My First Gig!

Today's post isn't going to be full of tasty pictures because I was so caught up and nervous about getting everything done in time!  One of Justin's co-workers asked me to bake for her boyfriend's surprise 40th birthday party, and I just could not refuse. A chance to see what "catering" is like? 50+ people seeing what I can do? It was the perfect opportunity to test the waters and I could not have been more excited. We decided on about 70 cookie sandwiches - 35 lemon/lemon, and 35 chocolate/peanut butter.

Friday afternoon, I took out all of my ingredients and placed them on the counter. I grabbed all of my whisks, spoons, measuring cups, and knives and I thumbed through my little, pink recipe book until I got to the right page. And then I walked over to the couch and sat down. Turns out, I was more nervous than I thought. This was my first attempt at sharing my baked goods with complete strangers. Were they going to like it? Was I going to be up until 2 a.m. baking cookies?? And then suddenly my nerves turned into excitement and I couldn't wait to get started!!

So I turned on the stove. And then I started creaming the butter and the sugar, and zesting the lemons, and sifting the cocoa powder. I started measuring the flour, and combining the dry ingredients. And then before I knew it, Justin was home and I had already baked over 70 cookies!

And thankfully, I have an incredible support system of friends and family who were cheering me on and helping me get everything together. Justin and some of our wonderful friends, Mike and Mary, came over to help me package the cookie sandwiches and put stickers on flyers with my contact information that I had made to hand out at the party. I was finished and the kitchen was clean as a whistle by 11 p.m.

Final product, all packaged up!

This is me around 10:45pm. Clean up crew!

The actual event flew by in the blink of an eye. I showed up, met some great people, made a few connections, and watched everyone enjoy my cookie sandwiches! It was really fun, and I'm looking forward to being able to do this more often!

If you haven't noticed, Littlest Love has gone into full swing! I've got a Facebook page, a new e-mail address, and there's more REALLY exciting news on the way! Stay tuned for the next post to hear all about it!

Summer Strawberries & Banana Jokes

It's a slippery slope when you start stealing your dad's jokes. And I'll be a monkey's uncle if I didn't have four overly ripe bananas sitting on my counter Friday afternoon. So I got to thinking, and usually thinking leads to baking...

I went a little nuts this weekend. And by nuts, I mean fruits. I went a little fruits this weekend! I got my new shipment of Bake It Pretty goods - cupcake liners, striped paper straws & a little heart shaped cookie cutter - and I was itching for a weekend of solid baking. After a run with Justin and our Bo dog Saturday morning, I strolled over to the West End Farmer's Market and grabbed myself two pints of beautiful, sweet, bright red strawberries from Delvin Farms. I also grabbed a couple of Olive & Sinclair chocolate bars from The Produce Place because I was feeling kind of frisky. And by frisky, I mean hungry. And by hungry I mean...well, you get the point.

You can see the beautiful Bake It Pretty box that arrived on my doorstep! I love how quickly I receive their shipments, and how perfectly wrapped and packaged everything always is. Not to mention, their liners are so perfect and the color stays so well. I'm a big fan. Big. Huge!

As a side note, I couldn't resist posting this adorable, green strawberry. I mean look at it, it's ADORABLE.

Oh, Delvin Farms, you sure know how to make this girl happy...

So it began with Saturday night's dinner. I had fresh strawberries on the brain, and I had just conjured up a loaf of banana bread topped with Olive & Sinclair chocolate chunks. Without hesitation, I threw strawberries into my avocado, spinach & basil salad and thought, "Those would look damn fine in some cupcakes..." During dinner my mind wandered to strawberry cupcakes and warm banana bread.

Here's a close-up of the warm, moist banana bread fresh out of the oven!

So naturally, I baked strawberry cupcakes before bed. Because that's what any rational girl would do! In my excitement from baking the hand pies last week and the banana bread and strawberry cupcakes the night before, I decided that Sunday morning I was definitely going to top those cupcakes with strawberry meringue buttercream frosting.

With a lot (too much?) of energetic morning jumps and squirms of joy, I began separating eggs, measuring sugar, and getting a double boiler going. So far so good. I whisked and I whipped and I even did a little happy dance as I saw the meringue fluff up before my very eyes. Joy! But then a wee little needle deflated my ever-growing baking balloon as I slowly added in the strawberries and watched my meringue get too glossy and then boom. It was all over.  No more fluffy, whipped, marshmallow-like goodness. Just shiny, separated strawberry goop. Boyfriend liked it despite it being completely unappealing (visually), but I knew it wouldn't do. I was crushed, but I whipped up a quick batch of strawberry buttercream and vowed to try the meringue frosting again soon.

 As it turns out, the cupcakes were a pretty big hit!

I also made a batch of triple chocolate cookies which were amazing! But those pictures turned out kind of hideous, and honestly I'd rather not go into detail with what a bad picture of a chocolate cookie looks like.

Stay tuned for this weekend's post, as I'm going to attempt the meringue buttercream again and hope for more success. But not before I bake donuts! That's right folks, it's National Donut Day on Friday. So aside from heading to Krispy Kreme and/or Dunkin' to snag yourself a free donut, be sure to check out Friday's blog post! It's your patriotic duty!

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!

shortbread stars. #baking #cookieaddict #littlestlove vine.co/v/bVxwtjH5Zbb
— Lyndi Michele (@lyndicakes) May 27, 2013

Whole30 Craving Post: Vending Machine Cupcakes

Today's post is pretty exciting.  And by exciting, I mean cravings-inducing, all out, satisfying in every horrible and wonderful way possible for a human being.  It just so happens that today I'm feeling like I could raid a vending machine.  I won't, but really, I think I could.

After a soccer game yesterday and a pretty meager lunch today, I'd trade my right arm for a Diet Mountain Dew, a Twix and a handful of Pretzel M&Ms.  Don't worry, my Whole30 support system won't actually let me do this, but a girl can dream, can't she??

That's right.  Today, I bring you the dreams stuff is made of: Vending Machine Cupcakes.  Think of every possible craving you could have, and imagine it rolled into one beautiful cupcake!  It packs a big punch, starting with 3 types of candy bars crushed and folded into a fluffy vanilla batter, and ending with a dollop of tangy, Mountain Dew frosting.  And if that wasn't enough for you, I topped it all off with a few sprinkles of crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos.

Don't act like you aren't salivating...

I made these for one of my best friends' birthday last year, and my boyfriend watched me bake in awe, fear, and a little disgust.  Turns out, this guy right here (happy boyfriend, pictured below), was in heaven!  Despite his initial apprehension, he will try just about anything at least once.  And lucky for him, he did.  They were delicious!  And truth be told, I stole a few bites of his cupcake because they were THAT GOOD.

Happy, "healthy" cravings to all on this ever-so beautiful Monday evening!

Whole30 Craving Post: The Rabid Cookie Monster

homemade chewy chocolate chip cookies

I made these chocolate chip cookies late at night last weekend. I mean, literally, in the dark. Hence, the nighttime cookie picture you see above you.  They were for post-race enjoyment for my boyfriend, Justin, and wonderful friend, Charlotte, once they crossed the finish line of the Oak Barrel Half Marathon in Lynchburg, TN. And they each PR'd! I'd like to give a warm, chewy shout out to my cookies, which I truly believe contributed to their big finishes.

Okay, maybe not.  But they were delicious! And I think these might be my biggest Day 3 craving, especially after just playing soccer.  In fact, my inner cookie monster [quite the ferocious beast] just growled at me.  Better go feed her something wholesome!

Whole30 Craving Post: Peanut...Peanut Butter & Chocolate!

homemade peanut butter cups