tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74799949503682474182024-03-17T20:03:44.895-07:00Dawn's Divine DelightsDawn's Divine Delights
Baking from the heart.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-61989887705755632982015-05-23T11:56:00.001-07:002015-05-23T11:57:05.830-07:00Frozen Inspired Cake for Two SistersI don't often get to make girl cakes since I have 3 boys, so I love it when I can get all girly.<br />
This cake was going to be a simple blue cake with snowflakes, but my mind got the better of me.<br />
I was thinking it would be fun to do a Elsa/Anna inspired theme since it was for two sisters.<br />
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Here is what happened once I started.<br />
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First, I frosted the whole cake with light blue buttercream.<br />
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Then, piped a dark blue wavy line down the middle and frosted from there over with dark blue.<br />
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The snowflakes I piped some white chocolate onto parchment paper.<br />
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I placed the snowflakes over the middle wavy line to cover it and added some swirls.<br />
I love some swirls!<br />
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The Elsa side.</div>
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A Frozen cake is not complete without an Olaf!</div>
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The Anna side.</div>
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Let me know if you have any questions!<br />
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Baking from my heart to your kitchen,<br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-26434036633990695952014-02-11T11:09:00.001-08:002014-02-11T11:09:57.017-08:00The Candy Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwKzmLyDbxp2_Kvavr-LZ4WsxsADEFC23Eert4taub1h6K_UmNZHqte9H9hvV3eUzowmv7LRBZLg95Kq152UlR2lEvQtG51q0fiPaM2ZiJUmio4RYHSIkj8FCLqhfO48Vs8ZxakfRTNY/s1600/Pedder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwKzmLyDbxp2_Kvavr-LZ4WsxsADEFC23Eert4taub1h6K_UmNZHqte9H9hvV3eUzowmv7LRBZLg95Kq152UlR2lEvQtG51q0fiPaM2ZiJUmio4RYHSIkj8FCLqhfO48Vs8ZxakfRTNY/s1600/Pedder.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kit Kats and M&M's! Yes please!<br />
I have been asked how to make this cake, so I have finally found a worthy excuse to make one.<br />
My son's 1st grade teacher has a birthday today and what a perfect reason to send some cake love.<br />
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Teachers don't always get the praise they deserve.<br />
We have been so blessed to have amazing teachers for my son. I couldn't have asked for a more loving, dedicated teacher. I am amazed at her patience.<br />
What a tremendous job teachers have teaching the next generation. I am truly grateful for them!<br />
So to all you teachers... Thank you! From a very grateful parent....Thank you for the hours you spend before school, after school and every other time in between. Your time is priceless and my thanks is endless. Much love to you all!<br />
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Happy Birthday Mrs. Pedder, we love you!!<br />
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Now the cake.....<br />
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First start by making a cake, any cake, boxed, homemade, doesn't matter.<br />
Then frost it, again doesn't have to be fancy, just throw some frosting on there, we are going to cover it anyway. Just try to smooth the sides a bit so the Kit Kats will have a nice place to rest.<br />
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Next start lining the Kit Kats side by side, gently pressing them into the frosting. Some may try to fall and try to escape, just press them back on. I used about 4 king size packs for this 6" cake.<br />
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Once you have completely circle the cake, grab a pretty ribbon. I chose my snowflake ribbon because it is supposed to snow around here today and it matched the M&Ms. Go ahead and get creative, it's allowed here. Just wrap the ribbon around the cake and make the best bow you can.</div>
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I am not the best bow maker so I just go simple.</div>
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Lastly, cover the top with the M&M's of your choice. I went with Valentine day ones here because it is the season and they are so girly. I have 3 boys, so I love to make things girly when I can.</div>
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There you have it, easy right? Now that you see how easy it is, I expect to see all your creations.<br />
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Baking from my heart to your kitchen,<br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-50492848406740270902014-02-01T12:44:00.004-08:002014-02-01T13:11:16.847-08:00Snickers Cake<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb6KTj4jfAvjgq-3jSr8-dIB3PDQai7nJtXMbQyjPvE6jpdhujYKtVk0t4_UNmG3cLK6iwq0wVXlhgAJ-GbuIy2A6JLiyh9gvu4zoERvWNJf3W4DcQJlVBBWsDZCL1cEAFFRLJO3h8Pk/s1600/DSCN3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb6KTj4jfAvjgq-3jSr8-dIB3PDQai7nJtXMbQyjPvE6jpdhujYKtVk0t4_UNmG3cLK6iwq0wVXlhgAJ-GbuIy2A6JLiyh9gvu4zoERvWNJf3W4DcQJlVBBWsDZCL1cEAFFRLJO3h8Pk/s1600/DSCN3546.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The three boys club.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, there is such a thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, I made it up, but still, it's thing. Having boys is special, having three, well, really special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every day is an adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a friend who is about to join the club and I was asked to make a cake for her shower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought about the sweet little cake I was going to make, I decided to ask her what flavor she wanted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She replied with one word.....Chocolate. Oh yeah.... she is going to need chocolate. I had almost forgotten the energy you need to stay alert with three boys. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One second they are playing nicely together, then BAM! One snaps and steals a car from his older brother, then the older brother screams, then there is chasing and screaming, knocking down the youngest, who then starts screaming and chasing. Next thing you know it sounds like wild animals are tearing through your house .........breathe....1...2...3...that never happens in my house. Ok, like every day. I need chocolate just thinking about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Soooo, I changed my mind about the cute little cake and went monster chocolate indulgence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wait for it...... Snickers Cake!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoZKmfou7-t8hqdXLc5oc0dw1UY2HUIxWB4YNheIPSQAVRPoWHFVUU5YSrmwcyLjZ9EH5F8kR5NtCAz0MW5egaqrCbG2ykHr0ltrvAFh-AShDxzki_5aKHo1D-3IoA5Ws_A_XSxvnIao/s1600/Snickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoZKmfou7-t8hqdXLc5oc0dw1UY2HUIxWB4YNheIPSQAVRPoWHFVUU5YSrmwcyLjZ9EH5F8kR5NtCAz0MW5egaqrCbG2ykHr0ltrvAFh-AShDxzki_5aKHo1D-3IoA5Ws_A_XSxvnIao/s1600/Snickers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's talk about this Happy Mommy maker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has a few steps, I suggest making this a 2-3 day project so you don't get overwhelmed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's involved:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 1: Make cake and put in freezer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Make caramel sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 2: Make frosting and snickers nougat filling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 3: Make ganache and put cake together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now let's talk about these steps and the recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found just what I was looking for at <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/04/11/snickers-cake/">Browneyedbaker</a>, I like her recipe, but I needed to change a few things. Let's get started....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients you will need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For the Cake</span>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2½ cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups granulated sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1½ teaspoons baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1½ teaspoons salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 eggs, at room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1½ cups strong black coffee, hot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¾ cup vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4½ teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For the Nougat Filling</span>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8 tablespoons unsalted butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups granulated sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup evaporated milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups marshmallow fluff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup creamy peanut butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups salted peanuts, roughly chopped</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For the Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting</span>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7479994950368247418#editor/target=post;postID=3067395551960590726;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=13;src=postname">caramel sauce</a> (click for my recipe or buy some)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 cups powdered sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For the Milk Chocolate Ganache</span>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 ounces (½ cup) heavy cream</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For the Assembly & Garnish</span>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Additional caramel sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chopped peanuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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1. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make the Cake</span>: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper, grease the parchment, then flour the insides of the pans, tapping out excess; set aside.</div>
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2. In the bowl of an electric mixer (or large mixing bowl if you're using a hand mixer), sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla.</div>
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3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix for 2 minutes on medium speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix for an additional 20 seconds (the batter will be very thin).</div>
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4. Divide the batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes and rotate the pans in the oven. Continue to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cakes comes out almost clean (with a few moist crumbs), about 12 more minutes. Cool the cakes (in the pans) on wire racks for 20 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto cooling racks to cool completely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfx2Gzw17FS7a7jxrBKah7R3D0WC9MtNRDrvtz86sUu3ZdKBecxp0LJeBGSM0eTz44tLQApEM-kbSXLsz6FNHPhxDxLiRyCNR3sFH_LT0hWLqF2fyVk7A0WkOEyQLHmS_5BLmoIFiOw4/s1600/DSCN3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfx2Gzw17FS7a7jxrBKah7R3D0WC9MtNRDrvtz86sUu3ZdKBecxp0LJeBGSM0eTz44tLQApEM-kbSXLsz6FNHPhxDxLiRyCNR3sFH_LT0hWLqF2fyVk7A0WkOEyQLHmS_5BLmoIFiOw4/s1600/DSCN3512.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Make the caramel sauce while the cake is cooking if you need to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvJ3NSS0rn0sBirwTchaFWAygfAvDFE2W2YpgALFmYspoPqkxmVRc3MkwnTuPbuBefvCfLlDM3FZRFVZKHPTzKxSzmVdCUhZYIDkMM_rFHxFo5OSOt3pHU4zBbVrBoogv6sWiR6Lst9M/s1600/DSCN3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvJ3NSS0rn0sBirwTchaFWAygfAvDFE2W2YpgALFmYspoPqkxmVRc3MkwnTuPbuBefvCfLlDM3FZRFVZKHPTzKxSzmVdCUhZYIDkMM_rFHxFo5OSOt3pHU4zBbVrBoogv6sWiR6Lst9M/s1600/DSCN3502.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkhsvUkvM6kUrZmxROWwI-rfpzMXWAoR1_BiZrIuZmjI3k0kkPZj4e-Tnzm08WcOP79v7_Z-uOCMoQMmtWAjSbKZhEafZX2J3GsEmNwe66d92NkQVjc9KHEvnhkQEeDqT4kdY1mOm4CA/s1600/snicking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkhsvUkvM6kUrZmxROWwI-rfpzMXWAoR1_BiZrIuZmjI3k0kkPZj4e-Tnzm08WcOP79v7_Z-uOCMoQMmtWAjSbKZhEafZX2J3GsEmNwe66d92NkQVjc9KHEvnhkQEeDqT4kdY1mOm4CA/s1600/snicking.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqpMwm1lZlclyXXdsIF226mDswLwtS-8aTmLCZET8jTR26F4ikLIaBMCDWSmcOdfSX22z79wCWxBq-G5qnk4Q_3azVaghGuiUa89k6MmTkVzrLUoqjJF3CfT30trSipWCbFwJOHYuvK8/s1600/DSCN3509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqpMwm1lZlclyXXdsIF226mDswLwtS-8aTmLCZET8jTR26F4ikLIaBMCDWSmcOdfSX22z79wCWxBq-G5qnk4Q_3azVaghGuiUa89k6MmTkVzrLUoqjJF3CfT30trSipWCbFwJOHYuvK8/s1600/DSCN3509.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>5. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make the Nougat Filling</span>: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and evaporated milk, stirring until dissolved, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and add the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until completely smooth. Fold in the peanuts. Let the nougat mixture cool to room temperature before using it in the cake. You can do this leaving it at room temperature or you can pop it into the refrigerator to speed up the process. Be sure to give a stir occasionally as it cools.</div>
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Not an attractive picture, but I wanted you to see it will be a little soupy still. Let it sit, it will thicken.</div>
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6. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make the Frosting</span>: Beat together the butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed for 5 minutes (I used the whisk attachment for my stand mixer, but it's not necessary). Pour in the caramel and beat until combined. Reduce the speed to medium-low and slowly add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it has all been incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for an additional two to three minutes, until light and fluffy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrMynG4Ve9juuyzhVMLzFrlndoDn883TIYjejbDtQYFS0nGWOVa_tIIeCYNc9iaoAgLt8lW67CM4BZ6DED5AHq2rXXitTz-L8wfv7V9WGJqkBq1tXC2fYgLsXFXIphvCRD13jT1-sTeI/s1600/Snickfrost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrMynG4Ve9juuyzhVMLzFrlndoDn883TIYjejbDtQYFS0nGWOVa_tIIeCYNc9iaoAgLt8lW67CM4BZ6DED5AHq2rXXitTz-L8wfv7V9WGJqkBq1tXC2fYgLsXFXIphvCRD13jT1-sTeI/s1600/Snickfrost.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrogjwxt3Wy6taxmMAXe0zWjRENwCR5_e33-qCu_A_1lQb3b86iYvFwsD6Ts3lgEoPl1cV-Ap4c9vjMnsKiHrWhIj6OZ5FrMVfb_asJ5EKannuf6nL7uCcIyQW-VQ9QBWzwTYVPMZ_Fc/s1600/DSCN3516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrogjwxt3Wy6taxmMAXe0zWjRENwCR5_e33-qCu_A_1lQb3b86iYvFwsD6Ts3lgEoPl1cV-Ap4c9vjMnsKiHrWhIj6OZ5FrMVfb_asJ5EKannuf6nL7uCcIyQW-VQ9QBWzwTYVPMZ_Fc/s1600/DSCN3516.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>7. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Assemble the Cake</span>: If your cakes baked up uneven or have domed on top, level off the tops. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Cover with half of the nougat filling and then spread a couple spoonfuls of the salted caramel sauce over top to evenly cover the nougat filling. Top with a second cake layer and cover with the remaining nougat filling and top with caramel sauce. Place the final cake layer on top face-down. Frost the cake with the caramel frosting, finishing it as smoothly as possible. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour, until the frosting is set.</div>
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8. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make the Chocolate Ganache</span>: While the cake chills, make the chocolate ganache. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl; set aside. Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and warm until it just comes to a boil. Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Begin whisking the mixture in the center, gradually working your way outward until the ganache is completely smooth. Set aside to cool, whisking occasionally, until it has thickened slightly, yet still a pourable consistency.</div>
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9. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Garnish the Cake</span>: Transfer the ganache to a 2-cup measuring cup. Slowly pour the chocolate ganache into the center of the cake, letting it push itself outward and flow over the sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes, giving the ganache a chance to set up. To finish garnishing, drizzle some additional salted caramel sauce over the top and side of the cake, and top with chopped peanuts. Keep the cake refrigerated, removing it from the refrigerator about 20 minutes prior to serving.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-43022500141484709162014-01-14T09:34:00.000-08:002014-01-14T09:35:04.119-08:00Fluffernutter BarsHave you heard of fluffernutter sandwiches?<br />
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Have you ever tried one?<br />
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Life changing!<br />
<br />
Before Christmas I had heard of these sandwiches I just never tried one. Crazy right?!<br />
<br />
While visiting family over the Christmas holiday, my nieces and nephew were making little fluffernutter sandwiches. I thought...hmmm... those look pretty good, I think I'll try one.<br />
My brain exploded...seriously...Exploded!<br />
Why have I never tried one before? I have been missing out and I need another one! And another one!<br />
<br />
I am not kidding people. I ate one every day for like a week. I even went out and bought the largest container of fluff I could find.<br />
<br />
Now that I feel like a giant marshmallow, I decided I need to do more with peanut butter and fluff.<br />
<br />
Then I saw a recipe on "<a href="http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2013/10/fluffernutter-bars/">Confessions of a Cookbook Queen</a>" and knew I had to try it.<br />
<br />
Wait for it..... Fluffernutter Bars! Oh yes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.scrappy.org/ddd/FluffC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://www.scrappy.org/ddd/FluffC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mix up some peanut butter chocolate chip goodness. Top with the Fluff fantastic, then sandwich it in with some more goodness.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scrappy.org/ddd/FluffC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.scrappy.org/ddd/FluffC2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Bake it to golden brown, cool and enjoy. Ok... truthfully, I couldn't wait I scooped some out while it was warm....another life changing moment. Yum!<br />
<br />
If you want to slice it into cute little squares you will have to refrigerate until completely cool. But, if you want it to ooze fluffiness, leave it at room temp.<br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Fluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Fluff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the recipe:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fluffernutter bars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">adapted from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 cups all purpose flour <br />1 TBS baking powder <br />1/4 tsp baking soda <br />2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened <br />1 cup smooth peanut butter <br />1 1/4 cup packed dark or light brown sugar (I used light brown)<br />1 cup granulated sugar <br />2 tsp vanilla <br />4 large eggs <br />1 cup dark chocolate chips<br />1 cup milk chocolate chips<br />13 oz (the large jar) Marshmallow Creme<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Instructions</span><br />-Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.<br />-In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.<br />-In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, peanut butter, and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla.<br />-Stop the mixer to scrape the sides of the bowl before adding the eggs one at a time, beating after each. --Scrape the sides of the bowl again.<br />-With the mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture until incorporated. Using a wooden spoon, make sure all the flour mixture from the bottom of the bowl is mixed in (batter will be thick). Fold in chips.<br />-Spread approximately 2/3 of batter in prepared pan.<br />-With the lid (and packaging seal) removed, microwave the Marshmallow Creme, stirring every 20 seconds, until it's softened and easy to spread. Spoon evenly over batter in pan and spread gently.<br />-Spoon remaining batter over marshmallow, as evenly as possible. Spread a bit, then using a sharp knife, drag through the batter, creating a "swirl". Bake for about 30 minutes, until edges are brown and bars are dark golden all over </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(some of the marshmallow may puff up and get darker brown than the rest of the batter this is okay).<br />-Let bars cool completely. Refrigerate until firm for ease in cutting (this also keeps the marshmallow from oozing out).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
From my heart, to your kitchen,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
I thought you would appreciate if I shared them with you.<br />
<br />
I started the journey planning to make 300 cupcakes and a wedding cake for both. I ended up with 500+ cupcakes for both. Hey! You can never have too many cupcakes! Imagine if we ran out! Better to have too many than too few.<br />
<br />
The first wedding was I was asked to create a Navy and Burlap type cake.<br />
Here is what I came up with......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Chelsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Chelsea.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately I was so busy baking and such that by the time I thought to take pictures they were not the greatest. Sigh...<br />
<br />
Next the tower of cupcakes....<br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Chelstower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Chelstower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The flavors were:</div>
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Lemon and Key Lime</div>
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Double Chocolate</div>
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Blueberry with cream cheese frosting</div>
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Vanilla with Vanilla Bean frosting</div>
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<br /></div>
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The next wedding I was also the Matron of Honor so I had all kinds of fun!</div>
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The bride had a Vintage Fair theme for the reception. Pinwheels were a big part of it so that is where I drew my inspiration.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Cake...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Tara1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Tara1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The pinwheels were made with fondant. The flowers were made with cupcake liners. This was a fun cake to create and the bride truly let me have creative liberty with it. I think I redesigned it 3 or 4 times. I finally figured it out the night before the wedding. Her main colors were teal and orange.</div>
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<br /></div>
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On to the cupcakes....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Taracups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Taracups.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The flavors were Snickerdoodle, Double Chocolate and Vanilla Bean.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also made an Oreo grooms cake.</div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/TaraOreo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/TaraOreo.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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They dipped an Oreo in milk and then fed them to each other.... I know, too cute!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I just want to give a shout out to all who helped me! I couldn't have accomplished these creations without my AMAZING friends.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Baking from my heart,</span></span></div>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-34949949868861779122013-06-07T10:55:00.001-07:002013-06-07T10:56:28.607-07:00Kindergarten Graduation 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My first school year is over! One down.....a bunch more to go!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sweet boy graduated from Kindergarten, what a great year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a reception after the graduation and I wanted to add a bit of color.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I asked the other K5 parents what they thought and the response was overwhelming... Yes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I had so much support and help!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Lord has really blessed us with a wonderful school, teacher, classmates and their parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We all agreed we wanted to do something extra special for their reception.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is the end result! What colorful fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My son always says his teachers favorite color is the rainbow. That is what we used for inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is what the room looked like.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5room.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will break down all the ideas and how we did them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5tent.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This ceiling tent effect was made with plastic tablecloths. We laid them all out on the floor and then gathered them all at one end and tied them with a rubber band. My sweet husband hung it from the ceiling with a hook. Then we hung the poms from the middle. It added instant color and depth to the room. Of course, found some inspiration on Pinterest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5photo.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was an area to take pictures so we just added some pizzazz. My sweet friend made the pinwheels for the backdrop. We lined the back of the lattice with green plastic tablecloths, then twisted some light blue streamers down the front, added balloons and finished it off with a cute little bench!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k52013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k52013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The same sweet friend made this fabulous 2013 with black and white photos from the school year. She cut out the 2013 from cardboard then hot glued the pictures on. She did a GREAT job and everyone loved it. Another tablecloth was used for the backdrop and helium balloons for color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5table.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We made a cute backdrop for the cake table. That same friend found rainbow streamers, fantastic! We lined the back with more tablecloths. Wow! Who knew plastic tablecloths could be so handy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5neill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5neill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sweet Kindergarten graduate modeling the cake. I only had my cell phone camera for the cake photos, but he is still a cutie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cake! Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. Decorations made with marshmallow fondant. I used an edible marker to write all the names of the students. I dipped a cupcake and a graham cracker in white candy melts to make the hat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5gals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/k5gals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What a great night! Me on the left, fabulous K5 teacher in the middle and my sweet friend on the right. Thank you to all who helped make the night so memorable for our sweet graduates! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bring on Summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>From my heart to yours,</em></span><br />
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<br />
I thought when my oldest son started school I would have more time to bake and blog, but alas.<br />
I got busier! Imagine that. Now I have had school parties and snacks to think about.<br />
<br />
Believe it or not, when teachers, parents or students see me coming they wonder if I have brought goodies.<br />
I'm officially a "treat lady". I secretly love it. I love to bring smiles to faces and here the "this is so good".<br />
Oh yeah, changing the world one snack at a time.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately my blog has suffered. I just haven't had time to sit down, type and post pictures.<br />
Frankly, when I do get a chance to sit down I fall asleep. Don't judge, you have been there.<br />
<br />
I have made a few cakes recently and have a couple more in the works so I thought I would share some cuteness with you.<br />
<br />
I have been using less and less fondant in my cakes. Only using it for accents etc. I like the buttercream look and am honing my smoothing skills.<br />
<br />
First Graduation Cake of 2013!<br />
The theme was specifically requested. I do love when people are specific. As much as I like to be creative, sometimes it is good to know what is expected.<br />
<br />
"Oh the Places You'll Go!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/VictoriaGrad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/VictoriaGrad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My sons 4th Birthday!<br />
He asked for a motorcycle jumping over his cake. Here is what I came up with. He also loves peanut butter and chocolate, so I covered it in that two. Chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/4Isaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/4Isaac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tennis Cutie!<br />
My friend and I saw a photo on cakeplanner.com. We fell in love with the cute little tennis girl sitting on top.<br />
We have been waiting for a chance to create one for ourselves. She was having a lunch with some of her tennis girls, perfect time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/TennisGood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/TennisGood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks for sticking with me!<br />
Only two more weeks of school left. It will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to the summer and SLEEPING IN!<br />
<br />
From my heart to your kitchen,<br />
<div>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-15302032247405699002013-03-19T15:07:00.001-07:002013-03-19T15:17:21.978-07:00Dark Chocolate Almond Joyful Brownies<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 10px;" width="400">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My oldest son is in Kindergarten and I can't believe the year is almost over.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have enjoyed school so much this year.. yes.. I said we.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He loves seeing his friends all day, he loves learning, lunchtime, P.E. music... pretty much everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love that he is learning, that he gets this special time to himself. I love that he loves it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of all we both LOVE his teacher. I mean super duper wowzer, as she always says.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has brought such joy to my son. I don't think she has ever lost her patience and everything is done with a "happy heart". Seriously, she. is. Amazing! Sometimes I think God sent an angel to earth. No human is that fantastic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that to say, today was her birthday. I have brought her many a treat this year, but there was one that she couldn't stop raving about. I knew that was going to be the birthday treat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I call them Almond Joyful for her, that is just what she is all day! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has been such a Joy to get to know this year. She is not allowed to retire until my other two sons go through Kindergarten. I think it should be in her contract.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the treats:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You will need:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Dark chocolate brownies</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Coconut filling</b></span><br />
<a href="http://dawnsdivinedelights.blogspot.com/2011/10/simply-saturday-ganache-ga-what.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ganache</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> or Chocolate Frosting</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Slivered Almonds</b></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/aj1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/aj1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Dark Chocolate Brownies</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 butter (melted)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 cup unsifted all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 cup unsweetened special dark cocoa (Hershey's)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blend butter, sugar and vanilla in large mixing bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add eggs; using a spoon beat well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually blend into the egg mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spread in greased pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. DO NOT overbake!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brownie should be beginning to pull away from edges of pan. Cool completely.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajdark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajdark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we have the brownies! Don't mind the missing edge, I had to taste test to make sure they were good. Everyone does that right. um.. at least in my house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's talk filler.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Coconut filling:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 Cups shredded coconut </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7-8 oz sweetened condensed milk</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3/4 Cups powdered sugar</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toss the coconut and powdered sugar together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slowly add sweetened condensed milk, stir until well blended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spread on top of cooled brownies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajcoco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajcoco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then pour the ganache over top and spread evenly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ajalm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sprinkle the slivered almonds on top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/aj2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/aj2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Slice and Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Mrs. Baxter!!!</span><br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></i>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-8686209143198871542013-02-11T12:21:00.001-08:002013-02-11T12:21:53.844-08:00Easy Eclair Dessert<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Something very important happened while I was recovering from surgery.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My friends went from amazing, to all caps, double exclamation point <b>AMAZING!!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They brought me flowers, cards and food. Oh so much food! I didn't have to cook for weeks. They were scared to make me desserts though... hmm... I wonder why? Because I couldn't eat them? Was I allergic to sweets? Was I gaining weight?! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No, no and no, well maybe that last one.</span><br />
They didn't want to make sweets for the one who always makes them sweets. Silliness I tell you.<br />
<br />
However, a teacher from my son's school decided to brave a dessert. My family raved about it for days. It is so simple so I thought I would share it with you.<br />
<br />
Not the best of pictures, we ate it too fast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Eclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Eclair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Eclair Cake</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 (3.4 oz) or 1 Large packages vanilla instant pudding mix (dry)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tsp vanilla<br />3-1/2 cups whole milk<br />12 oz. cool whip<br />1 box of graham crackers</span></span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 container of chocolate frosting and a bit of milk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh yeah, it's that easy. Next time I will try everything homemade, but for now, enjoy the easy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairspread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairspread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blend milk and vanilla pudding mix for about 2 minutes.<br />Fold in cool whip.<br />In a 9x13 inch pan, layer graham crackers to cover entire bottom of pan. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of graham crackers and level.<br />Put another layer of graham crackers on top of mixture to cover entire surface.<br />Put the second half of pudding mixture on top and level.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairgr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairgr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Put the final layer of graham crackers on top to cover entire surface. Next time I will probably put the bumpy side down. I did get a little insane about covering this layer tightly. I knew I would be spreading frosting on top.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairfrost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairfrost.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Put your frosting in a seperate bowl and mix a few tsp of milk in to smooth it. Mix with a spoon, adding milk until it reaches the consistency you need to spread it on top of the last layer of graham crackers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairfrost2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/eclairfrost2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There, all nice and frosted. Place in the refridgerater overnight or for at least 4+ hours to set.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I told you... super easy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Thanks friends for all the love you sent me during my recovery.</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best moments ever was when my husband brought me handmade cards from my son's Kindergarten class.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sipping hospital coffee, reading the Kindergarten cards... so sweet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Baking from my heart to your kit</em></strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>chen,</em></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-42985364080061758002013-02-01T18:09:00.002-08:002013-02-01T18:11:34.454-08:00Candy Cakes<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Where have I been?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I mean seriously! How long has it been since I blogged last?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don't even know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My excuse? Birthdays... Christmas... Parties... New Years.... Surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, surgery is my latest excuse. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I took a break for a while to spend time with my family during the busy holiday season and then the surgery put me down for a few weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did manage to photograph a few things before I went MIA.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Candy Cakes! Yes! Cakes with candy in them, on them, around them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Takes cake to a whole new level.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkat2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one I did for New Years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Super Yummy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Neill6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Neill6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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It all started with this cake for my son's birthday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't get a great picture, but it was so delicious I had to make it again.</div>
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My son's birthday was on Christmas by the way.</div>
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Fun, fun!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In case you were wondering it takes 5 king size Kit Kat bars to surround the whole cake.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/KitKatslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/KitKatslice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The inside was yellow cake with fudge frosting.</div>
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It went SO well with the Kit Kats. </div>
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I want a slice of this cake now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkatE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/kitkatE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Just make sure you watch your M&M's when making this cake.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Kayla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Kayla.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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One last cake with candy.</div>
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Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.</div>
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With Reese's cups in the middle and on top.</div>
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One word, Yum.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will try not to stay away too long again. I know how much you missed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At least in my world you missed me greatly, there may have even been tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You all are so great!</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-68279144744188230852012-12-12T07:26:00.000-08:002012-12-12T07:26:14.199-08:00Gingerbread Latte cups with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was trying to figure out what to make for Teacher Treat Day at my son's school, a wagon rode by. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That's right... a wagon... a band wagon.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I jumped right on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">By that I mean, I was searching Pinterest for inspiration and came across an idea for these mini cupcakes. I noticed quite a few blogs are making their favorite drinks into cupcakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I say, why not!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.bakersroyale.com/cupcakes/gingerbread-latte-cupcakes/"> Bakers Royale </a>made them with lemon frosting, but I thought cinnamon sounded better. YUM!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Personally I think a certain coffee company makes their Latte's too sweet. If they could make them to taste like these cups I would be there every day. Yes, they are that good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Gingerbread Latte Cups with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes about 24 mini cups</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger<br />1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom<br />1/8 teaspoon nutmeg<br />1/2 teaspoon allspice<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />8 Tbls unsalted butter<br />1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />1/2 cup molasses<br />1 large egg, beaten lightly<br />1/2 cup strong, very hot coffee<br />1 teaspoon baking soda</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sift flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and the salt into a bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />Cream butter and granulated sugar in bowl and beat until mixture is pale and fluffy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add molasses and egg beat until the mixture is smooth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a measuring cup combine the baking soda with 1/2 cup very hot strong coffee and stir until baking soda is dissolved. (It will fizz all up and then settle down)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stir the baking soda mixture into the molasses mixture (the mixture will appear curdled) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingerc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingerc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is what I mean by curdled. Have no fear, the flour will make it all better</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gradually add in the flour mixture until well combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />Fill cupcake liners halfway. Bake the cupcakes on the middle rack of your oven for about 10 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Transfer the cupcakes to a rack to cool completely before frosting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>8 tbls (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />8-ounce package cream cheese, softened<br />4-5 cups confectioners' sugar<br />2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />1 to 2 Tbls heavy whipping cream</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Beat together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sift in the sugar and cinnamon, beating well. I used about 4 1/2 cups.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add the cream a little at a time, until desired consistency.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gingercup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Frost and enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-89364055467554395462012-12-07T09:26:00.000-08:002012-12-10T05:20:06.220-08:00Sprinkled Cake Batter Cookies<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow! Tis' the season to be busy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christmas has always been my favorite holiday! I love the decorating, the cold (for a little bit), the cheer, the shopping and of course, the baking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have made three batches of cookies since Dec. 1st, but have not had the time to sit down and blog about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I finally have a second, seriously a second, which is why these cookies are perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They are simple and won't use up all your flour and sugar. I can't tell you how much flour and sugar I buy. Don't get me started on the butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Meanwhile, the cookies.....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you will need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes just under 3 dozen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 box vanilla cake mix, 18.25 oz</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1 tsp baking powder</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 2 eggs</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1/2 C vegetable oil</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1 container color sprinkles</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkstuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkstuff.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key players.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and baking powder. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the cake mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the sprinkles. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on your oven.</span></b>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I baked mine for 8min, they were still a little soft, but after they cooled they were perfect.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sprinkplate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easy right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone needs a yummy easy cookie every now and then.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys loved these sprinkly cookies.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Baking from my heart to your kitchen, </i></span></b><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-71507223281182483802012-11-27T09:11:00.003-08:002012-11-27T09:12:28.852-08:0050th Anniversary CakeI hope everyone had a Fabulous Thanksgiving!<br />
We had a great time here at my house.<br />
Living away from family, we usually spend our holidays with just us, but not this time.<br />
<br />
I was determined to find another family that lives far away from their loved ones.<br />
I didn't have to look far, a family from my son's kindergarten class is also from California.<br />
I saw this great idea to make graham cracker houses with the kids.<br />
It was a great idea until I placed candy and royal icing in front of 7 kids. I think there was more eating and licking then actually creating. It was fun though.<br />
<br />
We had such a blessed time! Thankful for new Friendships!<br />
<br />
I was able to squeeze in a non-Thanksgiving cake that I want to share with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Ulmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Ulmer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 10px;" width="400">
50th Anniversary Cake!<br />
<br />
50 years! That is something to celebrate. I just adore this couple, so I was thrilled to make this cake for them. I love how it turned out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The cake is a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.<br />
I have blogged about it before. I feel it is the best carrot cake EVER! I usually am not a fan either.<br />
You can find the recipe<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/gigis-carrot-cake-recipe/index.html"> here</a>.</div>
<div>
For the decorating inspiration I went to one of my favorite decorators, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CorrieCakes?ref=ts&fref=ts">CorrieCakes</a>.<br />
<br />
I colored marshmallow fondant gold and then hand painted on some gold edible luster dust (you can find it at most Michael's etc) I will have to do a tutorial on the flowers soon, but I just googled ruffle flowers and found a decent tutorial.<br />
I couldn't find gold pearls so I just luster dusted them with the gold.<br />
Lots of hand lustering (yes, it's a word in my world) and love!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Ulmerside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Ulmerside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer!<br />
Now on to Christmas baking!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Baking from my heart to your kitchen,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-39508184615426801492012-11-13T07:18:00.000-08:002012-11-13T07:27:26.620-08:00Tale of Two Chocolate Pumpkin Cakes
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/rachel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/rachel2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm starting to think my friends have caught on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They must have figured it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They know....</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jencake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jencake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love to bake! I knew it would leak out. I only put it in neon lights in front of my house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They have been sending me subtle clues. Emailing me recipes, asking me if I could make "this" or have I heard of "that". My favorite is when they bring me bits and pieces of sweets they recently had a restaurant. "How do you think they made that?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seriously friends, just come out and say it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Will you make this for me sometime in the near future?" Or more specifically, next Thursday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There, was that so hard. You all know I love you just as much as I love caking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have two such cakes for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was asked to make a chocolate pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting found on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/chocolate-pumpkin-cake/">Lady Behind the Curtain</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Looked like a yummy cake, but I was also asked to make a birthday cake for our dear Pastors wife. I wanted to do something similar but with my own flare. Soo...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I made another Chocolate Pumpkin recipe with Caramel Buttercream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me tell you about them both.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's start with the taste tester cupcakes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jencup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jencup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcake with Cream cheese frosting, topped with ganache.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I liked the LBtC cake the best, the pumpkin made it super moist. </span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/pcream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/pcream.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Caramel buttercream frosting.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I liked the Caramel Buttercream the best of the two frostings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me tell you why....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cake: Amanda's cake tasted like a pumpkin pie cake, it was good, but maybe too much pumpkin flavor. It was still moist and delicious. LBtC's cake didn't really taste pumpkiny, but it was super moist. I suppose you will have to decide what flavor you are looking for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Frosting: The Caramel Buttercream was made with my homemade caramel and I just really love it. I am not a huge fan of cream cheese frosting... I know.. .I'm weird.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will say, I put Ganache in the layers of the cake with the frosting, you can never have too much chocolate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are the Recipes......</span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jenslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/jenslice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">First up, Pumpkin Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">adapted from Lady Behind the Curtain</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa (Dutch if you want a dark rich chocolate cake)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 teaspoons baking powder</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon baking soda</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 cup buttermilk</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup canned pumpkin</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3/4 cup butter, softened</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup dark brown sugar</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup granulated sugar</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4 large eggs</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Directions</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottoms of two 8-inch ( I used 3 8-inch because I wanted a taller cake) with parchment paper and lightly spray with a non stick cooking spray. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stir the buttermilk, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Beat the butter and sugars together until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately beat in the flour and buttermilk mixtures in thirds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a tester, inserted in the center, come out clean–about 35 minutes. Cool layers completely before frosting.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Frosting Recipe</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ingredients</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6 ounces cream cheese, softened</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2-1/4 teaspoons cocoa</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 teaspoon orange food coloring</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Directions</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add 1-1/2 cups confectioners sugar, 2-1/4 teaspoons cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on low until well combined. Transfer to a larger bowl. Clean the mixing bowl. Beat the heavy cream, 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar and orange food coloring on medium high to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined. Spread 1 cup frosting between the two layers and use the remaining frosting to ice the top and sides of the cake. Chill 30 minutes and prepare chocolate glaze.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ganache recipe at end of post</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Next......</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/rachel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Chocolate Pumpkin cake with Caramel buttercream topped with Ganache</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">cake inspired by <a href="http://amandascookin.com/2009/06/4-layer-chocolate-speckled-pumpkin-cake.html">Amanda's Cookin</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cups all purpose flour<br />3 tsp baking powder<br />2 tsp baking soda<br />1/4 tsp salt<br />1 tsp pumpkin pie spice<br />1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa<br />1 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup sugar<br />3/4 cup butter softened<br />1 cup pumpkin<br />1 tsp pure vanilla extract<br />4 large eggs<br />1 oz semi sweet chocolate, chopped fine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Line your pans with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spice and cocoa. Set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cream together butter and sugars in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add pumpkin and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gradually add flour mixture until combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Toss chocolate chips with a Tbls of flour and fold in to the mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pour into pans and bake 30-35 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cool for about 5 minutes and turn cakes out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Caramel Buttercream</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup butter, softened<br />1 cup shortening<br />6 cups powdered sugar<br />1/2-1 cup caramel sauce (depends on your taste, I used about 3/4 cup)<br />1 Tbs heavy whipping cream (you could use milk too)<br /><br />In the bowl of mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening until fluffy.<br />Sift in 3 cups of the powdered sugar until combined<br />Add caramel sauce<br />Sift in the remaining 3 cups of powdered sugar<br />Beat until smooth add more caramel sauce if needed<br />Add the heavy cream and beat until smooth and fluffy adding more if needed<br /><br />I usually beat on med-high speed for about 3-5 minutes to get it good and fluffy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ganache to use for both cakes</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 tablespoons corn syrup<br />6 ounces heavy cream<br />12 ounces dark chocolate, I use Ghirardelli choc. chips<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a small saucepan combine the corn syrup and heavy cream.<br />Bring the contents of saucepan to a simmer and add the chocolate. Stir until smooth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stir in vanilla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do hope this was helpful in decidng which Pumpkin Chocolate Cake you want to make... or eat.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></strong></em><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-39355540948848303262012-11-05T09:20:00.000-08:002012-11-05T09:20:05.496-08:00Little Pumpkin 1st Birthday Cake with Caramel Buttercream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This last weekend I had the honor to make this little man's birthday cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He has a special place in my heart and it was such a joy making this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpleft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpleft.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We were looking through some of my favorite cake decorators for inspiration and came across Corrie Cakes "little monkey" birthday cake. I thought perfect and my friend said what about "little pumpkin". Even better! It was a fall themed birthday party after all.</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpright.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pumpkin, letters and leaves are all marshmallow fondant. For the leaves I just rolled together some fall colors and used cookie cutters. They were so fun to make, I couldn't stop making them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My bestie was very specific about what flavors she wanted. Let me just tell you, she had major surgery when she had this precious boy and couldn't eat for 9 months. Yeah, you heard me, 9 months! It was quite a story and miracle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Needless to say, she wanted chocolate with caramel.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/lilpumpslice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I made my favorite Chocolate Cake, which is an adaption from the Hershey's Chocolate Cake. I topped it with Caramel Buttercream, made with homemade caramel sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">First thing you want to do is make the caramel. You can buy the caramel ice cream topping, but the homemade stuff is liquid gold.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Homemade Caramel Sauce</strong></span></em><br />
for full directions with pictures go here <a href="http://dawnsdivinedelights.blogspot.com/2011/11/simply-saturday-caramel-sauce.html">caramel sauce</a><br />
<div style="padding-left: 10px;" width="400">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 cups granulated sugar, divided (2 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup)<br /> 3 tablespoons light corn syrup<br /> 1 1/2 cups heavy cream<br /> 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br /> 1/8 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<br />
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, corn syrup, and milk. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and no longer has a granular feeling. Keep warm over low heat.<br /> In a separate deep, heavy saucepan, add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and spread evenly over the bottom. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and begins to turn an amber color. You may “swirl” your pan if necessary to re-distribute sugar while cooking.<br />As soon as the sugar turns colors, carefully add the warm milk mixture into the heavy saucepan. It will bubble up vigorously and sizzle and the caramel on the bottom will harden.<br />Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the caramel dissolves and the liquid turns caramel color. Then cook without stirring until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage (235°F) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Stir in the butter until melted. Let cool<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Caramel Buttercream</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em></strong>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup butter, softened</span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup shortening</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 cups powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2-1 cup caramel sauce (depends on your taste, I used about 3/4 cup)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Tbs heavy whipping cream (you could use milk too)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the bowl of mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening until fluffy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift in 3 cups of the powdered sugar until combined</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add caramel sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift in the remaining 3 cups of powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beat until smooth add more caramel sauce if needed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the heavy cream and beat until smooth and fluffy adding more if needed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually beat on med-high speed for about 3-5 minutes to get it good and fluffy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hope you enjoyed little pumpkin Reed's cake....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know he sure did!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy 1st Birthday Reed!</span><br />
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<em>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</em><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-30703200936905321242012-10-24T07:29:00.000-07:002012-10-26T07:49:33.655-07:00Chocolate Espresso Pound Cake with Ganache<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espresso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espresso.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever been accused of being high maintenance?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I confess, I have. Possibly on more than one occasion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What does that really mean though? I enjoy the finer things in life? I require more upkeep then the average gal? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do know I am "high maintenance" when it comes to food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I enjoy and appreciate quality food. I only eat fresh fish from a fish market. I only eat Mexican food from authentic restaurants...not chains.. ahem. Don't even get me started on desserts. If that makes me high maintenance then it's worth it to enjoy food that tastes Amazing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of high maintenance, let me tell you about this cake I recently made.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend handed me recipe and asked if I wouldn't mind making it for her son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He had found it online and wanted it for his birthday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a boy after my own heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great ingredients come together to make an over the top chocolate pound cake! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes, I wanted to make it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What makes this cake "high maintenance"? Well, let me tell you.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read through the ingredients first, some of them are high maintenance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trust me, go the extra mile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are more directions then the average cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the directions are tedious, but necessary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even the title is high maintenance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">End result.... Totally worth it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Espresso Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Ganache Glaze</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from Jane's Sweets and Baking Journal)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tsp. instant espresso powder (I used Nescafe Clasico instant coffee packets)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2 tsp. vanilla extract</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/4 tsp. hot water</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2 and 3/4 cups </span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">unbleached </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All-Purpose flour</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/4 cup cake flour</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. </span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dutch processed cocoa</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/8 tsp. baking powder</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/8 tsp. baking soda</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 tsp. salt</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2 cups dark chocolate chips, coarsely chopped</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1/2 lb. unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2 cups granulated sugar</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, with all lumps broken up</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 5 eggs, large</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 cup sour cream, don't use light or non-fat, get the good stuff</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2 Tbsp. heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ganache</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Tbls light corn syrup</span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2-2 cups dark chocolate chips (basically one bag)]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressoflour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressoflour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grease a tube/bundt pan with vegetable shortening or butter. Dust the inside of the pan with flour and tap out the excess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stir together the espresso powder, vanilla extract, and hot water in a small bowl.</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressosift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressosift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dutch processed cocoa makes a difference. I found mine at Fresh Market.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It does cost more, but so worth it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift together the flour, cake flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium size bowl, toss the chocolate pieces with about 1 Tbsp. of this flour mixture. Set both aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressosugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressosugar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the large bowl of your mixer, cream the butter on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour in the granulated sugar in 3 additions, mixing for about 1 minute after each addition. Scrape the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing. Add in all of the brown sugar and beat for 1 more minute. Scrape again.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> One at a time, add in the eggs, beating for 45 seconds after each one. Scrape!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressomix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressomix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blend in the espresso mixture. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> On low speed, add in the sifted ingredients alternately with the sour cream (3 additions of flour and 2 additions of the sour cream). Scrape after each addition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blend in the heavy cream.</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressochip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressochip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the chocolate pieces well with a spatula.</span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espressopan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espressopan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake the cake on the middle rack of your oven for about 70 minutes or more, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and the cake starts to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.</span><br />
<b>A helpful hint from Jane... wish I would have done this, my top was a bit overdone.</b><br />
<i>(I put my pan on top of a baking sheet to help prevent the possibility of burning the bottom of the cake. If you are concerned about this too, do the same. I also checked the cake about half an hour into baking, and covered the top lightly with foil to prevent over-browning. My oven is temperamental this way.)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espressocool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espressocool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Invert the cake onto another cooling rack and invert the cake again so it's right side up. Allow the cake to completely cool on the rack.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make ganache:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heat the corn syrup and heavy cream in medium sauce pan until it reaches a boil.</span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour in chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stir in 1/2 tsp of vanilla if desired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let cool before pouring on the cake.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressofrost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/espressofrost.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I poured the ganache over the cake, which is perfectly acceptable, but it just didn't look like I wanted it to. I decided to frost the cake with the ganache, that's what I was looking for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way is great.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espresso1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/Espresso1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did end up drizzling a bit more over the top and then I was happy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, I'm so high maintenance!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</i></span></b><i><br /></i><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-43202432236517274142012-10-17T10:18:00.000-07:002012-10-17T10:18:43.082-07:00Mounds Brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/mounds2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/mounds2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many of you now have that jingle in your head? I knew it, success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait, you don't remember it..... now I feel old.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a dear friend who had surgery this week and I wanted to take her something to show my love. Since she knew I would want to bring her something, she put her request in last week. Gotta love a woman who knows what she wants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her request was "something coconut". hmmmm.... what to make.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then! As I was "pinning" my day away, I came across Mounds Brownies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yes, this was perfect. Coconutty chocolatey goodness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a few recipes, but then decided to just go with what I thought would work best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you will need.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mounds Brownies</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Family Size (9x13) pan of brownies, prepared<br />5 1/3 Cups shredded, unsweetened coconut<br />14oz Can sweetened condensed milk<br />1 ½ Cups powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ganache (recipe below) you will need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tbs light corn syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 oz dark chocolate chips</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepare brownies according to package directions.While they are cooling, complete the remaining layers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(not the greatest picture, but you get it)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Ganache:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour corn syrup and cream in a medium sauce pan and bring to boil. Pour in chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let cool slightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In the bowl of your mixer combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar until all ingredients are incorporated.<br />Spread coconut mixture over brownies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(My husband can't resist a warm brownie, so he sliced off the edge to "test" them)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/moundsg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour ganache over the coconut mixture. Let cool and set up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/mounds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/mounds1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slice, enjoy and share the coconutty love!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-1054741096994914952012-10-11T16:51:00.002-07:002012-10-12T11:10:12.266-07:00Pumpkin Bliss Fudge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfudge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfudge1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever asked someone, "How are you doing?" and they say "good" or "fine", but look at you like this....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sadkitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sadkitty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, that's not very convincing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't see the signs for Denialand when I drove up to church today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have,however, been guilty of doing the same thing. Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I want someone to notice that I'm lying so they will pry further? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I secretly want someone to feel my pain? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't wait to catch my friend's eye across the church and give her the "girl, I need to talk to you" face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissbean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissbean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah, that's pretty much the face. She will understand or at least listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been going through some tests recently and told myself that it was my burden, no one needs to know about my "issues". However, I found myself telling people things like, I have been eating gluten free or that my stomach hurts after I eat. Amazingly enough, people have been sharing their stories with me, wondering if what they have is similar. They wonder what the doctors have found. What am I doing differently? Is it working?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One particular mom said her daughter has Celiac and struggles with what to take to school for lunch. Now I know and try to bring her gluten free treats when I make them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing my "pain" with others has opened new doors of friendship and allowed people to share their pains with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, there are some who take the "oh really" approach and move on. But that's because they don't have a story that relates and it's ok. Hopefully someone will come along that talks about their particular struggle and they will be able to share and relate with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to share some of your struggles. There are people who want to listen or are waiting for someone similar to share their story with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know all of you will relate to this fudge I am going to share with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creamy goodness. I made it two ways, with two different chocolates. Here is the first version, next one coming soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a bit softer than the average fudge, but sometimes a softer approach is good. The fudge melts in your mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pumpkin "Bliss" Fudge</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from Aunt <a href="http://auntpegsrecipebox.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkin-spice-fudge.html#.UHXI-jkq6Cl">Peg's Recipe Box</a>)</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 c. sugar<br />1 c. brown sugar, packed<br />3/4 c. butter (no substitutions)<br />2/3 c. evaporated milk<br />1/2 c. pumpkin puree<br />1 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice<br />4 oz. bakers white chocolate </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 bag Hershey Bliss White Chocolates<br />1 (7 oz.) jar Marshmallow creme<br />1/2 c. chopped macadamia nuts (optional)<br />1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish or line with heavy aluminum foil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisschop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisschop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unwrap and chop all the white chocolate. If you enlist helpers you may lose a few chocolates in the process. I may have eaten one too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Combine the first 6 ingredients in a heavy saucepan: cook over medium heat until the sugars dissolve.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisssmooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisssmooth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Above picture is my sugars dissolve and it smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then continue cooking until the mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissboil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissboil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boil until a candy thermometer reaches about 234 degrees, the the soft-ball stage or rolling boil. I've heard it both ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took about 30-35 minutes from start to finish. Alot of stirring.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfluff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove from heat, stir in the white chocolates and creme until they are all melted and mixture is smooth. About this point I thought my arm was going to fall off from all the stirring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissvanilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissvanilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the mixture is smooth stir in vanilla and mix well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisspan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blisspan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour into prepared pan, sprinkle on nuts and cool to room temperature. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I only sprinkled half, I like nuts, but not everyone does and it was for my Bible study friends. Thought I would stick on the safe side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissslice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut into squares, store refrigerated in an air tight container. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since the fudge is soft I found it easier to put the fudge in the fridge to harden more and then cut it cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes approx. 60 pieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfudge0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/blissfudge0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fudge got rave reviews. It has a nice pumpkin taste and the white chocolate is perfect. I am not usually a white chocolate fan, but these converted me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Using any white chocolate will work, but the Bliss candies make them super creamy dreamy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just want to ask you one more question and I would love to hear your honest answer. I seriously adore comments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dawn</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Linking up over at ....</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeybar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeybar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am actually not a huge fan of Halloween, but who can resist all that candy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Aisle after aisle of candy just begging me to take some home. I convince myself it is for treat bags for kids coming to the door. If I were honest to myself, no kids come to our door, it is for me and my baking addiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, and Candy Corn M&M's, what are your thoughts on those? I had to buy some, for research purposes of course. They actually do taste like candy corn, but I prefer regular candy corn. This is where the inspiration for these bars came from. Someone had put them in a gooey bar and I thought, Why not? Let's do it and throw some other goodies in there too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me just show you what makes these bars fantastic.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Um yeah.... all that is in there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's pause a moment and recognize how fabulous Caramel Bits are. It's about time, I am tired of unwrapping caramels. Ok, moving on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>You will need:</b><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">adapted from <a href="http://www.insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/09/candy-corn-gooey-cake-bars.html">insidebrucrewlife</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>1 chocolate cake mix</b><b><br /></b><b>1/2 c. butter, softened</b><b><br /></b><b>1 egg</b><b><br /></b><b>1 tsp. vanilla</b><b><br /></b><b>2 c. Oreo cookie chunks</b><b><br /></b><b>1 c. peanuts</b><b><br /></b><b>1 c. Candy Corn M&M's</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>1 c. mini M&M's</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>1 c. caramel bits</b><b>1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk</b><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Mix together the cake mix, butter, egg, and vanilla until blended. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeycrum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeycrum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>It will look crumbly like this.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeydough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeydough.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>I had to mix with my hand to form a dough.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeypress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeypress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Press into the bottom of greased 9x13 pan.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeycan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeycan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /> Sprinkle the peanuts,caramel bits and M&M's on the cake mix. Place the cookie chunks on top. (I totally forgot the cookies and had to sprinkle them on top at the end)</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeymilk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeymilk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Drizzle the condensed milk all over everything. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes. It was really gooey after 30-35 minutes so I cooked it longer. I think it cooked too long. It is very important to let it cool before cutting. I didn't have the will power and I cut into it. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeypan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeypan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Let cool before cutting into the bars. Try really hard, I know it's tough.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeybare1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gooeybare1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After they cooled they were much easier to slice and they set up a little bit.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So don't fear if they are still a bit gooey when they are in the oven, they will firm up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></i></b><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-43042096141885680932012-10-01T11:14:00.001-07:002012-10-01T11:14:33.847-07:00Treats for my boys.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son's teacher is basically an angel sent from Heaven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously. She is amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we tuck our blessings into bed, we ask them what they are thankful for and what they would like to pray for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My oldest son says, Mrs. Baxter. Without fail. Every. Night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am forever in her debt. My son seeks to do good deeds to please her and it overflows into our home. He has become a sweeter and kinder little boy. Yes, he still occasionally fights with his brothers. He is not perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her sweet spirit is contagious and my son has caught it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have had the pleasure of bringing snacks to her classroom once a week to go along with their weekly theme. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a couple:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/firetruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/firetruck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Firetruck Graham Crackers.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tint some frosting red and cover the Graham Cracker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place some vanilla wafers on the bottom for wheels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretzels for the ladder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cut up twizzlers for the light, but you can use whatever you think best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/stoplight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/stoplight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Graham Cracker Stoplight</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Break apart crackers and spread on chocolate frosting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place red, yellow and green M&M's for the light. (you have my permission to eat the other colors)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 3 year old wanted to put funfetti on them that came with the frosting, why not, more color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He really loved making this snack.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/teeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b>Apple Teeth</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is my son on the right and his little buddy on the left, modeling their teeth. Looks like my son's tooth is falling out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slice apples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pipe on some royal icing or marshmallow fluff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put marshmallows for teeth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was inspired by her little book of recipes that I flipped through one of my books for ideas.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The book is called "Too Cute To Eat"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I decided to put my own spin on one for a children's class I was teaching.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sugar Wafer Garden Boxes</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 pkg. cream filled vanilla and chocolate wafers.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">royal icing (colored green)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 box Mike and Ike's</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gardenbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gardenbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some reason my grocery store was out of wafer cookies. Just my luck there was a sale on them and they were wiped out. I found some Dulce de leche wafers in the International food section. They were very tasty, but kept falling apart, so excuse the crumbs and poor craftsmanship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut one of four cookies in half, use that one for the sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place one wafer on the bottom, two on the sides and "glue" together with the royal icing. "Glue" the sides on as shown in the picture above.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gardendirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/gardendirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crumble up the chocolate wafer to put in the box as dirt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book said to mix chocolate icing and cookie crumbs together for the dirt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That would work well and maybe not fall apart so easily, next time I'll try that..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time I just went with the easiest route since I was having the children put them together. We are talking 5 year olds, I needed easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/garden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/garden1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I let them pick which color Mike and Ike's they wanted and pushed them into the dirt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One drop of royal icing and we have a garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book said to use marzipan and mold a carrot shape, but again, I went the easy route and it worked great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kiddos were super excited to show their parents the garden they ...um.... "grew" in class.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I would love to see what creations you have made, leave me a comment and please share!</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-73331767742775643762012-09-29T12:23:00.002-07:002012-10-02T16:37:22.742-07:00Chocolate Syrup Cake and Mini Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have once again skipped a week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have a really good excuse this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My son's school had a teacher's conference and he had three days off school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We decided to pack up and go to the beach, wouldn't you? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I seriously love the beach, I could sit out there all day. Soak up the sun, watch my kids dig in the sand, smell the salt water, I could go on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One bad thing about the beach... eating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No matter what you bring, it ends up with sand on it. If you try to get the sand off you just end up with more sand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One morning I was sitting on the beach sipping my coffee... glorious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I turned my head away from my coffee to make sure my older sons were not going to far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I grabbed my cup to take a sip only to find my youngest son dumped some sand into it while I wasn't looking. Little stinker. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, instead of baking lovely treats to share with you all, I sat on the beach sipping sandy coffee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know you will forgive me, especially when you see this chocolaty goodness of a cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A whole can of Hershey syrup! You would think it would be super rich, but it is surprisingly light and yummy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was asked to make this cake for a friend's birthday. His sweet Grandma gave me this recipe. You know it is going to be awesome if it comes from a sweet Grandma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You could it eat it all day, maybe not on the beach though. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chocolate Syrup Cake</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">from a sweet Grandma at my church</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Stick of butter (softened)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup of sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup of flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pinch of salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 can of Hershey syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add syrup and vanilla. Mix until combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It will look like it is not done, so make sure you test it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The original recipe calls for a 9x13 pan, but I baked it in3 8"pans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put a piece of wax/parchment paper under your cooling rack and put cakes on it to cool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start the fudgey frosting layer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fudge frosting layer</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/3 cup evaporated milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 stick of butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 cup chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupbutter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a medium saucepan melt the first three ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sryupsauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sryupsauce.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupfrost1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupfrost1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour warm frosting on WARM cakes, trust me. It will drip over, that's why we have the wax paper under it. Let it sit until cool and hardens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you make it in a 9x13 pan, just pour it all on warm and serve, your done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to make the layer cake, keep reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ganache frosting</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 Tbls Corn Syrup</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 oz heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12 oz chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-2 cups confectioners sugar (sifted)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heat the corn syrup and cream over medium heat until almost boiling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add chocolate chips, stir until melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put in the refrigerator to until completely cooled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place cold ganache in your mixer and beat until fluffy, adding confectioners sugar to taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupfrost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupfrost.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frost each layer and sides of cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add chocolate chips to sides and place in the fridge to set.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring to room temp before slicing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I unfortunately did not get a picture of the inside, but it was delicious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also made some mini cupcakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sryupcup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/sryupcup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make the mini cupcakes just like the cake and pour the syrup in the cups.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let the frosting cool and harden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcupchip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcupchip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frost with the ganache frosting and dip in mini chocolate chips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Triple chocolate mini bite!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/syrupcup2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These were fantastic! I almost prefer them over the cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini bites of Awesome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<i><b>Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-40210058095060824942012-09-21T10:35:00.001-07:002012-09-21T10:35:52.654-07:00Chocolate Chip Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuff1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuff1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You may have noticed I didn't post last week. My deepest apologies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tiny green elephants with wings oh so blue flew off with the sugar and I didn't know what to do. You believe me right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ok... I was busy and maybe a little lazy. I did bake quite a bit and have some yummy recipes to share, but every time I sat down to type, something came up. Excuses, excuses... I know, it's sad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tomorrow is Saturday and if your kids are anything like mine, they have not quite grasped the concept of sleeping in. I mean it's Saturday, it's what you do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you need something for breakfast to perk you up along with your coffee, look no further.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are easy and delicious!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from <a href="http://mybakingaddiction.com/">mybakingaddiction.com</a>)</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cups all-purpose flour<br /> 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed<br /> 1/3 cup sugar<br /> 2 teaspoons baking powder<br /> 1/2 teaspoon salt<br /> 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled<br /> 2 eggs, lightly beaten<br /> 2/3 cup whole milk<br /> 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract<br /> 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 Tbls white sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 Tbls brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />Directions:<br /><br />1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 30 mini muffins cups with paper liners or spray the wells of the pan with non-stick cooking spray.<br /><br />2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.<br /><br />3. In medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined. <br /><br />4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the liquid ingredients into the well. Stir until ingredients are just combined - do not over mix the batter. Fold in the chocolate chips. <br /><br />5. Evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin pan wells. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuffpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuffpan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I feel we need to stop and discuss chocolate chips. You can never have too many.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Go ahead and sprinkle some more on top. While we are at it, mix the Tbls of sugar and sprinkle that on top for some crunchy goodness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.<br /><br />6. Remove muffins to a wire rack and cool for at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuffhand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/ccmuffhand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My son couldn't stand it any longer. Even though he had already eaten two, he needed another one and grabbed it from the plate. I took a bite, so I took a picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have a great weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-71105991346358018952012-09-05T19:00:00.000-07:002012-09-05T19:01:13.439-07:00Gluten Free Oatmeal "Enjoy Life" Chocolate Chip Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/occchips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/occchips.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear Person who tried to check out with 25 items in the 10 items or less line,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know you were quite upset when the check out lady asked you to count your items because you were only allowed 10. It really wasn't necessary to throw your hands in the air and storm off to a different check out. Sometimes you just need to embrace the rules, they are there to protect you. She was just doing her job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Person in a hurry behind you with 5 items</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ever been there? I, for one, was so grateful for the check out lady that day. Rules are rules.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Speaking of 10 items or less, this cookie is packed with 12 items, in this case, it's a good thing. Trust me. Even if you don't need to eat gluten free, you need to make this cookie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was drawn to this recipe because you don't need any special flours or binders. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh and the chocolate chips.... we will get to those gems soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(adapted from <a href="http://makeitnaked.com/">makeitnaked.com</a>)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1/4 cup butter<br />1/2 cup sugar<br /> 3/4 cups brown sugar<br /> 2 eggs<br /> 1 teaspoon vanilla<br /> 1¼ teaspoon baking soda<br /> 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br /> pinch of nutmeg<br /> 1 cup peanut butter<br />3 cups rolled oats<br />8 oz "Enjoy Life" chocolate chips<br />1/2 cup chopped sliced almonds</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat oven to 350.<br />Cream together the butter and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy.<br />Add the eggs, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Mix. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add peanut butter and mix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add the oats and almonds. Mix slowly until combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/occadd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/occadd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add the chocolate chips. Mix slowy until combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These chips are awesome, the best tasting dairy, soy and nut free thing I've ever put in my mouth. My husband couldn't even tell the difference. I found them at Target, how awesome is that. Invest in some, you'll thank me later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scoop about a teaspoon of dough onto a greased or parchment-covered cookie sheet.<br />Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly brown at edges. Remove and let cool on wire rack.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I taste tested about 5 immediately, no lie, I really needed a cookie and these were so good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sons absolutely love them too, bonus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-30008369628866033642012-08-29T12:19:00.000-07:002012-08-31T12:51:41.346-07:00Explosion Cheesecake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcslice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My husband is a purest when it comes to food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He doesn't like alot of seasonings or sauces, just the food, plain and simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He likes his cheesecakes plain also, no fruit, no sauces, nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We were having company over for dinner and he asked me to make a cheesecake. I aim to please so I said, sure. I had planned to make a plain ole cheesecake, but then I came across Paula Deen's recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chocolate-explosion-cheesecake-recipe/reviews/index.html?pn=5">Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake</a>. How can you not make something with that name..... seriously?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I had to, there was no going back. My husband walked in the kitchen mid-cheesecake preparation and said, "oh no, what are doing to my cheesecake!" I explained how I have this problem called "crazy" and I am drawn to crazy things. Explosion Cheesecake!!!! He just sighed and walked out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then he tasted it and decided crazy is ok sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me break down the layers for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcslicewords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcslicewords.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Graham Cracker Crust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate Fudge-like layer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Caramel Sauce</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate Chip Cookie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cheesecake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ganache</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's get started, it is an all day process so I suggest you make it the day before you need it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccrust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccrust.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Crust</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b> </b><b>2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs</b><b><br /></b><b>1/3 cup sugar</b><b><br /></b><b>1/3 cup butter, melted</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and sugar. Add the melted butter, stirring to combine. Press the crust into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 minutes; let cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcchoc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcchoc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Chocolate Layer:</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate</b><b><br /></b><b>6 tablespoons butter</b><b><br /></b><b>1/2 cup sugar</b><b><br /></b><b>2 large eggs</b><b><br /></b><b>2 tablespoons all-purpose flour</b><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter (or microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes total). Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and flour until just combined. Pour into the bottom of the cooled crust and bake for 15 minutes; let cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cheesecake Layer:<br />1/2 cup caramel sauce </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(I made my own found <a href="http://dawnsdivinedelights.blogspot.com/2011/11/simply-saturday-caramel-sauce.html">here</a>)</span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />1 (16 1/2-ounce) package refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough<br />2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />3 large eggs<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1 tablespoon all-purpose flour<br />1/2 cup sour cream</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccaramel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccaramel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spread the caramel topping evenly over the cooled chocolate layer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Get your cookie dough ready by using already sliced refrigerator cookies or if you are feeling extra crazy you can make your own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chccookie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Place the cookie dough slices in an even layer over the caramel, pressing gently together to seal the edges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><br />In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and flour until just combined. Stir in the sour cream. Pour the mixture over the cookie dough layer (<b>I suggest you start pouring from the rim of your pan inward so the cookie dough doesn't clump to the edges</b>) and bake until the cake is cracked and browned around the edge, about 1 1/2 hours (<b>depending on your oven, it should not longer be jiggly</b>). I baked it for 1 hour, not done, so baked for another 30 minutes then turned the oven off and waited another 20 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcdone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Remove from the oven and gently run a knife around the edges to release the crust from the sides of the pan. Let cool completely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcganache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/chcganache.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Ganache: </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">makes more than enough so feel free to half it</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I use Alton Brown's)</span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 tablespoons corn syrup<br />6 ounces heavy cream<br />12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="padding-left: 10px;" width="400">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a small saucepan combine the corn syrup and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and add the chocolate. Stir until smooth. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Cool.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spread over the top of cooled cheesecake. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next time however, I will just drizzle this over the top. It is a very rich cheesecake as is and this just put it over the top rich.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So... note for next time: Drizzle ganache and caramel sauce over slices.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crazy Good!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">B</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">aking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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</b:if></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141998691767401297noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479994950368247418.post-32314548746847101902012-08-24T11:13:00.002-07:002012-08-24T11:26:45.379-07:00Caramel Topped Snickerdoodle Bars<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I asked my mom one day, "Why are supermodels so skinny?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She replied very wisely, "Because they eat to live, whereas we live to eat." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Aha! Mystery solved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now my mom is in no way overweight, and I certainly try my best to maintain a certain size.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However, I will never be supermodel thin, or ever be accused of being too skinny.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I seriously love food too much. I enjoy trying new food, cooking new foods and even revisiting old favorites.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I wake up, I'm thinking about food.... after breakfast.... what's for snack.... what's for lunch.... what's for snack.... what's for dinner.... what can I bake today..... it's so sad, but true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I even go to bed thinking about what new thing I can bake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have even opened my world to healthier eating/cooking/baking. I was dreading it at first, but then realized all the new food I would be creating. Yeah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This recipe is not one of them though, sorry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This dessert doesn't hide the fat, but embraces it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Caramel Topped Snickerdoodle Bars</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Caramel Sauce</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm in love with this stuff. I dedicated a whole post to it, with pictures, <a href="http://dawnsdivinedelights.blogspot.com/2011/11/simply-saturday-caramel-sauce.html">here</a>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 cups granulated sugar, divided (2 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup)<br /> 3 tablespoons light corn syrup<br /> 1 1/2 cups heavy cream<br /> 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br /> 1/8 teaspoon salt</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, corn syrup, and milk. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and no longer has a granular feeling. Keep warm over low heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a separate deep, heavy saucepan, add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and spread evenly over the bottom. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and begins to turn an amber color. You may “swirl” your pan if necessary to re-distribute sugar while cooking.<br /><br /> As soon as the sugar turns colors, carefully add the warm milk mixture into the heavy saucepan. It will bubble up vigorously and sizzle and the caramel on the bottom will harden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the caramel dissolves and the liquid turns caramel color. Then cook without stirring until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage (235°F) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Stir in the butter.</span></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/carmsnick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/carmsnick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Snickerdoodle Bars</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://cookiesandcups.com/weekend-sugar-fix-snickerdoodle-bars/">adapted from Cookies and cups</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour <br />2 teaspoons baking powder <br />1 teaspoon salt<br />2 cups packed brown sugar<br />1 cup butter, at room temperature <br />2 eggs, at room temperature<br />1 tablespoon vanilla extract<br />2 tablespoons white sugar<br />2 teaspoons cinnamon</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat oven to 350F. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stir in the flour mixture until well blended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spread evenly in prepared pan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once slightly cooled, but still warm, cut into slices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Drizzle with the caramel sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To make it even more spectacular, my fabulous husband made homemade ice cream.</span></div>
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<a href="http://scrappy.org/ddd/carmsnick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://scrappy.org/ddd/carmsnick2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ridiculously good! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baking from my heart to your kitchen,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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