this morning. Rather than hitch up to my laptop and hammer away on a post for MarthaStewart.com or a deadline for SELF, I took the first half of the day off and just baked….and baked….and baked. For my husband, I conjured up a new recipe, one that “occurred” to me on my morning run of all places: Pistachio Cupcakes.

The man loves pistachios – not so much the nut – but pistachio-flavored things, like gelato and ice cream. These pint-size treats were exactly as I’d hoped they’d be – fluffy and sweet with a subtle nutty flavor and little nibs of real-live nuts. They’re winners all around and I’ve already indulged in two despite the fact that the birthday boy has yet to sample even one.

For my step-father-in-law, I whipped up a Key Lime Pie. It’s his all-time favorite dessert and he keeps threatening to take a stab at my mom’s recipe, but hasn’t yet found the time. I decided to do the work for him and will be surprising him tonight at dinner. Since most restaurants aren’t so hot on BYO-dessert, I’ll be sneaking it inside in a soft-case cooler that semi-resembles a handbag. We’ll see how that goes.

We promise we won’t totally abandon the savory side of life this December – I’m not sure my skinny jeans could handle another round of confectioner’s sugar. Now back to my “real” job.