Peanut Butter S'mores Bar

Ok, I have to admit after reading that title, what could be wrong with this delicious sounding baked item.  Nothing, I think.  It has all the key items... Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Marshmallow.  Just the thought of all of them baked together into an ooey gooey mess.... mmmmm.

Oh, huh?

 Sorry about that.  I was just thinking and I started to go bleary eyed.

Ok, back to the now. I found the recipe on Pinterest. (Yes, I know I have been finding a few things there recently, but in my defense it is a great source for many things.)  Anyway, the woman's blog that I found actually adapted the recipe from two different sources.  Here is the one I used and is also has the links to the other recipe... The Sweet Life. 

Overall, the bars turned out great and tasted divine.  I did have a few issues with it though.  I know how could I with all ooey gooey goodness.  But, alas I did.  And in all fairness it was not with the taste as much as it was in the making and execution.  My biggest problem was the graham cracker "dough"  was very sticky.  And I mean very sticky.  I know the easy solution to this is adding more flour, but will need to be careful not to add too much.  The only other issue was with the dough again.  The recipe called for the use of a 8x8 pan and divide the dough.  Well, if I barely filled the bottom of the pan and was only able to cover about 2/3 of the top.  Now because the dough did not completely cover all the marshmallow, those spots were nicely toasted, which is not too bad.  I feel an easy solution to this is just doubling the dough ingredients.  Another thought I had that might work would be maybe just using a PB cookie dough and if you still wanted some graham cracker flavor just evenly swap out flour for the crackers.

So, what do you think?

This will absolutely be something I will make again.  Hopefully sooner then later.  Hope you try it out for yourself.

Until next time..... Happy Baking!

Cheesecake... No Longer a Mystery... Well, Not Exactly

Now that Christmas is over I can breathe again for the moment.  I had fun and did a few things over the last month.

From my last post you all know I got to make my first wedding cake.  This was a great experience and truthfully I hope to get another opportunity.  So, anyone out there in the local area.... (hint, hint).

This Christmas I was planning on making homemade gift baskets for some of my and my husband's co-workers, but there was a slight change of plans.  His office decided to do and old fashion cookie swap, which he joyfully volunteered my services.  How nice of him.  Now this was beyond his control, they did change the date of the swap and I had only a day to bake 3 dozen cookies.  No big deal, I had most of what I needed to make my Monster Cookies.  Then for me, work very busy and I didn't have the time to make too many things.  So, I went with Monster Cookies for all my gift baskets.  They were a huge hit with my daughter's teachers.  A big enough hit that one of her teachers order a chocolate cheesecake for Christmas.

This was my adventure..... making a cheesecake.  I had never made one before.  The closest I came to making a cheesecake was making a pie.  I never owned a spring form pan until now.  As much as I love using new toys, I was a little afraid of this one.  The one thing I was not sure about getting the bottom of the pan off.  I was actually stumped on this one.  I tried to find an episode of Good Eats on Food Network that I had seen, but was unable to find it.  So, I dove in and made the first cake.

Not too bad.

It eventually came off after fighting with a knife.

Lucky for me the crust thick and no one noticed the thinner spots. Overall the cake was great.

Round 2.... thought I would try some preventive measures.

No such luck.

Cake broke in half.

Well, I can at least say this much... I conquered the making of the cheesecake, but not the removal of one.

I need to back to the kitchen I guess.  I am not complaining.

So, until next time...... Happy Baking!

Doing things for fun!

I have not had any orders recently which to a part is good because I have been working overnights the few weeks.  But, I did do some things for fun.

I currently work with a small group of people.  We are part of a bigger team, but because we work overnight we tend to miss some of the fun things going on during the day.  So, I decided to be nice and bake some things.

The first thing I did was make my famous chocolate cookies.  I hate to sound egoistical, but they were a hit.  I wanted to try something new.  It needed to be easy to bring in and also easy to divide up.  I thought about it for a bit and realized that I haven't really made any muffins.  I knew that was the answer.  The decision was made Applesauce Muffins it was.  Here is the link to the recipe that I used http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mothers-applesauce-muffins/detail.aspx .

A co-worker also had a birthday recently.  I made him a chocolate two layer cake with chocolate fudge buttercream icing.  The icing came out a little pudding like, but worked very well.  I plan on making a black forest cake for another co-worker.  I think that will be fun since I have never made that before either. I promise I will have pictures of that.

I don't have any details yet for either of them, but I will have an order for my microphone cupcakes and some cookies.  I'll let you know when I know.  If nothing else the cupcakes will make me write another post about how to transport them.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!!

PS... Only 5 days until in is completely legal to sell baked goods made in your home in the state of Texas.

Got to do something special

Some of you may or may not know, but because due some changes in my life I need to go back to work a few months ago. It was suppose to be a temporary thing, but a always life sometimes throws you a curve. Even though I didn't need to continue working I did. Several things came because of this. I have made some great friends and also have gotten some great customers. Recently the place I am working started to remodel its store. I was asked to make a cake and cupcakes to celebrate the start of this occasion. I of course was honored that my boss thought of me for this. I happily accepted. I had to make a 9 x 15 cake and 8 dozen cupcakes in 4 days. I knew that this was going to be a challenge but I knew I could do it. Half of the cupcakes were chocolate with chocolate buttercream icing and they were made to look like footballs.

The other half of the cupcakes were yellow cake with buttercream icing.  The cake was also yellow and made to look like a football field. I also used buttercream icing to decorate.

What do you think?

I have been thinking about doing some posts of how I do things, where get my ideas, websites I use, and about other baking news out there.  Any thoughts?  I am trying to expand my horizons.  I hope it works.

Until next time....... Happy Baking!

Valentine's Day Treats

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I needed to make some sort of treat for my daughter's class.  The party itself was today.  So, for the longest time I couldn't decided what I want to make.  It didn't help that she was also snack girl for another day this week.  But, finally I decided to make brownie pops.  I did make them different then what most of the websites called for.  Instead of making the brownie balls and putting them on a stick, I cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter.  Alton Brown would be proud of me for not letting something in my kitchen be an uni-tasker.  (Sorry for the reference to those of you who don't watch Food Network)  Any way here was the final result......

As you can see, I cut them in heart shapes and put them on a popsicle stick.  I then drizzled melted milk chocolate over the top and sprinkled them with candy hearts. 

I did have left over brownies which I did do the more traditional "pop".  I just made little balls with the leftover and put them in lollipop sticks.  I did dip some in chocolate while left others plain.  My daughter went after these right away.  She kept saying..."Mommy, I taste, I taste."  Of course being the great mom that I am, I let her have one of each.  She devoured them in a blink of an eye.  I will take it they were good then.  I didn't keep any for myself though.  I handed out the rest to my co-workers.  They all said they looked great.  So, I will see on Friday how they thought they tasted.

I do have a cake order for a birthday party in two weeks.  I get to make another transformer cake.  This time the "good guy" logo.  I will post pictures and tell you all about it next time.

Until next time.......Happy Baking!

Microphone Cupcakes and Other Things

I feel like I am always apologizing for not posting a blog.  So, again I am sorry.  I just have been really busy working a job in retail and of course the holidays.  I hoping now that things are calming down at work, I should be able to get back into blogging and baking.  I did do a little bit of baking over the holidays and I will tell you all about them.

First, I made my PB and J snack bar for my Christmas holiday party.  They were well received by everyone.  I did have few that were disappointed that I didn't make my angel food cupcakes again, but they got over it.

This year I didn't have as many "gift" baskets to make this year with different things in them.  So, this year I only made about 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies and gave them to a few people.  But, because of them I will be making a birthday cake for a little boy next month.  I don't know what yet, we haven't worked out the details yet.  I also sent a dozen cookies to a dear friend in the Netherlands, unfortunately because of a bad winter storm here in the States and few storms that had parts of Europe shut down, after almost  two weeks she still doesn't have her cookies.  I just hope they are still edible by the time she gets them.

Lastly, I got to make some microphone cupcakes for a little 5 year girl who was having a Justin Bieber theme party.  She asked specifically for my strawberry margarita cake because it was "SOOOOOO good and it was Pink!"

There are not to hard to make.  It is just any cupcake you want to use, some icing and sprinkles.  As I already said the cake was strawberry margarita, the icing was butter cream tinted black, chocolate sprinkles and then sugar ice cream cones.  The hard part was trying to figure a way to get them to the party without incident.  It took some time, but with few of my ideas and my husband's ideas, we were able to come up with something and it worked out perfectly.

I'll let you know as things come up.

Until next time........ Happy Baking!

Sorry for being Away

I know I know.  Before any says anything, I know it has been awhile since my last post and for that I am sorry.  Many things have changed in my life.  First I was sick for a bit, which was not fun at all.  then second to earn a little extra money for the holidays, I started a new job.  I work a retail chain and I am in to work at 4 am.  So, to say the least it has been an adjustment.  But, with that said I new have a few things happening in the very near future.

The first thing is on Monday I am having my work Thanksgiving party.  I wanted to try something new, but husband kept saying I shouldn't.  So, after explaining to me a few times I should do something I am good at, I decided on making Angel Food Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Mousse.  Something a little extra I was planning on putting mini-chocolate chips on them, but alas that won't happen. (Silly me forgot to buy the chips)  But, as I sit here and write this, a new idea just came to me.  I may not have mini-chips, but can have chocolate shavings.  Man, I love how my brain works at times. (I know a little egoistical, sorry sue me)

Second thing....I think is really big news.....ok wait for it...... I got my first order!   YAY!  Think I am excited?  I don't think so.  Well anyway, I received an email about a week ago after a woman saw my flyer at my daughter's school.  She is a member of the church that the preschool is associated with.  After a few emails, she decided to order a few things for Thanksgiving.  So, I will be a little busy baking all this week.  I will let you know how everything turned out and pictures.

Until next time....... Happy Baking!

Tried Two New Things

I made two new things that I had never tried before and I think they turned out pretty well.

The first thing I tried was a creme brulee.  I decided to make this because after making an angel food cake last weekend I knew I would have several egg yolks left.  I really didn't want them to go to waste, so the only thing I could come up with was creme brulee.  I always thought that this was a hard dessert to make, but I was quite surprise how easy it was. (I like to think it is just because my baking skills have gotten better)  The only thing I didn't have was a mini torch to caramelize the sugar in top, so I just used my broiler.  Both my husband both think it tasted great,

The second thing I tired was mini chocolate cheesecakes.  I was having a get together with my girlfriends.  We decided to do an appetizer themed pot luck.  So, after much thinking of finger food type desserts, I came up with mini chocolate cheesecakes.  I thought they would easier to handle the a whole cake.  

I had to use an Oreo cookie for the crust because I was unable to find wafer cookies or chocolate graham crackers.  I made them in individual tin foil cupcake sleeves.  They are topped with hot fudge syrup and a raspberry.  Everyone just loved them, even a friend who doesn't eat cheesecake liked them.  I will need to find out if some one's husband finished the left overs or not.

Well, I don't have anything in the works at the moment.  I am not sure what I am going to do.  I know something will come about soon.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

A little bit of a slow time

Not much has happened for me since my last posting.  I have been spending most of my time surfing the internet looking for the right Red Velvet Cake recipe for the cakewalk next weekend.  I finally found one with a cream cheese frosting.  I was actually surprised most of the recipes called for a cooked frosting similar to butter cream.  But, I have been told by many the a red velvet should have a cream cheese so that is what I went with.  I can't wait to make a whole cake this time.  Up until now I have only made cupcakes.

Yesterday, I did make another carmel apple trifle, but this time I made a few adjustments to fit my family's personal taste.  I used a smaller box of vanilla pudding, used 2 cans of apples instead one, and used a homemade angel food cake instead of ladyfingers.  It was a bigger hit than the last one.  But, the one thing it did do was leave me with a bunch of egg yolks.  I had no idea what to do with them.  I know it isn't that big of a deal to throw them away, but since I know I will be making another angel food for next weekend, I figured I need to find something to with at least some of those egg yolks.  The only thing I came up with so far was Creme Brulee.  If any of you have any suggestions and it doesn't have to be a baked good either, please let me know.  I am willing to try anything.  I am almost positive that I will try my hand at the creme brulee.  That should be fun.

Lastly, I would like to thank a very dear dear friend of mine, S.  She designed two business cards for me and I think they look absolutely fabulous.  I am hoping this weekend to get to a office supply store and get some business card paper and get some printed up.  Once I get them printed up I will show all of you.  Again S, thank you so much.  I think you deserve some chocolate meringue cookies as payment.

Until next time..... Happy Baking!

Busy Day

It is 10 am on a Monday morning I have already done a few things today (which is very surprising since I am NOT a morning person).  After taking care of a few personal things I knew I needed to figure out what else I needed to do for my business to get up and running.  So, that is where I started today.

First thing is a way to advertise.  I already have a Facebook page and thank you to all of you who have visited it.  Please continue to tell your friends about me, you will be best way to let people know that I am out there.  I also was able to create a flier that I can use to start to spread the word locally.  I want to be able to show you, but I can't seem to get it.  When I figured it out, I will show you all.  Hey what can I say it is a Monday.  The other thing I am working on is a business card that I of course can hand out to anyone.  I will be getting help from a very good friend with that, but not today because today is her birthday, so that will have to wait. (Love you girl!)

Secondly, I have a PayPal account set up so I will be able to use this blog and hopefully soon a website to take orders and payments.  With that, I am in the process of creating a permanent list of products that will be posted on the blog to let everyone know what I have to offer.

Lastly, is to get the internet to cooperate long enough to get some of things posted for the world to see.  I know I am asking a lot for a Monday, but hey I need to be an optimist.

Well, some of you I hope are wondering if the cupcakes I made were a hit or not.  Well, I can say with resounding 'YES' they were.  Everyone who had one said they loved them.  Next time I make them I am going to try milk chocolate instead white chocolate.

Well that is all for now.  I will let you all know if anything else occurs in my small corner of the baking world.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Angel Food Cupcakes

Well, I can finally say I, in a sense, made my own creation.  I just finished making Angel Food Cupcakes with White Chocolate Mousse Filling.  Ok Ok, it isn't completely MY idea...my husband gave me the idea of using the mousse as a filling.  But, of course he didn't need to twist my arm too much on the idea.  I decided to use white chocolate over milk chocolate because I think the sweetest would go better with the cake.

Here is the final product.

I give it a thumbs up in taste and so did my 3 year daughter.  I know, it is a cupcake, it is sweet, of course she will like, but to her credit she does have different levels of likes and this was a high level of like.  More people will be trying them out tomorrow.  So, I will let you know what they all think later.

I want your opinion.  After seeing this picture...do you think this is good logo or not?  I am hoping by the end of the week I can have some flier created and out.

My next big project will be for my daughter's school.  They are having a luncheon for the teachers the second week in October.  The theme is Italian.  So, one thing I will definitely make will be an Italian Rum Cake.  I made a sugar-free version for my father's birthday last year and it was a big hit.  I am not sure what else to make.  I'll be combing the internet for recipes over the next couple of days.  I'll you know what I come up with.

Until next time......Happy Baking!

Pizza and Angel Food

Tonight, I tried something a different then my normal baking.  I made homemade pizza dough.  I have done this before, but instead of the normal mushrooms and cheese I made a BBQ Chicken.  I will have to admit it was just ok.  Nothing to really write home about.  I know I will be making more pizza dough, but I don't think I will be making BBQ chicken again.  Oh well, no big deal.  It was a learning experience.

I know I have told you about trying to make up a flier to help me advertise, but I am having real difficulty with it.  I know I have some creative flair, but I am at a complete lost with this.  I think I need to start with a logo of some sort.  I also want to take advantage that the holidays are coming and get people wanting homemade desserts for their parties and family affairs.  I was suggested to me that I use picture of something I have made.  I think that is a great idea, just not sure which one.

Tomorrow I am going make some Angel Food Cupcakes filled with white and milk chocolate mousse.  I really can't wait to try this out.

Until next time....Happy Baking!