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Ginger Chili Caramel Cookies

October 28, 2012 By + 38 Comments

Pass the Plate.  Share the Love.  Cook for the Cure.

Ginger Chili Caramel Cookies | From My Sweet Heart

The thing I’ve loved most about blogging, aside from the wonderful friendships I’ve made, is the opportunity to bake for a greater good.  I was recently invited by Sandra at Sweet Sensations to take part in a very special event.  Sharon & Denise of  Be Betsy, were inspired by Kitchenaid’s Cook for the Cure® to join the fight against breast cancer.  They purchased a plate specially designed by Jacques Pepin.  The plate is filled with cookies and literally passed from blogger to blogger.  Each time the plate reaches a new destination, Kitchenaid donates $5 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  I am so proud and honored to be a part of this campaign.

I received these beautiful dipped chocolate sandwich cookies from Sandra at Sweet Sensations.

 

They were amazing!  I literally polished off 2 of them before it struck me that I need to photograph them first!  Many of you who visit here already know Sandra.  I am in awe of her!  She is a working mother who takes such good care of her family, while writing a beautiful blog full of wonderful recipes and fabulous ideas on how to host the perfect party and create a gorgeous tablescape.  (All while nursing a torn tendon!)  When you read about her, you will learn that she is a woman of great strength and courage.  And I wonder if she knows what a great source of inspiration she is to me?!  I am so happy to know her and I appreciate so much that she included me in this awesome event!

So. . . . . from Michigan to Maryland.  Where are the cookies traveling to next??? . . . . . [Read more...]

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Pumpkin Ale & Pretzel Caramels

September 26, 2012 By + 32 Comments

IT’S BEER WEEK!!!

Yes!  Beer week!  A week full of beer, breweries and recipes!  Brought to you by the same fabulous women who brought you crepe week!  I must admit, when I first found out the theme of this week, I winced.  I’m more of a martini girl.  And the only time I really drink beer is when it’s really hot out and I’m eating spicy food!  My favorite beer is actually Red Stripe.   And while I thought about some type of savory baking, I was determined to use the beer in a sweet recipe.  And so I made these beer caramels!

 

Pumpkin Ale & Pretzel Caramels

I am such a sucker for the sweet and salty combination.  And I decided to take advantage of one of the seasonal beers to bring depth to the caramel.  You really could make beer caramels with any beer of your choice.  What’s your favorite?  This time I chose . . . . . [Read more...]

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Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints

February 1, 2012 By + 41 Comments

“WHAT YOU LOVE IS AS UNIQUE TO YOU AS YOUR FINGERPRINTS.”  Barbara Sher

Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints | From My Sweet Heart

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...]

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Caramel Apple Cake

September 11, 2011 By + 43 Comments

BAKED SUNDAY MORNINGS:  CARAMEL APPLE CAKE

Caramel Apple Cake | From My Sweet Heart

I am so glad to learn that the site for the Baked Sunday Mornings  baking group has been updated.  I always want to feature recipes that, even if they are not my own, are still accessible to everyone.   This scrumptious apple cake can, however, be found in the book, Baked Explorations by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.

What initially seemed unusual to me about this cake is the frosting.  Because it contains flour!

Overall, this is really a good apple cake.  The cake itself is moist and flavorful and one that I am likely to use again, especially in cupcakes.  And the caramel buttercream  frosting is tasty.  But I don’t think it’s worth the cooking process to get rid of the flour taste, even if it was meant to thicken the frosting.  The recipe called for us to use the paddle attachment on our mixers for the frosting.  But I ended up swapping out for the whisk….just to get more air and volume into the buttercream.  I didn’t think the frosting had enough of a caramel flavor, yet I was reluctant to add more than the 1/3 cup it called for because I was afraid it would affect the texture of the buttercream.  So I decided to spread a thin layer of caramel on the cake layers before I frosted it.

All in all the cake is good and the frosting is lightly sweet.  But if I make this again, I will develop my own recipe for caramel buttercream……and leave the flour for the cake batter!

On a scale of 1-5…..I’m giving this 4 whisks!  And since the recipe did not make it to the site’s recipe page, it will follow here. . . . . [Read more...]

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Caramel Sauce

September 10, 2011 By + 26 Comments

 “COME ON OVER HERE WITH THAT SUGAR STICKY SWEET STUFF.”  Sugarland

Caramel Sauce | From My Sweet Heart

I always think it’s a smart idea to develop a repertoire of good, simple, basic recipes.  They are always there to fall back on in a pinch, stand in for something else, and be the basis or sidekicks for other great recipes.  A fantastic caramel sauce is one of those basic necessities.  I especially love to warm this in the fall and dip slices of fruit in it!  I love to bake this in apple or pear pies. And of  course, it’s great drizzled over ice cream!  I made this delicious caramel sauce now because I’ll be using it in a frosting!  However you choose to use it….it’s one of the simplest things to make and keep on hand….. [Read more...]

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Heart of Darkness Brownies

June 7, 2011 By + 14 Comments

“ALL I REALLY NEED IS LOVE,  BUT A LITTLE CHOCOLATE NOW AND THEN DOESN’T HURT!”  Charles Shulz

Heart of Darkness Brownies | From My Sweet Heart

 Well I think these brownies are very appropriately named.  And very much suited to the state of my own heart these days.  You see, I’m in a spell of very bad kitchen karma.  My strawberry tart, though incredibly delicious, didn’t hold up very well.  And today, while making these brownies, my lower oven was set to 350°; while my upper oven somehow was set to 450°.  So you can imagine the fate of one set of brownies!  And….in between batches, my power went out!!!  I think the kitchen gods are trying to tell me something.  Or maybe I think that my own heart has been a little heavy these past few days and so I am feeling a bit distracted in the kitchen.  Anyway…. I decided to abandon the strawberries in lieu of these incredible, moist, chewy, fudgey delights!  And believe me…..this was just what my poor heart of darkness needed.  You cannot believe what is in these!!!  But read on to understand why they will lift you out of your own dark place……. [Read more...]

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