I.O.U

Hi Readers!

I sincerely apologize for not posting this past weekend; I always try to bake something one a week and blog about it on the weekend. Not because I feel an obligation, but because it is my outlet for stress. However, with all the projects, papers and assignments I have due for the end of the semester, my free time has seriously been lacking.

So here's my promise to you:

This Thursday, to celebrate the completion of my twelve page seminar paper, I will bake an Applesauce cake and blog about it. The recipe is my future mother-in-law's and it is my fiance's favorite. I've been dying to try making it own my own for the past week, but time just slipped away.

Next week, once finals are almost over, I plan on baking Snickerdoodles for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. I'll probably do a double batch because there are one of my mom's favorites too.

So there's your schedule for the next two weeks. Give me some time to complete it, and you will not be disappointed!

The Perfect Treat

I wish I had more time to blog and bake, everyone! Unfortunately, it is getting to be that time of the semester where time is scarce and there is just too much to do. Luckily, I did get to bake a treat this weekend. It is one of my absolute favorites because it combines the wondrous qualities of both brownie and chocolate chip cookie.

You guessed it: Caramel Chocolate Chip Brownies.

You should be able to read everything off there, but if you can't, please let me know, and I will manually post the recipe one day when I have more time.

Sometimes I like to tell you all about the substitutions I do to make the recipe a little healthier but taste just as good. THIS recipe, on the other hand. Is absolutely perfect as is. The only thing I do a little differently is change the amount of chocolate chips because my pan is a little smaller. If you are using a small pan, use about one cup of chocolate chips. 1.75 is just too much because it makes it too heavy and too chocolatey. However, if you are using a large pan, try using about 1.25 cups of chocolate chips instead. You really want to taste the brownie part of this treat, not just the chocolate.

What's great about this recipe is that you can substitute anything for the chocolate chips: walnuts, pecans, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mint chocolate chips, or even butterscotch syrup instead of caramel. It's great because you could make it for several different occasions, but never make it the same way twice.

This is my "Finals Week Treat" to myself. Definitely try this recipe! It does NOT let you down.

Happy baking!

Feel Better Cookies

Sorry it took me so long to post, all. I had a battle with sickness this past week and am finally feeling better!

Unfortunately, because of sickness, I did not get to bake anything. With throbbing sinuses and a fever, I did not think it was the best idea to consume anything I made with germy hands.

:[

LUCKILY, my fiancé came to the rescue one night when I wanted cookies. Yes. Cookies. When I'm sick I want the weirdest things. Usually my go-to cookies are the Lorna Doone shortbreads I keep in the cabinet for times likes these. Unfortunately, they were stale. =/ Instead, Keith made me my absolute favorite cookies fresh out of the oven: chocolate chip!

They look SOOO good, right? Warm and chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth. Magical. Rich. Fabulous. I could go on and on. The recipe Keith used to make me these wonderful masterpieces?

;D

Pillsbury's own secret goodness. Just preheat the oven to 350 F and set for about fifteen minutes! This is my one non-homemade indulgence I allow myself because I cannot get my chocolate chip cookies this heavenly. I do have a recipe a friend gave me to try because I was venting about how I hadn't found a chocolate chip cookie recipe I liked yet, but I was not going to have Keith try it when I was not around to supervise.

The other great thing about these cookies? Even your baking inept fiancé can handle making them for you when you're out of commission. They are screw-up proof! 

I just wish I could have tasted them =/ Colds screw everything up!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! Even if you don't celebrate, I hope you are having a spectacular weekend with the gorgeous weather.

In lieu of a written post this week, I am putting up the three minute podcast I recorded about a different Easter treat I made last year. I am not going to tell you to keep the suspense up.

Enjoy!

Last Year's Easter Treat