Monkey Cookie Pops

So a couple posts ago I posted the monkeys I was going to use for the baby shower cookie pops and here are how they turned out.  I used the Red Velvet Chocolate Chip cookie because the Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie wouldn't hold as a cookie pop.  It was too soft.  And drizzled it with white chocolate.  What do you guys think?

Maple French Toast Bacon Cupcakes

I have to admit I've jumped on the bandwagon and crossed over to the dark side and absolutely love the new trend combining desserts with bacon. This recipe is from the Food Network but it is absolutely incredibly! It's totally the combination of Sweet & Salty that gets me every time!

For the Cupcakes:

·         1 cup all-purpose flour

·         1 cup cake flour

·         1 3.9-ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         1 tablespoon potato starch

·         1 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

·         1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

·         1/4 cup granulated sugar

·         1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         4 large egg whites, at room temperature

·         1/4 cup maple syrup

·         1/2 cup half-and-half, at room temperature

·         1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (5 strips)

 

For the Frosting:

·         1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

·         2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

·         2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

·         1/4 cup maple syrup

·         2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

·         3 strips bacon, cooked and chopped

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin. Prepare the cupcakes: Combine the flours, pudding mix, baking powder, potato starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl with a whisk.

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars with a mixer on low speed until combined, 6 to 8 minutes. Gradually mix in the vanilla and egg whites. Scrape down the sides of the bowl; continue mixing until light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the maple syrup and half-and-half, mixing after each addition and ending with flour. Mix until the ingredients are just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the bacon.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool completely.

Cute Monkey Cookies

So I have never really been into decorating cookies.  All the decorated cookies I've ever had are dry hard sugar cookies....they look beautiful but don't taste all that great! But when my sister called asking for monkey cookies for her best friends bridal shower, I decided I had to at least try. So I recruited the help of a super talented cake decorator friend and asked what kind of monkeys she could make that would look good on top of a cookie and this is what she made me.  And I love them! They are too cute! I'm thinking I can still do a delicious stuffed Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip cookies stuffed with a Dark Chocolate Banana Truffle.  That way they will look super cute and still taste great! I'll let you know how it goes :)

Happy Birthday to the Oreo Cookie!!! Can you believe a cookie can turn 100 and still taste this good?!

Yesterday the Oreo Cookie turned 100! Here's how we celebrated!! Stuffing them instead a chocolate chip cookie! Yum!!

3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted softened butter
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
1 3/4 cups AP flour (sifted)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
8 oz chocolate chips
1 packaged of oreo cookies (extra for snacking)

Cream butter & sugars together.  Add vanilla and egg yolk.  In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking soda & salt.  Add to butter & sugar mixture until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips. Chill the dough for at least 45 mins.

After the dough has chilled roll the dough into tablespoon sizes in the palm of your hand.  Flatten it out and put an oreo cookie in the middle.  Cover it with the sides of the chocolate chip dough so that none of the oreo cookie is showing.  Bake for 8 mins in a 375 degree oven.

Make sure you enjoy with milk!! :)

Cookies & Wine - Better Together

In life there are three things you need, good friends, good chocolate & good wine! This Valentine's Day we are helping you out with two of the three! When I first tried 12 Signs Wine I just loved the concept! We all love feeling special and how special is it to have a wine paired specifically for you and your sign! (The wine was fabulous too! :) We just knew we had to create some wine and cookie pairings and with Valentine's Day was the perfect occasion! Picture this: a nice warm fire, a delicious dinner, spending time with the one or ones you love and for dessert wine specially paired with decadent cookies....sounds good to me for a perfect Valentine's Day!

We've created two options for the perfect Valentine's Day Gift!

"Sweet Love" Valentine's Day Gift Basket - One bottle of wine (choose the sign or your other) paired with 8 mini cookies - $40.00

"Better Together" Valentine's Day Gift Basket - Two bottles of wine (choose both of your signs) paired with 10 mini cookies - $75.00

ORDER HERE!

Available for pick-up in the San Diego area or delivery for an additional charge in the San Diego area.  Cannot be shipped. All orders must be placed by 2/13/12.

Best Valentine's Day Dessert Ever! 2 mins in a cup!

Every Valentine's Day I want something super chocolately super decadent and super indulgent! Its a day where I don't have to feel guilty about it so if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right! And this recipe does it right! I saw this recipe on The Family Kitchen and just HAD to try it! Besides containing two of my all time favs, chocolate & salted caramel....best of all there's no batters, there's no mixers, all you need is a mug and a sweet tooth! From start to finish this recipe takes 5 minutes, leaving your Valentine's night free for other things.... :)

Salted Caramel Mug Cake
What you’ll need: {makes 2 mug cakes}
8 tablespoons all purpose flour
8 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs – beaten
6 tablespoons skim milk
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 salted caramels

What to do: 
1. Into a small bowl add: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt, egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Mix to combine.

2. Pour mixture into a regular sized coffee mug. Drop caramels into center of mixture one at a time.

3. Microwave on high for one minute and 30 seconds. If needed {if cake batter is still gooey}, microwave on high for up to an additional 30 seconds.

I also added a little sprinkle of sea salt on the top just to salty it up just a bit.  Delish!