31 May 2013

Just Peachy, Nashville!

It's no secret that it's peach season. I mean, the sun is shining (well, it was yesterday!), the air is warm & humid, and the smell of gardenias is in the air. So what better way to celebrate than to try out a new recipe?  That's right, today I bring you peaches galore.  Specifically, honey-vanilla peach hand pies (with a little American Honey in there) for a good swift kick in the arse this Friday morning!

The Peach Truck supplied the peaches, my amazing Oma supplied the pie crust recipe, and my sweet boyfriend supplied the love and support (see the last picture!)


Honey, and vanilla, and peach and... and...


Finished product plated, and waiting to be enjoyed!


Mmmm..... nom....


Happy, happy boyfriend (who, by the way, is totally rocking his "Blanche is my Nana" t-shirt)!


This weekend should be full of more baked goodness! Stopping by the West End Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh strawberries from Delvin Farms! And I'm also picking up some Olive & Sinclair chocolates. Nashville, I think I love you!

And if you're anything like me, this song has been going through your head this whole time...

28 May 2013

Brain is Storming + Sun is Shining

I am still trying to talk myself into it being Tuesday. Anyone else having that problem?  Hopefully everyone had a fun-filled weekend - I know I did! I spent most of it outdoors soaking up the perfect 75+ degree weather, but I spent a good portion sampling the competition in the Nashville area. I mean, twist my arm with their chewy, salty peanut butter cookies, right?  After all, what's more American than peanut butter and a little healthy competition on a beautiful Memorial weekend?  I even got to spend a little time by the pool with a local baker.  He's very talented and impressive, and unbelievably humble. Just talking to him got me to thinking.  I don't have to know it all to jump in head first, right?  Into the market, not the pool. Stay with me, people!  

I have this very conflicting, layered fear of trying new skills in the kitchen that is somehow combined with feeling like I having to know how to bake EVERYTHING in order to be considered a respected baker. So you see my predicament.  In order to conquer this fear, I've given myself a goal to bake two items every week this summer that will teach me a new skill in the kitchen.  Also, I am signing myself up for two buttercream classes, so that I can make delicious - and beautiful! - treats for all.

The overall goal is to have a well-developed menu and a beautiful array of desserts to offer everyone by September 2013.  That's right!  September 2013, you should **fingers crossed!** be able to buy something wonderful from Littlest Love. 'Merica!

So, in honor of the American dream, and the people who defend it, I bring you three somewhat patriotic sweets: homemade carrot cake, Sweeteeth "Sea is for Caramel" chocolate bar, and homemade shortbread cookies.  Okay, well at least this carrot cake is WAY patriotic! I mean, it's got red, white & blue carrots!  And while it was a little dense and too moist for my taste, it went over pretty well with friends.  Not bad for my first attempt at carrot cake, or cake in general!


The cream cheese frosting was creamy + tangy + delicious! I'll be attempting carrot cake again soon, but next time I'm thinking layered. I mean, it allows for more of that frosting!


Next up was the best chocolate I have ever set on my tongue - by Sweeteeth.  I had no hand in it (other than the one that was moving the chocolate from the wrapper to my mouth). Which is probably best, since I know how temperamental chocolate is and I have yet to gather my patience to attempt that feat.  But this bar was sweet, smooth dark chocolate that encased a buttery, rich caramel filling.  And the bar was crusted with thick, flaky fleur de sel.  AND I got to enjoy it with a glass of red wine on a picnic at a local vineyard with my love.  Talk about perfection!



Seriously. Yum...


And lastly but not leastly (spell check ignored because it sounds kitschy), homemade shortbread cookies.  This was my first ever attempt with a recipe that I came up with on the fly.  And you know what?  I love it!  Talk about a home run on this one.  The cookies were lightly sweetened, buttery and had a perfect crumb.


I made little and big stars, depending on whether people were feeling a little indulgent, or a lot indulgent.  I don't judge - I'm an equal opportunity baker and taste tester!


And below you can see the fun Vine video I posted!  Follow me on Twitter and Vine @lyndicakes to see more happy, baked goodness!

16 May 2013

Southern Charm + FUN news!

It's been a while since my last post, but that's because I've been a very busy bee.  More on that to come. That's right, you must read the entire blog to hear the wonderful news! But it's worth it, because I present to you <drum roll please!> last weekend's Steeplechase sweetness! Steeplechase is a lot like the Kentucky Derby, in that people wear big hats while "over-serving" themselves and I think it also involves horses.  I can't be sure, because the stories I've heard mostly involve alcohol, mud and rain, but I'll take people's word for it.  In any case, Steeplechase has no known traditions that I could deconstruct into delicious treats - after all, nobody wants to eat mud.  So instead, I stole Kentucky Derby traditions.  If you said mint juleps and red roses, you'd be correct!

Let's start with my personal favorite - the mint julep brownie.


Yes, you heard me! Gooey, chocolatey, minty, and boozy, this brownie was infused with a heaping dose of Tennessee charm. And by that, I mean the ever glorious Jack Daniel's whiskey.  And I suppose it doesn't hurt that I decided to swirl in a heavy dose of creamy, minty cheesecake into the batter.


Yes, I've combined two favorites:



And made the brownies super thick by putting them in a 9x9 pan! Talk about deep dish desserts!


Next on the list of derby delights is the ever-glorious red velvet cupcake.  I went for a deep red color, and swirled a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting on top.


 It was pretty glorious...


But enough about the sweets! You want to hear the gossip! The news!  The FUN news!  You got it.  After a long, hard day at work, I toured a beautiful commercial kitchen space. And it was the real deal, with a very bright and helpful staff that plans to help me every step of the way. This could be it folks!  This could be the start of a beautiful working friendship!  Littlest Love could be in business as early as June, so be on the lookout for a real deal website and a possible Littlest Love siting somewhere in Nashville, TN!

06 May 2013

Whole30 Craving Post: Seis de Mayo

I was too busy yesterday avoiding all things Mexican to post anything delicious.  For some reason, I always miss out on celebrating Cinco de Mayo!  Whether it be a test the next day, random "no sugar" diets, or whatever else just so happens to fall on May 5, I rarely [if ever] get to celebrate.


And thus, another year without it.  Now, this may not seem like a big deal, since nobody is really sure what Cinco de Mayo's purpose is in the first place.  But for those that know me, my love affair with Mexican food/drink is a steamy one.  My most beloved menu items (in order): Tequila, Queso, Spicy Chocolate, Tacos, Jalapenos, and Tequila.  Did I say tequila?  Why is it the most wonderfully delicious thing ever?  I love baking with it, cooking with it, and sipping on it in any and every form.


So, in honor of my spicy Mexican fiesta love affair, I decided I couldn't skip Cinco de Mayo all together.  Thus, I bring you Seis de Mayo!  The fiesta of cravings, creamy tequila frosting, and last year's dose of mini coconut margarita cupcakes brought to you by Littlest Love. Salud!