Pound Cake Heaven

There are certain sweets that I just can't resist, pound cake is one of those sweets. I have a recipe for the most delicious pound cake in the world. I don't make it too often because I have a problem keeping myself from eating the whole darn thing. Yum Yum!!! The other day I was at the grocery store and found some ripe strawberries, so I decided to make the cake. I haven't had it in like 2 years but boy was it as good as I remember.

New Toys

I have been shopping lately and have bought some fun new kitchen toys. I love shopping for kitchen and baking ware. Probably my favorite thing to go shopping for. I can't wait to break these things out and make some fun creations. I should have some good sweets to share with everyone using these handy new items.


Probably one of my biggest investments is this ice cream
maker. I can't wait to make some delicious homemade
treats.

Are these not the cutest things you have ever seen? Mini

spring form pans to make mini cheesecakes. I love making

cheesecakes, so it is going to be a blast making these cute

individual ones.

This was on sale at the store for 1/2 off and I thought it

would make some fun and delicious cakes. It will be good

to experiment with these pans.

Isn't this pie plate darling? I got it at an after Valentines

Day sale. It was like 80 percent off, so I got it for barely

nothing. I love when I find deals like this. It should make

some beautiful heart shaped pies.

Classic but oh, so good

This isn't some elaborate recipe, just a good ol' basic chocolate chip cookie. My sister in law asked if I would make some cookies for dessert tonight, so I just whipped up a batch. It is easy but always a favorite it seems. Nothing tastes better than a chocolate chip cookie coming warm out of the oven. Yum yum!!! The only problem is stopping at just one.

Quick Smores on a Stick

Here is a quick and easy tasty treat. Don't have time or fire to do the "real thing" with smores? Here is an alternative that is fun to do and great as a little dessert for a party or gathering. All you need is:
-Skewers
-Marshmallows
-Chocolate (Whatever kind you fancy)
-Graham Crackers
-Paraffin Baking Wax (Optional)
Hope that you enjoy this tutorial and have lots of fun with it!



Stick marshmallows on skewers


Crumb graham crackers in food processor or whatever you
want to use.

Melt chocolate using a double boiler method

Add paraffin wax to hot melted chocolate

Dip skewered marshmallows in melted chocolate

Then dip into graham cracker crumbs

Let the treats set until chocolate hardens. (You can also

put them in the freezer if you want them cold). Serve and enjoy!!!!

Valentines Day

So I know that I am a little late for the whole Valentines Baking thing right? Valentines has come and gone, adios till next year. Well I am a late bloomer I guess, actually my real reason for waiting a couple days after the holiday is that I am planning on bringing all these goodies to the doctors, nurses and patients at the cancer center. Since my appointment is Tuesday, I wanted the goodies to be fresh so I spent a wonderful day baking in the kitchen. It is so relaxing and soothing experience for me, baking that is. I feel like I am able to just unleash my creative juices and let them burst. I am a little bit more traditional and haven't stepped out of "my" realm too much, but can't wait to get the courage to be a little wacky and go through a lot of trial and error. I find myself a lot sticking with what I know to be good, because well I know they are good. But it is adventure time. If anyone has some amazing recipes that they simply love I would be love to give them a whirl. Send them my way!!! Below are some photos from my Valentines baking project. I had a good ol' time making everything, Valentines is one of my favorite holidays to bake for. Wishing everyone a wonderful evening and Happy Baking!!!






Yummy Valentines Cupcakes

More and more Cupcakes

Cupcakes all packaged up in their cute little boxes

Heart shaped brownies in their cute little boxes

Sugar cookie cutouts, all decorated to a T

Sweets: an intoxicating journey

I am super excited about starting this new blog. I am still going to continue with my original blog but have had some inspiration lately to do a different and fun one. I love, love, love both cooking and baking, but I have always said that if I had to choose one I would defiantly go with the baking. I feel that I can put more of ME into that style of culinary art. I always thought that if I ever made my way to a Culinary Arts School, I would probably major in pastry arts. You can put and express so much beauty in a sweet dessert. It can take someone to a whole different place in their head and heart. It can make a bad day a WHOLE lot better. Just that one small taste of chocolate can intoxicate you body, mind and soul. It is weird but don't sweets just seem to have that affect? We eat them when we are happy, we eat them when we are sad, we eat them to celebrate accomplishments, or maybe just to finish off that perfect meal. Whatever it is I think most agree that sweets are in our lives daily and they are WONDERFUL (Our waistlines just don't like them too much)!

I feel that baking is one way that I can give back to people. I always loved baking individual things for people while I was up in Montana cooking for hundreds. Just to send someone a little sweet and let them know you are thinking of them and care. I was known as the cheesecake lady up at the place I worked. I was known for making good cheesecakes. The funny thing is, I am not a huge fan of them. But love making them!!! So that became kind of a trademark of mine. Lately I have been trying many new things and making sweet packages for the staff and patients at the cancer center. I bring them things every several weeks or so. It is so rewarding just to see the smiles on their faces when you give them that box or bag of goodies. I am working on Valentines goodies to bring to everyone on Tuesday. I have so much fun creating these desserts.

Back when I was living in Montana a friend of mine got me a starter kit of decorating tips and bags. I now have expanded my collection quite a bit. I have several boxes with fun tools and LOTS of cookie cutters and molds and the list can go on and on. You see I discovered a cake decorating and supply store around the corner from my house. DANGEROUS!!!! It is the sweetest little shop, but jam packed full of wonderful tools and everything you can think of. I just love going in and getting ideas for new things to create and try to restrain myself from buying the place out when I go. I am trying to build my collection of baking stuff a little at a time. Last time I went, I got the cutest little bug sucker/candy mold. So my collection is growing a little by little. It is so exciting!! Maybe my dream that I have had for so long will come true where I can open up my own bakery. Oh............. what a dream that would be. Lately I have been thinking of how I can sell my baked goods to benefit cancer somehow. I am working on finding a way to use this to help that other important part of my life.
So grab your apron and join me in this utterly sweet and decadent journey in my kitchen!!!!