0 Pop Tart

Sunday, July 24, 2011
Okay, it has been a LONG time, I am aware of this and I do apologize. On to what we came here to see.. My latest project of course! Okay, so every one knows what these are.. >HERE< if you don't recognize that you live under a rock. Here is my version =]
They didn't turn out wonderful, I'm not going to lie. It was my oops though and  it would've been fine if I had paid more attention. Here's what I used
Homemade jam from my friend Monica's garden/kitchen, and some leftover pie crust that i made a while back and had in the freezer for just such an occasion.
 I rolled out the dough
Cut out a shape, any shape really I just like stars..
YAY!
spread out the jam nice and thin across the shape
then roll out and cut another shape..
Line them up nice and neat like
I used a fork to crimp the edges
And poke some holes
Bake at 400F 15mins should be good but check it, I kind of forgot about it for like an hour.. (okay really I have no idea how long it was , it could have been 20mins-1hr) 
It totally oozed out everywhere and got all hard and candied, even the jam inside the crust was completely candied
Oops. Oh well. I'll try again some other time, I hope you have better luck. If this had worked out I had planned on topping it with a thin frosting. 

Happy Baking!
Enjoy! =]

2 Simple Easy Frosting

Monday, July 4, 2011
The simple, easy, go-to frosting for absolutely anything. 
I literally use this frosting for everything from cookies to cakes/cupcakes you name it, if you can put frosting on it you can use this. It's ready in about 10 seconds and is amazing every time. Basically it is this:
Powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and butter. That's it. of course you can add other things to it if need be, but we will get to that. 
Just mix together a tablespoon or two of softened butter, a cup of powdered sugar, a splash of milk(1-2T as needed) and some vanilla(to taste). The vanilla is optional, you can use just milk butter and powdered sugar to make an overly sweet paste that can be used for anything. You can add butter flavor for a really amazing but somewhat different taste. Some almond flavor makes it amazing. Coconut flavor can be added for a little beach-y taste. Food coloring is ALWAYS an option and comes in any color you can imagine these days, I even found some neon colors not too long ago...
And again anything from cookies..
To cakes..
To cupcakes..
Literally anything can be made better with frosting. Because this frosting is so simple and easy and has so many possible variations I'll go ahead and add that you can vary the texture of it and make it as runny or firm as you need it to be..
Of course the temperature of whatever you're frosting also plays its own role, hot things will make for runny frosting and cold things will make for much less dripage. 

Happy Baking!
Enjoy! =]

0 Sugar Cookies

Saturday, July 2, 2011
I made these yesterday, I had an unexpected day off and figured that meant it was time to bake something, it feels like its been forever. I know it has been a LOOONG time since I've blogged any new baked stuffs but that's because most of the things I've baked recently have been things that I've blogged before like tiny pie. But I made sugar cookies. Here they are:
I should have flipped this picture but i didn't. Sorry. Anyway here's what goes into them:
Okay so 2 things, 1) check out the awesome jar I got for flour =] and 2) I didn't source this recipe because its a basic sugar cookie recipe and there are hundreds out there that all look the same, this one is no different. 
1 C softened butter
2/3 C sugar
Cream together. (you can add a shake or two of salt here but I never do)
1 egg
Beat the egg in really well
Add 1 T vanilla
2 1/2 C flour (sifted.. but I don't do that either usually)
Yes, this is good cookie dough..
It will need some attention, go ahead and knead it a little
I like to put down foil to make clean up a little easier, you will need to throw down some flour and flour your rolling pin
I decided this was a huge ball and needed to be worked in two parts
So roll it on out, get a big flat shape about 1/4in thick
No Hank, no crumbs for you 
This is after a little while in the fridge, its easier to work with cold, its more solid that way
I went with starts because 4th of July is Monday but you can use whatever shape you want 
Into the oven they go =]
They go in for 8-10 mins at 350F mine took the full 10mins
you'll want to take them out as soon as the edges start showing a little color
Can you see it?
They're decent but they're much better with frosting (which I will blog later)
The family really liked these, I made them yesterday and honestly I don't think there's any left. The frosting is simple I'll blog it tomorrow maybe, don't hold me to it but I've got the pictures all taken and edited and ready to go I just need to actually do it. 

Happy Baking!
Enjoy! =]