My Treat

One of my tried and true standbys for last minute party favors, and favorite little treats to indulge upon, have to be truffles. Clean and classic, these are a chic little delicacy that are sure to impress. I made a batch for a recent "ladies night out" for my daughter's school- a last minute decision that proved to be a good one. Although it is a little involved with chocolate melting and hand dipping, it is relatively low key since the oven and mixer are not needed for this confection.

I Knead Bread

When possible I like to bake my own bread. It is a magical little process, from which you take a few ingredients, mix them together, and end up with something wholesome and delicious to snack on. So, before the summer heat makes turning on the oven feel like a chore (a cruel, cruel chore) I thought I might share my favorite recipe.

Sweet Expectations

On Saturday we threw a little bash for Ori. Everyone who I talked to about the party had the same big question: what kind of cake was I working on? Each time I answered, I felt a little guilty that instead of an elaborate Thomas cake, little guy would be blowing out candles perched on a simple carrot cake.

While I know that Ori would have been indescribably excited about a Thomas cake, I usually tend to steer away from character theme parties; this preference stems from memories of how awesome parties were when we were kids, and all we had was ice cream cake and balloons. I also think I might save myself some substantial grief in the long run if I hold back while the kids are still young. I can imagine the expectations being a little higher as they get older, and I don't know how wise it would be to set the bar too high now while they are just excited at the prospect of stuffing their faces with sweets. So for now Ori will just have to make due with sugar cookies, decorated with unspecified trains and conductor pin stripes.

Thanks Given.

To keep it short and simple, I am thankful for the sweet people who make my days so wonderful. I am thankful for this opportunity to create my life, and shape it into what I want. And I am thankful for our warm oven, in which I bake goods that make my home smell like sugar and happiness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Never have to question...

...Danny's love when I am snacking on coffee macaroons that he brought home from work.

Goodmorning, Kitty

Imagine the crazy excitement experienced by my children when they rolled out of bed and discovered this on the kitchen table:
So excited, in fact, that Phia would not leave the Hello Kitty's side- apparently not even to brush her hair. I don't blame her, as my nine year old self would have probably fainted upon seeing a Hello Kitty cake.
Made after a doting mother saw this cake and decided to rack up some awesome mom points with her daughter.

Counting Cards

Over the weekend I baked and decorated some cookies for a very wonderful family that we are friends with. There was a 21st birthday to be celebrated, and their theme- a poker party- was simple, fun, and in my opinion it was pretty clever. 
The cookies were hand decorated with royal icing, and there was a vegas style cake to match. 

Red Velvet Progression

Red Velvet Cake

Cake Flour          2.5 C

Baking Soda        1 Tbsp

Baking Powder   1 tsp.

Cocoa                   1/4 C

Salt                       2 tsp.

Butter, melted   4 oz.

Sugar                   1.5 C

Eggs                     2 ea.

Milk                     1 C

White Vinegar   2 Tbsp

Vanilla                 1 Tbsp

Red Food Coloring

Preheat your oven to 350, and then grease two 9 inch round cake pans, and then gently dust them with cocoa. 

Sift together the dry ingredients, and in a separate bowl mix together the butter, sugar, eggs, milk, vinegar and vanilla. Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, and then add in your red food color to your preferred color- for a deep red it usually takes about a tbsp. of liquid food color. Place the batter in your baking pans, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until they pass a knife test. Let cakes cool completely, and then place them in the freezer.

A Few Good Cakes

My Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights were spent cake making- one project was a christening cake for a distant relative. It was  rather involved as it was covered with quite a few hand molded hydrangea flowers. 

I assembled the cake at the party, and unfortunately I did not get a fantastic finished picture, but here is a peek at the pink flowers cascading down the top tier. 
And here is a picture of my Friday night cake, which was also my second alcoholic beverage cake of the year.

Early Summer Cakes

'Tis a popular time to be born. Because there have been so many birthdays going on since mid May, I have been a little busy making birthday cakes. Strawberry Shortcake, anyone? 
Vanilla chiffon, strawberry & banana filling, topped with whipped cream.

Cannoli in Disguise

Because cannolis are an East coast staple, I knew that in time I would master my modern cannoli cake. 

I tried to keep the flavors traditional- crushed cannoli shells, semi-sweet chocolate chunks, chopped pistachios, candied lemon, with a sprinkle of cinnamon. 
Add to that a fluffy cannoli filling & vanilla chiffon, layered together to make a very delicious interpretation of the cannoli. 

Buns in the Oven

When my pregnant neighbor mentioned her craving for cinnamon rolls, I really had no choice but to put on my apron and mix up some sweet dough.
It requires a little forethought, though, as you have to relax the dough overnight. But the extra effort is definitely worth the patience. This is one of my first successful batches of homemade cinnamon rolls, as I usually don't give the sweet dough enough time to work its magic. Since I was so excited about my pastry triumph, I have included my recipe and the steps I took.
A.P. Flour 3 1/2 C 454 g
Yeast 1 1/2 tsp 5 g
Milk, warmed 3/4 C 185 g
Eggs 2 ea 100 g
Sugar 1/3 C 70 g
Butter 6 tbsp 70 g
Salt 2 1/2 tsp 12 g

Cinnamon Smear

Butter 1/2 C 115 g
Brown Sugar 1 C 220 g
Egg 1 ea 50 g
Cinnamon 1 tbsp

Heat the milk to 110 and then add in the active dry yeast and let sit for 5 minutes. Add all ingredients together and mix for 4 minutes on low speed, and then 4 minutes on medium speed. Leave this covered for 1 hour at room temperature, and then place in the refrigerator to rest overnight (8-12 hours). Take it out, divide it into two equal portions, and let it come to room temperature in a warm place (I heat water in my microwave and then place the dough inside and close the door quickly so it stays steamy) for roughly 2 hours. When it feels room temperature roll it out on a lightly floured surface to roughly 16x16 inches. Take your cinnamon smear and gently spread it evenly over the dough, and then roll up the dough into a tube. Cut the dough with a sharp knife into 7- 2" portions and then place in a cake pan that has a thin layer of the cinnamon smear on the bottom. Let this sit in a warm place (again I suggest a microwave) for about 1 1/2-2 hours. The dough will expand a bit, and when you poke it with your finger, it will spring back. Throw it in an oven set to 350 for 20-25 minutes, and then get ready for some seriously delicious cinnamon rolls.

Treating Myself

I have many a fond memory that involve warm foccacia bread. Back at bakery school one of my favorite classes was the breads course. Amazing instructor, labor intensive production, and a very delicious selection of baked goods- even I didn't mind rolling out of bed at 5 a.m.

I figured the kids wouldn't want any, so making it was my own little treat for myself. There are just so many reasons to love this bread- from the crispy edges to the tasty toppings. I like to keep it CIA standard by using sauteed onions & rosemary. Just so happens that my children both love it that way too.

Speaking of treats for myself- I also decided, after a ridiculous amount of debating, to purchase a Liberty of London chemise that I have been swooning over every trip to Target. I have eyed it for almost a month now, and have always decided to pass it up because I would have no place to wear it. And then, after an incredible revelation, I decided there is no better place to wear it than in my kitchen, while making bread. As a bonus to me, it only set me back $18.
A wonderful way to finish my day- in my favorite new dress, eating my favorite bread, with my favorite little boy.

P.S. Just saw this, and I am so, so thrilled! Thanks again, everyone, for voting and for all of the wonderful comments!

Gambling: meet baked goods.

This was a simple birthday cake finished just in the knick of time.
Who ever said that cake and gambling don't pair well together? Definitely not any of my immediate family members, that's for sure...

A Truly Classic Cake

At Noon:
At Nine:

The birthday boy has been working on a 1946 Chevy pickup and his wife and friends thought it would be funny to have half of the truck in pristine condition... and the other up on jacks and in a lovely shade of primer gray.

More Cookie Pictures

-the p. family

Stuck inside with nothing to do but bake

Oh, Martha Stewart Magazine. I love your color choices so much in this picture...

..that I was inspired and made Easter cookies with the same subtle earth tones and bright blues & reds.
They are drying as I type this, and to my surprise, there have only been two lost to curious children.
And while I am posting about baked goods...
...can anyone guess what my next cake project is going to be?

If you lived in my 'hood...

...you would most likely be eating banana muffins right about now.

Phia would deliver them to your door with a little pat of Plugra sprinkled with sea salt. And since our muffin liners were somehow stretched out, there would probably be a papery creation to enjoy until real flowers are abound. 

Just a thought for anyone who might be relocating.

Last Minute Cake Challenge

This cake job came at a less than opportune time for me; Phia was feverish, Ori was attention deprived, and it was needed in 36 hours.

Phia was concerned about the concept as she did not understand why anyone would want a cake without hearts or flowers, Ori was just happy to pick at the fondant I was using, and in the end, I was satisfied with the finished product.

And yes, the cake recipient was a drummer by the name of Breeze. Also, please pardon my night shots.

Let them eat cake scraps

1. Make the cake 2. Play with trains 3. Whip up the butter cream
Friday we started a baking project. One thing I love about "working" at home is that the kids can play right along side me. And then comment on the substantial size of the cake being made, and suggest that there is enough for the cake recipient to share.
Our finished product for a local bar.