Chocolate Chip Muffins

I've been in the baking mood lately so I whipped up some chocolate chip muffins.  They were yummy and yes I have to admit, they were straight out of the box!  I know, I know... but it was the need and the crave!  I do however have these in my recipe binder to bake one day.  Hope your week is going by well!  Let's get over this hump!       

Share

My adventure in baking macaroons

Yes it was an adventure... a trial and error adventure!  I received this book as a gift (thanks Jyn) and I thought I'd give some recipes a shot. This was my second attempt to making macaroons and I think they're much better the second time around.  They say practice makes perfect so I think I better get on it.  

  

The process is fairly simple, but it needs to be precise.  Only 4 ingredients are needed; ground almonds, confectioners sugar, fine sugar and egg whites.  You beat the egg whites along with the fine sugar, to form a peak and then mix that mixture in with the confectioners sugar and ground almonds.  Simple enough right? I wish!  I also studied this video to help me out, but I didn't use their recipe.  I maybe should the next time around.      

After you pipe the macaroons, you let it sit out for about a half hour so they form "feet" when baked.  I took them out of the oven and saw their feet and thought, "SUCCESS!"  I made a white chocolate ganache filling to put inside, took a bite and yes.... they turned out fantastic!!!  

Don't these look beautiful?  I was so happy and proud!  Now I have to attempt it again and see if I get the same results!  Now you give it a try and let me know how it turns out!

Recipe taken from:
Macaroons-30 recipes for perfect bite-sized treats (with some minor tweaks)

3/4 cup ground almonds
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 extra large egg whites
1/4 cup superfine sugar

Place the ground almonds and confectioners sugar in a food processor and process for 15 seconds.  Put the mixture into a bowl.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Place the egg whites in mixer and whip until holding soft peaks. Gradually add super fine sugar to make a firm, glossy meringue.  Using a spatula, fold the almond/sugar mixture into the meringue mixture.  Fold until all dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.  Do not over beat!  Put the batter into pastry bag fitted with 1/2 inch tip and pipe small circles onto your lined baking sheets.  Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.  Cool and peel from parchment paper.

Filling taken from:
Martha Stewart Cookbook  

8 ounces white chocolate morsels
3/4 cup heavy cream

Place chocolate in a mixing bowl where it can stand heat.  I used a stainless steel bowl.  Bring heavy cream to a boil and pour over chocolate.  Stir until chocolate is melting and smooth.  Once cooled, put desired amount on macaroons and serve.

And BTW- I'm not sure of the correct spelling.  I see "macaroons" and "macarons." Which one is it?

Share

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

To celebrate, I'll be cooking my favorite homemade chicken enchiladas served with some chips and salsa and of course, we'll be having a few adult beverages! I was watching the Food Network when I came across this recipe, but since I'm more of an "on-the-rocks" kinda gal, I changed it up a bit. It's delicious so give it a try!

Chunky Strawberry Daiquiri (on-the-rocks)

10 fresh strawberries cleaned and cut into 4

1 cup lemonade juice

1 cup orange juice

coconut or pineapple rum (my choice is coconut)

triple sec (optional)

lime wedges

sugar

Mash strawberries in a bowl and place in pitcher. Add juices, rum, optional triple sec to the pitcher and sprinkle sugar to sweeten. Rub the rim of the glass with lime and roll the glass in sugar. Garnish with strawberries. Pour into glass, serve and enjoy!

Share

Valentine's day desserts

Since Valentine's Day is coming around the corner, I thought I would share some tasty treats. I'm a sucker for desserts and have a really bad sweet tooth! I'm doing a little lifestyle change where I cant eat everything I see, but who says we still can't look! Some of my favorites come from Martha Stewart.... If I can fit baking into my schedule, here are some I would choose.

Bittersweet Chocolate, Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches,
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake, Molten Chocolate Cake

If I were to just go out and purchase something (or hint to my lovely to purchase something for me), I have my list of favorites too! So here they are...

1. Macarons! I first feel in love when I had them at Bouchon in Napa. They are so divine! And if you're in the SoCal area, check out Sweet and Saucy Bakeshop. My lovely had business in Long Beach so he brought some for me on his way home and they were delish! Only if we lived closer. (BTW- if anyone knows of any spot in San Diego, please advise!)

Sweet and Saucy Shop

2. Ice Cream Cake! You can never go wrong with ice cream. We've had this before special ordered with strawberry cheesecake ice cream and vanilla cake! I also love the size. It's perfect for 2!

Baskin Robbins

3. Neapolitan Cake! OMG! This is by far the best cake I've even had! It comes from the filipino bakeshop Goldilocks which describes it as a layer each of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla chiffon cake filled with chocolate ganache and strawberry butter cream iced with vanilla butter cream. If that doesn't make your mouth water, I don't know what will!



So there you have my favorites to bake and take. All so good and if it weren't for my new lifestyle change, I'd have them all! What are your favorite desserts?

Share

Red velvet whoopie pies

There were so many different types of desserts at my sweets and treats party. Because my to-do list was getting longer to the days leading up to the party, I knew I wanted to make something easy and tasty. What more do you need, right? So I baked red velvet whoopie pies. These were soooo yummy, I still dream about them. Give it a try yourself!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
1 box red velvet cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix all ingredients until combined
• Drop spoonfuls of batter onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart
• bake for 10-12 minutes until cool

Cream Cheese Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 8oz. package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 2lbs. bag of confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla

• In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla
• gradually add sugar and mix until smooth

Makes about 12 whoopie pies


Slightly altered: Via Bakerella and Recipe from All Made Cookies

Share

Recipes: Whole Wheat Strawberry Banana Muffins

I was on a mission to find good, healthy muffins and I finally found it! They are made with whole wheat flour and applesauce which are healthy alternatives, but the key ingredients to make these muffins flavorful are ground cinnamon and vanilla extract. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com, but tweaked it just a bit. See the complete recipe below.

Original Recipe via allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup frozen sliced strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 12 large muffin cups or line with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon; Stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Stir in the strawberries until evenly distributed. Spoon batter into muffin cups until completely filled.
3. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed lightly. Cool and enjoy!

Share