desserts

It has been a hot minute …

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

Geesh – I haven’t had a new post in what seems like forever! Life has been ridiculously busy and chaotic; honestly, isn’t everyone’s? It has been easier to upload a picture with a quick description to my Facebook page, and Instagram and Twitter accounts, rather than writing a blog post. When I started this blog I told myself I wouldn’t just upload a post just to do so. So instead of just slapping something together for the sake of a post, I have waited until there was time to write something that meant something.

19222727_683358305204534_2888216885772032188_oI was driving to work this morning mulling over what I could write about today on my blog if I only had a few minutes to do so and inspiration hit while listening to K-Love. They were talking about how Amy’s son who is in fifth grade had an assignment to pick three things that described him as a person – he picked a football picture, a Yoshi (Mario character) and his bible. There was a small discussion on what each deejay would pick if it were them, and materialism was brought up. Do these things that describe us DEFINE us?

IMG_1873I was already thinking while they were talking, and my kids and my faith were definitely on my list. They most certainly help mold me into who I am as a person – although neither are  materialistic. I have been asked many times why I love to bake by different people I have in my life. I have written about it on my  blog as well.

20621955_708669272673437_5517337067928476823_nMy materialistic item would some sort of baking tool – like a whisk or a piping bag and tip. What a crazy materialistic item, right?  Not only is this a physical item – it describes me well, AND it also can define me, and I am totally okay with that.

IMG_1868Baking is a passion for me. I like to try new recipes and flavors, I like to reminisce with old favorites, and each thing I bake becomes a dot on the timeline of my life. I like to surprise friends and family with sweet treats – either on special occasions or just because. I like how something as small and simple as a cookie or cupcake can bring a genuine smile to someone’s face and brighten their day; and it lets me spread a little bit of love and joy to each person who partakes in my sweets. It is the little things in life that can make the biggest impact. I tell this to my girls all the time, along with “you never know what someone else’s home life is like, so be kind, even if they aren’t.” I am completely okay if someone thinks of my name and baking comes to mind or sweet treats, or anything of that nature. It would tickle me pink if part of my legacy left behind are recipes I have loved and/or tweaked to make my them my own.

19055534_679364042270627_5245441573506192627_oI promise my hiatus from blogging isn’t because I haven’t been baking! Even though life has been crazy busy I still make sure I have time to do what I LOVE! I have made many delicious cupcakes for birthdays and yummy potluck desserts for the office and friends, and my favorite thing so far this summer – THE WEDDING DESSERTS FOR MY BEST FRIEND ❤

64474B85-C7C0-47C7-A7AA-D74AAA79503EThis was truly an honor. They not only trusted me to “design” what was made and the table setting, but also to get 150ish desserts done, drive 2 hours and set it all up. I am forever grateful for this experience!

IMG_1869Always make time for what you love and those you love! There may come a time when you are unable to do the those things, and those we love will not always be around. Make the most of the time you have and be the best you that you can be. What will people remember you for?  It costs nothing to be kind.

Baking is LOVE made visible – Unknown

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

baking

Not everything I make needs to have an occasion. I had this talk with my daughter last night. She kept asking, “Is it someone’s birthday?” “Is someone paying you to make these?” “Why are you making sweets?” My responses were, “No, No and Do I need to have a reason?”

Many times I do make things for co-workers and/or friends birthdays because who doesn’t like to be treated to something delicious and slightly over the top for their birthday? Who am I kidding – any day really! My co-workers are spoiled when it comes to goodies. I usually try my best to bring enough for the whole class, and  yes, there are times that I just treat one department.

I bake for many reasons, but the end result is always the same – something created with love. As cliche as it may sound it is very true. I LOVE to bake. I LOVE the way my mind can find a calm and peace,  and my hands take over the thinking and creating. I LOVE the smells that take over the kitchen. Baking takes over all of your senses and can transport you to another time and place.

Baking and cooking is just one of the many ways I show family and friends my love and appreciation for them.

Cookie Spread!

~ Laura ~ 1 Comment

IMG_1803I have found two types of people – people who go gaga over cookie spread and those who look at you with a blank stare because they have never heard of it (I know what you’re thinking … how can someone not know what it is!?!). Regardless of which category you fall into it, I have found a recipe to feed your addiction or to start one!

My daughter was home sick on Monday with a stomach virus that has been running amok in our school. She was laying on the couch curled up in a ball watching a movie. I had already done the dishes, tidy up the house, vacuumed and taken down the Christmas tree – don’t judge. Side note: having a fake tree enables me to keep it up longer. I don’t apologize for this by any means … I love to decorate my tree to make it look pretty and the lights on at night is just too pretty to only have up for a few days.  So since I had exhausted my ideas to entertain myself while my daughter was sick I decided to make brownies. I felt slightly bad about this since I knew she couldn’t eat any of the brownies I was going to make, but assured her I wouldn’t bring them to work so that she could enjoy them when she was feeling better.

I had some extra Biscoff spread from Christmas treats that I had been saving for just the right recipe. So I turned to my good friend Google and searched Biscoff spread brownies. There were a ton of different recipes. Blondies made with the spread incorporated, brownies with a Biscoff spread frosting, layered brownies, the list goes on and on, but one photo caught my eye! http://www.biscoff.com/create/recipes/195/fudgy-biscoff-swirl-brownies

Oh my goodness! AMAZING! The brownies are thick and fudge – and moist! The swirled spread on top pushes this one over the edge into a you can’t just stop at one even though they are decedent and delicious! You will not regret trying this recipe!

It’s that time of year … birthday’s galore!

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

1264684_10101235834868869_552775041_oWe have a lot of family birthdays from September to February. My little family has birthdays in September, October, December and February. The girls always like to pick out what they want for a cake … do you blame them?? That’s half of the birthday FUN! Their dad doesn’t care what he gets, as long as it contains SUGAR. The girls love coming up for ideas when it comes to his cake. If it’s homemade then they usually get their hands dirty making and or decorating it.

The girls always challenge me with their fun and creative ideas for their birthday cakes. One year Kailee wanted strawberry shortcake (such a good idea!) and everyone loved it! Paula Deen has an excellent shortcake recipe.

225882_889340826749_315394_nKeianna wanted a chocolate and pickle cake – yes pickle! I thought outside of the box and made candy melt “pickle” chips … no pickles were hurt in the making of her cake. Although I did find a yodeling pick at Bullmoose Music to place on top.

1504540_10102077259122919_4348964921899950437_nThen one year Kailee wanted to get an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen, but she wanted it to be an ice skating rink – like the one under Grama’s Christmas tree each year. So I found ice skating penguins and some neat clear illuminated candles for the top. Cute, fun and just what she wanted!

860999_10100889439383199_1803405043_oKeianna’s next birthday, it was requested to have a doughnut cake. Only she didn’t want doughnuts in the cake – it could only look like one!

There have been many times where their requests don’t quite come out as planned. Like when Kailee wanted a rainbow layered cake and once assembled and frosted it ended up falling in every direction and onto the floor hours before her party. They don’t tell you in all those fun rainbow cake posts that the food gel needed to color the layers so vibrantly in a 1/2 box of mix makes the layer very, very, very unstable. Lesson learned. Kailee ended up with rainbow cupcakes instead. Just a tasty and very cute.

My kids know I love to bake and they love eating what I make, however, it I don’t go “baking snob” on them if they want something store bought or made by someone else. It’s their birthday and they get to call the shots. Cake decorating is a talent I haven’t mastered by any means, but cooking with love I have down and can do with my eyes closed.

Everyone has 10 minutes!

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

 imageTrifle. A retro hodge-podge of goodness. Think of it as an “everything but the kitchen sink” kind of dessert. You can go elaborate or simple, all homemade, all store bought or a little of each. The mostly store bought or “left over” option can be done in less than 10 minutes!

imageThe trifle I made is layered with homemade whipped cream, Smucker’s Decadent Hot Fudge, Smucker’s Sea-salted Caramel, broken up brownies and Special K fudge covered pretzels.

You can use angel food cake, pound cake, devils food cake or any sturdy cake that can be cubed or broken without being all crumbles OR use your favorite Jell-O flavor made with the Jiggler recipe. Add some fruit or candy pieces or even pudding!! Drizzle on your favorite sauce toppings, add in some homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip and you have a stunning looking, mouth watering, crowd pleasing dessert.

The possibilities are endless and time is precious. Don’t fret when you forget you said you’d bring a dish to a potluck event or your kids class for a party. This dish will look like you slaved over it – even though you didn’t!! The crowd will love it and you didn’t have to break the bank or a sweat to make it; a win-win in my book. ENJOY!

Look for the signs!

~ Laura ~ 1 Comment

I am a firm believer of everything happens for a reason and there is no such thing as a coincidence. There are little signs everywhere (each and every day) that sometimes we see and most of the times we don’t. Then out of left field (at least that’s how most of us feel … right?) this huge sign drops out of nowhere and hits us like a ton of bricks. What’s the saying? Hindsight is 20/20? Looking back we can somehow connect all the little signs that lead up to these huge events, but we often aren’t seeing them in the moment.

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My loves on their first day of school! 2nd and 6th grade.

I had every intention last night to race through the evening to get everything done so that when my girls came home from karate and soccer I could hear all about their first day of school with all my attention just on them. Daddy was picking them up and I was cooking dinner, I had it all mapped out in my head. I had decided that while the chicken was cooking I would make a box of brownies and doctor them up with an amazing topping – quick and easy, and a blog post entry. Only as I was reaching for the measuring cup to add my water to the bowl that already contained the eggs, oil and bag of mix … it fell into the sink full of soapy water. GAH! There is no coming back from that. You can’t discretely fix that mistake! So, I cleaned up my mess and thought, well it just wasn’t in the cards to make this box of brownies tonight. I finished making supper and had great stories to listen to while we ate dinner as a family after their first day of school, and I was thankful.

IMG_0884Later on that evening, I decided that I needed to unwind and clear my head. For me baking is my zen, I get in a mindless groove and create scrumptious goodies for others. Bringing a smile to someones face and knowing that even if for only a few moments they get to forget about what ails them, then my job is done. I took out my trusty Betty Crocker’s Cookbook from the 70s (?) and dug out her brownie recipe. I figured if I had all the ingredients to make brownies from scratch then that is why my bowl of mix dumped. That was my sign. As I have said before, if you have quality pre-made items, USE THEM! Don’t feel like you HAVE to do everything homemade … just make sure it’s made with LOVE.

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Betty Crocker’s Recipe

Brownie Ingredients:
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
1 1/4 c. AP flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13 x 9 pan. Melt chocolate and shortening in a small pan on the stove over low heat. Stir constantly. Remove pan and pour mixture into a large bowl. Add in sugar, eggs and almond extract. Blend together until eggs and sugar are combined. Add in remaining ingredients and stir until just combined. Pour into prepared pan. Bake about 30 mins. or until batter has just left the sides of the pan and the top is dull looking. Do not over bake.

IMG_0885Digging through the cupboards I found I only had two cubes of unsweetened chocolate, but never fear, good ol’ Betty has the answer to everything! I just used the additional quantity in unsweetened cocoa powder and shortening – voila, problem solved.  So I whipped up a batch of Betty’s brownies with a small tweek. I used almond extract instead of pure vanilla as I was making an Almond Joy topping for my brownies! Once the brownies were cooked and cooling I started on the yummy topping!

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IMG_0889In a medium bowl I mixed 2 cups of shredded sweetened coconut, 1 cup of almonds, 1 cup of mini chocolate chips and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. Can we just take a moment to relish in how amazing sweetened condensed milk is? There are two things that come from cans that I can lick the spoon after … sweetened condensed milk and tomato paste (weird … I know). Once it is all mixed, try not eat it all before you spread this gooey deliciousness onto the brownies!IMG_0890

IMG_0891You can cheat and not wait for the brownies to cool before spreading this on top, but be sure to remember that the mixture is thick and spreads rough. Then just stick them in the fridge (so the chips don’t melt) to cool. These are sinfully rich. I was able to cut mine into 32 squares easily. ENJOY!

 

Memories

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment
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Me and my daddy

I love having deja vu! It is a sometimes frustrating event – trying to figure out when this moment in time happened the first time. Usually, however, I love the thought that this moment was so great the first time that I get to relive it a SECOND TIME, or that possibly I missed something important the first time so I get a chance to catch it the second time around.  Anything can trigger these moments – a song, a word, a smell, a feel … something so small can bring back such HUGE emotions and feelings of a time before.

Reliving moments in my life can sometimes be bitter-sweet, like losing my dad when he was only 34 and I was only 6. I think of him daily without fail, though sometimes it is because I will hear a song or smell something and I am taken back in time – back to the few years that I had with him. I often wonder what life would be like if he were still alive – how different things would be. I know that even though he is not physically here with me he is watching over me and my girls, and that he hasn’t missed a moment.

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Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies

Food has always had a way of transporting me to another time and place, invoking memories of delicious dishes I have eaten or the people who have made them. My mom always made what I now know are called Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies (us kids just called them peanut butter kiss cookies). For the longest time I thought Hershey Kisses only came out around Christmastime, because that is when she made them. My Grama Berta always made celery stuffed with cheese for the holidays and family dinners, and my brothers and I still look for it on the table at holidays. My Grama (my mom’s mom) always makes broccoli casserole, which I love and still request. My girls always ask their Grammy to make sweet potato souffle for holiday dinners, and with me it’s my Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies.

When people speak of traditions in their families, I think many times we don’t include the food that is made. Whatever the reason for coming together – a holiday, a wedding, a death, a birthday – we include food. Some of these dishes are passed down from generation to generation – a near and dear family recipe, or something we stumbled across or made on a whim and fell in love with. The food we make will help create memories for the ones we love and bring them back in time, reliving memories, keeping traditions alive and sometimes even creating some new ones.