cinnamon swirl buns + so much news
Friends, we have so much catching up to do. I promised before I went to the Bahamas that when I got back, I’d have some cool stuff to share, but somehow it is over four weeks later and we are really overdue for a pow-wow. Plus, it’s Tax Day and I’ve been moping around all week with my pockets inside out since I was presented with a bill with an impossible number of zeros after it, and hey, wouldn’t we all rather focus on the cheerful stuff? The Smitten Kitchen is moving: Well, not urls, thank god (though in a fit of obsessiveness last week, I decided at once to go on a domain shopping spree and you can now get here via smittenkitchen.org, smittenkitchen.info or smittenkitchen.net. But who cares about the neighborhood? So that’s the good news. The Smitten Kitchen is going to cow country. There are buns in ovens. Yes, I am dodging the subject again; burying the lede, if you will. [P.S. One year ago: Caramelized Shallots (Do yourself a favor and make these today. Makes 18 buns.
Carrot Cake Recipe
Years ago, when I was still in college, someone gave me a copy of the Silver Palate cookbook. I remember many of the recipes being over the top, both for my palate and budget at the time, and come to think of it, my cooking skill as well, but I still loved this book. The carrot cake recipe I photocopied and sent to my parents, with the note, “Make this cake, it’s great!”. Carrot cake had always been my favorite, and this recipe? Who ever heard of putting coconut AND pineapple in a carrot cake? Over the years my father has made this cake for my birthday countless times, even driving hours to deliver it when I lived in Palo Alto or San Francisco. Ingredients Cake: Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp2 1/2 cups of confectioners' sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 Tbsp lemon juice Method 1 Preheat oven to 350°F. 2 Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. 3 Pour batter into pans. 5 Once cakes have cooled, frost.
Crazy Domestic: Melted Snowman Cookies
I saw a picture of these the other day on Allrecipes.com and thought it was such a cute idea, I had to try it. After googleing it, I found a good tutorial on Stacy's Sweet Shop. I modified a few things to make it more simple for me (less homemade more store bought). To see the original Melted Snowman Cookie, and meet the inventor herself, go check out Meaghan (great name) @ The Decorated Cookie! Here's what I used: •1 package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix•10 large marshmallows•Betty Crocker Cookie Icing (white and orange)•Wilton Decorating Icing Tubes in Black, Red, Green, Blue and Pink***it would have been a lot cheaper if I had just made the icing myself, see Stacy's tutorial for a good recipe)*** Here's what I did: •Mix cookie mix according to directions, or prepare your favorite cut out sugar cookie recipe, then just grab a golf ball sized chunk and squish it down until it's about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. To have your ideas featured on Crazy Domestic, click HERE
Red Berries Tray Bake with Cheesecake Ripple - Berry Week #2
I am a girl and I love pink. Well, maybe a woman now, hehe. Well, girls seem to be born with this liking for pink. My girls love pink. I am not pink crazy that I love my car or room to be pink, dressed in pink from top to toe, pink lipstick and eyeshadow, but when cakes or desserts come in pink, I am totally swooned. Not that I don’t love plums that I don’t want to use them like Patricia did. At first I wanted to use some blueberries too, but then I don’t want to spoil the “pinkness” in this cake. Red Berries Tray Bake with Cheesecake RippleSources: Cream cheese mixture 125gm cream cheese 2 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Cake batter 120gm butter 120gm soft brown sugar 2 eggs ½ tsp vanilla extract 140gm all purpose flour 1/ 2 tsp baking powder 200gm raspberries and strawberries 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Verdict: Very soft and moist!!! Do not keep it at room temperature for more than 24 hours.
Peanut Butter Pie
I made this pie today as a tribute to a fellow food blogger. One whom I've never met, but who's blog, In Jennie's Kitchen, I've been reading for longer than I've had my own. Tragically, her husband passed away this past Sunday...suddenly, of a heart attack. The food blog community immediately took to the internet, reaching out, wanting to know what they could do to help her. Those close to me will know why this tragedy has hit me deeply. She passed away after a sudden, rare illness and her death was a shock to us all. I've wanted to talk about my loss here...as it's been such a major event in my life. It's a celebration of life. Recipe via In Jennie's KitchenServes 10-12 Add the cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.
Devil’s Mini-Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
I made these little cakes for my son’s school birthday party. We’d been arguing for a while if they should (or should not) have colored sprinkles on their tops. Tim kept saying that the sprinkles could significantly increase the cupcakes’ popularity. Makes 48 mini-cupcakes For the cupcakes: 2 cups (7 oz) sifted (before measuring) cake flour1 tsp baking soda¼ tsp salt½ cup sifted natural cocoa powder½ cup lukewarm water½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature½ cup water2 tsp pure vanilla extract2 large eggs, at room temperature8 tbsp (1 stick, 113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup fine granulated sugar1 cup packed light brown sugar For the frosting: 1 lb cream cheese, at room temperature8 tbsp (1 stick, 113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature½ cup sour cream, cold, right from the fridge2 cups icing sugar, sifted Zest of 1 large lemon 1 tsp pure vanilla extract1 tsp pure lemon extract Make the cupcakes: Fit parchment mini-cupcake liners into 48 mini-cupcake molds. Make the frosting:
Food Wishes Video Recipes
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to incorporate bananas into various baked goods. I always have bananas on hand and it’s nice to have alternatives to banana bread. These Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of those variations. There is a whole banana in this recipe. These cookies get slightly crisp around the edges during baking, but they are a bit softer than your average chocolate chip cookie. Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup mashed banana (1 medium) 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks Preheat oven to 350F. Makes about 32 cookies.
Salted chocolate fudge bacon brownies: Celebrate National Brownie Day! -...
Today is National Brownie Day, so celebrate! Brownie lovers all over the world are in their kitchens whipping up their favorite brownie recipes. The newest food trend is salt and chocolate. Salted Chocolate Bark, Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Salted Chocolate Caramels, Sea-Salt Chocolate and Pecan Tart, and the list goes on! Bacon is naturally salty which goes great with chocolate. Bacon Brownies from a Brownie Mix? If you're in a hurry or don't have all the ingredients available, this is the lazy way to go! Bacon Brownies Recipe 2) 1 ounce squares unsweetened chocolate1/2 pound bacon, cooked and drained on paper towels1/2 cup total, butter and bacon drippings1 1/4 cups sugar2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla1/2 cup unbleached white flourChocolate ganache drizzle1/4 teaspoon (more or less depending on taste) coarse Kosher salt, optional How to Make Bacon Brownies Spray an 8" X 8" square baking pan with vegetable spray. Shopping for Ingredients in Rhode Island
