Sugar Cookies [sms]

This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick, Sugar Cookies, was chosen by ME! This is my first time hosting anything really so I'm super excited!

I had originally wanted to do the wonderful red velvet cake, but that was taken already, but I thought this cookie/pie crust would be very versatile and fun for everyone. The sugar cookie itself is not very tasty, but I think that with all the decorations on top, it's quite fun and exciting.

I had first made these into cookies for my friend's New Year's Party. I had made them into a beautiful snowflake shape and then decorated them with royal icing. [I decided to try some effects out!]

Then, I was going to make these again but in pie form. I had run out of time before the publishing date with all the midterms, internship/job finding, and me being sick. It's just been a busy time for me. I think that the school year was a pretty bad time for me to host, but I was fun regardless!

Sugar Cookies/Sweet Pie Crust
from Sweet Melissa's Baking Book [pg. 142-143]

14 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 Cup sugar

Freshly grated zest of 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

To make the dough:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar, zest and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine.

3. Add the flour and mix to combine. Be sure to scrape down the bowl.

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Pat it together into one piece. Divide the dough into two equal parts, flatten into 5-in round disks, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Put what you will use today in the fridge, and the rest (if there is any) goes into the freezer for another time. Chill for at least 45 minutes before rolling.

To roll the dough:

1. When the dough is chilled through, remove it from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes, until it is malleable. Lightly flour a work surface. Begin with one dough disk, lightly flour the top, and, using a rolling pin, press gently on the dough from the middle upward, and then middle downward. Turn the dough disk a quarter turn and repeat the light pressing process. Add more flour if needed to prevent sticking.

2. The dough should be a round, flatter version of the original disk. Now either you can use it to make cookies or the pie crust.

Make sure to check out the rest of the SMS bakers on the blogroll.

ps. since I promised those photoshoot pictures for a long time, here they are! First individual ones, then a couple between my co-family head and I, then the family ones!

Strawberry Lemonade (bars) [sms]

This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick, Strawberry Lemonade, was chosen by Jessica of My Baking Heart. Since I had no real use for Strawberry Lemonade, I decided to use this recipe that I had saved that was similar.

I really would have made the lemonade, but I came down some random sickness this past week. I've been sitting at home just sick. Also, next week is my first final, therefore, I should be studying and not blogging. Anyways, back to these bars. They were sweet and tart, but not as pink as the picture from the blog I found it at. Sorry for the lack of pictures, I was in a hurry and only took 3 and that was the only good one.

I brought these bars to an event called Ace of Cakes, which was an event put on by Circle K, here in Berkeley. It's a place where organizations make cakes and try to get as many tickets as possible. I took pictures of almost every one of them. I'll try to link the club website as much as I can!

CalPirg

Political Science Club?


Relay for Life


Cal Habitat for Humanity


International Justice Mission


Do Something


Dance Marathon 2010


Feel Good


RCSA - Regents and Chancellor's Scholars Association


Team HBV

When we cut open the world....

It's made of cake!

Last picture of the post.
My Cupcake Decorating Contest Entry!

Make sure to check out the rest of the SMS bakers on the blogroll.

ps. if you were expecting the photoshoot pictures, STILL I haven't seen them so when I finally do, I'll get them up!

Mocha Cupcakes with Kahlua Cream Cheese Frosting

Recently, quite a few of my friends are turning 21. Afterall, I'm a junior in college, it's supposed to be this year. 1989 to 2010 - we're all finally turning 21. First my boyfriend turned 21. Now more and more friend are turning the legal age to drink.

Peter and I, last spring

Since a dinner party was planned for him, 50 of us got together, ate dinner, and celebrated his birthday with him. It is my job, as always, to provide the desserts. I, of course, asked him what he wanted me to bake for him, and he wanted these mocha cupcakes. I was able to emulate most parts of the recipe, but I wanted to take some short cuts. Instead, I chose to substitute half of the grandulated sugar with brown sugar. I also just added 2 teaspoons of Kahlua to each can of Pillsbury cream cheese frosting that I bought at the store. Although it was not as strong of a Kahlua taste as I wanted, I still wanted the frosting to be able to be piped.

Check out the awesome carrier my friend got me for Christmas! Thanks Linda!

S'more Cupcakes [msc]

These S'more cupcakes were easy to make and super yummy.

Mine were a little on the dry side, but since I added extra chocolate and marshmallows, it seemed okay. I had filled mine with extra chocolate. and added marshmallows on top. Now, that I've sat down for a while, I could have filled mine with the marshmallows and chocolate and then topped them again. That would have been creative.

I realize that I always run out of time before going to parties with my friends and finish my cupcakes almost always last minute.

Last time I made s'more cupcakes, it was a completely different recipe and those who tried both had their differing opinions, but that always happens.

Here's some pictures from the reunion dinner I had made these these cupcakes for [taken by my friend Linda]

The recipe for this month's Cupcake Club is found on pages 150-151 of Martha Stewart's Cupcake book. Thanks to Mary Ann from Meet Me in the Kitchen for choosing this.

No SMS this week

This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick, Easy Chocolate Mousse, was chosen by Spike of Spike Bakes.

I'm sorry Spike and the rest of the SMS crew that I was not able to make the mousse this weekend. I've been so busy and it's Valentines Day and Chinese Lunar New Year today so I've had no time. I know I promised to post the photoshoot pictures, but I haven't even seen them yet so next post! See you all later!

Make sure to check out the rest of the SMS bakers on the blogroll.

World Peace Cookies

These world peace cookies are truly delightful. It's like a chocolate chocolate chip cookie, but better. As I was baking these, I was wondering, why are these called world peace cookies? Are they supposed to promote world peace? Perhaps, but regardless, this is the end of my journey of 21 different chocolate things. Most of these recipes were nice and simple, but I know that my boyfriend has enjoyed all of them. Hope you enjoyed all my chocolate recipes!

Triple Threat Cookies

These triple threat cookies were a wonderful delight. Chocolate cookies filled with more chocolate chips - bittersweet and white - and also nuts. It was just crunchy, and soft, and yummy. Although I know my boyfriend doesn't like nuts, I thought that they were a necessary part of this. I hope he likes them!

Rocky Road Brownies

Last brownie recipe. These Rocky Road Brownies taste just like the ice cream version! I love rocky road ice cream so I thought I would share these with my boyfriend. I enjoy the chocolate, marshmallow and nuts. It was just a good combination of flavors. I had broiled the brownies a little bit because I wanted the chocolate chips on top and the marshmallows to melt and brown a bit.

Reese's Brownies

Here, this Reese's Brownie, is another version of the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Its just a brownie with a peanut butter and chocolate ganche topping, but added bonus, chopped Reese's all over the top. It wonderfully peanut butter-y and chocolate-y.

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

This pumpkin swirl brownie was a nice addition to the mix for my boyfriend. It was something different not not completely out of the ordinary. These were really the prettiest brownies in the mix. The swirl of pumpkin gave it something different. It was lovely to make.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

These peanut butter cup brownies are another great combination of peanut butter and chocolate. The peanut butter cups were cut up and put into the batter for a great mix of peanut butter and chocolate. Try it!