Bake Sale & the Return of Love!

Oh my, it's good to be back! How I've missed writing and picture taking and sharing all of my treats with all of you readers (all? some? a few?)! I took several months off - about 3 to be exact - and I'm not even sure why. After Thanksgiving, I started getting a lot of orders, my full-time job picked up big time, and quite frankly, I just kept getting bogged down in the day to day. But I'm back, and I've got lots of fun, exciting news to share and delicious goodies that are calorie-free if you just LOOK these pictures. No touching. See? I'm looking out for you...

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be part of a very important bake sale. The lovely founder of Tiny But Mighty Fund reached out to me to help with a Puppy Love Bake Sale. And if you didn't know, I love dogs. LOVE. DOGS. So supporting the fund, which donates to the Nashville Humane Association, through my treats was a no-brainer.

So, I got my little thinking cat on (right, meow)....

I decided on a combination of seasonal treats that would be fun, simple, and tasty, so I made my Mardi Gras cupcakes - because duh! - and my oatmeal cookies with white chocolate chips and raisins (which tasted like yogurt covered raisins, bonus win). 

 Here are the beginning stages of those cookies...

Look at that nutty, brown sugary goodness! Yum!

And the final product, all dolled up with a sprinkle of kosher salt on top for good measure.

And then there was whiskey caramel...

Which, is what I like to call, angel sauce. Because it tastes like what I imagine heaven to be. And that goodness was mixed with toasted pecans and well, that's what's inside these almond flavored cupcakes. And yes, that's cinnamon cream cheese frosting. You're welcome.

But no so fast, my friend. I quickly realized I needed to bake something new for this bake sale. And there was no one more pleased with my choice than my big, silly Bo Dog. That's right, I made dog treats! Pumpkin and peanut butter to be exact, and they were a hit!

So coming up this weekend is another post about - you guessed it - Valentine's Day! Love is in the air with Littlest Love, and usually, love means butter...and sugar. May your Friday be filled with sweet excitement, if for no other reason than the fact that it's Friday! And if it's not exciting to you, then hopefully this will cheer you up... 

Biscuits are Vehicles for Jam

It all started over a week ago, but low and behold, I got busy with schoolwork and work-work, and life-work (life-work is paying bills, working out, and napping on the couch). But alas, I bring you three wonderful treats and some happy family time to boot!

I couldn't get enough of The Peach Truck, so I went back and grabbed another couple bags.  Justin made some peach jam, which I was eating with a spoon until I finally made buttermilk biscuits with Smitten Kitchen's recipe. It was simply a vehicle for the peach jam.  A delicious, buttery, warm vehicle.  Sadly, those were not photographed, because they went directly into our bellies. They never stood a chance. 

But what did get photographed were the chewy, super soft peach oatmeal cookies!  They were topped with a quick swirl of maple flavored royal icing. And yes, I used real maple syrup. Those were some damn fine cookies! They were immediately photographed and shipped to my favorite graphic designer and founding Cookie of the Month Club member.  [DISCLAIMER: Cookie of the Month Club is not available yet! But with her help and brilliance, it will be soon!]

Quick - distraction!

Mmmm, Peach Truck peaches.  Mmmm, maple icing.  Mmmm.... cookkiieessss.....

A few days later, I realized that Justin and I had been invited to a Mexican themed dinner party.  My brain began to stir as I realized I got to play with my favorite combination of foods!  Sadly, I had class and had to miss the festivities, but I made sure that Justin had something to take with him.  And that is how I perfected my margarita cupcake.  Oh yes, just imagine coconut, lime and tequila all blended together to make this sweet and tangy cupcake.  It's enough to make you forget that I keep my tequila in a mason jar.

Look at those pretty sugar dipped lime wedges!

And as you can see, I've been working on my piping skills.  This frosting was perfect, so piping was easy. I've learned how to make my frosting whipped and creamy and easily pipe-able so that I could get through my "Piping for Dummies" book.  (I don't actually have a Piping for Dummies book, but I'm searching Amazon for one now... Oh look, Cake Decorating for Dummies... Duh.)

Well, this dummy knows everything is better with a shot of tequila! See how much better that cupcake looks next to a shot? Imagine how much better it would taste after a few of those!

My taste tester is eyeing the evidence...

Speaking of tequila, my parents came in town this past weekend! And I was so excited to spend Father's Day with my dad this year! We had a blast drinking wine, singing Beatles songs, seeing an art deco car display, and much more. And for Father's Day, my siblings and I got him a new grill! Oh, and did I mention that I made chocolate covered Oreos? Yes, we will pause at chocolate covered Oreos, because after that, nothing else matters!

Oh my, what's that?!? Those look like Birthday Cake Oreos, you say?? Why yes, yes they are.

I made dark and white chocolate chocolate covered Oreos, and they lived up to the hype.  We each enjoyed one after a hefty breakfast of eggs, kale, sweet potato hash, and biscuits with peach jam & whipped honey.  And then we didn't eat again until Monday. I hope everyone had as much fun on their Father's Day weekend as I did with my dad!

Dad's new grill is shown below!

Just kidding...