Chocolate Chip Cookies

Let's just put it out there-I hate chocolate chip cookies. I hate eating them, I hate the way they smell, I hate making them. I just hate them.

Everyone has they're own particular idea of how the cookies should be-soft, crunchy, crunchy outside, soft inside. So for years I wouldn't make them, because it stressed me out thinking that everyone would hate them-and what kind of baker are you if you can't make good chocolate chip cookies?!

Well I still don't feel like I can make good ones, I still hate making them, but the difference? Someone pays me to make them. That's right, I have literally been comissioned with cash money for make chocolate chip cookies. Yesterday was the second time I made them for pay, and I have three more  times coming up in the next 6 weeks. It's unreal! I always think people won't pay for something they can easily make themselves, but apparently that's just not the case. Sometimes ease outweighs the cost of having them made.

I've decided not to spend my time rewriting recipes from other blogs that I can easily just link to, but I will give a few pointers, or tips that I follow.

• Use good quality chocolate. It doesn't have to be something hand made in Incan Mexico that's only available online two weeks every year. I just mean, don't use Nestle. I stick with Ghiradelli Bittersweet with 60% cacoa. It's easily purchasable just about everywhere, and it's good quality. Valrhona is also a good brand, but I don't have anywhere Whole Foods near me.
• Be organized. One of the two keys of this recipe that divides it from others is the resting period on the dough, and the salt sprinkle. So plan ahead when you know you'll need them, and make them 24-36 hours ahead of time and let the dough sit in your fridge until you're ready.
• Salt! It sounds gross and counter-productive, but sweet and salty is the best combination ever. That little extra sprinkle of sea salt makes all the difference!

So there it is. The tricks of the trade using the New York Times recipe they published a few years back. One batch makes about 3 dozen medium/large cookies.

To be honest, like I said about hating them and all, I'm not totally in love with the final product. I always take them out earlier than suggested and still end up with cookies that are crunchier than I would prefer. But the women paying me likes this recipe, so it's staying around for now. But in the future, I think the three tips above, used on a different base recipe will kick them up a notch!

A Week Recap in Pictures

I didn't have anything to say, and haven't baked anything of note in a while, so here's a quick recap of what I've been doing lately!

Spent a delightful day off with coffee, a cupcake, and the Doctor.

I stole some flowers and greenery from the front yard.

Then I made them into this bouquet to bring to the cemetery.

This creepy cat watched me...

I experimented with the clothes already in my closet.

As a still fat, but formerly fatter chick, I'm just beginning to be comfortable in my skin, and trying to figure out if I have a sense of style at all. I spent years throwing on jeans and men shaped t-shirts in order to hide away, so I'm not sure what I can/can't/want to wear now. It's taking lots of experimentation, but I've always liked cute clothes on others, so now's my chance to have fun with it. It's definitely hit and miss though. I don't love the above outfit. But...I bought a belt!! And that's changing everything!

This is not a proper May outfit, two shirts and a sweater, and cuffed jeans. But I got to wear sandals and sunglasses, so I just have to be okay with that until I move, I guess!!

Up, up and awaaaay!

The first thing that comes to mind when I think "National Geographic" is boxes in our old shed filled with yellow trimmed, out-dated magazines. And of course they all had bizarre, exotic pictures on the front. But they're slowly but surely recreating their image in my mind. I mean, going by NatGeo now? Working on being relevant, and hoping people will realize they're so much more than old magazines...

It's working. Look at what they did-they literally built and flew a house, "UP" style! I love it, how fun and adorable.

It makes me believe that all the cartoon movies of my childhood could be real! That's a NatGeo I could get behind, haha!

Speaking of making things real...and also incredibly adorable, one couple did their very own "UP" engagement photo shoot.

Isn't it just too precious for words? You just have to check it out ourself!



Strawberry Stew Pie

It was gorgeous and sunny here all weekend (though cold), but I had to endure working in the cold, dark shop both days. Now of course on my day off, it's dark and rainy again. Just in time for me to enjoy day! So instead of my planned trail walk, I'm spending my morning with piping hot coffee, some BBC shows, and a new knitting project-guess I can't complain about that!! In my downtime, I figured I'd share my fabulous flop of an Easter dessert!

I was scheduled to work this Easter, and was going to miss my extended family's dinner get together. Luckily, though, my bosses decided we could close that day, and I was called upon to bring dessert for our family get-together.

I instantly thought of making cupcakes with Cadbury eggs baked inside, and a vanilla buttercream and caramel drizzle to mimic the Cadbury flavors. It just sounds like a toothache in the making! However when I went to buy the eggs, I was not prepared to pay $6 just for the candy needed to make a dozen cupcakes. So I was forced to wrack my brain for something I could make, and know the ingredients off hand while I stood in the grocery store.

Nothing....nothing...mmm those strawberries on sale sure look fantastic. Still nothing...and then! I remembered seeing a picture of the most delicious looking strawberry pie on another blog, and I knew that was the way to go!

Ready to go, housewife style with my skirt apron over my Easter dress!

The next day I got home from church an hour and a half before I had to leave to drive North, so I was forced to use roll out pre-made pie crust from the grocery store. The pie itself was a cinch to put together, and I used a recipe that didn't add extra sugar (by using sugar-free preserves), and I was out the door in no time!

I have proof that it looked normal and delicious at one point!

 And then...disaster...

An ill-timed metered freeway ramp forced me to slam on my brakes and the pie was propelled right off the seat of my car, and a third of it sslid right off the edge of the pan and onto my floor. Strawberries everywhere!!

At these point in my life, I'm so used to the Murphy's Law being the story of all that I do, that most of the time (okay maybe 50/50), I'm able to just laugh it off and keep going.

I had to get a photo-op in with my masterpiece!

The intact 2/3 of the pie still went proudly into dinner with me, and people literally took spoons to it, and I was left with nothing to take home that night!

By the end of the night, my pie plate was wiped clean. Disaster or not, this pie is a hit!

Scarf love!

I made a scarf!! And it's mustard, too!

My mom got me a small roll of yarn and some knitting needles for Christmas, and while my family was up here over Christmas break, she taught me how to knit. At first, I was on a roll. I knitted my way through my practice bit, and my small roll in no time. Then I grabbed some yarn and started a scarf and was flying through.

But then came time to make a Texas washcloth for the Name Twin. It was cute and simple and done in no time.

Totally stole this from her blog since I apparently did take a picture!

But sadly the second I put my scarf down, I lost all motivation as well. It took we 3 and
 a half months to finally power through it and be done! So I guess all I have left to do now is start my Christmas presents!

I linked this post up with the party going on at Today's Creative Blog. Go check it out!

Gimme s'more!

Summer's on it's way, and all I want to do it sit around a camp fire making s'mores. I want to have a big kid s'more party and have fun, different ingredients and we can all make our own unique s'mores. Let's do it!!

Mmm graham cracker crust and melted chocolate!

Top is off with some toast-y marshmallow goodness.

Okay, maybe just a s'more cupcake party! My old coworkers like these so much they called them s'moregasms. Trust me, they'll be a hit!

This s'more tart couldn't go to the party, but I'll enjoy it anyway!

And all that toast-y marshmallow love will definitely get you in the mood for some fun summer nights!!

Monster Pocket Muffins

I've learned the biggest hurdle for me in my lack of blogging recipes is pictures. I bake pretty often, at least enough to get one recipe up a week. However, I generally tend to make things the day they're headed somewhere, and whisk them out the door without getting a nice picture of them. Plus, I have no idea what I'm doing, and care more about the food than getting the gorgeous pictures I see around the web.

I've seen plenty of posts, however, where people don't take pictures for whatever reason and still post. So I should probably just get over it and continue blogging!

Today is a double win, though-blog and accompanying pictures! And...they're gluten-free and vegan! Total nuts! The son of the couple who leads my small group has a crazy long list of allergies, and I bring dessert every week. I like regular baked goods-full of butter, eggs, flour, sugar, the works. But I felt bad always carting the gluten-full desserts around in front of the gluten-free boy. So I worked way outside of my comfort zone, and brought these babies!

Gluten-free Vegan Apple Cinnamon Pocket Muffins! That's a mouthful! So what are pocket muffins, you're surely wondering? Originally these muffins had a base, and two toppings-fruit and struesel. However, the second they entered the oven, the muffin base rebelled and swallowed the toppings whole. Some turned out completely flat on top, giving no hint of what was inside. Others however, look like mini muffin monsters. There's just little hints of apple cinnamon attempting to dig it's way up and out to freedom.

Apple Cinnamon Pocket Muffins

Adapted from Never Bashful With Butter (no longer active)

Muffin

2 cups gluten free all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 cup margarine

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup plain applesauce

1 tsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup soy milk

In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the margarine and sugar, then add applesauce, oil, vanilla, and soy milk. Pour the wet ingredients, into the large bowl of dry ingredients. Fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix-muffins are meant to have a less refined texture than cakes.

Apple Filling

1 apple, cored, and chopped into small pieces

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until soft.

Streusel Topping

1 Tbsp margarine

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

Mix together until crumbly.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add batter to pan lined with cupcake liners, filling 2/3 full. Divide cooked apples evenly over batter, and top with about a Tablespoon of streusel. Bake for 10-15 minutes, and enjoy!

Lemon Meringue Cake

So I'm currently on a diet...

And. It. SUCKS. Two years ago (I can't believe it was that long ago!) I decided to lose weight. I dropped 40 lbs. A year later I lost another 10. This year I realized I'd quit trying, and decided to really put my all into getting down to a healthy weight. I lost 8 lbs in three weeks, and was feeling really good about that. Then I decided to try a no carb, no dairy, no fruit, no fun diet. There are parts of it that are obviously great-more vegetables, less sugar. I lost 3.8 lbs my first week, but it has shown next to no results this week.

It's SO frustrating to be eating so restrictively (I just want an apple!), and to see a 1.2 lb change. The nice thing is the once a week cheat day, where you can eat anything (no really, anything and everything!) you want. It keeps you from cheating throughout the week knowing you get an opportunity to in just a few days. However, it also makes you absolutely obsess over food the day before your cheat day. All day long you just think about all the food you want to cram the following day.

So. I'm finished. I'm finished eating nothing but eggs, beans, vegetables, and turkey meat. I want...oatmeal, and toast and peanut butter, and a granny smith apple for goodness sake! After 8 lbs. in three weeks, I'm not sure why I decided to try anything else.

I still want to lose 33 lbs. But I haven't ever dieted to get to this point, and I'm done trying now. For me it was always about simply making better choices, and all things in moderation.

I'm currently making the most ridiculous, outrageously delicious, and incredibly bad for you dessert ever. Tonight, at small group, I'm going to have a small slice, completely guilt free. I can't wait. And in the mean time, I'm going to share this cake with you. Seriously, just make this. They're also super awesome as cupcakes-trust me!

Lemon Meringue Cake

Lemon Cake
From Life or something like it...

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (Can be substituted with 1 cup milk + 2 tsp. vinegar-let sit 10 minutes before use)

Preheat oven to 350˚ F.

In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat the butter until soft. Add the sugar, lemon peel and lemon juice, mixing until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition, and scraping the bowl down. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk.

Pour into two greased 9 in. cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.



Lemon Curd
3 sheets gelatin
generous 3/4 cup lemon juice
4 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups + 3 Tablespoons sugar
1/8 tsp cornstarch
2 1/2 sticks butter

Bloom gelatin in ice cold water, set aside. If you're using gelatin powder, you'll want to bloom 1 teaspoon in a small amount of cold water, and you may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe to make up for the difference.

In a large bowl, mix together eggs, yolks, sugar and cornstarch. Set aside. Bring the lemon juice to a boil, and pour slowly into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the pan and simmer for 3 minutes.

Whisk in the butter and gelatin, and let chill.



Meringue
1 cup sugar
3 large egg whites

Mix together in the bowl of a stand mixture. Place bowl over pan of simmering water, mixing constantly until the temperature reaches 110˚F. If you're working without a thermometer, just heat until the mixture is slightly warmer than body temperature, and you don't feel sugar granules when you rub it between your fingers.

Whip the meringue on high speed until it reaches stiff peak consistency.


Assembling the cake
1. Cut each cake layer in half. Place first layer on plate, cover with lemon curd, top with next layer of cake. Repeat until the final layer is put on top.

2. Frost cake with meringue using a spatula.

3. Toast the meringue with a blow torch. (Or broil in the oven!)

4. Enjoy!

Honey Pecan Breakfast Cake

Wow. Well it's officially been over a month since my last post. So much for blogging, huh? It's sad that I don't just buckle down and post, because I have plenty of recipes and pictures just waiting to enter the great expanse of the internet. But hopefully my New Years Resolutions will stick and I'll get better at blogging. Which should work-this is my only specific resolution. I made very specific goals last year, and only managed to complete one. "Eat at 10 new restaurants this year." Surprising I completed that one, right? So, with vague resolutions this year, I'm hoping I can look back and say, "Sure, I sorta did all those!"
During a lull at work the other day, I spent an hour flipping through an all dessert special edition of some magazine I found in the cupboard (Better Homes, maybe?). Not that I ever need an excuse to flip through dessert recipes, but I was keeping a special eye out for something I could potentially bring to an upcoming breakfast potluck. So naturally the words "breakfast cake" caught my eye.

The cake went by another name in the magazine, but I can't remember it right now...Either way though, it's delicious. The cake is very textural, and even a bit dry, but soaks up a rich, flavorful honey sauce and the end result is rich. The thick cake stands up to the onslaught of delicious topping, and the addition of crushed oats leaves you with a slightly nutty, rich, delicious cake you can enjoy at breakfast-who doesn't love an early dessert?!

Honey Pecan Breakfast Cake
From...BHG? Not me, that's for sure.

1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
2 tsp lemon zest
4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup crushed oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 eggs
2/3 buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine honey, 1/3 cup melted butter, corn syrup, lemon zest and juice, and chopped pecans together. Spread into the bottom of an 8 in. cake pan.

In a large bowl mix together dry ingredients, including pecans. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture, and pour the wet ingredients in. Mixing from the center, slowly incorporate dry ingredients until just combined-mixture will still be slightly lumpy. Pour over top of the honey mixture.

Bake for 25 minutes. Invert onto a plate immediately after removing from oven (be careful, you're likely to spill some of the hot honey topping. Spoon any extra honey topping over the cake and allow to cool slightly before enjoying (I'd suggest having it warm-it's extra fantastic that way.). This would be a great quick brunch for the holidays-especially if you have guests coming to stay!