tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38447380167326237972024-03-04T22:43:13.885-08:00CAKESTARRLara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-2962145089145013242010-08-30T22:33:00.001-07:002010-08-31T07:50:03.289-07:00Separated at Birth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc0Andooc9aF7orfEYPrgwDrZ2WSO1AnCSKXrBUfop_DsjuhKgDyJ0pVKAS5DS3auLaMfp7VGr1DGFEERsMKrk9dZiKGiN-qDHw15-SHgskoMWjGrUSfhiof_SF27O7NVExjyp9z8Q30/s1600/baked.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc0Andooc9aF7orfEYPrgwDrZ2WSO1AnCSKXrBUfop_DsjuhKgDyJ0pVKAS5DS3auLaMfp7VGr1DGFEERsMKrk9dZiKGiN-qDHw15-SHgskoMWjGrUSfhiof_SF27O7NVExjyp9z8Q30/s400/baked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511434138755215762" border="0" /></a><br />I got a this cookbook from the library a couple of days ago, and I think the authors and I are long lost siblings. We believe in American baking. We believe in less sugar/more chocolate. We believe in cooked frostings. We believe in malt.<br /><br />Everything in this book looks so. damn. good! Sweet and Salty Cake, Chocolate Malt Cake, and these Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars. Day-um!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7QOpgqIWwUqHUjrrvdEy75r_5flfbFqA2SUo_YlYRSt6Hh14SUKO6JIN3qbEeKtuuLEckKztYXe-wmg-NeXOfmT7TOvpa7M1nCDTrkNd4N6Ec3ZJsnwgeB5gvyx4xvD4i-xz5Jolo8w/s1600/PB+Crispies+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7QOpgqIWwUqHUjrrvdEy75r_5flfbFqA2SUo_YlYRSt6Hh14SUKO6JIN3qbEeKtuuLEckKztYXe-wmg-NeXOfmT7TOvpa7M1nCDTrkNd4N6Ec3ZJsnwgeB5gvyx4xvD4i-xz5Jolo8w/s400/PB+Crispies+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511436346574368818" border="0" /></a><br />My nickname for these is "Pain in the Butt" bars, because while they're not hard to make, they do take an investment of time (2 1-hour cooling periods) and mess up a lot of dishes. But as they say, nothing worth doing is easy.<br /><br />The bottom layer is toffee-covered rice crispies, the middle is a peanut butter and milk chocolate ganache-y type situation, and the top is a silky chocolate layer. I know, I had you at toffee.<br /><br />I love the matte, smooth finish of the chocolate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkNLedUIwzh4gnhJR9MZwWzEIqyQB59bD52o3MXVVHKqPqj2FsOpYLnIemp1K6_nc_h0W_JKD1FazzUGnMj_qDYbSJptb48AdOU9wNWiTo5iQqP9mIEYU3UEC54qV7ZY8bLM2G-kRCoM/s1600/PB+Crispies+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkNLedUIwzh4gnhJR9MZwWzEIqyQB59bD52o3MXVVHKqPqj2FsOpYLnIemp1K6_nc_h0W_JKD1FazzUGnMj_qDYbSJptb48AdOU9wNWiTo5iQqP9mIEYU3UEC54qV7ZY8bLM2G-kRCoM/s400/PB+Crispies+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511438599445425138" border="0" /></a>And every baker will tell you it's such a thrill when whatever you're making releases from tha pan beautifully and without drama.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY8xB8UwY6DPPftvLW9siKRn57M78T5AKswtFAFpxyqSoU0NvQcPL2F4Piv2_3_MUgt4uKVWc39erVu1Xp2D1j05h0YI1zbI9vuUhYSeUGaQNNGFDyi0vZsYjdChVYNRIbNs1zhC7MXE/s1600/PB+Crispies+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY8xB8UwY6DPPftvLW9siKRn57M78T5AKswtFAFpxyqSoU0NvQcPL2F4Piv2_3_MUgt4uKVWc39erVu1Xp2D1j05h0YI1zbI9vuUhYSeUGaQNNGFDyi0vZsYjdChVYNRIbNs1zhC7MXE/s400/PB+Crispies+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511439069017114498" border="0" /></a>Like this.<br /><br />The fine folks at <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/10/peanut-butter-crispy-bars/">Smitten Kitchen</a> have a great play-by-play with lots of photos on how to create these decadent squares of deliciousness.<br /><br />I can't wait to make more treats from this book, and for the next one coming out in the Fall, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baked-Explorations-American-Desserts-Reinvented/dp/1584798505/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283232189&sr=1-1">Baked Explorations</a>. Here are my brothers-in-baking are getting into training for the oncoming media blitz!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_5A6vQjYANo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_5A6vQjYANo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-41083049570369595232010-07-25T23:03:00.001-07:002010-07-25T23:15:53.829-07:00Peachy Keen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVchFvZZeWX4DH0fKyEWr-LfQzoBTrXNDDGglAM6nPHl31kYkE9AjBC8tEIZYq25bXUjhapUnXMwEoZMCY-Grqua-1l8WEgm5w-pIHcPcWcu1vW3dnmd4WH1aBMlQGcIwMd3zA-unFgk/s1600/Peaches.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVchFvZZeWX4DH0fKyEWr-LfQzoBTrXNDDGglAM6nPHl31kYkE9AjBC8tEIZYq25bXUjhapUnXMwEoZMCY-Grqua-1l8WEgm5w-pIHcPcWcu1vW3dnmd4WH1aBMlQGcIwMd3zA-unFgk/s400/Peaches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498094002423025842" border="0" /></a><br />If you've seen these crates of peaches at TJ's and been at all curious, let me tell you - they are DELICIOUS and a super deal at $4.99 for 4lbs of fruit. Yes, the excessive (but adorable) packaging did give me pause, but each juicy gem gets its own little bed to lie in, and each one is perfect. I'll figure out some way to reuse the box.<br /><br />Tonight I grilled them on the bbq and sliced them on top of the Buttermilk Cake from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cake-Bible-Rose-Levy-Beranbaum/dp/0688044026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280124383&sr=1-1">The Cake Bible.</a> (If I ever am in a courtroom sitch or elected to office, I'm going to take my oath with one hand on the The Cake Bible)<br /><br />I've made this before and added a dollop of strained yogurt as to bring it all together. Tonight's treat was created on the fly so I didn't have time to strain yogurt. But we did have marshmallows in the house so I topped the whole shebang with a couple of marshmallows perfectly toasted over the coals. Delish!<br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-71786000019464159992010-04-21T22:18:00.000-07:002010-04-23T21:39:13.024-07:00Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQyBG8MoWshJD-ylo3itofUZsfI6UaGncLAhFnlTIY020PqQgD9rLjyXIgL8yGLd07r8CRwnhjURs61MIKo5kndo5ev4-w11USNxs7pejJcDCyhlcg4lrpf1p9BL0XZX3IOgjgBqKxM8/s1600/Bubble+Cupcakes+II.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXmt38Snqbe4ARSPuxK6lC2Ld5AUBacrzV2wMsAomiXT8U1FRqaQzLhQjKU6MEu2yt20BX7uFCOXH-jfY0SNmeQ3isogi4iSGd4NwxknYoKSZ8XhycDiorje3tT9fuU9y0Xh8Fe9nIFA/s1600/Bubble+Cupcakes.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXmt38Snqbe4ARSPuxK6lC2Ld5AUBacrzV2wMsAomiXT8U1FRqaQzLhQjKU6MEu2yt20BX7uFCOXH-jfY0SNmeQ3isogi4iSGd4NwxknYoKSZ8XhycDiorje3tT9fuU9y0Xh8Fe9nIFA/s400/Bubble+Cupcakes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463487391300281794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don't those look good? Here's the backstory:<br /><br />I had the happy task of picking up a couple of cakes from <a href="http://delessio.net/pages/chocolate/index.ph%3Cspan%20class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DeLessio's</a> for a party at work to celebrate selling 1 million copies of our <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/ivyandbean/">Ivy & Bean</a> series<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmyvC2kvu2G_dz1mTRg9a1wN_7u9bNvSiCx1lcmf2KZiwEy_6w9iMSlWkly8xOqZ0CbbvPMHH_1Ir1qvmtEwxhhtghWOVlMoxMeXQO-0zlS75IPsVxDb4iarw7Hs4MzkPQbSVgkDje5I/s1600/ivy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmyvC2kvu2G_dz1mTRg9a1wN_7u9bNvSiCx1lcmf2KZiwEy_6w9iMSlWkly8xOqZ0CbbvPMHH_1Ir1qvmtEwxhhtghWOVlMoxMeXQO-0zlS75IPsVxDb4iarw7Hs4MzkPQbSVgkDje5I/s400/ivy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462828000117716946" border="0" /></a><br />Don't those cakes look amazing? They were - and DeLessio's also makes this very cool chocolate bubble wrap. That's right, chocolate bubble wrap! In lots of yummy flavors like<br /><h4 style="height: auto; border-right: 2px solid rgb(164, 178, 101); font-weight: normal;"><em>*Milk Chocolate with Malt and Croquant<br />*White chocolate with coffee beans and toasted hazeluts<br />*Milk Chocolate with peanut butter and croquant<br />*White Chocolate mint with a bittersweet chocolate </em></h4>I'd seen this technique on an old TV show called (I think) "Carnival of Dessert" and the visit to DeLessio's reminded me that should give it a try.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdQm7_2DQqHgsLaVjqtYdAr0ZRHHITedgo9b5rX1T7K4y5LFbFtwGPetEN_HO8OkBi2svd4SIIycGmWJag7zNFIbYSgpBO1gEQNgtc1aYiGZJxIsADfSwX7JNN_gc_0al04uc268JFWk/s1600/Bubble+Wrap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdQm7_2DQqHgsLaVjqtYdAr0ZRHHITedgo9b5rX1T7K4y5LFbFtwGPetEN_HO8OkBi2svd4SIIycGmWJag7zNFIbYSgpBO1gEQNgtc1aYiGZJxIsADfSwX7JNN_gc_0al04uc268JFWk/s400/Bubble+Wrap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462830049202978290" border="0" /></a><br />I laid a piece of bubble wrap on a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet and sprinkled it liberally with cinnamon sugar<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhdK-enDQER5cYs1xzssyJ-sgp3IzeklnVAbstz8BOpCRbRwucX1X38aXkaMhhzpie9PdJqFnBwfKLydDx6aaM44y6w3XcTSlIKhFlDE8N2YVodbMLJA9kjoDzuA6xdrUnw1qEUf2BPI/s1600/Bubble+Wrap+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhdK-enDQER5cYs1xzssyJ-sgp3IzeklnVAbstz8BOpCRbRwucX1X38aXkaMhhzpie9PdJqFnBwfKLydDx6aaM44y6w3XcTSlIKhFlDE8N2YVodbMLJA9kjoDzuA6xdrUnw1qEUf2BPI/s400/Bubble+Wrap+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462830600089448466" border="0" /></a><br />I poured melted chocolate over the bubble wrap. Did I mention that in the last couple of weeks I've been given big blocks of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cspan%20class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Valrhona </a>and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/h%3Cspan%20class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TCHO </a>chocolate? I'm a lucky girl!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSAelmvJVAW7po8NAOsPjEDc8Fib76wV5cQjSqcoEG_ni7LWQOzbUwcpBgYiuX7-Ym7qtB2BxpLH9LTYrquD6aPmITlx7ujB8kMDzV3_6D9GwcuV7MQoB4prHAu8m58Vtz9LWrVBUPhA/s1600/Bubble+Wrap+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSAelmvJVAW7po8NAOsPjEDc8Fib76wV5cQjSqcoEG_ni7LWQOzbUwcpBgYiuX7-Ym7qtB2BxpLH9LTYrquD6aPmITlx7ujB8kMDzV3_6D9GwcuV7MQoB4prHAu8m58Vtz9LWrVBUPhA/s400/Bubble+Wrap+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462833256073689906" border="0" /></a>I spread the chocolate to the edges with a spatula<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI_PpXSKvU_CjWBpfsstk0rnWfd2E-AAcdvWqocgkD0-btZbM9iAXIiiUBJ1Wi5TUv2UiyJw3n66mZlGWVtfuLXi8Rmq_27AYBTD_NecV5rwss0bi80-X_x7WF6hD4JuK-_FXRlEgUa8/s1600/Bubble+Wrap+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI_PpXSKvU_CjWBpfsstk0rnWfd2E-AAcdvWqocgkD0-btZbM9iAXIiiUBJ1Wi5TUv2UiyJw3n66mZlGWVtfuLXi8Rmq_27AYBTD_NecV5rwss0bi80-X_x7WF6hD4JuK-_FXRlEgUa8/s400/Bubble+Wrap+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462833517700964562" border="0" /></a>Then sprinkled some chopped toasted almonds over the whole thing. Popped it into the freezer for about 15 minutes (I think, I got a little distracted by something....) until the chocolate has hardened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7raIUU7eb2RRq6pw67Y9UzP_LqKmLnxKXRA9vBgJ9FoqMmTUetHVpeP5pHg_8V35psS-uHDGKA7hGovLvOTaVo0t6M_MqnmBnwLhS0kbhrVGUIwR7URS9f5XnmofocXysv9XVerzZGZI/s1600/Bubble+Wrap+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7raIUU7eb2RRq6pw67Y9UzP_LqKmLnxKXRA9vBgJ9FoqMmTUetHVpeP5pHg_8V35psS-uHDGKA7hGovLvOTaVo0t6M_MqnmBnwLhS0kbhrVGUIwR7URS9f5XnmofocXysv9XVerzZGZI/s400/Bubble+Wrap+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462834059984683218" border="0" /></a>Peel back bubble wrap and just look at all of those fun little holes!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExg8PYDwFS2pNDhdoIIGX3gcLIqvH16WzYXtOCQlK6VrWXZ_D7IQzpYCJi3jdTVMWjcG_0Fvh_UHLhYLVjj7iVBDX8xJaPU2kamdvQKHnWgKw-UCkbaN1vTs437Yi0S4SpRBBm22DgKA/s1600/Bubble+Wrap+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExg8PYDwFS2pNDhdoIIGX3gcLIqvH16WzYXtOCQlK6VrWXZ_D7IQzpYCJi3jdTVMWjcG_0Fvh_UHLhYLVjj7iVBDX8xJaPU2kamdvQKHnWgKw-UCkbaN1vTs437Yi0S4SpRBBm22DgKA/s400/Bubble+Wrap+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462834444281076482" border="0" /></a>Once the chocolate got back to room temperature, I used a serrated knife to cut it into long triangles. The perfect topper for these scrumptious cupcakes!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQyBG8MoWshJD-ylo3itofUZsfI6UaGncLAhFnlTIY020PqQgD9rLjyXIgL8yGLd07r8CRwnhjURs61MIKo5kndo5ev4-w11USNxs7pejJcDCyhlcg4lrpf1p9BL0XZX3IOgjgBqKxM8/s1600/Bubble+Cupcakes+II.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQyBG8MoWshJD-ylo3itofUZsfI6UaGncLAhFnlTIY020PqQgD9rLjyXIgL8yGLd07r8CRwnhjURs61MIKo5kndo5ev4-w11USNxs7pejJcDCyhlcg4lrpf1p9BL0XZX3IOgjgBqKxM8/s400/Bubble+Cupcakes+II.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488113853527570" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-69436534840366475482010-04-21T21:46:00.000-07:002010-04-28T13:09:09.570-07:00Easy as PiePops!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxzyecW8NYKofrt30gI0esqCAXuPBZM815_VcDucvjvTF54zQsnVu5iOSzGOQM0NhUH7937R9hCIS9sCMQwg-4fU8WCyFnrjXKaFH8N34cjEagxwQSxUZXRppp7MN_585uKTCrKVO3vs/s1600/PIEPOP.JPG">
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpl9sZcLaR8Tnjqd_tS-LS-cEPWW0lANuSrQTSFz-PAYB7d6N9EqAc1oYtQNHy6RwIcgciSN61RSkxk_ZbBGiRNijwF87TqBo7pGB-lRDAhzHXlY5Crgfw5YXL0nPBixTVRQfdKNx_Ek/s1600/Pie+Pops+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpl9sZcLaR8Tnjqd_tS-LS-cEPWW0lANuSrQTSFz-PAYB7d6N9EqAc1oYtQNHy6RwIcgciSN61RSkxk_ZbBGiRNijwF87TqBo7pGB-lRDAhzHXlY5Crgfw5YXL0nPBixTVRQfdKNx_Ek/s400/Pie+Pops+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462823925408688402" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pnom_DUHqVkfWrMhUdzGwMZXHRZRQ5wqk9YgZaJzEZaBaVVD-uwSuoS2EluFXwpcf9n7X_EAadXEDQnKkzgYupqy_J0Ga5RRGbikmfiaphrTU32F3fXOKcmJziymCLZoh4_xExoVpTE/s1600/Pie+Pops+002.jpg">
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<br />Chronicle Books was looking for another excuse to throw a party, so we had a First Floor Picnic this week. An indoor picnic complete with red checked tablecloths, sunglasses, icy beer and a pie contest.
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<br />I was looking for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">an excuse t</span>o make Bakerella's <a href="http://www.bakerella.%3cspan%20class=/" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PiePops</a>, and th<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">is was </span>it.
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<br />PiePops are just what you think they are - mini pies on a stick. In the great Team Pie vs. Team Cake debate I'm solidly on Team Cake, but dang if these aren't the cutest things. And they really are easy - if you take a few short cuts....
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi1AfMR90-J0Qh7F9n0H9oPkrNmFlify7gT1CTaanOxZtFpSlSmpnj7xAVK6OpZt5v1b1OT1DksNPVm0pcbceT7jdc7iln0Em-ju93PgdYN6zUESHDZ7fqrq7pOUFyfRwnEgMwcpY4pM/s1600/Pie+Pops+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi1AfMR90-J0Qh7F9n0H9oPkrNmFlify7gT1CTaanOxZtFpSlSmpnj7xAVK6OpZt5v1b1OT1DksNPVm0pcbceT7jdc7iln0Em-ju93PgdYN6zUESHDZ7fqrq7pOUFyfRwnEgMwcpY4pM/s400/Pie+Pops+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462820174156234754" border="0" /></a>...such a store bought pie crust.
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I usually make my own and am all smug about it, but I needed a time-saver and these frozen crusts worked like a dream.
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<br />I also had some leftover <a href="http://en%3cspan%20class=/" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">charos</span>et </a>in the fridge. Charoset is Passover dish made of apples, nuts, wine sugar and cinnamon - which seemed to me to be a pretty good filling for a pie. But, the mixture was a<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"> little</span> dry and wanted to be "goopier" to be a proper filling, so I added a couple of good dollops of jarred caramel sauce. Parfait!
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<br />I cut out little ridged circles of dough with a bis<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">cuit c</span>utter and put them on a silpat-lined baking sheet.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg0J9AherTjnB-_n7pULgKX3xdNNKzcuSz65NFJiimvYAS7DlbEYMPYKIanqhfqqdsr231drBktqbY0RlxRKQN0d7iZnOuOZc9-JYi7Gj55pNOYNUeRQ5MqIe2yjlTf0DNgRdEUme5NU/s1600/Pie+Pops+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg0J9AherTjnB-_n7pULgKX3xdNNKzcuSz65NFJiimvYAS7DlbEYMPYKIanqhfqqdsr231drBktqbY0RlxRKQN0d7iZnOuOZc9-JYi7Gj55pNOYNUeRQ5MqIe2yjlTf0DNgRdEUme5NU/s400/Pie+Pops+004.jpg" alt="" error="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462821963460123<span class=" /></a>
<br />Then pressed a 6" lollipop stick into each round
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqm7CvbxBRj06i-ZrooaCOofcFDvodLIA7P_iPLRgzFnZBFkR2ZlMKkopMaRxTp0XrEzBs6_Wh70ZpZ3yiQusnc4DZZ9mqNWcO66mzt7Ltuh8hxeJS8E4IP7LUSQu0DqK1hJrtMdobWY/s1600/Pie+Pops+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqm7CvbxBRj06i-ZrooaCOofcFDvodLIA7P_iPLRgzFnZBFkR2ZlMKkopMaRxTp0XrEzBs6_Wh70ZpZ3yiQusnc4DZZ9mqNWcO66mzt7Ltuh8hxeJS8E4IP7LUSQu0DqK1hJrtMdobWY/s400/Pie+Pops+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462822158955065314" border="0" /></a>
<br />Put a little dollop of f<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">il</span>ling in the middle of each pie, then top it with a 2nd piece of dough.
<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">
<br />Seal</span> the dough with the end of a lollipop stick. Bakerella uses the side of the stick and goes all the way around. Me, I took a shortcut and just poked 'em. Then brush with cream or egg wash or cream and sprinkle with sugar.
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<br />Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes and you've got....
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvq4NiB80OOR6f0G9uWJTtjSnb2QiLomvOvznnkWKILlb6dGSG-DGMBZdlryVURfkdaZ_mN24tAZEXl_F8PcYDihL6Tyg2irCBApXXwOohINlDMEgNRBk29XILpouoBNNzYTjAQ6rqpg/s1600/Pie+Pops+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvq4NiB80OOR6f0G9uWJTtjSnb2QiLomvOvznnkWKILlb6dGSG-DGMBZdlryVURfkdaZ_mN24tAZEXl_F8PcYDihL6Tyg2irCBApXXwOohINlDMEgNRBk29XILpouoBNNzYTjAQ6rqpg/s400/Pie+Pops+001.jpg%3Cspan%20class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" /></a>PiePops!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4UZYHvDbnIk2XmgHeWVVJKQ-9TheO0VUl8iq3QD8gHaek7REuM_oS5ToBEOs4ZC05gKDTivTIj8CbUNQtF9Z5tIXxJVEzXLkI0Y9GxeVV31Q_4DbUAhcWT5WZngtmSyJqwncXPcq7YU/s1600/Pie+Pops+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4UZYHvDbnIk2XmgHeWVVJKQ-9TheO0VUl8iq3QD8gHaek7REuM_oS5ToBEOs4ZC05gKDTivTIj8CbUNQtF9Z5tIXxJVEzXLkI0Y9GxeVV31Q_4DbUAhcWT5WZngtmSyJqwncXPcq7YU/s400/Pie+Pops+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462823479886797714" border="0" /></a>Ready for a bite - yum!
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">And guess who won that pie contest.... ME!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxzyecW8NYKofrt30gI0esqCAXuPBZM815_VcDucvjvTF54zQsnVu5iOSzGOQM0NhUH7937R9hCIS9sCMQwg-4fU8WCyFnrjXKaFH8N34cjEagxwQSxUZXRppp7MN_585uKTCrKVO3vs/s1600/PIEPOP.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxzyecW8NYKofrt30gI0esqCAXuPBZM815_VcDucvjvTF54zQsnVu5iOSzGOQM0NhUH7937R9hCIS9sCMQwg-4fU8WCyFnrjXKaFH8N34cjEagxwQSxUZXRppp7MN_585uKTCrKVO3vs/s400/PIEPOP.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465282530851244994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Gettin' the pie pops ready for the party. I popped them into a wrapping-paper-covered block of styrofoam
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<br />A couple of things I'd do differently:
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<br />1) Brush the pies with egg wash rather than cream for a more luxe look
<br />2) Chill the pie crust rounds once they've been cut
<br />3) Alternate baking pans so I'm always assembling the pops on a cool pan - doing it on a warm one made 'em a little soft and goopy
<br />4) Do a more thorough crimping around the pies to seal them
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<br /></div></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-25612961166856273132010-04-04T12:01:00.000-07:002010-04-04T12:26:22.618-07:00Special Delivery: Scones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnoAJYHl9CyCGeiHpHdL-TFGtnRlqZdw_jttby7LURepJCUqnBkZd4EZoMEm9ISt9Qwy71RZUygR0-F1IYAphoMWqGtmQhEbjA4uuOYw50Fz1hQz7Ld05RZg0_3OCQmo58fkUyFDJ4ZY/s1600/Easter+Scones+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnoAJYHl9CyCGeiHpHdL-TFGtnRlqZdw_jttby7LURepJCUqnBkZd4EZoMEm9ISt9Qwy71RZUygR0-F1IYAphoMWqGtmQhEbjA4uuOYw50Fz1hQz7Ld05RZg0_3OCQmo58fkUyFDJ4ZY/s400/Easter+Scones+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456363051803973218" border="0" /></a>
<br />A couple of months ago I donated a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook-Waste-Not-Recipes/dp/1573443638/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270407747&sr=1-2">The Frugal Foodie Cookbook</a> and a dozen scones to the school silent auction. I'd kind if forgotten about it until I got a call this week from the winner lookin' to collect. Of course I was happy to fulfill my commitment, but when she mentioned she was a former professional pastry chef I got a little nervous - these had better be some kick-ass scones!
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<br />Inspired by the t<span style="font-size:100%;">ree in my yard t</span>hat's bursting with fruit, I adapted my tried-and-true scone recipe to include lemons, cashews and a hint of spice
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<br /></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLara%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C02%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lemon Cashew Scones with a Bit of Ginger</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the scones:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3 cups flour</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1/3 cup sugar</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder</p> <p class="MsoNormal">½ teaspoon baking soda</p> <p class="MsoNormal">¾ teaspoon salt</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled and cut into ½ tablespoon pieces</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Zest of 2 lemons</p> <p class="MsoNormal">¾ cup roasted, unsalted cashews</p> <p class="MsoNormal">8 (or so) pieces crystallized ginger, chopped v. small</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the glaze:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">¼ cup sugar</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1 tablespoon buttermilk</p> <p class="MsoNormal">½ teaspoon ginger</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Preheat oven to 400</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix for 1 minute or so to combine. Add the butter and mix at low speed until well incorporated. Add the zest and cashews. Drop the ginger bit-by-bit over the flour mixture so that it doesn’t clump together. Mix briefly 1 minute or so to combine. Add the buttermilk and mix until the dough just holds together.
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board and knead gently a few times. Divide the dough in half. Pat each half into an 8” circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 15-17 minutes.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While the scones are baking, combine all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Remove the cookie sheet from the over and immediately brush the scones with the glaze. Remove them to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="" class="MsoNormal">Note: These scones freeze like a dream - just pop 'em in a 350 degree oven (I use the toaster oven) for 10 mins or so to bring them back to life.
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Przl6H8Yj66oLiZjwVNDg6x-lUitiP-oX9WN1Bx4w-qwKbWIxOANvew8bqnVqu9M0ylQ2oc7W1jTGVSNxV44XLlj0hJOXbnjx_646K1M3ltMRvlzmCmymo-zhMGNc0X5VZQG8gNWCxI/s1600/Easter+Scones+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Przl6H8Yj66oLiZjwVNDg6x-lUitiP-oX9WN1Bx4w-qwKbWIxOANvew8bqnVqu9M0ylQ2oc7W1jTGVSNxV44XLlj0hJOXbnjx_646K1M3ltMRvlzmCmymo-zhMGNc0X5VZQG8gNWCxI/s400/Easter+Scones+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456362659552494226" border="0" /></a></p>I was delivering the scones on a wet, rainy, dreary Easter morning - so I wanted to create an especially bright, cheery and spring-y presentation. I wrapped a shoe box in flowery wrapping paper, and topped it off with some woven ribbony stuff (see - hoarding craft supplies DOES come in handy) that I thought sort of suggested an Easter basket.
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<br />
<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-13041830317507338542010-03-31T21:29:00.000-07:002010-03-31T22:10:18.630-07:00Playing with Food and Sleeping with Fishes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7Qq_rxqGMyK3OFvHVyEeu3FazbIllr6BChqAjus2sWfn6d8ZBPa16uCd5SPkexUWm6ToQyAySsuZEsKKv953QpBZgTN9GirWhi9_krfiagud21wycnWBEnV4XSc2snH2grdEK1KUK_o/s1600/audrey-hepburn-chocolate-painting1-B.jpg"><br /></a>I stumbled upon a web site called <a href="http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eyecandy</span> </a>that blows me away!<br /><br />It's the brainchild of a Swiss fellow named Jojo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Krang</span> - just look at what he does:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7Qq_rxqGMyK3OFvHVyEeu3FazbIllr6BChqAjus2sWfn6d8ZBPa16uCd5SPkexUWm6ToQyAySsuZEsKKv953QpBZgTN9GirWhi9_krfiagud21wycnWBEnV4XSc2snH2grdEK1KUK_o/s1600/audrey-hepburn-chocolate-painting1-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7Qq_rxqGMyK3OFvHVyEeu3FazbIllr6BChqAjus2sWfn6d8ZBPa16uCd5SPkexUWm6ToQyAySsuZEsKKv953QpBZgTN9GirWhi9_krfiagud21wycnWBEnV4XSc2snH2grdEK1KUK_o/s400/audrey-hepburn-chocolate-painting1-B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455029259346822658" border="0" /></a><br />He makes a portrait of <a href="http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=313">Audrey Hepburn</a> in chocolate! His how-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tos</span> have me halfway convinced that I could do it too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7T9B7p0t0EyI0CvCEaFs2FStmDQXCo4TXkNrHth02BPi0gDEnMIV1YaLsijoUhn3qWBaz3FSV7mdNI7pqtNmGU41BBsyQJVBD9ga-eFgoKP5cO2gwODEVL41lkUszu4nu8QSh82d0i4/s1600/2-origami-bunny-1-muffin-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7T9B7p0t0EyI0CvCEaFs2FStmDQXCo4TXkNrHth02BPi0gDEnMIV1YaLsijoUhn3qWBaz3FSV7mdNI7pqtNmGU41BBsyQJVBD9ga-eFgoKP5cO2gwODEVL41lkUszu4nu8QSh82d0i4/s400/2-origami-bunny-1-muffin-B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455028672988289362" border="0" /></a><br />He makes square <a href="http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=491">cream cheese muffins</a> wrapped in parchment bunny ears. You know you want to make this for Easter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FhcfiE3WyKsmn9CdIoDX1jvscKW2LNsNN4KNJ2VX93ELXSvd5aRTXjRXWJjcNUO4sWHYyGMbqHrg175XkrA37xTczUEulVMn_DSdZpY_2aTuP84z_dbELVLXK1rsdtRo4tACApoUgxA/s1600/purple-potato-rose-chip2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FhcfiE3WyKsmn9CdIoDX1jvscKW2LNsNN4KNJ2VX93ELXSvd5aRTXjRXWJjcNUO4sWHYyGMbqHrg175XkrA37xTczUEulVMn_DSdZpY_2aTuP84z_dbELVLXK1rsdtRo4tACApoUgxA/s400/purple-potato-rose-chip2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455028587546758178" border="0" /></a>He forms <a href="http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=219">purple potatoes into roses</a> and deep fries them. I think I've found my 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span> husband.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rfiEFXadU28bVZ-eSU2UyJLNDnH_YH1OeTFful1M2NhWxj3_ELLRij2KBOFUmzytRSsnaa8ZxZUeS8BDDpoo-L3swTz174uSZLVSEakuVzxNMQ3RZwt5pkboSrlnLjTKvMcspzJzamE/s1600/hot-chocolate-spoon-mafia-B1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rfiEFXadU28bVZ-eSU2UyJLNDnH_YH1OeTFful1M2NhWxj3_ELLRij2KBOFUmzytRSsnaa8ZxZUeS8BDDpoo-L3swTz174uSZLVSEakuVzxNMQ3RZwt5pkboSrlnLjTKvMcspzJzamE/s400/hot-chocolate-spoon-mafia-B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455028776922377874" border="0" /></a>And last but not least - he makes <a href="http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=363">chocolate gangsters</a> complete with chocolate cement shoes. Drop 'em in hot milk for a cup of hot chocolate you can't refuse.<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4bb42aa832914f30"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Lara/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Lara/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-7653156293717356102010-02-28T14:05:00.000-08:002010-03-01T03:55:21.610-08:00The Color PurpleThe Whoopie Pie trend is just taking off - and already I'm declaring a new one: Specialty-Shaped Whoopies in Colors Not Appearing in Nature.
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<br />My dear friend Sandy was having a birthday get-together this weekend, and I STILL had some buttermilk in the fridge so you know what that means: Whoopie Pies!
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<br />I was so happy with the cheery pink of my <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2010/02/whoopie-its-valentines-day.html">Valentine's Day Whoopie Hearts</a>, that I thought I'd tint this batch Sandy's favorite color: purple.
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<br />My goal was a rich, amethyst shade like the gorgeous boxes used by <a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/">Voges Haute Chocolat
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj5XWlzwRw20aA8hVvshjicCYSqcSJKXV_MmbiDjMry4foYtkFjvMKW969zvrvfXp_Ji6KKE8QLoTPRJUasQzZ9k3hKEktI-wi07zg_P_dXygvYwPXdGd5GxDfizhfT7zYzMlGhACLpY/s1600-h/petithatbox_Th.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj5XWlzwRw20aA8hVvshjicCYSqcSJKXV_MmbiDjMry4foYtkFjvMKW969zvrvfXp_Ji6KKE8QLoTPRJUasQzZ9k3hKEktI-wi07zg_P_dXygvYwPXdGd5GxDfizhfT7zYzMlGhACLpY/s400/petithatbox_Th.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443420250943774514" border="0" /></a>I don't think I was entirely successful. Maybe I needed more food coloring, or maybe baked goods just aren't supposed to be purple.
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<br />First I piped out round cookies:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35JCXcRi2hMIsoSUwaVJvjM7eBLsmsCYMYBQELEF4s4tMYkeLUa0BCSshUbgJeORzOf0SfdONtmj2SaO8hio2CcslaiM0Dj3rgeKemA4NkAfzMAo5Xu44cn8Mf3nfmN6g2J4b00ibF4Y/s1600-h/Sandy+Whoopie+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35JCXcRi2hMIsoSUwaVJvjM7eBLsmsCYMYBQELEF4s4tMYkeLUa0BCSshUbgJeORzOf0SfdONtmj2SaO8hio2CcslaiM0Dj3rgeKemA4NkAfzMAo5Xu44cn8Mf3nfmN6g2J4b00ibF4Y/s400/Sandy+Whoopie+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424650621118082" border="0" /></a>
<br />Then I got fancy and made S-shapes:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjSZ9OyBCgavjPtKE178HQKsLQ1TE43Z_2Z1vJkWf_DyVoNTP7-qKIoa1EQeSx6Qzi5eiq2wEbKQs-OXiq0Pz-ekvdhpaW2NJnm0t4zZ9r7osk2cTqCKcoTNpv5x_7cvyqDf2H_8WZ9U/s1600-h/Sandy+Whoopie+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjSZ9OyBCgavjPtKE178HQKsLQ1TE43Z_2Z1vJkWf_DyVoNTP7-qKIoa1EQeSx6Qzi5eiq2wEbKQs-OXiq0Pz-ekvdhpaW2NJnm0t4zZ9r7osk2cTqCKcoTNpv5x_7cvyqDf2H_8WZ9U/s400/Sandy+Whoopie+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424835577685666" border="0" /></a>Then I really went for broke and spelled out "Happy Birthday Sandy"
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9idW9A-S7kaaugA6uLhDAM44ZQYHiCVVvFmZaGZlKQxiDgiKmMV5YYv8DKmLt_vDhI6DlIzm1p1AsR8xTt0kvqFookvh5guPeDdfWIZ-eWZ213EH3Y4CgxtGMdAvVJ-DkKExh3ey1eUQ/s1600-h/Sandy+Whoopie+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9idW9A-S7kaaugA6uLhDAM44ZQYHiCVVvFmZaGZlKQxiDgiKmMV5YYv8DKmLt_vDhI6DlIzm1p1AsR8xTt0kvqFookvh5guPeDdfWIZ-eWZ213EH3Y4CgxtGMdAvVJ-DkKExh3ey1eUQ/s400/Sandy+Whoopie+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443425053644933330" border="0" /></a>Cute, no? For the final presentation I put the "S" pies around the greeting as a border - very festive!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinTWtrfSB4L8ub_u4rF-NA36Oyaxnq_RxeoeUADqXKIL4dhaiFUH2jEaPi1u5udQGV1r0GNNl4XKRYE3VP3giLcS4kXyHvAq-M2uO0o3xuOYxntho5qGqCE6id8x2uj7FEm-KKennyY/s1600-h/Sandy+Whoopie+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinTWtrfSB4L8ub_u4rF-NA36Oyaxnq_RxeoeUADqXKIL4dhaiFUH2jEaPi1u5udQGV1r0GNNl4XKRYE3VP3giLcS4kXyHvAq-M2uO0o3xuOYxntho5qGqCE6id8x2uj7FEm-KKennyY/s400/Sandy+Whoopie+004.jpg" alt="" error="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443<span class=" /></a>
<br />I thought I was late to the Whoopie Pie party - but none of the other guests had ever had or heard of them, so I was happy to give them a sweet education.
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<br />Notes:
<br /><ul><li>When you pipe out a letter or shape - pipe its mirror image right next to it on the pan</li><li>If you wanted to make a more precise shape - print out a template on paper and slip it under parchment paper and use it as a guide. Martha Stewart wasn't going to be at the party judging my efforts, so I just free-styled it.</li><li>I used the Light Whipped Ganache from Rose Levy Berenbaum's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cake-Bible-Rose-Levy-Beranbaum/dp/0688044026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267396861&sr=1-1">The Cake Bible</a> as filling. It's tasty and easy, but I think I like Nick Malgieri's version from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Cakes-Nick-Malgieri/dp/0060198796/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267396889&sr=1-3-spell">Perfect Cakes</a> that calls for butter and corn syrup in addition to the cream and chocolate a little better. Rose's is a little dryer and the cookies don't stick as well.
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<br />Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-31379932213301047662010-02-14T16:43:00.000-08:002010-02-14T17:07:58.145-08:00Whoopie! It's Valentine's DayAnd the hearts just keep on coming!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vbTb6rzQSaFiXgw2dJ45nWT3qdsZAkfcXqCPUrUx6y96qek156eJu0pFyj9H9yZjchRnjOwzh0QR2FKnYwV-Wra3blG-JQIHsS45Z9Au72f1RwZkhO3cncgWkBXGTg17vDqxs_mc2bI/s1600-h/Whoopie+Hearts+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vbTb6rzQSaFiXgw2dJ45nWT3qdsZAkfcXqCPUrUx6y96qek156eJu0pFyj9H9yZjchRnjOwzh0QR2FKnYwV-Wra3blG-JQIHsS45Z9Au72f1RwZkhO3cncgWkBXGTg17vDqxs_mc2bI/s400/Whoopie+Hearts+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438267185087686482" border="0" /></a><br />I had some leftover heavy cream from some insanely good mushroom pasta I made last night, and leftover buttermilk from something else so I did what any reasonable person would do - I made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Whoopie</span> Pies!<br /><br />And not just any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Whoopie</span> Pies, I made GIANT pink heart-shaped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">whoopies</span> - cuteness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ42vlbyH3Wzc89x8E_HO35MRk2DiqAH8yjr_RZoElR8zNRHfn1LDDrhjw5Em7veFoHA03M9uOdSQOfHDpeZS3nljzX4_PSgojYtYkjhVSGYkYrCi2NLRQ-uf2cUTLEhmry-n6Zv9iVI/s1600-h/Whoopie+Hearts+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ42vlbyH3Wzc89x8E_HO35MRk2DiqAH8yjr_RZoElR8zNRHfn1LDDrhjw5Em7veFoHA03M9uOdSQOfHDpeZS3nljzX4_PSgojYtYkjhVSGYkYrCi2NLRQ-uf2cUTLEhmry-n6Zv9iVI/s400/Whoopie+Hearts+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438267100028507266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To get the cookies the right shape, I made a paper template and traced the shape onto my <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/product/sur+la+table+silpat+baking+mats.do?keyword=silpat&sortby=ourPicks"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Silpat</span> </a>with an <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E31926B-475A-BAC0-5E213F624C3CDCEB&killnav=1">edible marker</a>, then I piped the cookie-cake batter onto the pan.<br /><br />The filling is Nick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malgieri's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ganache</span> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Cakes-Nick-Malgieri/dp/0060198796/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266195075&sr=1-1">Perfect Cakes</a>, which I just got from the library. I'm a big fan of his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Bake-Complete-Perfect-Cookies/dp/0060168196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266195134&sr=1-1">How to Bake</a>.<br /><br />The chocolate piped on the top is these awesome <a href="http://shop.ghirardelli.com/product-exec/product_id/338/nm/60_Cacao_Bittersweet_Chocolate_Baking_Chips"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ghirardelli</span> chips</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOtLjnxMhr8rMYg51nGCqi0EsMqfzi1gJnuXMk-YoGqrNqMSQ0l6b02seUt13u6_fhwZLbhP_ZYosZ65kFWo0XNHOx5yCV5GUbE8FPi_0qG5gmRnEFLQMPbesLsfu8IfM6tACANVXKgk/s1600-h/60_Cacao_Chip_Bag_300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOtLjnxMhr8rMYg51nGCqi0EsMqfzi1gJnuXMk-YoGqrNqMSQ0l6b02seUt13u6_fhwZLbhP_ZYosZ65kFWo0XNHOx5yCV5GUbE8FPi_0qG5gmRnEFLQMPbesLsfu8IfM6tACANVXKgk/s400/60_Cacao_Chip_Bag_300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438268539716686898" border="0" /></a><br />They melt smooth and thin so you don't have to add shortening, oil, or <a href="http://www.countrykitchensa.com/ckideas/ckIdea.aspx?Occ1Id=&ideaId=172&idea=429&occasion=General+Candy+Instructions">Paramount Crystals</a> to make the chocolate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">drizzleable</span>.<br /><br />I hope your Valentine's Day is sweet!<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-32131300067600832982010-02-14T10:55:00.001-08:002010-02-14T12:59:55.282-08:00Hearty Hot CakesThe Starr Fellas got a special Valentine's Day treat this morning - pancakes stamped with love :)
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<br />First mix up your pancake batter. I sifted the mix to get out any lumps. Remove about 3/4 of a cup and thin it out with water. Add some food coloring to make a pretty pink. Pour it into a squeeze bottle (I snipped a bit more off the tip of the bottle to make it a little easier)
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<br />Draw a heart with the tinted batter in the hot pan.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVrPVMCnyejUX-ugqnF2RQBmJaB7JL_zLS0-vVpxrczTty5fr5oY-bualJ-Smrac7YzR2-WclRb5RC8LFIPFJ6lYxwe-nxd2CbX24xW-mstyZS3pQNe8LCE-hMgV9KUoWqv432p6DebY/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVrPVMCnyejUX-ugqnF2RQBmJaB7JL_zLS0-vVpxrczTty5fr5oY-bualJ-Smrac7YzR2-WclRb5RC8LFIPFJ6lYxwe-nxd2CbX24xW-mstyZS3pQNe8LCE-hMgV9KUoWqv432p6DebY/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438170691668515890" border="0" /></a>
<br />Once the hearts begin to bubble, drop plain batter over to make the pancake
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bkbv5LBrXO3-JyseZhEPVIdHhUaGwNWGaemojh72EKGde7WZ8exw4KF4Ms3OpjU3GW12EFg9D8Xn24jRLkXgAtJygXlzxnrmxHYvjabb5P7MTJ4vBuU8xz2MEIRJdr-jL-_bZHsGF1k/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bkbv5LBrXO3-JyseZhEPVIdHhUaGwNWGaemojh72EKGde7WZ8exw4KF4Ms3OpjU3GW12EFg9D8Xn24jRLkXgAtJygXlzxnrmxHYvjabb5P7MTJ4vBuU8xz2MEIRJdr-jL-_bZHsGF1k/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438170944412009506" border="0" /></a>
<br />When the plain batter starts to bubble, flip 'em over and....
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dh2OWW5is9sF-jH6cXhbl_Kl4z2d1YDH6Bduar9l448lmwAV3v8vNnmpW-hZb7XwWhSPib40icfY4zFrzVqTlvDse0_IM53Mo_nIQR2KNs6HeefS-qWUS451HbYMAIrpn6nKuPn5qA0/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dh2OWW5is9sF-jH6cXhbl_Kl4z2d1YDH6Bduar9l448lmwAV3v8vNnmpW-hZb7XwWhSPib40icfY4zFrzVqTlvDse0_IM53Mo_nIQR2KNs6HeefS-qWUS451HbYMAIrpn6nKuPn5qA0/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+003.jpg" alt="" error="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_543817128287044<span class=" /></a>
<br />Viola! A sweet valentine breakfast treat!
<br />
<br />I started to get a little fancy...
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrS6FW5RGI_U0t8R2rl_nmB88lzyo2SI2gIXr2t09Dbf0V_U5TuIt98sqXpZL-vtlQ1cl9iMgRL8dLRkNSdFShU7xZWW0Hku-46tGDKmlT-Cq7dqGqAnIMeYY3gzF-O6eET5MiXjdtf0/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrS6FW5RGI_U0t8R2rl_nmB88lzyo2SI2gIXr2t09Dbf0V_U5TuIt98sqXpZL-vtlQ1cl9iMgRL8dLRkNSdFShU7xZWW0Hku-46tGDKmlT-Cq7dqGqAnIMeYY3gzF-O6eET5MiXjdtf0/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438171605276705618" border="0" /></a>
<br />And I liked the border technique
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx64XK0FcJy7YC2XmWrthG8ksjrW5yloUtfsB2inUP33mDd0Z5rHQfZjBSp73Y2lKBpeZKroCFrz7GwPp3r0X_TeKaDM21bI1-t3wASdi3P1tH8jeMtDKwXgCEOJaEC9vZXwkG21sIj_Q/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx64XK0FcJy7YC2XmWrthG8ksjrW5yloUtfsB2inUP33mDd0Z5rHQfZjBSp73Y2lKBpeZKroCFrz7GwPp3r0X_TeKaDM21bI1-t3wASdi3P1tH8jeMtDKwXgCEOJaEC9vZXwkG21sIj_Q/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438171812458666242" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW6VPR3Rmt18JcOYIrJn86aH0t9invAQvTzW3mdf9aNffaacTLvW-4jzvUhAUv4a3wkUJ6cCJb2NR0R_gx3P_PgMESuIzmMC2Lno47vXWRsuruXXMq7-sGmSCLyfCpDhtZufdQ28Ufmc/s1600-h/Hot+Heartcakes+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW6VPR3Rmt18JcOYIrJn86aH0t9invAQvTzW3mdf9aNffaacTLvW-4jzvUhAUv4a3wkUJ6cCJb2NR0R_gx3P_PgMESuIzmMC2Lno47vXWRsuruXXMq7-sGmSCLyfCpDhtZufdQ28Ufmc/s400/Hot+Heartcakes+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438171962068884130" border="0" /></a>
<br />Once I get REALLY good, I'll submit a photo to <a href="http://thepancakeproject.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=14">The Pancake Project</a>, check out these amazing creations:
<br />
<br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Lara/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-7.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Lara/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-8.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgkuMB2hXZHBcWVabHu9MhCtflC1151EHuhjrE3Vgz0Z2YWZrumMEGFP8MfuXZZk6_Kp3tYuUKUb5b_gNb26RnhMo1NQm_6EPkb2Vcsx9I0R0QT98M-n473RIsc3Aez49oLlLHhXsiLY/s1600-h/FlapJackBauer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgkuMB2hXZHBcWVabHu9MhCtflC1151EHuhjrE3Vgz0Z2YWZrumMEGFP8MfuXZZk6_Kp3tYuUKUb5b_gNb26RnhMo1NQm_6EPkb2Vcsx9I0R0QT98M-n473RIsc3Aez49oLlLHhXsiLY/s400/FlapJackBauer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438173214290852178" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Flap Jack Bauer
<br /></div>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE86L5zymO-9n6e5IBfSSHqvQI_Xzv4FRU-p4scqQvG_9JN-5UIa6Jgntxnyu_7zdr2yxn-FL6RAo0Eae4gFx20ZfnZoOM4hcLQ7fNPeWmzt_RzQMtuPKx3IJbkKVX07W2akRluvVCDiU/s1600-h/tortoiseed.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE86L5zymO-9n6e5IBfSSHqvQI_Xzv4FRU-p4scqQvG_9JN-5UIa6Jgntxnyu_7zdr2yxn-FL6RAo0Eae4gFx20ZfnZoOM4hcLQ7fNPeWmzt_RzQMtuPKx3IJbkKVX07W2akRluvVCDiU/s400/tortoiseed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438173314666946818" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-74556999714131337982010-01-31T19:38:00.000-08:002010-02-14T17:08:25.059-08:00Big Whoop!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpfMrzYnZ2SJ0vWKshOSPs4HGx2GlvKAbxGzfjs92fKqfQ4VRX9wvWh2Ktlty8e6JHXWXZDUd753me-0ymemfDLgSgp0E5Ro75d_EHf2SgKhdv0RWfGqSGjIbjSWpOZWAxuA1u6jqN-c/s1600-h/Big+Whoop+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpfMrzYnZ2SJ0vWKshOSPs4HGx2GlvKAbxGzfjs92fKqfQ4VRX9wvWh2Ktlty8e6JHXWXZDUd753me-0ymemfDLgSgp0E5Ro75d_EHf2SgKhdv0RWfGqSGjIbjSWpOZWAxuA1u6jqN-c/s400/Big+Whoop+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433122074028814130" border="0" /></a><br />This may shock anyone from the Northeast - but I'd never even heard of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Whoopie</span> Pie until I was almost 30. I had one at a company potluck and immediately asked my colleague for the recipe, which she kindly have me - and which I filed away and never made.<br /><br />Now, my colleagues at Chronicle Books are coming out with a fabulous new cookbook dedicated to these wonderful little treats. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/steveandkate@steveandkatescamp.com%20%3Csteveandkate@steveandkatescamp.com%3E"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Whoopie</span> Pies</a> has dozens of recipes for cookie-cakes and fillings that you can mix and match in any way you like - there's even savory pies for your next cocktail party!<br /><br />There's been so much talk about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Whoopie</span> Pies over the last few months that I knew I'd be making some sooner or later - and today was the sooner.<br /><br />I had some leftover <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2009/04/love-loss-and-what-i-baked-dapper-dan.html">coffee <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">buttercream</span></a> from the cupcakes I'd made for the <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/blog/?p=4264">Help for Haiti <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bakesale</span></a>, and just enough of everything else to make a batch of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cakey</span>-cookies and some vanilla frosting to fill some of 'em for the boy (the child doesn't like coffee buttercream- further evidence he was switched a birth)<br /><br />Max and his pal Marco helped me spoon out the batter<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso7zAlj_8kEkslFddylhRWt6MlwheOodghQ0JQZjXF5B6cB8g4XsGoqk_aTjU2pX8kvPNXOuyl83eLQo_bUMnYGu_ilHGPbPbjhZEiIO8unN0MJZTjDVvgmWFimkzRtY4_0lQUetKBq0/s1600-h/Big+Whoop+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso7zAlj_8kEkslFddylhRWt6MlwheOodghQ0JQZjXF5B6cB8g4XsGoqk_aTjU2pX8kvPNXOuyl83eLQo_bUMnYGu_ilHGPbPbjhZEiIO8unN0MJZTjDVvgmWFimkzRtY4_0lQUetKBq0/s400/Big+Whoop+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433117102653837746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymurDveaKDcvsGblEZUlsp0d6qVxWJ42QZvXCVPTgwAYmg9GrErdSzV2X6MVFwKYeGx4le5tImdXa9bZAcZbhfQCixoaLRXUn6Isw-SANEltbclKes0mPp3jgtWYwz-nMW-JllcBr2Z4/s1600-h/Big+Whoop+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymurDveaKDcvsGblEZUlsp0d6qVxWJ42QZvXCVPTgwAYmg9GrErdSzV2X6MVFwKYeGx4le5tImdXa9bZAcZbhfQCixoaLRXUn6Isw-SANEltbclKes0mPp3jgtWYwz-nMW-JllcBr2Z4/s400/Big+Whoop+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433117221157199954" border="0" /></a>They baked up like little dreams - I filled some with the coffee <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">buttercream</span>, some with the vanilla <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">meringue</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">buttercream</span>, and rolled some of the coffee ones in a mix of almonds and toffee bits.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoI8jUpdWeTbhHKkFLeQCVdcwR59cDG4nqBqZEyNrOT2L7Kr-pYOTk3S4T4Z9MKGt8gmHp2JFPjH71qf9HDsM119vQ2z0I5cSJuxFA3AI9I1FPp5I0upeVCj75PEA6CuHD6skSqmJY3o/s1600-h/Big+Whoop+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoI8jUpdWeTbhHKkFLeQCVdcwR59cDG4nqBqZEyNrOT2L7Kr-pYOTk3S4T4Z9MKGt8gmHp2JFPjH71qf9HDsM119vQ2z0I5cSJuxFA3AI9I1FPp5I0upeVCj75PEA6CuHD6skSqmJY3o/s400/Big+Whoop+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433117646618483826" border="0" /></a>They taste - awesome! The cookie-cakes are not too sweet, and have a wonderful texture. And unlike their trendy cousin the cupcake, you get a perfect cake to frosting ratio in every easy-to-eat bite.<br /><br />I did learn a few things:<br /><ul><li>The recipe calls for sifting the dry ingredients. I skipped that step, but shouldn't have - there were a few little clumps of flour in the cookies.</li><li>You can spoon out the batter onto the pan, or use a pastry bag. When I make these again I'll either use a pastry bag or flatten the batter a big so the baked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">cakey</span>-cookies are a little shorter and easier to eat without stretching your mouth.</li><li>I'm usually not a huge fan of powdered sugar-based <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">frostings</span>, so I made a 1/2 batch of Italian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Meringue</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Buttercream</span> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Field-Guide-Cupcakes-Deliciously/dp/1558323236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243618783&sr=1-1">A Field Guide to Cupcakes</a>, which was tasty - but too soft, it squishes out the side when you bit in a little more than I'd like. Rose Levy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Berenbaum's</span> version in The Cake Bible is a firmer (if I remember right, I haven't made it for a while) and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ganches</span>, and egg yolk-or cream-cheese based <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">frostings</span> would work much better.</li></ul>Here's Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell's recipe for Mocha Whoopie Pies from their upcoming book: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Whoopie%20Pies%20Dozens%20of%20Mix%20%27em,%20Match%20%27em,%20Eat%20%27em%20Up%20Recipes%21"><strong>Whoopie Pies</strong><span class="booktitle"></span> <span class="booksubtitle"> Dozens of Mix 'em, Match 'em, Eat 'em Up Recipes!</span></a><br /><br />3 tablespoons instant espresso powder (or instant coffee)<br />2 tablespoons water<br />2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />4 tablespoons vegetable shortening<br />1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar<br />1 large egg<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1 cup milk<br /><br /><br />Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.<br /><br />In a small bowl or cup, mix together the instant espresso powder and water and set aside.<br /><br />Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper.<br /><br />In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, shortening, and brown sugar on low speed until just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.<br /><br />Add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the espresso-water mixture and the remaining flour mixture and milk and beat until completely combined.<br /><br />Using a spoon, drop about 1 tablespoon of batter onto one of the prepared baking sheets and repeat, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the cakes spring back when touched. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely. Fill with buttercream filing (below).<br /><br />Makes about 48 two-inch cakes.<br /><br />Classic Buttercream Filling<br /><br />3 cups confectioners’ sugar<br />1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />3 to 4 tablespoons heavy (whipping) cream<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />Pinch of salt<br /><br />In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitting with the paddle attachment, beat together the confectioners’ sugar with the butter, starting on low and increasing to medium speed, until the mixture is crumbly, about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt and beat on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b66537607d8624e"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-66663342609978950752009-12-20T17:16:00.000-08:002009-12-21T08:06:10.472-08:00Candy Cane Cakepops<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU95Rz8qBbx19HOBw84TemoA5cgJBgAOf4zRMBo9jyFMG7NntqEj1cETDZSGCIhgUv2_CmrwmGiCD5OfHo5rlxEKnZT3qwOeOHVmEsRi32CO7Gz69R5Hku929CyjxG3jgr-nfM5rFWTg/s1600-h/Candy+Cane+Pops+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU95Rz8qBbx19HOBw84TemoA5cgJBgAOf4zRMBo9jyFMG7NntqEj1cETDZSGCIhgUv2_CmrwmGiCD5OfHo5rlxEKnZT3qwOeOHVmEsRi32CO7Gz69R5Hku929CyjxG3jgr-nfM5rFWTg/s400/Candy+Cane+Pops+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417494061284541730" border="0" /></a>
<br />I really wanted to make some of the cute character <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cakepops</span> from <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bakerella</span></a>'s site.
<br />- but time got the better of me, so I opted for a simple chocolate cake + chocolate frosting dipped in chocolate and covered in crushed candy canes. Still very pretty and super tasty.
<br />
<br />I mixed it up a bit this time, and used a Italian meringue-based frosting instead of one make with powdered sugar. I like this type of frosting much better (and I was out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">powdered</span> sugar and really, really didn't want to go to the store.)
<br />
<br />The results were very good from a taste and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">texture</span> perspective. The Italian frosting is more slick than sticky, so I don't think it would be as good if you were forming the balls into shapes, but for the regular rounds I was happy.
<br />
<br />I also used <a href="http://www.ghirardelli.com/products/chips_bittersweet.aspx"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ghiradelli</span> baking chips</a> instead of candy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">melts</span>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ghiradelli</span> chips are FABULOUS - they melt satiny-smooth and perfect for dipping without having to add <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paramount-Crystals/dp/B0008DI8OY"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Paramont</span> Crystals</a> or shortening, and taste so much better than Candy Melts.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJjJ0fJx5Ydyb3tckvZN_LjuQKVhN3Drzaq0QH5k9hrblHBVhNXkIC1WrOcCbbFBiPAqEu5FpcTchbHiHlJRdSlaSY1ZGo7d-xGM91RhmRZX3LrZC_W1u9AOGEOOYMtMA3I6SXu_bo0/s1600-h/chips_bittersweet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJjJ0fJx5Ydyb3tckvZN_LjuQKVhN3Drzaq0QH5k9hrblHBVhNXkIC1WrOcCbbFBiPAqEu5FpcTchbHiHlJRdSlaSY1ZGo7d-xGM91RhmRZX3LrZC_W1u9AOGEOOYMtMA3I6SXu_bo0/s400/chips_bittersweet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417494275948683634" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />I also had visions of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Cakepop</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Dreidels</span> and a few other ideas that will have to wait until next year. ...
<br />
<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>
<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div
<br />
<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-76435109368150343782009-11-21T16:40:00.000-08:002009-11-21T18:28:42.261-08:00We Come in Peace from Planet Cakepop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOPGeLFPRXEi7B5F1hMUJ63x9Nnn3Ae1QUeaGoVIM5fNRBtmWHQ5MSQ62DBtt9-yC6P6diL9EUyJwR7RYmqqpAL28Zd3KeqzjtpqlnrEjWZDbD0MCllRLWMMO8sv4PL7PHl4uu8GTPoM/s1600/Winterfaire+2009+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOPGeLFPRXEi7B5F1hMUJ63x9Nnn3Ae1QUeaGoVIM5fNRBtmWHQ5MSQ62DBtt9-yC6P6diL9EUyJwR7RYmqqpAL28Zd3KeqzjtpqlnrEjWZDbD0MCllRLWMMO8sv4PL7PHl4uu8GTPoM/s400/Winterfaire+2009+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406722991707748786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last week was the annual Winterfaire at the boy's school - and as per usual I committed to providing treats for the bake sale.<br /><br />This year's mascot was a cute little alien - and he's even cuter as a CakePop!<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Lara/Desktop/Alien%20Pops.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Lara/Desktop/Alien%20Pops.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcjA2dtppFJzk1l_kdmRRqA_y_A-mOB5uq8k52fnB7RrUOUWd8eQDfYbVA7kR6Po02l6rjlet_1B6WtnIDbXBrUz-TE5X_2v391FZoMtXZdGAiGlONZsFYJ8Q9oZKJIQGmLo6704yW94/s1600/Alien+Pops+II.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcjA2dtppFJzk1l_kdmRRqA_y_A-mOB5uq8k52fnB7RrUOUWd8eQDfYbVA7kR6Po02l6rjlet_1B6WtnIDbXBrUz-TE5X_2v391FZoMtXZdGAiGlONZsFYJ8Q9oZKJIQGmLo6704yW94/s400/Alien+Pops+II.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406748849105833906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5UxC0Mdey1tmhWK_pCcZBNabT8DzVEKBCUX62cIub8LoTyx8EtD6bBoag9wFfqHQviPfB5LTp0g_bTXMafqz6LTcNtjRMpxsd06Gr-VkEo1UrM0PjMGNsCl2L7kczcryTvBNkgJUp9s/s1600/Alien+Pops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5UxC0Mdey1tmhWK_pCcZBNabT8DzVEKBCUX62cIub8LoTyx8EtD6bBoag9wFfqHQviPfB5LTp0g_bTXMafqz6LTcNtjRMpxsd06Gr-VkEo1UrM0PjMGNsCl2L7kczcryTvBNkgJUp9s/s400/Alien+Pops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406748784380204562" border="0" /></a><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pub=xa-4b08a1bd28605d39"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-83926054004413418992009-11-01T21:06:00.001-08:002009-11-01T21:06:47.882-08:00Pumpkin PopsThe Mayor of Pumpkin Town approves of Pumpkin Pops<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsVXabPpETjlNwLU1ImQaZCVCpTGaYH69nRzjMidJluhF4StV9myfewKsiMxmigWfpRgnHNJSQZctQBqUDYF21byVkhaTPj156F75nzCpPmTU_s-ak7DbYVvus_vVSL3cxziy-1rz1rY/s1600-h/October+2009+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsVXabPpETjlNwLU1ImQaZCVCpTGaYH69nRzjMidJluhF4StV9myfewKsiMxmigWfpRgnHNJSQZctQBqUDYF21byVkhaTPj156F75nzCpPmTU_s-ak7DbYVvus_vVSL3cxziy-1rz1rY/s400/October+2009+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399366337210507170" border="0" /></a>And why shouldn't he? They are delicious AND adorable! I'd planned to make black cats and ghosts as well, but the week got the better of me. I did make a whole patch of pumpkins for the Boy's class party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqAE0rltXyB-TpRjmZxRwXWSeNhvHE1VdbhwyY9E56E9xpVmPshoLyKMaEN7fWYhxBrafAMKkcU9QJE81cayg_E5wz6F9EDZUy3xWbapeSnOkYXiGre91TJssm-EHTjItrw_ZmX2Faig/s1600-h/October+2009+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqAE0rltXyB-TpRjmZxRwXWSeNhvHE1VdbhwyY9E56E9xpVmPshoLyKMaEN7fWYhxBrafAMKkcU9QJE81cayg_E5wz6F9EDZUy3xWbapeSnOkYXiGre91TJssm-EHTjItrw_ZmX2Faig/s400/October+2009+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399367030209593986" border="0" /></a><br />Several moms asked me for the recipe - I may have created a few more CakePop converts!<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-46892210791874484582009-10-13T20:28:00.000-07:002009-10-13T20:45:14.967-07:00When Bad Things Happen to Good CakepopsThe 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> stage of the Carnival of Wonders that is the boy's 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> birthday was the Treats for Class. I'm usually good for some pretty decent class treats, but this year's had to be a show-stopper because it's the last one. Ever. Next year he'll be starting that Carnival of Horrors that is Middle School.<br /><br />So, of course, the answer is <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/category/pops-bites/cupcake-pops/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bakerella's</span> Cupcake Pops</a> - adorable, easy (if time-consuming) to make, easy to transport and serve and definitely a sure-fire way for the kid to win friends and influence people.<br /><br />Everything was going fine in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cakepopland</span>, and I left the room for a sec. When I came back, the boy was giggling uncontrollably and pointing at this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I6DxaYbjG2LK8mMl1oEtOuK3aUbgEghVlPtmGLhHp6exXwF2nCDx6zfeUZVrOPAsN3uE-fyCWMogcAEMfbB_03-QcDOX3NBUJN3528m2xNajk9Ic60U1YTpxZV2w3CFxsaF0fKJ1pms/s1600-h/October+2009+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I6DxaYbjG2LK8mMl1oEtOuK3aUbgEghVlPtmGLhHp6exXwF2nCDx6zfeUZVrOPAsN3uE-fyCWMogcAEMfbB_03-QcDOX3NBUJN3528m2xNajk9Ic60U1YTpxZV2w3CFxsaF0fKJ1pms/s400/October+2009+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294134274877330" border="0" /></a>Yep, the pop has slid down the stick, leaving the mini M&M perched at the top. I said, "Well, they must have been out of the fridge too long, let's pop 'em back in."<br /><br /><br />So we did, and 10 minutes later....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iXfddd27jQ3pfbecbeBj3CmcOu4u1d7iqX9DOUSLPmV3ja2J3rmYASTFMqKfnfO-UKTsmEOi_1J449RDPDo2L0Pf3InH9PKiVH5QS1VpAZYDnI-QMceAo1d3O15KcB637u3PIo7r_4A/s1600-h/October+2009+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iXfddd27jQ3pfbecbeBj3CmcOu4u1d7iqX9DOUSLPmV3ja2J3rmYASTFMqKfnfO-UKTsmEOi_1J449RDPDo2L0Pf3InH9PKiVH5QS1VpAZYDnI-QMceAo1d3O15KcB637u3PIo7r_4A/s400/October+2009+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294621839671154" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, TWO had slid down and leaving their M&M toppers balancing like <a href="http://www.manonwire.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pillippe</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Petit</span></a> atop yon dizzy heights. I thought Max was going to bust a gut!<br /><br />Luckily, I've rescued far worse mishaps than thus (do I have to remind you about the <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2009/08/love-loss-and-what-i-baked-tempest-in.html">Tempest in a Teacup</a>?) and was able to save them with a little bit of Candy Melt and a little bit of love.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-2034389009346760522009-10-10T23:01:00.001-07:002009-10-11T00:24:44.820-07:00Le Petite Gateau<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8SlZTpCQapXV2loDDIQO7B-v1XLo3aNnd5q7Hm6rl7gjQbqZQxy0Ruc3YCOUPJFZxA9kfyLVsbzCoy9cQCeUCripNTu6_9wvhcW_La_58NccNcmB7k825snsXNjUdv_aEpVMn8e8Id4/s1600-h/October+2009+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8SlZTpCQapXV2loDDIQO7B-v1XLo3aNnd5q7Hm6rl7gjQbqZQxy0Ruc3YCOUPJFZxA9kfyLVsbzCoy9cQCeUCripNTu6_9wvhcW_La_58NccNcmB7k825snsXNjUdv_aEpVMn8e8Id4/s400/October+2009+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391218667486085394" border="0" /></a>It was the boy's 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> birthday this week, and being what Max calls a "cake mom" I wanted to include a special treat in his lunch. My solution? A "cake" made of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oreos</span> covered in fondant and decorated with the candy melts that keep on giving (I've already used them for <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2009/06/c-is-for-cookie.html">Giant Cookie</a> and teacup <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-cakepops.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cakepops</span></a>) It's a great way to use up random scraps of fondant (which keep forever in the freezer)<br /><br />I have to admit this wasn't a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wholly</span> original idea - I'd seen it in an <a href="http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/ProductPage.jsf/itemId/164962/itemType/TOY/webTemplateId/3/uniqueId/144/saleGroupId/255">American Girl book </a>at the Scholastic Book fair a couple of years ago and had been wanting to dry it ever since.<br /><br />The best part? It fits right in Max's lunch container, and because it's fondant and candy melts, it holds up really well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGjWp5ix8mRxCWNtgmNMU6i9lwHsTGzjv8kjIl9WBNGxylTFRvdNwGWlBjijgG8cJfrPLicvgfOnS9ngiIHVJoyl0a3Xwfz3Ya-PF8aDuihrBWT6VE3szaPETmVLU6iinoM5KPtOiUi4/s1600-h/October+2009+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGjWp5ix8mRxCWNtgmNMU6i9lwHsTGzjv8kjIl9WBNGxylTFRvdNwGWlBjijgG8cJfrPLicvgfOnS9ngiIHVJoyl0a3Xwfz3Ya-PF8aDuihrBWT6VE3szaPETmVLU6iinoM5KPtOiUi4/s400/October+2009+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391220984569877202" border="0" /></a><br />And yes, the kid got a v. unhealthy lunch of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pizzadilla</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cheez</span>-its and a mini cake for his birthday - you only turn 10 once and you don't have to eat fresh fruits and veggies if you don't want to!<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pub=xa-4ad188160290a4fd"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-75383003381278705932009-09-25T07:19:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:34:06.214-07:00Stick It To 'EmWe had a bakesale to raise money for <a href="https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/donate.aspx?link=146&media=Google&source_code=DHQMQ0907W1GGL&keyword=habitat%20for%20humanity">Habitat for Humanity</a> at work yesterday, so I made a couple of batches of <a href="http://cakestarr.blogspot.com/2009/07/bacio-con-biscotti.html">biscotti </a>- its my go-to cookie for these kinds of things: easy & cheap (like me!) and keeps well for many days (maybe not so much like me...)<br /><br />Because it's been well established that I'm a big show-off AND, I wanted to offer a great presentation that would really bring in the bucks for a fabulous organization, I packaged the cookies in these cute little bags:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG1zT2COoATRYC4EfEKxCPuxfXz_yh7M1bDfAaEVzIf_BB7fWfdHD15w5SlkqeLXtX9Oiwfp1e3ATAo6CEl4NdznDwTeXUaUCj3WAD-01ltdM-w2FMgNtjoEyY0dz2YiwvLX6m4nvTtQ/s1600-h/Backet+of+Biscotti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG1zT2COoATRYC4EfEKxCPuxfXz_yh7M1bDfAaEVzIf_BB7fWfdHD15w5SlkqeLXtX9Oiwfp1e3ATAo6CEl4NdznDwTeXUaUCj3WAD-01ltdM-w2FMgNtjoEyY0dz2YiwvLX6m4nvTtQ/s400/Backet+of+Biscotti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385410573080906034" border="0" /></a><br />The bags are little cello bags I got at the <a href="http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/">Mrs. Grossman's </a>warehouse sale. I folded over the top a couple of times, and stapled in the center.<br /><br />Then I cut a piece of pattered scrapbook-type paper into a 3.5" x 3.5"-ish square and folded it in half. I put this little "tent" over the top of the folded bag, and gave it two staples on the side.<br /><br />The cute cut-out on the top is a <a href="http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/2-3_product-detail.cfm?pid=1392&cid=Slice-Of-Life">Mrs. Grossman's Slice of Life: Homemade Cardstock Sticker</a>. When I worked at Mrs. Grossman's, I learned that if you put a little baby powder on the back of a sticker - it takes away the stick and you can pop them off the edge - fun!<br /><br />This is a short video that show other ways you can use this powdering technique for stickers:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/adH-MZ1W4lg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/adH-MZ1W4lg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:addthis:title='data:post.title' expr:addthis:url='data:post.url' class='addthis_button'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4abcd49712444b18"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-4874473136622230102009-09-04T22:10:00.001-07:002009-11-25T22:05:01.801-08:00Pat's PB Pie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3iUZ_cld8cYRPPoZRLXSkhJW3kUCWUI9KfPJ93_4vpiyLp8ydIOw1ySFFwQ0tK2moZpV98plEXl_WBYv39-DbEQrackGZW7ZpCWVpe4-IQHQRcwHWl55aPgFoLPDQDIbcJIuJrTi3c/s1600-h/PB+Pie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3iUZ_cld8cYRPPoZRLXSkhJW3kUCWUI9KfPJ93_4vpiyLp8ydIOw1ySFFwQ0tK2moZpV98plEXl_WBYv39-DbEQrackGZW7ZpCWVpe4-IQHQRcwHWl55aPgFoLPDQDIbcJIuJrTi3c/s400/PB+Pie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377846534323911522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">My KGO Colleague Pat Thurston is an inspiration on many levels. She's a proud armed forces vet, intelligent and entertaining talk show host, a tireless and loving mother to triplets (that's right, triplets) she had in her 40s, and a talented and generous baker.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On the occasions I get to work with Pat I get to enjoy not only her lovely company - but a home made treat like lemon bars, brownies or this insane Peanut Butter Pie.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When Pat serves it, she says, "You HAVE to put whipped cream and chocolate sauce on it otherwise you can't have any.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now THAT's a rule I can live with!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Pat's PB Pie </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">(with a little adaptation by Lara)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For Crust</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">11 whole graham crackers (one of the three packs in the box)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">6 T butter, melted</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 T sugar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Preheat oven to 350</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Grind the crackers in a food processor until fine. Add the melted butter & sugar and pulse to combine and get all of the crumbs wet </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >(for my money the smell of melted butter and graham cracker is one of the best in the world)</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Dump the crumb mixture into a 9" pie pan, press it down and up the sides with a wooden spoon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Bake for 6-8 minutes to set the crust, then let it cool while you make the ganache.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For Ganache</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3 oz bittersweet chocolate (1/2 cup chocolate chips)*</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1/2 cup whipping cream</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Heat the cream in a small pan over medium-low heat until its just bubbling on the edges. Add the chocolate, stir a few time, then put the lid on the pot & let the mixture set for about 5-10 miniutes. Then stir until smooth. Spread the mixture over the graham cracker crust.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Cool the coated crust in the fridge while you make the filling.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For Filling:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">8 oz cream cheese, softened</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 cup sugar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 cup creamy peanut butter</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2 T melted butter</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 cup whipping cream</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 T vanilla</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Beat cream cheese until fluffy, slowly add sugar, peanut butter and melted butter and beat until blended and fluffy</span>.<br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><div class="post-body entry-content"><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h3 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:3; font-size:13.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.textexposedhide {mso-style-name:text_exposed_hide;} span.textexposedshow {mso-style-name:text_exposed_show;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />Whip the 1 cup cream in a separate bowl. Add vanilla. Fold the whipped cream into the PB mixture until it is blended in - no white streaks showing. Pour it into the pie shell and chill for about 3 hours. You can pop it in the freezer to speed up the chilling.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Whip the 1/2 cup cream you'll have left after making the ganache and the filling and use it to decorate the top of the pie - pipe it with a pastry bag if you're feelin' fancy, schmear it with a spatula if you're not.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">*In the spirit of full disclosure, when I made this particular pie I messed up and made the ganache with unsweetended chocolate (It was TJ's brand and I guess my brain associated that wrapping with their "Pound Plus" bars) I added some sugar and a little butter and it tasted fine. A little grainy, but had a good dark chocolate flavor that was a nice contrast to the sweet, fluffy filling.<br /><br />Also, the pie is super easy to make, but does mess up a lot of dishes (two big bowls, a pan, the food processor, etc) so promise to make it for your family if someone else promises to do the dishes - it worked for me :)<br /></span></span><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4aa1f31b007e1eda"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /></span></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-3968264644130388482009-08-22T23:43:00.000-07:002009-09-08T13:06:16.709-07:00Love, Loss and What I Baked: Tempest in a Teacup<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3NoBPVHtSts83js-GRIBFBuKdS3y4StYzX84q1aFMsmlTvdXSJ_RfBS4tXm8or0dl5P14D8UNYKB4b1xSiik_ejXMuyd_QxmJ0loCjum_93MPRIN2kqaAg4Hlc8XaRH9d_UuBuBd2Uc/s1600-h/Chocolate+tea+cup.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3NoBPVHtSts83js-GRIBFBuKdS3y4StYzX84q1aFMsmlTvdXSJ_RfBS4tXm8or0dl5P14D8UNYKB4b1xSiik_ejXMuyd_QxmJ0loCjum_93MPRIN2kqaAg4Hlc8XaRH9d_UuBuBd2Uc/s400/Chocolate+tea+cup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373046922403213666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">This was circa 1995 I think, and the blurry photo above was taken with a film camera in our sunny kitchen in San Francisco.</span><br /></span></div><br /><br />As soon as I saw the chef on the series Cooking Secrets of the CIA making Chocolate Tea Cups with Tuile Spoons I NEW I had to make them.<br /><br />What you do is melt chocolate, dip in a 3/4 blown balloon - water balloon size - and then let the chocolate harden. Once it does, you poke the balloon with a pin right near the knot and let the air slowly come out. Voila! You've got a chocolate cup. Pipe a "C"-shaped handle and attach it with melted chocolate.<br /><br />Sounds easy right? It is... until....<br /><br />Until you have a balloon with a weak spot or chocolate with a hot spot or a deadly combination of the two.<br /><br />As my husband describes it, "There she was in the kitchen, happy as a clam dipping her balloons. I leave the room for a sec and hear a loud, 'Oh !@#$%^&*!!!!!!'. I go back into the kitchen and it looks like a chocolate crime scene."<br /><br />Yes, one of my balloons POPPED a couple of inches above the bowl. It looked like a crazy person had splattered chocolate all over the place. I was cleaning chocolate for months and months. It was under the chairs, behind the shelves, on top of the fridge....<br /><br />But isn't the cup the cutest thing???? I filled it with coffee mouse and topped that with whipped cream and a Tuile Spoon to our friends Beth and Scott - who not only got a yummy dessert, but a funny story.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="r_title">Tuile Cookies</span><br /><span class="x-small">Recipe from: <a href="http://www.recipelink.com/cgi/dbase/msgbrd/getamazon.pl?asin=0609604368" target="_parent">Your Place or Mine</a></span><br /><span class="x-small">by JEAN-CHRIST NOVELLI</span><br /></div><br />Tuile means "tile" in French, and is a classic, old-fashioned cookie. The traditional shapes are usually a shaped oval (almost like a Pringle) or rolled into a "cigarette." It's fun to play around with different shapes.<br /> <br /> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="recipe_servings"> <b>Makes about 24 </b></p> <ul><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_ingredients"> 6 tablespoons unsalted butter </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_ingredients"> 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_ingredients"> 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_ingredients"> whites of 3 eggs </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_ingredients"> 1 cup all-purpose flour </p> </li></ul> <ol class="x-small" style="font-weight: bold;"><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px; font-weight: 400;">Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px; font-weight: 400;">In a bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla together. Gradually beat in the egg white, then fold in the flour until you have a smooth paste. Chill for about 2 hours. </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px; font-weight: 400;">Place small spoonfuls of the mixture about 4 inches apart on a nonstick baking sheet, then spread these out into rounds with a spatula. </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px; font-weight: 400;">Bake for about 4 minutes until the mixture is just beginning to color (keep checking). </p> </li><li> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px; font-weight: 400;">Remove from the oven and leave to cool very slightly until you can handle them. Shape the rounds by draping them over the length of a rolling pin or as described below. Leave until completely cool and set, then lift off gently. you can keep the tuiles in an airtight container for up to a week.</p> </li></ol> <p class="x-small" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 3px;" id="recipe_notes"> <b class="cbl" style="color: black;">Other Shapes:</b><br /><br /><b class="cbl" style="color: black;">Baskets</b><br />Depending on the size you want, drape your warm rounds of baked tuile over the top of a clean bottle or gently press them inside a tea or custard cup and leave until cool.<br /><br /><b class="cbl" style="color: black;">Stencils</b><br />Take a piece of clean cardboard and cut out the shapes you want: say, flowers or leaves. Lay the cardboard stencil on your baking sheet and spread the mixture over the top. Lift off the cardboard carefully before baking.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-56315154768835310552009-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:002009-08-11T21:06:30.053-07:00More Cakes I Didn't Make (But Wish I Had)<a href="http://www.threadless.com/?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=gg_aff&utm_campaign=k210012">Threadless </a>is a well-cool web site where you can upload your well-cool designs and have them printed on T-shirts. Cool!<br /><br />For the past three years they've been holding <a href="http://www.threadcakes.com/gallery/show/all/newest">Threadcakes</a>, a contest for cake decorators to submit photos of cakes inspired by their favorite T-shirt designs. The results are beyond amazing! When I'm asked why I don't make cakes professionally, the answer is right here. Just look a what a real pro can do:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7OQ9fyIlj8fYgOYYKWkez8NaUjwgHlRBs_GQniXsgEt1okzydSClLIUuO2lCAZtZqn_D1O1CCtmhME6HG5TzMGcf7GgejGJjuuVd6T2jjTNa1RLgyIHdJGtDHaIDcKz80TJhJUQqDDw/s1600-h/boat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7OQ9fyIlj8fYgOYYKWkez8NaUjwgHlRBs_GQniXsgEt1okzydSClLIUuO2lCAZtZqn_D1O1CCtmhME6HG5TzMGcf7GgejGJjuuVd6T2jjTNa1RLgyIHdJGtDHaIDcKz80TJhJUQqDDw/s400/boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368922947192303058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0RT1me4EZholdYOC6EtYXm9VgP9MgfQYEpoBIW9Ef1bwS7zy8dqG5_bhvq0aCUIDsgOzyvS5Nb4Q001S9b8LFfHkBxuGPRuZNsRMO-vz4VQ0lLMMC-L5Sh4pbdgmPEIOxLI1YDNeFQ/s1600-h/Kitty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0RT1me4EZholdYOC6EtYXm9VgP9MgfQYEpoBIW9Ef1bwS7zy8dqG5_bhvq0aCUIDsgOzyvS5Nb4Q001S9b8LFfHkBxuGPRuZNsRMO-vz4VQ0lLMMC-L5Sh4pbdgmPEIOxLI1YDNeFQ/s400/Kitty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368923102631719666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicogiEck1mxDbretA8jI-C48fVTllsA6iF1dTpty1mUB6qY-mu_Km7rV9uQ1j7z0b_UvcVFPG2EEaBDaRibPbA9fV-qv2-hgHnqdAPx-J-DTR_x5an5ZGkKx390CoYeUwuydPHpEQOD-A/s1600-h/pile+o%27+people.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicogiEck1mxDbretA8jI-C48fVTllsA6iF1dTpty1mUB6qY-mu_Km7rV9uQ1j7z0b_UvcVFPG2EEaBDaRibPbA9fV-qv2-hgHnqdAPx-J-DTR_x5an5ZGkKx390CoYeUwuydPHpEQOD-A/s400/pile+o%27+people.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368923213843715474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNry4OSUTSLIiyaA7kOfEEDDuqPxKyHxsZWtY-uJDRD4Xgti4vqfi5I88-zZhomy66l-hOzzAejELuCoDJwMZtxvLyvJygzFpfWVxZjahhMyNxcI6r9SDUJcwa6BVNj-3m14qW_97F_Iw/s1600-h/tomatoes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNry4OSUTSLIiyaA7kOfEEDDuqPxKyHxsZWtY-uJDRD4Xgti4vqfi5I88-zZhomy66l-hOzzAejELuCoDJwMZtxvLyvJygzFpfWVxZjahhMyNxcI6r9SDUJcwa6BVNj-3m14qW_97F_Iw/s400/tomatoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368923350918491298" border="0" /></a><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a823fb5465779d4"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-18085650230909286602009-08-05T21:58:00.001-07:002009-08-05T22:02:48.385-07:00Pie Pops<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwbkEJlJXDW2RBCpCX1JeRddNii2cH0mphNOAsWkbSIPh6U1t8VoUVJxgB8aSwb8XHYsMGYsLvEOAaiqLg08WgzYw-r6YSVzKVoHCLCcCDaTWM4eAMi_gByPkS0hSka4Ir9JghdCNDJA/s1600-h/Pie+Pops.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwbkEJlJXDW2RBCpCX1JeRddNii2cH0mphNOAsWkbSIPh6U1t8VoUVJxgB8aSwb8XHYsMGYsLvEOAaiqLg08WgzYw-r6YSVzKVoHCLCcCDaTWM4eAMi_gByPkS0hSka4Ir9JghdCNDJA/s400/Pie+Pops.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366710720215001970" /></a><br /><br />I didn't make these, someone else did. Some who should be given a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macarthur_Grant">McArthur grant</a> for the pure genius that is Pie Pops.<br /><br />Wanna know how to make 'em? Go <a href="http://www.luxirare.com/2009/07/alber-elbaz-speaks-about-lightness.html">HERE</a>. Even if you don't think you'll ever make them, go <a href="http://www.luxirare.com/2009/07/alber-elbaz-speaks-about-lightness.html">HERE</a>, the photography is beautiful.Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-53501318819353369182009-07-26T17:14:00.000-07:002010-07-22T07:43:05.787-07:00Bacio con Biscotti<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwgzwIjBdaXSTo3z6DjerjTUFevGcTm9SANUHV8p6_m4PwU_lYEfQVkA1P_3joE3jSJ86v97lz9AIJjVlTsdg2l1FxUNXUBYE888KUnfn_dFtoRV1lUjEPkj8E7-ry12UGMsuZzAVdbY/s1600-h/Biscotti.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwgzwIjBdaXSTo3z6DjerjTUFevGcTm9SANUHV8p6_m4PwU_lYEfQVkA1P_3joE3jSJ86v97lz9AIJjVlTsdg2l1FxUNXUBYE888KUnfn_dFtoRV1lUjEPkj8E7-ry12UGMsuZzAVdbY/s400/Biscotti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362957041560361570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The bad news is, I've had to give up teaching Wilton Cake Decorating classes at Michael's. I've loved meeting so many amazing women, learning new things myself, and kvelling with pride as each student has mastered buttercream roses.<br /><br />The good news is, I have a new, full-time job at <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/">Chronicle Books</a>, a fabulous local publisher of stunning books on art, design, cooking, craft, entertainment parenting, and amazing books for children. Also games, kits and fantastic stationery. I'm thrilled!<br /><br />The best way I know of to make an impression (and OK, I'm not proud, kiss up) to my new co-workers is to bring in a basket of homemade bakies. So at the end of my first week, I came to the office bearing a couple of batches of biscotti.<br /><br />These crunchy little cookies are not too sweet, and are cheap and easy to make. Almond Biscotti is my go-to recipe, but I only had enough for one batch. I had lots of cashews in the freezer leftover from a recent <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/07/basil-sweet.html">pesto project</a>, so I threw in those with some lemon zest (love having a lemon tree in the backyard!) and pumpkin pie spice (I would have used ginger if I'd had it, but I didn't...)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Biscotti</span><br /><br />2 eggs<br />¾ cup sugar<br />2 cups flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />¾ cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350°F.<br /><br />Line a baking sheet with foil and grease well, or use a silpat.<br /><br />Beat the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until pale, about 2 minutes.<br /><br />Beat in the flour and baking soda and continue beating until blended. Mix in the<br />almonds.<br /><br />With floured hands, form half of the dough into a 12-inch log. Place on<br />the baking sheet and press down to flatten to a width of about 3 inches. Repeat<br />with the remaining dough.<br /><br />Bake the cookie loaves for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, leaving the oven<br />on. Let the loaves cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove them to a cutting board.<br /><br />Slice each loaf diagonally with a serrated bread knife into 12 slices.<br /><br />Put the slices back on the cookie sheet, laying them on their sides. Return them to<br />the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.<br /><br />Cookies will keep for about a week in an airtight container, or for up to 3 months<br />in the freezer.<br /><br />Makes 24 cookies.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Cashew Lemon Spice Variation</span><br /><br />Add the zest of 1 lemon with the eggs and sugar<br />Replace the almonds with 3/4c. toasted, unsalted cashews<br />Add 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or pumpkin pie spice with the flour<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a name="data:post.title" id="data:post.url" onmouseover="'return" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a6d0d8c641455cc"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-56117323410152167992009-07-17T16:43:00.000-07:002009-07-17T21:44:28.767-07:00We all scream...... when we try to make Ice Cream Cupcakes. At least I do. Until now.<br /><br />I've made these a couple of times with mixed results. The come out top-heavy, the cone gets soggy, and they're really hard to transport from home to a party. Turns out I was doing it ALL WRONG!<br /><br />You DON'T bake the batter in the cone, you bake the cupcake separately and pop it into a cone. And you fill the bottom of the cone with candy or gumballs to keep the little yummies from toppling over - brilliant. You can also add a mini cupcake on top for a tall, soft-serve look. Yum! <br /><br />Check out this short, helpful video from Betty Crocker:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sPbCPXPiq9A&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sPbCPXPiq9A&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a610d8c14055f38"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-73843244775515786582009-07-16T22:01:00.000-07:002009-07-17T21:44:15.593-07:00Love, Loss and What I Baked: Rice Krispie Wedding Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3iIVOSDFhEw9jqdjZCee80x_kkCZqehyphenhyphen-1DhL8JDWJK58GlG27zIctLCxCQqvshpIBkSwqCqvDA4EFOoB6uqjjilNC4UivczOXdWWhnw6MVzujC7o5YpxrvLZ-eTBe-EHHi7ci4gnpA/s1600-h/Krispie+Cake+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3iIVOSDFhEw9jqdjZCee80x_kkCZqehyphenhyphen-1DhL8JDWJK58GlG27zIctLCxCQqvshpIBkSwqCqvDA4EFOoB6uqjjilNC4UivczOXdWWhnw6MVzujC7o5YpxrvLZ-eTBe-EHHi7ci4gnpA/s400/Krispie+Cake+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359293301505633938" /></a><br />My mom never made Rice Krispies Treats (RKTs) when I was a kid (she doesn't like them) and it never occurred to me to make them until I the boy was around 5 or 6. And now, I kind of can't stop. They're so much fun! You can color them, shape them, mold them, put them on a stick, add M&Ms or peanut butter - or both!<br /><br />The idea of a tiered RKT cake had been playing around in my head for a while, and when I was invited to a friend's informal BBQ wedding reception in a park, I not only RSVP'd, but offered to bring an RKT cake that would feed the crowd. <br /><br />The cake had a 12", 9" and 6" layers and took a LOT of cereal and marshmallows (and real butter, natch) I don't remember how much, but there were several trips to the store. I piped a simple design of vines, leaves and a star border with buttercream, but if I had to do it again I'd use royal icing. I also studded it with gold <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/23/MNGS03SUEM1.DTL&hw=dragee&sn=001&sc=1000">dragees </a>from my contraband stash.<br /><br />I've since learned that these are a pretty popular wedding cake option - and have been featured on the Today Show and Martha Stewart. Oh well, so I didn't <span style="font-style:italic;">invent </span>the RKT Wedding Cake, but I'm happy with my version.<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a6008f562147ba8"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-28910339682857305922009-07-10T15:18:00.000-07:002009-07-10T15:21:07.655-07:00Marla Can't Be Stopped (Yay!)Marla was one of the first students to take my classes back in April. At the time she was a novice baker - she didn't even own a mixer! Now just look at the lovely cakes she's making. I'm so proud :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlueEJgybRZXeiM3IeXLrSV3Nvz8nGtm4JgNRHRa-g_6s1xwIIeKKknhRFiAykWtIHqSlrBS0EU9z6tC3-5BGAUK3d-hfauSPhuPeFtJaPWNwBOZ7LzmE4CfdjOH5sJ6H6uy7da6AIXQg/s1600-h/Pink+Daisey.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlueEJgybRZXeiM3IeXLrSV3Nvz8nGtm4JgNRHRa-g_6s1xwIIeKKknhRFiAykWtIHqSlrBS0EU9z6tC3-5BGAUK3d-hfauSPhuPeFtJaPWNwBOZ7LzmE4CfdjOH5sJ6H6uy7da6AIXQg/s400/Pink+Daisey.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356959771688679986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy87-1rrktxQZcZ4ZvEr4eEXSiOWABjCpI-q8hqX5ix-RG69bgM30fQ1BcVEoDf8xjtGVrRaTKltPJXLAVLBnNRV0Ov91ereidCmgSqPctxXlt771J97NQyfnE5a3-P5U17V4V8lRbsU/s1600-h/Pink+Flowers.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy87-1rrktxQZcZ4ZvEr4eEXSiOWABjCpI-q8hqX5ix-RG69bgM30fQ1BcVEoDf8xjtGVrRaTKltPJXLAVLBnNRV0Ov91ereidCmgSqPctxXlt771J97NQyfnE5a3-P5U17V4V8lRbsU/s400/Pink+Flowers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356959913800767186" /></a>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844738016732623797.post-82423328392913732822009-07-02T10:25:00.000-07:002009-07-02T17:45:25.948-07:00And the winner is....... me!<br /><br />I got first place at the Marin County Fair! I'd like to thank the the fine folks at <a href="http://www.wilton.com/">Wilton </a>for the tools, techniques and access to cheap styrofoam, Silke and <a href="http://marinflora.com/Home.htm">Local Flora</a> for the inspiration and John & Max Starr for giving me the psychic and physical space to work on the cake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYqqSBecdBcpCp9YUheZip-dZL5kngFpMYdaHHxS5OlENq_3A4xCg72jlHYZzloSE7T6mwM0YbVPeUoNyB4SE4gpf5_OcKRpVTiB0KtYRnoXskFynwdNZWYP6IqaP1NH72Lg3jMLNz8U/s1600-h/fair_lara+ribbon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYqqSBecdBcpCp9YUheZip-dZL5kngFpMYdaHHxS5OlENq_3A4xCg72jlHYZzloSE7T6mwM0YbVPeUoNyB4SE4gpf5_OcKRpVTiB0KtYRnoXskFynwdNZWYP6IqaP1NH72Lg3jMLNz8U/s400/fair_lara+ribbon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353916142296713906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBteY1-xzOvtodHlWHPFlkN8X2gDrsbJLu0PQf7xpH2OmidOf5pYg6eP4RHAx6Nxz1U_IgWra_CPIsXjMPtpcajFnO5TKpFO9JDiikf90d30nmZkMWHf7EfW01-Fmn_3WzHznt_OfvVY/s1600-h/fair_lara+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBteY1-xzOvtodHlWHPFlkN8X2gDrsbJLu0PQf7xpH2OmidOf5pYg6eP4RHAx6Nxz1U_IgWra_CPIsXjMPtpcajFnO5TKpFO9JDiikf90d30nmZkMWHf7EfW01-Fmn_3WzHznt_OfvVY/s400/fair_lara+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353916289130679090" /></a><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a4ceec3357bfc69"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704853760885248546noreply@blogger.com4