Thursday, May 28, 2009

Raspberry Bars & Lemon Bars

Hello everyone!! The last couple of days have been a bit rainy, so I thought it would be a great time to do some baking. Yesterday I made Lemon Bars, which as always, were a hit. Even people who don't usually like lemony things enjoyed them! I also tackled a new recipe for Raspberry Breakfast Bars. They turned out delicious! I will definitely make these again. Hope everyone stays warm and dry today!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

And We're Off!

Well this comes in two forms...First: The Messy Kitchen has successfully completed it's first order!! Yeah! I feel like we are off to a wonderful start. I made a 9 inch Chocolate Flourless Cake accompanied by a raspberry sauce, and a 8 inch White Almond Cake, with Raspberry filling, and a whipped cream frosting. See below the delightful outcomes:



Secondly, I was off for a mini vacation this weekend. Off to Maine I headed!! I went to the Rockland area, which just happens to be one of my most favorite places. I went to visit some friends of mine, and of course I had to bring some goodies to share. I brought Coconut Macaroons dipped in Chocolate, Lemon Bars, and Plain Bagels. By the time I got there, I managed to arrive with all the Macaroons I left with, all the Lemon Bars I left with, and 11 of the dozen bagels I left with....what can I say, I'm a good baker and I got stuck in stopped traffic on 95 for half an hour....probably not the best combination during a long road trip. =) The goodies went over well, and my friend was very resentful to share with anyone! I had a wonderful time, and cannot wait to return.







Sorry it took so long to catch everyone up...I'm still trying to keep myself in vacation mode and function during my normal daily routine, ask anyone: Monday morning was not the best haha. As always: keep posted for more goodies, and have a wonderful day!!

....So, I know I posted this yesterday, but I completely forgot to tell you all about The Squash Blossom!!! (http://www.squashblossombakery.blogspot.com/) While I was in Maine, I went to visit my friend Jessie (who just happens to be a spectacular baker.) She has started her own bakery, and runs it out of The Sea Store in Spruce Head, Maine. Of course I had to bring some of her baked goodies home with me, so I got some granola, Peanut Butter cookies with Chocolate Chips, Ginger Molasses Cookies, and Blondies. They were absolutely delicious!!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Monkey Bread


With my coffee in hand this morning, I started to work away at my Monkey Bread. It was a good breakfast item to make with little kids, because they had lots of fun helping when it came to rolling the dough in the cinnamon. After lots of somewhat patient waiting, my little baking buddies and I accomplished our first Monkey Bread and it is absolutely delicious. These two children are the pickiest of eaters, but since this is coated with some butter, cinnamon, and sugar...they LOVE it! I hope everyone enjoys their day.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Mother's Day!


Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!! For Mother's Day this year, my siblings and I decided we would make dinner for my mom. I of course volunteered/was deemed the dessert. I wanted to make something that was springy and delicious, so I made a white almond cake with strawberry filling and a whipped cream frosting. It was a 3 layered, 8 inch cake, which served about 14. It turned out really delicious, so delicious that we ate every last crumb (well actually my brothers opted for seconds). **Keep posted...There is LOTS of baking to be done this week!!
Happy Mother's Day Moms!!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Sauce Tasting!!!


Well, another week has come, and this brings another dessert for Girls' Night. This week I made a Flourless Chocolate Cake (see previous posting), however I experimented a little with some fruit sauces. I made a raspberry sauce and a strawberry sauce. By the raving reviews, this seems to have been a hit! I personally only tried the raspberry, but I sure do wish I could have had room to try the strawberry. I guess I will just have to make another cake!! :) Hope everyone has a wonderfull weekend!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Holy Macaroons!!



I can't emphasize to you enough: Holy Macaroons!! What started out as a quick easy dessert to bring to girls' night turned into 62 (exactly!!) Macaroons dipped in chocolate. At one point I stood back and looked at the macaroons and I couldn't believe my eyes, but it was all worth it in the end. After baking and cooling all the cookies, I dipped them in melted semi-sweet chocolate, can you say YUMMMYYYY!!! All my taste testers agreed, and I even had people calling this morning looking for more!! These are definitely a MUST when the bakery opens!!

One little tid bit of advice that I learned for all you fellow bakers out there: If your recipe calls for cream of coconut and you can not find it in the store, you can buy coconut milk. If you use coconut milk in lieu of cream of coconut, do NOT shake the can and just use the cream at the top of the can as the coconut milk will have separated. Works like a charm! Enjoy :)