Lovely Luscious Lemon Bars!

So, we have the Elders from our church living with us, and they were given A LOT of lemons. After they made some lemonade that was WAY too sweet and tart, I suggested that I would prefer lemon bars. Well, I couldn't very well not follow up. Right? So I made some lemon bars. I used a recipe that I found on my cousin's blog, and I was glad to give them a try. I never buy lemons, and so I wasn't sure how I would have lemon zest, so this was the perfect time to use up the Elder's lemons. (All two of them... there are many more to go)

Here is the recipe:

JUDY’S LEMON BARS

crust:
1 c. butter
½ c. powdered sugar
2 c. flour

cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. add flour. press into a 9×13 pan and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden. [do not overcook].

filling:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
8 T. lemon juice
Zest from 1 lemon
4 T. flour
1 t. baking powder

beat eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and zest completely, making sure not to over beat. gradually add in flour and baking powder. pour filling over crust. bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until edges are golden brown. cooking time will vary depending on your oven, altitude, etc. let sit for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle powdered sugar [using a sifter] on top. cut once cool.

**You will have to click on the hyperlink and see the beautiful picture of her lemon bars. This is what inspired me to improve my pictures. I think the first thing I need to do is throw out the digital camera, and get a fancy one. But I've used a fancy camera before, and the point-and-shoot method is so easy. I just need this book I guess... haha. Kristen Duke I want to be you. Well... not really BE you, but take the pretty pictures you take. *sigh*

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I bet you couldn't guess which of my to-do list I would check off first. Well, SURPRISE! It was the Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies! It was a quick spur of the moment thing. Ben was having a pot luck at work, and I had to bring a dessert. So I figured, I better make something on my check list of baking. These were the easiest, so Ta-Dah!

First things first, make your cookie dough. I stuck with the recipe I found because it was no time to be brave and try something new. I halved the recipe, thinking, NO LEFTOVERS. But I wish I made the whole batch. I was giving them away anyway. Right?


Lets now pretend that I don't hate Blogger. For this picture is sideways, and I can't fix it. : ( After you have mixed up your cookie dough, take your trusty cookie dough scooper thing-a-ma-jig, and start making cookie dough balls.

Then take two pieces of cookie dough, and put one on top and one on bottom of the oreo. I took a picture of this step, but I actually discovered a better way... so keep reading...


What you really need to do, is make sure that your fingers stay really clean. Or else the cookie dough sticks to you and not to the oreo. So... Take the oreo and smash a cookie dough ball on top, and push it down the sides like so...


Kind of like a hat... then put it upside down on the cookie sheet. And top with another cookie dough ball.


When you do this, you get a pretty smooth cookie, and you can tell the difference when you bake them up.


There they are... with a little surprise awaiting inside! Bake these beauties for 13 minutes at 350 degrees. Until a nice light golden color.


And then cut one open to see what happened inside!


Nothing?!?! Its still a solid cookie! No gooey frosting or anything. But still delicious. I recommend containing your excitement to eat one until they have fully cooled. I had one warm, and I was a little disappointed. But when they are cooled, WOW! Happy tastebuds!

Valentines Day... (One Month Late)

Hello... I'm on a post frenzy. I'll go dormant again... promise...

Maybe....

So, for Valentines Day, I saw the cutest Queen of Hearts Printables, and I bought them right away. They were photographed as a Dinner for Two with a Dessert Buffet. I thought how perfect for Valentines Day, and I started planning. What I didn't plan on, was getting sick two days before, and being too tired to make the dinner. I did manage to make the sweets. (On pain of death...) I was so excited to see how it turned out!

Do you see the framed handprints? How about the felt wreath and topiary. Yep... made um.

Do you see the perfect fabric I found to cover the Dollar Store burner covers to make a homemade dessert stand? It has hearts!?! These cupcakes were divine... see below.

Cake cookies. White cake. Not the best flavor. I should have done chocolate!!!

An assortment of delicious candies...

So... about those Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes. I was hoping to create a knock off of the Strawberry Hill cupcake from Truly Madly Sweetly, a local cupcake shop. It is devils food cake (The store sign said Dark Chocolate?!) with strawberry buttercream frosting. So, I purchased a cake mix, because I have never had success, and why trouble myself, by making one from scratch. I bought the Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Cake Mix, and then make the strawberry butter cream frosting homemade. Oh my! I was right on the spot. I don't need you anymore Truly Madly Sweetly! You can keep your $3 cupcakes. I'll make myself a dozen!

I think I must be hungry...

I found a few really interesting websites in my pursuit of learning more about food styling. Here, you can check out what others are snapping pictures of, and snag the recipes! OH MY!

Food Gawker

Taste Spotting

I'm always in need of inspiration, and who says I have to try the recipes first. Maybe you can beat me to it?

Here is what I've got in mind:

MONSTER COOKIES

OREO STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped when I saw these bad boys. Talk about death by sugar! (OR obesity... whichever kicks in first. haha!) When one cookie is no longer enough....

MACARONS

I've seen these, and they are such a pretty treat. But I'm afraid... maybe I will conquer that fear, so that I will know what these taste like. I am so curious.

APPLE PIE STREUSEL MUFFINS

I'm just drooling over these pictures! This is when you are thankful that you haven't made them yet. One thing at a time, or I'd be stuffing my face right now! haha...

Making the Dough

Ben claims he makes the "dough", and I make the bread. "Well, guess what Mister! I make both!" haha... but I don't mind at all because I was given the gift of a Bosch
It absolutely changed my life. In the past, I have attempted to make bread by hand. Its a work out. And the results were so-so. Nothing I'd tell my mom about. (he he.) But I was given this Bosch, and a great bread recipe from my mom. Those two things combined changed my whole perspective on making bread. (That and the grinder, and whole wheat I'm using. Wow.)

So, if you want to have a delicious loaf of bread that would make Great Harvest jealous, go buy a Bosch, a grinder, and some hard white wheat. When you do, come back here, and use this recipe. You will be so proud of yourself.

Before I share the recipe, there are some important things you must know to save yourself some stress. (And avoid the mistakes that I made.)

1. Your Bosch is designed to make two loaves of bread. If you only have one bread pan, go buy another, and avoid the mistake of trying to mix just one loaf in the Bosch.

2. To get 8 cups of whole wheat flour, grind 6 cups of wheat.

3. Follow the recipe closely when it says to add a cup of flour. It is added just a few cups at a time, and you don't want to miss one, or you will have sticky dough.

Now, the recipe:

Whole Wheat Bread

3 c. hot water
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1 1/2 T. vinegar
2 1/2 T. yeast
2 1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. gluten flour
8 c. wheat flour

Put water, gluten flour, oil, then honey into the mixer. (In this order, you use only one measuring cup!) Add yeast, vinegar, and 4 cups of wheat flour. Turn on machine to 1. When mixed, turn speed to 2. Add 2 cups of flour as it is running. Add salt. Add 1 cup of flour. For the last 1 cup of flour add 1/3 c. at a time. Stop when dough cleans from the side of the bowl.

Let machine run 10 minutes to knead the dough. Divide dough in half. Form a loaf with your hand. Grease pans. Pound/push dough into the loaf pan to remove bubbles. Raise until 1/2" above the pan. (About 30 minutes) Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (If using a dark or nonstick pan, reduce temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 35 minutes) Immediately remove from the pan.

And try and see if you can wait till it cools before you cut off a slice. ; )

Apple Pie Pancakes

I have to start by saying that this was one of my own original creations. The idea came to me when I was trying to figure out how to make pancakes healthier. There is no nutritional value in butter and syrup! I had to put something else on top. After eating them a few times, I've decided how I really like them. So here is a recipe for you!

Apple Pie Pancakes

Start with your favorite pancake recipe. Mine is one that I found on the side of the powdered buttermilk can. (Sa Co Cultured Buttermilk Blend found in the baking section of the store)

You also need:

1-2 containers of applesauce (4 oz.)- buy the unsweetened. You will feel healthier, and you'll be sweetening it up anyway... just wait.

AND

Cinnamon & Sugar- If you need to mix it up yourself, a good ratio is 1 T. of sugar: 1 tsp. cinnamon

AND

Whipped Cream - Do yourself a favor and buy the Reddi Whip. It is so much better. Expensive, but amazing.


So... Start by making your pancakes:

4 Tbsp. SACO Buttermilk Blend
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

NOTE: If you don't have powdered butter milk, omit the 4 T. of buttermilk blend, and 1 c. water, and replace it with 1 cup of real buttermilk, or sour milk (Milk and lemon juice)

Sift dry ingredients together into a mixing bowl. Add beaten egg, water and oil. Beat just until batter is smooth. Do not overbeat! Drop from a spoon onto a hot griddle and cook until top is full of tiny bubbles and the underside is brown. Turn and brown on the other side.
Makes 10 4-inch pancakes

After you make your pancakes

Take a 1/2 cup container of applesauce and remove the lid (because its not microwaveable) Microwave the applesauce for 20-30 seconds. Spoon desired amount of applesauce onto the top of your pancakes. Sprinkle with Cinnamon & Sugar, and top with whipped cream.

It will make your mouth smile to think you are having pie for breakfast!

I don't have any pictures, but the next time I make them (very soon... ) I will take a picture. I ate them too fast this morning to even think about taking a picture.

Um... Alicia... You there?

YES!?! I'm here! I promise. I have made so many treats I want to poke both of my eyes out! I was hoping now that the Elders live with us, that the treats would disappear and that I wouldn't be tempted to eat them! BUT I'M EATING THEM... and my scale is off by 3 lbs all of the sudden. Uh oh... haha...

What did I make?

Rice Pudding
Carrot Cake (A Healthy Version!)
Coffee Cake (Well, "Breakfast Cake")
Homemade Oreos
Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

If any of those sound the least bit interesting, I should post the recipes. They were all very delicious. I didn't take pictures because my camera was hiding from me (in the car!!!). Its getting harder to take pictures when I have a son that just loves the camera!

And while I am at it, I will put out a little word for one of the best websites:

Our Best Bites

They have a recipe for Brazilian Lemonade and it is amazing. Some times its nice to have a fun nonalcoholic drink!

If I try any more of their recipes I will post the results. But you can just tell when you find a good egg. That website has got it all. Plus they even have a new cookbook. Which I will someday buy. After we buy the Round Up to kill all the weeds outside! haha...