BAKERELLA!!

Yes fans, I met the woman herself.  And she is so gosh darn cute and sweet!  I barely said anything I was so nervous, but I dragged my little toddler to the book signing (2 hour car drive + 1hour wait) and LOVED IT!  I even had the nerve to give her cake balls and shortbread cookies. :)  And this is what I came home with . . .

HOW RIDICULOUSLY COOL!  Yes I am a groupie, so sue me. :)

I think she'd be proud of these pictures.....

And Williams-Sonoma threw these in as well ....

The left one which was a girlie pink has already been added to my daughter's daily attire.

And they fed us peppermint bark while we were in line.  Um, yum!!  I'm still walking on a cloud.......

Make sure you check out her website and newest giveaway, its totally worth the look...........

Happy Baking!

Cake Balls

Inspired by my upcoming visit with Bakerella and the signing of her new book "Cake Pops", I decided to give them a shot.  Of course, I forgot to get lollipop sticks, so I decided to start easy and make them just balls.  I learned several things from my adventure.

1.  Candy chocolate melted and placed on cooling racks sticks.  Better put it on parchment paper and then trim the excess.
2.  Candy coating is a lot harder than most things I have done.  I need a class in how to use chocolate properly . . . maybe in modeling chocolate too so I can kill two birds with one stone.  Mary, if you are reading I'll be looking for your next class. :)

But they are fun, and taste like very small pieces of cake. :)  Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (of course!!)

Mmm...I don't know about you but I could really just eat them without the coating.  But they wouldn't be nearly as cute.

So I got everything ready. . . 

And wha-la!  Little pumpkins.

And last but not least, my pumpkin patch.....

Hope you guys are able to try them!

Happy Baking!

Apple Pie

One of the great joys of the fall is the numerous apple dishes one can prepare.  The thing that started me baking in the first place was apple pie, as taught by Mrs. Hall, my home economics teacher.  I've been told numerous times its my best recipe, so I look forward to making them every fall.  In fact, its what we make every year instead of a cake for my husband's birthday.

And since I was in the mood friday, I made one in the morning at my best friend's house and then came home and made another for the hubby.  The one for the hubby came out particularly pretty, so I had to share!!

Happy Baking!

Fall Fun

Sorry for my long disappearance . . . I've actually gotten so wrapped up in baking I've forgotten to write about it!  Which in my case, is not a horrible thing. :)  So first thing is first . . . Bakerella is doing book signings all over the country at Williams and Sonoma stores.  If you are interested in her cake pops, this book is fantastic!!  If you are interested in meeting her (and why wouldn't you be???) you can find her schedule here.  I will be at the one in King of Prussia, PA . . . you should come too!!

This fall I've taken a step back from the new and exciting, to make a few oldies but goodies with a new twist.

First, the fall pumpkin sugar cookies, Betty Crocker style (lighter recipe with sugar sprinkled on top!).  My first time coloring them.

This was me trying to be creative with my pictures . . . 

Ah, doesn't it look so picturesque next to the mixer that created it? 

That day I also tried shortbread two different ways with two different recipes.  The first is totally not worth repeating, the second, however, was fantastic.  I made them in a 9 x 13 pan . . . which wasn't a total bust but made for the outside cookies being much drier than the inside.  I would suggest when making shortbread cookies you chill them first, roll them out, and then use a cookie cutter to create them.  The cookie bakes more evenly with just the right amount of moisture.  Nevertheless, they were FANTASTIC!

Mmm, so crumbly and delicious . . . 

And then, simply because I had a craving, the classic chocolate chip cookie.  I personally love the Betty Crocker Recipe minus the nuts.

I'm not sure what's better, the baked cookie or the dough before . . . 

Don't you just want to eat a ton of it with a spoon??

But then again, when you see that cookie . . . well, you forget the dough and bite into its warm, chocolate goodness . . .  

More to come as I bake my way through what promises to be a cold winter . . . 

Happy Baking!

Giants Cookies

After my last post I just simply had to come up with a reason to try those sugar cookies with royal icing.  What better reason than the "Manning-Bowl" today.  So I made sugar cookies with Martha Stewart's recipe.

And baked them . . . 

And then I frosted them . . . 

A close up.  I LOVE it. 

And don't forget the footballs . . . we must have them.

Not to mention the Jerseys.  Complete with player names.  Yes, I got a little carried away . . . 

I just couldn't resist.  It took a long time, but was totally worth it.  If you'd like to see how they are done, go to Brown Eyed Baker's site, she gives a tutorial.

And in case you are wondering how they taste . . . ask my husband.  I think he's eaten half of them already and they've only been done for a day.

Happy Caking!

Football and Cake Pops

Yesterday was the kick off for football season. As most of you know, my husband and I (and even our little girl) are HUGE NY Giants fans. :) Unfortunately, due to a busy weekend, I was unable to stop and make specific Giants desserts, so I went for the non-baked, football snack. They are like less chewy, chocolate rice crispy treats with laces! Ah, just too cute. They are not what I would pick exclusively for my chocolate snack but they are a tad irresistible. . . .Find the recipe on kraft.com. My only suggestion is to refrigerate them after they cool since they still have a tendency to fall apart.

Next week (or this week rather) I am going to tackle sugar cookies with royal icing in the shape of . . . you guessed it! FOOTBALL ITEMS! (Hey, any excuse to bake right?) Then I am simply dying to try Cake Pops. If any of you haven't heard of this amazing dessert head over to Bakerella.com and check out her marvelous creations. They are simply stunning and I can imagine taste amazing. :) Her book is going to be published this fall, which I have to say is going to be a "must buy" for me. KUDOS BAKERELLA!

And, in case you are starting to get a hankering for fall-centered desserts, head out to your local grocery store, walmart, target . . . and pick up this book. Its $4.99 and is FILLED with amazing recipes (including cake pops) that seem simply and completely in line with the season. Completely worth your money as each recipe is printed on a card and can easily be inserted into your recipe book. I have about 5 of them I want to try . . .

THE CAKE!!!!

The cake made it to Connecticut in three pieces, fondant and flowers intact. After painting the cake Friday evening, and arranging the flowers for four hours on Saturday, they were finally finished. Okay, you have all listened to me long enough. So without further ado, the final cake pictures . . .

Thanks for listening about this cake! It was by far the most difficult I have attempted and I am THRILLED with the way it came out. Props to my husband who was instrumental in packing, transporting, and consulting on the arranging of the cakes. I think we had a lot of fun together. Now on to the next bakery challenge . . .