Summer & Wish List

Summer is here! Well, if you live anywhere other than western NC at least, as it apparently is flooding and raining like monsoon season here. Fourth of July was so wet that we can't set off fireworks. Word on the street is that our area of the state received all of its July precipitation in just 5 days. Blah, whatever. Fireworks are overrated (not really, I missed them terribly this year). I'll just burn something in the oven and act like I'm setting off a few bottle rockets.

So yeah, it's summer. Which means I haven't been baking as much of late. Haven't really been cooking much of late, actually. One big cake order (recipe to follow soon) and a few minor baked goods, but this chef has been slacking. Big time! Who can blame me when it looks like this here?! (minus the recent downpour)

All of this sunshine and warmish weather has me planning out my baking schedule and dreaming up a wishlist of recipes to try. With a few wedding cakes to make in August as well as the heat of the summer hitting, I have this month to tinker around and see what I can get out of my adult style easy bake oven. After looking over the list below, I can definitely see a chocolate and orange theme emerging...

• Mexican Chocolate Stuff Strawberries
• Cinnamon Chocolate Churro Cupcakes
• Orange Scented Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting
• Chocolate & Peanut Butter Swirl Bundt Cake
• Parmesan Biscuits
• Cardamom Orange Coffee Cake Loaf
• Black Carrot Cake with Greek Yogurt Frosting
• Carrot & Orange Cupcake with Walnut Topped Peanut Butter & Citrus Frosting

Check back soon for the cookies and cream cake recipe! Twas a big hit!

Welcome 2013!

The new year is here, just like every year that came before it. And with it comes a slightly too long list of goals, wishes, and ambitions for spending 2013 the best way possible. Or at least for me it does. Since this is the baking corner of my world, I figured I'd share my 2013 wishlist with all of you fabulous folks.

• Learn to use my spiffy new, upgraded KitchenAid properly. 
• Become better with working with flaky dough. 
• Improve my tart making skills.
• Go on a foodie vacation to somewhere amazing (yes, please feel free to join me).
• Take a skill-improving class. 
• Develop my idea for a B&B/patisserie experience. 
• Donate some of my baking time to a local non-profit or for a good cause.
• Network with my local foodies, hello NC!
• Improve this foodie corner of the world.   
• Return to my beloved biking for as many reasons as possible (transportation, socializing, moving around baked goods, and plain ol' fun).

Happy new year & may all of your 2013 baking & biking endeavors be splendid! 

Recipe WishList

Well, I bet you noticed I haven't been around much lately. I tend to do that from time to time. Too much travel, or as most recently too much sickness, keeps me busy and I don't get to post as much as my foodie urges press me to. Believe me my inbox is full with ideas for future baking endeavors and the 2012 cookie trays, however any actual time spent in the kitchen has been close to nothing. Don't fret, I will return here shortly in full baking form! And yes, that is a peakcock...just a random bird I was blessed in spending the afternoon with on my recent travels.

In the meantime, check out my wishlist of recipes to whip up as soon as my two feet stay on the ground (and out of bed) long enough to bake something decent. They are a mishmash of various recipes, derived from many hours spent (uselessly) researching new and fun ways to put food into my mouth. Hopefully you will see a few of these soon!

• Butterfly Whoopie Pies
• Cranberry Orange Rugelach
• Lasagna Bolognese 
• Jam Filled Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
• Cranberry Noels
• Chocolate Roll (a.k.a. giant yodell)
• Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Roll
• Piggy Print Cookies (Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Thumbprints)
• Stuffed Apples with Sage Filling
• Enchilada Cups

It's Spring! And My Wish List

Hi spring, welcome to the neighborhood. I've missed you ever so much. 

One of the first places the signs of spring abound is near the waterway that runs through our beautiful town, the Willamette River. Sadly, when I am out on the road I don't get to see much of this taking place.

Being self-employed (outside of the cooking realm) keeps me busier than I would like to admit. Last week was spent traveling and training, followed by a hellish day of attempting to battle airports and the friendly skies. Anyone who flew through SFO last Friday will sympathize here. To kill time and use free wi-fi, I often spend my layover hours browsing current recipe trends. When I am away from the oven, my mind fills with daydreams of baked goods and tasty treats. A few of my current wish list items include:

• Lavender Macaroons With Orange Honey Buttercream by Baked Perfection  (omg these look amazing)
• Sprinkle Bakes version of Sparkling Champagne Cupcakes
• Corn Macaroni With Asparagus Fava Beans by Vegalicious 
• A leftover from the holidays, Eggnog Pound Cake With Crystal Run Glaze by My Baking Addiction 
• Jamie's Grand Marnier Cupcakes from Three Many Cooks
• Chocolate Shavings version of Sun Dried Tomato, Goat Cheese, & Olive Loaf

Be on the look out for my trial runs of any of the above. And my newest concoction - the cocktail cupcakes dozen pack!

Wish List

It is with great joy I report that baking season is almost upon us. Yippie! And yes, there is definitely a baking season in my life. While I probably do more baking than most folks, come cold season I spend as much time as I can in front of the stove...primarily to stay warm. Oregon fall and winter lend themselves to darker days, cooler temps, and a cup of hot buttered rum in front of an oven baking some delicious treats. Equate it to my version of the holiday season = baking season!

While December will bring the annual (massive) cookie tray spread, I have some time to fill before then. Below is a short list of recipes that have recently caught my eye, not to mention taste buds, and deserve some attention this coming season:

• Parmesan Rosemary Flatbreads by The Italian Dish
• Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookie Sammies by Crepes of Wrath 
• Orange Marmalade Cookies with Orange Zest Icing by White On Rice Couple
• Mom's Apple Cake by Smitten Kitchen
• Port Wine & Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting by Ming Makes Cupcakes
• Apricot Almond Tart with Blackcurrants & Lavender Syrup by Vegalicious
• Ale & Pretzel Soft Carmels by Sprinkle Bakes
• The Best Coffee Cake Ever by The Pioneer Woman
• Cinnamon Sugar Brioche by Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

However, next up... Carrot Cake Cupcakes by personal request. Mmmm, I just may have to start those now.

If you have a recipe you haven't tried or have been eyeballing for a while, please share and maybe I can whip up a batch. If you live near my neck of the woods, maybe you will even get a taste test. Enjoy!