Tag Archives: sugar

January 23, 2012 · 3:24 am

Mighty-O Donuts


 I absolutely love finding restaurants and shops in local neighborhoods. Mighty-O Donuts is no different. Although I do not normally indulge in donuts, what especially peaked my interest about this place was the fact that they stray away from the “norm” and offer plenty of unique donuts such as lemon poppyseed and french toast to name a few. After staring at all of the choices for a few minutes, I finally settled upon the orange blossom (as pictured above).

I definitely was not disappointed with this choice. Not only did my stomach feel more than satisfied, but I am happy that I helped support a local company that is dedicated towards offering food with organic ingredients and sustainability in mind. Seattleites – visit this place and then take a stroll around Greenlake!

Cheers!

1 Comment

Filed under Adventures

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

January 20, 2012 · 5:16 am

Lemon Bars

Sometimes I just get the urge to bake. Tonight was no different. Unfortunately, I am in desperate need of a grocery shopping excursion. As a result, I’m left to the bare minimum for food. This lack of items did not help me with my baking quest at first; however, it did help me uncover easy recipes that I could use with both few and ordinary items. I settled upon making Lemon Bars – delicious, refreshing and probably one of the best desserts to make if in a bind for ingredients.

Step 1: Cream Sugar and Butter; Add Flour

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

Step 3: Bake Dough; Pour Wet Ingredients

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy!

Did I mention this is a Barefoot Contessa recipe? Although this is a dessert served better in the summer, I personally think it is a perfect change for a season that’s filled with way too many heavy items.

Cheers!

2 Comments

Filed under Bake, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 29, 2011 · 4:03 pm

Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

“Let them eat cake!”

No, but really, everyone should eat cake (at least before everyone’s New Year’s resolutions starts!). After hearing this phrase on the television (this phrase was supposedly spoken by a princess who learned that the peasants had no bread and was rumored to have  been Marie Antoinette, but no actual proof exists), I became inspired to bake a cake for our annual Christmas dinner.

Now, although the original recipe called to make homemade frosting (Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake With Caramel and Cream Cheese Frosting), I copped out and bought store-bought frosting because I was in a pinch and used a bundt pan instead of creating multiple layers. My deviations resulted in an easier version; however, although I saved myself time and energy, I am sure that the original version (complete with homemade frosting!) would have been more flavor-filled and fulfilling. But, that adventure will have to be saved for another day – at least everyone could eat cake!

Step 1: Mix Together Liquids


Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Liquids


Step 3: Bake and Add Frosting


Now, truly after this recipe, I swear that my healthy New Year’s resolution will actually start (I swear!).

Cheers!

1 Comment

Filed under Bake

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 5, 2011 · 1:44 am

Trophy Cupcakes

A few weeks ago, I went with a few friends to a promotional event that was hosted by Google Places and had the pleasure of trying (for the first time!) an infamous cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes. Although I did not finish the entire cupcake due to an enormous amount of frosting, the salted caramel cupcake I chose was unique and absolutely delicious. Based on taste and presentation alone, I will definitely look to Trophy Cupcakes again when in the mood for a cupcake!

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

November 8, 2011 · 12:26 am

Homemade Oreos


I officially have a new obsession – Pinterest. As a result of my recent “pinning” excursions, I have found many different intriguing and recipes that look absolutely delicious. One particular recipe that caught my eye was Homemade Oreos via the blog Sugar Cooking. Oreos have always been a childhood favorite of mine as well as a guilty pleasure. The thought of making these had never previously popped into my mind; however, after seeing that picture, it was all I could think about. After all, sometimes, homemade re-creations just seem better and it’s something I’m always more proud of (as long as it turns out well, of course!).

Step 1: Mix Sugars, Chocolate, Butter
and Egg Together to Form Dough 




Step 2: Form Dough Into Balls, Flatten and Bake


Step 3: Cream Powdered Sugar With
Vanilla Extract and Butter for Frosting 



Step 4: Spread Frosting Between Two
Cookies and Enjoy With Milk 

It is so hard to only eat just one Oreo. In this case, my individual gigantic Oreos resulted in the size of at least three Oreos. So, I guess that means I only get to eat one? Maybe?

Because of their size, these Oreos resemble more of a whoopie pie than the classic Oreo (note: make the dough balls extremely small – even smaller than you consider to be “small”). Nonetheless, they definitely tasted like them. With a  simple bake time of nine minutes and a requirement of normal household ingredients, these are a must-try!

Cheers!

3 Comments

Filed under Bake

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

October 21, 2011 · 1:27 am

Halloween Cupcakes Part 2: Tombstone Cupcakes

I am absolutely smitten with the idea of cupcakes (especially mini-cupcakes). Cupcakes are the perfect alternative to a heaping piece of cake and are so easy to bring to a party or hand out for one’s birthday. Plus, it’s easy to design each cupcake differently or use different colors of frosting. Even though I love them, I often wish they were just a bit smaller. My next baking investment will definitely result in the purchase of a mini-cupcake tin.

Although I already made Halloween-themed cupcakes as seen in this post, I absolutely love Halloween and figured I’d jump at the chance to make cupcakes again. These are pretty simple; however, beware (so Halloween appropriate) of the green food dye used in this concoction. You wouldn’t want to get it on your clothes!

Step 1: Make Chocolate Cupcakes
and Let Cool

Step 2: Use Black Gel To Write
“R.I.P” on Milano Cookies

Step 3: Combine Green Food Dye and Coconut


Step 4: Stick Knife Into Cupcake
To Make a Pocket; Frost Cupcakes

Step 5: Place Coconut on Top
of Frosting, then Put Cookies
Into the Pocket; Serve and Enjoy!


Now that I’ve made these cupcakes, I need to get to the “real” part of Halloween: picking out a costume!

Cheers!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Bake, Cook, Create

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

September 13, 2011 · 1:14 am

Blackberry-Peach Crumble

Since warmer days of summer are winding down to an end, I wanted one last fruit-inspired dessert to remind me of summer barbecues with cotton dresses and the wafting smell of fresh flowers before Fall sets in and we all settle into rain boots and jeans. As I started to ponder various fruits, I realized that I had not yet made a single dessert with peaches within the past few months. I had settled upon using peaches, but I also wanted to make something with blackberries. Luckily for me, my once thought dilemma turned into a blessing because I decided to combine the two fruits into a Peach Blueberry Crumble (and just substituted blackberries instead). Voila!

Step 1: Take (Very Ripe) Peaches and
Boil in Water for One Minute


Step 2: Place Peaches in Cold Water; Slide
Sides Off; Cut Peaches; Zest Lemon and Juice

Step 3: Add Peaches and Blackberries to
Lemon Zest, Sugar and Lemon Juice


Step 4: Mix Cut Butter With Sugars,
Flour, and Other Ingredients;
Place Onto Fruit; Bake for 40-45 Minutes

Sometimes I just love when desserts look pretty. Crumbles look… well… crumbly… and not exactly aesthetically pleasing or pretty. But, I totally bypassed this notion because the result was delicious. And, a scoop of vanilla ice cream always makes desserts just that much better!

Cheers!

4 Comments

Filed under Bake, Cook

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

August 21, 2011 · 4:41 pm

Strawberry-Almond-Cream-Tart

So, continuing with this past weekend’s trend of using almonds, I found a recipe for a Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart during a recent shopping excursion at the local grocery store. After looking through recipe after recipe in the grocery store magazine aisle, I finally settled upon this one. But, I’m not going to lie, at first glance, I solely wanted to try this recipe because it looked “pretty” and it contained almonds. It wasn’t until after my impulse buy and I was in the car already on the way home that I realized that this would be a perfect dessert for a dinner party: light, summery, and the strawberries I had chosen were actually ripe!

Step 1: Crush Graham Crackers (You
Can Use a Food Processor — I Just Chose
to Smash Them in Bags!)


Step 2: Combine Crushed Graham Cracker
Crumbs With Butter and Sugar 


Step 3: Spray Pan With Cooking Spray;
Press Graham Cracker Crumbs Into Pan 


Step 4: Mix Cream Cheese With Almond
and Vanilla Extracts Plus Sugar 


Step 5: Cut Fresh Strawberries


Step 6: Add Strawberries and
Almonds to Top; Bake and Enjoy! 


Although I altered a few things from the original recipe, I’m happy with how it turned out. I really liked implementing nuts into this dessert because I often don’t ever think to add them to desserts. The key for the best flavor is to toast the almonds and the key to the best construction of this dessert is to use enough cooking spray (I didn’t and had some architectural failure when taking it out of the spring form pan). Anyway, all in all, this is a flavorful dessert that is light and doesn’t leave you feeling too full which is just perfect for summertime!

Cheers!

4 Comments

Filed under Bake, Cook

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

August 20, 2011 · 5:29 am

Pear Croustade

When most people think of fruit desserts, either apple, blueberry, lemon or strawberry conconctions come to mind. For me, I would classify myself as a bit of an oddball. Don’t get me wrong, I love classic strawberry and lemon-flavored desserts (as seen here and here); however, I love to experiment with new desserts and more uncommon ingredients (as seen here and here). Now, I realize pears are not “out-of-the-ordinary” or “unique” — but, I think it is safe to say that pears are not the usual fruit of choice. So, if you are reading this and you happen to fall into that boat, I strongly urge you to forget about the usual go-to’s and try this dessert with pears. I promise you will not be disappointed!

I have made this Pear Croustade many times (as seen in My Thanksgiving Post) — it has definitely made it into my rotation of desserts. At least for me, I love the fact that it contains pears. Pears are a nice change that pairs (not trying to make a pun, I swear!) well with the nutmeg and lemon juice for a not too sweet, but yet tart and delicious flavor. Plus, among my friends, this is hands-down their favorite crust out of all the desserts that I have ever made.

Step 1: Zest Lemon; Cut
Butter Into Small Pieces



Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Together


Step 3: Mix Butter Into Dry Ingredients;
Use Hands to Crumble into Fine Mixture


Step 4: Stir in Cream With Fork



Step 5: Gather Dough Into Disk;
Refrigerate for One Hour

Step 6: Toss Dry Ingredients Together

Step 7: Cut Pears


Step 8: Toss Pears With Dry
Ingredients and Lemon Juice


Step 9: Arrange Pear Slices on Dough; Bake

This is a fun recipe that I will definitely love continuing to make. The key is finding ripe pears at the grocery store. I lucked out this past time, but I am glad that pears are soon coming into “season”. I will be on the hunt to find a good poached pear recipe in the near future – stay tuned!

Cheers!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Bake, Cook

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 3, 2011 · 12:40 am

Rhubarb Tart

Rhubarb – the wonder plant. Despite it’s terrifying and quite strange appearance (that might just be my opinion), rhubarb (rhubarbs?) is (are?) actually quite delicious (when done right). All right, I’ll nix the parantheses from now on, but I just wanted to make that quick exclamation about this odd plant/vegetable/fruit wannabe.

I’ve only had assorted rhubarb concoctions a few times. In fact, I think it’s pretty safe to say that when I think of desserts, rhubarb is not among the first few choices, let alone the top twenty. But, I am glad that something will trigger my memory and like of it every now and then. It is definitely an odd plant/vegetable/fruit wannabe that I am happy to use in my cooking!

Nonetheless, I became reminded of rhubarb a few weeks ago when I happened to stumble upon it in the vegetable aisle while grocery shopping. On a whim, I decided to purchase some and figured that I would go home and find a recipe. I found a recipe from Epicurious titled Rhubarb Tart With Orange Glaze. It looked absolutely delicious and I liked the fact that it combined rhubarb with another fruit for different flavors.

Step 1: Zest Orange and Cut Rhubarb


Step 2: Stir Orange Juice and Sugar Together

Step 3: Mix Rhubarb and Orange Juice
Mixture Together; Let Stand for 10 Minutes


Step 4: Roll Out Thawed Pastry Dough;
Place Rhubarb Onto Pastry in Rows 


Step 5: Bake Pastry 


Even though I still think rhubarb looks absolutely silly and I’m confused as to why it’s classification is technically a vegetable, I do love it’s tart yet sweet taste. This dessert was perfect for a summer day. Next time, I’d recommend pairing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Cheers!

4 Comments

Filed under Bake, Cook, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,