tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46331283249558218122024-03-18T21:35:30.592-07:00A Little Red Haired Girla little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-91351776066823181992011-04-24T20:43:00.000-07:002011-04-24T20:43:26.157-07:00Easter Cake Pops<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCIlsqH4jnmUlsCvhWcL7452GPovORqi_Tfgn_g6EOOUnYfyxI6mSp5KbwHnzoiDCrybJJKjKlvRUi9zoQEMJowHkxwU6WRhieBf3OQEtSC5E3wE0IyxW9Jby6SURjxVcT5gTX9abxFg/s1600/DSCN3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCIlsqH4jnmUlsCvhWcL7452GPovORqi_Tfgn_g6EOOUnYfyxI6mSp5KbwHnzoiDCrybJJKjKlvRUi9zoQEMJowHkxwU6WRhieBf3OQEtSC5E3wE0IyxW9Jby6SURjxVcT5gTX9abxFg/s320/DSCN3499.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I know I am getting it in just under the wire, but I wanted to share these cake pops/balls before Easter is officially over. I am a big fan of cake balls. Check out <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella</a> if you haven't yet; she is amazing. They can be a bit time consuming, but they are delicious and I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't love them! I usually just make normal balls, but I decided to try something new this time and made them into chicks and bunnies for Easter. :-)<br />
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The first step is easy enough. Prepare a cake. You can use pretty much any cake you want; this time I did a double batch, one vanilla and one chocolate cake. I used a box mix this time to save time.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Dd5XVSajwyrfguvVg3ouT7wSHZhKG6jt6Xr4WuP7133-DI-38oaBVwsIpAz3IvSlwPRlfrFc-5V-Fi1geuo-fcn7STEer0g0jp_ZFJqAXOb9Dc219YAfMBWNVmdG4Sj4KdpsYeLfNQ/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Dd5XVSajwyrfguvVg3ouT7wSHZhKG6jt6Xr4WuP7133-DI-38oaBVwsIpAz3IvSlwPRlfrFc-5V-Fi1geuo-fcn7STEer0g0jp_ZFJqAXOb9Dc219YAfMBWNVmdG4Sj4KdpsYeLfNQ/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the cake is made and cooled, you take the beautiful cake and destroy it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FvxHHpIV5CaaIHpH0eZDKcAJulaItX66H-qjypB1oMdtmW1m7DXl9_Lw4mvV2_QKprwjGo_GCWSjoyAF9250gelVWKZrrGDPDAR2R8sjbA-FUGfbZ5ATh_qjjFqBcZuzoiEeWKjbKa8/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FvxHHpIV5CaaIHpH0eZDKcAJulaItX66H-qjypB1oMdtmW1m7DXl9_Lw4mvV2_QKprwjGo_GCWSjoyAF9250gelVWKZrrGDPDAR2R8sjbA-FUGfbZ5ATh_qjjFqBcZuzoiEeWKjbKa8/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This party is actually kind of fun. :-) Just brake it up until the crumbs are somewhat fine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ80agsVqsO5gts2SkTqVkz2wnmgD25Jsm7_aq6GSSOqKkY3dZYxHVJJTR5ngD5s1ImVUuCIkl9tK-YigUq96g_26N1TAuSv64ITpaKs_ZDqCy6szP2xIHgURZnXs6wvcjvP8o3gmCzs/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ80agsVqsO5gts2SkTqVkz2wnmgD25Jsm7_aq6GSSOqKkY3dZYxHVJJTR5ngD5s1ImVUuCIkl9tK-YigUq96g_26N1TAuSv64ITpaKs_ZDqCy6szP2xIHgURZnXs6wvcjvP8o3gmCzs/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, mix in a can of frosting. Again, the canned stuff is fine, but if you want to make your own frosting, go ahead. Cream cheese frosting works best because it does not make the mix too sweet. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUzLdlPoKSW_R-NSYuxd08fQvvICJYXFlBqOzR8ggJlTZWq51OvMZd8VNeh0zbddSjg4Xaf_SIrcxhbRcJVXovDD4Y_OseQD4KrOWJ-iJ00RSQEFRbr7Q01SiOqWEnjDbsWSa-6nwqGw/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUzLdlPoKSW_R-NSYuxd08fQvvICJYXFlBqOzR8ggJlTZWq51OvMZd8VNeh0zbddSjg4Xaf_SIrcxhbRcJVXovDD4Y_OseQD4KrOWJ-iJ00RSQEFRbr7Q01SiOqWEnjDbsWSa-6nwqGw/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once everything is combined, roll the cake into balls on a wax paper lined pan and put them in the fridge for several hours.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafeGyPqzHv4C32NohRXnLpUW2sf49spcQfKBfzAwajwbWaxTyQ3CK872U2VHPKwbEXlFK8fDzALLekWcnXVvna_X9lkEEtvARhQfixtzLShStJ5Hkw8cXngzs06KdiPU_Wi4mb2Lar3M/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafeGyPqzHv4C32NohRXnLpUW2sf49spcQfKBfzAwajwbWaxTyQ3CK872U2VHPKwbEXlFK8fDzALLekWcnXVvna_X9lkEEtvARhQfixtzLShStJ5Hkw8cXngzs06KdiPU_Wi4mb2Lar3M/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make the chicks, I dipped the cold cake balls into melted yellow melts. While the ball was still wet, I attached the orange candy melt nose. Once the entire pop was dry, I used melted chocolate to attach the "wings" and "feet." Finally I drew on eyes with a food safe marker.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1t8qehg8pUgyL0rxlL6v9dpLob3lMg3pu_jRhoCT-uUlPE2xA0WkWpKWv7AbMVgSl7XzztDG4hr9didfiP21QxmC3NjPkBFTU6Jd8IVjAfyGM-_lQt9-o383Eut3AzeJGLGT-I4lTh0/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1t8qehg8pUgyL0rxlL6v9dpLob3lMg3pu_jRhoCT-uUlPE2xA0WkWpKWv7AbMVgSl7XzztDG4hr9didfiP21QxmC3NjPkBFTU6Jd8IVjAfyGM-_lQt9-o383Eut3AzeJGLGT-I4lTh0/s320/DSCN3486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHEKMigYcnz905jevr2VMCqtiuUPoiUFLWJCmiTVAWaXkenvXrmemL7lO1d6Z-WXr0sC4AWpOOz-12pU6ezZLHTgsnFvcwOCF5M9Q5hW_i6s2tI8Unh0K5Knt-jr3IfMblmQHk8IgaTA/s1600/DSCN3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHEKMigYcnz905jevr2VMCqtiuUPoiUFLWJCmiTVAWaXkenvXrmemL7lO1d6Z-WXr0sC4AWpOOz-12pU6ezZLHTgsnFvcwOCF5M9Q5hW_i6s2tI8Unh0K5Knt-jr3IfMblmQHk8IgaTA/s320/DSCN3492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the pops very cumbersome and time consuming. I soon said, "forget this" and made them into just balls. Even though they were less perfect, I just loved them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNarGIJolenvGRBzxmF1y8W3zzaEksTltMs0XfSExr_vFSw5_e1ZaYU2Dck-KWAeGNH2GQfKS8BpcDqui65xKrikjUvqyn4KtsThl1V6F0HHqFPXJ9-T2x-x1YFKPj-ZF10GS87fgsQ3U/s1600/DSCN3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNarGIJolenvGRBzxmF1y8W3zzaEksTltMs0XfSExr_vFSw5_e1ZaYU2Dck-KWAeGNH2GQfKS8BpcDqui65xKrikjUvqyn4KtsThl1V6F0HHqFPXJ9-T2x-x1YFKPj-ZF10GS87fgsQ3U/s320/DSCN3495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bunnies were the same general concept, just with marshmellow ears. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulmuZ6sdte9khyWmDftw3lCzYWZvyiPA3PCsF0Anfv1S75sxZ-nHKfIia3vmu3Kv25M55z03XOIf03kAUxAfwJMZcKupeEuEMaoB-vFwFit8xlPpnJ3tKub96mX0HZWKSxDSIfC1X0wE/s1600/DSCN3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulmuZ6sdte9khyWmDftw3lCzYWZvyiPA3PCsF0Anfv1S75sxZ-nHKfIia3vmu3Kv25M55z03XOIf03kAUxAfwJMZcKupeEuEMaoB-vFwFit8xlPpnJ3tKub96mX0HZWKSxDSIfC1X0wE/s320/DSCN3497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made about 1/4 of the balls into chicks and bunnies and the rest were just cute and colorful balls.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWW8Bsl05YTo9sJ1V7DyC2sh2XiMQZybNuWQAQuMrIJvy9qPuNAu-Jp4IrtKuSAkhB4d97YGbCzutZMVhKQl9gAA4PwRi4JHSBuQz5qXVhUB7AXGJgMwt01dOiiSbtk0QdEGReMBN6K8/s1600/DSCN3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWW8Bsl05YTo9sJ1V7DyC2sh2XiMQZybNuWQAQuMrIJvy9qPuNAu-Jp4IrtKuSAkhB4d97YGbCzutZMVhKQl9gAA4PwRi4JHSBuQz5qXVhUB7AXGJgMwt01dOiiSbtk0QdEGReMBN6K8/s320/DSCN3500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Verdict: </b>Delicious as always. I will definitely make the chicks again, they were adorable. The bunnies' marshmellow ears were annoying so I might do something different with those next time around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Coming Up</b>: No clue! Easter was a whirlwind, I need a day to recuperate and post the things I made but didn't post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Easter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Jenna xoxo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. I made adorable little treat boxes for some people this Easter. The cute little boxes were on clearance at A.C. Moore. I lined the box with bright tissue paper, filled the boxes with sugar cookies and cake balls/pops and put a cute bow on top. Easter Love! </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWntRg7YNqgkEZy3sKeS5SCHjzRTqc1i9SWA8DRrWhnDiFtVRz3Q6HsU32dTJ3c9WjJUGC6z0XBdKyqAgTpKglh6mGUQg3UZSVyPcMGpkdXCfXAj9Xbz72jqYQkXTvwtXWfscmdyIBHE/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWntRg7YNqgkEZy3sKeS5SCHjzRTqc1i9SWA8DRrWhnDiFtVRz3Q6HsU32dTJ3c9WjJUGC6z0XBdKyqAgTpKglh6mGUQg3UZSVyPcMGpkdXCfXAj9Xbz72jqYQkXTvwtXWfscmdyIBHE/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimvR4H0_6S0PHaJQUlj5drgdRdR1GYk5K_ra0IBTUpuHkuXqKgNri-QcVLQXDfJsxsDpPEvfseU4DWEnaxElMRAjRipiirJRBTwXHhZu6x7KeXBLLfsU66s-p8Ki1Owj5ZxFxnvMbeJc/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimvR4H0_6S0PHaJQUlj5drgdRdR1GYk5K_ra0IBTUpuHkuXqKgNri-QcVLQXDfJsxsDpPEvfseU4DWEnaxElMRAjRipiirJRBTwXHhZu6x7KeXBLLfsU66s-p8Ki1Owj5ZxFxnvMbeJc/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-18740094222334015742011-04-23T10:50:00.000-07:002011-04-23T10:50:09.235-07:00Easter Sugar Cookies<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmCodybJMV1-b6Oq8GUnXRd-cl9JHzI4piIk3qzKBbEJ2Khnle2G4S5t95oR0Vcm2ES3VxXp8hxvW6TW_Q5Qqvtzo6ZXrbRdfceBHbC2m7G-dGZIOlbTT_UBsHmy8P3Un0pAAWBAqSdA/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmCodybJMV1-b6Oq8GUnXRd-cl9JHzI4piIk3qzKBbEJ2Khnle2G4S5t95oR0Vcm2ES3VxXp8hxvW6TW_Q5Qqvtzo6ZXrbRdfceBHbC2m7G-dGZIOlbTT_UBsHmy8P3Un0pAAWBAqSdA/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I finally tackled royal icing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all of my unnecessary worrying, it actually wasn’t that scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty proud of the way they turned out, considering that it was my first attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that the consistency of my icing wasn’t quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was scared of the icing being too thin, so I think it was too thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I was about halfway through the cookies I had gotten the hang of it and changed the consistency, which made it a lot easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used Bridget of <a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/">Bake at 350’</a>s royal icing recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not have corn syrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time I decorate cookies (Yes! There will definitely be a next time!) I will make sure I have corn syrup because I did feel the icing dried a bit dull. Corn syrup is the ingredient that is supposed to make it shiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I did extensive research and planning before beginning this project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I normally do a lot of reading and planning before trying something new to make sure I get it just right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went a tad bit overboard on this project though! Aside from the countless blog posts, I also drew out many different options for decorating with crayons so I would be prepared! Aren’t I such an artist? ;-)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3TZedyoN9XvBf2lDdX1jncXI-atXysxr55FYl5FT4YwfYo-VuPWLPAOw1jTfRPlyhPCJYe2gcIXSyvUVuUXLkgfD0GcRFV_cJOrH0nAAKgMMyZFS_nyyiKwm773aDwTKAYY6dkYRFzA/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3TZedyoN9XvBf2lDdX1jncXI-atXysxr55FYl5FT4YwfYo-VuPWLPAOw1jTfRPlyhPCJYe2gcIXSyvUVuUXLkgfD0GcRFV_cJOrH0nAAKgMMyZFS_nyyiKwm773aDwTKAYY6dkYRFzA/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqpWdCbyUJYHSRssvNboSs_eBkp8jvAPLNNIWY059HZyIeC6a7i0l-5pDYBZ6yWMLVvKLiUrpOLnECgKVHZSiyzw2MYwZkGcrpd1t1EA1N1upMXIqH8RzBGEdBGNRUBqv_KX6wWUimIk/s1600/IMG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqpWdCbyUJYHSRssvNboSs_eBkp8jvAPLNNIWY059HZyIeC6a7i0l-5pDYBZ6yWMLVvKLiUrpOLnECgKVHZSiyzw2MYwZkGcrpd1t1EA1N1upMXIqH8RzBGEdBGNRUBqv_KX6wWUimIk/s320/IMG_0083.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL-xgoZ-TjKAUIEHybG0-pGRVNNyK8dk7LL4p1Bp5o-nDknagHT0D1wAd7Dcv6j70wXoFegk35PiBbanogySxe8PDeNpVHL0Vfa-fyT2pE0zuEtLsBUAQfeiyOBED56ifYk4M-JnGUnY/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL-xgoZ-TjKAUIEHybG0-pGRVNNyK8dk7LL4p1Bp5o-nDknagHT0D1wAd7Dcv6j70wXoFegk35PiBbanogySxe8PDeNpVHL0Vfa-fyT2pE0zuEtLsBUAQfeiyOBED56ifYk4M-JnGUnY/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first step was to make the icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beat together the meringue powder and water.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sc8w6RE2TaouG_oEdiec3mJESM7E4gHSX0ryZ4i1qx6gqjjN0G01NBCWJRB94iHUSkfeUnf3I3LRkmNv60vyAYIhHcgrM9f6Se70ccKEUpnYcRHqU6ZacqPNOvcq9KyckqAxPA0AdgU/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sc8w6RE2TaouG_oEdiec3mJESM7E4gHSX0ryZ4i1qx6gqjjN0G01NBCWJRB94iHUSkfeUnf3I3LRkmNv60vyAYIhHcgrM9f6Se70ccKEUpnYcRHqU6ZacqPNOvcq9KyckqAxPA0AdgU/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sift the confectioners sugar and slowly add to the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beat for 5 minutes or until the icing can hold a peak.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtuc13YRLz-MlyRQfCfGB_V7FsKVuh0vo0AHQqKgOr1wGlO2oWcxiquG8Jlz_FmBFfc-qdSJD1ncQYUKi6MxX6mx_Fuz815XPGxUNwYI_9pfIgCEVxA-I9dX9bvpbCI0wWM6PeDR01fg/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtuc13YRLz-MlyRQfCfGB_V7FsKVuh0vo0AHQqKgOr1wGlO2oWcxiquG8Jlz_FmBFfc-qdSJD1ncQYUKi6MxX6mx_Fuz815XPGxUNwYI_9pfIgCEVxA-I9dX9bvpbCI0wWM6PeDR01fg/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpEgIQ1wGMpKhx9jhLY4XWY32Aubi3bzSawuF30usFKSfkOytRMUToPrmeuPrOoSOtsop8SOAxlXAmmMXtLH0OcZYp937JfkWuxk0NSaA86XtkEafkHWbx64urr69gN2072ALskGur0c/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpEgIQ1wGMpKhx9jhLY4XWY32Aubi3bzSawuF30usFKSfkOytRMUToPrmeuPrOoSOtsop8SOAxlXAmmMXtLH0OcZYp937JfkWuxk0NSaA86XtkEafkHWbx64urr69gN2072ALskGur0c/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My next step was to color the icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another thing I will be investing in for next time is better coloring products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dye is pretty old and not a good quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard good things about Americolors, so I will probably try it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose to use yellow, pink, green and purple icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also set aside a small amount of uncolored icing for detailing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB7soSkJPEBjt5WKF0XK4D43WZ8UlrUL6qNCjQYQ7PDEFCsvWrTlrTOmYdEy1h-cKEgcUNnyRuNuZXu05-4Fyj681LgdAkjWrd8Nawuwor3yrez34vD2ikPrUF6OP7W24yt1vyJFsjOo/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB7soSkJPEBjt5WKF0XK4D43WZ8UlrUL6qNCjQYQ7PDEFCsvWrTlrTOmYdEy1h-cKEgcUNnyRuNuZXu05-4Fyj681LgdAkjWrd8Nawuwor3yrez34vD2ikPrUF6OP7W24yt1vyJFsjOo/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48l2hn90vQyaPoC7gwvl551txCY15v0lrGFWIHaiXcWH0CQvpyvwL-eKRTgY95385PK_b2ZKihwddw3faYBG3mucr0_Pn2Szh6bhJdF4sbipb9pgvVAIKkzEAWWjMxbYSmmmf24UfiB0/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48l2hn90vQyaPoC7gwvl551txCY15v0lrGFWIHaiXcWH0CQvpyvwL-eKRTgY95385PK_b2ZKihwddw3faYBG3mucr0_Pn2Szh6bhJdF4sbipb9pgvVAIKkzEAWWjMxbYSmmmf24UfiB0/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next I piped the outlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where I had the most trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried using a #2 tip, but the tip kept getting clogged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure this is an amateur mistake because of the icing consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up using a #3 tip for most of the cookies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewekkF5V0XnqSUrX4ANaWNpJ1P0hOri-Gcm6IrVxQtfYsZGGGyycVs-cUBlgDJiPcjEgpOORDWjggd2f8B7hRKGbuvdvKYeGbDB8R8m0QMMwZg-Z2QRh1a3Oc-ZLK3Z4jV38j-15hO-k/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewekkF5V0XnqSUrX4ANaWNpJ1P0hOri-Gcm6IrVxQtfYsZGGGyycVs-cUBlgDJiPcjEgpOORDWjggd2f8B7hRKGbuvdvKYeGbDB8R8m0QMMwZg-Z2QRh1a3Oc-ZLK3Z4jV38j-15hO-k/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrhBEbaXoTnYN3tvjHP2mokdxHkuXQuSWHv5sHkMPwFmMAWru-Bb1Cs5hCwroSuLBA4llwkV9lrqNFB0UtHqCNtdZzXr2NaMkMt8IHc6RLstD9ZUBkmAYgtqbiZn1jHpyutNqLOqaGg8/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrhBEbaXoTnYN3tvjHP2mokdxHkuXQuSWHv5sHkMPwFmMAWru-Bb1Cs5hCwroSuLBA4llwkV9lrqNFB0UtHqCNtdZzXr2NaMkMt8IHc6RLstD9ZUBkmAYgtqbiZn1jHpyutNqLOqaGg8/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next step was to flood the cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, this was a bit of a guess and check procedure to get the right consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved making flat designs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The polka dots were absolutely adorable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zCHvhPHu3iXFK6yhaYGl5l220Fxmy3k_e3NXm2AbVsv2zrD0f8-nXKrSdeb3Yjyluuox7_C_Wdk0VbgTIXvA7_TmNEhSFj9nWuZ5V8tCvXQ6f6AoKgMnXiglctuNxBq0z7pWFMrWrKQ/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zCHvhPHu3iXFK6yhaYGl5l220Fxmy3k_e3NXm2AbVsv2zrD0f8-nXKrSdeb3Yjyluuox7_C_Wdk0VbgTIXvA7_TmNEhSFj9nWuZ5V8tCvXQ6f6AoKgMnXiglctuNxBq0z7pWFMrWrKQ/s320/IMG_0094.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXa5s3nnTz_L_2v2HSaBQBDSAW2mleYN8yvoKPDl4qyb8uups1L7bXBdlBiJ39F2nCBTMIEeO1JGtdPFmQHU7IZOfzgBvgB12lw7aGzFrQS80Axf5tvXINin4KWqkjZ5wXIqyhLitE_0/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXa5s3nnTz_L_2v2HSaBQBDSAW2mleYN8yvoKPDl4qyb8uups1L7bXBdlBiJ39F2nCBTMIEeO1JGtdPFmQHU7IZOfzgBvgB12lw7aGzFrQS80Axf5tvXINin4KWqkjZ5wXIqyhLitE_0/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_wm4H1dFxeEHFzP-k94cmGpg47ykBtMy5TbDkD3Mnet_XfZ-3Lj5IAjECjw4t94pS8bOjT7_e-a7HC8C9_RQgwcbSh4-XtyKfXPv8xz9OUj9rZKCtScK8XUYCaDov1RO9QsvANC-D6Q/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_wm4H1dFxeEHFzP-k94cmGpg47ykBtMy5TbDkD3Mnet_XfZ-3Lj5IAjECjw4t94pS8bOjT7_e-a7HC8C9_RQgwcbSh4-XtyKfXPv8xz9OUj9rZKCtScK8XUYCaDov1RO9QsvANC-D6Q/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I let the cookies dry overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day I added some detailing like names and dots, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely need some practice piping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though they are not perfect, I am pretty proud of them for a first attempt.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WPXT5PnzK67WmI1fYccjSO_oRSpXyjl51OeLIDqg3JuzxoVoRne7xF_JrGjoxtj2I2FL8GNWjJZR68Wb6XKWK9SS4rbKqTZIFOY_zJ9KqTQwcnQY75dM4jKwN6UnBhwkZWs1eGE586s/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WPXT5PnzK67WmI1fYccjSO_oRSpXyjl51OeLIDqg3JuzxoVoRne7xF_JrGjoxtj2I2FL8GNWjJZR68Wb6XKWK9SS4rbKqTZIFOY_zJ9KqTQwcnQY75dM4jKwN6UnBhwkZWs1eGE586s/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59cH9p8gKgFyJ6IWcCbAFVnxn_K1Xi-dAM0dOG60RkzvNL68IqbQ0hUQZy7DZ5oImLXNubCxx547Cya7grAJXEotN3iWq9in7h3BUJ1_kmdDA87Jpme6rCRqIMll89suZHba2alNrds/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59cH9p8gKgFyJ6IWcCbAFVnxn_K1Xi-dAM0dOG60RkzvNL68IqbQ0hUQZy7DZ5oImLXNubCxx547Cya7grAJXEotN3iWq9in7h3BUJ1_kmdDA87Jpme6rCRqIMll89suZHba2alNrds/s320/IMG_0103.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu17pBJNyzm46Sm4Ql4fVYm5gpz6SYr0rzlpgAtpwbcC5GPFwRlIlVz251vfLN7nLZa4dd2-FcyvtYYwqIpI3h2_vR4Rhn8KdRUUP2rs1qY7m6Eafi6TDRYYBCSGPUgZX_eoann_St-iY/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu17pBJNyzm46Sm4Ql4fVYm5gpz6SYr0rzlpgAtpwbcC5GPFwRlIlVz251vfLN7nLZa4dd2-FcyvtYYwqIpI3h2_vR4Rhn8KdRUUP2rs1qY7m6Eafi6TDRYYBCSGPUgZX_eoann_St-iY/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Verdict</b>: I will definitely try these again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will buy better food coloring and flooding bottles for next time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I will get better with practice in regards to consistency and piping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan on using the cookies with my family’s names on it as place cards for our Easter dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The worst part about the whole project was the clean up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjxQrY1wxoFHCIkDyO36haxQc1OaQKzEfi5PqOt5TgcQjoQ7glRR-5vDIb4ObRcNo-4dsbAHd-0bK7K3bOb4yVq6_U0yz7SVD9FF5Md2SUroZyZ_XBX-F4pAvO_eCOMpLQlLvcSdJRJc/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjxQrY1wxoFHCIkDyO36haxQc1OaQKzEfi5PqOt5TgcQjoQ7glRR-5vDIb4ObRcNo-4dsbAHd-0bK7K3bOb4yVq6_U0yz7SVD9FF5Md2SUroZyZ_XBX-F4pAvO_eCOMpLQlLvcSdJRJc/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEAVvLMowwr2KfYyyKKvgu0NX4cbB-_80eJ6JUrPqj0eaNafcEhypBqEOpOPsIB8yWOVEs_Y2NK5LVYDMtZAsnvhgRBonhcwxbxMBq-j23CWp5KNYq7tHFiXQn9jhyphenhyphenmkMwsEcocSBdao/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEAVvLMowwr2KfYyyKKvgu0NX4cbB-_80eJ6JUrPqj0eaNafcEhypBqEOpOPsIB8yWOVEs_Y2NK5LVYDMtZAsnvhgRBonhcwxbxMBq-j23CWp5KNYq7tHFiXQn9jhyphenhyphenmkMwsEcocSBdao/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Next time:</b> Still up for Easter baking are Easter Cake Pops, Mini Coconut Custard Pies, Easter Noodle Pie and maybe Carrot Cake, if I have time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Baking!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Jenna xoxo</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">P.S. Only one cookie was harmed in the making of this blog post. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9AC_6WqF8vfJ96F9vO3i2cd4ly7-Q-_Xe0Z78Km07ch7G2JMWg3HGT_TzT1ECvtoAMD8rpyPkqBA3fKBNagrxTSZbml9tz9TF7d6DLKpiqeDCICt0WMzqhOZbQznfCQU-olJoIwOA6c/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9AC_6WqF8vfJ96F9vO3i2cd4ly7-Q-_Xe0Z78Km07ch7G2JMWg3HGT_TzT1ECvtoAMD8rpyPkqBA3fKBNagrxTSZbml9tz9TF7d6DLKpiqeDCICt0WMzqhOZbQznfCQU-olJoIwOA6c/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIttRIBBxItmvF8qJoVwnGdLtxemWK-D97Q12SCbxfm6OyWHblm2j4CkmNS_DM4P8UL29gwS-RaSDQ2bzRmjpJ9M3WaUUFqAD8ExwbP_R3iTQ3_1f5p8R2f1FoOyh-lgJp1iBvVG6jv4/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIttRIBBxItmvF8qJoVwnGdLtxemWK-D97Q12SCbxfm6OyWHblm2j4CkmNS_DM4P8UL29gwS-RaSDQ2bzRmjpJ9M3WaUUFqAD8ExwbP_R3iTQ3_1f5p8R2f1FoOyh-lgJp1iBvVG6jv4/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">P.P.S. Check out Bake at 350 for the icing recipe and awesome cookie decorating techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bridget is the expert, not me!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">P.P.P.S. More pictures because I am so proud of myself. hehe.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTbIWln3f9aXKSs6A5cJfQnrjIeMWeOaKJvY5SdG7AbmyosVcMKNKno1syDYPaTzy21oSPNk8UAyyGNX4bCg6ZxSiY6-huFa4NcgmjgAZqWObbyEHzGxeVaHwP7swhBAAOJ5eqHSRwRs/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTbIWln3f9aXKSs6A5cJfQnrjIeMWeOaKJvY5SdG7AbmyosVcMKNKno1syDYPaTzy21oSPNk8UAyyGNX4bCg6ZxSiY6-huFa4NcgmjgAZqWObbyEHzGxeVaHwP7swhBAAOJ5eqHSRwRs/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-90390501148805167182011-04-15T08:33:00.000-07:002011-04-15T08:35:23.733-07:00Naked Sugar Cookies<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VA2zDemjH6sMZj5tuuySB_yYoy2Pv46YV02yjDuFcytKIR0zp8l-8EO6aUo_Pd_kO3whvxXh7JYUwQRK5Hjil_moeX0V4MEfQB0Owvhw-SFkkKExKFRQyb1hSQvkBfXv7m8amv1berI/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VA2zDemjH6sMZj5tuuySB_yYoy2Pv46YV02yjDuFcytKIR0zp8l-8EO6aUo_Pd_kO3whvxXh7JYUwQRK5Hjil_moeX0V4MEfQB0Owvhw-SFkkKExKFRQyb1hSQvkBfXv7m8amv1berI/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have been making sugar cookies for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little girl, sugar cookies have been a staple at Christmas time. My sisters, mom and I would sit around the kitchen table and kneed, decorate and eat. By the time we were finished, the entire kitchen would smell delicious, about half of the cookies made it into cookie tins (the other half was eaten) and the entire room would be covered in flour and sprinkles. The sugar cookies that my family makes were not the beautiful icing decorated pieces of art you see on blogs. Ours were hand made by little girls; cookies hand shaped into funny designs, totally covered in sugary jimmies and sprinkles. I don't know if my mom never got into icing decorating because she didn't like it or because maybe it would be even more to worry about cleaning up. These days we still make sugar cookies with sprinkles, we are just a bit more efficient about it.<br />
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When I saw my first cookie decorating blog, I was amazed! There are truly some amazing artist/bakers out there. I have been OBSESSED with Bridget at <a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/">Bake at 350</a> for a while now. haha. I love every design she comes up with. The cool thing about her is that she makes it seem so accessible. I have been trying to convince myself to give it a try for a while, but have been too chicken. Bridget also started the <a href="http://www.universityofcookie.com/">University of Cookie</a> where she and other bloggers upload how-to videos. It is really awesome. I have spent the past few days pouring over the past video posts to get ready to try it myself. I think I finally worked up the courage to try!<br />
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I made the sugar cookies yesterday so that step would be finished and I plan on decorating them in the next few days. I considered using one of the sugar cookie recipes I found online, but decided to just stick to my tried and true recipe of my childhood. I work myself up when I make something new. I don't know why, but I get so stressed that what I am making won't be good. Trying to ice cookies is enough of a leap for me, so I figured I would stick with my old recipe. :-) Maybe this blog will help me let go of my fear of new things! ... Maybe not ;-)<br />
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I always double this recipe, but for whatever reason I decided not to this time. I thought maybe I should start small. When I saw the tiny amount of cookies it would make (20 3.5 inch cookies), I quickly made another batch! My family is Italian after all. 20 cookies would be gone in one sitting.<br />
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The first step is to cream the sugar, shortening, and vanilla together.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqfTh4Av6lD-6YvagoHpRxEmELRpuyydclG9QhbzvPhnPP2Iq_oILzkg-7itWSxYulPD4NabyQL0LcQmz15zXYAs8TMs1zu7M-m3V-bDcrfxsDXTWe_9aEuqB48xqoXr7fCbQNhhnbZs/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqfTh4Av6lD-6YvagoHpRxEmELRpuyydclG9QhbzvPhnPP2Iq_oILzkg-7itWSxYulPD4NabyQL0LcQmz15zXYAs8TMs1zu7M-m3V-bDcrfxsDXTWe_9aEuqB48xqoXr7fCbQNhhnbZs/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then add in the egg and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in milk.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiMgCDFFuXeUt5lHVk_SRmNY-HBq_KeQ7Y85kEspoTE1tla9JRtYyWCzUNv_zpH6Oin8t-eF8fCcDIqyh835uHScT-bt4vrFI2cyhD5H60k4-rbiPtdj1dFGqEO5FkQQAyQPKEBLMBuQ/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiMgCDFFuXeUt5lHVk_SRmNY-HBq_KeQ7Y85kEspoTE1tla9JRtYyWCzUNv_zpH6Oin8t-eF8fCcDIqyh835uHScT-bt4vrFI2cyhD5H60k4-rbiPtdj1dFGqEO5FkQQAyQPKEBLMBuQ/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Sift dry ingredients together (don't skip this!) and blend into creamed mixture. Don't over beat!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHeZTv6RuM2gdoEgS_4H3xdokFJwSLW_jabsCePPCpK9cuf3UNdQJwQuFLMLIbb35dgAwf4SjhDG_FPNLu0Tnhyphenhyphen0Lb5xJSAzVFkHGAhPIfMcezyV4kwBRdm9eKeeVPQ1cIb0xfTVyg0g/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHeZTv6RuM2gdoEgS_4H3xdokFJwSLW_jabsCePPCpK9cuf3UNdQJwQuFLMLIbb35dgAwf4SjhDG_FPNLu0Tnhyphenhyphen0Lb5xJSAzVFkHGAhPIfMcezyV4kwBRdm9eKeeVPQ1cIb0xfTVyg0g/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOrCBKiro8sBzEOdZsvj2Zem8L9ENKACS2phP9w3krfb45o1GGkonQPMUjPEzvMPx6fYjy5guKkDyIwodbHVTOTrhW101WPwrvwvQHzhmGiwvs-hq04pu5Fd77B3A_TSy2KnqME_HALo/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOrCBKiro8sBzEOdZsvj2Zem8L9ENKACS2phP9w3krfb45o1GGkonQPMUjPEzvMPx6fYjy5guKkDyIwodbHVTOTrhW101WPwrvwvQHzhmGiwvs-hq04pu5Fd77B3A_TSy2KnqME_HALo/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I decided to try a technique I saw online on the University of Cookie. A lot of bloggers say that adding too much flour to your dough when you are cutting the cookies will make the cookies tough. I do agree that too much flour will affect your end product, however I the technique they suggest didn't work for me. You lay out a layer of wax paper below and over top a ball of dough. Then roll of the dough and refrigerate. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKq4TrBKmtc6cjtfICJa9ZKcuhyrk59ckbQKERDN_qhsdlrV3BDtPDiJoCR3_OSfLCLD0CL3haLXEVLfowLdnmW2bc-nWlhuq5yYI2HnR1pNJrJ_2snJAqf6zwcDwjqCF7hyNrGERMU/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKq4TrBKmtc6cjtfICJa9ZKcuhyrk59ckbQKERDN_qhsdlrV3BDtPDiJoCR3_OSfLCLD0CL3haLXEVLfowLdnmW2bc-nWlhuq5yYI2HnR1pNJrJ_2snJAqf6zwcDwjqCF7hyNrGERMU/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykP_5yMRGHcdlNyu561H1h-HAHLKBmRpicQJ47DNxUqmVvPWe-uK25JN99JGcbgRbLA3znGgIXxYKDtS0sVMnQI7IM65hT-KpyHqE1-p-FMVMZ4lC4EFQlL9BOWjrn8v9XAvNUPUME6c/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykP_5yMRGHcdlNyu561H1h-HAHLKBmRpicQJ47DNxUqmVvPWe-uK25JN99JGcbgRbLA3znGgIXxYKDtS0sVMnQI7IM65hT-KpyHqE1-p-FMVMZ4lC4EFQlL9BOWjrn8v9XAvNUPUME6c/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the dough gets chilled, you can just cut the shapes out and transfer to a cookie sheet. At this point my dough was so greasy and fragile that the cookie were falling apart! It could be something I was doing wrong, I am not sure. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThUUF3Uiu0ypNgg7MSpIuKNfIoHglCPJedNc1G75r8OTVtDHRSVFxgLtUD4T_S_0KV-B4xMgdNIq3EJW2qa54GWRz99rDksBf_Ju1LnsSB4vv2hEo8Nlj434hUrc9HkUa1IqYJVQHvmY/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThUUF3Uiu0ypNgg7MSpIuKNfIoHglCPJedNc1G75r8OTVtDHRSVFxgLtUD4T_S_0KV-B4xMgdNIq3EJW2qa54GWRz99rDksBf_Ju1LnsSB4vv2hEo8Nlj434hUrc9HkUa1IqYJVQHvmY/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaVMuZxvMUJ9ppFF9BaspVkHa7tQ4VdT45vX-BVUhrVTKt5fSCp9Z8OP_k_ZESDjveoSkpul0WBVug4yzMD269VFA78Vup6hwMPstbnc7NYJSrFXKA0fm6ulhgkv4eoYfjWZRCa-6SCw/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaVMuZxvMUJ9ppFF9BaspVkHa7tQ4VdT45vX-BVUhrVTKt5fSCp9Z8OP_k_ZESDjveoSkpul0WBVug4yzMD269VFA78Vup6hwMPstbnc7NYJSrFXKA0fm6ulhgkv4eoYfjWZRCa-6SCw/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am not a very patient person so I immediately gave up and when back to my old ways! I floured everything and got to work!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBmZ-fwL_y3pr5z69VuD09nYxsA7F3HFnivNfsfAyVQbr8bU_Unbuiv0gqr6Lf1PlMhezgcHx4l5lvw-Lzwi0Ug-NUgeETfeNqkUtQ9XoldLTIgQSuxDOjVGPYKUY5nAyRMFF_w-MR94/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBmZ-fwL_y3pr5z69VuD09nYxsA7F3HFnivNfsfAyVQbr8bU_Unbuiv0gqr6Lf1PlMhezgcHx4l5lvw-Lzwi0Ug-NUgeETfeNqkUtQ9XoldLTIgQSuxDOjVGPYKUY5nAyRMFF_w-MR94/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzSZKYCpMw_byz1QbsyEFGa2ofqvaJW9NTOtztRwEMt_qTyo0nhwScO05BxlyFyO2wFzluru33D9SNAS5chD9VohZ7_ukENGIaeNWphPFRJhW8vWelXSqH7K-myRDVUWs9mN1vB8J6-M/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzSZKYCpMw_byz1QbsyEFGa2ofqvaJW9NTOtztRwEMt_qTyo0nhwScO05BxlyFyO2wFzluru33D9SNAS5chD9VohZ7_ukENGIaeNWphPFRJhW8vWelXSqH7K-myRDVUWs9mN1vB8J6-M/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Like my new cookie cutters?? Super cheap at Walmart. ;-)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA6un3rrFV6LWzcw-W0W4Ck98-HFoS1d2JvnHoCyvzTRpXTzY6RRO6gIRcsm7HIFnWJp4KTxQRodfaOKR1-AZxMwJt9F-YeYlRPUqWwwqUn-E7QM4ifQntNmG0jwlUaNHh_ssb_kpJ9E/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA6un3rrFV6LWzcw-W0W4Ck98-HFoS1d2JvnHoCyvzTRpXTzY6RRO6gIRcsm7HIFnWJp4KTxQRodfaOKR1-AZxMwJt9F-YeYlRPUqWwwqUn-E7QM4ifQntNmG0jwlUaNHh_ssb_kpJ9E/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They came out so soft and delicious. Only one bunny was harmed in the process.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxA5-SydQZamGT_WV0lg0m42rCCOWfhqPlEeQsG6HsM2H0_CckvOhcUB-1rygVUd0ZXSVVoQ7aWc1L9410yUn24xgH2egeGu6zHrhUv5recdll1o2qj3-8hdcLCLEAxLcDC5x_pwUI_Q/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxA5-SydQZamGT_WV0lg0m42rCCOWfhqPlEeQsG6HsM2H0_CckvOhcUB-1rygVUd0ZXSVVoQ7aWc1L9410yUn24xgH2egeGu6zHrhUv5recdll1o2qj3-8hdcLCLEAxLcDC5x_pwUI_Q/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Don't worry. He made it safely to my tummy. ;-)<br />
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With a tiny bit of left over dough I free-hand cut out a cross and a square to be a little bit different.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd_TR2UgiLcUGAqxbOGo98iJEV2jZZ9DuG6fkjG75FwGmxCl50v2jS5BwmMCpYH7AC6xDJOGD5hagWVGCytQ93sFxwJHTM6aFSUheGHzsf0CyyGBMZwr33VzoOQbiCb_PShpjz2QKyws/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd_TR2UgiLcUGAqxbOGo98iJEV2jZZ9DuG6fkjG75FwGmxCl50v2jS5BwmMCpYH7AC6xDJOGD5hagWVGCytQ93sFxwJHTM6aFSUheGHzsf0CyyGBMZwr33VzoOQbiCb_PShpjz2QKyws/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTKhFEZY7zDcrLXWLNknbJWjTfQD4tZnOGqYG22hIS6BnemnyBk7DhyHioaZhXfg7PZuvC7xzm9Dwg5gx-cgwx4eppQeeIacKdvDjQpi9AwzwbJ-FrGwJgKc7-x4B705jIUqXBjyJ73I/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTKhFEZY7zDcrLXWLNknbJWjTfQD4tZnOGqYG22hIS6BnemnyBk7DhyHioaZhXfg7PZuvC7xzm9Dwg5gx-cgwx4eppQeeIacKdvDjQpi9AwzwbJ-FrGwJgKc7-x4B705jIUqXBjyJ73I/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I can't wait to decorate these cookies! I am going to use Bridget's Royal Icing recipe and an assortment of colors. Wish me luck!<br />
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<b>Verdict</b>: Of course I will make these again! We usually just save sugar cookies for Christmas, but I think I will have to expand my cookie cutter collection so we can have them all year round.<br />
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<b>Coming Up</b>: Icing the cookies!! Probably by Tuesday... We will see how my schedule goes. I am also planning on making some Easter chick cake pops and and Italian Easter Noodle Pie soon. Probably lots of other things too for the upcoming holiday. Can't Wait!<br />
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Until next time, send positive royal icing thoughts my way,<br />
<i>Jenna xoxo</i><br />
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P.S. Beautiful Spring Flowers on my kitchen table. :-)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquEYBUt64q78-BKWXUkf6O2DeckV-1ubiCKty1_CD2HJPUQzugI9noQJq6BCciggE8HCqz9wAAtubfxvkeh99ggfZbHB6J2O5ThzcAoA-GNSJs7EfG6eWneRGMnlrkhMCrESuZtSQczE/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquEYBUt64q78-BKWXUkf6O2DeckV-1ubiCKty1_CD2HJPUQzugI9noQJq6BCciggE8HCqz9wAAtubfxvkeh99ggfZbHB6J2O5ThzcAoA-GNSJs7EfG6eWneRGMnlrkhMCrESuZtSQczE/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlkgAojJGmu5GE87FuQ6mem7YKhqqlYp9Enob8ofR823zozBPWDHImnmBkWiYpdZAeet0uWRTF-i_mHQ3CJZxPj-ypwgqIdcrPJX38W29tJP2W7r6DFSb2M3ed1x7uaTvsgEaYDX8uAc/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlkgAojJGmu5GE87FuQ6mem7YKhqqlYp9Enob8ofR823zozBPWDHImnmBkWiYpdZAeet0uWRTF-i_mHQ3CJZxPj-ypwgqIdcrPJX38W29tJP2W7r6DFSb2M3ed1x7uaTvsgEaYDX8uAc/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
P.P.S. Here is the recipe!<br />
<br />
<b>Sugar Cookies</b><br />
From: Jenna's Mom<br />
Cooking Time: 350 for 6-8 min<br />
Yields: about 20 3.5 inch cookies<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b>:<br />
2/3 cup shortening<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 egg<br />
4 tsp milk<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
2 cups flower<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b>:<br />
1. Cream shortening, sugar and vanilla.<br />
2. Add in egg; beat until light and fluffy.<br />
3. Stir in milk.<br />
4. Sift dry ingredients together, blend into creamed mixture.<br />
5. Divide dough in half.<br />
6. Chill at least one hour.<br />
7. Bake on greased cookie sheet.<br />
8. Enjoy!a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-73560935225771296152011-04-10T22:35:00.000-07:002011-04-11T18:57:26.995-07:00Lemon Truffle Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1ZFYch2JOQnjelzjtF7h4jr6rljL-aFD6xmukDJjv7LJhFv6Hv5VQ6T70PGysJjt8FG8MmA1j-zD-1sI2QH0fd1ew60TrZg3YRhxydPHVJ9Muck_K2a_PjwygQ4IFVKlUi_tHw9l79E/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1ZFYch2JOQnjelzjtF7h4jr6rljL-aFD6xmukDJjv7LJhFv6Hv5VQ6T70PGysJjt8FG8MmA1j-zD-1sI2QH0fd1ew60TrZg3YRhxydPHVJ9Muck_K2a_PjwygQ4IFVKlUi_tHw9l79E/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I love the spring. I love pretty much everything about it. I love the beautiful colors of the trees and flowers after the dreariness of January, February and March. I love spring dresses instead of wool turtlenecks. I love all of the cute little animals that finally come out of hiding. And of course, I love the warmer weather! I have been dying to make a <b>Lemon Truffle Cake</b> since I read the recipe on <a href="http://www.recipegirl.com/2010/03/29/easter-dessert-recipe-lemon-truffle-cake/">RecipeGirl's</a> blog (Check her site out, it is awesome!!). My boyfriend, Phil, and his parents and grandmom came over today for dinner so I wanted to make a special dessert. It seems like the beginning of spring is the perfect time for a lemon cake, so that is what I made!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Here is my very first photo how to:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Can you tell how excited I was? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I lined up all my ingredients for a photo op. :-)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmlxOxbq12LF50J7Dxs4zwnfu0zn1lIZ8WgPvqZhbiHebGw_zu6Ck4_Xn2F0WM3P-4onBxoOTpTud-cPZq0j-lsB5zAaB9ALlaYo54ZIC2YHnWCn-QdZFPaUJuAvE0t0Z41N-dnz1ZFg/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmlxOxbq12LF50J7Dxs4zwnfu0zn1lIZ8WgPvqZhbiHebGw_zu6Ck4_Xn2F0WM3P-4onBxoOTpTud-cPZq0j-lsB5zAaB9ALlaYo54ZIC2YHnWCn-QdZFPaUJuAvE0t0Z41N-dnz1ZFg/s320/IMG_0011.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The first step is to make a vanilla cake. Preheat your oven to 350 and grease and flour 2- 9inch pans. I also lined the bottoms of the pans with wax paper.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Dxlr5pP-LrVwphmmTgWwR7OshjllqbJ2GAwiQFYG4tlMDelW4zbz0RqVY6KptSs9TiCphTdsBhjVL_xVAZCpmFNRyXFu9wVefqZHNYZPIoxRufja94R1qoYxbofk2oZMaMKQNHeTLU/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Dxlr5pP-LrVwphmmTgWwR7OshjllqbJ2GAwiQFYG4tlMDelW4zbz0RqVY6KptSs9TiCphTdsBhjVL_xVAZCpmFNRyXFu9wVefqZHNYZPIoxRufja94R1qoYxbofk2oZMaMKQNHeTLU/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Blend together all of the cake ingredients, minus the egg whites, until smooth.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqF-z5Btvp5LblmplFeLB0Dwo-PuIOcu9OODj5btAf6fZkGWoOyhdVRBjjlJbfJUYSRd6sflJR7ggb0xBqYqUdCrKobKZ-zAEz1zbl5-MJLGTnd3kHVOHB58xYOvRJhq5vMRMpvUnC90/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqF-z5Btvp5LblmplFeLB0Dwo-PuIOcu9OODj5btAf6fZkGWoOyhdVRBjjlJbfJUYSRd6sflJR7ggb0xBqYqUdCrKobKZ-zAEz1zbl5-MJLGTnd3kHVOHB58xYOvRJhq5vMRMpvUnC90/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidioQhvD6JPjI4zREvDY5BdkrvFT7-pkYpvh-gUZ3IlOssZ1fU7Nyne5F-oS5lwFSIJ210M1PpbQwsFqVFVCyKWSZMPDv1gUiA1eDJURt697ZlbmYe__mi50SXkb0aHTvctAO9Pr-mbqw/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidioQhvD6JPjI4zREvDY5BdkrvFT7-pkYpvh-gUZ3IlOssZ1fU7Nyne5F-oS5lwFSIJ210M1PpbQwsFqVFVCyKWSZMPDv1gUiA1eDJURt697ZlbmYe__mi50SXkb0aHTvctAO9Pr-mbqw/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Separate egg whites. The recipe calls for 5 large egg whites, but I used 6 because I wanted to be sure that I had enough. Since I put the cake together on Friday and made the lemon truffle filling Saturday, I saved 2 of the egg yolks for the filling in the fridge in a tupperware. I thought they were so funny hanging out here. Is it just me? Little yellow eyeballs. ha ha I crack myself up!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4KMaIBOPOHL7x_-jzdv40VbP7tBffDiYZL24nn_bC0lzP2kwO0sqrBcsJeHpppLLnXDyxi0vHcgS6MIjuPtCXwraOUjXvIJI0mFiBUfPG3ZHdA4Q3jcYI-8VDbFMIItv5yZnSiQP0gk/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4KMaIBOPOHL7x_-jzdv40VbP7tBffDiYZL24nn_bC0lzP2kwO0sqrBcsJeHpppLLnXDyxi0vHcgS6MIjuPtCXwraOUjXvIJI0mFiBUfPG3ZHdA4Q3jcYI-8VDbFMIItv5yZnSiQP0gk/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Next beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Notice my cute Easter spatula. :-)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2iFaa4zfBjUL3EqnMO-ndcUzowURv7AAXN99WcYUXX1BI4Tg7AQXohyuO3I14qXCWgYSQ1ru0jroZtVH4tYhej7iBLUNlYoh0RB6Shk1g1FEzx2j2JLhW2RD1vBdmL9zYCfmwFVxWLg/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2iFaa4zfBjUL3EqnMO-ndcUzowURv7AAXN99WcYUXX1BI4Tg7AQXohyuO3I14qXCWgYSQ1ru0jroZtVH4tYhej7iBLUNlYoh0RB6Shk1g1FEzx2j2JLhW2RD1vBdmL9zYCfmwFVxWLg/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhNZt63WcTbP7A9iFsNNte_th268Mi5Dz9lM4004QwhKmoBeapNAua3ZXpRuzyKvsPiBrUfbQlTOe-uiJUthgANKfQJU3L2WsMUxU2LXzLId586Hc2M-uL_2FXwVqDnfaLUXNXmH_ggI/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhNZt63WcTbP7A9iFsNNte_th268Mi5Dz9lM4004QwhKmoBeapNAua3ZXpRuzyKvsPiBrUfbQlTOe-uiJUthgANKfQJU3L2WsMUxU2LXzLId586Hc2M-uL_2FXwVqDnfaLUXNXmH_ggI/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIzivTF3FIgJI1K-12LuwFpWx8O9jUVj82ObrX7LjEtv6iZQihPpuyZCt7R1ghyKOgQh4OZ789SJK1qM54nZpcwZasykb3WtAIYHenN3m7Vt3FPkDFWvVdxoW63Kit0I4EDaWCBruGzQ/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIzivTF3FIgJI1K-12LuwFpWx8O9jUVj82ObrX7LjEtv6iZQihPpuyZCt7R1ghyKOgQh4OZ789SJK1qM54nZpcwZasykb3WtAIYHenN3m7Vt3FPkDFWvVdxoW63Kit0I4EDaWCBruGzQ/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Fold the egg whites into the egg batter gently.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebt5DvDAj_UFXeR-jKolY0kp8PypbfbY3C7vNE7ubSsoVXlhPxrw2vTqq596OudVeyrvIZGN42C-vxHRrIPxcEt5KRsrZ2yjoURr2hEaN3bNNAb-SVkW5JsYI77L4s8WeGKVpiq_Qh9Y/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebt5DvDAj_UFXeR-jKolY0kp8PypbfbY3C7vNE7ubSsoVXlhPxrw2vTqq596OudVeyrvIZGN42C-vxHRrIPxcEt5KRsrZ2yjoURr2hEaN3bNNAb-SVkW5JsYI77L4s8WeGKVpiq_Qh9Y/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOF4loA-Toj06Oo7Dq1xQ3rliDxGzpz2Teob9HkCkUu_wqE4ZYtGYpR2SdBbaY-gri98LNxqoTQXi0H_63tB_6Ick6r13wLQV7xOiTp28zT6Dqm3pmpIWwhxyEmd-7LI78DAJ1UPvOrQ/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOF4loA-Toj06Oo7Dq1xQ3rliDxGzpz2Teob9HkCkUu_wqE4ZYtGYpR2SdBbaY-gri98LNxqoTQXi0H_63tB_6Ick6r13wLQV7xOiTp28zT6Dqm3pmpIWwhxyEmd-7LI78DAJ1UPvOrQ/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry_prCieBXpzpxyp8HS3PeAAExskbVrH9J8XBUl4vMx_ONr6xRRQNC8qeqC1XTqNMMbPGq0j-XRJNBjmRiifzgJosLyaCgGYZ5XQEUwocptDIqP4awMhL1XOcEVB64hkN0P59AvdR7BU/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry_prCieBXpzpxyp8HS3PeAAExskbVrH9J8XBUl4vMx_ONr6xRRQNC8qeqC1XTqNMMbPGq0j-XRJNBjmRiifzgJosLyaCgGYZ5XQEUwocptDIqP4awMhL1XOcEVB64hkN0P59AvdR7BU/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I love the moment when you put something to bake in the oven. The nervousness and excitement and pride all rolled into one. I always say a little prayer that not only will my desserts turn out yummy but that all of the love and care that I have taken will bake right in too.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkRv47nGnIdiqz_GNQPYlgaTd6Jvo1SY7SDf03kmXIkN9UgRJTdRyyC2tpi4lrHVv_wHDZHc0uliC6hyphenhyphenMByoJpIi2Wy0YtvwFQYYJF3zhncTdzMIxuBEGa5FRky4zGlBnD7EwIJl-T0U/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkRv47nGnIdiqz_GNQPYlgaTd6Jvo1SY7SDf03kmXIkN9UgRJTdRyyC2tpi4lrHVv_wHDZHc0uliC6hyphenhyphenMByoJpIi2Wy0YtvwFQYYJF3zhncTdzMIxuBEGa5FRky4zGlBnD7EwIJl-T0U/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Bake for 35-40 minutes until done.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69lnY62tvOthpTZb8J4H2sb0lpQjSYNMV3SRJQ6F0PrxNJhyRyHexYqpleEBsWsKLqXYnP49Cu9wTQ33UPd3O7CDYKlQdCUpTTeAMMdJtB8hvhv1SxqXug8i2oWBTV8Dq7x_9aR7SVHI/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69lnY62tvOthpTZb8J4H2sb0lpQjSYNMV3SRJQ6F0PrxNJhyRyHexYqpleEBsWsKLqXYnP49Cu9wTQ33UPd3O7CDYKlQdCUpTTeAMMdJtB8hvhv1SxqXug8i2oWBTV8Dq7x_9aR7SVHI/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVcR3k1vDmXew4O_FtA1-0ZzGethH73AWD5f43kPdnKnq_YdezKkwcvPBX4-QlWeEFkHI0SqTGWMaJQmuG3uqp3Xw_QOY7RTuYFPykCg9O9RMN0ytoMNd0xtfbkbY_MvREX9DAw6i8co/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVcR3k1vDmXew4O_FtA1-0ZzGethH73AWD5f43kPdnKnq_YdezKkwcvPBX4-QlWeEFkHI0SqTGWMaJQmuG3uqp3Xw_QOY7RTuYFPykCg9O9RMN0ytoMNd0xtfbkbY_MvREX9DAw6i8co/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">At this point, the kitchen smelled so good I wanted to dig right in. Yummm.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQrcXtDcylv74vyvtcAjC1Wfl7VCzCHel6uoPR2QQib8Mdlo-5LZfY7Mu16_HeKXexYA1umE2xGk_D3WMiyRJWFihbMATc5FOlnpI4yyA0pmlVmbcgM-kHsbaRLghghoACE1owrqSjZY/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQrcXtDcylv74vyvtcAjC1Wfl7VCzCHel6uoPR2QQib8Mdlo-5LZfY7Mu16_HeKXexYA1umE2xGk_D3WMiyRJWFihbMATc5FOlnpI4yyA0pmlVmbcgM-kHsbaRLghghoACE1owrqSjZY/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiDXHRJOielVR01PAyc3EooPnilT9HYIqE5oFfl8iounaVM6maCDBnWba-T0gClGvSnXSDQ2gxwx7GOpDHd6S2nLh0Gq5O2xfZotOwTREA0QgswZ-TSoCc-MgHc6gmHnm3_rFuFqXbjI/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiDXHRJOielVR01PAyc3EooPnilT9HYIqE5oFfl8iounaVM6maCDBnWba-T0gClGvSnXSDQ2gxwx7GOpDHd6S2nLh0Gq5O2xfZotOwTREA0QgswZ-TSoCc-MgHc6gmHnm3_rFuFqXbjI/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The next day I prepared the Lemon Truffle filling. Here is another cutie pie ingredient shot.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoQxHh9Jx4sAKWJE4UT00DbWmAhKn_vwxpN6WRveIoAoLnjVrz862BT2Q12l-BWl-eBIBE1dzmznNeyVpiLAO9BnunJtozjftH-iAXPs2iWEBSjn6YPDgl8PfsREXGzDhKmqreUKTJmA/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoQxHh9Jx4sAKWJE4UT00DbWmAhKn_vwxpN6WRveIoAoLnjVrz862BT2Q12l-BWl-eBIBE1dzmznNeyVpiLAO9BnunJtozjftH-iAXPs2iWEBSjn6YPDgl8PfsREXGzDhKmqreUKTJmA/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I may or may not have eaten quite a few of these white chocolate chips.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIUZnLWMqqxBiu_IfzusU-0Zk7rlgyMDDPd0ocj6FowvOccfH8WXOMITNiN-Mwrem4XR39agzyc8wGpjkOV8woYaJ42R2tITT669VXGdxJv8s4i-AuWwhzEMct1U42_aQlgK9jKhlqkQ/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIUZnLWMqqxBiu_IfzusU-0Zk7rlgyMDDPd0ocj6FowvOccfH8WXOMITNiN-Mwrem4XR39agzyc8wGpjkOV8woYaJ42R2tITT669VXGdxJv8s4i-AuWwhzEMct1U42_aQlgK9jKhlqkQ/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">They were just so cute and little... almost like eating nothing at all so it really doesn't matter that I had a few... Ok, Ok I had so many I had to remeasure and add more chips to my bowl. :-)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite4Cc41S-6u8UHNN4rQXrZbJ01xQe7cRX7ADd1DArw8y_Jg3Bif31FkqLydIxknXHfLUk01ba3OxwUREQK4m2YPfAp-L4rBMj92xwNZGwMjk0qvqv_xr3e-Id2ZPRE6O22J7hdMMVU34/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite4Cc41S-6u8UHNN4rQXrZbJ01xQe7cRX7ADd1DArw8y_Jg3Bif31FkqLydIxknXHfLUk01ba3OxwUREQK4m2YPfAp-L4rBMj92xwNZGwMjk0qvqv_xr3e-Id2ZPRE6O22J7hdMMVU34/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">To make the truffle filling, first heat the sugar, cornstarch, salt and water on the stove until it boils.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn6I4Zb-lmKLuJZVdj1DNLKDWdYSpzRdR9raTRrgP6HYurI1zZT_o4BIHfoF4NU4tRgWLtIoGSv-8dqdoz-r_1ov7dIOMlVfm5WIHLPujSqvESKeF_7xVtuOdX7te6ksDwzukv0F1lvU/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn6I4Zb-lmKLuJZVdj1DNLKDWdYSpzRdR9raTRrgP6HYurI1zZT_o4BIHfoF4NU4tRgWLtIoGSv-8dqdoz-r_1ov7dIOMlVfm5WIHLPujSqvESKeF_7xVtuOdX7te6ksDwzukv0F1lvU/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The tricky part is adding the egg yolks. Add them very slowly so that the eggs don't cook too fast and you end up with scrambled eggs. I only have two hands, so the pictures I got of this part aren't really demonstrative. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyOSwORTgW9eFx6jKC_h7R0HP7hG6ZX-cCH_EyBaYVMfwFYQOg1jRpv9qivXwzHucQxJcwwYUEIHLmQvX41B8qFVnujSjIE9Bg3MguwhD_1rCDgUvkjTwO1wpFo09SA7GnMzZ-2iwIok/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyOSwORTgW9eFx6jKC_h7R0HP7hG6ZX-cCH_EyBaYVMfwFYQOg1jRpv9qivXwzHucQxJcwwYUEIHLmQvX41B8qFVnujSjIE9Bg3MguwhD_1rCDgUvkjTwO1wpFo09SA7GnMzZ-2iwIok/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Next comes the lemon juice. I needed 1 large lemon for enough rind and juice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhVlKSGRACLvjQ0Thlp_jjlnHiHDfn_VujRHTS2UrrivozRyRM1N0ZENNtlmRSRyYVZ25as7FV82AJcS7Vj0VFhHEcifVpB8ches1uJ0b3HgqL3cIGIXIYJlhqXMNJAWz0k2oKCDl5SU/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhVlKSGRACLvjQ0Thlp_jjlnHiHDfn_VujRHTS2UrrivozRyRM1N0ZENNtlmRSRyYVZ25as7FV82AJcS7Vj0VFhHEcifVpB8ches1uJ0b3HgqL3cIGIXIYJlhqXMNJAWz0k2oKCDl5SU/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fe5qvoWpr2tHAcxYtDHC9CSAMOlYm026fz9ds7BZeaWRknyrNO3mjpkQ87y5keYNLOJxj1pkRfIHXRWe140OK8rqKWwZ8cyV8NGXle552Qdr4wti0IhtjdgC5TzLO2jJqZ97mG8KVuA/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fe5qvoWpr2tHAcxYtDHC9CSAMOlYm026fz9ds7BZeaWRknyrNO3mjpkQ87y5keYNLOJxj1pkRfIHXRWe140OK8rqKWwZ8cyV8NGXle552Qdr4wti0IhtjdgC5TzLO2jJqZ97mG8KVuA/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Finally, set 1/2 the hot mix aside and add the white chocolate chips to the other half. This will become the truffle filling. Beat the cream cheese until smooth and add in truffle filling. Beat until smooth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Cut the two cake layers in half. I am terrible at cutting even layers, but I did a pretty good job this time with a serrated knife.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZTjr00HhKTByjMmXep7Fo0Akxv0ffAxqjfQxIwhfBiLnQj8alGm8YBXZ7yUDnFMRzFMWlHS57xTI48D4oDZ8_1i5a0DYR5Vt3WW_9P1s1pOpx0as_21fk4qp2Mn5IagSrsbSfKFX3mM/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZTjr00HhKTByjMmXep7Fo0Akxv0ffAxqjfQxIwhfBiLnQj8alGm8YBXZ7yUDnFMRzFMWlHS57xTI48D4oDZ8_1i5a0DYR5Vt3WW_9P1s1pOpx0as_21fk4qp2Mn5IagSrsbSfKFX3mM/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Spread 1/3 of the truffle filling onto the first layer.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7tAUdQNCLRT2jlT3wvZzb8MeC26xBOJ0smYEMJc-DgALPdjfnS8gmeuO9VCfuu8xD7Y6V-NAlBkE4b6Vco1H-XwTtB6oPW_BWVzTXjG1LqJv8pMWcjyixNrbIgOt-tIbVXNHxSUqfSs/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7tAUdQNCLRT2jlT3wvZzb8MeC26xBOJ0smYEMJc-DgALPdjfnS8gmeuO9VCfuu8xD7Y6V-NAlBkE4b6Vco1H-XwTtB6oPW_BWVzTXjG1LqJv8pMWcjyixNrbIgOt-tIbVXNHxSUqfSs/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Repeat with the other layers. Again I wanted to stop and just dig in! It was really difficult not to eat all of the truffle filling by the spoonful.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5wUk69uw7TfQrjxt7OXJ2zokUr8sy8gkYeP5VHWtPy9IVECkJxja5UTKCWsXhoC7P1GcxADMgerOOUh94LSndEwzn8LFGzQPg7A7luTb8mbODpjf9JOM5D-9l-fy5rhMMv4wjey6xyY/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5wUk69uw7TfQrjxt7OXJ2zokUr8sy8gkYeP5VHWtPy9IVECkJxja5UTKCWsXhoC7P1GcxADMgerOOUh94LSndEwzn8LFGzQPg7A7luTb8mbODpjf9JOM5D-9l-fy5rhMMv4wjey6xyY/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Use the reserved lemon curd mix for the top of the cake. After this step, let the cake chill in the hour until the curd sets to make it easier to ice the sides.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPLyc5Nn7DwC-VXUUZhW373bdX5hdyjOMxXWWh_iMhyphenhyphenBsbtJyFVLLNKADQO_-uRRkO2fnKh0hl10Qltuvy-oPDDLYm-ko6KtdW-6Fgl8WmOTk3GRr2RABkbMM4w2s9DHJJKBqkqAWOkw/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPLyc5Nn7DwC-VXUUZhW373bdX5hdyjOMxXWWh_iMhyphenhyphenBsbtJyFVLLNKADQO_-uRRkO2fnKh0hl10Qltuvy-oPDDLYm-ko6KtdW-6Fgl8WmOTk3GRr2RABkbMM4w2s9DHJJKBqkqAWOkw/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Finally, ice the sides of the cake with the whipped topping. *Secret* I used low fat whipped cream instead of doing what the recipe called for. It was just easier and it was still good. Pipe a pretty border around the top of the cake to make it look finished. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU0X7Oac4HYrg6lz5tPzQEdagFUAUOiQBUx0SSLY2kRDT2B8hZuy8EOO5y_tmECYxEvyR6sCkUipqqs8XKOafCEWSxFIWq51HJlVLqtMKFT2Zwc7FmxAoFF2pkt4YjBOQ4TZlCEqD3Hs/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU0X7Oac4HYrg6lz5tPzQEdagFUAUOiQBUx0SSLY2kRDT2B8hZuy8EOO5y_tmECYxEvyR6sCkUipqqs8XKOafCEWSxFIWq51HJlVLqtMKFT2Zwc7FmxAoFF2pkt4YjBOQ4TZlCEqD3Hs/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6tFHM0AoItnc4Uiq82mQiIt5a2GetRgkFjyQ4oaDIOabG90404VDrLBrb4ug38bck7pB9Re3lBayD5Ha_iJjvjuO05Ljr5UUJajBMvWyiSw4gXbHTqo7_PtDnJtiCmqMg5L151RT6RQ/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6tFHM0AoItnc4Uiq82mQiIt5a2GetRgkFjyQ4oaDIOabG90404VDrLBrb4ug38bck7pB9Re3lBayD5Ha_iJjvjuO05Ljr5UUJajBMvWyiSw4gXbHTqo7_PtDnJtiCmqMg5L151RT6RQ/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Even though I loved the cake this way, I felt like it was a little plain. The same day I made this cake, my mom came home with the prettiest strawberries! They were the perfect garnish. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSy8JLLUFbP1CeRNMT0a7q_wNriGLJcztxUw6U4siG4ETkE0ilVK13ZQ-dzv_DmMH-KXLoDqWXLHsP0M6a_KGYNz1aKZFmvoFHfAW6izY18Rut5KvS7sD9BB5D3HgUMrhV4vnVLsGAEA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSy8JLLUFbP1CeRNMT0a7q_wNriGLJcztxUw6U4siG4ETkE0ilVK13ZQ-dzv_DmMH-KXLoDqWXLHsP0M6a_KGYNz1aKZFmvoFHfAW6izY18Rut5KvS7sD9BB5D3HgUMrhV4vnVLsGAEA/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqz287EzzNqE8MDL-qDguw2YVYZygvaPRlGeosWDhC156BcpSlH-ESFWjkNOsLyp-WHHGCVN2vjSn55ULfmFh4Va0wjaa-GJopgxHd48gu-ny3pC4ZU6wcAZaJr77lB_U9rnOwcfGVD4/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqz287EzzNqE8MDL-qDguw2YVYZygvaPRlGeosWDhC156BcpSlH-ESFWjkNOsLyp-WHHGCVN2vjSn55ULfmFh4Va0wjaa-GJopgxHd48gu-ny3pC4ZU6wcAZaJr77lB_U9rnOwcfGVD4/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Almost too pretty to eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLx6nYVoBMhJTMUcs_4Q_2GWbZ6WKlM5ZyGf2APYRi8mL4DVVUoMuk0lOMuXB0Bzyx-tO3_Y4nEioubd_HmdB6F-YxbH9nXZIkbta4yxfhaXeL5ASmrfuVvG9iTeXEUeAa0VEU2xMLgM/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLx6nYVoBMhJTMUcs_4Q_2GWbZ6WKlM5ZyGf2APYRi8mL4DVVUoMuk0lOMuXB0Bzyx-tO3_Y4nEioubd_HmdB6F-YxbH9nXZIkbta4yxfhaXeL5ASmrfuVvG9iTeXEUeAa0VEU2xMLgM/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Almost. :-)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuUoSS7qRLyfqLDDW0kSvGb86Qwj7iRA2FHy44oN3C37q6D5pVClCDEaMiefOxODSqLapITrRAXq8Kf8J8qJyVlyY0apZQlt4BAJRIIeuiB86uhFNuGaxtYvXixFYyUlTOobGeHBGN_Q/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuUoSS7qRLyfqLDDW0kSvGb86Qwj7iRA2FHy44oN3C37q6D5pVClCDEaMiefOxODSqLapITrRAXq8Kf8J8qJyVlyY0apZQlt4BAJRIIeuiB86uhFNuGaxtYvXixFYyUlTOobGeHBGN_Q/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Verdict: </b>I will definitely be making this again!! It was seriously one of the best cakes I have ever made. Everyone loved it and had seconds. I am still working on making layers straight and perfect, but no one noticed that but me. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Coming up: </b>I saw these two beautiful cakes on i am baker's blog: <a href="http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2011/02/rose-cake-tutorial.html">rose cake</a> and <a href="http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2011/03/hydreangea-cake.html">hydrangea cake</a>. I really want to try the hydrangea cake but I think the rose cake would be easier for me to attempt. I am thinking about doing the hydrangea technique on some cupcakes for easter for a trial run. If I totally mess it up, I feel like cupcakes will be easier to salvage. My friend Ally's bridal shower is coming up in June and her favorite flowers are hydrangeas. It would be so cool if I could make that cake for her shower! We will see. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Until next time, happy baking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>Jenna xoxo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">P.S. In case you were wondering what a typical Italian Sunday dinner looks like at my house...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrxnoBSiO7MycuL6gn478FMkkmK-cEVt6EHd1TnxCvuOVO8W327es4Wrnia2EBfAeaFhsipBOJxc_IVLRDoOIyej_tf5TcJX0Mv7cxAk0dP1uu9wS04_aoAwjBqCGFMuoSo9Gfa_zCdc/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrxnoBSiO7MycuL6gn478FMkkmK-cEVt6EHd1TnxCvuOVO8W327es4Wrnia2EBfAeaFhsipBOJxc_IVLRDoOIyej_tf5TcJX0Mv7cxAk0dP1uu9wS04_aoAwjBqCGFMuoSo9Gfa_zCdc/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4enacL8hfm9HBUfjWSDlGrg4UNhBEukh4cy0nBiuGyf4vOzU6oeOmVOhBR-UiAkw7t9KwFTlmcZpLHVc30QZHIHSvAd6eGefcLNxdAyKG5TMUqTt6A_bjuPe0oytDhwKvz4dTlYosow/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4enacL8hfm9HBUfjWSDlGrg4UNhBEukh4cy0nBiuGyf4vOzU6oeOmVOhBR-UiAkw7t9KwFTlmcZpLHVc30QZHIHSvAd6eGefcLNxdAyKG5TMUqTt6A_bjuPe0oytDhwKvz4dTlYosow/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwxTUOHI5jqdZjke6Eagizn1BUHqPiXXnDdW7iFvsRSsSKVbd3x9w6JAMqOz8wy9WkSayuTGwfkevUopcpEV7q0Jts1Edmola2T8hyphenhyphenfra_iMlFnxjLYaqce_inuJjfQFRqBLtkbcQGYI/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwxTUOHI5jqdZjke6Eagizn1BUHqPiXXnDdW7iFvsRSsSKVbd3x9w6JAMqOz8wy9WkSayuTGwfkevUopcpEV7q0Jts1Edmola2T8hyphenhyphenfra_iMlFnxjLYaqce_inuJjfQFRqBLtkbcQGYI/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">P.P.S. Here is the recipe! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>LEMON TRUFFLE CAKE</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>CAKE</b>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 2/3 cups granulated sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3 1/2 tsp baking powder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 1/4 cups milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3/4 cup unsalted butter or white vegetable shortening, at room temperature</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">5 large egg whites</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>LEMON TRUFFLE FILLING:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3/4 cup granulated sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3 Tbsp. cornstarch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp. salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 cup water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">2 large egg yolks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 Tbsp. unsalted butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 tsp grated lemon zest</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 cup (6 ounces) chopped white chocolate or vanilla baking chips</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1 cup whipping cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3 Tbsp. powdered sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>DIRECTIONS:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">2. Prepare the cake: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, and butter or shortening. Blend until the butter is evenly mixed. Add the vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to high and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl constantly, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">3. In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Gently but thoroughly fold the whites into the cake batter. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cakes are no longer jiggly in the center. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Split the cooled layers horizontally to make 4 layers in all. (I use a serrated knife… and gently saw around the center to cut even layers).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">5. Prepare the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in water until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks with a fork. Slowly stir about 1/4 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolks, whisking quickly while adding the hot liquid. (You don’t want to create scrambled eggs, so be sure to add the hot mixture slowly, whisking it into the eggs as quickly as possible). Continue adding ¼ cups of the hot mixture to the eggs until you have warmed up the egg mixture. Whisk the egg yolk mixture back to the mixture in the saucepan. Cook over low heat until the mixture boils, whisking constantly, then continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">6. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and lemon juice and zest. Transfer half of the hot filling to a small bowl and set aside to cool. Add the white chocolate to the hot filling in the saucepan and stir until the chocolate is melted; set aside. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in the white chocolate mixture until light and smooth. At this point, you should have a small bowl of lemon curd and a bowl of white chocolate truffle filling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">7. Spread one third of the white chocolate filling over one layer of the cake. Top with a second cake layer, then spread with one third more of the filling; top with a third cake layer and spread the remaining filling over. Top with the last cake layer and spread reserved lemon curd. Refrigerate, uncovered, until the filling is set (2 to 3 hours).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">8. Make the whipped cream: In another bowl, whip the cream and sweeten it with the confectioners’ sugar. Frost the sides of the cake with half of the whipped cream frosting. Put the remaining frosting into a pastry bag and pipe decoratively around the top and bottom edge of the cake. Refrigerate up to 8 hours before serving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Serves: 16</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Recipe Source: Adapted from The Great Holiday Baking Book</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Read more: http://www.recipegirl.com/2007/03/24/lemon-truffle-cake/#ixzz1JBp5YAEm</div><br />
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</div>a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-70757985422182082332011-04-07T06:21:00.000-07:002011-04-07T06:21:21.475-07:00Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6M1PtDuyAcrX4wnCBXMyHSnkjh2avpE2SOxucc_tjibC352-cQ1YmTbRO-SDSzqCy8dGjb0kfMGz8wdAOlsyJH1d0KHWobHOd9nZmkewKytOgyLXZFcdijZ0DFeGMWsjEy4o34NYbQA/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6M1PtDuyAcrX4wnCBXMyHSnkjh2avpE2SOxucc_tjibC352-cQ1YmTbRO-SDSzqCy8dGjb0kfMGz8wdAOlsyJH1d0KHWobHOd9nZmkewKytOgyLXZFcdijZ0DFeGMWsjEy4o34NYbQA/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>So my plan was to not post again until I had the opportunity to make something and take pictures of the step by step. But the excitement of having my own blog is too much! I decided to use something I made a few days ago. I have a few things that I bake pretty frequently: my grandmom's pound cake, cake balls, sugar cookies, and a few others. One of my personal favorites is really easy but super delicious: Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies. This past weekend, my best friend from college, Ally, came to visit! Since we all graduated it is really hard to see each other because everyone is so busy. She is getting married this summer and I am one of her bridesmaids. :-) She came for the night to catch up and bring my bridesmaid dress that I ordered a while ago. The dress is SO beautiful. Anyway, I was short on time but still wanted to make something for her visit so I went with <b>Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies.</b><div><br />
</div><div>There are only 2 left from this weekend, so my picture options were a bit limited. They were a big hit, as always. I think I really love these because they are pretty much fool-proof and I don't think I have ever found someone that doesn't like them. I mean, how can you go wrong?? Chocolate Chip Cookies + Brownies! I have been making these for years, even before I saw them online. I also recently saw that they are selling a Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Mix!</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyuDXwUlBE6n8lcVorUe8Tu5rCVTpWZ7nONWdoMy_7yTNsC9Rq2YSLOswGRyGcZmE_AKe7v7J3138RDiGjb_s0YBvKUYmTK8CGq4MSR6-zLj2fmDnLnTB5H1bYFdTHyB8I-bqzE8C0Jw/s1600/cookie-brownie-bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyuDXwUlBE6n8lcVorUe8Tu5rCVTpWZ7nONWdoMy_7yTNsC9Rq2YSLOswGRyGcZmE_AKe7v7J3138RDiGjb_s0YBvKUYmTK8CGq4MSR6-zLj2fmDnLnTB5H1bYFdTHyB8I-bqzE8C0Jw/s320/cookie-brownie-bars.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I am sure that the mix would be good too, but I usually make my cookie dough homemade. It definitely makes a difference. Don't judge me, but I usually just use a box brownie mix! It is still delicious and it saves a lot of time. Here is the recipe I use...</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>I<b>ngredients-</b></div><div><i>Brownie:</i></div><div>1 box of your favorite brownie mix</div><div>Vegetable oil, eggs, and water called for on box</div><div>(If you feel like making brownies from scratch, try <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/quick-and-easy-brownies/Detail.aspx">this</a> recipe.)</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Cookies:</i></div><div>2 1/4 cups flour</div><div>1 tsp baking soda</div><div>1 tsp salt</div><div>1 cup (2 sticks) butter, soft</div><div>3/4 cup sugar</div><div>3/4 cup brown sugar</div><div>1 tsp vanilla</div><div>2 large eggs, room temp</div><div>3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Directions-</b></div><div>1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of a 9 x 9 pan with cooking spray.</div><div>2. Mix brownies as directed on box and pour in pan.</div><div>3. For cookie dough: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat together butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in separate bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time. Gradually beat in flour mixture. DON'T over-beat. Gently stir in morsels.</div><div>4. Drop by rounded tablespoon-full evenly into the brownie mix. (I usually have extra cookie dough, so I just use it to make some cookies on a sheet pan at the same time.)</div><div>5. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.</div><div>6. Cool for at least an hour before cutting into bars.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5GTKnFbDTeMMbGEcFP0bNM2gc-J79uSZrH7PKsM2w3OHbTHW1Cs5tl7qdfTovTtxglm-B1rD0eG9k5sabTrPQWJzXI7JRyf8eYIZH5mlAcBa_KbfrXLpZ46jW8SBkEO8kdXtyE9BhlE/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5GTKnFbDTeMMbGEcFP0bNM2gc-J79uSZrH7PKsM2w3OHbTHW1Cs5tl7qdfTovTtxglm-B1rD0eG9k5sabTrPQWJzXI7JRyf8eYIZH5mlAcBa_KbfrXLpZ46jW8SBkEO8kdXtyE9BhlE/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yum!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Some recipes call for some type of frosting, but trust me, you really don't need it. They are delicious without it, so why add the calories? I have to say, my biggest problem with my baking addiction is eating everything I make. Thank goodness I have a treadmill in my basement. :-)</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMKLT7e_L0rkahdQPJwbJyXCbkxZrcJmd1aSe50pXzIqx-28pS7uiPCcYtmLiEKAWMnvQ0YWRwKa-LdqTmwONQfmyu1vO3aGYew08ZstEg82Ugn65_zV0ENdcWJGeROmogX4WIB4IIW4/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMKLT7e_L0rkahdQPJwbJyXCbkxZrcJmd1aSe50pXzIqx-28pS7uiPCcYtmLiEKAWMnvQ0YWRwKa-LdqTmwONQfmyu1vO3aGYew08ZstEg82Ugn65_zV0ENdcWJGeROmogX4WIB4IIW4/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">And a close up...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rr4c7lU-oZLCACux0ZEO9ErnCnXnuLUH_i1fs9LgssRyxhk7zsN-PsKAnKBYPOr3Ps9u1s7kh7zZ7oyc0rIH6CSef02GMHvLhYrA9NQiyXUVGa0SyrgaKERikZRWKWFKP3pTLBQ5jbM/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rr4c7lU-oZLCACux0ZEO9ErnCnXnuLUH_i1fs9LgssRyxhk7zsN-PsKAnKBYPOr3Ps9u1s7kh7zZ7oyc0rIH6CSef02GMHvLhYrA9NQiyXUVGa0SyrgaKERikZRWKWFKP3pTLBQ5jbM/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">They look pretty good for being almost a week old! </div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>The Verdict:</b> Wonderful as always! I will definitely be making these again, as I have for the past several years.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Coming up:</b></div><div>This Sunday my boyfriend, his parents and his grandparents are coming over for Sunday dinner with me, my parents and Mom-mom. For those of you who are not Italian-Catholic, on Sundays, we go to church in the morning and then have a huge Italian dinner in the middle of the day. Dinner is always some kind of pasta: ravioli, gnocchi, homemade cavatelli, homemade spaghetti, etc. Then we make fresh gravy (sauce for those not from Philadelphia) and have homemade meatballs, sausage, sometimes chicken parm, etc. After a typical Sunday dinner in house I am once again thankful for my treadmill. :-) I am definitely going to be making some desserts but I haven't made up my mind what yet. I am thinking some version of Coconut Custard Pie because that is my boyfriend's favorite. Maybe something with blueberries too because that is what my boyfriend's dad likes. Any suggestions??</div><div><br />
</div><div>I will update when I have pictures of beautiful deserts. (Hopefully!!)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Until next time, wish me luck!</div><div><i>Jenna xoxo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">P.S. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of my adorable puppy, Bella, while I was taking the pictures of the brownies. Isn't she the cutest?!</div><br />
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</div>a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633128324955821812.post-65436340711236503572011-04-06T11:37:00.000-07:002011-04-06T11:37:16.264-07:00Hello!!I am <b>so</b> excited to write my very first post on this blog. I have been a huge fan of so many amazing food-related blogs for years! I check my favorites often and am so inspired by their creations. Some of my favorite and most popular recipes are ones I have borrowed from those blogs. I am sure this blog will never live up some of the amazing ones I read every day, but I decided to give it a try. :-)<br />
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</div>Recently my family had a surprise birthday party for my dad. My dad is the best guy in the whole world and I was determined to make his day as special as possible. My excitement for the party ended up in me making an exorbitant amount of desserts!! Now, I am Italian, which means that we ALWAYS have an extreme amount of food. But the amount of desserts I made was a lot even for my family's standards! I made cake balls, mini pecan tarts, pizzelles, strawberry crumb bars, donut holes, double chocolate mini cupcakes, lemon mini cupcakes, and chocolate chips cookies.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ32lhxhoZxLt_cdQJUPFa_u2Zax7_n2Ov_6r_MZDE-rY87KP5z385qZvRbTT1ZSK3AZoaPJ9oTVupKhMCOUXjiULp1vCDkk0dnyJPaTNgasPgWXF8vUm7L21DcSHMJpq6S6vhcOVyH3E/s1600/189443_1671239024363_1338990027_31612178_81502_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ32lhxhoZxLt_cdQJUPFa_u2Zax7_n2Ov_6r_MZDE-rY87KP5z385qZvRbTT1ZSK3AZoaPJ9oTVupKhMCOUXjiULp1vCDkk0dnyJPaTNgasPgWXF8vUm7L21DcSHMJpq6S6vhcOVyH3E/s320/189443_1671239024363_1338990027_31612178_81502_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To top it all off, I also made a huge cake using an almond wedding cake recipe. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpt8VGcE3wgIzRxzsIvV-FOO6GkoKnRUJKim1vVzF2LzlKvSJsIa8U3HWg28G58bHEF_v1MH7amtZ0j6HhP6CDjo02TOpbf4TabYWtPfqUGcqZ5zL8C8x0g-yzWyGpDwQWE7zQAeMGhA/s1600/196192_1671231304170_1338990027_31612152_6844265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpt8VGcE3wgIzRxzsIvV-FOO6GkoKnRUJKim1vVzF2LzlKvSJsIa8U3HWg28G58bHEF_v1MH7amtZ0j6HhP6CDjo02TOpbf4TabYWtPfqUGcqZ5zL8C8x0g-yzWyGpDwQWE7zQAeMGhA/s320/196192_1671231304170_1338990027_31612152_6844265_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So clearly, for our small party of 30, there was way too much. I ended up buying disposable pastry boxes like <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=934958A6-423B-522D-F8F2A48C212712C2&fid=5AE4FB06-1E0B-C910-EA5DE26CF86A2179">these</a> from AC Moore, lined them with blue tissue paper. Then, when each person left the party, I filled a box with a few pieces of each dessert then tied the box up with a piece of light blue ribbon. I also attached a baby picture of my dad to the box! The favors were a <b>huge</b> hit. Everyone loved them and the desserts. The experience convinced me to start a blog. So many of my family members asked me for my recipes that I thought creating a blog to have all of my creations in one place would be fun! I also wish I had taken more pictures of what I made, but in the hustle and bustle of the party planning, I forgot. I didn't even take a picture of one of the favors, which I am really bummed out about. From now on, I will try and take step by step and final product pictures of everything I make and post them here.<br />
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I have a huge list of new things I want to try and old things I want to make again and blog about, but I will save that for another time! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings. :-) I would love to hear from you, so leave me a comment or shoot me an email.<br />
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Until next time, happy eating! :-)a little red haired girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732631259937796925noreply@blogger.com0