Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas Cookies OmNomNom

Xmas Cookies 2010, raspberry, mint, & plain chocolate.



I made/invented the cookies on the top last year.  They are chocolate chip cookie cups filled with chocolate raspberry, chocolate mint, and chocolate chocolate filling (the filling being that super smooth creamy melt in your mouth chocolate bliss found inside of chocolate truffle candies).

I made some more of these cookies this year, but one with Mocha Kahlua filling and the others with chocolate mint.  These cookies are insanely delicious.  They are trufcookins or cooktruffins or something like that ;)  Chocolate truffles protected by chocolate chip cookie goodness. YUM! 
Xmas cookies 2011 with liquor & caffeine in some ;)


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Well, it's no Kwanzaa Cake

It's that time of year again and you employed white collar people know what time I am talking about:  Office Potluck Party Season.  Tis the season to be awkwardly forced together with food.  I have such an event tomorrow and couldn't decide what to make for it.  I decided early on that I wouldn't be going "all out".  Yes, I love to bake, but the office potluck isn't worth the hassle, especially during this time of year.  There's often too much food, people are on diets or saving their calories for out of office parties, and food is thrown away or left in the hallway for random employees to graze on.  Things like quality chocolate, cream, real white chocolate, and even butter are costly.  I refuse to waste my time & money on something that only a few people might appreciate.

In the spirit of being cranky, stressed out, and not wanting to waste time & money I decided I would bring a mediocre potluck dessert to the event.  My exact wording on the signup sheet:  "A dessert item consisting of fat & sugar that you probably shouldn't eat".  I didn't commit to anything specific because I didn't want to put a lot of thought into it or care about it.

Today as I was thinking up a quick & cheap dessert item I was reminded of Sandra Lee and the awesomely terrible Kwanzaa [train-wreck] Cake.  Don't know what I am talking about?  You *must* watch the video which shows the looney Sandra using a store bought cake, a can of chocolate frosting, cinnamon, popcorn, corn nuts, apple pie filling, and some hideous "hey the power just went out" assortment of giant Kwanzaa theme colored candles.  The cake has been hailed as offensive and racist. There's a hilarious story full of scandals and confessions that explains this cake and some other Sandra "creations".  As I thought of this cake I desperately wanted to use her recipe for the potluck dessert.  If I had the time and motivation to track down the ugly candles at a Wal-Mart and spend money on all of the other ingredients I would have made it.  I'll keep it in the back of my mind for next year... It would be freaking hilarious [other hilarious, but tastier idea:  Schweddy Balls).

I ended up making a plain chocolate Bundt style cake (in honor of the Kwanzaa Cake), with peppermint frosting (consisting of shortening & sugar) and some mint and chocolate chips thrown onto it.  Voila! Quick, easy, and mediocre!

Side view.

Bottom half/Middle layer of filling.

Some extra peppermint flavored fat & sugar on top.
Yes, it is indeed a dessert item consisting of fat & sugar that you probably shouldn't eat and I don't care if you do or don't eat it. Cheers to a cheap thrown together cake! (I'll drink to that).

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Peanut Butter Fudge Frosted Brownies - Sold!

Brownies dipped in chocolate & topped w/ peanut butter fudge frosting.
One dozen brownies made to fill an order. :-)
You know you want one. I know you do. Don't deny, don't lie.
People always ask me when I am going to sell the stuff that I bake, so here it is, one dozen brownies: sold! I made these for an office Christmas party that isn't at my office for once. Wow, baked goods for another person's coworkers & I got paid for them, WHAT?! Yeah, I could get used to this.  Feel free to place your order, but remember that my items are exclusive, expensive, and worth it.  No order is too small because no price is too large ;)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me Cupcakes

♪♫ Happy Birthday to Me! ♫♪
Dark chocolate mocha cupcake w/ mini semi-sweet morsels.
Pinnacle Whipped Vodka Vanilla Frosting w/ a Cherry on Top.
Dusted with Dark Chocolate & Ground Espresso Beans.
Mocha Kahlua Truffle Surprise Filling :-D

I made these cupcakes to help celebrate my birthday tomorrow. The cupcake is a dark chocolate mocha with mini semisweet morsels for some extra texture & flavor. The filling is a chocolate mocha Kahlua truffle mixture.  They are topped with a fluffy vanilla frosting made with Pinnacle Whipped Vodka which is dusted with ground dark chocolate & espresso beans. Finally, these "cupcaketails" are topped with a cherry :-D They are super yummy! Om Nom Nom...

I haven't decided what to call them. They are kind of based on a Black Russian (and BTW, a Black Russian with Pinnacle Whipped Vodka which I consider to be my personal invention of deliciousness, rocks!). Perhaps these will be Black & White Russian Cupcakes or Royal Russian or Russian Sundae Cupcakes... or I don't know, I'll figure it out.