Chocolate Walnut Banana Cookies

Over the weekend I tried a new recipe, chocolate-walnut banana cookies. I had some bananas that were going to go to waste if I didn’t use them. I didn’t feel like making banana bread and I had already made banana pancakes for breakfast, so I made banana cookies. I found the recipe on SimplyRecipes.com – a great site for well thought out and tested recipes.

The banana cookie recipe was perfect, not to mention hassle free! The cookies turned out wonderful – almost like little muffin tops. They were so moist that they taste more like muffins or bread than they do a cookie. I added more cinnamon than the recipe calls for and didn’t have ground cloves (nor do I really like them) so I omitted those from the recipe and used 1 tablespoon of brown sugar instead. Also, the recipe says you can use chocolate chips OR walnuts…I used both

Overall, this recipe is perfect for using up some extra banana’s and its  much easier than banana bread. From start to finish, this recipe took me 30 minutes – which isn’t bad considering 12 of those minutes were used to bake the cookies.

Banana Cookies Recipe

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_cookies/

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 cup of mashed bananas (about 2 ½ large bananas)
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 cups of flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground mace or nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 cup of pecans (walnuts and chocolate chips are fine alternatives)

Method

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2 In a bowl, mix the mashed bananas and baking soda. Let sit for 2 minutes. The baking soda will react with the acid in the bananas which in turn will give the cookies their lift and rise.

3 Mix the banana mixture into the butter mixture. Mix together the flour, salt, and spices and sift into the butter and banana mixture and mix until just combined.

4 Fold into the batter the pecans or chocolate chips if using. Drop in dollops onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Let cool on wire racks.

Makes about 35 cookies.

Here are some other fun “add-ins” for any banana cookie:

• Peanut Butter Cup chunks
• Raisins
• Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Chips
• Dark Chocolate Chips
• Candied walnuts or pecans
• Caramel chips

That’s all for now. Til next time, stay sweet! xoxo

“Cute as a button”

Last Christmas (or birthday, or major life event…I don’t remember) my Dad gave me a book Called “The facts on file: A dictionary of clichés”, by Christine Ammer. It’s a pretty cool book actually, it lists all the clichés you could ever think of and gives you the origin of the saying. Just from reading a couple of pages, I now know the origin behind sayings like “at one fell swoop” and “all things considered”, I even know how the saying ” ants in your pant’s” came to be. Ok you caught me..I only made it through the A’s. But I have picked out an interesting cliche – from the “C” section –  to share. Enjoy!

“Cute as a button” – The word “cute” dates from the 17th century and was originally an abbreviation for  “acute” . In america, it came to be applied to things that were small and dainty objects. A button is small and round, therefore it is “cute”. Cute as a button became popular when describing small children, animals or miniature versions of large items.

There ya have it – Next time you say “Cute as a button” you’ll know how it came to be so cliché.

To purchase this book (which is really only useful when you want to appear “highly intelligent” to someone who says  “I wonder why we say  that?” ) follow the link to Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Facts-Dictionary-Clich%C3%A9s-Writers-Library/dp/0816043574

I wanna know…

Proud New Owner of the Cupcake Courier!!!!

My mom is seriously the best mom EVER!!! The other day I recieved a huge package on my door step. “I didn’t do any recent online shopping” I thought.  What could this possiblly be?

To my suprise, it was the Cupcake Courier I had blogged about several weeks ago. It’s pink, and holds 36 cupcakes. It is so fabulous!!

Thanks Mom, you have made me one happy baker! xoxo

Notice the pink one - It's sitting on my counter as we speak!!

Chocolate Mousse

Hello readers! I trust you all had a good weekend, made it through Monday,  and are ready to tackle another week. HA! Who am I kidding, right? Weekends just never seem long enough, especially when you pack them full of activities (or hours of baking), and Monday’s never seem short enough.

I had a friend’s dinner party to go to this past weekend, and I was pretty excited about it because I was asked to bring the dessert. I was anxious to try out some new cupcake recipes, and there is no better place to do that than at a dinner party with friends.

My ambitions, though not thought to be too high, were to create two types of cupcakes. One, which I had made before – Vanilla Pineapple Cream – and another, which I had not tried but was “sure it would be easy”. I should have known better…..

Chocolate Buttercream frosting…it just sounds delicious, doesn’t it? I had to have chocolate buttercream on my cupcakes – there was no going around it. Besides, how could I possibly impress my friends if I didn’t make chocolate buttercream?! Come to find out, I could have fed those boys canned frosting and they would not have known the difference. Ahh, hindsight is 20/20

I found a buttercream recipe at tastepotting.com (by far one of the BEST recipe sites EVER! It’s worthy of having it’s own blog entry, and one day I will get around to that.) I spent at least an hour sorting through hundreds of chocolate frosting recipes. Who knew there were about 500 variations of the very basic and traditional chocolate frosting? It was exhausting! Anyways, I found the one that seemed simple and delicious. It was time to bake!

I followed the recipe extremely close – at times questioning some of the steps, but never deviating. I’m known to disagree with a recipe and do it “my way” – problem is, my way doesn’t always work out – so I stuck to what I was told to do.

2 hours (that’s not a lie) and several back-up plans later, I had some form of chocolate frosting sitting in my mixing bowl – not chocolate buttercream, not really regular chocolate icing, kind of an airy, light, fluffy blob. It was pretty disappointing to be honest. I let it sit for a bit and decided I had to use it because I was running out of time before the party started. Luckily it piped pretty nicely onto the cupcake. Once I realized that it tasted REALLY GOOD on the cupcake, and didn’t look bad either, I felt better about my new “creation”.

I have to say  though that by the time I was done with the frosting I had added several new ingredients into the mixer in order for it to thicken enough to stay on top of a cupcake. I also realized that I was right the first time and should have made it my own way when I saw that things on the recipe didn’t add up.

Overall, the cupcakes were a hit. I call my new and improved recipe “Chocolate Mousse”. I am proud to say that this recipe has been perfected through trial and error and tastes absolutely delicious. Enjoy!

Vanilla Pinapple Cream - Chocolate Mousse - Vanilla and Chcolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse Buttercream

yield: about 5 cups

• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 T. Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 6 sticks (24 0z)of cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 12 0z semisweet chocolate, melted 

Whisk together the eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder in the metal bowl of a stand mixer.

Fill a large saute pan with hot water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.  Place the mixing bowl in the water and whisk the egg mixture constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is thick and fluffy and very hot, 3-4 minutes.  The temperature should be between 120-140 degrees.

Remove the bowl from the water and using the whisk attachment, beat the eggs at a medium-high speed until they are tripled in volume and form very soft peaks.  The bottom of the bowl should be completely cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.  Beat in the vanilla and salt.

Switch to the paddle attachment on your mixer and turn to medium-high speed.  Add the chucks of butter a couple at a time.  Once all is added, turn the mixer on high speed and let it mix until the buttercream comes together and is shiny and smooth…don’t worry if it separates at first, it will come together!  

Add the buttercream to another bowl (not metal…it is too cold and will seize the chocolate) and then add 1/2 of the warm chocolate and stir to incorporate.  Add the remaining chocolate and stir to fully incorporate.    Place the chocolate buttercream in a pastry bag fitted with a #807 tip and pipe your buttercream onto the cupcake.  To get the swirl effect, simply start at one end of the cupcake and pipe in a circle.  Continue piping until you have two layers of frosting.  Stop squeezing the frosting and quickly pull tip away from cupcake.

Cupcake Crazies

It will come as no sudden suprise  when I say that I am a fan of all tings cupcake! I like to keep current with all the new and popular flavors, blogs, cupcake bakery’s, etc. Amidst all of my long hours salivating over anything  cupcake related research, I have come to find that there are some really weird cupcakes out there. It makes me wonder if people are just trying to be known for “unique” and “funky” cupcakes or if they are actually meeting the demand of a new cupcake demographic. Do people really want to eat spicy chili cupcakes or cotton candy cupcakes? I understand the occasional child’s birthday cupcake, but cotton candy? Really? Aside from being a very novel idea (and belive me, I think it sounds and look really cool) I’m not sure it actually tastes that great. Since I admit that I could be way off base, I have come up with some cupcakes that I think are just bizzarre and will let you decide if they are just for looks or actually have good flavor.

So here we go:

Cotton Candy Cupcakes: This cupcake recipe calls for cotton candy bits in the vanilla cake mix as well as cotton candy flavoring in vanilla buttercream frosting. An overall total of 5 cups of cotton candy is required. What do you think? Too sweet or just right?

http://barbarabeerykidscooking.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/193/

Cotton Candy Cupcake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Cupcakes: This recipe actually calls for rose water and real roses. Really? I don’t know, that seems kind of odd to me.

http://bossacafez.blogspot.com/2009/08/lychee-rose-cupcakes.html

Rose-water Cupcakes....hmm?

French Toats Bacon Cupcakes: I never thought I would say this, but this is one cupcake I would NEVER eat. I  just can’t get over the chunk of bacon…

http://ladolcivita.blogspot.com/2009/05/french-toast-and-bacon-cupcakes.html

French Toast Bacon Cupcakes

Jalepeno Jelly and Pinapple Cupcakes: I’m not a fan of anything spicy, let alone mixing vegetable with my dessert. This recipe won an award of somesort (I didn’t really read enough to know which one – sorry). What do you think? Yummy or terrifying?

http://cuptincreations.blogspot.com/2008/08/cupcake-hero-august-entry.html

Jalepeno Jelly Cupcake - Looks pretty spicy!

Gin and Tonic Cupcakes: They sounds so chic, but I’m not sure how they will taste. My mind could be changed on this one – not sure yet…

http://www.yumsugar.com/Cheers-Gin-Tonic-Cupcakes-2705466

Gin and Tonic Cupcakes

 Well there they are, just a few of the recipes that made me raise my brow. I recently made margarita cupcakes, as I was a skeptic of using alcohol in cupcakes, and wanted to see how they would turn out – but they turned out pretty good. They tasted a lot like lime cupcakes with vanilla and lime zest frosting – except they had a warm after taste – the way tequilla often does (I mean, thats what I’m told – Mom, I would never drink tequilla )

Til next time, stay sweet! xoxo

Cupcake “Must – Haves”

One of the reason’s I started this blog, aside from sharing my passion for baking (and all things cupcakes!) was to create a venue wherein ideas are shared, passions are explored, and resources are given often. Over the past couple days I have contemplated deleting my ranting and raving Mel Gibson blog – It just doesn’t seem to fit into my overall goal of what I envisioned my blog to be about. But since I think it might hold some validity for someone (even if it’s only one woman) out there, I am going to leave it.

In order to redeem myself though – I have come up with a fun list of cupcake products (they are all pretty reasonably priced too!!) for you to enjoy. Have fun  “shopping”

Cupcake Liners! A huge collection of the most adorable cupcake liners ever. They are pretty cheap too, ranging from $3-$4 for 45 liners. http://www.layercakeshop.com/index.php/Shop/Baking/Baking-Cups/View-all-products.html

Sprinkles! All organized by color, these sprinkle options are fabulous. Prices range from $2-$3. I can’t seem to decide which ones I want to buy! http://www.layercakeshop.com/index.php/Shop/Decorating/Sprinkles/View-all-products.html

Bakery Labels! Don’t forget to label your box of cupcakes..these labels are on sale for only $2 (a roll of 25 labels) http://www.bakeitpretty.com/item_33/Bakery-Labels.htm

Cupcake Key Cover! I need one of these for sure $8 for a pack of 6 – that means you can share with your friends too. http://www.fredflare.com//customer/product.php?productid=5643&cat=254

Cupcake T-shirts! Some really cute designs and lots of different styles. Price range from $12-$25 http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/Cupcake?cmp=knc–g–us–lib–apparel–search-e–Cupcake_t-shirts&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=lib–apparel&utm_content=search-e&utm_term=cupcake_t-shirts&gclid=COCdmr7j7aICFRrXnAod9UjYdg

Mini Cupcake Maker! Makes batches of 5 mini cupcakes (or muffins) in under 5 minutes – I’m impressed. At only $16 bucks,  I might need to try this thing out. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=cupcake&cid=4994642654940599221&ei=9iA_TN_LH4zywAX0ubWKDg&sa=title&ved=0CDoQ8wIwBjgA#p

Cup-a-Cake! The cutest, individual cupcake holders. Great for lunches, picnics, little surprises, shoot… I might even put one in my purse. These hold a single cupcake in place so well that you can tumble it or even drop it and the cupcake will not move. Prices range from $2-$6. http://www.cupacake.com/

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Well that’s all for now. If you have purchased or tried any of these products and have reviews, please let me know. I’m always interested in what works and what doesn’t.

Til next time, stay sweet! xoxo

Quick Update!

I have recently updated my “Indulgent” tab that list several of my favorite blogs – there are alot of great reads out there, go enjoy!!

Also updated is my “Recipe” tab. There you’ll find some of my tested online recipes – feel free to try one and let me know how it turns out- trust me, the recipes are all legit

Enjoy xoxo

Anything But Sweet

  

I am absolutely DISGUSTED by Mel Gibson’s recent and very publicized behavior towards his ex girlfriend, Oksana. If you haven’t been inundated with media alerts, then here’s a quick background on what’s going on. Mel Gibson is at it again; apparently the best role he plays is a crazy, male-shovenistic, pig. Recent tapes were leaked of his horrifying conversation threatening to bury his ex girlfriend “in a bed or roses” (among other explicatives). Oksana had reported his abusive  behavior before but nothing was done about it – this tape shows just how crazy and honestly terrifying, Mel actually is. Wether he was drunk, high or just pissed, his behavior towards her astonishes me and is inexcusable, period! I say good for her for taping the 8 minute phone conversation wherein Mel spews horrible threats and venomous words at her. He is a pathetic man who deserves to live a sad, lonely, pathetic life.  

Men like Mel Gibson have no backbone and frankly, they make me nauseous. I apologize for using this blog to rant and rave, but after listening to 8 minutes of him screaming and cursing like a deranged maniac, my blood is boiling. Passion of the Christ?? More like Passion of the Crazy!! He needs to be in an institute somewhere far far away from human civilization!  

***Please note that the footage has not been edited or censored. It is very vulgar and very scary. Do not listen if you think you will be offended. ***  

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/07/exclusive-new-audio-mel-gibson-admits-hitting-oksana-threatens-kill-her-listen-it 

Mel Gibson = NOT Sweet!!

  

If anything, this is a perfect reminder for women everywhere to stand up for themselves and take charge of abusive situations within their relationships. Although Mel’s ex was not legally allowed to tape this conversation, she did the right thing in order for people to realize she wasn’t just crying wolf about his abusive behavior towards her. Physical and verbal abuse are often equally painfully, if you or someone you know is suffering from an abusive relationship, get help and get out now. Go to the following link for resources on how to get help.  

 - Domestic Abuse Hotline and Informational Site: http://www.ndvh.org/

Cupcake Courier!

Cupcake Courier by Jennifer Gunn

Perfectly holds 36 cupcakes!

I want this, need this, have to have this!! It’s a cupcake carrier for 36 CUPCAKES!!! It’s made by Jennifer Gun, a mother of two living in southern California. She got tired of trying to figure out how to transport her cupcakes so she created the “Cupcake Courier”.

I have a cupcake caddy at home, but not nearly as fabulous as this one. Mine is plain clear and only holds 24 cupcakes. Who doesn’t want a pink or blue mega caddy?!?! And it’s only $32.00 – not bad for a novelty item such as this one.

For more informations, check out the “Cupcake Courier” website at: http://www.cupcakecourier.com/pages/page_layout.html