Mmm...cookie dough

New challenge!  It is cookie dough theme week. So many options, so little time.

From Heat Oven @350

From My Baking Addiction

From Bubble and Sweet

From Kevin and Amanda

From The Domestic Rebel

From The Big Red Kitchen

From Babble

From Willow Bird Baking

From King Arthur Flour

Any preferences?  I can't decide!

~Kc

Best cupcakes ever

Remember this post? I chose to make the Twinkie Cupcakes from The Domestic Rebel.  At first I wasn't quite sure they were that good but the blog post said to eat the cupcakes cold.  

Oh. My. God. 

 When Joe got home from work we both had our first bite.  Delicious.  Seriously.  It's the best Twinkie I have ever had.  

With a little effort you can have a homemade Twinkie without the preservatives that is delicious. I will be making these cupcakes again. 

And again. 

And again.

~Kc

5 ingredients or less...

Another week, another challenge.  This time the challenge is to make a dessert that requires only 5 ingredients or less!  I love this challenge.  I'm all about simple and easy desserts.  Now it's just a matter of picking from the many options. 


Smores Bites

From Style with Wisdom

Cookies and Cream Bars

From Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Smores Dip

From What Megan's Making

Strawberry Cheesecake

From McCormick

 Smores Truffles

From Liesl's Confection Dissection

Peanut Butter Pie

From Food

Can you tell that I really like smores?  I need to think about this one a bit more.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

~Kc

P.S. Last week I ended up making a Blue Moon cupcake.  My thought was that Blue Moon is made in America but it's a Belgian wheat style beer. And then August is going to be a blue moon...they ended up being very tasty!

Let the Games begin!

In honor of the Olympics this week the baking challenge is to create a dessert influenced by another country.  There are so many ways to do this! My mind is spinning with ideas.

France
The French have given us so many delicious desserts--creme brulee, pots de creme, tarts, truffles, macarons, meringues, pies, eclairs...and the list just continues.  How to pick just one?  Here are few that inspire me.


Chocolate Meringue

From BHG

Champagne Truffles

From Amy's Cooking Adventures

 French Toast Cupcakes*
*is French toast really "French" though?

From Bakingdom

 Triple Chocolate Mousse

From Chasing Delicious

Mexico
When I think of Mexico I think of tacos, nachos, tortillas, guacamole and yummy salsa. I don't think of dessert.  It took me a few minutes to really come up with something that fit Mexico. 

Churro Cupcake 

From The Sweet Chick

  
Margarita Cupcake

From Fabulous K

China

Cookie Dough Egg Roll
I came across this recipe a while ago on Pinterest and it immediately came to mind for this challenge. I'm a little concerned that it won't travel well but it could be fun to make at home for my hubby.  Doesn't it look sinful?

From Pennies on a Platter

Italy
When I was in grad school I got to backpack through Europe. We spent quite a bit of time in Italy and I swear that I ate my weight in gelato. It is so delicious. I have yet to find a place in America that even comes close to the gelato in Italy.  Since that definitely does not travel well I thought of some other classic Italian desserts. I struggled with this as I'm not a fan of tiramisu, biscotti, or amaretto. But I did love limoncello while I was there. Why not a cupcake inspired by the classic Italian liquor?

Limoncello Cupcakes
  

From Normal Activities

United States
And I have to consider USA when it comes to this challenge.  What screams America? Are you as American as Apple Pie?  And the peaches smell sooooo good at the farmer's market these days that we may have to pay tribute to the Georgia peach.

Apple Pie Cupcakes

From Made in Melissa's Kitchen

Peaches and Cream Cupcake

From Burlap N Bling

What desserts inspire you from other countries? Are you do anything fun for the Olympics this year?

~KC


P.S.  I ended up making the Twinkie Cupcake for last weeks challenge.  While I didn't win the challenge (a fluffer nutter whoopie pie did) I absolutely loved the result of my cupcake. It truly tasted like a twinkie! I will be making them again (and again and again).

Childhood favorites

Whew...the past few weeks have been crazy! Work, illness, life...it's time for a break!  What better way to unwind than to have a baking challenge?  It works for me!  Several of my friends at work enjoy baking as much as I do. We thought it would be fun to set up a challenge every few weeks to encourage everyone to try new things and think creatively.  For the girl who tends to stick with the tried and true this is a great idea. 

This weeks challenge?  Childhood favorites.  It can be anything and in any format.  I know one person is doing PB&J, another is doing cookie dough, and the third is taking on Fluffer nutter.  I'm still deciding on what I should do...

What's your favorite food from your childhood?  I obviously tend to think of candy! Here are some of my inspirations. 


Crybaby Kool-Aid Cupcakes
I mean, who doesn't think of Ecto Cooler Hi-C and Kool-Aid if you were a child of the 80's?  To top it off with a crybaby is just like a cherry on top!

From Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

Pixie Stick Cupcakes
Pure sugar.....mmm...I remember those giant versions that would give you a sugar high for days!

From Something Swanky

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
I tried to find a Reese's Pieces one since it makes me think of ET and Drew Barrymore but a Reese Peanut Butter Cup cupcake is a pretty close alternative.

From Hoosier Homemade

Skittles Cupcake
Can you taste the rainbow?

From The Girl Who Ate Everything

 Sour Patch Kid Cupcakes
One second it's sour, the next it's sweet. My brother and I still LOVE sour patch kids. I'm very intrigued about making a cupcake sour.

From Cookies and Cups

Twinkie Cupcakes
My favorite snack to have in my lunch as a kid. A twinkie! I think a homemade version sounds delicious and a whole lot better than the packaged kind with a shelf life of 30+ years!

From Domestic Rebel

Twix Cupcake
A Twix bar is still one of my favorite candy bars. How can you go wrong with chocolate, caramel and a short bread cookie?

From Bailey's Irish Duck

Which one do you think I should try to make? Are there any that I hadn't thought of that should make the list? Let me know!

Happy baking!
Kc

A (good) reason to entertain!

Yesterday we celebrated Mother's day with my husbands grandmother, mom, and sister. It was a great day (other than the random rain shower...grr) to spend with family.  My sister-in-law's kids are absolutely adorable and wore my husband out by the end of the day.  Here are some of the goodies I made.

Mmm...Oreo truffles...so good.

I added some homemade oatmeal cookies--Granny's favorite!

All packaged up and pretty.  Aren't they cute?

Yum! I tried out a new decorating technique. I loved the the way it turned out!

This was a vanilla cake with butter cream frosting.

This one was a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. I LOVED this cake.

Delicious!

The only thing that would have made yesterday better was if my own mom and dad were with us to celebrate.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Kc

Sugar plum fairies

It may be in the 70's here in North Carolina but I'm doing my best to bring the Christmas spirit to my house.  We have stockings at work so I like to come up with some creative goodies to give to my coworkers.  Here's a roundup of my projects this year.

Candy Cane Peppermint Bark



So easy

And so cute!

Lazy Man's Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Start with some pretzels on a baking sheet



Have some pretty chocolates for decorating on hand

After putting some chocolate on each pretzel, bake for a few minutes to melt chocolate. Then decorate!

I wrapped them up and tied them with a bow

Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats

So incredibly easy it kind of felt like cheating

 Smore's Cupcakes (Chocolate Cake, Marshmallow cream filling, and Graham Cracker Buttercream)

Decorated and ready to go

Gingerbread and Apple Spice Bread

I baked the breads in individual pans purchased from Michaels. I then wrapped them in brown paper and bakers twine.

I thoroughly enjoy having a reason to make fun treats! I already have a ideas for next year brewing.

I hope every one is having a wonderful Christmas season.
~Kc