Same ole' resolution: To blog more....

I think I've said that for the past 5 years.  Like most resolutions, I did not stick with it.

Will this year be different? Who knows....

I've been struck with the inclination to write as of late. It's left me a bit astounded. I haven't wanted to write in a very long time. I hope to continue acting on the inclination.

What did I do a lot of this year? Bake. Yes, I baked A LOT. Big items, small items, chocolate, pudding, pies, cakes, cupcakes, candy..you name it...I tried it..okay..maybe not but I did a lot.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Let's start with the candy...chocolate covered Oreos, molded chocolates and chocolate covered pretzels. 8 hours later and not even water...I was a mess but my chocolates weren't.


I just realized that the next 2 recipes come from Sally's Baking Addiction. HA!

Next, Peppermint Mocha Cookies dipped in white chocolate. Divine. I made many holiday cookies but these were my favorite.
 

Donuts. Yes, I made donuts. You bake them and they tastes like giant sugar coated muffins. So delicious.


Chocolate covered banana muffins. Yes, chocolate covered banana muffins. The glaze is silky and shiny and hardens like candy. Make them.



Red Velvet Crackle Cookies. Yes, I used the recipe on the cake mix. No, I am not ashamed. In fact, I changed the recipe and they came out even better than anticipated.


Don't worry, I'll post more images and such. I already baked something in 2016. I'm off to a good start.

Upside-Down Cake and Square Cookies. The world has gone mad!

Betty Crocker, you are a crazy, crazy woman. I used one of your iconic recipe cards (seen here) to make Pineapple Upside-Down Cake and it was a trip. People loved it. I did not. It was easy to make but just too sweet. I made a pretty design with fruit and followed the very simple instructions. 

Here's the deal.

All you need is:

• A box of yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
• A stick of butter 
• A cup of brown sugar
• Sliced pineapples (I used Dole pineapples slices in juice.)
• Maraschino cherries

Melt the butter in the pan. Make a layer of sugar and create a fun design for the fruit. Pour in your cake batter and TADA!! 26-30 minutes later you have a cake. 

Don't forget! Flip over the cake at least 2 minutes after you take it out of the oven and leave the pan over it for a bit. Everything sets and you can serve it. 

Like I said, not my favorite thing I've baked...far from it. 

Here are a few of my new favorites:

About 2 weeks ago, I decided to go nuts and make chocolate muffins. I was given Sally's Baking Addiction book for my birthday. I love the book and all the recipes. I made Sally's chocolate muffins and holy beans, I never thought I'd like chocolate muffins and I love them! Search her site for the recipe or buy her great book. It's worth it for the pictures.

Now, I needed cookies...I didn't want to bust out my mixture and I wanted something different. I remembered reading about these strawberry cake mix chocolate chip cookies. I googled and found this very simple recipe. It needed more moisture so I added some milk..about say...1/4 of a cup.

I had semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips and wanted to party so I added them both to the batter. I again was pulling the lazy card out of my nonexistent pocket. I decided to smear the batter on parchment paper and bake. My stroke of brilliance still brings a smile to my face. 

Be careful when baking. Since it's one sort of thin homogeneous blob, it cooks rather quickly. Check frequently!!

Slice it with a pizza cutter and viola! It's fake strawberry and chocolate delightfulness. 

Make them soon or now!