Returning to Arizona

Cactus cookies are a celebration of our summer travels back to Arizona.  I have to say it was super great to be back as it had been 20 years since living in Tucson.  Being back felt like nothing had changed and it was refreshing to leave behind the east coast for a few days and especially the humidity from such a tropical summer!

When we landed in Phoenix it was 110 degrees.  You would never know with the dry heat.  The cactus’ are in full force just south of Phoenix in the Black Canyon City area.  The hillsides are just loaded with them.  Also found in the Sonoran Desert in and near Tucson.  These guys can grow 40-60 feet tall!

I did a recent post celebrating our time in Tuscon with a special cactus cake, check it out here.

Our travels took us back to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Phoenix, and the beautiful red rocks of Sedona.  Truly spectacular scenery there and a beauty of its own.  Here are a few pictures taken from the airport which shows an impressive aerial view with the monsoon approaching.

After returning from home, I was inspired to make a batch of these cactus cookies in honor of being back in the beautiful Southwest.  I could easily pick up everything and move back in a heartbeat!

My memories took me straight to my kitchen and creating these yummy replicas of these awesome structures!

I baked the cookies, cooled them and then dipped them into powdered sugar icing.

After they dried, I went back with thicker icing and added the finishing touches.

What trip has inspired your baked creation?