14 April, 2009

what to do?

First off, I realize I promised an Easter post and didn't deliver. Sorry about that--I added way too much milk to my angel food cupcakes and they came out too liquidy to even think about eating.

Secondly, I'm thinking of taking this blog in a different direction. Right now, it's just pictures of food and recipes, which is all well and good, but the whole reason I bake is to make the food look good. Expect to see more posts on cupcake/cake decoration, mostly, along with some pictures for food porn sake. I will still be posting recipes.

That's all for now.

09 April, 2009

non chocolate fudge

I was planning on waiting until Sunday to make anything since I have to make so much (five desserts 9_6) but Jay wanted something "todaaaaay." So I made something.

I made cookies and cream fudge. That's right, fudge that's not chocolate. What of it? This is even better because it include OREOS! :D I have a slight obsession with oreos.





Cookies and Cream Fudge
Ingredients:
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• One 5 fl. oz. can evaporated milk
• One 12 oz. package white chocolate chips
• One 7 oz. jar marshmallow fluff
• 1/2 cup super-crushed Oreos
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
•1 cup Oreo chunks

Directions:
1. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil and place aside.

2. In a heavy-duty saucepan, combine butter, evaporated milk, and sugar over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for three minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Stir in white chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff, 1/2 cup super-crushed Oreos, and vanilla. Pour into pan, and gently stir in 1 cup Oreo chunks without touching the bottom of the pan.

4. Refrigerate for one hour, or freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from pan before cutting and sink your teeth into super-sweet goodness.

--
These taste just like a Hershey's Cookies-n-Cream bar. So good. Sooooooo goooooood.
Be prepared for a big post on Easter Sunday!

29 March, 2009

cuppycakes

Everyone loves cupcakes. Especially me--I just love to decorate them.





Personally, I don't care how a cupcake tastes, as long as it's pretty.

Butter Cake Cupcakes
(This recipe is a mix of recipes I've tried over the years that I've smushed together to my taste)

Ingredients:
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/4 stick butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat together melted butter and sugar until combined. Add egg whites and beat until mixture is smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest.

4. Add flour mixture in two additions, alternating with milk. Beat until smooth and light.

5. Scoop into lined cupcake tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cakes are barely golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Credit: Alisse Desrosiers c. sweet-toothed.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, soft
• 1 stick unsalted butter, soft
• 3/4 - 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until it starts to get smooth.

2. Add butter piece by piece; beat until smooth and well blended.

3.Add in powdered sugar and vanilla; beat for 2 minutes or until smooth.

<3

25 March, 2009

lemon lemon lemon

Let me just say, I love lemons. I like them in my drinks, I like to eat them, and I especially like to bake with them. Why? Can't really say.
So why I had never had a lemon bar in my life, I don't even know. It's lemon! Baked! With confectioner's sugar! Fact: confectioner's sugar makes everything that much better.

This recipe was handed to me on a worn-out index card by my great-grandmother.



Lemon Squares
Credit: Alisse Desrosiers c. sweet-toothed.blogspot.com

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

Filling:
1/4-1/3 cup flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
Lemon zest, to taste
Juice of 3 lemons

Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 tsp. salt.

2. Add butter to the flour and mix in with a knife. When butter is coated, use your hands to completely combine the butter with the flour mix until it is crumbly.

3. Press the crust mixture into a greased or buttered pan; bake for 20 minutes. While the crust is baking, combine lemon zest with 1 1/4 cups sugar in a larger bowl and use your hands to rub them together.

4. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, and add the lemon juice. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 tsp. salt.

6. Pour the lemon mixture over the crust; bake for 20-25 minutes, so the top of the filling doesn't move. Cool COMPLETELY. Turn pan upside down to remove bars from pan, then cut and dust with confectioners sugar.

(If you don't have any confectioners sugar, it's easy to make! Put 1 cup of white sugar and 2 Tbsp. corn starch in a blender and combine until the mixture is powdery and fluffy; let it sit for 15-30 minutes before using)
---
This recipe is ridiculously easy to make and even easier to eat. I will be using it a lot this coming spring/summer season.

Tootles :)

23 March, 2009

hi :)

I'm proud to say that I am officially posting in my food blog. Prepare yourselves for countless recipes and delish-looking foods. And don't forget to share your own recipes with me ... I'm always looking for something new and I know everyone else is, too.

Just for food pornage sake ... here's this birthday cake I made for my sister's twelfth birthday party: