Cheddar Quick Bread with Cherries
February 27, 2012 By 42 Comments
Baking from scratch really can be quick and easy!!! Easy you say? Absolutely! Boring? Not a chance!
The Daring Bakers‘ February 2012 host was – Lis! Lisa stepped in last minute and challenged us to create a quick bread we could call our own. She supplied us with a base recipe and shared some recipes she loves from various websites and encouraged us to build upon them and make new flavor profiles.
The only rules for this Daring Bakers challenge is that the bread would contain no yeast and take no longer than an hour and a half to prepare. While Lisa offered a great base recipe and some wonderful suggestions, this time we were allowed to make any quick bread that we wanted. So I decided to share one of my favorites….. [Read more...]
Sugared Donut Muffins
February 20, 2012 By 38 Comments
“I AM BEGINNING TO LEARN THAT IT IS THE SWEET, SIMPLE THINGS OF LIFE WHICH ARE THE REAL ONES AFTER ALL.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
Whenever I feel in doubt about how to approach most anything in life, my instinct usually tells me to just keep it simple. Baking is a perfect example of that. Don’t get me wrong. I love outrageous, complex, over the top, and unusual desserts. (One of my favorite cookbooks is Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O’Connor!) But the purist in me can find just as much bliss in a simple madeleine, a plain, fudgey brownie, or some creamy butterscotch pudding. This sugared donut muffin is another example of simple perfection. Just the right balance of sugary donut, cinnamon muffin and strawberry jam in one petite bite will leave you wanting for nothing more than. . . .
Chocolate Whoopie Pies
February 12, 2012 By 59 Comments
Whoopie!!! It’s time again, for Baked Sunday Mornings!!!
Every other Sunday a great group of bakers dedicate themselves to baking from a wonderful book, Baked Explorations by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. It’s a fabulous book by the owners of Baked in NYC. Many thanks to Sheri at Pork Cracklins and Bourbonnatrix of Bourbonnatrix Bakes for their wonderful efforts in leading Baked Sunday Mornings! Though I came in late to this group, I’ve enjoyed getting to know my fellow bakers as we eventually bake our way through this entire book!
This Sunday, just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’re making whoopie! Pies that is! I love whoopie pies for the same reason that I love macarons and cupcakes. You can play with the flavors of the cakes and fillings to suit any season or special occasion. Here’s what I did with mine… [Read more...]
Cappuccino Crunch Ice Cream
February 5, 2012 By 36 Comments
“HE WAS MY CREAM, AND I WAS HIS COFFEE – AND WHEN YOU POURED US TOGETHER IT WAS SOMETHING.” Josephine Baker
I love my coffee with lots of cream. Actually, to say I like a little coffee with my cream may be more accurate! But to pour my coffee flavored cream in an ice cream maker and then freeze it…..now that is something! I love this cappuccino ice cream. Just a hint of cocoa and cinnamon give it depth and richness. And chopped chocolate covered coffee beans and bittersweet chocolate pieces lend a sweet, soft crunch to this cool creamy treat! So good as an after dinner treat. But I can hardly wait to…… [Read more...]
An Elegant Impression
February 3, 2012 By 22 Comments
I remember the day I baked these Cranberry Cherry Ribbon Cookies for Jen at The Three Little Piglets.
They turned out so much better than I expected! Simple, and pretty, and really delicious!
And I guess you could say eye catching, because they caught the eye of Amy Oren, Editor in Chief and Creative Designer at Elegant Impressions Magazine. Elegant Impressions is a very new magazine which is distributed freely in New York as well as online. Ms. Oren extended an invitation to feature these in their February edition! How could I refuse!?!
Elegant Impressions is so new, that it’s first publication was in January. But I have no doubt of it’s success. It really is such a lovely source for party and entertaining ideas, recipes, tablescapes; as well as services and resources to help with your entertaining needs.
So please check out Elegant Impressions online. And follow Elegant Impressions on Facebook. I know you will come away with so many fabulous ideas for your next special occasion!
Thank you again to Jen, at The Three Little Piglets for inspiring me to make these wonderful cookies; and to Amy at Elegant Impressions for the opportunity to have them featured in their February edition!
Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints
February 1, 2012 By 41 Comments
“WHAT YOU LOVE IS AS UNIQUE TO YOU AS YOUR FINGERPRINTS.” Barbara Sher
I have never read any of the books written by Barbara Sher. But I do agree with her belief that nothing will make you really happy but doing what you love. We change so much as people over time. Growth…..sometimes painful, but always a good thing! And sometimes there are aspects of ourselves that have remained the same. I know that I have enjoyed writing since I was in the 7th grade! And I still do! And yet, it seems I’ve had to experience half of my life to realize how much I love to bake! Thumbprint cookies are pretty common. But it’s what you do to them that makes them unique to you. And for me, that can only mean one thing….. [Read more...]
