Saturday, January 22, 2011

Chocolate Pudding Cake



Let me start by saying...I'm in love with HOW this recipe is made! I found the recipe here...and decided I had to try it! You mix all of the ingredients in the 8x8 pan that you bake it in...simple, easy, and best of all only 1 dish to clean!! It's very rich! Next time I would suggest smaller portions with maybe a little French Vanilla ice cream?? YUM!

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups hot water
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In an 8x8 inch square pan, stir together the flour, white sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add milk and oil, mix well. Sprinkle brown sugar, remaining cocoa and chocolate chips over the mixture. Add the vanilla to the hot water, then pour the water over the top.
  3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the surface appears dry. Serve warm with a spoon or at room temperature.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Round 2...

As I promised, here is round two of the sugar cookies. Item number one I wanted to tackle was the thickness...DONE! And with ease. Item number two to tackle was stickiness/rolling of the dough....DONE! There is more I need to work on, they're not exactly where I want them to be, but they are almost there.

And if you are wondering why snowflakes? Well, it's probably due to the lack of snow around these neck of the woods. I thought it was winter!! Geez, oh well. If I can't have real snow I can at least have snow cookies.

Sugar Cookies

And because I needed a little bread making fix....here are some home-made pretzels. I really wanted to bake bagels, but decided I would try something new. I've been dying to try this recipe for a while now, and here they are! YUM YUM YUM! They are not the prettiest of pretzels, but they make up for their looks in tastes. It's what's inside that really matters, right?

Pretzels
Have a good week everyone, may it be better than the last!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

hello there sugar..


...Sugar Cookies that is. First off, I need to admit something. I've had a bit of an obsession this week with...a blog. A friend of mine sent me it, and I fell in love. This lady has a pure talent with decorating cookies. PURE TALENT! This inspired me to try THE SUGAR COOKIE. It's something I've tried a few times, but I've yet to make it happen. So I'm starting fresh. New recipe, new ideas, new determination. Here is the first round, the GNO cookies. That's short for Girl's Night Out. You know, the night that all the girls get together in their PJs, slippers, and their oversized sweatshirts. The night we all cuddle up on the couch together, chit chat, catch-up, and drool over Dr. McDreamy.

So stay tuned for more sugar cookies, because the next batch of dough is currently in the fridge chilling...I'm not giving up until I have the best sugar cookie recipe.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bring it on 2011!

Well everyone, it is finally here. Another year has come and gone. Another year of laughter, smiles, heartache, and love has past. I can't help but think about everything that has happened in the past year. Everything that has changed. Everything I expected to happen that did, and all of the unexpected I was blessed with. If we time-traveled back exactly twelve months, I never could have expected to be here. But I am. So, going into this new year, I'm taking with me this: Live and learn. Love you life. Be thankful for the family that loves and supports you. Be thankful for the family you are born into, and the one you've grown into. Be thankful for every experience. Do not regret a single thing for you cannot change the past. Learn from your mistakes. Believe that if it is meant to be, it will find a way. And, be thankful for every day, every moment, every breathe.

Resolutions...this year, my resolution is to post at least once a week. My life one is to "Laugh more, smile more, eat more, drink more, and have fun more."

Here's to my first 2011 post:

Ladies' night is always a good night. Pizza night is also always a good night. So when we combine the two, it's a FABULOUS night! It was a night of laughter, fun, stories, and celebration. We proudly celebrated my sister closing on her first house! She recently got her realtor license and I couldn't be prouder! =)

Happy 2011 to everyone! This is going to be a BIG year...and I have a feeling a GREAT year! See you all next week...
Spinach and Prochuto Pizza

The infamous 'White Pizza'

Num Num Num!