Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate. The first real challenge was all about chocolate. Trying to make the most decadent chocolate dessert possible. Truthfully the fact that the winner used white chocolate to me makes it null and void. I like white chocolate, but it’s not chocolate. Do you think white chocolate is chocolate? Anyway, I watched and listened as the judges picked apart the dessert. They seemed to be most impressed with the desserts that had different texture and different chocolates. The very same day I was thinking of this my much awaited copy of Baked: Explorations came out. I LOVED their last book and couldn’t wait until for this to arrive on my doorstep. Inside was a Mississippi Mud Pie. Which had a cookie crust, a flourless chocolate cake bottom, and chocolate pudding. Okay, now we are talking. I had originally wanted to make chocolate meringues to crush up and put on top, but our humidity the last couple of days was making a crunchy meringue a big no-no. If I were to … [Read more...]
Top Chef Peabody’s Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes…
For years friends have said to me, you should be on Top Chef. I would tell them no way, I don’t have the knife skills(and a whole other bunch of reasons). And well, there’s never any dessert. So of course, what comes along? Top Chef: Just Desserts. My friends hounded me like crazy to try out. After seeing the cast, thank goodness I did not! Not afraid of their skill, just plain afraid of them! No seriously, I would lie awake at night probably hoping that my bunk mate wouldn’t try to smother me to death with buttercream frosting just for the fun of it. But it got me thinking. Along the lines of, Julie and Julia, I decided I will be doing each of the challenges that they are going to do on Top Chef Just Desserts. Which is how I ended up with these Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes with Cheesecake Frosting topped with Mini Cinnamon Rolls. The first quick fire challenge was to make your signature dessert. I really have two. Either my bread pudding or my cinnamon roll cheesecake. In the middle … [Read more...]
Push away the blues with Sam’s Club cheeses…
The first time I took my husband to a Sam’s Club he was in awe. See he had never been to one before. Or a warehouse club in general for that matter. He was of the consensus that a warehouse club meant rows and rows of 100 pound bags or rice and beans. So when he saw things like televisions, jewelry, pillows, tube socks, and what not he was a little like a kid in a toy store for the first time. I think a lot of people would be surprised what Sam’s Club has to offer. Especially since not everything is be in bulk like people think. Let’s talk cheese for example. I am fortunate enough to be in partnership now with Sam’s Club. And with that partnership came a LARGE box of cheese. Can you imagine? You come to the door and there is a large box of gourmet cheese just hanging out there. Calling your name. Free cheese. Free good cheese (disclaimer, in case you didn’t catch on Sam’s Club gave me 14 free cheeses). My mind was a little bit on overload, as well as my fridge at … [Read more...]
It’s the Great Pumpkin Hoarder Charlie Brown…
If you are missing canned pumpkin at your store and can’t seem to find it, blame your local food blogger. We have all been sufficiently scared of the fact that our canned pumpkin supply will be limited this year due to bad pumpkin crops. And thus sets in the panic among bakers everywhere. I have become the great pumpkin hoarder. When I am in the store and I see a can or two (or ten), I buy them. If you like pumpkin baked goods, I suggest you do this too! Or else you won’t be able to make things like White Chocolate-Pumpkin Topped Blondies. I think I scare the poor check out girl. She probably thinks I’m trying out the new tanning technique. You know, instead of being orange like Snooki (I have never watched the show but I’m appealing to my younger audience here…for us old people, think Umpa Lumpa) on the outside, you can eat so much canned pumpkin you can turn yourself orange from the inside. Same effect, less skin damage. I think this new trend will catch on. :) First off … [Read more...]
