Q = Quad Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the longest time, it was my ultimate goal to create the "perfect" chocolate chip cookie.  Looking back, I wonder how I ended up becoming so obsessed with this particular cookie.  I was not (and still am not) fond of the chocolate chip cookie.  I'll eat it, and usually they're good, but they're nowhere near my favorite.  It's possible that this may have been the beginning of my greater obsession with baking.

N = Neapolitan Cookies

This was a tough one.  I've made neapolitan cookies using two different cookies.  The sugar cookie recipe I use works well but I've also used the shortbread mentioned in a previous blog.

M = Messed Up Mochi

A few of you have actually been waiting for this.  That's exciting to me!  But I'm feeling sort of sheepish 'cause when you find out the secret to this one you're gonna smack your forehead.

L = Lemon Blizzard Cookies

Ok dear readers.  This is it.  This is the first time I'll be sharing one of my signature, self created recipes with the world. (Or at this stage of the game, 16 readers!  =D)

K = Krispie Treats

Did I just choose a super cheesy and easy topic for K?  Why yes I did.  I wanted to talk to you about variation.

J = Jam Filled Shortbread

Yesterday someone reminded me that I shouldn't be giving away recipes if I plan on opening a bakery someday.  This comment has burned in my head from the beginning.  While I do someday dream of opening some kind of little cafe or midnight munchie spot, I had to face the reality that I'm not really revealing secrets to very many people at the moment.  And honestly, I don't know if you can plagiarize a recipe.

I = Italian Herb Bread

This bread originally came from the little recipe book included with one of the Oster bread machines. I didn't own it, but I loved the bread and many years after the bread machine got packed and moved away I went looking for, and found, this recipe.

H = Hard Rolls (aka Cheese Rolls)

One of my very favorite things about attending the University of Oregon was grabbing a cheese roll on my way to class.  There were other highlights, but not being an academic and not really being "all there" I had to grasp on to simple things.  (I really had no idea what I was trying to accomplish while attending, of course, am I ever really "all there"?)

G = Granola Bars

F = Fudge

When I was a kid, our next door neighbor would always send over a tin of fudge for Christmas.  Wait, not a tin, I meant a pie tin.  It came wrapped in aluminum foil with one of those paper red or green bows on top.  It wasn't pretty, but it was by far my favorite gift from anyone, ever, each year.

E = Egg -- Substitute

I love a baking challenge.  I like the idea of being able to take a favorite recipe and share it with people who have special dietary needs.  Whether you're allergic to eggs or are vegan, this little combo has proven to work well for all baked goods.

C/D = Croissant vs. Danish Dough

Coming soon!

I messed up the dough on this one and haven't gotten up the nerve to try it again yet.  It usually takes me a bit to recover from a mistake.  Like my psyche needs time to fully comprehend where I went wrong and process how best to approach the problem so the mistake does not occur again.

Or we can just chalk it up to fear of failing again that keeps me from moving forward.

Either way, I will try it again before the month is over.

B = Banana Bread

I have a bonus for you with this one.  I have 2 recipes for banana bread that I love equally.  One of my requirements from a banana bread recipe is it must contain more banana than sugar.

A = Apple and Pear Compote

I'm starting off our recipe log with my very favorite, super versatile, Apple Pear Compote.  If you never get around to making anything else I post on this blog, seriously, make this!!  The 2 steps are simple and so very worth the amount of time it takes to prepare.  And for those of you who love apple but get tired of it paired with the normal spices, this recipe is flavored with vanilla!  Originally stolen from pickycook.com.

April's Recipe A - Z

What very cool timing!  I was expecting to share some recipes this month, and there seems to be a phenomenon going on here with this whole A - Z blogging thing.  It seems the perfect chance to use that format to share some recipes.

Yawn.... What Month is This?

So it's March.  Or so they tell me.  And nearing the end, too.  Where have I been?
No really, I'm asking myself!

Creation

Well readers, tonight you will discover I am not a single minded glutton. It is not "all food - all the time" on my channel.  As much as I originally thought it would be, I just have to deviate from my carefully-constructed, well-laid plan.  You will also soon realize, for me, there is no such thing as a plan.  Well-laid or otherwise.

Not Exactly Fudge

Ok - it's not a cookie.  But if you read my last post you'll understand the deviation.  There's going to be plenty more so prepare yourself.

Re-evaluation

Well, I'm taking a few moments to evaluate the original idea behind this project.  Books and baking three times a week just isn't working.  Doesn't seem like I get much done if I'm at home and have children to tend to.

Macarones: My First Taste

When I started playing with the idea of a cookie blog I talked with someone who mentioned her love of macarones.  Having never heard of them, and thus never tasted one, I was instantly intrigued.  I've spent an unhealthy number of hours gawking at pictures and reading tips and recipes.  I've watched video clips and visited websites of famous French Patisseries.  This weekend, I finally got to hold one in my hand and experience one for myself.  (And thus begins the mockery.)

Bread Craving

I found I've been craving homemade bread recently.  I kept thinking I hadn't been doing any baking, but I realized, I just hadn't been baking cookies.  I've been baking bread about twice a week.

GIANT Test Cookies

A friend had asked me a few weeks ago if I was interested in helping out with making a birthday cake.  I reluctantly explained that I didn't have the right equipment to make or decorate cakes but I would be happy to make up some cookies.  The reply asked if I would be interested in trying to make one of those GIANT cookies.

Little Baking Rant

So, I understand this is partly my fault for buying from a grocery store bakery, but I was desperate.  Not only have I not made any cookies for the blog, I haven't baked for myself/the family in nearly 3 weeks!  I'm sorry, but I can't make it terribly long without baked goods.  So I gave in the other day to my daughter pointing out some pretty cupcakes at our local grocer.

Oh My Holy Cow-Gods!

So I just discovered Etsy has a food section!  What - what!!??
(Yes, I know - I am a little behind!)

It's hidden with Plants -- it doesn't make sense to me either.
But there it is -- Plants and Edibles.

But you know what this means, right?

Decisions - decisions...

(Updates to follow.)

No Cookies (Well, ONE) But Going Live Anyway!

WHAT??
No Cookies on a Cookie Blog?
The Horror!

"Striped Cylinder Cookies"

The Ultimate Cookie Book  page 288

1 ounce white chocolate, melted
red and green food coloring dusts
2 egg whites
3 1/2 ounces (1/2 cup) superfine sugar
2 ounces (1/2 cup) AP flour
2 ounces (1/4 cup) sweet butter, melted
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Intro: The Task

Well, a whole new 365 day cycle is upon us.  I found myself twiddling my thumbs and asking that all important New Year's question, "What sort of resolution shall we attempt to engage in THIS year?"  
Off the bat, there are a few things you should know about me:
1.  I'm not the type of girl to make resolutions because...
2.  I'm not the type of girl who is organized enough to remember I even made resolutions!
3.  I'm not the type of girl who does much of anything on a regular basis.