I just got home from work at 1:30 am. I cooked up a quick dinner that my mom left me and started to bake some gingerbread men for a customer. But of course I have to try one! I'm staying up late... I'm putting in the effort... it's only fair right? Right.
Mmmmmmm. Warm gingerbread right out of the oven. This. Is. The. Life.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Bitter Sweet Goodbye
As the Christmas season edges closer and closer, the end of the college semester ends. The normal college student would have had their classes all picked out for the 2012 season by now. However, I am finished with school! Crazy! I can't believe that I will no longer be driving back and forth from the college campus or waiting on the edge of my seat at 11:59pm because registration opens at Midnight and I fear not getting the classes I want. Nope. That is no more.
While I enjoyed school, I got in that mind set one time that it wasn't for me and I had no care in the world to continue but in reality, who doesn't have that moment? I am proud to say after a bit of jumping around, I have an Associates in Baking and Pastry Arts and have just finished my requirements for an A.A.S. in Small Business Management. I must say, I am quite proud.
I must say, I will miss the hustle and bustle of getting classes set up, the challenge of finding out which way to buy books is cheaper, as well as the homework (yes, I am a nerd.) however, I am kind of excited to be all done! Is it scary? Yes. But I'm just gonna take my part-time retail job and run with it until something fantastic comes along.
Not to mention, I still have quite a lot of learning to do! I have baking books to read, notes to take in the binding, recipes to write and to test, and of course a blog to write! The schooling isn't over. It just won't be in a sit down classroom anymore.
I must say, I am quite proud of my self for being as I am. I may have wanted to give up, but I never let myself. I think that's what matters. I have no regrets just happy thoughts for the upcoming year.
That's exactly how you should go about life.
Happy Thursday everyone!
Celebratory 'I <3 Cupcakes' Shot!
While I enjoyed school, I got in that mind set one time that it wasn't for me and I had no care in the world to continue but in reality, who doesn't have that moment? I am proud to say after a bit of jumping around, I have an Associates in Baking and Pastry Arts and have just finished my requirements for an A.A.S. in Small Business Management. I must say, I am quite proud.
I must say, I will miss the hustle and bustle of getting classes set up, the challenge of finding out which way to buy books is cheaper, as well as the homework (yes, I am a nerd.) however, I am kind of excited to be all done! Is it scary? Yes. But I'm just gonna take my part-time retail job and run with it until something fantastic comes along.
Not to mention, I still have quite a lot of learning to do! I have baking books to read, notes to take in the binding, recipes to write and to test, and of course a blog to write! The schooling isn't over. It just won't be in a sit down classroom anymore.
I must say, I am quite proud of my self for being as I am. I may have wanted to give up, but I never let myself. I think that's what matters. I have no regrets just happy thoughts for the upcoming year.
That's exactly how you should go about life.
Happy Thursday everyone!
Celebratory 'I <3 Cupcakes' Shot!
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap!
Amongst my many obsessions in life, Christmas Cookies rank very high on the list. They just have so much holiday spirit behind them. When I look at a Christmas cookie I just feel happy. Which... was why I was so thrilled to be a part of The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap this year.
Can you believe that because of this cookie swap, 22,000 were sent around the world? How fabulous is that?
I sent my cookies to North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey... All very local. But! I received my cookies from Arkansas, Arizona, and Washington State. It is pretty fun that these cookies were sent across the country just to make my holiday very special (:
A big thank you goes out to Nicole at The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie, Megan Pence at Country Cleaver, and Andrea at Recipes for Divine Living. All of your cookies were fabulous and truly mad my holidays special!
It was so fun waiting every day after the deadline to send. I felt like a little kid waiting constantly at the mailbox.
For my cookie, I chose to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon and a kick of Chili. The were a slight obsession at my house and I hope my enjoyed them just as much as my family did. They are very easy to make and have just the right amount of chocolate. I suggest these for any new addition for a holiday cookie tray.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
With a hint of cinnamon and a kick of chili
12 Ounces Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
3/4 Cup Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate and set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining 4 ounces. Mix your flour, cinnamon, chili, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
With a mixer, beat butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add yours eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the melted chocolate, and beat until well blended. Gradually beat in flour on low speed until well mixed. Stir in your chopped chocolate. Drop dough by rounded Tablespoons on parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake for about 10 minutes or just until cookies are set and cracked on top. Bakes about 30 cookies.
Enjoy! ( :
Can you believe that because of this cookie swap, 22,000 were sent around the world? How fabulous is that?
I sent my cookies to North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey... All very local. But! I received my cookies from Arkansas, Arizona, and Washington State. It is pretty fun that these cookies were sent across the country just to make my holiday very special (:
A big thank you goes out to Nicole at The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie, Megan Pence at Country Cleaver, and Andrea at Recipes for Divine Living. All of your cookies were fabulous and truly mad my holidays special!
It was so fun waiting every day after the deadline to send. I felt like a little kid waiting constantly at the mailbox.
For my cookie, I chose to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon and a kick of Chili. The were a slight obsession at my house and I hope my enjoyed them just as much as my family did. They are very easy to make and have just the right amount of chocolate. I suggest these for any new addition for a holiday cookie tray.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
With a hint of cinnamon and a kick of chili
12 Ounces Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
3/4 Cup Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate and set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining 4 ounces. Mix your flour, cinnamon, chili, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
With a mixer, beat butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add yours eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the melted chocolate, and beat until well blended. Gradually beat in flour on low speed until well mixed. Stir in your chopped chocolate. Drop dough by rounded Tablespoons on parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake for about 10 minutes or just until cookies are set and cracked on top. Bakes about 30 cookies.
Enjoy! ( :
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Tracking a Shipment!
I have just tracked the first cookies that I have ever mailed! How exciting is that? Even more exciting is that the cookies are part of the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap! The swap had over 600 or so participants and deadline to send cookies was yesterday! This swap is on the move!
I cannot reveal what I made or who I made it for just yet, but my matches should be expecting their cookies by tomorrow! Can't wait to see what my matches have cooked up for me!
This has already been so much fun! I even have a disaster to tell you all about, but I'll get to that soon enough... I have to go wait by the mailbox (;
Happy Baking on this rainy Tuesday!
Boyfriend's 26th Birthday! I promised him no more store bought cake on my watch. The Martha Stewart Crepe Cake is absolutely fabulous!
I cannot reveal what I made or who I made it for just yet, but my matches should be expecting their cookies by tomorrow! Can't wait to see what my matches have cooked up for me!
This has already been so much fun! I even have a disaster to tell you all about, but I'll get to that soon enough... I have to go wait by the mailbox (;
Happy Baking on this rainy Tuesday!
Boyfriend's 26th Birthday! I promised him no more store bought cake on my watch. The Martha Stewart Crepe Cake is absolutely fabulous!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just 3 short days away, my mom and I have finally planned what we will be cooking that day (and prepping days before hand). Last year we made it our goal to make at least one different item each year, and that tradition will continue this year!
Last Sunday we spent a few hours lounging in the living room and looking at the magazines we've both received throughout the year and had no time to read! What better time than a week and a half before big-old Turkey Day. In those two hours, we had our menu planned.
We browsed through Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart Living, and even Family Circle! We used bright yellow post-its to flag our favorite ideas, recipes, and decorating tips for the Holidays! (Might I say, Martha Stewart's December issue of living has the most flagged pages by far! I love Martha.)
What about you? What are you making for Thanksgiving? Do you have yearly traditions, or do you make different things each year?
Last Sunday we spent a few hours lounging in the living room and looking at the magazines we've both received throughout the year and had no time to read! What better time than a week and a half before big-old Turkey Day. In those two hours, we had our menu planned.
We browsed through Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart Living, and even Family Circle! We used bright yellow post-its to flag our favorite ideas, recipes, and decorating tips for the Holidays! (Might I say, Martha Stewart's December issue of living has the most flagged pages by far! I love Martha.)
What about you? What are you making for Thanksgiving? Do you have yearly traditions, or do you make different things each year?
Monday, November 7, 2011
Don't be that girl
You know... The one who is in a time crunch and doesn't have time to do things the way she usually does.
To bake my cakes, I use Wilton round cake pans. I have perfected the method of using Crisco to grease my pans followed by a nice coating of flour. So last week I used the last remaining drop of Crisco and totally forgot I needed more.
This weekend as I was baking my cakes for my first 'Jersey Shore' themed cake my first thought was 'I have no Crisco'. I had spray Pam (no, not the baking Pam spray... the olive oil one). I had used it successfully once before so I figured, why not? Let's wing it!
So that's just what I did. I sprayed a heavy coating of the olive oil spray and floured the pan nicely. Do you think it worked this time? Not. A. Chance.
Lesson learned: If you are in a time crunch, spend the time to run out and buy the product you need. Do not waste your time 'winging it' because you will just have to remake it.
How do you bake your cakes? Do you grease and flour, or just grease? What works for you?
To bake my cakes, I use Wilton round cake pans. I have perfected the method of using Crisco to grease my pans followed by a nice coating of flour. So last week I used the last remaining drop of Crisco and totally forgot I needed more.
This weekend as I was baking my cakes for my first 'Jersey Shore' themed cake my first thought was 'I have no Crisco'. I had spray Pam (no, not the baking Pam spray... the olive oil one). I had used it successfully once before so I figured, why not? Let's wing it!
So that's just what I did. I sprayed a heavy coating of the olive oil spray and floured the pan nicely. Do you think it worked this time? Not. A. Chance.
Lesson learned: If you are in a time crunch, spend the time to run out and buy the product you need. Do not waste your time 'winging it' because you will just have to remake it.
How do you bake your cakes? Do you grease and flour, or just grease? What works for you?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
My first follower!!
I am so excited to have my first follower! My sister, my best friend, and my number one supporter! I love you! ( :
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