Showing posts with label cookies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cookies. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
What I've been up to...and a cookie for you!
When we moved to Houston I was adamant that I wasn't going to let this blog fall by the wayside. I was going to have tons to write about - right?? A new city, new restaurants, a new house to cook in...the opportunities were endless! And then reality set it. As I settled in to my third trimester I saw my energy diminish by the day. Each day brought more boxes that needed to be unpacked, new fires that needed to be put out and another day without anything exciting to write about. If you have been keeping up with the mini traveling cupcake you will know that I am still alive (and still unpacking) and now that I feel like I have my head (slightly) above water I hope to make a more regular appearance here. So thanks for sticking with me all this time. That is, until this baby is born and then I will probably be on another hiatus :) Sorry folks, that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
Speaking of cookies!!!
I made you some!
In one of the (many) boxes that I unpacked over the last month, I was super excited to find my new copy of the Joy the Baker Cookbook. If you don't already read this amazing blog I highly suggest you make it a part of your daily rotation. Since she's the second most popular food blogger out there though there's a good chance you already know who I'm talking about. I first found Joys blog a few years ago and she is a huge inspiration to me. She cooks and bakes just about anything - from bread to cookies to cakes - you name it, she's baked it. She also bakes gluton free and vegan goodies just because she wants to. To me it takes a lot of courage to use a ton of ingredients you aren't used to (almond flour, what? coconut oil, who?) and her creative recipes never cease to inspire me. I am also a huge fan of her podcasts - Joy the Baker Podcast with Tracy of Shutterbean and We're About to be Friends.
But this post is about her cookbook. And these awesome cookies.
When I found her cookbook stashed away in the 495083409 Tupperware bin that I had unpacked that day I was pumped. I called it a day and proceeded to read the entire cookbook in one sitting. I had pre-ordered the book months ago and couldn't wait to dive in. This cookbook has it all. Want some pancakes? Pick your poison. Coffee bacon? Comin' right up. Cakes - cookies - frosting?? Done, done and done. The cookbook gives some of Joys great tips and is written in the same style as her blog - ie friendly, warm and funny. Basically like talking to your BFF while mixing up some amazing treats.
The first recipe I decided to make was these Trail Mix Cookies. These are pretty similar to what some people call Kitchen Sink cookies because they have, well, everything but the kitchen sink in them! M&Ms, peanuts, peanut butter chips, raisins, oats - you name it, it's in there! The recipe made a huge batch, I got three dozen out of mine, so I had plenty to stash in the freezer for when the baby is here and I don't have time to brush my teeth let alone bake cookies. And since these guys are made with whole wheat flour, oats and raisins they are practically health food! Sure to keep us going through those long days and nights.
Since I followed Joy's recipe to the letter (I usually do the first time around) I don't want to publish it here. You're just going to have to go out and buy her book yourself - I promise you won't regret it!
Monday, January 02, 2012
Christmas for Two - Munich
We had a great time in Prague but were excited to get to our next destination on our Christmas vacation - Munich. We decided to take the train, which was easier than driving and less stressful than flying. The train worked out perfectly. We splurged for first class seats (they were only a few Euro more) and ended up being two out of five people in the whole train car. The trip was a little long (six hours give or take) but we went through some beautiful countryside and it even started to snow the closer we got to Munich.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sugar Cookie Christmas Tree
To be honest, I haven't really don't that much baking this year for Christmas. Usually I do loads of baking to give away as gifts, to bring to work and to serve at our holiday party. But this year I haven't really had the chance to do any of that. Things have been so crazy around here with my new job, my weekend "job" taking children's photos, being pregnant (oh yeah, that little thing) and a slew of other things going on that I'm not quite ready to tell you about (check back after the New Year though!).
We are leaving this weekend for an extended Christmas vacation (more on that later this week), so my holiday baking time is being cut even shorter. A few weeks ago I ordered a few things from Lakeland.com - including a brand new cupcake carrying case (SO excited!! Seriously, what a huge nerd I am). I was getting ready to check out when what to my wandering eyes should appear?
THIS
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| photo from Wilton.com |
Well, something similar to this, just not Wilton brand (Lakeland must have sold out of their version because I can't find a photo on their website!)
A Christmas tree made out of stacked star cookies?!?! SOLD! In my basket it went.
Over the weekend I finally had a chance to try this puppy out. I have my moms sugar cookie recipe that I usually use for the holidays, but since I didn't know exactly how much dough I would need I decided to go with the recipe on the box. It made just the perfect amount of dough to make two of each stars. I made an extra one for me to snack on and it tasted great!
After all of the stars were baked I took a day off (well, not really, I was taking more children's photos, but more on that later!) and spent all afternoon on Sunday frosting these guys up. It was my first time using Royal Icing and I have to say, I was a little intimidated. I didn't have any quick access to meringue powder, so I found a recipe that used powdered egg whites (can't use raw egg whites now that I'm prego!) and it worked like a charm! I even had a bunch left over thanks to the majority of my frosting being one solid color.
Even though the royal icing process was relatively painless, it did take a while! First you have to outline each cookie with slightly thicker royal icing to create a border. Once that dries (I found that by the time I was done with the last cookie the first few were already dry) you have to thin down the rest of your icing and flood the cookies. And then you have to wait for them to dry before you can stack them. And then...ok never mind, that was the last step.
I put a circle of icing in the middle of each cookie before stacking the next smallest one on top. The only thing that I would change is that next time I will add the lights on after all the layers are stacked. Some of the lights got in the way, especially on the smaller ones towards the top, and the cookies didn't want to lay quite flat. But all in all it was a success! I can't wait to make a gingerbread version with all white icing, how pretty will that look?! Brian took the cookie tree to work today, fingers crossed his coworkers liked my tree as much as I did!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday Favorites
Is it just me - or has this been one hell of a week?! Everything from AAA downgrades to market tumbles and riots in my own backyard.
WTF?!?!
Please excuse the schizophrenia of this weeks Friday favorites...clearly, it's been that kind of a week.
*These 8" Ballerina Christian Louboutin shoes
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| image courtesy of the Daily Mail |
These are amazing/crazy/badass/cartoon-like/beautiful all at the same time. I think they fit the craziness theme of this past week, don't you? These Swarovski crystal encrusted beauties were created specially for an auction fundraiser for the English National Ballet back at the end on June. Check out the full article here in the Daily Mail.
Also tips on this weeks craziness theme but seriously, you can't tell me that you have never felt like that article. Genius.
***The Happiness Project
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I finished reading this book last week and it has resonated with me in more ways than I can count. I decided to read the book because I thought it would be a witty-light hearted account of one womans mission to be happier in her every day life for one year. It was that and so much more. It was more "self help" than I would have guessed but it brings up so many good points and so many (as Oprah says) "Ah-ha" moments that I can't seem to let go of. Even if you don't start your own "official" in-depth Happiness Project I guarantee that if you read this book you will start changing small things in your life that will make a big impact. AH HA!
and lastly...
****This mug
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| image courtesy of apiecebydenise on Etsy |
Cookies? Check.
Only having to use one hand to carry milk + cookies = genius
Let's hope this weekend is the return to normalcy.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
A love letter to my Nespresso machine (and a recipe for biscotti)
My darling Nespresso,
When we were first introduced I was really quite hesitant. You seemed so phony and unsophisticated (trust me, this letter gets better). How could you give me what I really needed, how did I know what you had to offer was real?
I had been hurt in the past. My previous commitment had left me luke-warm and flaky. My only other option was to turn to the evil Big Daddy down the street. He was inconsistent and dark, too dark for me but I had no place else to go.
So when you came into my life, all vintage-y cream and silver like, thinking that you were all that and a bag of chips, I was hesitant. You were so suave and said I could call you anytime and you would be there for me overnight. How could I believe that you could fully commit yourself to me so quickly.
But then. Oh, but then. You offered yourself to me in perfect portions, and you let me decide how much I wanted each day. Your milk, so smooth (or frothy, depending on what I wanted). I could have you hot, I could have you cold. You left it in my hands.
I could decide how strong I wanted you every day. Sometimes I like it when you're a little weak, sometimes I like it when you're strong. But no matter what I do to you, your performance is always flawless. And for that, I love you.
Forever yours,
Tracy
Disclaimer: this is NOT an advertisement. Nespresso has no idea who I am and I'm pretty sure they never will. I just have an unnatural attachment to my coffee machine and I had to tell the whole world (or the 20 people that read this thing). the end.
Almond Biscotti
Inspired by Food Blogga
1 cup of whole plain almonds (unsalted)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
3 - 3 1/2 cups flour
3 medium eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (go on, use the good stuff!)
1 tsp orange flower water*
- Preheat oven to 350*F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl lightly beat one egg and set aside. In a dry pan, tip in the almonds into a single layer and roast over low heat until fragrant, about 10 minutes. This is a simple step but please don't overlook it! It really enhances the flavor of the almonds and gives them some depth.
- In a large bowl combine the toasted almonds, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and 3 cups of flour.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs, vanilla and orange blossom extract until combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir together. You may need to get in there with your hands at the end to get it to form into dough. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour if needed, the dough should be sticky but you should be able to form it into a ball without falling into pieces.
- Divide the dough into two pieces and form each piece into a log, approximately 3" x 12" and brush the tops with the egg wash that was previously prepared. If you want smaller pieces of biscotti, break the dough into three or even four pieces and use two baking sheets.
- Bake in the over for 35-40 minutes until the tops are golden on top and are set all the way through. The dough should still be slightly soft in the middle. Cool on a wire rack until they are cool enough to handle. One loaf at a time, move to a cutting board and slice with a serrated knife on an angle (if you want to be fancy). Make sure you slice while the loaves are still warm, but cool enough to touch.
- Take the sliced pieces and lay out on their sides onto two baking sheets, be careful not to cram too many on to one sheet! Turn off the oven and put the sheets back in for 40-60 minutes. The longer you leave the biscotti in the warm oven the crisper they will become! I left mine in there for over an hour (oops!) and they are perfectly crunchy - though you definitely need a cup of coffee to enjoy them at their best! I suggest leaving them in there for 30-40 minutes if you like a slightly softer biscotti.
Notes:
- If you want to get fancy, melt some chocolate in the microwave in 30 second bursts until smooth and drizzle over the cooled, sliced biscotti. Or dunk the biscotti in the chocolate to get more of the sweet stuff and leave to dry on parchment paper.
- If you don't have or can't find Orange Flower Water you can use almond or orange extract, use slightly less depending on how concentrated they are. Otherwise, you can omit this completely and they will still taste great!
- Get creative! Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts, and even add some dried fruit or chocolate chips!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
(I know thats a mouth full, my apologies. I promise it'll be worth it!)
Things I like:
Reading books (paper and electronic - the kindle's where its at!) - it's good to put.the.computer.down. sometimes
Dance parties in my living room
Coffee - hot, cold you name it I drink it
Laughing so hard your stomach hurts
Traveling the world...and finding hidden spots in my neighborhood
Keeping up with the Kardashians (there's a lot of them, this hobby takes time!)
Cookies
Ice Cream
Oh yes...you see where this is going.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Project 52 - week 21, 22 and 23
I've been a little slack on posting my Project 52 photos over the last few weeks...I blame the lack of internet while in NYC.
And the sun in NYC...that always distracts me.
But, now that I am back in rainy London and have round the clock access to internet - I guess I've run out of excuses.
Its the rain - I can always blame it on the rain.
Another iphone beauty. I actually really like this shot because there is so much going on in the photo, its almost hard to tell what its supposed to be. And then suddenly, you see it.
Like one of those Magic Eye posters that they used to sell at the mall way back in the day.
HELLO flash back to the mid-90's!
Speaking of which, I went for an eye test while I was back in the good ol' US of A and they made me look at one of those things to test my depth perception or some crap. Thats two Magic Eye/1990's flashbacks in two weeks. Clearly, it's a sign.
Not sure what its a sign of, but I'll let you know once I figure it out.
Shall we...?
Week 22 - Enchantment
This photo was taken at my good friends wedding reception in Connecticut last week - which I still need to tell you about! It's coming, I promise!! They had the most beautiful summer weather and the venue was amazing. The whole day was...enchanting.
Clearly this assignment was made just for me. In case you didn't notice, I LOVE to bake. And I LOVE to take pictures of said baked goods. Ironically enough, I didn't make a single thing in this weeks photo. My in-laws graciously hosted a BBQ for our family and friends while we were in NY. Nearly everyone brought a treat for dessert AND my mother in-law got some amazing cupcakes and CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOWS (i.die.) It was super sugar overload-slash-heaven. The little girl in the photo, our good friends daughter, told her mom that it was the best day of her life. I'd like to think it had something to do with me being there, but in reality its probably because there were cookies and cupcakes and marshmallows and pizza. The girls got good taste.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Ugly Cookies
She was right, you shouldn't.
I do, but don't do as I do, do as I say.
With me?
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