tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69145773276694142142024-02-18T20:04:42.720-06:00Heather's Sweets and Treatstales of a sugar loving baker with an addiction to photographyHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.comBlogger445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-37732283572077837022015-02-03T07:39:00.000-06:002015-02-03T07:39:35.689-06:00How To Toast Nuts In The Oven And Why You Should<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtxMtvYeIUnLjzW4x9JohexbWxjy79vL8VDTypXYaKrpCzsdx8mmvy9N0rFAm2tbBR3LzfCjVza2_gfPamv2OMIJ06d-B2F_BnP663xLZcqHHlmKsJMR9WC20mkrSXiGcBtBYxFAxLpPU/s1600/How.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtxMtvYeIUnLjzW4x9JohexbWxjy79vL8VDTypXYaKrpCzsdx8mmvy9N0rFAm2tbBR3LzfCjVza2_gfPamv2OMIJ06d-B2F_BnP663xLZcqHHlmKsJMR9WC20mkrSXiGcBtBYxFAxLpPU/s1600/How.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't know about you, but I love a good shortcut. I try and find the fastest way to get home. I never put a topcoat on my nail polish. And with a recipe, I always look at it and see if there aren't a few steps I can skip. Who has the time to milk your own coconut for coconut cream pie? Seriously? Canned coconut milk tastes just fine. <br />
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There are some things, though, where a shortcut isn't the answer. I would imagine performing surgery is one of those times. Also, when a recipe tells you to toast the nuts. Don't skip that. Obviously not as serious as taking shortcuts during surgery, but still, and important step. I skipped toasting nuts for eons. And it was the something missing from bunch of my desserts.<br />
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<h3>
Why toast the nuts? </h3>
Because toasting activates the oils in the nuts and makes them nice and crispy. This decreases the bitter flavor and provides a nice crunch that untoasted nuts just don't have.<br />
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How To:</h3>
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Spread nuts out onto an ungreased rimmed cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. When you can start smelling the fragrance in the kitchen, the nuts are done. Toast them too long and they will burn. And that is sad and expensive.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-78714210596688413852015-02-01T08:05:00.000-06:002015-02-01T08:05:03.832-06:00Sunday Funday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Other/Chicago/i-bPp4V3V/0/X2/DSC_0452-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Other/Chicago/i-bPp4V3V/0/X2/DSC_0452-X2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some interesting things I read this week:<br />
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<a href="http://theartofsimple.net/kaizen-and-goals/" target="_blank">Kaizen and goals</a><br />
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I love this <a href="http://www.mysweetandsaucy.com/2015/01/behind-the-scenes-sweet-saucy-pancake-cake/" target="_blank">big stack of pancakes cake</a>!<br />
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A capsule wardrobe I could probably handle, but a <a href="http://bemorewithless.com/simplify-life/" target="_blank">capsule kitchen</a>? I just don't know :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2015/01/salted-caramel-chocolate-mousse.html" target="_blank">Salted caramel chocolate mousse</a>-need I say more?<br />
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See you next week!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-85365874234821740322015-01-30T18:40:00.002-06:002015-01-30T18:40:25.504-06:00Valentine's Day Treat: Brownie Truffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOx4XvNwDugc0mH6fcFvIMt_OjnjRBvcsAH1UECcDPJZ4kXptVuHiZVmcuDSkKfTC32aPA4D3gqtBzG4GWNCWYW1kvWF7uqHaa2-CNMMKA-OFishh_TqOulewt0sqATsIgIOvS322gebw/s1600/Brownie+Truffles.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="candy, truffles, Valentine's Day " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOx4XvNwDugc0mH6fcFvIMt_OjnjRBvcsAH1UECcDPJZ4kXptVuHiZVmcuDSkKfTC32aPA4D3gqtBzG4GWNCWYW1kvWF7uqHaa2-CNMMKA-OFishh_TqOulewt0sqATsIgIOvS322gebw/s1600/Brownie+Truffles.png" height="640" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats-Brownie Truffles" width="426" /></a></div>
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Valentine's Day is weird. It has the potential to be lovely and also the potential to make you feel bad about yourself. And honestly, there is enough things in this world that make us feel bad about ourselves, we don't need a stupid day to do it for us. </div>
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<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-HQ2FcN4/0/X2/DSC_0525-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-HQ2FcN4/0/X2/DSC_0525-X2.jpg" height="640" title="Brownie Truffles" width="424" /></a></div>
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I liked Valentine's Day when we were kiddos. It was about the party and writing Valentine's to all our classmates and eating giant sugar cookies. It was better when it was about eating sugary treats and celebrating our friends.</div>
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These brownie truffles make about a million candies. They are the perfect thing to share with all your friends to let them know how awesome they are. Just be sure to save some for yourself to remind yourself how awesome you are too.</div>
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<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-CBrBFzB/0/X2/DSC_0530-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-CBrBFzB/0/X2/DSC_0530-X2.jpg" height="640" title="Brownie Truffles" width="424" /></a></div>
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Brownie Truffles</h3>
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<ul>
<li>1 batch brownies (a 9x13 inch pan of brownies, my favorite recipe below)</li>
<li>1 can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SSW4R6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SSW4R6&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=32DNSJNJEQGUSFCK">chocolate frosting</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SSW4R6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<li>1 package chocolate <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0X6R9A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00F0X6R9A&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=UVSCDNO3DMYBFLHJ">Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00F0X6R9A" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
(you could use Candy Melts too, I'm just not sure exactly how much and I think the Ghirardelli ones taste much much better)</li>
<li>handful of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0X6R9A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00F0X6R9A&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=RDKP3YOSTVTYNTZ2">Ghirardelli White Chocolate Melting Wafers </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00F0X6R9A" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (would be fun to use colored melting wafers too!)</li>
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Bake brownies (see recipe below). Allow to cool completely. Crumble brownies into a large bowl. Stir in chocolate frosting until everything is totally mixed together. Scoop by the teaspoonful onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment or tin foil. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.</div>
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Melt the melting wafers in a small bowl. Remove the truffles from the refrigerator. If you want a more consistent, round shape, roll the truffles between your palms to smooth the ball. Dunk in the melted chocolate. Remove with a fork, scraping the excess chocolate off the bottom of the truffle on the edge of the bowl. Repeat for all remaining truffles.</div>
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Once the chocolate has dried, melt the white chocolate. I like to just put a handful into a piping bag and microwave for 20-30 seconds and knead the outside of the bag to remove the lumps. Then just snip the very tip of the piping bag and drizzle white chocolate over the truffles. This seems like too much extra work, but trust me, it will make them so much prettier, especially if you are like me and your hand rolling is lumpy. </div>
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Brownies</h4>
here is my go-to brownie recipe. It never disappoints.<br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted (I used 70% cacao Trader Joe's Pound Plus Bar)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 1/2 sticks (12 ounces) butter, melted</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2 cups granulated sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">3/4 teaspoon baking powder</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">4 eggs</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 1/4 cups cake flour</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Melt the butter and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl in the microwave. Add the sugar and mix well. Add eggs one at a time fully mixed in. Add vanilla. Mix in baking powder and cake flour. Pour into a well greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">P.S. If you like Valentine's Day brownies, be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/02/valentine-brownie-treat.html" target="_blank">strawberry covered heart shaped brownie!</a></span></div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-29765450203666501622015-01-28T15:17:00.000-06:002015-01-28T15:17:00.457-06:00Whipped Orange Honey Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmSQHDI_X0ynYpxb1ZDpp18Yg7PFULmHTyGh_UT0FfsbmtI-85j8EcXwy_KHKjRwmN6qucHMYY-pzDPPg5QoFYgPjrwST7b9u_J5FppZ7HmDT-onFpeE52zKQSgTO5gj1RWc-UKNbyadm/s1600/WHIPPED.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="butter, compound butter, bread, honey, orange, potato bread, homemade bread" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmSQHDI_X0ynYpxb1ZDpp18Yg7PFULmHTyGh_UT0FfsbmtI-85j8EcXwy_KHKjRwmN6qucHMYY-pzDPPg5QoFYgPjrwST7b9u_J5FppZ7HmDT-onFpeE52zKQSgTO5gj1RWc-UKNbyadm/s1600/WHIPPED.png" height="640" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats-Whipped Orange Honey Butter" width="426" /></a></div>
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It all started with leftover mashed potatoes and a winter slump. Every time my mom would have leftover mashed potatoes, she would make <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2010/04/variations-on-familiar-theme.html" target="_blank">potato bread</a>. Since growing up and getting married, I have carried on the same tradition.<br />
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This past week we were left with just about the perfect 1 cup of leftover spuds required for potato bread. As our apartment was filled with the comforting scent of baking bread, I wanted something bright to go with it. The zest from the orange packs a clean punch of flavor and the honey sweetens and mellows the bitterness from the zest. And of course, whipped butter always feels fancy. Even though I only used 1 stick of butter, the final result was almost a 1/2 pint of whipped butter!<br />
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<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-wzF76Qp/0/X2/DSC_0479-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-wzF76Qp/0/X2/DSC_0479-X2.jpg" height="424" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats: Orange Honey Butter" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Whipped Orange Honey Butter</h2>
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Tools needed: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001HLTSE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001HLTSE&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=E5HHRQACI22Y5K2A">Mixer</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001HLTSE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, mixing bowl, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004S7V8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004S7V8&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=QGZG5I62JT67TBUM">microplane zester</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00004S7V8" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, jar or bowl with a lid for storage</div>
<ul>
<li>1 stick salted butter, at room temperature (real butter, not margarine)</li>
<li>zest of 1 small orange </li>
<li>2 tablespoons honey</li>
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If using a stand mixer, use your whisk attachment. Beat together butter, orange zest and honey until light and fluffy. Spread on homemade bread and enjoy!<br />
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P.S. If you like flavored butter, you might like these other flavors too: <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/search/label/Flavored%20Butter" target="_blank">cinnamon,</a> <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/search/label/Flavored%20Butter" target="_blank">vanilla</a>, <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/search/label/Flavored%20Butter" target="_blank">Italian herb</a>, and <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/search/label/Flavored%20Butter" target="_blank">raspberry</a>!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-11414249372108077382015-01-26T05:00:00.000-06:002015-01-26T08:15:57.373-06:00Makes My Life Easier-Clarified Butter<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G12Z36W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00G12Z36W&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=IGANSTAJ5U4NTYWG"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00G12Z36W&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=heassweandtre-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00G12Z36W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Clarified butter, sometimes also known as ghee, is butter where the milk solids and water have been removed. This increases the <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/05/cooking-fats-101-whats-a-smoke-point-and-why-does-it-matter.html" target="_blank">smoke point</a> of the butter, making it a good choice for greasing your baking sheets, or when pan frying. <br />
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We use it when making French toast, <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/01/savory-sunday-heart-shaped-toad-in-holes.html" target="_blank">toads in the hole</a>, pancakes, etc. Pretty much any place where you want the butter flavor, but not the smokiness of butter, you can use clarified butter.<br />
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Where can you buy it? I buy mine from Trader Joe's. I have seen it in Indian markets and of course you can get it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G12Z36W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00G12Z36W&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=IGANSTAJ5U4NTYWG">here</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00G12Z36W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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*Disclosure: post includes affiliate links.<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-74489837352881352642015-01-25T08:43:00.001-06:002015-01-25T08:43:06.276-06:00Sunday Funday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hope everyone had a good week. Here are some interesting things I read this week:<br />
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<a href="http://www.wilton.com/blog/index.php/2015-baking-decorating-trends/?cmp=ig:2015trends:trendblog" target="_blank">Wilton's 2015 Baking and Decorating Trends</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/01/chocolatexture-nendo/" target="_blank">Chocolates to represent Japanese words for texture</a><br />
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<a href="http://herpackinglist.com/2015/01/reasons-pack-duct-tape/" target="_blank">20 reasons never to leave home without Duct Tape</a><br />
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I loved bubble tea in college, <a href="http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2015/01/thai-almond-milk-bubble-tea.html" target="_blank">this</a> DIY version looks perfect to try at home!<br />
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<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2015/01/burnt-orange-salty-caramel-sauce/" target="_blank">Burnt Orange Salty Caramel Sauce-</a>whew, what a name!<br />
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See you next week!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-29142426521707705482015-01-23T13:41:00.003-06:002015-01-23T15:23:32.151-06:00Failure Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LyTPoHIEkn1CiOy5emIDW_8IoVhyx8BShvaQKWXiwG24gZ4zIXCySrlwXhLSLG7Gb-cDV40CkR4Ax9eUhxEXIEBRdsqcXTzFK7zEriENRqA5gIUf5EfyKNjTobWIOZn_pSvHYFiQT81k/s1600/marmalade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LyTPoHIEkn1CiOy5emIDW_8IoVhyx8BShvaQKWXiwG24gZ4zIXCySrlwXhLSLG7Gb-cDV40CkR4Ax9eUhxEXIEBRdsqcXTzFK7zEriENRqA5gIUf5EfyKNjTobWIOZn_pSvHYFiQT81k/s1600/marmalade.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Friday! This week's failure Friday comes to us in the form of orange marmalade that I cooked too long and it became so firm that I could hardly get it out of the jar. Watching my husband attempt to spread it onto a piece of bread was pretty funny though.<br />
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Tip: to remove extremely hard marmalade out of the jar, microwave the jar for 30 seconds to help loosen everything up. <br />
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What didn't work in your kitchen this week? Share in the comments or on <a href="http://instagram.com/heatherssweetsandtreats/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> with the hashtag #heathersfailurefriday!<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-14392409140552431332015-01-16T11:05:00.005-06:002015-01-16T11:05:45.641-06:00Failure Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_RR0SpwvXSvd9ZJNriYTH4DZkp8Gg1ufa0srX-A5y_SPrESWzsEQJJA8zT_XAP-qmCDcwiu3HRYouBHmNw0WiHSWajx3dBgWsXAatdBVgj9D-P6gFRmTGortlp4ariAOfZ35jPAzYblg/s1600/Success+is+not+built+on+success.++It's%2B(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_RR0SpwvXSvd9ZJNriYTH4DZkp8Gg1ufa0srX-A5y_SPrESWzsEQJJA8zT_XAP-qmCDcwiu3HRYouBHmNw0WiHSWajx3dBgWsXAatdBVgj9D-P6gFRmTGortlp4ariAOfZ35jPAzYblg/s1600/Success+is+not+built+on+success.++It's%2B(1).png" /></a></div>
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Lately I have had more kitchen flops than kitchen successes. Cookies are being burned, frostings too sweet, and as evidenced above, granola bars just turning out like crap. I like to blame part of it on my new kitchen, but the honestly, I have a lot of baking failures in general. It's how we learn.<br />
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But, it's come to my attention, that only posting pictures of success, especially in the day and age of Pinterest, that some might believe kitchen failures rarely happen. <br />
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So here is Failure Friday, where I will post a picture of something that really flopped this week. Don't fret, there will always be something. Kitchen failures only mean that soon there will be kitchen successes. January is the perfect time of year to practice in the kitchen. It's cold outside, the days are short, what better way to spend an afternoon than to practice.<br />
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I would love it if you would share your kitchen failures with me. Leave a comment and let me know what didn't go right this week. If you are on <a href="http://instagram.com/heatherssweetsandtreats/" target="_blank">instagram</a>, use the hashtag #heathersfailurefridays and that way we can see what we have all been working on together and maybe help each other out.<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-21947719651052290682015-01-14T17:00:00.002-06:002015-01-15T12:32:15.972-06:00Green Tea and White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuXoD5vRALJCBC9DSG8R1RPo7CpW44_8qtrMdMkJETsDBosx3k6aTH-3ijb4dkKPuEk1S7zpnP1g4aWDlmdek-Y08LsD2yDmOisJ5xqmf2zbUU3n1qQlHj_xIk1HvOQQ-SOS8CCxe2b8W/s1600/Green+Tea+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuXoD5vRALJCBC9DSG8R1RPo7CpW44_8qtrMdMkJETsDBosx3k6aTH-3ijb4dkKPuEk1S7zpnP1g4aWDlmdek-Y08LsD2yDmOisJ5xqmf2zbUU3n1qQlHj_xIk1HvOQQ-SOS8CCxe2b8W/s1600/Green+Tea+blog.png" height="640" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats: Green Tea and White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies" width="426" /></a></div>
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It's January, which around these parts, means that it is so cold that to walk to the store you need long underwear, boots, coat, mittens, and a scarf long enough to wind around your entire head. Seriously, though, it was twenty degrees here yesterday and I breathed a sigh of relief for the heat wave.<br />
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I have lived in this area for my whole life, but haven't been a city dweller in quite some time so I am feeling rudely awakened by the inability to acquire some milk without having to risk frostbite to my nose in the process.<br />
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Consequently, I have taken to drinking an afternoon cup of coffee. Something warm to take the chill out of my bones. Naturally, something sweet to go with my afternoon coffee was a must. A rich shortbread cookie infused with matcha powder and studded with creamy white chocolate? Yes, that will do the trick.<br />
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<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-dRTPRmb/0/X2/DSC_0375-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-dRTPRmb/0/X2/DSC_0375-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Green Tea and White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies</h2>
<ul>
<li>3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature</li>
<li>1 cup granulated sugar</li>
<li>5 tablespoons <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087ALJ3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0087ALJ3M&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=K3ME7HJZAQCGFHYZ">Matcha powder</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0087ALJ3M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />*</li>
<li>3 1/2 cups all purpose flour</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla</li>
<li>1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips</li>
</ul>
<br />
Beat butter an sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in matcha powder and vanilla. Mix in flour until just combined. Fold in white chocolate chips. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a greased (or parchment covered) cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool and enjoy!<br />
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*Matcha is green tea powder.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-76364288168017207962014-12-21T08:34:00.001-06:002014-12-21T08:34:23.870-06:00M&M Pretzel Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwenLgahed5lWCBaoBm8i4LqMld-DHyMX0cK-njXufmeMvwtjC5FCXdMY1wLzHykytXEtEuA6p7gCaIMkI34dpTHaEjvWpdVqLVCIQr5WbH775viP3tmST_apdAjR7_-fpfHXcECp2PcZD/s1600/M&M+Pretzel+Cookies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwenLgahed5lWCBaoBm8i4LqMld-DHyMX0cK-njXufmeMvwtjC5FCXdMY1wLzHykytXEtEuA6p7gCaIMkI34dpTHaEjvWpdVqLVCIQr5WbH775viP3tmST_apdAjR7_-fpfHXcECp2PcZD/s1600/M&M+Pretzel+Cookies.png" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Ah, we're in the home stretch. The last day for free shipping is upon us. Our presents are wrapped, our holiday baking is done, all that is left is to relax and enjoy the holidays...<br />
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Unless your me. Then, none of those things have happened and you are still scrambling to come up with something to make for your mom's Christmas and then something else to make for your aunt's Christmas. All this while still wrapping gifts and attending parties and ignoring how sticky your kitchen is.<br />
<br />These cookies are for you. They are easy and festive and everyone likes a chocolate chip cookie.<br />
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<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Tk8fJ3M/0/XL/DSC_0361-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Tk8fJ3M/0/XL/DSC_0361-XL.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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<h2>
M&M Pretzel Cookies</h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2/3 c. shortening</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2/3 c. margarine</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 c. brown sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 c. white sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2 eggs</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2 tsp vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 cup whole wheat flour</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2 cups all-purpose flour</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1-12 ounce bag M&Ms</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1 cup coarsely</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> chopped pretzels</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Beat together shortening and margarine. Add in sugars. Beat to combine. Add in eggs and vanilla. Beat to combine. Add in whole wheat flour and all purpose flour and mix slowly to combine. Fold in M&Ms and pretzels.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Scoop tablespoons onto a cookie sheet. If you used butter instead of margarine, leave a lot of room between cookies. They will spread like crazy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the bottoms are just starting to turn brown. My family prefers cookies on the gooier side, so I tend to try and err on the side of caution by pulling them out a bit early. However, if you like crunchy cookies, leave them in.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-74702337455972488922014-12-10T08:18:00.000-06:002014-12-11T17:41:24.064-06:00Food Gift Idea-Chocolate Pretzel Bites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvftmQDhC-jEAMij4U7L9wJHSoehklG-Yhdxii6vdNDKX82aHo2scDkt6PDXmeIWxhTF4iKT7F5KyGXorXO1HrLxKOksKALEKfdx5c6kWS9400sHZAAXjfMbUwlkfOY3Zw3nPMX2z9mEEU/s1600/Homemad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvftmQDhC-jEAMij4U7L9wJHSoehklG-Yhdxii6vdNDKX82aHo2scDkt6PDXmeIWxhTF4iKT7F5KyGXorXO1HrLxKOksKALEKfdx5c6kWS9400sHZAAXjfMbUwlkfOY3Zw3nPMX2z9mEEU/s1600/Homemad.png" height="640" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats: Homemade Food Gift:Chocolate Pretzel Bites" width="426" /></a></div>
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When I first saw these at a friend's party, like 4 years ago, I was intrigued. Chocolate covered pretzels are one of my favorite sweet/salty snacks but I only make them during the holidays because they are a bit tedious.<br />
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Then I ate one. It was kind of like that old Pringles commercial, once you pop you can't stop. They were just the right combination of sweet/salty/crunchy that one looks for in a snack. I managed to make my way past the table for just one more, about every 3 minutes.<br />
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Fast forward to now, I finally got around to making them. And I realized what a cute little holiday food gift they would make. Pile a bunch in a jar, stick a ribbon and a tag, and bam, food gift conducive to mass production. Also super easy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-jqjB43w/0/X2/DSC_0332-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-jqjB43w/0/X2/DSC_0332-X2.jpg" height="640" title="Heather's Sweets and Treats-Homemade Food Gift: Chocolate Pretzel Bites" width="424" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Chocolate Pretzel Bites</h2>
The amount it makes depends on you. You need 1 pretzel, to 1 Candy Melt, to 1 M&M.<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OT1TA8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004OT1TA8&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=T3FA2AWHPFFRD3G3">Pretzel "Snaps"</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004OT1TA8" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (the square lattice pretzels)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OEYP34/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B006OEYP34&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=L5XWDC756F4A3DWJ">Candy Melts</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006OEYP34" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (I've also seen it done with Hershey's Kisses, but they will take longer to melt. I used white chocolate peppermint candy melts for more holiday flare)</li>
<li>Holiday <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Y642CM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005Y642CM&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=NEYJ4GK4U5FFMXK6">M&Ms</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005Y642CM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
</li>
</ul>
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Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. I first tried doing this on broil and burt them to a crisp. Don't be like me.<br />
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Line a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YKGR9Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003YKGR9Q&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=DDT3FM256VTPLFZT">rimmed baking sheet</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003YKGR9Q" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KUWGDS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001KUWGDS&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=6MXBPQVZPZ7TWBNJ">parchment paper</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001KUWGDS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Line up pretzels on parchment. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, you could get 30-40 pretzels on a sheet. Place one candy melt on top of each pretzel.<br />
<br />
Bake for like 1 minute. Watch these babies like a hawk. Seriously. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflNlqOPnHBy54DIhdi-UZfC9irP7fIE9lAoAWO73ePt0TW_pbvVqnNru1sLK3PREJEcHTLxikq2h_paYdev-kpwqa9GNaoaafTcjugcleogyim9WiDd2xR81eDznTwHbmdX9OicHJ9aEY/s1600/PAY+ATTENTION+WHILE+WE+ARE+IN+THE+OVEN!.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflNlqOPnHBy54DIhdi-UZfC9irP7fIE9lAoAWO73ePt0TW_pbvVqnNru1sLK3PREJEcHTLxikq2h_paYdev-kpwqa9GNaoaafTcjugcleogyim9WiDd2xR81eDznTwHbmdX9OicHJ9aEY/s1600/PAY+ATTENTION+WHILE+WE+ARE+IN+THE+OVEN!.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be like me, burnt chocolate stinks-literally!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When the Candy Melts are shiny all over pull them out of the oven. Press one M&M into a soft Candy Melt. If the M&M doesn't sink in, return the pan to the oven for another 30 seconds to a minute. <br />
<br />
Place 1 M&M on top of each Candy Melt. Allow to cool completely. Slide off pan and into a jar. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-28958201881392995372014-12-03T22:35:00.001-06:002014-12-03T22:40:53.120-06:00Food Gift Idea: Candied Grapefruit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMvKHBEUENj5jeaohl-c8qkH7OcO-8bnfeEJugv52KQi2RMWfKcHf_gbfiHkVWm8gOE_m-iSYUXozNT3YHRkYS05BdNSQhYBip8SPfWCTbzUQxSRXIZ5K5MemDfq1PBx7tTzkGd7A7jES/s1600/candied+citrus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMvKHBEUENj5jeaohl-c8qkH7OcO-8bnfeEJugv52KQi2RMWfKcHf_gbfiHkVWm8gOE_m-iSYUXozNT3YHRkYS05BdNSQhYBip8SPfWCTbzUQxSRXIZ5K5MemDfq1PBx7tTzkGd7A7jES/s1600/candied+citrus.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-color="red" data-pin-height="28"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a><br />
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We all have those people on our Christmas gift list. You know the people. The ones you want to give something special but it's not in the budget to spend a lot of cash. <br />
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You could pick up yet another tin of half stale caramel corn at the store. Or, you could make your own homemade food gift. <br />
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Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to share different ideas that can be made in bulk and packaged up pretty and sweet for everyone on your list.<br />
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First up, candied grapefruit. Candied citrus is a long time traditional treat at Christmastime. I love it because you can make it well in advance (weeks and weeks) and it will keep just fine in a jar in the fridge until you are ready.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-GJRFH2Z/0/X2/IMG_2382-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-GJRFH2Z/0/X2/IMG_2382-X2.jpg" height="640" width="550" /></a></div><a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-color="red" data-pin-height="28"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a><br />
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<h2>Candied Grapefruit</h2><br />
<ul><li>2 cups granulated sugar</li>
<li>2 cups water</li>
<li>2-3 large grapefruits</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
In a large saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil. While the water and sugar are boiling, cut the grapefruits in half. Juice the grapefruits (or eat them). With a spoon, dig out all of the fruits membrane and as much pith as possible. Slice the skin thinly. Cut out any extra pith. Toss the grapefruit skins into the boiling sugar/water mixture. Boil the grapefruit peel until they become translucent, about 30 minutes or so. Pour peel and syrup into a clean jar. <br />
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When you are ready, pull the grapefruit peel pieces out of the syrup. Pat dry on a paper towel. Roll in granulated sugar and allow to dry for a few hours. Bag up and gift away.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-46062230908289393322014-12-01T12:40:00.002-06:002014-12-01T12:40:49.114-06:00Christmas Cookie RoundupSo obviously I have taken some time away from the blog in order to get moved and to get our new place together, but I am back and ready to get started celebrating the holiday season. Here are some past ideas to get the party started:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Fz5NhVn/0/X2/DSC_0743_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Fz5NhVn/0/X2/DSC_0743_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/10/sugar-cookies.html" target="_blank">Classic Sugar Cookies</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-F36TH8g/0/X2/DSC_0119-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-F36TH8g/0/X2/DSC_0119-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2010/12/rolled-butter-cookies.html" target="_blank">Grandma Goodell's Butter Cookies</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-p4hBQXX/0/XL/DSC_0068-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-p4hBQXX/0/XL/DSC_0068-XL.jpg" height="554" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/01/white-chocolate-pomegranate-cookies.html" target="_blank">White Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-H3mWHrk/0/X2/chocolate%20peanut%20butter%20sandwiches-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-H3mWHrk/0/X2/chocolate%20peanut%20butter%20sandwiches-X2.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-kcpwCN6/1/X2/DSC_0562_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-kcpwCN6/1/X2/DSC_0562_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/11/thank-you-truffles.html" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-sNcHJjw/0/X2/DSC_0110-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-sNcHJjw/0/X2/DSC_0110-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/12/peppermint-bark.html" target="_blank">Peppermint Bark</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-16534505518021603162014-11-07T05:00:00.000-06:002014-11-07T07:05:49.834-06:00Apple Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqAcKeouftbpn77TYbG2B-icrwx0q7kV5upos5m-kMrsBKMRASRw0je_tjnKKoGevL1Jzyw8-lNHFXRkztoornKoflriZDmrjsr7d9EQ3B2iTQg6u70FfOfTPFqXmzdxZPClbc3XVly_-/s1600/apple+breadpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="apple, bread, yeasted bread, yeast bread, cinnamon, " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqAcKeouftbpn77TYbG2B-icrwx0q7kV5upos5m-kMrsBKMRASRw0je_tjnKKoGevL1Jzyw8-lNHFXRkztoornKoflriZDmrjsr7d9EQ3B2iTQg6u70FfOfTPFqXmzdxZPClbc3XVly_-/s1600/apple+breadpng.png" height="640" title="Apple Bread-Heather's Sweets and Treats" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here is what I am supposed to be doing: packing, cleaning, sorting. Here is what I did: bake some bread. Made some <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2014/11/honey-cinnamon-butter.html" target="_blank">honey cinnamon butter</a> to go on top. Took some rather crummy photos of said bread and honey butter.<br />
<br />
Queen of procrastination. Awesome. Well, at least we had breakfast for a few days...even if the packing isn't done.<br />
<h2>
Apple Bread</h2>
<ul>
<li>1 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>3 cups bread flour</li>
<li>3 small apples</li>
<li>1 teaspoon cinnamon</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon allspice</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon nutmeg</li>
<li>2 eggs</li>
<li>2 tablespoons honey</li>
<li>2 tablespoons instant yeast</li>
<li>1/2-3/4 cup water</li>
</ul>
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In your food processor, puree 2 of the 2 apples. You can peel them first, you don't have to. Dice the third apple. If you already packed your food processor, dice all the apples.<br />
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In a medium bowl, stir together flours, spices, and yeast. Add in eggs, pureed apples, and honey. Stir to combine. Slowly add in water until dough comes together and is tacky but not too sticky.<br />
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Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic. Incorporate apple chunks when kneading dough. Cover with a clean, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018N46PI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0018N46PI&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=JZA4TZSYWQZRY6VT">lint free towel</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0018N46PI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and allow to raise for about 1 hour.<br />
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Punch down dough and knead for about 2 minutes. Divide dough in half and shape as desired. I shaped my dough into 2 round loaves. Place shaped dough onto baking stone covered in cornmeal or parchment. Cover with a clean, lint free towel and allow to raise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If desired, beat an additional egg in a small bowl until frothy. Brush egg wash over dough. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes. Cool and enjoy with<a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2014/11/honey-cinnamon-butter.html" target="_blank"> honey cinnamon butter</a>.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-30468153922328894532014-11-05T16:46:00.000-06:002014-11-05T16:46:00.506-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-PGxhFSD/0/X2/DSC_0103-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-PGxhFSD/0/X2/DSC_0103-X2.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-3811514637033136282014-11-03T07:17:00.001-06:002014-11-03T07:17:40.234-06:00Honey Cinnamon Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRJLfVKMLkFLhvvBi2EpwNxweN2AskDqiQrpLMdCoqSTS6kgNF7AVPP_iDEAvEZB-yd7_Q30FU_IaCS0TGNfm4Bz9qznC_JSvAy8wyV2CfHqRFdAYh7nLwsy8dTkVyzv9Z3kShl_XgKUj/s1600/honey+cinnamon+butter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRJLfVKMLkFLhvvBi2EpwNxweN2AskDqiQrpLMdCoqSTS6kgNF7AVPP_iDEAvEZB-yd7_Q30FU_IaCS0TGNfm4Bz9qznC_JSvAy8wyV2CfHqRFdAYh7nLwsy8dTkVyzv9Z3kShl_XgKUj/s1600/honey+cinnamon+butter.png" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're packing fools this week. We hope to be moving this weekend. Thusly, much of my kitchen is packed and my time is limited. This honey cinnamon butter, though it looks simple, really rocks some toast. Also, it's easy, takes less than 2 minutes and makes breakfast feel fancy. Side note, make sure your butter is at room temp.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-25774956552091217852014-10-31T07:40:00.001-05:002014-10-31T07:43:48.285-05:00Avocado Truffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEExg2XIE7f_HO1r3h841B03fN7eNKlcEuir5fpCOaKOXOq2jL7S3NyRQaMmscsEsMfuJsEzTuvI7BM32XNBV9cMQqMNA9BQuldTJZ2ARx6QSzHa6-y5Hx3sScaNIwPiciSo4E88Ub487k/s1600/AVOCADO+TRUFFLES.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vegan, truffles, chocolate, candy, vegan candy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEExg2XIE7f_HO1r3h841B03fN7eNKlcEuir5fpCOaKOXOq2jL7S3NyRQaMmscsEsMfuJsEzTuvI7BM32XNBV9cMQqMNA9BQuldTJZ2ARx6QSzHa6-y5Hx3sScaNIwPiciSo4E88Ub487k/s1600/AVOCADO+TRUFFLES.png" height="640" title="avocado truffles" width="426" /></a></div>
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Happy Halloween! Hope everyone big and small has some fun today!<br />
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True story: until my trip to Peru this past May, I did not want anything to do with avocados. I thought they were slimy tasteless fruits that were incredibly difficult to cut. Then, in Peru, I was able to eat really fresh avocados with a squirt of lemon juice and salt. I was in heaven. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-NQRsFpt/0/X2/DSC_0284-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-NQRsFpt/0/X2/DSC_0284-X2.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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When we got home, I started eating everything avocado. One of my favorite ways is to sub out meat or mayo in a sandwich and use avocado instead. Which got me thinking...if avocado is a savory fat substitute, why can't it be a sweet fat substitute. After all, we've seen it <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2009/07/vegan-chocolate-avocado-cake/" target="_blank">done</a> <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-avocado-pudding/#comment-364538" target="_blank">before</a>. Enter the avocado truffle. Surprisingly, the avocado (with a little help from some lemon juice) makes the truffle taste fruity.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-SwVZpPC/0/X2/DSC_0268-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Candy/i-SwVZpPC/0/X2/DSC_0268-X2.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Avocado Truffles</h2>
makes about 12 truffles<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 ripe avocado</li>
<li>1 teaspoon lemon juice</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon kosher salt</li>
<li>1 cup dark chocolate chips (I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YVOFB6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004YVOFB6&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=PUYP4ECIL7Q3UFWK">Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips, 60%</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004YVOFB6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />)</li>
<li>sprinkles, cocoa powder, crushed nuts, or powdered sugar for rolling the truffles</li>
</ul>
<br />
In a microwave safe bowl, <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/11/how-to-melt-chocolate-in-microwave.html" target="_blank">melt chocolate chips in the microwave.</a> While you are melting the chocolate chips, beat together avocado, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Once the chocolate chips are melted, fold chocolate into the avocado mixture. Cover and allow to cool. I waited about 4 hours.<br />
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Using a teaspoon or <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CCY1E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000CCY1E&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=D3XFTLAMQEZWQBKY%22%3Esmall%20cookie%20scoop%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000CCY1E%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">small cookie scoop</a>, scoop out a portion of the truffle mixture. Roll it in your hands to make a nice smooth ball. Then roll the ball in a small bowl of sprinkles (or cocoa powder or powdered sugar, or crushed nuts). Continue with the same rolling process until all of the truffle mixture is gone. <br />
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Alternatively, you can dip the truffles in more melted chocolate instead of rolling them. Personally, I like the ease and color pop I get from rolling them in sprinkles.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-76550490971443811072014-10-29T07:25:00.000-05:002014-10-29T07:25:10.153-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-QfVLJBS/0/X2/DSC_0297-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-QfVLJBS/0/X2/DSC_0297-X2.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-77999679333087134862014-10-27T15:14:00.000-05:002014-10-27T15:14:17.891-05:007 Tips For New Bread Bakers-What I Wish I'd Known<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHR1D0b-Zhwuhgbv1V5SkvM8N1G4emWx_b5NlIsW2lTORgEXbQqPynym_wtxCRh8xfd51CaWe83Fe-NKFjzijwJ2kP8iC0f0ebZ0fTQlaTE1SljPZvkpHIhK5j8R2z9rHzjLkRu1BhbKz/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bread, baking bread, tips, homemade bread, " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHR1D0b-Zhwuhgbv1V5SkvM8N1G4emWx_b5NlIsW2lTORgEXbQqPynym_wtxCRh8xfd51CaWe83Fe-NKFjzijwJ2kP8iC0f0ebZ0fTQlaTE1SljPZvkpHIhK5j8R2z9rHzjLkRu1BhbKz/s1600/7.png" height="640" title="7 Tips For New Bread Bakers-What I Wish I'd Known-Heather's Sweets and Treats" width="426" /></a></div>
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My mom taught me how to make bread when I was a little girl. It was a really fun activity for a kid, kneading dough, watching it rise, slathering it with butter warm out of the oven (actually, also fun for a grown up). <br />
<br />
So when I was first married, I thought nothing of cracking open my fresh copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743246268/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743246268&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=SOPIK2IJZKTH6G3L">Joy of Cooking</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743246268" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
and going to town on one of their bread recipes. Imagine my dismay when the loaf turned out to be pure garbage. But I knew how to bake bread! I'd done it a million times! <br />
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Turns out, I didn't really understand the nuances involved. The little things my mom took care of that I didn't fully understand. Over the next few years (and lots of phone calls to my mom) here are seven things that I learned about baking bread:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-KVj7BVt/0/X2/DSC_0213-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-KVj7BVt/0/X2/DSC_0213-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2010/04/no-knead-bread.html" target="_blank">No Knead Bread</a></td></tr>
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<b>The Second Rise Is Always Necessary</b>-I love to tinker with recipes. When I made that first loaf as a newlywed, I decided that waiting for that second rise was just too much of a pain. Turns out, that second rise is extremely important. It creates air pockets in the dough and shapes your bread into the loaf. Without it, your loaf is very very heavy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-bkG9brv/0/X2/DSC_0026_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-bkG9brv/0/X2/DSC_0026_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/01/whole-wheat-challah.html" target="_blank">Whole Wheat Challah</a></td></tr>
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<b>The Amount Of Flour/Water In A Recipe Is Fluid</b>-It depends who you ask as to which ingredient is supposed to be fluid. My mom always says the amount of flour you put in depends on how dry your dough is. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580082688/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580082688&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=27RKONV6ZXTDWAXZ">Peter Reinhart </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1580082688" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />says that the amount of water you put in the recipe is fluid depending on how dry your dough is. I've done it both ways. It works pretty well both ways. <br />
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The most important thing is to let your dough speak to you. I know, that sounds crazy, but trust me, it works. If the dough is sticky, add a LITTLE bit more flour. If the dough is dry to the touch, a little more water. Your dough should be tacky like that blue <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKQDB4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BKQDB4&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=LYW6W72UBEFIJW5Q">sticky tack</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000BKQDB4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> your teacher used to hang stuff on the wall when you were a kid. If you are going to err on one side or another, make the dough more wet at first because you always add more flour in on the second knead. We tend not to like to get bread dough on our hands and so we make it too dry and then have a heavy loaf.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-ZZb7k9b/0/X2/DSC_0010-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-ZZb7k9b/0/X2/DSC_0010-X2.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/10/monkey-muffins.html" target="_blank">Monkey Muffins</a></td></tr>
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<b>Overproofing The Dough Tastes Bad</b>-If you let your bread dough rise (proof) too long the yeast run out of food to eat. Your dough becomes flaccid and smells like skunky beer. When you are making a sourdough culture this is not a bad thing. When you are making direct method (single day, 2 rise) bread, the flavor profile can get intense. You only want to let it rise to about double the size of your starting dough. Depending on the temperature of your house, this usually takes about 1-1 1/2 hours. If your house is unusually warm, this might go faster. Pay attention. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-4dGQpTW/0/X3/DSC_0012-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-4dGQpTW/0/X3/DSC_0012-X3.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/10/cinnamon-swirl-yeasted-pumpkin-wheat.html" target="_blank">Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread</a></td></tr>
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<b>Bread Is Pretty Forgiving</b>- I know I have told you all the things that can go wrong, but really, you can fix the flour/water problem pretty easily. If you let your dough rise too long, punch it down and let it go again, you will just have a little more flavor than you expected.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-NVNpKGb/0/X3/DSC_0052_edited-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-NVNpKGb/0/X3/DSC_0052_edited-2-X3.jpg" height="366" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/07/homemade-naan.html" target="_blank">Homemade Naan</a></td></tr>
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<b>People Really Love Homemade Bread</b>-I know that I love homemade bread, but I grew up with it. I assumed it was one of those weird things that only my family enjoyed like Dite Rite or excessively sweet desserts. Turns out though, almost everyone I have run into loves homemade bread. And more than that, they love it when you bake bread just for them, shows you're willing to put out a little effort to say I love you. Luckily, many bread recipes make two loaves. One for you to keep and one to give to someone you care about.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-C69RDtz/0/XL/DSC_0008_edited-1-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-C69RDtz/0/XL/DSC_0008_edited-1-XL.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/03/french-bread.html" target="_blank">French Bread</a></td></tr>
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<b>Instant Yeast Is A Lot Easier To Use Than Active Dry Yeast</b>-I grew up using active dry yeast. To make active dry yeast work, you have to add it to a little bit of warm water for 15 minutes at the start of your recipe to "activate" the yeast. Instant yeast or bread machine yeast needs no warm up. You just add it directly to the dough. This is nice because you don't have to worry about what that extra bit of water will do to your dough. If your recipe calls for active dry yeast and you only have instant yeast, just remember to add in that extra bit of water because it is usually accounted for in recipes calling for active dry yeast.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-CvJt7P7/0/X2/DSC_0296-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Bread/i-CvJt7P7/0/X2/DSC_0296-X2.jpg" height="640" width="592" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2010/10/daring-bakers-october-doughnuts.html" target="_blank">Apple Cider Doughnuts</a></td></tr>
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<b>Bread Machines Aren't Necessary</b>-Some people love their bread machines. I am not one of those people. To me, it is a big heavy machine that took up cabinet space and really limits the kinds of bread I can make. One of the best things about baking bread is its simplicity. All you really need is a bowl, a spoon, some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FT1F6Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FT1F6Y&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=OZCQK6ZOJ2Q2NN3K">bread pans</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FT1F6Y" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and time. And most of your bread baking time is really passive time you could be doing something else like laundry or watching the Gilmore Girls on Netflix.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-54042662151414650412014-10-24T06:39:00.001-05:002014-10-24T06:49:56.964-05:00The Age Old Question: Baking Powder Vs. Baking Soda-Which One and Why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbyPwsIXUToWw3_f2MEoLVkb48mGYucJaX5q_qlRWMXoCtMPRmItokauI-oLQhqyqfiyVOpUb_m15y9sTuNci7bdU0lMRIK27_PcCMBIefueBTxR60-PVrYLp3m0suGEKUyAjE2p3mBrq/s1600/Baking+Soda+Vs.+Baking+Powder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="baking soda, baking powder, infographic" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbyPwsIXUToWw3_f2MEoLVkb48mGYucJaX5q_qlRWMXoCtMPRmItokauI-oLQhqyqfiyVOpUb_m15y9sTuNci7bdU0lMRIK27_PcCMBIefueBTxR60-PVrYLp3m0suGEKUyAjE2p3mBrq/s1600/Baking+Soda+Vs.+Baking+Powder.png" height="640" title="Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://lifebeyondsilicon.com/about-2/" target="_blank">Life Beyond Silicon</a> wrote:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;"><b>Hi H! Technical question: how come some of your recent cookies don't have baking powder or baking soda? These are ingredients I almost always find in cookies. Cookies don't really "rise", but what do these ingredients do? Or, written another way, what would happen if I made this recipe and added one or the other one in?</b></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><b>Baking Soda</b>: Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It is a base. When added together with an acid, it creates a reaction and the byproduct is carbon dioxide. Maybe you remember from when you were a kid and mixed baking soda and vinegar together to make volcanos. Same idea. Consequently, you want to add baking soda to baked goods where there in another acidic ingredient. Buttermilk, lemon juice, and some cocoa powders are all examples of acidic ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">One of the reasons that baking soda is regularly used in cookies is that it makes your baked goods spread so you get a flatter, crispier cookie.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Baking Powder</b><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">: Sodium bicarbonate plus cream of tarter. What is cream of tarter you ask? It is potassium bitartrate and is an acidic byproduct of winemaking. It is added to the sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) in order to activate it. That way you do not have to have any acidic ingredients in the recipe, you can use regular milk and flour, etc. Baking powder makes your baked goods puff up, which is once of the reasons it is used in many cake recipes. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><b>Can you swap one for the other?</b> Not really. Even though baking powder is comprised to baking soda, you would have to add in a lot more baking powder to get the same effect. I mixed the two up when baking stout cake once and had a big flat mess on my hands.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">The other part of the question was why have some of my cookie recipes not called for either one? Well, in the case of the caramel apple cookies-butter makes the cookies spread quite a bit already and the eggs in the batter provide enough puff. Also any of the cake mix cookies will already have one or the other in the mix so no additional is needed.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Personally, I have always wondered why some recipes, like <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2010/11/butternut-squash-bread.html" target="_blank">butternut squash bread,</a> required both. Looks like the answer to that is you may may have a bit of acid in the recipe but not enough to make the product raise on just baking soda alone. So you use baking soda to neutralize the acid and baking powder to puff up the baked good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Sources</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><a href="http://www.finecooking.com/item/12173/baking-soda-and-baking-powder" target="_blank">Baking Soda and Baking Powder by Brian Geiger</a></span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bitartrate" target="_blank">wikipedia</a><br />
<a href="http://simmerandboil.cookinglight.com/2013/03/26/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder/" target="_blank">Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder by Kimberly Holland</a><br />
<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2013/10/baking-101-the-difference-between-baking-soda-and-baking-powder/" target="_blank">Baking 101: The Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder by Joy The Baker</a><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-85233479008891622802014-10-22T06:53:00.002-05:002014-10-22T06:53:24.474-05:00Halloween RoundupJust a little Halloween inspiration in case you are looking for something sweet to bring to your party.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cake/i-2kKgJDk/0/X2/DSC_0005_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cake/i-2kKgJDk/0/X2/DSC_0005_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/10/picaken.html" target="_blank">Piecaken</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-wSJmRSr/0/X2/DSC_0542_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-wSJmRSr/0/X2/DSC_0542_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/10/happy-halloween.html" target="_blank">Spider Web Cookies</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Wq2qVD7/0/X2/DSC_0016_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-Wq2qVD7/0/X2/DSC_0016_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/10/nutter-butter-ghosts.html" target="_blank">Nutter Butter Ghosts</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-6GwCb9b/0/X3/DSC_0036_edited-1-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-6GwCb9b/0/X3/DSC_0036_edited-1-X3.jpg" height="366" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/10/nutter-butter-eyeball-cookies.html" target="_blank">Nutter Butter Eyeballs</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-WX9gkzL/0/X2/DSC_0097-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cookies/i-WX9gkzL/0/X2/DSC_0097-X2.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2013/10/mummy-oreos.html" target="_blank">Mummy Oreos</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cupcakes/i-tkZSVhR/0/X2/DSC_0525_edited-1-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/Cupcakes/i-tkZSVhR/0/X2/DSC_0525_edited-1-X2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2011/10/pumpkin-spice-latte-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-Q565T3H/0/X3/DSC_0001_edited-1-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://goodell.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Kitchen/FoodsIngredients/i-Q565T3H/0/X3/DSC_0001_edited-1-X3.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/10/savory-sunday-roasted-pumpkin-seeds.html" target="_blank">Roasted Pumpkin Seeds</a></td></tr>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-4629307503015792212014-10-20T07:11:00.000-05:002014-10-20T07:12:34.833-05:00Wicked Easy Garlic Toast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgVRB19DjeqfpyM8KcCF2dfFC5sLXCm0-S2jedJZrIljk5KVvteJBrTX6vZGpze2XoC0UbY09ACNL7uK1XHw7AgxU-8KXTrOObuGhilFal39VphEfMcf_IFzBIJbC77eUy_nnXYn0-1a_/s1600/Super+Easy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgVRB19DjeqfpyM8KcCF2dfFC5sLXCm0-S2jedJZrIljk5KVvteJBrTX6vZGpze2XoC0UbY09ACNL7uK1XHw7AgxU-8KXTrOObuGhilFal39VphEfMcf_IFzBIJbC77eUy_nnXYn0-1a_/s1600/Super+Easy.png" height="640" title="Wicked Easy Garlic Toast" width="426" /></a></div>
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Ok, this is too too easy. However, there is nothing like garlic bread to jazz up your weeknight dinner. Simply take some bread, any bread will do, and toast it. Then rub the warm toast with a peeled raw clove of garlic and then slather with salted butter. Perfect weeknight garlic toast. Basically zero effort.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-7809013747834342832014-10-19T06:35:00.000-05:002014-10-19T06:35:11.161-05:00Sunday Funday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Sunday! What are you all up to today? Dave and I are headed downtown to try and find a place to live. Hopefully we'll find something good. <br />
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My poor pony has managed to get himself an eye infection, so I have been lucky enough to get to go medicate him every night. There is nothing like a horse barn on a crisp fall evening. Everything is quiet, with just the sounds of all the horses munching their hay. <br />
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Here are some interesting things I read this week:<br />
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<a href="http://clubnarwhal.blogspot.com/2014/10/apple-fritter-monkey-bread.html#disqus_thread" target="_blank">Apple Fritter Monkey Bread</a>-need I say more?<br />
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The cutest <a href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/2014/how-tuesday-pretzel-broomstick-party-snacks/" target="_blank">pretzel broomsticks</a>!<br />
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It's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1834891672"></span>time to put our money<span id="goog_1834891673"></span></a> where our mouth is.<br />
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And in case you missed it, here's what was here earlier this week:<br />
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<a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2014/10/chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-mini.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Peanut Butter Mini Cupcakes</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2014/10/delicious-pecan-sticky-buns.html" target="_blank">Delicious Sticky Buns</a><br />
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Don't forget, there is still time to enter my <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2014/10/a-friday-giveaway.html" target="_blank">giveaway</a>!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-14535521794324194772014-10-17T07:15:00.000-05:002014-10-17T07:18:30.350-05:00A Friday Giveaway!We decided to sell our house and move into the city. We are looking for a change of pace and quite a change it will be. Consequently, I am going from a giant kitchen to probably a very tiny kitchen.<br />
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We got an offer a couple weeks ago that we accepted so it's go time in terms of packing up and cleaning out. Which means good things for you. I was cleaning out my cupboards and stumbled across 3 cake items still in the wrapper. If I haven't used them in the last few years, I'm probably not going to use them. But I thought, maybe, one of you guys could use them.</div>
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First item: some cute Valentine's cupcake picks<br />
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Next item: a cardboard circus themed cake stand with cake server. I originally bought it for my nephew's first birthday but ended up making too big of a cake to be supported on the stand.<br />
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Finally: set of Wilton pillow pans. I had lofty dreams of making Cinderella pillow cakes. But, I never did. Maybe one of you can now fulfill your own dreams of pillowy cakes.</div>
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This giveaway is going to run until next Friday. One winner and open to U.S. Residents only. Have a great weekend!</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d5256b41/" id="rc-9d5256b41" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914577327669414214.post-29747598135582619372014-10-15T20:56:00.000-05:002014-10-15T20:57:57.990-05:00Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB96y0WOfaDpcUeYgjWnqxPUu5wocofLAO3IGVfX8j6_kV7ilCyMG77glWBPeFNmG-2JOSC6r4Bxzrd41nb3SaBq1O5nwO-4oedSgp-7uK5kUikp_y9jw4tMA03faGQtTyWKX1U07Nkcd/s1600/Chocolate+peanut+butter+cupcakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB96y0WOfaDpcUeYgjWnqxPUu5wocofLAO3IGVfX8j6_kV7ilCyMG77glWBPeFNmG-2JOSC6r4Bxzrd41nb3SaBq1O5nwO-4oedSgp-7uK5kUikp_y9jw4tMA03faGQtTyWKX1U07Nkcd/s1600/Chocolate+peanut+butter+cupcakes.png" height="640" title="Peanut Butter Chocolate Reese's Stuffed Mini Cupcakes" width="426" /></a></div>
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Yesterday, I committed two cardinal food sins:<br />
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1. I went to the grocery store hungry. I ran in for some milk and somehow ended up driving home with a big bag of Reese's cups</div>
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2. I used canned frosting for these cupcakes. I KNOW! But honestly, I was lazy and it was in my cupboard and sometimes, it's important to make life easier on yourself.</div>
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Forgive me? You will once you realize how over the top delicious and incredibly easy these cupcakes are to make. I got the cupcakes in the oven last night while I was waiting for the pasta water to boil. Yeah. Easy like that.</div>
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cupcakes</h2>
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makes about 20 mini cupcakes</div>
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Cupcakes</h3>
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<li>1 box <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AGAZQR6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AGAZQR6&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=S33UOIPP2DYZOO3F">Jiffy Yellow Cake Mix</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00AGAZQR6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (this can sometimes be hard to find in the store. You are more than welcome to use whatever yellow cake mix, just follow the directions on the back of the box)</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>20 Reeses miniatures</li>
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Line a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake wrappers. If you don't have mini cupcake wrappers-get some. The Reese's are going to melt and then stick to the bottom of your pan an pull apart your cupcakes if you don't have cupcake wrappers. You can buy them here and have them shipped right to your house. Unwrap Reese's miniatures and place one into the bottom of each cupcake wrapper.</div>
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In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, water, and egg. Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons cake batter overtop of the Reese's cup in the bottom of the mini cupcake tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool completely and then frost. Maybe try not to eat them all while they're cooling but be sure to sample at least one while they are warm. They are pretty incredible even at this point.</div>
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Frosting</h3>
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<li>1 can chocolate frosting</li>
<li>1/2 cup peanut butter</li>
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Stir together chocolate frosting and peanut butter. The good news is the peanut butter thickens up the canned frosting making it easier to pipe. <a href="http://www.heatherssweetsandtreats.com/2012/02/how-to-fill-piping-bag.html" target="_blank">Fill your piping bag</a>. I used a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CFOI8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000CFOI8&linkCode=as2&tag=heassweandtre-20&linkId=M22WIXHASCPHGPH5">Wilton 4B tip</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=heassweandtre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000CFOI8" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. (Pro tip: don't use a basic round tip with chocolate frosting or you run the risk of your frosting looking like <a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2009/7/7/who-ordered-the-poo-poo-platter.html" target="_blank">poo</a>). Pipe swirls, stars, or whatever onto your cuppies. Garnish with sprinkles, if you so desire. Enjoy!</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12469021630536139754noreply@blogger.com7