Friday, March 8, 2013

Short & Sweet #4: 3 INGREDIENT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES




I know what you're thinking right now... "Did I read that title correctly? Surely, making cookies can't be that simple!" Well, buck up and pay attention, my friend! And don't call me "Shirley". Because I ain't foolin' around here! Who knew that making cookies could require so little work and resources? It's usually a bit of a pain, I realize that. Just for a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe, you have to cream butter and sugar to the right consistency. You have to make sure  your ratio between liquid and dry ingredients is correct to avoid disaster in the oven. There are so many things that can go wrong when making cookies from scratch. But fear not, weary bakers! This recipe is (literally) as easy as 1...2...3!

And the result? How do I even begin to describe these scrumptious morsels?
Rich yet fluffy.
Crispy yet chewy.
Complex yet simple.
The luscious flavors of peanut buttery goodness will fill your mouth, causing an explosion of ecstasy you never thought could be achieved by a mere cookie. And just when you think it is over, you will find yourself reaching for another. And another. Until you remember nothing of the life you led before you entered the heavenly peanut butter palace built by these cookies.

...too dramatic?

Well, these sweet treats garner quite a reaction from my taste buds. I just can't help it! Try these for yourself! And watch my baking vloggity to see exactly how I react, if you still can't decide if you want to make some or not :)



3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
1 Cup of sugar
1 Cup of peanut butter
1 Egg

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Measure out ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl. Mix until all ingredients are well-incorporated.
3. Scoop dough out by the Tablespoon-ful onto a lined baking sheet.
4. Flatten each dough ball slightly with a fork.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes on tray. Move cookies onto a cooling rack.
7. STUFF YOUR FACE.





CAN'T GET ENOUGH COOKIES OMNOMNOMNOM! 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Short & Sweet #3: NUTELLA MUG CAKE



Yeah, yeah. I completely forgot to post a recipe last week. No excuses here! But hopefully this will make up for my absence :)

This is my special single serving Valentine's Day recipe for everyone! Why? Because I personally don't have a Valentine to share this day with. And I know that I'm not the only one. But this needs not be a reason to despair. Here are some pros for why it's better to be alone on February 14th:

  • You don't have to share your cake.
  • Dinner and a movie? There's no need to argue about what to eat and watch.
  • You don't have to put on a bra or change out of your PJ's to get dressed up to go out.
  • Presents? All for yourself!
  • You don't have to feel the pressure of planning something elaborate or romantic for your significant other. 
  • No one will be there to judge you while you cry over rom-coms.
  • You don't have to share your cake.


I think I've made my point... In all seriousness, this really is the perfect dessert to have on this holiday. It's chocolatey and extremely rich. If you do decide to share this treat with that special someone, it's also easy, fun to prepare together, and definitely sure to impress. Nothing says "Bow-chicka-wow-wow" like moist things and chocolate. Watch my video for more details! :)



Nutella Mug Cake
4 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
3 Tbsp Nutella
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 Tbsp milk
(optional) A dash of salt
Toppings of your choice: whipped cream, chocolate shavings, raspberries, strawberries, etc.

1. Combine all ingredients (other than toppings..duh) in a VERY large mug.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a fork or small whisk. Mix until combined into a smooth, thick batter. At this point, if you'd like to make more than one serving, pour half of the prepared batter into a separate mug.
3. Microwave for 1 1/2 to 3 minutes. Start with 1 1/2 minutes, then continue at 30 second intervals if needed. Make sure you keep an eye on the mug! If the batter starts to overflow, stop the microwave, let the cake settle, then continue heating to desired consistency.
4. Remove cake from the microwave and let cool slightly.
5. Top with whatever you wish! Serve warm.



Original article on Buzzfeed

Friday, January 25, 2013

Short & Sweet #2: EASY CHEESE BUNS


I won't lie. Even though I'm very well versed in the making of bread buns and rolls, I still don't want to put in that much work sometimes. There's adding yeast, and waiting for it to rise, and kneading, and just so much time waiting around for magic baking fairies to turn your dough into something workable. Peeta Mellark may enjoy doing all that work to get his mind off of the Hunger Games (and to please his dearest wife-to-be, Katniss), but I'm not swimming in trauma enough to take that much time making cheese buns.

Solution? Cheese biscuits disguised as cheese buns! This recipe uses pancake mix to get a head start. The rest is pretty easy as well. These little mini cheese bites are perfect for your next Hunger Games themed party or as a take-along snack at the Catching Fire midnight showing. No wonder Katniss craves these things so much. Rich, cheesy, salty goodness. They'll be gone and in your tummy before you can say, "May the odds be EVER in your favor!"



Easy Cheese Buns
1 1/2 cups pancake mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
(optional) 1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Spray your mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl.
4. Mix until everything is well-combined and mixture is wet.
5. Fill mini tins to 3/4 full.
6. Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes.
7. Remove from tins and cool on rack.
8. Let the hunger games begin!





Friday, January 18, 2013

Short & Sweet #1: DEATH BY OREO CUPCAKES





You know, not all of us are aspiring to be executive pastry chefs at a fancy boutique hotel in Hollywood. Not everyone uses creme fraiche or Pate a Choux or creme anglaise in normal day to day conversations. However, most of us do enjoy a sweet treat now and again. Dessert is, in my opinion, the best part of any meal.

But how can you bake up something sweet, delicious, and homemade without the hassle? Sometimes a one layer Funfetti cake from Betty Crocker with canned frosting doesn't quite cut it. But baking a double batch of cupcakes from scratch is just far too daunting and time consuming.

Solution? Combine your two options! Start with a cake mix, tweak it a little bit, and top it all off with a delicious frosting from scratch. This Death by Oreos Cupakes recipe is just the ticket if you'd like to impress your friends without worrying about suddenly turning into a fancy pastry chef for a day. Let me show you how it's done! :)



If you'd like to join me on this yummilicious journey one day, the recipe is as follows:

Death by Oreo Cupcakes
1 box devil's food cake mix
Ingredients as per box instructions
1 whole package of Oreos
1/2 cup or 1 stick butter (room temperature)
8 oz or 1 package cream cheese (room temperature)
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

Cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to temperature instructed on cake box for 24 cupcakes.
2. Place cupcake liners in cupcake tin. Put one Oreo cookie at the bottom of each liner.
3. Combine ingredients for devil's food cake mix. (On this step, feel free to add more Oreo crumbs or chocolate chips into the batter if you're feeling especially adventurous)
4. Pour batter into cupcake tin.
5. Bake cupcakes according to box instructions.
6. Once finished, remove from oven. Remove cupcakes from tin and let cool on racks (on racks on racks).

Frosting
1. Crush remaining Oreo cookies into small crumbs with food processor or in a plastic bag. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth with electric mixer.
3. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until desired stiffness. Add crushed Oreo crumbs and mix well.
4. Top your cooled cupcakes!
5. For funsies, you can also add mini Oreos on top of your frosting, or sprinkles, or chocolate syrup, or whatever your heart desires! Have fun with it!








Friday, January 11, 2013

Delicious Things to Come

It's about that time... I've stood on the sidelines of the Interwebz community for long enough. I think it's time to dive in and join the fun. Keep an eye on this space for recipes, tutorials, and other great things that I'd love to share with you. Yes, you.

This is all for the community! So once I'm able to get this thing rolling (not without your help of course), feel free to jump in and make suggestions of what you'd like to see from me.

I'm excited. Are you excited? No? THEN GET EXCITED!

I apologize for yelling. I'm just so chuffed!

I'll be back soon!

And believe me...I'm bringing some delicious things with me :)