Cheddar Bacon Cornbread

This was a quick decision recipe. I saw a cornbread being made on TV and wanted to try it. It looked simple enough so I decided to change it a bit and add bacon. I guess I'm trying to branch out from the recipe and try my own things. I am so glad I did. The texture was moist and the bacon was the perfect partner to the sharp Vermont cheddar. Combined with the sweet cornbread it was the perfect bite of food. My mom served it with chili and I think my dad ate it as a meal by itself. I do have to thank my sister for taking this professional looking picture. She even included a slice of bacon in the background to give it that special touch. She would make a great food stylist. Maybe she should think about a career change. You never know.

Cinnamon Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

This cookie recipe came to me while I was looking at foodporndaily.com. Now anyone who knows about food porn knows that they do not offer recipes. This is my only problem with the website. They show you these great looking dishes and then leave you hanging with no way to make it. Unless of course you get creative and start designing your own cookie like I did. I wanted to make this cookie taste like a steaming hot cup of cocoa laced with cinnamon sticks. This might sound a little strange but I love o add cinnamon to my cocoa. There is something about that smell of cinnamon spice that adds another level to the cocoa. I searched online for different recipes and finally came up with this. Of course there was creaming and sifting like all the other cookies and then spooning and baking. Nothing was too different from what I'm used to except the intense smell of cinnamon and chocolate as I opened the door to uncover the finished cookie. It was so mouth-watering. I immediately was brought back to a time when I sat in front of a warm fire place sipping a cup of cinnamon hot chocolate. The smell was so good I couldn’t wait to taste tem. I grabbed one and broke it down the middle. The mini chocolate chips I used oozed at with the pressure of my finger leaving the soft center vulnerable to my attack. I took one bite and was hooked. My friends and family felt the same I guess because they were mostly gone by morning. I know this recipe will make it to my bakery one day. I think I will call it a spiced cocoa cookie. Sounds like music to my ears.

What Now?

To pour salt on the wound my little sister requested Crème Brule. I don't know about you but it seems I'm being challenged by the very people who support me. But you know what I accept that challenge. Lets add Crème Brule to the mix. Now I'm not saying those two dishes will be the next two items to grace this blog. But watch out because I am coming for them. I will defeat one Soufflé and one Crème Brule if its the last thing I do. I will do it and its going to be big and loud!

Step It Up

So I have been thinking about what I can do next. Actually with all of the chaos and cookies of Christmas I wasn't really thinking about it at all, but my boyfriend asked me. It just figures I finally sit down to relax after taking my 845th batch of cookies out of the oven and he asks "So Adrienne, what will you make next." And his tone was just so accusing. As if I haven't just gone through the cookie gauntlet this week. As if I haven't made hard desserts or something. Like everything up till now has been child's play and I need to step it up. In the heat of the moment I blurted out something that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Or at least until I accomplish it. Soufflé I said casually. In a equally dagger like tone. A tone that screamed I make those all day every day with my eyes closed and this time will be just as easy. Only its not easy. Its one of the hardest things to accomplish. Great bakers have been brought to their knees by this dessert. Tossed aside and added to the pile of the many failed Soufflé makers. And its not like if you fail you get to go home with some parting gift and call it a day. No. If you fail you get a soupy mess that will just stare at you with disappointment from the bottom of the pan. So in that second of frivolity I did it. I sealed my fate. I signed my life away to this dessert. And the only way to get it back is to master this thing. Man I hope this works. Soufflé here I come.

Cookie Press Dreams!

This is another cookie I made with my cookie press. My older sister requested this flower shape. They came out pretty despite the fact that the cookie press was growling a little. The dough may have been too hard for it to handle. But at least I know for next time. Everyone enjoyed eating them and breaking them into tiny cookie bites. I can't believe its Christmas and I'm still making cookies!

Polvorones/Mexican Wedding Cookies

Wow this really is cookie week. I guess with the Christmas spirit in the air mama wanted to make cookies. And when I say that I mean wanted me to make cookies. This is a cookie my mom used to eat as a kid. She called them Polvorones, but they are also known as Mexican wedding cookies. Out of all of the cookies I have made these were the easiest. Aside from rolling each cookie into a ball everything else was painless. And once they were baked I rolled them in powdered sugar to get them dressed for their photoshoot. I tried one and really enjoyed it. It was smooth and creamy inside with a sweet outer layer that contrasted nicely with the semi-sweet center. They were like little clouds melting in my mouth. No wonder they are served at weddings, they are beautiful and delicious. I will definitely keep this recipe in my baking arsenal. They are sure to be a crowd please and are easier than pie.

Cappuccino Cookies

I guess its cookie week. This is another cookie for mama. It seems mama always has another recipe she wants to "try." But actually she wants me to just make them so she can enjoy. I don't mind making them. It helps me fill my blog with great recipes and gives me experience in all kinds of baking. I have a feeling this isn't the last recipe mama has printed out. I took a look on the fridge and saw a couple more cookie recipes hidden. Tisk tisk. This recipe was easy to get together. As most cookie recipes are they come together quickly once the prep is done. I have gotten pretty good at sifting the dry ingredients together and creaming the butter and sugar. This recipe of course had its own variations but nothing too complicated. The dough smelled like a fancy coffee drink and mama tasted it and said it was good. Once the dough was complete I had to roll two logs out of it and freeze for two hours. Yet again more waiting!!!! Once the dough was frozen I cut it into slices, topped the slices with chocolate sprinkles and baked. The finished cookie was good looking and mouth watery. They tasted the best right out of the oven, so soft and warm. That coffee drink smell translated into sweet coffee cookie. These cookies would be the perfect partner to a cup of coffee. I can already imagine mama enjoying them with a cup. I even had extra dough which I kept in the freezer for later.  Mama did a great job picking this cookie.