Rocket Cookies

I already told you about the shower we had for my sister-in-law Vanessa this past weekend.  

What I didn't tell you is how much FUN I had all last week getting ready for it!!

I wasn't able to share these photos last week, of course.  (That would have ruined the surprise.)  

But this week I can! :)

When I first saw the adorable bedding Mark & Vanessa picked out several months ago for their nursery the first thing I thought was, "Oh my goodness this is SOOOOO CUTE!"

And the second thing I thought was: 

"ROCKET COOKIES!!!!"

So I went to work.

Sweet view from the rocket-making factory :)

Making these cookies was a BLAST. 

(hehe.)


We just hope they encourage Eli to come SOON!

We love you, Eli!

Spring Cleaning 101

I wish I could be uploading pictures of pretty decorated cookies right now instead of my bookshelves...because that is what I really wanted to be doing this past week.  Decorating cookies.  Or going to the mall. Or taking a long walk with Knox.  Or reading a book.  Or just about anything else besides spring cleaning.

But no, it was time to tackle this huge list of mine, which I wrote back in January, and have been finding excuses to delay ever since.

Do you notice that each and every item on the list now has a check mark next to it?! 

Last week was officially Operation Organize week here in our apartment.  Everything was turned over and inside out and we are now clean as a whistle.

I am not fond of organizing or deep cleaning.  I keep things clean on the outside but if you open a closet or cupboard door you better be ready for the attack of clutter and dust.  My mother tried to teach me better than that, but it just didn't work.

But now, after 5 days of hard work, we are truly clean and organized. 

At least for now.

I have this vague idea that when you write a blog about organizing you're supposed to give everyone your super duper organizing tips.  So here it is.

My strategy for Spring Cleaning/Organizing looks like this:

1.) Write a list.

2.) Try to do the things on the list.

3.) Months later, when that hasn't worked, bribe yourself with a reward (Tiff's Treats warm & fresh cookie delivery, for example).  And then get busy! :)

Worked like a charm.

And let me tell you, a week of Spring Cleaning burns a LOT of calories.  I totally deserved this, people.

Happy Spring!

Easter Cookies...it's the thought

 

I really thought my new flower cookie stencils were going to be the key to creating beautiful, easy Easter cookies this year.  

What could be simpler than using a stencil, right?  

WRONG!

It's way harder than I thought.

I even watched a tutorial online beforehand, I let my base coat dry overnight, and I tried about 7 different frosting consistencies for the stenciling...but still...

Not the cinch I thought it was going to be.  

It's hard to keep the stencil flat with only one hand, it's hard to keep it from slipping, it's hard to get the frosting the right consistency so that it doesn't run under the edges of the design (too thin) but also doesn't form peaks when you lift the stencil (too thick).

So I've turn my cookies into an inspirational message for you all.  You're welcome. :)

The road to perfect Easter cookies is marked with good intentions.

 Beauty is all in the eyes of the beholder.

It's the thought that counts.

If at first you don't succeed 

try, try again.

Blue Ribbon Cookie of the Day (last and most successful attempt)

You have to admit that, gloopy as they are up close, they do look pretty all together on the plate.

So maybe I'll give cookie stenciling one more try.  

If anyone has any advice PLEASE let me know.

Happy Saturday, Everyone!

Cookie Decorating Attempt #1: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Yesterday afternoon I finally cleared some time to try out my new cookie decorating stuff.  It was so fun!

I loved it.  It's like my new therapy.  Cookie therapy, only not in the eating sense. :)

I have decorated cookies before, when I was little, but not really.  It was mostly like spread on as much frosting as possible and then add as many glittery sprinkles as possible.  

I still like glitter, but I'm trying to tone it down a little bit now that I'm 30.

My Aunt Mary is a pro at decorating anything...I wish she could have been here with me yesterday to give me some tips!  I could have used some. :)  Instead it was trial and a lot of error.

I took a lot of mental notes for next time and I have listed them below.

Lesson #1:  Bake the cookies the day before because if you don't you might lose cookie decorating steam before you even begin decorating. :)

Lesson #2:  Make sure icing is the correct consistency (mine was way too stiff all afternoon) BEFORE you put it into the bottles, because once it's in there it's in there.

Lesson #3:  15 minutes is not even close to long enough for your base coat to harden.  Oops.

Lesson #4:  Refer to Lesson #2..."flooding" and "marbling" might be a little easier if frosting is not so thick?

Lesson #5:  Watch some flower making tutorials on the internet before attempting to put a flower behind Henrietta's ear.

Henrietta the Modern Giraffe

Lesson #6:  Tea pot and tea cup themes seem to work best for me.

Blue Ribbon Cookies of the Day

Lesson #7:  Leave ample time for clean-up.

Lesson #8:  Cookie cutters make great toys!

Until next time...

Special Delivery

Look what came in the mail!

It's my new COOKIE DECORATING STUFF!

COOKIE DECORATING.

My new hobby!

Maybe. 

If I like it, and if the cookies actually turn out nice.

??

We'll see.

This is a little close to crafting.  I don't do crafts.

But it's edible.

I do do edible.

Someday, when I get an afternoon free, I'm going to give it a whirl.

I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Chocolate Caramel Surprise Cookies

It just wouldn't be fair to any of you kind people who actually read my blog if I withheld this recipe from you.  Hidden inside each of these chewy chocolate cookies is a soft, golden caramel center.  Life-changing, truly.

No one should have to go through life without trying these cookies.

The recipe originally came from my Aunt Monica, who is an amazing baker.  Now my family has adopted it and my mom, by popular request demand, is sweet enough to make them for us year after year at Christmas time.

I didn't get enough of them this past Christmas (because one can never get enough of these cookies) so I decided to make a batch to have around for Mom & Dad P's visit this weekend.  I love a lot of cookies but I have to say these are my favorite cookies of all.

The secret to the surprise caramel center is simply (but brilliantly)...

 

 Rolos.

  

Chocolate Caramel Surprise Cookies

(aka "Rolo Cookies")

1 cup butter

1 cup plus 2 Tbl. sugar, divided

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1 (13-oz.) package Rolos

Chopped pecans, optional

In a mixing bowl cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.  Combine flour, cocoa & soda.  Add to creamed mixture and beat just until combined.  (You can add chopped pecans to the dough if desired.) Shape dough by tablespoons around each candy.  Place remaining sugar (and more chopped pecans, if desired) in a small bowl.  Dip each cookie halfway in sugar.  Place with sugar side up on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes or until tops are slightly cracked.  Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Carmelitas

I'm afraid I've started to mislead you into thinking that this blog is all about exercising and health food. I have to set the record straight with this recipe. If you have ever visited us, you have probably already tasted these bar cookies. They are our all-time favorites and always a sure crowd pleaser. This is a recipe you will definitely want to try.

This afternoon we had some very good friends over for some Taboo! (the game) and football, so I had a good excuse to make them. It was my sugar indulgence of the week and it was worth it!

Carmelitas
(adapted from Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off cookbook)

CRUST
2 cups flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups butter, softened

FILLING
1 (12.5 oz. jar) caramel ice cream topping (or 1 can dulce de leche*)
3 Tbl. flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 inch pan. In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients at low speed (or with your fingers) until crumbly. Press half of the mixture (about 3 cups) in bottom of greased pan. Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel sauce and 3 Tbl. flour (if you are using dulce de leche you do not need to mix in the additional flour). Remove partially baked crust from oven; drizzle evenly with caramel. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over all.

Bake at 350 for an additional 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

*The caramel sauce is delicious too but I usually prefer the creamy taste of the dulce de leche. Just note that it's just a little more work to spread the dulce de leche over the crust. Use a butter knife and a very light touch to spread.

Happy Saturday!