Baking & Desserts
© Donna Diegel
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May 3, 2008
Peanut Butter Cookies
This Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe rivals the peanut butter cookies in the new book "Martha Stewart's Cookies".
The last post was all about cookies. This one is too! Martha's newest book,
"Martha Stewart's Cookies" is all about cookies which is quite the rage lately! Why? Because homemade cookies remind us of our childhood. They're comforting. Take these homemade cookies out for a spin!
The Best Soft Molasses Cookies and
The Best Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Every bit as good as Martha's...and Grandma's! They're simply the Best!
Peanut Butter CookiesMartha has a great peanut butter cookie recipe on page 184. It looks almost the same as mine, has almost the same ingredients as mine, but is it? No, not really. No matter where the recipe comes from, all peanut butter cookies will have similar ingredients. For instance, they all have to have peanut butter in them, otherwise they wouldn't be considered peanut butter cookies!
They all have some form of flour, usually all purpose, but sometimes a little whole wheat added in for good nutrition. All peanut butter cookies are sweetened, most often with a blend of brown and white sugar. An egg or two to bind them, baking soda for leavening, some vanilla and a pinch of salt.
But, it's how you put all these ingredients together that makes the final cookie say
WOW! The Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe has a bigger percentage of peanut butter to flour making these cookies very peanut buttery! If you like peanut butter, you'll go bonkers over these cookies. This was my Mom's recipe, passed down to her from my Grandma, so I've literally been making them for years! Old fashioned peanut butter cookies. Try them, you'll like them! I know you will!
Apr 24, 2008
Cookies, Cookies & More Cookies
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies are to die for! They're the ultimate homemade cookie. White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies, so rich & buttery, you'll have trouble stopping!
I've been in the cookie mood for a while now. I got a new book called "Martha Stewart's Cookies". This book is amazing! Every recipe has a picture of what the cookie is supposed to look like when it comes out of the oven. I say, supposed to, but that's not always the case.
The Best Cookies!For example, years ago when we had the bakery, I had a lot of cookies ordered. It was Christmas time and I always made HUGE platters to sell. There were all sorts of fancy shaped cookies,
White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies, drop cookies, nut cookies, rolled cookies,
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies, etc. Well, you get the picture.
I've always had a REAL bad habit of saying yes to something I've never made before! Yes, I know, not very bright! This time was no different. I can't remember what kind of cookies they were, what book they came out of or what they were supposed to look like. I didn't want to waste my precious time, so I multipled the recipe by five. The only problem was, once I got into the recipe, the phone rang and interupted me. I went back to the recipe thinking I knew right where I was. NOT!
Cookies?What a mess I had! I obviously put way too much liquid and levening in the dough. The "cookie" had run all over the sheet and down the sides. It was one big puddle of goo. Good tasting goo I might add! There was no way I could sell that disaster! So, all my time and effort didn't save me a hill of beans. It cost me way more in the long run and I had to start all over again. Sigh....
Apr 10, 2008
Cupcake Hero Contest
The Cupcake Hero Contest is over and a winner has been chosen! More than 50 cupcake entries were submitted & taste-tested this month. Cupcakes, cupcakes & more cupcakes!
I joined another baking event last month. The Cupcake Hero was calling my name and I just had to enter! The "theme" for the month of March was Marshmallow. Every entry had to use marshmallow is some way, shape or form. My cupcake of choice was
Coconut Marshmallow Brownie Cupcakes. I love each and every one of these ingredients, so it seemed logical for me to combine all these things in my cupcakes. Man, were they yummy!
I made a
homemade brownie base, piped marshmallow fluff inside which I then baked. Next came a billowy and fluffy marshmallow buttercream frosting flavored with coconut extract. And for the embellishment? Why, toasted coconut of course! Heavenly and decadent!
After the winner is chosen, all the cupcakes are displayed on The
Cupcake Hero's blog for all to see and drool over. You can then click on any cupcake which will bring you to the individual blog with recipes, detailed directions and in most cases, gorgeous photos. It's a dream come true for cupcake addicts.
Oh, and the winner? Chelle of
Sugar & Spice made the most delicious Ambrosia Cupcakes. Baked with fruit cocktail, whipped cream center, marshmallow creme frosting, coconut and a cherry on top! Looks dangerous to me!
The Cupcake Hero is always looking for new and exciting entries. The theme for April is Earth Day and the ingredients are up to you as long as your cupcakes are "Earthy"! Why not give them a try next month? I'll be there with my apron on and a spatula in my hand. We can share recipes and cupcake secrets!
Mar 21, 2008
Tuesdays With Dorie
Dorie Greenspan has inspired a new group, Tuesdays With Dorie. Each week members bake a delicious dessert from her book "Baking: From My Home To Yours".
Tuesdays With DorieI joined a new online baking group this week called Tuesdays With Dorie. Like I needed another challenge in my life! Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun!
Brioche Raisin SnailsThe recipe of the week ~ Brioche Raisin Snails ~ was chosen by one of the club members from the book
Baking: From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan. Once I took a look at the recipe, I got a little scared. It was actually three recipes in one! First we had to make the Brioche Dough which took forever to rise! Then I had to whip up some Pastry Cream from scratch. The dough and pastry cream went in the fridge to chill overnight.
Next morning I flamed some raisins in dark rum on the stove. Everyone was a little concerned about catching their kitchens on fire, but it was a piece of cake. I've set my share of things on fire before, so what's another burned dessert!
Mmmm ~ Buns!I rolled the cold dough out, smeared it with pastry cream, cinnamon and sugar, the drunken raisins and rolled it all up tight. Then I played the waiting game again. After 90 minutes of rising, I popped those babies in the oven and the kitchen filled with the most divine smell of yeasty sweet brioche rolls! We couldn't wait to try one!
After they cooled just a bit, I used some of the extra rum and iced those buns. Man! Were they yummy! I made 24 even though it was only the two of us! Hey, you never know who will pop in for a snack!
If you're up for a Baking Challenge, check out
Tuesdays With Dorie. You'll have a blast! I know I am!
Next weeks dessert is Caramel-Topped Flan. mmm!
Mar 6, 2008
New England Spring Flower Show
It may still be winter in your neck of the woods, but the flowers are blooming in Boston! From March 8-16, tulips and roses will be the stars at the Boston Flower Show.
Spring has sprung! Say goodbye to winter and get in the mood for the spring season. March ~ the third month of the year ~ can come and go without much notice and most people will have forgotten it all too soon. It's still cold in most parts of the country, not quite winter, not yet spring and summer feels like a long way off. It doesn't seem possible, but this weekend is also the start of Daylight Savings Time! That means crocuses, daffodils and tulips and lots of them!
The Boston Flower ShowAnother rite of spring is the annual
New England Spring Flower Show in Boston, Massachusetts. If you happen to be in the Boston area during this time, you won't want to miss it. This show is
Huge! It's so big, it can easily keep anyone with a green thumb happy for nine days! Buy a lawn mower, composter or a garden tiller. Sit through a few lectures and learn something new about organic gardening. You won't be sorry!
Eat Your Way Through BostonAlso known for great restaurants, fabulous bakeries and Irish pubs, Boston is a foodies dream come true. Spend a few days in the city, go to the Flower Show and eat your way through Boston's ethnic neighborhoods. Take in a museum, go to a show and walk the cobblestone streets of Boston. A mini vacation may be all you need to shake the rest of the winter blues away!
Bake, Bake, Bake!And if that's not enough to bring Mother Nature out of hiding, you can always bake her a
Lemon Meringue Pie! Who could resist that?
Feb 29, 2008
101 Easy Peasy Cookies
A personal interview and review of Lucinda & Heather Wallace's new book "101 Easy Peasy Cookie Recipes" was a delicious treat this week! Cookies & Bars & No-Bakes, Oh My!
Delicious InterviewI recently had the opportunity to review a brand new cookie cookbook on the bookstore shelves. Lucinda and Heather Wallace, authors of
"101 Easy Peasy Cookie Recipes", wrote to me and asked if I was interested in looking at their book. A few days later it was in my mailbox. I was like a kid with a new birthday present and couldn't wait to open the package!
Barbara Walters Wannabe!I felt like Barbara Walters on "The View" as I was conducting an
exclusive interview with Lucinda and Heather! They also gave me
professional photos for my review. If you love homemade cookies, then this is one book you'll be glad to have in your cookbook collection. Is there an "Easy Peasy" cookbook series in their future? Rumor has it there might be. You'll just have to read the interview to find out!
Cookie Recipes!Bake up a batch of "
Colossal Double Chocolate White Chip Cookies" and "
Oranges and Cream Cookies" while you're trying to decide the next two or three tempting cookies in the book. It's going to be a tough choice because they're all delicious!
I could be very happy doing a review and interview once a week! Bring on the cookbooks!
Feb 17, 2008
Lemon Dessert Recipes for Spring
Lemon Meringue Pie, Lemon Poppy Seed Tarts, Lemon Tea Cake and Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are popular springtime baking & dessert ideas for Sunday brunch or anytime!
Springtime!Spring seems so far away for those of us in the cold north. Even though the groundhog saw his shadow and promised us 6 more weeks of winter, that doesn't mean we can't dream of daffodils and tulips! It's hard to envision spring with all it's warmth and crocuses, when yesterday we woke up to zero degrees F and what Vermont is saying will be one of the snowiest winters ever!
Lemons!What desserts come to mind when thinking of daffodils, tulips and crocuses? Why, yellow desserts of course! And that means lemons ~ and lots of them! Lemons have a natural fresh citrus flavor that makes our lips pucker and our mouths sing. I'll bet you're mouth is watering right now just thinking of the delicious tartness of these little lemon fruits?
Lemon Poppy Seed Tarts,
Lemon Tea Cake and
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are all popular springtime treats.
Grandma's Pies Rock!But most of all, it reminds me of my Grandma. She always had a pie or two or three for friends and family that seemed to be there more than at home.
Lemon Meringue Pie was one of my favorites as I suspect it was my Dad's too. This pie disappeared so fast, if you weren't quick enough, you wouldn't get seconds. I remember asking her to put some extra lemon pudding in a bowl for me, because as a kid I never liked the crust. Dad would always eat my crusts, that's what Dad's are for! Her meringue was sky-high and I wondered with child-like amazement how she could do that. She made the most awesome pies and passed her love of baking down to me. I am truly blessed!
Feb 5, 2008
Amy's Apples and Shari's Berries
Lake Champlain Chocolates, Shari's Berries & Amy's Apples~The perfect gourmet chocolate gifts for Valentine's Day! Or try NY Style Strawberry Cheesecake & Cherry Kisses.
I lived in Vermont for almost 10 years and had a love affair with the best gourmet chocolate truffles from
Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington, Vermont. I should know, because I've kept them in business all these years! Even though I've since moved away, my son still mails me care packages often because he loves his mother! I can't even describe to you how velvety smooth the ganache filling is and how they literally melt in your mouth. You'll have to order them yourselves to find out. One bite and you'll fall in love too!
Now I live in Rhode Island where
Amy's Apples makes the most delicious gourmet chocolate covered apples. I ordered Heath Bar Heaven and it was amazing! These apples are the biggest, baddest apples you have ever seen! When I say huge, I mean HUGE! It literally took a party of five adults to eat the whole thing! I wish I had one right now, that's how awesome they are! Amy's Apples has my vote!
Shari's Berries sells the ultimate Valentine's gift online ~ Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries. They look so fresh and juicy, I imagine them to be luscious. I've never ordered from them before, but I will. Order some for yourself too and we'll compare notes!
Check out
Buy Valentine's Desserts Online fand my
Recipe Box for more suggestions.
If you prefer to make your own Valentine's desserts, consider
New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake, the
Chocolate Zebra Cheesecake or
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake with an Oreo Cookie Crust. If that's not enough, you can whip up a batch of
Cherry Kisses Cookies for your sweetheart. Trust me, they'll love you forever!
Enjoy! I intend to!
Jan 20, 2008
Brownies Brownies & More Brownies!
What's better than a Fudgy Brownie with a tall glass of milk? Two brownies! Kids of all ages love Reese's PB Cup Brownies. There's even a recipe for Carob Brownies.
Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Reese's PB Cup Brownies & Carob Brownie RecipeLast week it was muffins, this week it's brownies and lots of them! The
Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Brownies article has variations for Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Walnut and Cream Cheese Brownies. More recipes for
Gourmet Chocolate Reese's PB Cup Brownies, White Chocolate Frosting and Chocolate Ganache Icing Brownies are included. You're going to need a half gallon of milk with these brownies. They're that rich and gooey!
I haven't forgetten those that have chocolate and dairy allergies either. Don't turn up your nose, they're actually quite tasty! You can substitute unbleached white flour if you like a lighter brownie.
Whole Wheat PB Carob Brownies
Ingredients:- 1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour, sifted
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups honey
- 4 Tbsp carob powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 large eggs
Directions:- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease 13 X 9 inch baking pan with vegetable spray.
- Blend flour, baking powder, salt and walnuts together and set aside.
- Heat canola oil, peanut butter, honey and carob powder together, stirring until smooth and mixed well. Remove from heat. Add vanilla.
- Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Slowly stir in carob mixture.
- Add dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Do not over mix.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.
- Cool brownies and spread with carob icing.
Carob Icing:- 1/3 cup margarine
- 4 Tbsp carob powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4-6 Tbsp hot water
Directions:- Melt margarine and carob together.
- Add sugar, vanilla and enough water to spread on brownies.
Jan 12, 2008
Muffins, Muffins and More Muffins
I've been on a vegan kick lately. Don't worry, there's plenty of delicious chocolate ideas rattling through this
half-a-brain of mine! But right now, I'm into muffins!
I've been obsessed with muffins this week. For example,
Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins,
Vegan Fruit Muffins and the
Best Vegan Blueberry Muffins. Last week was
Vegan Carob Muffins and
Vegan Raisin Bran Muffins. These are all tried and true vegan muffin recipes that were sold by the thousands through our company
"Honeymoon Kitchens".
Just to remind you, there are MORE vegan recipes in the file. Yes, I said more :-)
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins and Banana Muffins are very tasty and moist,
Vegan Nut Breads and
Honey Raisin & Nut Granola are healthy AND delicious!
I know it seems like I've gone all "Crunchy-Granola" on everyone, but I wanted to get this series of recipes and articles called
"Healthy Baking Made Delicious" well on it's way. They won't all fit at the end of new articles any longer, so I'll be putting together my own Recipe Box where you can find everything in a logical and organized search with just one click. Don't worry, there will be lots of other ooey, gooey and chewy desserts coming your way soon.
Is anyone interested in bread recipes, baking and technique? It will take a little while to break down my big recipes of 20 loaves ~ in pounds and ounces ~ to a more reasonable 4-5 loaves for your freezer. I do have a few basic breads already formatted, so let me know?
Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and seeing that's it's the day of love, you're going to LOVE the raspberry and strawberry desserts I have planned!
In the meantime, I'm still working on my personal blog. It sure looks pretty, even though there's a blank canvas staring back at me! I'll get to it eventually.
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