Going Bananas - Banana Cake, Peanut Butter Frosting, Chocolate Ganache

The nice thing about cakes is that they can go not-quite right, but still turn out just fine. So my Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Ganache was an experiment that went pretty well. But the next time I make it, it'll be better!

Strawberry Fields Forever - Muffins and Bread

I had to use that title for this post. It's strawberries for days around here!

Blondies - A True One Bowl Recipe

Blondies

When you're looking for a one-bowl treat this is a star!  

A Stud and a Dud - Hand Mixer and Mini-Cheesecake Pan

KitchenAid Hand Mixer

Really this should have been my first stud.  It's gotten more use than any kitchen appliance I've ever known.  It has survived recipes the directions clearly told me I should not attempt with a hand mixer. It's extremely versatile. If you only bake a few times a year, it's a worthwhile investment.

Piping Buttercream Frosting 101 - Wilton #32 Tip

Piping Buttercream Frosting 

You can pipe frosting onto any baked good you'd like. You don't have to be artistic or talented, you just need to practice. It's easy and most importantly, it's fun!

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes 

This recipe is a bit time consuming, but it's worth it. It's a cream filled cupcake with chocolate on top, celebrating the proud heritage of a great city. What more could you want?

A Stud and a Dud - Scoops and Donuts - Baking Hardware

Thursday is a mixed day.  We're one day from the weekend, but we still have to go to work for that
one extra day! Thursday is a Stud and a Dud.

Every Thursday I'll be highlight a baking tool, pan, or utensil that I think is great and another that exists to take up place in my storage.

Lazy Cinnamon Rolls - Baking Disaster

The original selling point for this recipe, is that's it's a cheat for cinnamon rolls and it's quick to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. But I ended up with a smoke-filled apartment I'm going to have trouble selling you on this until I make it correctly!

It wasn't a total disaster because I did end up with this....

Dark Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies - Michiganders and Texpats

If you've ever spent time with Texpats (Texas expats), you end up hearing about the collective insanity known as Texas pride. We are indoctrinated to love our state and treat it with reverence.  Even things that should embarrass us enough to prevent us from calling Texas home (see: Jade Helm 15 hysteria and highest rate of uninsured children) don't stop us from wholeheartedly believing our state is best.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake AKA Best Cake Ever!

Here is my first version of this cake...

Kasey's version of this cake.  

Shortbread... always always with Preserves

I'm thinking of renaming this blog Truth in Baking.

When you look up a baking recipe online or in a cookbook there will be lies.  The first is the estimated time.  I've never seen one that was honest. Buried in the text and instructions will be more lies.  Most recipes start with butter and sugar.  Recipes will tell you to blend them or mix them for an arbitrary amount of time.  They don't say "Do not proceed until the butter and sugar are one substance".  Which is what you actually need to know. You should not be able to distinguish the butter from the sugar if they're mixed properly. If you have lumps of butter your results will not be what you were aiming for. There, some truth in baking.  But this blog is about shortbread.    

July 4th Baking

My First Blog Post!

A few people have told me to blog or start my own business based on their enjoyment of my baked goods so I'm giving one of those suggestions a try. At best, I become a world-famous blogger. At worst I get to keep track of everything I've baked beyond posting or pinning. Not bad!

July 4th is my favorite baking holiday. It's one day, unlike holiday baking which can feel like a slog.
 I can get as creative as this non-creative type can get, while celebrating AMERICA!

I started in 2012. I had just started experimenting with royal icing on cookies (another blog to come on that later). Sticking with solid colors seemed safe.