tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47068371122669988622024-03-16T15:04:58.928-04:00Apron Strings Baking Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-76143737734010140272019-03-21T13:59:00.000-04:002019-03-21T23:29:10.742-04:00Life in a Fixer Upper and No Fresh Eggs!<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We always knew that one day we would own a farmhouse. Our original vision included rolling pastures, a large stone barn, livestock, and no neighbors for miles. Then, life happened... 2 kids turned in to 3. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">3 turned in to 4. School. Playdates. Sports. Activities. Our perspective quickly changed and the proximity to school, friends, and a grocery store became top priority. But! We didn't give up on our dream, we snagged ourselves a little piece of history smack dab in the middle of suburbia USA!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZCA6M34Qc61dfF6VaK6RksVQEDWwwqICnl7mErb1X_EytE53DkLNNWqf7vT5zkaqvgK5soQvtohdlI5OdcWCFwrLC7qtlygCBGRpsETcTnGeqEmahgBx4imBBfW1DoK55_uZjQYolSg/s1600/A1C90457-EFFC-444F-91F4-462FD10C62A1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="597" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZCA6M34Qc61dfF6VaK6RksVQEDWwwqICnl7mErb1X_EytE53DkLNNWqf7vT5zkaqvgK5soQvtohdlI5OdcWCFwrLC7qtlygCBGRpsETcTnGeqEmahgBx4imBBfW1DoK55_uZjQYolSg/s640/A1C90457-EFFC-444F-91F4-462FD10C62A1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We're chicken farmers! No. No, we're not. It's the suburbs, there's an ordinance against that! So no fresh eggs, but we do have a quaint little 1800s farmhouse, 2 giant chicken coops, and a brooder house. You'd think we'd be grandfathered or something right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At first, second, third, and eighth glance we would not have called our home a fixer upper. We saw the potential and knew that we'd make a few updates...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitUJHQDuFBVecVd0en591git6tpxpWNuhkyh65xssFWmgpwha13YKZJsl5K0D-p6z7gIKv5jDdqTz_Amvs4r4q7nvl7Drxx1FZoXQpGBNwTcVDi_-6B6KMLuBba5s5YG76yG74c7auds/s1600/1FACDC68-D5C9-4997-A3CE-A498DBFBA09F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitUJHQDuFBVecVd0en591git6tpxpWNuhkyh65xssFWmgpwha13YKZJsl5K0D-p6z7gIKv5jDdqTz_Amvs4r4q7nvl7Drxx1FZoXQpGBNwTcVDi_-6B6KMLuBba5s5YG76yG74c7auds/s640/1FACDC68-D5C9-4997-A3CE-A498DBFBA09F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I should have known better, this ain't my first rodeo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I ask for a coat of paint, and there goes the wall!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWiHajEH3b8bKSd-215pJLith5bhqSMYFcUOtkKej9CgTj-Hgqvx_2zMMjWHUZi_5MyzWiiMJxGUkOBeYAd0wZM7omB0-UCHgGdxFbphrlUMjmoHFGMgOq0f5AfIit7hiiae5l-hQzt8/s1600/3218DEB0-8E01-4E98-BF50-F384E0C9D8FE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWiHajEH3b8bKSd-215pJLith5bhqSMYFcUOtkKej9CgTj-Hgqvx_2zMMjWHUZi_5MyzWiiMJxGUkOBeYAd0wZM7omB0-UCHgGdxFbphrlUMjmoHFGMgOq0f5AfIit7hiiae5l-hQzt8/s400/3218DEB0-8E01-4E98-BF50-F384E0C9D8FE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's a more recent pic... and there's light at the end of the tunnel (or hallway)! Oh wait, that's just the kids bathroom, which is thankfully done!</span><br />
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~ X<br />
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<br />Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-10078328744195077552019-02-07T12:27:00.000-05:002019-02-07T19:12:17.436-05:00I ❤️ This Cupcake Decorating Hack <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm retiring!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement effective June 2019.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">No, no, not the move to Florida become a snowbird kind of retirement. Not yet anyway!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After 20 years, I’m hanging up my classroom mom volunteer tag! That’s right. This is my last year in elementary school, and though there may be opportunities to help in middle school, my kids don't want me there. And I’m OK with that!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’ve been very lucky over the years to work with so many awesome parents, teachers, and kids.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rockstars! All of them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To all future room moms: Let me leave you with a piece of unsolicited advice… Get some sleep!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You don't always have to be <i>that mom</i>! You know <i>that mom</i>… the one that stays up all night before a class party to deliver dozens of cupcakes that look like they came from the Cake Boss’ kitchen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’ve been <i>that mom</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I enjoy decorating, I really do! Its fun. Its creative. And often, its therapy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I also enjoy sleep! So sometimes, life calls for a shortcut.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In honor of Valentine's Day next week, I want to flashback to a recipe I adore and a hack I ❤️.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cap your cupcakes! Whip up - OR BUY - a batch of your favorite cupcakes. Pick up a package of royal icing decorations like these super cute Bubble Hearts from Wilton. And voila!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Ux2YjT7vq6vo1d60St43fsUzROFQvleC9naKUkxuDkBC-CDyPZCLSq6JdW5JsCDAh4lDbI9JO-o_8hqYhQC4O01cOxLBWtpiVhHLPMjsr6wqC9-PKHqqDhuc4V8sjLsjMVfktF9Z0c/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Ux2YjT7vq6vo1d60St43fsUzROFQvleC9naKUkxuDkBC-CDyPZCLSq6JdW5JsCDAh4lDbI9JO-o_8hqYhQC4O01cOxLBWtpiVhHLPMjsr6wqC9-PKHqqDhuc4V8sjLsjMVfktF9Z0c/s640/IMG_2441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2010/09/red-velvet.html">RED VELVET CUPCAKE RECIPE HERE</a> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Cake Boss would be proud!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">~X</span><br />
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Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-62084969070341909382019-02-01T16:56:00.002-05:002019-02-06T23:47:54.582-05:00Kids, College, and… Cupcakes?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes life gets crazy, days pass like hours and hours like minutes. Years fly by, kids grow up, and they <i>might </i>even move out! You know those moms out there telling you to cherish every moment, embrace the mess, revel in the chaos… well they’re right, listen to them!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can someone stop the clock? Time-out please! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see… my nest is already 1/2 empty. And frankly, I’m more of a full nest kind of gal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of good in our new chapter and a lot to be proud of… </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">we’ve celebrated 2 high school graduations, numerous college acceptances, and most recently a college graduation! WE ARE! Ok, well, SHE IS!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We even {insert sigh with quivering lip} moved our oldest out of state. A piece of my heart now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. And trust me, even if you don't have a kid there…visit, and a piece of yours will too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, my nest is 1/2 empty. But with 2 little ladies that still occupy my days and frat house laundry that somehow finds its way home, I’m taking more of a 1/2 full kind of attitude. So as I get eyeliner wing lessons from a 5th grader, dodge the unpredictable attitude of a 13 year old, and fold an endless pile of underwear, I look forward to filling my nest with great memories and new milestones.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">No - the clock won’t stop, but make sure to call an occasional time-out and live in every tiny moment!</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, and if one of those moments happens to include a couple dozen Hershey’s "Perfectly Chocolate" cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese icing…BONUS!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My go to recipe - <a href="https://www.hersheys.com/kitchens/en_us/recipes/hersheys-perfectly-chocolate-chocolate-cake.html">Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake</a> - but here's the trick... replace the boiling water with hot brewed coffee. Now that's perfection! Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">~X</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<b>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting</u></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1/2 cup butter (1 stick) - softened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">8 oz cream cheese - softened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3/4 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 1/2 cup confectioners sugar (more or less for desired consistency)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">pinch of salt (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cream butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Slowly add confectioners sugar, scraping sides of bowl to incorporate. Add pinch of salt to cut sweetness and enhance flavor. Mix on medium high until smooth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
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<br />Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-64181079963433845232019-01-22T13:30:00.000-05:002019-01-22T13:36:45.735-05:00Well, Hello There!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Happy new year friends! It’s been awhile! A long while!</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ok, so I waffled over what my big comeback post would be… it is a new year right?! This has to be big! And I do owe you, ummm, about 6 years of Happy New Year posts. Yikes!</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>New Year, New You!</b> - Nope. I like you just the way you are!</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Happy, Healthy New Year! </b>- Nope. I mean yes, embrace a healthy lifestyle! I did (sorta, kinda… more on that later). But I post treats people, lots and lots of treats!</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>2019, A Year For Change</b> - Nope. But change is good and change is inevitable, even right here on the blog… stay tuned!</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I finally settled on…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL2o-uFi3A-FyMdmtnBjjkDpsF9P-NFcf-8KPh2KfWb0fYAZtjb1x8Jlhv-yvupEOrVfuuT9Xh_5J3g8DI4sX-_Hp5l_ob0dI_YJcaRfbRKp30Ip1cMqjWUhp3648JlyEJzVUV_XdbVo/s1600/IMG_9324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL2o-uFi3A-FyMdmtnBjjkDpsF9P-NFcf-8KPh2KfWb0fYAZtjb1x8Jlhv-yvupEOrVfuuT9Xh_5J3g8DI4sX-_Hp5l_ob0dI_YJcaRfbRKp30Ip1cMqjWUhp3648JlyEJzVUV_XdbVo/s400/IMG_9324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">That’s right… <b>Do More of What Makes You Happy!</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">If that means reinventing yourself, do it! If that means living a healthier lifestyle, do it! If that means returning from a several year hiatus to write a blog that people may or may not care about, do it! Whatever it means for you, just do it!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Hope you’ll visit now and again. Happy 2019!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">~X</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-50705813337632831592013-02-12T09:48:00.000-05:002019-01-15T21:27:38.140-05:00Happy Fat Tuesday!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYCVMQUQTeEvcmzmkfv5CI_ycrjL2n4JJbQOIlMIdYNu3-RHKAbMSpxl7s-Zcv26qOIhwjksAlYFuySVMQ6I26WNR84KeNz4Aza_HO2u1SawXy-s3DRtkwiunPFYHw8zQ2ObeCMul70s/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYCVMQUQTeEvcmzmkfv5CI_ycrjL2n4JJbQOIlMIdYNu3-RHKAbMSpxl7s-Zcv26qOIhwjksAlYFuySVMQ6I26WNR84KeNz4Aza_HO2u1SawXy-s3DRtkwiunPFYHw8zQ2ObeCMul70s/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/03/faschnautsnot-really.html" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faschnauts...Not Really</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A <strike>Faschnaut</strike> <strike>Fasnacht</strike> <strike>Fastnacht</strike> <strike>Faschnacht</strike> ...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A donut day repost...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
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Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-16127683098336698072012-04-26T19:26:00.000-04:002012-04-26T19:26:15.345-04:00Hot Nutella...in April?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We interrupt your regularly schedule spring to bring you a few cold, damp days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Look on the bright, warm, creamy side...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hot <strike>Chocolate</strike> Nutella!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJTYMl8jtR269yPc6cwGz1vx_QhOaqCnntY6HJMV4JZpC_c_fPSxU6d_g1M3Jn6ZmIX0z-YRcreHP-uYZTWwrHQr3HfASKeQOqDpslLfOO07bFi1MuhB0YWK47VgpOVTySmZPB4OKNY/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJTYMl8jtR269yPc6cwGz1vx_QhOaqCnntY6HJMV4JZpC_c_fPSxU6d_g1M3Jn6ZmIX0z-YRcreHP-uYZTWwrHQr3HfASKeQOqDpslLfOO07bFi1MuhB0YWK47VgpOVTySmZPB4OKNY/s320/IMG_5191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Perfection! And the kids loved it too (a saving grace for my daily calorie intake)!</span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hot Nutella</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nutella</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Heat milk in microwave or on stovetop. Stir/dissolve 1-2 (ok 3) tablespoons of Nutella per 8 ozs of steaming milk. Pour, garnish, and...</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-44738053379397804962012-04-22T22:19:00.000-04:002013-02-11T13:26:23.390-05:00Buttercream's Not Just For Cake Anymore...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Driving home from dinner, my 3 year old let out an </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Oh SH#%!"</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Insert gasp</i>.</span> </div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What now? </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Though I'm no behavior specialist, I got this!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*Contain your laughter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*Make no contact with those giant brown eyes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*Once home, kiss the little foul mouth goodnight.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*Dip in to the left over buttercream (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">spoonful, fistful, who am I to judge</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*Pour yourself a glass of wine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*And THANK GOD it wasn't the <b>F</b> word!</span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Basic Buttercream Icing</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2 tbsp milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 lb (@ 4 cups) confectioners sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">a pinch of salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cream butter, vanilla and milk. Add sugar and salt. Blend until creamy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-91884462082834489092012-04-15T22:43:00.004-04:002016-07-07T11:09:12.651-04:00A Letter to the Easter Bunny...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYio_wZbpXInZd2kVyKAh7LvGCm8znLe6WQcexa-3Q-jW5t9toAnK8KUcRD6C7u20Qhw55xGYYAMI6b2ZyJeBgjVW2JI4s_2PwuVicnh7exT8BHRH6v9MWcBrqohPTeyGlHdYDV25gwk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYio_wZbpXInZd2kVyKAh7LvGCm8znLe6WQcexa-3Q-jW5t9toAnK8KUcRD6C7u20Qhw55xGYYAMI6b2ZyJeBgjVW2JI4s_2PwuVicnh7exT8BHRH6v9MWcBrqohPTeyGlHdYDV25gwk/s400/photo.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In order to cover said backside mentioned below (as well as appease my husband), I have included both a rating and a disclaimer for the following post.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rating: PG-13</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Disclaimer: No bunnies were harmed in connection with this post, and in no way does it represent my true feelings regarding the Easter season or the Easter Bunny himself.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Dear Easter Bunny,</i></b></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The children would like to extend their sincere appreciation for a weekend filled with family, food, and LOTS of fun! </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>But as far as I'm concerned, you can kiss my fat a$$! Which, in part, is due to the obscene amount of candy that was </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>brought in to my home and stuffed in to their small, splintering baskets. Candy, of which my bizarre children ate just a taste of and walked away, leaving their weak, powerless mother to devour the remainder of the damn grass ridden baskets. Have you never learned of the negative effects that sugar has on the teeth of young children, let alone the a$$ of a 40 year old woman??? </b></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Now, I would be remiss if I weren't to mention... it MAY be possible that some super cute Easter basket cupcakes have also contributed to my growing backside...but I highly doubt it!</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>In any regard, should you ever enter my home again toting anything more than some apples and a banana or two, you just may find yourself staring down the barrel of a Winchester 77!</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Yours Truly,</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>A Mom With a Bellyache</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Start with your favorite cupcake recipe. My favorite...<a href="http://www.apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2010/09/vanilla-cupcake.html">The Vanilla Cupcake</a>. Print, cut, and assemble the basket wrappers...great template at <a href="http://morestylethancash.com/">morestylethancash.com</a>. Insert the cupcake into the basket wrapper and pipe on icing with grass tip (#233). Top with candy eggs. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So simple! So cute!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinehPf3ppHMYYa0Hm0s42X_t1VhC3Xyhxu1gkEzIdaBkLuEUHAbw-bqRl0jeN4Ohp9sodyIlNFQkuaRTRGONMGqWVB4-4qGEcKIhvcP4tneEOppWQomPo9ithCVBrV65eGFQ6DMtRRg6g/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinehPf3ppHMYYa0Hm0s42X_t1VhC3Xyhxu1gkEzIdaBkLuEUHAbw-bqRl0jeN4Ohp9sodyIlNFQkuaRTRGONMGqWVB4-4qGEcKIhvcP4tneEOppWQomPo9ithCVBrV65eGFQ6DMtRRg6g/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</b></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-65620253684203691542011-11-30T21:04:00.000-05:002012-04-26T12:18:09.145-04:00Pecan Streusel Banana Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHyEystjI0nqleY180rHkYMar-Sb9u0Q_ZpPpKG7AeuSlMIIu6b7TLbbmjgn_eIxDO_RbFiL98CKSagYLQhlppwhf6MbcTbvp6SEWirmBe7Wqib-0F80N7_fsmp5cg4_ac2q0IJr0BDo/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHyEystjI0nqleY180rHkYMar-Sb9u0Q_ZpPpKG7AeuSlMIIu6b7TLbbmjgn_eIxDO_RbFiL98CKSagYLQhlppwhf6MbcTbvp6SEWirmBe7Wqib-0F80N7_fsmp5cg4_ac2q0IJr0BDo/s400/IMG_4527.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Where have I been?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What have I been up to?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Oh how I wish I could tell you a tale of adventure and romance, or fame and fortune...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the truth, however, lies in the comedy of errors that I call life.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So rather than read you a laundry list of excuses, I'll share with you a favorite recipe that fills the belly and, when shared with the right people, warms the heart.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWlnfjA8EAajbrKY_GIPaArHLtEoNBQuLklgZEHP6ZVodTM9Z3YCpJ_OG7Ht_scptFFu3MhGb_bp92A0ovv3Rt76HhaWBjEtIrJos5lAkOukUIR08kzU2jWFzNenZfCxmuXrdTNgKjgk/s1600/IMG_4517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWlnfjA8EAajbrKY_GIPaArHLtEoNBQuLklgZEHP6ZVodTM9Z3YCpJ_OG7Ht_scptFFu3MhGb_bp92A0ovv3Rt76HhaWBjEtIrJos5lAkOukUIR08kzU2jWFzNenZfCxmuXrdTNgKjgk/s400/IMG_4517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Banana Bread</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 3/4 cup all purpose flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2 1/4 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup butter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2/3 cup sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">pinch of fresh grated lemon rind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2 beaten eggs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana</span><br />
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Pecan Streusel Topping</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup packed light brown sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup cold butter (cubed)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup chopped pecans</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, and pecans. Add butter and mix until crumbly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease loaf pan.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Combine flour, baking soda, salt and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir in flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle streusel topping over batter. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></i>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-74419161271481185772011-09-16T21:19:00.000-04:002011-09-16T21:19:28.422-04:00Cheesecake Cookies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blogging from the archives....yep, that's what it's come to. Thrown yet a few more curve balls this month, I have little time for baking. Very little. :( So I'm pulling out a favorite, <a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/01/cheesecake-in-cookie.html">Cheesecake in a Cookie</a>. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnoGZgPSvziBUqkBaQ1wznLkOg53sTaQYf0e1EIN9h6WPJzGRPFflzFCT2OJIn8waOVqNicGkXNI3XzMOwzQhU-NXMpB4DB0KNErEyfe0zzV9fo58r8I9pqBTotcvIrKmtczZhqtF-Ho/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnoGZgPSvziBUqkBaQ1wznLkOg53sTaQYf0e1EIN9h6WPJzGRPFflzFCT2OJIn8waOVqNicGkXNI3XzMOwzQhU-NXMpB4DB0KNErEyfe0zzV9fo58r8I9pqBTotcvIrKmtczZhqtF-Ho/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Find the original post and recipe <a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/01/cheesecake-in-cookie.html">HERE</a>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Try adding a hint of vanilla, or switching up the topping (blueberry is my fave!).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-17165580346593295752011-09-10T12:30:00.002-04:002011-09-10T12:34:32.888-04:00Nutella Mousse Squares<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMDz5LS-i2GOtu_enCMFXtk8ksrucv8XvlUOAgxxNfmsWe66goPgeTlOcXR0qLRR83UEme6BRfsww0x3ongSwqPNjRZZ_9W7OMBXvCADH_5t7d8VMnTz_EpEJV7zTuDwvctsAArt5IoE/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMDz5LS-i2GOtu_enCMFXtk8ksrucv8XvlUOAgxxNfmsWe66goPgeTlOcXR0qLRR83UEme6BRfsww0x3ongSwqPNjRZZ_9W7OMBXvCADH_5t7d8VMnTz_EpEJV7zTuDwvctsAArt5IoE/s400/IMG_4010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When things get hectic (or should I say stressful), it's only natural to seek the comfort of your one and only, your one true love. The one that, through thick and thin, has been by your side. The one that can always pick you up when you're feeling down...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh656LdXB9y2ctlkimPIqpptv_sn7vvX8wSomXxq_pCO0utIN6VkixMIehj6uwKUjg5HUNkWIqqr_6KTtpjFOWByFVczpgq64CKIzLCX5B-QLocfEiJ1ATLo1YQ8aiOkD7pHVUKwAQBAR8/s1600/IMG_3943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh656LdXB9y2ctlkimPIqpptv_sn7vvX8wSomXxq_pCO0utIN6VkixMIehj6uwKUjg5HUNkWIqqr_6KTtpjFOWByFVczpgq64CKIzLCX5B-QLocfEiJ1ATLo1YQ8aiOkD7pHVUKwAQBAR8/s320/IMG_3943.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Found on the </span></span><a href="http://www.nutelladay.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nutella Day website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, this Nutella mousse recipe is quick, easy, and sure to impress!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a ramekan, sprinkled with a few chopped hazelnuts, is by far my favorite serving suggestion. Or, spread it in a pie crust topped with some whipped cream and you've got a delicious Nutella cream pie. Or, chill it in a pan and cut it in to easy to share mousse squares (fork recommended, but not required). Or...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SIGH</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OK. Let's be honest. You'll probably just eat it right out of the mixing bowl...'cause it's THAT good!!</span></span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nutella Mousse Squares</span></span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mousse:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 cup Nutella</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 cups heavy whipping cream</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Crust:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cups Oreo cookies, finely crushed</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 tbsp melted butter</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In food processor, crush cookies...or you can use a ziplock and a rolling pin like I did. Works just as well!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOo8vuvI80ShP-aopTluNvxeu3HMNTkL3D0gziux1xUrbKhCBaP3EZVef_L4e_KxgkKW4e2Pgzeky2-wPOEfnhcLIyHWUuifVrT7imN2d0fE0boeirwImvEx94a0n1oOT_fx6vZ2TFbA/s1600/IMG_3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOo8vuvI80ShP-aopTluNvxeu3HMNTkL3D0gziux1xUrbKhCBaP3EZVef_L4e_KxgkKW4e2Pgzeky2-wPOEfnhcLIyHWUuifVrT7imN2d0fE0boeirwImvEx94a0n1oOT_fx6vZ2TFbA/s320/IMG_3949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stir cookie crumbs with melted butter until moist.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi6ypCmx9XTDvNa9xudyrmA7jcGz4cQbQDOK4GQO6Q2rQ4PbuuQ6YdsuLlqsxxAES05yxph9W-xl5QnSnu50g2VUWg-gOyJm5J7ML5ETt40wcC-HCMXVID7YZ0Z6Rax3HaDC1ZDxaAbU/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi6ypCmx9XTDvNa9xudyrmA7jcGz4cQbQDOK4GQO6Q2rQ4PbuuQ6YdsuLlqsxxAES05yxph9W-xl5QnSnu50g2VUWg-gOyJm5J7ML5ETt40wcC-HCMXVID7YZ0Z6Rax3HaDC1ZDxaAbU/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Press cookie mixture into bottom of 8" square pan and bake for 10 minutes. Completely cool crust before filling.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIpBQKLvSG_r-CxSnukSUHNJONopGBnnIBgqV3JckW8vCc2BU-kgERptEb0xG8JfXahMkLshtvx03YouVLzPTdVdwbMxaiHIDESqsYXUhfKYrF-MMFGwJyNg6SSgBhtl7C6wsq2xyPF8/s1600/IMG_3955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIpBQKLvSG_r-CxSnukSUHNJONopGBnnIBgqV3JckW8vCc2BU-kgERptEb0xG8JfXahMkLshtvx03YouVLzPTdVdwbMxaiHIDESqsYXUhfKYrF-MMFGwJyNg6SSgBhtl7C6wsq2xyPF8/s320/IMG_3955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In chilled mixing bowl, combine heavy cream and nutella.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_M4d0QudyqKZ1464zdvKp2-RWE8n0W9vMFkZMnpzRyWAQu34tZwMUtwpymSyKXO_WE_r9x1i2vowbIA27qTK6kV68-F_422iKGZq0h61Te2VF0FvcXtFx0QdreyzCwwWNxkr_Og7fnM/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_M4d0QudyqKZ1464zdvKp2-RWE8n0W9vMFkZMnpzRyWAQu34tZwMUtwpymSyKXO_WE_r9x1i2vowbIA27qTK6kV68-F_422iKGZq0h61Te2VF0FvcXtFx0QdreyzCwwWNxkr_Og7fnM/s320/IMG_3944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whip on high until not so soft, but not so stiff peaks form.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM95GPZks1Iz9j4I217MTZwf73Cfp0BJ9c2mAZrgfJNa059tt7hGtKE6qA3qdQoMmi_SXp5ZoWPtfQyvEWvZM6ohgbXwweb3bQpGlhZvPbEyey7mtOrx_yB69d7kkKpookXxO7g0a85I/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM95GPZks1Iz9j4I217MTZwf73Cfp0BJ9c2mAZrgfJNa059tt7hGtKE6qA3qdQoMmi_SXp5ZoWPtfQyvEWvZM6ohgbXwweb3bQpGlhZvPbEyey7mtOrx_yB69d7kkKpookXxO7g0a85I/s320/IMG_3946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">action shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spread on top of cooled crust.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXscnpLlTDMitqpaIuFuI4S0sUAxDkvyOtBtW21akw1VcuxFXjQCfR7XLEu36QWte82T-Fv5NlJN-8jtohsTHGCCYHlcaNKvazyp-cd9uN65gqK5HyrewiEBZ1mVMADwONxjK81mthG8/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXscnpLlTDMitqpaIuFuI4S0sUAxDkvyOtBtW21akw1VcuxFXjQCfR7XLEu36QWte82T-Fv5NlJN-8jtohsTHGCCYHlcaNKvazyp-cd9uN65gqK5HyrewiEBZ1mVMADwONxjK81mthG8/s320/IMG_3958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chill overnight.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjhVVrge3rfVQIiCMxg6ttbOJSw1oSHgST2p5-Jd_pSyqv9_xQF6e0PNrnrwdjDIicANw5A_VGU11P_wVfpgh9mpHNUJDoE0eGnqq0nN1wqNZdJalWHqhpLFR0DN1Xg6sN6buL8GZj4/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjhVVrge3rfVQIiCMxg6ttbOJSw1oSHgST2p5-Jd_pSyqv9_xQF6e0PNrnrwdjDIicANw5A_VGU11P_wVfpgh9mpHNUJDoE0eGnqq0nN1wqNZdJalWHqhpLFR0DN1Xg6sN6buL8GZj4/s320/IMG_3963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sprinkle with hazelnuts before serving.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFSTUpd9ssHuYqkEz4_uLtWT8Gij6VQu0XEJrqz4OP6tY9paa_ucmMcN2OWCHtgo3-mQaAisoCF4sCWGLCMsX9XK9yPhBPjGs4F9_T5xEVSap0jp62CoRk0x0tQKdnqNW9JJKhGdrNr4/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFSTUpd9ssHuYqkEz4_uLtWT8Gij6VQu0XEJrqz4OP6tY9paa_ucmMcN2OWCHtgo3-mQaAisoCF4sCWGLCMsX9XK9yPhBPjGs4F9_T5xEVSap0jp62CoRk0x0tQKdnqNW9JJKhGdrNr4/s400/IMG_3969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-31569410496926551192011-09-02T11:13:00.000-04:002011-09-02T11:13:01.926-04:00Crumb Coat Cakes: American Girl Doll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFxHyjmt8QlGHWEvGAa5_SOXA4clAYRM-58mLIA_YiKynz3pFuC8GhRAhZ5M-xDtuxNAo03qB5n3opwh3ScMs8zq-jYjpJ7H6EIlbhmbvQTSwy0V4lbPqWX8niwI3HrjC4qhCCjNNr6M/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFxHyjmt8QlGHWEvGAa5_SOXA4clAYRM-58mLIA_YiKynz3pFuC8GhRAhZ5M-xDtuxNAo03qB5n3opwh3ScMs8zq-jYjpJ7H6EIlbhmbvQTSwy0V4lbPqWX8niwI3HrjC4qhCCjNNr6M/s400/IMG_3816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As of lately, time is the enemy! I'm hoping, however, that time and I can mend our ways. And I'm hoping to make amends soon...very, very soon! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've had quite a few changes around here. In addition to potty training my youngest and the continued bliss of nurturing a </span></span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">moody</span></span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> spirited teenager, 3 out of my 4 kids have begun a new adventure. New schools and new experiences, not to mention the new/old sports and activities that come with this time of year (ballet, gymnastics, football, CCD, voice lessons, auditions, etc). I know, I know...blah, blah, blah! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We're all in the same boat. Busy, busy busy!</span> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how does my sob story correlate with my latest cake creation you ask? Well due my recent lack of time (and patience, I must admit), I cheated. :( I typically pride myself on the fact that each and every element of my cakes are 100% edible. But this time, that wasn't the case.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TZvLW6B2qVyzfjo0TeJLxOutIE3ek1msvTdFXHVTnsShitbqEdDcC0-EnEekEVNlJdlgb_ptoolUwQqr8L39NbI_wBJX_Rz4R_Go8YVEXXpfaQJ1Jv3vff_8PH2qEfAtYRr-FPwqDCo/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TZvLW6B2qVyzfjo0TeJLxOutIE3ek1msvTdFXHVTnsShitbqEdDcC0-EnEekEVNlJdlgb_ptoolUwQqr8L39NbI_wBJX_Rz4R_Go8YVEXXpfaQJ1Jv3vff_8PH2qEfAtYRr-FPwqDCo/s320/IMG_3833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The plan was to mold a miniature version of the birthday girl's own American Girl doll out of fondant and have her sitting on top of the cake. But, due to said circumstances (see above), she just wasn't coming out as planned. So...I resorted to a doll pick, leaving only her outfit, legs, and boots as edible elements. As for the placement, she was strategically positioned for a quick and easy removal. If by chance, the birthday girl/mom of the birthday girl didn't like her, with a quick wipe of the board no one would ever know she existed. I think, however, she made the cut.</span></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-59033350814469918792011-08-28T11:06:00.001-04:002011-08-28T11:07:52.003-04:00Oozy Bread for Irene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_OzNAvGF7WYeT8M3v58vBceZDWfCQMgLwG1kGN7yMXZsh1zDOcJC5PJYGweF3pO6Qd4TcSctrscyxKXihYL0Ia3yi1QpH9eK4idcMrktdr4wB_WuyxdLRDaJ1VLHPjtC24uwITF7fk/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_OzNAvGF7WYeT8M3v58vBceZDWfCQMgLwG1kGN7yMXZsh1zDOcJC5PJYGweF3pO6Qd4TcSctrscyxKXihYL0Ia3yi1QpH9eK4idcMrktdr4wB_WuyxdLRDaJ1VLHPjtC24uwITF7fk/s400/IMG_3911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another one from the archives: </span><a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2010/11/ooh-ooh-oozy-bread.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ooh, Ooh, Oozy Bread</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, November 2010.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was "that" kind of morning. I guess hurricanes just put me in an Oozy Bread kind of mood.</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thankful for having power and a dry basement, but praying for those still in Irene's path. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Stay safe everyone!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Oozy Bread </u></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u></u></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 package bacon, chopped <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(I use pre-cooked bacon. Saves a step, tastes just as good)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 8-ounce jar maple syrup</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 stick butter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 package (8 biscuits) home-style buttermilk biscuits</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(today I baked at 350, and turned out with what may be the most evenly baked oozy bread to date)</span>. Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add bacon. Cook until crisp, about 8-10 minutes and reserve. Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add the maple syrup and the butter -- do not bring up to a boil. Cook until butter is melted, then turn the heat off and reserve. Butter or spray a 3x9 loaf pan. Pour a couple tablespoons of the maple/butter sauce in the bottom </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(I sprinkle some of the bacon on the bottom before adding the biscuits)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Layer 3 of the biscuits in the bottom of the pan. Tear up one of the biscuits and fill in any open spaces with the pieces. Don't worry if any still remain, the ooze will fill those in. Sprinkle half of the reserved bacon onto of the biscuits and top with about a 1/2 cup of the butter/syrup mixture. Place the remaining biscuits on top, sprinkle the rest of the bacon over them and top with the remaining maple sauce. Transfer to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(when top of bread starts to brown, I tent with foil allowing for the extra baking time without over-browning) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remove and immediately turn over onto a serving dish.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-7576523759048399672011-08-16T10:54:00.003-04:002011-08-16T21:27:25.338-04:00Banana Bread Comfort Cookies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rain, rain go away...come again another day. But while you're here, can I interest you in some comfort cookies??</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_BL_Ts8QAOlu3pABtI30BD_vPBJeZFyyLVt2G_mj8F_bw7Y-usU2zVdBNhuFK4RKTafBond6Lj19oI4lR5HcTGcnxHI1-JSLeWQWef6rPbsQLq0-TsojQ5u_H2sMnGgBhpQwv9s030c/s1600/DSC04556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_BL_Ts8QAOlu3pABtI30BD_vPBJeZFyyLVt2G_mj8F_bw7Y-usU2zVdBNhuFK4RKTafBond6Lj19oI4lR5HcTGcnxHI1-JSLeWQWef6rPbsQLq0-TsojQ5u_H2sMnGgBhpQwv9s030c/s400/DSC04556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One from the archives: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2010/10/banana-bread-cookies.html">Banana Bread Cookies</a>, October 2010.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A modification of <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/338169/banana-walnut-chocolate-chunk-cookies">Martha's Stewart's Banana-Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookie</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Banana Bread Cookies</u></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u></u></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 cup all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup whole-wheat flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon coarse salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup granulated sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 large egg</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup mashed ripe banana, about 1 large (don't be shy)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><s>1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats</s></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><s></s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><s>8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped into 1/4-inch chunks</s></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><s></s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup coarsely chopped <s>walnuts (about 2 ounces), toasted</s> pecans</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flours, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. Put butter and sugars into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Add egg and vanilla; mix until combined. Mix in banana. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><s>oats, chocolate chunks, and walnuts</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> pecans. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown and just set, 12 to 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely (or not). Cookies can be stored in airtight containers up to 2 days.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span></span><br />
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Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-57562886548087825182011-08-13T22:05:00.001-04:002011-08-13T22:28:40.398-04:00Happy Birthday to Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY7mP9rjCJVTWlyE96qe6oPjHC0YfmjVVNwWOS4PPXUaIgRDg8efNJ4oubTYzU0eJ42agCI1BkAjAZdvc8tYgfGnk_9_xiB2Mx36MZ-vhGVUMGJ1r7Zi6xHK5HGNcaFC6vpWC8R0EHnI/s1600/IMG_3706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY7mP9rjCJVTWlyE96qe6oPjHC0YfmjVVNwWOS4PPXUaIgRDg8efNJ4oubTYzU0eJ42agCI1BkAjAZdvc8tYgfGnk_9_xiB2Mx36MZ-vhGVUMGJ1r7Zi6xHK5HGNcaFC6vpWC8R0EHnI/s400/IMG_3706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know I haven't been a very faithful blogger lately, and I'm sorry for that. It's been a busy summer! Between vacations, visitors, and virtually anything else you can think of, I haven't had any time to bake. And today, my birthday, was no different, just a wonderfully busy day with the family.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So this post isn't about recipes or fancy photos, it's about 1 thoughtful statement and 4 amazing kids who backed it up.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"<i>No one should have to make their own birthday cake.</i>"</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I didn't!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zcDKtZHcM83ZYb7fAc0E0YHl_vHgMPCsH9JSnJovwCtLTUFwa780J_-3wMjlDrSO6dSF-CYYicwV0Se2_yPl8HT4fV7VYH9auiAm1H8xW-JOpY1dqaQlYz0RHCsibFvnWnp91_2I8hM/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zcDKtZHcM83ZYb7fAc0E0YHl_vHgMPCsH9JSnJovwCtLTUFwa780J_-3wMjlDrSO6dSF-CYYicwV0Se2_yPl8HT4fV7VYH9auiAm1H8xW-JOpY1dqaQlYz0RHCsibFvnWnp91_2I8hM/s320/IMG_3684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One boxed cake mix...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vtJTvDFL8GL-YIsllstU1gRm1JY2g2jo5xNMX4XZe2TL84zGD0Te1okFZqRt8WXg3eMthzT-hvd3PQc4IMNEk0Ybxgb16Y7OsR1IlFRxWrDE8S1sHd34U4cW4kwsHnAUS9wCJQcQ9U/s1600/IMG_3685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vtJTvDFL8GL-YIsllstU1gRm1JY2g2jo5xNMX4XZe2TL84zGD0Te1okFZqRt8WXg3eMthzT-hvd3PQc4IMNEk0Ybxgb16Y7OsR1IlFRxWrDE8S1sHd34U4cW4kwsHnAUS9wCJQcQ9U/s320/IMG_3685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some canned icing...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBziy_NqfbfxMcHISwQ3oUSGPo7qkUXH3ICcL_WR31JfDGccsLDvjdCxXOTPCtN07rHblUwyk28p5jcMEepNy-Yuw3nr5EROerJQhXEYasY9nZ2EwnC1nB5Y1vwCEgjPfWxIZh6s4SkU/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBziy_NqfbfxMcHISwQ3oUSGPo7qkUXH3ICcL_WR31JfDGccsLDvjdCxXOTPCtN07rHblUwyk28p5jcMEepNy-Yuw3nr5EROerJQhXEYasY9nZ2EwnC1nB5Y1vwCEgjPfWxIZh6s4SkU/s320/IMG_3686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lots and lots and LOTS of sprinkles...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY7mP9rjCJVTWlyE96qe6oPjHC0YfmjVVNwWOS4PPXUaIgRDg8efNJ4oubTYzU0eJ42agCI1BkAjAZdvc8tYgfGnk_9_xiB2Mx36MZ-vhGVUMGJ1r7Zi6xHK5HGNcaFC6vpWC8R0EHnI/s1600/IMG_3706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY7mP9rjCJVTWlyE96qe6oPjHC0YfmjVVNwWOS4PPXUaIgRDg8efNJ4oubTYzU0eJ42agCI1BkAjAZdvc8tYgfGnk_9_xiB2Mx36MZ-vhGVUMGJ1r7Zi6xHK5HGNcaFC6vpWC8R0EHnI/s320/IMG_3706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And, voila! The most beautiful cake I've ever seen!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx0PLpkbTHDORWa5es5ZOqY6em2ivEErL0KsVLP7urFP5scuf6ZAFjBbnH4PFPQrFYa9ld_f2gnxAguCWDLGOLzvpNSuroiej1rylV_eK5HMxcQghHkVf0FUibRnK4YRwKVNP9eu9oOc/s1600/IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx0PLpkbTHDORWa5es5ZOqY6em2ivEErL0KsVLP7urFP5scuf6ZAFjBbnH4PFPQrFYa9ld_f2gnxAguCWDLGOLzvpNSuroiej1rylV_eK5HMxcQghHkVf0FUibRnK4YRwKVNP9eu9oOc/s320/IMG_3731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Funfetti to boot!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfTIVZwZqLJh-dfwUS6m9ZkW9z0e8XJzJU8agmrgibJNVTrETNn2K-YRmaL7SrLNlNsYL-D6B0_qAvT_W_cQKfVOJ1JEUR_QKvEFmWh_Z4jQ11rCHGMCmNTlQ779DIsq2MMhYOa1Io8o/s1600/IMG_3725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfTIVZwZqLJh-dfwUS6m9ZkW9z0e8XJzJU8agmrgibJNVTrETNn2K-YRmaL7SrLNlNsYL-D6B0_qAvT_W_cQKfVOJ1JEUR_QKvEFmWh_Z4jQ11rCHGMCmNTlQ779DIsq2MMhYOa1Io8o/s320/IMG_3725.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Got a kick out of this one...no, the cake IS NOT on fire, there were just </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A LOT</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> of candles (and a very excited grandma in the background).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love my kids! They even cleaned up. (sort of) ;)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span></span><br />
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<span id="goog_1643021803"></span><span id="goog_1643021804"></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-38462416830453060142011-07-31T22:52:00.004-04:002011-07-31T22:57:58.905-04:00Lemon Creme Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nO58Y589ARy3OM7zp1zU14bEvkEQqXIj1IxANSctDXABr14d7dEGAnWr_8ZZZwR4aCFK4Mw7UfnL6tIZUgnE4dtUViOR_BJWNFMG2tpW-f4e3Rifi6olmsytkWJgPt51H1osjw490cU/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nO58Y589ARy3OM7zp1zU14bEvkEQqXIj1IxANSctDXABr14d7dEGAnWr_8ZZZwR4aCFK4Mw7UfnL6tIZUgnE4dtUViOR_BJWNFMG2tpW-f4e3Rifi6olmsytkWJgPt51H1osjw490cU/s400/IMG_3250.JPG" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lemon. Again. Shocker!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'll keep it short and <i>sweet</i>. I love to bake from scratch, to combine each and every ingredient, building on each layer, creating something delicious with a little science, and let's face it, a little luck. But who am I to turn my nose up to Betty Crocker? I'll be the first to admit, I am not opposed to an occasional shortcut, especially when the end result tastes this good.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Betty Crocker's Lemon Creme Bars </u></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u></u></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #cd6219; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cup cold butter</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cd6219; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">egg</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> t</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sp grated lemon peel</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4</span></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> cup lemon juice</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In large bowl, cut butter into cookie mix, using fork or pastry blender. Stir in egg until mixture is crumbly. Press half of cookie mixture into bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDuO5lbslGES9xExvDziKmnjkkx1F3jdjnRE1BTzH-M08YH3zW7jN1XvTieQgWor3G8BoO99ffTobdfDBsibCKF8LU5ieSRA_1sGsAQ7Ec01SzSdSmMwzH-LVZol5ho3_Y3KoxsE6aOk/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDuO5lbslGES9xExvDziKmnjkkx1F3jdjnRE1BTzH-M08YH3zW7jN1XvTieQgWor3G8BoO99ffTobdfDBsibCKF8LU5ieSRA_1sGsAQ7Ec01SzSdSmMwzH-LVZol5ho3_Y3KoxsE6aOk/s320/IMG_3237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6a7zDNSMwDFTPNayfZ4O-vDTJiwNBLKhsxHEu83Nvaf8HYnDgkTK4iJ658GfXtQs32_3w7RRShorZer3zGK5F0GzAr5Z0DPDeRZg_gsbFzz5rHdf6xzDYG1OEBMfHQVYh_ljKvRSGak/s1600/IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6a7zDNSMwDFTPNayfZ4O-vDTJiwNBLKhsxHEu83Nvaf8HYnDgkTK4iJ658GfXtQs32_3w7RRShorZer3zGK5F0GzAr5Z0DPDeRZg_gsbFzz5rHdf6xzDYG1OEBMfHQVYh_ljKvRSGak/s320/IMG_3234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In small bowl, stir condensed milk, lemon peel and lemon juice until thick. Spread over baked crust. Crumble remaining cookie mixture over top. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c1VjX-PVPL2MI7_Uzp6372xgcncB1crrEKRBbA56aL5utYLRh5env3aaS8DrpjSrFL7CZE3mONqHq5BUYYaZPQlbyJ4aRPzMewSrqljmS-eHc0xVnY0FSV4R-uIrWzOsc7hkVX4Jkrw/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c1VjX-PVPL2MI7_Uzp6372xgcncB1crrEKRBbA56aL5utYLRh5env3aaS8DrpjSrFL7CZE3mONqHq5BUYYaZPQlbyJ4aRPzMewSrqljmS-eHc0xVnY0FSV4R-uIrWzOsc7hkVX4Jkrw/s320/IMG_3242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpbghCMULjOAzoCgvei0aSfANrXr8R3pjte_kgqUFp7QXFSPVKkAiL_CvEg2HM021w5tniX1_zypyZ0LOY9OGlQrfwwNpP_-VgAHrA-I6d60no6VDaK_RuXZhViQhYlsNi346md_6wT8/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpbghCMULjOAzoCgvei0aSfANrXr8R3pjte_kgqUFp7QXFSPVKkAiL_CvEg2HM021w5tniX1_zypyZ0LOY9OGlQrfwwNpP_-VgAHrA-I6d60no6VDaK_RuXZhViQhYlsNi346md_6wT8/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMP6EV62xlQnobrIjeopK85DE_Fn4rOJPgpSsF6TjVdMQ13v7YAMyTlCBQQx7-GBh_0HEgt4SwsoR4-HZtB4xuxsrXf8fph4QoQpa0C6ykGU7s9tOqZlF3ZTP4hV0lWOkzYkn2TPLYMQ/s1600/IMG_3245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMP6EV62xlQnobrIjeopK85DE_Fn4rOJPgpSsF6TjVdMQ13v7YAMyTlCBQQx7-GBh_0HEgt4SwsoR4-HZtB4xuxsrXf8fph4QoQpa0C6ykGU7s9tOqZlF3ZTP4hV0lWOkzYkn2TPLYMQ/s320/IMG_3245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bake about 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQJDj-0c64WIVihq-65xEoSDND4bPmyGgdmI3vkz0pc7Fr3g1hI1O3e0eO8HpLdTModp7vSj0Y2vyJi66-ve9MgwrH7e3x33roGFZf39yxgIYBzF9WfeI8ReEUoXyuolc1z7zbwQzxCg/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQJDj-0c64WIVihq-65xEoSDND4bPmyGgdmI3vkz0pc7Fr3g1hI1O3e0eO8HpLdTModp7vSj0Y2vyJi66-ve9MgwrH7e3x33roGFZf39yxgIYBzF9WfeI8ReEUoXyuolc1z7zbwQzxCg/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span></span></div></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-47552549711308160002011-07-18T15:09:00.003-04:002011-07-18T20:43:27.060-04:00The Lemon-Raspberry Muffin Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZuWEwinbLccfJs0xiEKbz4U10ta-CUiz1cObjoIMPQuYL5IqNF4vUvqFlOORs542ICXVr5aqIgCces107p0W-LD70LDn6bzTv0O2hdqSTHu3dy_5Ffi1mQP6exZ2RWJYzJoPgZ4NL9Q/s1600/IMG_3220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZuWEwinbLccfJs0xiEKbz4U10ta-CUiz1cObjoIMPQuYL5IqNF4vUvqFlOORs542ICXVr5aqIgCces107p0W-LD70LDn6bzTv0O2hdqSTHu3dy_5Ffi1mQP6exZ2RWJYzJoPgZ4NL9Q/s640/IMG_3220.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the lemon obsession continues...w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ith a raspberry twist this time. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a recent issue of </span></span><a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cooking Light Magazine</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, I stumbled upon a Tuscan Lemon Muffin recipe using ricotta cheese and olive oil, yum! Without hesitation, I dog eared the page and put it on the must try list. What's better than a fresh lemon muffin? A fresh lemon muffin with raspberries, of course! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Add raspberries to the Tuscan Lemon recipe, or adapt the recipe to a basic sour cream variation? Which would be a better pairing? Will it even matter? What do I know? Try both with different ingredient combinations. (Real story here is, with no ricotta on hand, the sour cream variation would be an immediate cure to the craving)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And so the Muffin Project begins... </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 1: Sour Cream Adaptation</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Co</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">nsensus...very good! My husband loved them, but I wasn't sold. However, being that he is a muffin man and I'm more of a cupcake gal, he may be the better judge.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Day 2: Tuscan Lemon Recipe</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Consensus...great! I was sold! (and so was the muffin man)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Two batches may not quite constitute a "project", but there was no need to go any further. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 3 & 4: Continue Eating All of Those Muffins</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cooking Light's Tuscan Lemon Muffins with some fresh raspberries thrown in to the mix (literally) were exactly what I hoped they would be, delicious! (Guess that's why they publish a cooking magazine and I don't)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Cooking Light's Tuscan Lemon Muffins</b></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">*my sour cream adaptation in red</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup granulated sugar</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 1/2 tsp baking powder </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp salt</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup part-skim ricotta <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">OR 3/4 sour cream</span></i> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup water <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">OR 1/2 milk</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/4 olive oil <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">OR 1/4 vegetable oil</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 tbsp grated lemon rind</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 tbsp fresh lemon juice</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 large egg, lightly beaten</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cooking spray</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 tbsp turbinado sugar</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">fresh raspberries</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDsnrWjOqaqStLaLrAXM689RC80_5d2R0u3QMCBHOeRudtWqQxEsQZ780KMWYM8I2ACpjfbwGH_4bYG5EXZp8uGEVZDE2Rfk5za66tmiod4VGNdyrr-y6pagRDvGnfE2iFzoqk0qe-8Q/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDsnrWjOqaqStLaLrAXM689RC80_5d2R0u3QMCBHOeRudtWqQxEsQZ780KMWYM8I2ACpjfbwGH_4bYG5EXZp8uGEVZDE2Rfk5za66tmiod4VGNdyrr-y6pagRDvGnfE2iFzoqk0qe-8Q/s320/IMG_3117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt): make well in center.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcOEURfQ8yGxLaxk9gmNYYieum-cMnGc0D2Ikuv-ehDEJU8C97Fg7WkcDBv6zJQJNjOc5itn2vlPdQeb3pbXl_F3bNRJCMSQPRrLt_pRh-lsvkyKUeyVdM8i4No_0JSDX8uBCSLGnAP4/s1600/IMG_3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcOEURfQ8yGxLaxk9gmNYYieum-cMnGc0D2Ikuv-ehDEJU8C97Fg7WkcDBv6zJQJNjOc5itn2vlPdQeb3pbXl_F3bNRJCMSQPRrLt_pRh-lsvkyKUeyVdM8i4No_0JSDX8uBCSLGnAP4/s320/IMG_3125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In separate bowl, combine ricotta and next 5 ingredients (through egg). Add ricotta mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until moist.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpa5Xx60tPelYSuqWJoP4Lj5NBHWeTWD8mp_ix3aPRzrjvmkFw9Hdzd9pAlvIR5BE3nOOU7kq5PfauQ31g98x-lUAADGyHfMWoVMItNoc-uPVjYbj-oJOmAdqsOAowm8DqcO2xmNG45g/s1600/IMG_3127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpa5Xx60tPelYSuqWJoP4Lj5NBHWeTWD8mp_ix3aPRzrjvmkFw9Hdzd9pAlvIR5BE3nOOU7kq5PfauQ31g98x-lUAADGyHfMWoVMItNoc-uPVjYbj-oJOmAdqsOAowm8DqcO2xmNG45g/s320/IMG_3127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Place 12 liners in a muffin tin; coat with cooking spray. Divide batter among muffin cups. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(batch in above picture came out on the skimpy side, 2nd batch I filled each cup nearly full and they came out perfect) </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dust raspberries with a bit of sugar and either gently mix them into batter or place a few into each batter filled cup. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Sprinkle turbinado sugar over batter. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 16 minutes, or until pick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E3Fxl_QIPVUUoM9sUB1XUXewpH8m5_yVsqTENAobqsE53mdSuwp3ULzkEIHQglu_mWpyj_g0DtUifXVXxykwMc0J62d3jGHYFrCd83-7i7PhRXicbiWS1LnsqfRSukdxEUjsCzD1BYI/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E3Fxl_QIPVUUoM9sUB1XUXewpH8m5_yVsqTENAobqsE53mdSuwp3ULzkEIHQglu_mWpyj_g0DtUifXVXxykwMc0J62d3jGHYFrCd83-7i7PhRXicbiWS1LnsqfRSukdxEUjsCzD1BYI/s320/IMG_3139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-91220299930581308282011-07-13T01:07:00.003-04:002011-07-18T12:27:41.336-04:00Kailey, her Dream Cake, and an Icing Smile<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCcAHdQj2oBEttP5Q_Vk2LI_0nfoQGEbzxJiNwc4dGakiI4uOVAvoeogExUkEHmIJu5ebKlMEkFLwktAdOihWwPJFDmrwXPOpnkw6gHSt4aq0d3qD7ioG_A86FCpDFrr2fh0jrZ2hZsc/s1600/P1260610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCcAHdQj2oBEttP5Q_Vk2LI_0nfoQGEbzxJiNwc4dGakiI4uOVAvoeogExUkEHmIJu5ebKlMEkFLwktAdOihWwPJFDmrwXPOpnkw6gHSt4aq0d3qD7ioG_A86FCpDFrr2fh0jrZ2hZsc/s400/P1260610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kailey and Me</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Meet Kailey. In 2007, she was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. After 2 unsuccessful treatments, Kailey received a cord blood transplant, and just this past weekend she reached a huge milestone. Kailey celebrated her one year anniversary of the transplant, and has had all restrictions lifted. (Except, according to Kailey's mom, for tattoos. She'll need a few vaccines first.) Yay Kailey, life is good!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was a call to action by </span></span><a href="http://www.icingsmiles.org/Site/Welcome.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Icing Smiles</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, a non-profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes to families impacted by critical illness of a child, which allowed me the opportunity to meet Kailey and her family while providing a dream cake for her anniversary celebration.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"After every storm comes a rainbow." Literally!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just as I was preparing for the cake delivery, a storm passed through, bringing thunder and heavy downpours. The worst part was that the party was being held outdoors. Kailey had requested flowers, butterflies, peace signs and a rainbow for her dream cake. And thanks to my dad (and a giant golf umbrella), that's exactly what she got. Cake arrived safe and sound, skies cleared, and they partied well in to the night. Thank you Icing Smiles! Together, we provided yet another icing smile.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The making of Kailey's dream cake...</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lrBYmdllaaD5nXhoA0fTTYEAdIu_SXQdUYzevXJDVppU7aYlwZVU0Hq2DGjRXt7ixARW2htMZM_xSPMFqMR29fo-uxdcbFMxsxTYdxh7sQpOvMPChj35YkUO5zBvw0GCFOIsqN5q1zQ/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lrBYmdllaaD5nXhoA0fTTYEAdIu_SXQdUYzevXJDVppU7aYlwZVU0Hq2DGjRXt7ixARW2htMZM_xSPMFqMR29fo-uxdcbFMxsxTYdxh7sQpOvMPChj35YkUO5zBvw0GCFOIsqN5q1zQ/s400/IMG_3040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgFTfkWibRr9-WwyZ-tlbmA8ZLFrhTFtAP2kZc_XSiUEOKw71wRvhdY-X6lJ0Z6ejYTk_a30OTBq8dj5JKAZ5Ql1rxI71mIs6s-0m-3D08BqVuLTkE1ccIrJZoIAWciQQsQS_pKjUXoc/s1600/IMG_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgFTfkWibRr9-WwyZ-tlbmA8ZLFrhTFtAP2kZc_XSiUEOKw71wRvhdY-X6lJ0Z6ejYTk_a30OTBq8dj5JKAZ5Ql1rxI71mIs6s-0m-3D08BqVuLTkE1ccIrJZoIAWciQQsQS_pKjUXoc/s400/IMG_3056.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/icingsmiles"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Icing Smiles on Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/04/call-to-action.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Icing Smiles - Call to Action</span></a>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-84330625280670346442011-07-06T09:31:00.000-04:002011-07-06T09:31:53.267-04:00Bake A Difference!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The time has come..."dream" cake in progress!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7d4NqQuzB3lg8XQKjVGjXkP_D8Iz5dZNYOJ6t-Y1du9ig5390rnbNWv8H4NPmv2kqDK1IEovA0-bhS_l3Gedh9cy5tRMVhetYExjkwgIHjROnBeVbHLlAUzAP-w0K-UQiKGjAbJVqmY/s1600/IMG_3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7d4NqQuzB3lg8XQKjVGjXkP_D8Iz5dZNYOJ6t-Y1du9ig5390rnbNWv8H4NPmv2kqDK1IEovA0-bhS_l3Gedh9cy5tRMVhetYExjkwgIHjROnBeVbHLlAUzAP-w0K-UQiKGjAbJVqmY/s320/IMG_3033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read about my </span><a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/04/call-to-action.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Call To Action</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and learn more about </span><a href="http://www.icingsmiles.org/Site/Welcome.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Icing Smiles Inc</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a non profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by critical illness of a child. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Or, check out <a href="http://www.icingsmiles.org/Site/Our_Needs.html">how you can help</a>.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check back later this week for the "dream" cake post, and share in the opportunity of providing an icing smile.</span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-15413719149249399432011-07-01T09:17:00.000-04:002011-07-01T09:17:14.534-04:00Our FAVORITE Blueberry Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzUOxudg8GAzX_o73WneX3ABnW8uP3DymZe4LAoRvB10UOVbZ-tPtdcAI5UH4JlZ-rQnWbpfsg_LT1GFjeDIFvVG1TM4R0PCF5V5AnrPvjdFTPOgi7kOmPO9GJCUlc-Zd8V7b119y7po/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzUOxudg8GAzX_o73WneX3ABnW8uP3DymZe4LAoRvB10UOVbZ-tPtdcAI5UH4JlZ-rQnWbpfsg_LT1GFjeDIFvVG1TM4R0PCF5V5AnrPvjdFTPOgi7kOmPO9GJCUlc-Zd8V7b119y7po/s400/IMG_2866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before pie, I'd like to sing the praises of all the working mothers/fathers out there. As well as the praises of all the working bloggers! Or how about the working bloggers with kids?! Whew! Seriously, how do you get it all done? How many hours are in your day? It's gotta be more than 24, 'cause if not, that just means...my time management skills suck! </span><br />
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I'd love to find time to bake more, experiment more, post more, and explore more. The blogging world has so much to offer, I've already connected with so many talented and creative people. A special thanks to each and every one of you for your individual inspiration.<br />
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As for those time management skills...I'm working on it!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, lets talk pie!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My five year old was responsible for the planning of our Father's Day agenda...make breakfast, a visit to the fish hatchery, a trip to <a href="http://www.maggiemoos.com/">Maggie Moo's</a> for ice cream, finishing up with a run through the fountains. Sounded good to me! They'd all be tired, and we could just pick up a little something for dinner on the way home.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not quite!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While rattling off the agenda to daddy over breakfast, she (unbeknownst to me) added steaks on the grill and his favorite blueberry pie for dinner. Whoa!! My day just got busier! </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9hKdIv-lfIQw3IqMwphM8YsRntdsbbmc1xV5FRmvnomMPpFjnNbYdZayc-jkVvkzJE0vJCTDhPhrTEwAHvGVgfsdvIHYMMUUd_zzK4a-Eb9ozGotrJhpguU3ge3KMR7lv055pu9rv1U/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9hKdIv-lfIQw3IqMwphM8YsRntdsbbmc1xV5FRmvnomMPpFjnNbYdZayc-jkVvkzJE0vJCTDhPhrTEwAHvGVgfsdvIHYMMUUd_zzK4a-Eb9ozGotrJhpguU3ge3KMR7lv055pu9rv1U/s400/IMG_2834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another "kitchen drawer" recipe that I've used for years!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Blueberry Crumb Pie</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Filling:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 cup white sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup all purpose flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tsp grated lemon zest</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tbsp lemon juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 cups fresh blueberries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crumb topping:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2/3 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 cup rolled oats</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 tbsp butter (cubed)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Line 9 inch pie plate with pie crust, press into bottom and sides.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In large bowl, mix white sugar, flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Gently stir in blueberries to coat. Pour blueberry mixture into pie crust.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, oats, flour, and cinnamon. Mix in butter using a fork (or your hands) until crumbly. Spread crumb topping over blueberry mixture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until deep golden brown on top. (I sometimes tent the pie with tin foil for the last few minutes of baking to avoid over-browning) Cool on wire rack.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Recipe originally found on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>HAVE A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Enjoy</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-88655847997626767032011-06-29T09:41:00.000-04:002011-06-29T09:41:09.181-04:00Orange Julius Pops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4b8Wi1oMPmbQy2AFfDcnC-y5G4xpto8OMAUpLxMylJp_QeXbud7yObxuUvdX2dnBcqFXdrsd9AflWbk4fAgtFrywcpmXabLdqLP7nTN1vtmKZ2BQ4WyonWvoXZkgbYdU7YJm4XwNHjQ/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4b8Wi1oMPmbQy2AFfDcnC-y5G4xpto8OMAUpLxMylJp_QeXbud7yObxuUvdX2dnBcqFXdrsd9AflWbk4fAgtFrywcpmXabLdqLP7nTN1vtmKZ2BQ4WyonWvoXZkgbYdU7YJm4XwNHjQ/s400/IMG_2935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Want an Orange Julius? Go to the mall.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's how it was. That's what it was, a delightfully refreshing mall treat. Not anymore. Now, 4 kids later, I avoid the mall at all costs. Therefore, plan B.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Want an Orange Julius? Keep your freezer stocked with OJ concentrate.</span><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and apparently, that of my family's as well. Last week we broke out the blender, and for some reason, I felt it was necessary to double the Orange Julius recipe. Turns out, it wasn't. We ended up with, oh, I'd say...a full batch left over.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Orange Julius isn't the kind of thing that keeps well in the fridge, and you know what they say...waste not, want not. Thank goodness for those popsicle molds that have been sitting (unused) in the cabinet for a million years.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Umm, not quite!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During one of my "Please don't nominate me for </span><i><a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hoarding: Buried Alive</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">moments, I must have gotten rid of them. Good thing my husband has ignored my continual nags to hook up our ice maker...we still have ice cube trays!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfex1F77ys9ZJpQTvsBpuAA7qZCDUZQDmjmu1d0hhJLhgqsT1sLe1Pa5CPt2E1DPh_ak8mjPn4Oi4RqAy7HHsbDUiLGEqplBqsRlZ55OK7CXwPWOwWJCxP7JMKujK8lmq7P0VCHkYYlQ/s1600/IMG_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfex1F77ys9ZJpQTvsBpuAA7qZCDUZQDmjmu1d0hhJLhgqsT1sLe1Pa5CPt2E1DPh_ak8mjPn4Oi4RqAy7HHsbDUiLGEqplBqsRlZ55OK7CXwPWOwWJCxP7JMKujK8lmq7P0VCHkYYlQ/s320/IMG_2771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Orange Julius</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ice cubes (10-12)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blend all ingredients, except ice cubes. Continue blending adding one ice cube at a time until smooth. Serve immediately. For pops: pour into molds and freeze. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>OR</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> pour into ice cube trays and once partially frozen, insert a toothpick into center of each.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></u></b></span></div>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-21954580908371312562011-06-23T14:04:00.001-04:002011-06-23T14:05:21.429-04:00Homemade Pancakes With...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH3BxOIvNgA84VEvAJ3vU8vvbH60oBC-0wsT1gz-ChrGsmqInIS5tA0LXU0mMSqMboX16O-yt5cYb86O3JLOdz7gbRnSLsV3_EFLvIbudzL5Rht1vTAYpCbrlNNlxRHKsBSw2XtDCF-E/s1600/IMG_2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH3BxOIvNgA84VEvAJ3vU8vvbH60oBC-0wsT1gz-ChrGsmqInIS5tA0LXU0mMSqMboX16O-yt5cYb86O3JLOdz7gbRnSLsV3_EFLvIbudzL5Rht1vTAYpCbrlNNlxRHKsBSw2XtDCF-E/s320/IMG_2724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/2011/06/fresh-raspberry-sauce.html">Fresh Raspberry Sauce!</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ever hear of <a href="http://www.mondotimes.com/2/topics/5/society/85/7283">Sesame Street Parents Magazine</a>? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If asked that question, I would have said no. But apparently, that's not the case...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I gave up Bisquick years ago, 12 to be exact. You see, I stumbled across a picture in a magazine of the most adorable teddy bear shaped pancakes with a tiny heart of strawberry jam right in the center. And the recipe...simple! Go ahead, say it...DUH! What did I know? I told you I used Bisquick, pancakes were a mystery to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For all these years, I've kept the entire magazine tucked away in a kitchen drawer, fully intact (minus a missing cover)...until today. When pulling it out to give due credit, not only did I find out that I was once a subscriber to Sesame Street Parents Magazine, I tore the recipe right in half. UGGH! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUiUqbg5efQ3-Q-qLfxR8cue-Hj8dWw5qtmMgPRGCO7YY2j3bIB16Qf4P7juww4UnnlP1tnzFjXGlibMtpYZcsDl7vs0OAIfIxmzltzcUcwFYW9HVohhUHIfgSFL5KodqUg83S6nfmA4/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUiUqbg5efQ3-Q-qLfxR8cue-Hj8dWw5qtmMgPRGCO7YY2j3bIB16Qf4P7juww4UnnlP1tnzFjXGlibMtpYZcsDl7vs0OAIfIxmzltzcUcwFYW9HVohhUHIfgSFL5KodqUg83S6nfmA4/s320/IMG_2735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Homemade Pancakes</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 cup flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 tsp baking powder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 egg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 cup milk (or buttermilk)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tbsp melted butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp vanilla</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Add egg, milk, butter, and vanilla. With whisk or large spoon, gently blend ingredients just until the batter is moist (lumps are OK). Do not over beat. Set aside for 10 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat (when a few drops of water sprinkled on to skillet sizzles, it's ready). To make shaped pancakes: Place heavy-gauge cookie cutter in skillet and fill 1/4 way with batter (or just ladle batter to desired pancake size and use cookie cutters to shape once fully cooked). Cook pancake for approx 2 minutes or until you see bubbles on top. Remove cookie cutter, flip pancake, and continue to cook an additional 2 minutes or until lightly browned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-54110202434091037462011-06-18T00:26:00.001-04:002011-06-18T00:29:30.738-04:00Fresh Raspberry Sauce<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Summer vacation...it's official! Bring on the food, the fun, and the sun! <b>OH</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...and the kids...all of them, home, all day, every day...</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, how many days til school starts???? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHgcKAm8srmcl-zWHwHd4px_PSVbks4dRHTLGZhq2Rq0m4dsDg7QcO-VMXm1V21kbS-fztrzedzetP5NT8Y6Glk1OpTmr1SiNjqJAw1mfRsu7t7i8HFGAkhd9qvgp54baA3qiZCbNvpc/s1600/IMG_2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHgcKAm8srmcl-zWHwHd4px_PSVbks4dRHTLGZhq2Rq0m4dsDg7QcO-VMXm1V21kbS-fztrzedzetP5NT8Y6Glk1OpTmr1SiNjqJAw1mfRsu7t7i8HFGAkhd9qvgp54baA3qiZCbNvpc/s400/IMG_2753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No great story here, just a craving at it's best.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adapted from a fantastic </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/strawberry-filling-10045">strawberry filling recipe</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, this fresh raspberry sauce has already topped ice cream, filled pancakes, served as a layer in a yogurt parfait, and don't be surprised if it shows up in the center of a cupcake very soon!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Fresh Raspberry Sauce</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 1/2 cups fresh raspberries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 1/2 tbsp cornstarch</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rCVHVc3I4xgVlkl6P580p5gYCF5EYds51_UshyphenhyphenBZc57aWE6pAamsV-q0NhDPvauONXL_NAxIaXNEZLgXp8Lp8cylrKHgGsJIpF6k2LXVNzgO9MnAuA5HBxmRbL5it6yEJ713J7xENGk/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rCVHVc3I4xgVlkl6P580p5gYCF5EYds51_UshyphenhyphenBZc57aWE6pAamsV-q0NhDPvauONXL_NAxIaXNEZLgXp8Lp8cylrKHgGsJIpF6k2LXVNzgO9MnAuA5HBxmRbL5it6yEJ713J7xENGk/s320/IMG_2667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE5ty5fMk5yhges2zAz4nAhBSI8pvtbirhEDHc-NvCfCldMoxV4D3VcED4YZNL2x5_JQDDqMMJ0OT0ieeg9rP9k3KJZvIz77j6oHOA1upBFhOmUJLRT-Ctayvq44fKGkuWenbEUJhGGU/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE5ty5fMk5yhges2zAz4nAhBSI8pvtbirhEDHc-NvCfCldMoxV4D3VcED4YZNL2x5_JQDDqMMJ0OT0ieeg9rP9k3KJZvIz77j6oHOA1upBFhOmUJLRT-Ctayvq44fKGkuWenbEUJhGGU/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine all ingredients in medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, allowing berries to break down.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL6QJXs2Id2LjXpa82BOknis_LcUlmzaZk9eyqYJj6slBhj6PbH2Gt3se6YcT8idCSgkvKhkTSMU9uaZmfKvzJlQX8qIh9GyOjyudWUn3gKYQ9mUU1pPNkjZ5xFN-8seddK7gsdvJfvw/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL6QJXs2Id2LjXpa82BOknis_LcUlmzaZk9eyqYJj6slBhj6PbH2Gt3se6YcT8idCSgkvKhkTSMU9uaZmfKvzJlQX8qIh9GyOjyudWUn3gKYQ9mUU1pPNkjZ5xFN-8seddK7gsdvJfvw/s320/IMG_2676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boil an additional couple of minutes to thicken, stirring constantly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s6FDcLDQkOtPV6vy5_84hvk707AzBvK2GkE40xE9EBGOV-N853WP3B2gpEnoPFPpiO6E_m6oYVJDTsbsBP56bUbasmgUGKn5VhR0YmrsPsqzKnYeNJveF4E-PdRKtMCBXypoMYXQDyw/s1600/IMG_2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s6FDcLDQkOtPV6vy5_84hvk707AzBvK2GkE40xE9EBGOV-N853WP3B2gpEnoPFPpiO6E_m6oYVJDTsbsBP56bUbasmgUGKn5VhR0YmrsPsqzKnYeNJveF4E-PdRKtMCBXypoMYXQDyw/s320/IMG_2679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Strain to remove seeds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilQOEcdx6eF6uIGlk_xRyRvtLMbSrzQj8VEYqd4uPTEy3NFm2ZO_EXG3kWKkjkmWiVaMS1cRdwTRkHO6pwElevTpeHwVdrqK4jcP1g0Ja6W7kitmZO4r_TbgJbDZTAUuVoas9BxF57aE/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilQOEcdx6eF6uIGlk_xRyRvtLMbSrzQj8VEYqd4uPTEy3NFm2ZO_EXG3kWKkjkmWiVaMS1cRdwTRkHO6pwElevTpeHwVdrqK4jcP1g0Ja6W7kitmZO4r_TbgJbDZTAUuVoas9BxF57aE/s320/IMG_2686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve warm or cold.</span></div><br />
<i>Enjoy</i>!Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-8282794770142685822011-06-09T09:37:00.000-04:002011-06-09T09:37:07.442-04:00No Buttermilk? No Problem!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether prompted by a craving, or perhaps, stumbling across a fun new recipe, I bake when the mood strikes, which sometimes finds me unprepared. Me, Miss Organization herself (insert </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BOLD </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sarcasm here), unprepared? What can I say, I thrive on spontaneity and adventure! OK, so maybe my adventurous spirit peaks somewhere around homemade buttermilk...what of it?!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCRpnuQXX8kcQuLkL8tNsrow8837kVmWdt4mxIagea0dJ6UQt4ETk-SiLy6HnVd8JRqxbSY8B2H1jkvsGSGZeza7K9K8WQE_GKQN7lYYZCvAn2gaMK1jw9yNr4Pa12rGWY0RUQ_2kC4Y/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCRpnuQXX8kcQuLkL8tNsrow8837kVmWdt4mxIagea0dJ6UQt4ETk-SiLy6HnVd8JRqxbSY8B2H1jkvsGSGZeza7K9K8WQE_GKQN7lYYZCvAn2gaMK1jw9yNr4Pa12rGWY0RUQ_2kC4Y/s400/IMG_2176.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This may be an old trick for some, but it's one of my handiest tips. You see, my very favorite <a href="http://apronstringsbaking.blogspot.com/search/label/banana">banana cake recipe</a> calls for buttermilk...enough said!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Quick Homemade Buttermilk (or substitute, at least)</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">less than 1 cup milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon white vinegar (or lemon juice)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place 1 tablespoon white vinegar in bottom of measuring cup, add milk to make 1 cup. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir and use.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706837112266998862.post-27518066124962139882011-06-06T00:21:00.007-04:002011-06-06T09:51:56.534-04:00Crumb Coat Cakes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"</b><i><b>Men are my hobby, if I ever got married I'd have to give it up.</b></i><b>" ~Mae West </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I got married...twice! Good thing cakes are my hobby. Here are a few of the latest... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WPorNtxXJf3zjNbt2Kdf38YgkbMi5JcXq8W3GjoR_QvldwB77fXb2p4shyphenhyphenEkjLMcOyrGF_R3esUckBZopJxrjwAd1wiAtzpLaQzBzo0j2qOfhcyw8BooF4N2p-xHKPgcYdUyGKXVjG8/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WPorNtxXJf3zjNbt2Kdf38YgkbMi5JcXq8W3GjoR_QvldwB77fXb2p4shyphenhyphenEkjLMcOyrGF_R3esUckBZopJxrjwAd1wiAtzpLaQzBzo0j2qOfhcyw8BooF4N2p-xHKPgcYdUyGKXVjG8/s400/IMG_2538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To all of the graduates out there, CONGRATULATIONS!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3spnQ2bhwuUZQiNxc5WXwq_bVND9vz02HTGQ6-Wn5zZmkoOFog3ZEUmSL5HI2yE0ADIyxfH8Tq2dBwowARa_0Kol1Fhyl-w4J0nXoCkS9e21kszkpHx-GwHvPN9QDL11R-2HAOf2oGQ/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3spnQ2bhwuUZQiNxc5WXwq_bVND9vz02HTGQ6-Wn5zZmkoOFog3ZEUmSL5HI2yE0ADIyxfH8Tq2dBwowARa_0Kol1Fhyl-w4J0nXoCkS9e21kszkpHx-GwHvPN9QDL11R-2HAOf2oGQ/s400/IMG_2432.JPG" width="347" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Summer Fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjvDL2As3R59ibk610yGibKugNwDRysiDjhYzuxrA07hgyACL4iZjjUIFcRXBgM34fZbXEPbheXDn6VDVuRHvctm43d6fLyHpj_epWxTkJIuFra0Fk6ml_Gd5w66yJIZK7uX7H0Oz9bA/s1600/IMG_2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjvDL2As3R59ibk610yGibKugNwDRysiDjhYzuxrA07hgyACL4iZjjUIFcRXBgM34fZbXEPbheXDn6VDVuRHvctm43d6fLyHpj_epWxTkJIuFra0Fk6ml_Gd5w66yJIZK7uX7H0Oz9bA/s400/IMG_2424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't forget your sunscreen!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzhIxrEOTazFVD5Ph0cjvkXkliZnlpaQyU6xGdoWdzcJ0Sz92qmydHLCbyLoQINTCLmlkLBb9J9IEkSrUToi1zoQABXUukicNDmx8cERBPXmD31vhgoQnnsJM1TkjBT96Q7HclqJ77kQ/s1600/IMG_2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzhIxrEOTazFVD5Ph0cjvkXkliZnlpaQyU6xGdoWdzcJ0Sz92qmydHLCbyLoQINTCLmlkLBb9J9IEkSrUToi1zoQABXUukicNDmx8cERBPXmD31vhgoQnnsJM1TkjBT96Q7HclqJ77kQ/s400/IMG_2300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh wait, it's Minnie!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wonder...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did Mae have this much fun?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Enjoy</i>!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span>Alexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022479037994068501noreply@blogger.com4