tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47563356340525556232024-03-12T20:30:59.481-07:00Endeavors in BakingA new baker's successes and failures.leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-10301940846078137152011-05-16T14:35:00.000-07:002011-05-16T14:54:08.686-07:00UM, HI!<div>So it's been a LONG time since the last time I updated this thing, huh? Life has brought me away from baking and one major thing is that we cut sugar out of our diet as much as possible. It's no fun to bake if you can't eat it.</div><div><br />One of the many things I've been doing is pet rescue! I found a dog on my porch May 17th 2010(One year minus a day!). A rescue agreed to take her as long as I fostered her. I did and then ended up keeping her after 6 months of weekly meet and greets.<br /><br />This leads me to last weekend. We had a meeting/party and everyone pitched in some food. I told them I would bring cookies! They were just the Betty Crocker mix in the bag, but they were still delicious.<br /><br />I did run into a problem with my last bag. I accidentally put the hand mixer on a high setting and before I noticed it I had chocolate mix. I decided to bake them and if they didn't come out I was going to dump the mix. They turned out fine and tasted great!<br /><br />So here are some pictures:<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/5718981085_903290cefd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/5718981085_903290cefd.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/5719540024_6fdbdf0e44.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/5719540024_6fdbdf0e44.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/5718977789_28f863c0e8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/5718977789_28f863c0e8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/5718975779_9c26eb9f60.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/5718975779_9c26eb9f60.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/5718972067_eb8f039093.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/5718972067_eb8f039093.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>During the party we gave this plaque to the lady who runs the rescue:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/5727615245_0f968202d6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/5727615245_0f968202d6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div>leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-12823474862075290542010-05-31T07:21:00.000-07:002010-05-31T07:34:50.031-07:00Ice cream cake...not as you thinkI baked a cake! After months of doing nothing I got busy! Well, not exactly. I did bake chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies, sugar cookies, and brownies for my BFF's baby shower in April. Things were so busy then that I just didn't have the time to update!<br /><br />This recipe is really simple:<br /><br />Your ingredients are:<br /><br />1 box cake mix(any flavor!)<br />1 pint ice cream(any flavor!)<br />1 cup water<br />3 eggs<br /><br />That's it!<br /><br />No pictures this time sorry.<br /><br />Grease and flour a bundt pan<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 350<br /><br />Beat all ingredients for FOUR minutes(I know it sounds crazy but it does clump)<br /><br />Pour into pan and bake for 45 minutes<br /><br />Take out and wah-lah!<br /><br /><br /><br />It is the most moist cake you will EVER have. I used peach ice cream and yellow cake. While I didn't think it came out awesome other people said it was pretty good. I think I could have used a better ice cream. I tasted it afterwards and it was a pretty weak taste. :( I topped mine with vanilla icing and frozen peaches. Oh, and I only baked it for 40 minutes.<br /><br /><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs571.snc3/31176_10150185957475790_589140789_12768574_6668528_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />I got the recipe from here: http://www.omnomicon.com/ice-cream-cakeleahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-1764309307294328392010-02-27T17:43:00.000-08:002010-02-27T18:09:33.693-08:00Sugar Cookies!Today I promised my husband that if he caught us up on dishes then I would bake him something today. I cut my hand working this week and so the dishes kind of took a back burner and piled up a little bit(enough to try to entice him to do it, especially since my sore is still a bit open). So here we go!<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />1 cup butter, softened<br />1 1/2 cups white sugar<br />1 egg<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160015790_589140789_11335843_3644735_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23646_10150091160035790_589140789_11335844_7627438_n.jpg"><br /><br />Set aside.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160045790_589140789_11335845_4872418_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. <br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160050790_589140789_11335846_1229847_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160065790_589140789_11335847_7117495_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Beat in egg and vanilla. <br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160080790_589140789_11335848_7542981_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160090790_589140789_11335849_2180299_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23646_10150091160105790_589140789_11335850_3953722_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160115790_589140789_11335851_8044573_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23646_10150091160120790_589140789_11335852_5529213_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160135790_589140789_11335853_213895_n.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.<br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23646_10150091160215790_589140789_11335859_8278143_n.jpg"><br /><br />So, you can see my cookies are a bit flat. I did a little bit of research and your type of butter can affect this. I only had Smart Balance 50/50 with olive oil and I really thing that's why they fell. They are still amazing~<br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160160790_589140789_11335855_4046080_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160175790_589140789_11335856_5235471_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs367.snc3/23646_10150091160200790_589140789_11335858_936670_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160240790_589140789_11335860_4107030_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160290790_589140789_11335862_7906197_n.jpg"><br /><br /><IMG HEIGHT="225" WIDTH="300" SRC="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23646_10150091160315790_589140789_11335864_8343445_n.jpg">leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-75351229589302833262010-02-14T16:11:00.001-08:002010-02-14T16:13:49.992-08:00Nom Nom Nom!My first two layer cake! <br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18870_474523830789_589140789_11131235_4706883_n.jpg"><br /><br />It was cake mix so no recipe stuff. I'm pretty happy because I failed miserably the first time I tried to make a 2 layer cake. This time I let it cool for an hour and a half before attempting anything. After that, I shaved off the rounded top of the layer designated to be on the bottom. I also turned that one upside down so I would have no issues putting the frosting on.<br /><br />Okay, time to go eat it and Happy Valentines day~leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-85830261615661703342010-01-31T14:01:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:06:34.834-08:00cake mix biscotti take 2I had a couple of cake mix boxes laying around so I decided to make some more cake mix biscotti. No recipe this time since all you have to do is go <a href="http://leahfu.blogspot.com/2009/09/cake-mix-biscotti.html">here</a>. This time I used Golden Butter cake mix and chocolate chips. I then melted chocolate chips and put them on top.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs195.snc3/20270_444777340789_589140789_10943435_7450085_n.jpg"><br />before cutting. They were pretty hard to cut and I'm assuming it was from all the chocolate sticking to it.<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs195.snc3/20270_444777360789_589140789_10943436_25832_n.jpg"><br />I melted chocolate chips and put them on the top. <br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs195.snc3/20270_444777380789_589140789_10943437_905915_n.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs175.snc3/20270_444777385789_589140789_10943438_5261254_n.jpg">leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-63229164496442293262009-11-23T02:21:00.000-08:002009-11-23T02:36:05.215-08:00Libby's Old Fashioned Soft Pumpkin CookiesDuring October I bought a couple cans of pumpkin with the idea of making pumpkin cookies for Halloween. It got put off and then when I actually looked at the recipe I noticed I was missing way too many ingredients. I bought all the ingredients, but I had a new mission. I wasn't going to bake these for my family, but for my husband's cousin who is in boot camp. He has to provide sweets for his whole squadron(?) or his sergeant(?) will take them all. Anyways, here's the recipe!<br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br /> * 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br /> * 1 teaspoon baking soda<br /> * 1 teaspoon baking powder<br /> * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br /> * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br /> * 1/2 teaspoon salt<br /> * 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar<br /> * 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened<br /> * 1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin<br /> * 1 large egg<br /> * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960205789_589140789_9890179_847220_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />PREHEAT oven to 350° F.<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960225789_589140789_9890180_7407766_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="photocaption"><div class="photocaption_text">COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl.</div></div><div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true;} " style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Ingredients * 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour * 1 teaspoon baking soda * 1 teaspoon baking powder * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar * 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened * 1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin * 1 large egg * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960235789_589140789_9890181_7341361_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. (I accidentally added my egg and vanilla here)<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960240789_589140789_9890182_293419_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth(I just beat in the pumpkin)<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960250789_589140789_9890183_4393719_n.jpg" /><br /><br />after:<br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960255789_589140789_9890184_6616961_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gradually beat in flour mixture<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327966745789_589140789_9890367_4694869_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960265789_589140789_9890185_7892994_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm (I did 15)<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960285789_589140789_9890187_7023534_n.jpg" /><br /><br />ta-dah!<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960290789_589140789_9890188_2756640_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />After they cool you add the glaze:<br /><br />GLAZE:<br />*2 cups sifted powdered sugar<br />*3 tablespoons milk<br />*1 tablespoon melted butter<br />*1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960295789_589140789_9890189_8164226_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="" class="photocaption"><div class="photocaption_text">Combine in a small bowl until smooth. I put the mixture in a bag and made a small hole in the corner</div></div><div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=347881&id=589140789#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true;} " style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960300789_589140789_9890190_4468461_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />and then just squeeze!!<br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960310789_589140789_9890191_4651824_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960315789_589140789_9890192_1193812_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs001.snc3/10857_327960320789_589140789_9890193_1799833_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs021.snc3/10857_327960325789_589140789_9890194_4210229_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />We taste tested these and they are AMAZING. I don't know how I can part with them!!leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-14729252547563036392009-10-29T09:55:00.000-07:002009-10-29T10:02:02.586-07:00Measuring Flour<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/leahfu/flour.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I noticed something while leafing through my Betty Crocker cookbook that I received when Mike and I were married. Apparently, you're supposed to scoop flour out with a spoon and put it in your measuring cup that way. After its overflowing you then level it off with a knife.<br /><br />I googled "measuring flour" and came upon a website that gave the correct weight for one cup<br /><ul><li>One cup of white flour weighs 120 grams. </li><li>One cup of whole wheat flour weighs 140 grams. </li><li>One cup of bread flour weighs 130 grams. </li><li>One cup of cake flour weighs 114 grams.</li></ul>So, if you have a scale you can do it that way! Correct flour measuring is very important. Too much flour and your end product will be tough and dry. Too little and it will just fall apart!leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-8041268994534313722009-10-24T15:05:00.001-07:002009-10-29T10:03:01.615-07:00Dark Chocolate Toffee Cookies!Its been a bit of time huh? Sorry, life has been a bit busy and I've had no time to try to bake.<br /><br />The other day I grabbed some Hersheys Special Dark chocolate chips while shopping at Wal-mart. Dark chocolate is by far my favorite type of chocolate.<br /><br />Sooo, here we go!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707090789_589140789_9445537_7103778_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Set your oven to 375<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707095789_589140789_9445538_1586001_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><div class="photocaption"><div class="photocaption_text">Ingredients:<br /><br />2 1/4 cups all purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup(2 sticks) butter, softened<br />3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />3/4 cup packed light brown sugar<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />2 eggs<br />2 cups(1 12oz pkg) HERSHEYS SPECIAL DARK CHIPS<br />1 cup chopped nuts(I used toffee instead)</div></div><div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=589140789&ref=profile#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true;} " style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Heat oven to 375</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707105789_589140789_9445539_8319584_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. (I xferred it to another bowl after I realized that I needed 2 bowls)<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707115789_589140789_9445540_6033523_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707130789_589140789_9445541_6816524_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><div class="photocaption"><div class="photocaption_text">Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl with mixer until creamy</div></div><div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=589140789&ref=profile#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true;} " style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Heat oven to 375</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707140789_589140789_9445542_1041631_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Add eggs and beat well<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707145789_589140789_9445543_5565996_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707155789_589140789_9445544_1779454_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Gradually add flour mixture, beating well<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707165789_589140789_9445545_4811345_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707170789_589140789_9445546_6394300_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Stir in chocolate chips and nuts(toffee)<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707180789_589140789_9445548_5435673_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs253.snc1/10035_298707175789_589140789_9445547_7767018_n.jpg" /><br /><br />bake 8 -10 minutes or until lightly browned.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707190789_589140789_9445549_1882040_n.jpg" /><br /><br />let cool and then move to wire rack...I dont have one so I just put them on parchment paper<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707235789_589140789_9445557_6198226_n.jpg" /><br /><br />Ivie approved AGAIN!! yay<br /><br /><br />and one last image:<br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs273.snc1/10035_298707370789_589140789_9445576_5268365_n.jpg" /><br /><br />I made a giant one for Mike with the last of the dough.leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-30888329680674787812009-10-04T13:27:00.000-07:002009-10-04T13:40:08.801-07:00Butter Pecan cookiesRhonda and I went to Sams the other day and I found this book:<br /><br /><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/leahfu/61XuEgBMf5L_SL500_AA240_.jpg" /><br /><br />I had to pick it up! While leafing through the book I found a four ingredient cookie recipe for butter pecans and decided to try them out!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_278025025789_589140789_9171090_4313706_n.jpg" /><br />3/4 cup softened butter<br />1 pkg of 3.4oz Butterscotch pudding<br />1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour<br />1/2 cup of chopped pecans<div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=324966&id=589140789&saved#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true}" style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Ingredients: 3/4 cup softened butter 1 pkg of 3.4oz Butterscotch pudding 1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour 1/2 cup of chopped pecans</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><div id="phototags"> </div><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_278025035789_589140789_9171091_3783474_n.jpg" /><br />Set oven at 375<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_278025045789_589140789_9171092_3138039_n.jpg" /><br />In small bowl beat butter and pudding mix until smooth<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_278025060789_589140789_9171093_987723_n.jpg" /><br />Gradually beat in flour<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_278025065789_589140789_9171094_8061887_n.jpg" /><br /><div class="photocaption"><div class="photocaption_text">Fold in pecans</div></div><div class="photocaption_nocaption" style="display: none;"><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=324966&id=589140789&saved#" onclick="return false;" class="photocaption_nocaption_edit">Add a caption</a></div></div><div class="photocaption_edit" style="display: none;"><textarea cols="66" rows="2" onfocus="if(!this._has_control){new TextAreaControl(this).setAutogrow(true, false).onfocus();this._has_control=true}" style="overflow: hidden;" class="photocaption_edit_text" id="" name="">Ingredients: 3/4 cup softened butter 1 pkg of 3.4oz Butterscotch pudding 1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour 1/2 cup of chopped pecans</textarea><div class="button_container"><span class="caption_save UIButton UIButton_Blue UIFormButton"><input value="Save" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span><span class="caption_cancel UIButton UIButton_Gray UIFormButton"><input value="Cancel" class="UIButton_Text" onclick="return false;" type="submit"></span></div></div><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_278025090789_589140789_9171095_5169806_n.jpg" /><br />roll into 1 1/2 in balls and place on pan 2 inches apart (apparently I was supposed to flatten them..but I didnt. Whoops!)<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_278025110789_589140789_9171096_4788134_n.jpg" /><br />Bake 10-13 minutes or until light golden brown.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_278025120789_589140789_9171097_2512283_n.jpg" /><br />Ivie approves!<br /><br />They turned out okay. I wasn't amazingly impressed, but they weren't hard to make. It said it yields about 2 dozen. I ended up with 20.leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-63998955686108999182009-10-01T17:34:00.000-07:002009-10-01T17:48:32.636-07:00Sugar CookiesLast Christmas I was shopping at Sams with Rhonda when I found a giant box of sugar cookie mix. I was struck with the idea that, since I was pretty low on money to get my family gifts, I would give them cookies! At that point, I had never baked cookies by myself. It was a bit scary, but I was going to do it! My first batch I tried to do cut out cookies.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1288/215/83/589140789/n589140789_5193473_8923.jpg" /><br /><br />I wasn't so impressed with them. So, I decided to do drop cookies with my second batch. I tried putting the sprinkles in mix. This caused the cookies to change colors. I put the red sprinkles on top of the green cookies and green sprinkles on the "pink" cookies. This wasn't really what I wanted. I had wanted. I really had wanted regular cookies with the sprinkles mixed in. I did achieve this with my third batch! What I did was that I rolled my scooped out dough into the sprinkles!<br /><br />This is how they looked!!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1648/215/83/589140789/n589140789_5215131_268.jpg" /><br /><br />I pulled them out while the tops were looking a little undone. I wasn't really for sure if I was supposed to do that(you are if you want your cookies chewy). After I was done I separated all the cookies in little ziplock bags. Then I took these stick on Christmas-y fun foam letters and spelled everyone's names on the bags. Everyone really liked my cookies. The other day my best friend Sharleen asked me to bake them again! I am planning on baking them again, just from scratch.leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-5727713670430080012009-09-29T16:07:00.001-07:002009-09-29T16:12:31.147-07:00Unsalted ButterSo, I was flipping through my Betty Crocker cookbook when I noticed a lot of baked sweets require unsalted butter. I didn't know why so I went online!! Apparently, regular butter has salt in it. You can use it for baking, but if it calls for salt in the recipe then you run into the issue of it being too salty. You might be thinking, "Well, I just won't but salt in!". This could work. Then again, there is no way of knowing how much salt is in the butter. There is no regulation on how much is in there. So it could end up perfect or it could not be enough.<br /><br />So! I think I will buy some unsalted butter before I start baking. I also need some powdered sugar. After that I think I will be good in trying something from scratch. I'm thinking either chocolate chip cookies that are chewy or just sugar cookies!leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-2309899541634102072009-09-27T12:38:00.000-07:002009-09-27T12:50:51.409-07:00Cake mix biscottiChristmas of '07 my dad's wife, affectionately known as Moona, found some recipes for using cake mix to make biscotti. She made tons that season and they were oh so delicious. Well, since then I've always wanted to do it! On September 5th I decided to go ahead and do it! This is how you do it:<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />Parchment paper<br />rolling pin<br />cooking sheet<br />mixing bowl<br />hand mixer<br />cake mix(do not use the kind with pudding in it!)<br />1 cup flour<br />1 stick melted butter<br />2 eggs<br />half a cup of nuts(i used toffee)<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_252347970789_589140789_8705662_7763394_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line your baking/cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252347980789_589140789_8705664_2419271_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Using an electric mixer, mix together the cake mix, eggs, melted margarine, flour and nuts. Blend 3 to 4 minutes. If needed scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. The ingredients should start to form a ball.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252347990789_589140789_8705665_3070986_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />With floured hands take the ball and shape into a long rectangle about 4 inches wide. Place rectangle[s]on the parchment lined sheet. You may need to make two placed side by side on the baking sheet. The rectangles should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252348000789_589140789_8705666_7752598_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Bake for about 30-35 minutes. It should be firm to the touch and pass the toothpick test<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_252348015789_589140789_8705668_7327784_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />When done, remove from the oven but do not turn the oven off. Let the biscotti cool for about 10 minutes.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs209.snc1/7626_252348025789_589140789_8705669_5992716_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Cut using a sharp serrated knife into 1 inch slices.. Carefully turn the slices on to their sides on the baking sheet.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252348030789_589140789_8705670_5338324_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes. Leave the biscotti in the oven but now turn the oven off. Leave in the oven for 40 minutes. This will crisp the biscotti pieces.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252348035789_589140789_8705671_1701571_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Cool completely- 2 to 3 hours. Then store in an airtight container.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs229.snc1/7626_252348040789_589140789_8705672_3126666_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />It was a success! They were delicious and didn't last long with the three of us in the house.leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756335634052555623.post-81328173610240322412009-09-27T09:22:00.000-07:002009-09-27T09:24:18.569-07:00Well hallo thar! My name is Leah and I have just started baking. I have a regular blog at http://leahfu.livejournal.com . I invite you to come and share my achievements and failures!leahfuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648633626955326316noreply@blogger.com0