Alright, so I admit - I use baking as bribery. Is that so bad? (for either party) Seriously. Because I know I’m not the only one who uses sweet, buttery baking to their benefit, why? Because it works! My advice to any of you who haven’t tried this lucrative tool, do it - it pays off! Now, that - admittedly sounds pretty manipulative, but given the context it really actually works out to be just plain clever. Using cookies to encourage a favor - delicious, chocolate cake to get out of tax evasion - well, that’s slightly frowned upon (given that you don’t get caught! Not that I suggest you try...ahem...). In my humble opinion baking should, and quite frequently, be used to the bakers advantage. It is delicious, as many bribees would confirm, and more often than not leaves extras for our indulgence! Now if only world conflicts would be solved over baking and not bombs!!
05.17.2008
I couldn’t decide which of these cookie recipes (and one madeleine recipe - more cake really) to post about - so, I chose all three. They were just sitting in my files, staring, mocking, asking to be published. They had all performed so well and each were totally delicious - so choosing was impossible. Alright, and yes - as of late there has been a dry spell of baking, I admit. It is terrible, I actually HAD to make two entire batches of ~gasp~ Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies ... from a mix!! I know - it’s treason. But that’s not all ... I know exactly what you are thinking how could she! and if the 60 premixed cookies with terrible powdered milk and weird dried oil wasn’t enough ... I made 24 banana muffins from the Quaker mix! All I can say is banana-flakes.
I should be studying, or writing my Anthro paper, or maybe my research essay, and my art final isn’t going to draw itself, not to mention my lab exam... but, well I thought I would better spend my time reminiscing about chocolate and sweets. Hail the Queen of Procrastination! (*actually fast fact: My birthday is in fact Queensday! Yes indeed - the Netherlands’ National Day, but I prefer to call it by it’s proper name - Queensday, thank you very much! I think I’m going to have to celebrate in Amsterdam one day - or maybe bake a really big cake! I’m good with either, but better with both!)
07.01.2008
07.09.2008
More brownies, yes - MORE BROWNIES!!! Seems as though every second post is another version of a brownie. Possibly because they are fantastic, chocolatey, and delicious - but also seriously unparalleled in the dessert category! Plus they are versatile, why - well, can you tell me another food that equals a brownie in lusciousness, and chocolate pleasure that can easily constitute an entire breakfast, quick snack, hurried-indullgent lunch, sweet super and obviously fabulous dessert? No. Didn’t think so. And all in one day? Nope. I stand convinced that the brownie rules out all!!!
Working with yeast is really a hit, or, if in my case you tend to be challenged in the yeast department, a serious miss! My breads are always dense, bricks rather than loaves of brioche and strange lumpy buns and rolls that always fail to rise. Really, yeast doesn’t like me! Maybe I use the wrong kind, and if I do I manage to kill it, erasing all forms of life and any ability it has to rise along with it. Whatever my problem is I am pleased to say that my bad luck, “the baker’s black touch of death” is no more!!
08.12.2008
11.08.2008
I made this recipe a LONG LONG time ago... I mean months ago - but I happened to stumble across it again and remembered how FANTASTIC it was!! This is one of those recipes that the mere thought of it makes you salivate! It is simple, delicious, fresh (ok, so not exactly the cozy, spiced, autumnal dessert that you may be craving - but a definite tastebud waker-upper!) and moist. The cake has a lovely crumb, delicate - but can absolutely stand up to a serious cream cheese frosting!
oh was this ever good!
12.12.2008
categories
the baker
foodie
design
my list...
I’ve been home for a grand total of three days and have already baked up a storm, yes I have hijacked the kitchen! I love it! And since it is the holiday season what do you expect I have been baking? COOKIES!!! Christmas needs an un-healthy amount of cookies, hundreds upon hundreds of cookies! And so my baking binge begins. First on the menu: Mango Passion Fruit Cremes.
12.18.2008
When it comes to the holidays there is nothing more quintessentially cozy and homey than the scent of freshly baked gingerbread! Mingling cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom (scratch the cloves) spices wafting from the oven, are always delightful and delicious! I always like to play with classics though, introduce a classic element to an unlikely sweet, turning an ordinary scone into cinnamon bun heaven, or - in this case - turning traditional gingerbread into the perfect coffee accompaniment: white chocolate dipped pecan gingerbread biscotti! Play with your taste buds a bit, mess with your senses - go on I dare you, it is delicious!
12.20.2008
hi. happy boxing day. did you brave the hordes of people out hitting up the mad sales? I’m taking a pass on that this year - I’m off to Goodwill instead!! Very excited - hoping for some exquisite silver, teacups, butter dish, salt & pepper shakers and vintage armchairs to redo!! fingers crossed!!
12.26.2008
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