Friday, August 28, 2015

cafe food at home

I am guilty again for the long absence. I have no new posts as I have not been baking that often. Instead of baking, I find myself getting more interested in cooking.


Unlike baking, I do not always follow recipes to the t when it comes to day-to-day cooking. I tend to replace or substitute ingredients freely and I could get away with eyeballing the amount of ingredients or seasonings I put in the dish. As such, I find it difficult to share cooking recipes especially when I am not a good cook to begin with.





While I may not be able to spell out the cooking instructions, I thought why not share some of the photos of the dishes I prepared. The quality of the images are not great since they are taken with my mobile phone under very poor lighting condition.



I used a free mobile app to jazz up the pictures and they don't look that bad, at least I am not shy to post them ;)



This is an easy meal I prepared for my husband when he was home for lunch...poached egg and mushrooms served on store bought focaccia. I learned this from a cooking show on tv. For the toppings, I stir fried some button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and bunashimeji with some onions, garlics and seasoned it with salt and pepper. The salad dressing is a simple combo of 3 parts olive oil to 1 part lemon juice, nothing fancy.

The most tricky part of this meal is cooking the poached eggs. This is the first time I have ever poached an egg. The eggs were cooked using a straight forward method...just bring a saucepan of water to a simmer, then create a 'tornado' with a spoon in the water and put in the cracked egg. No salt or vinegar is needed. Although the eggs turned out looking quite ok, at least for a first timer, the water temperature was a bit too high, the water became so cloudy with egg whites floating all over, what a waste!



This is a visually appealing and delicious meal with a good mix of protein, fiber and carbs. Even though it is something so simple, I can't help but to feel proud of myself to be able to put together a cafe style meal like this at home. All I needed was a nice cup of coffee to end the meal.








Thursday, August 27, 2015

Is this like being on the Wheaties box?

Last year, my friends at Imperial Sugar asked if I'd be interested in making some cookies to go on their new powdered sugar packaging.
Wait. WHAT??? 

new imperial sugar packaging
Of course, the answer was, "Yes! Of course!" And the in the back of my mind, I was thinking, "Maybe they emailed the wrong person." 

new imperial sugar packaging
Anyhoo, last week the boxes finally arrived in my grocery store. I might of stopped dead in my tracks, then spent a few minutes straightening the display. Then, I took a picture and totally forgot what else I was there to purchase. 

The whole process of the cookies and pictures for the box was really interesting. I made a bunch of cookies...and took, oh, about a zillion pictures with the cookies stacked and grouped in different combinations. Here are a few...
decorated cookies from bakeat350.blogspot.com
There was feedback from Imperial and then more cookie combinations and photo taking. After that, there was just the waiting to actually SEE the boxes on store shelves.

new imperial sugar packaging
Now, they're here! Yay!!!
{I know, how many pictures of powdered sugar boxes can one person take? Answer: a lot.}

I'm thinking this is my version of being on the Wheaties box. You know, without having to exercise. 

To celebrate, I thought we'd have a little giveaway...

new imperial sugar packaging
First, Imperial Sugar will send the winner a case of 1 pound powdered sugar! 

cookie decorating books : decorating cookies & decorating cookies party
Second, I'll send the winner signed copies of both of my books, Decorating Cookies and Decorating Cookies Party

decorated cookie projects from the Decorating Cookies books
{Here are a few of the cookie projects from the inside of the books.}

kate spade : eat cake for breakfast
Third, how about some baking inspiration to go with that sugar? I'll also send the winner the Kate Spade "Eat Cake for Breakfast" apron and insulated tumbler. 

Want to enter? Leave a comment on this post. Easy, right? 

Entries accepted through 11:59pm CST, August 31st. US addresses only, please. 
(Winner will be notified via email.)

*book links are affiliate links*

Good luck and thanks for celebrating with me! ♥

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich Cookies

You could also call these cookies Honeyed Fluffernutter Cookies. Or A Honey of a Peanut Butter Cookie. Or Marshmallow-Filled Honey Peanut Butter Cookies.
Today, I'm calling them lunch.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
You might know Wholesome!™ for their natural, dry sugar, but did you know they have liquid sweeteners as well? Wholesome!™ sent me a box of goodies (talk about a sweet mail day) and I used their Organic Honey for this recipe.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
*their new packaging is seen in this photo...don't panic if the honey in your store has a different label, same good stuff.*

We always have honey in the house for sweetening tea and making peanut butter, honey, and banana roll-ups. Another favorite honey treat of mine is endive leaves spread with goat cheese and drizzled with honey. So good, but I digress. Let's get back to the cookies.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
These cookies are just the cutest. Peanut butter and honey cookies are sandwiched together with just a bit of marshmallow creme. The cookies are special because they're sweetened only with honey. You could even skip the filling, I won't be mad. ;)

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Tuck these into a lunchbox, or eat them for an after-school snack. There's something so comforting about the combination of peanut butter and honey, don't you think?

Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich Cookies
{makes about 24 sandwiches or 48 cookies}

1 & 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (do not use regular whole wheat, can sub all-purpose)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup cream peanut butter
3/4 cup Wholesome!™ Organic Honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
marshmallow creme

Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
With an electric mixer, cream together the peanut butter, honey, and butter until combined and creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla; mix well. On low speed, add in the flour mixture until just combined.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
With a small cookie scoop (2-teaspoon), dollop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets. Dip the tines of a fork into flour and make a crosshatch pattern on the top of the cookies. (The dough will be sticky; dip the fork into the flour each time.)

Bake for 9 minutes or until done. Let rest on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com
To make the sandwich cookies, place 1 teaspoon marshmallow creme on the bottom of one cookie, and press together with another. Best served soon after filling.
peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com

These are my kind of sandwiches.

*disclosure: this post was sponsored by Wholesome!™. Recipe and opinions are my own.*
peanut butter and honey sandwich cookies, cookies are sweetened with only honey | bakeat350.blogspot.com



Saturday, August 22, 2015

Sweet on Trader Joe's Saturday: Key Lime Tea Cookies

Hello all! This week we're reviewing Trader Joe's Key Lime Tea Cookies.

trader joe's key lime tea cookies review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
Jack and I are both suckers for Key Lime...and I guess you know how we feel about cookies. A 12-ounce package of cookies costs 3.99.

trader joe's key lime tea cookies review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
A mom's (my) take: These remind me of mini wedding cookies...a crumbly cookie with a nice coating of powdered sugar. The flavor is a very tart Key Lime. I wanted to love these guys, but I have to tell you...they smelled weird. I realize this makes me sound like a crazy person, but I couldn't get over it. The cookies are good, though...
Overall rating: 3 of 5 stars

A teenager's (Jack's) take: These small cookies pack a big punch of flavor. That is, the key lime flavor is very tangy and prominent. Not too much, but it is definitely strong. The buttery cookie inside isn't too crunchy, or too soft, and provides a very pleasant aftertaste. I really enjoy these little guys, and aside from tea, they could definitely work by themselves as a sugary, tangy pick-me-up.
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars


trader joe's key lime tea cookies review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
Trader Joe's Key Lime Tea Cookies: split decision!


[note: We have no affiliation with Trader Joe's. I'm sure they have never read this blog and have no idea who we are. Hey, we like being incognito, although we never wear sunglasses indoors. ;)]

Read all of our Trader Joe's sweet treats and dessert reviews

What else are we loving this week?


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Back to school = back to cookies.
{Not that I've taken a break from cookies over the summer or anything.}

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
A funny thing happened when I posted a picture of these cookies on instagram yesterday. Someone piped up and said that when she sent a cookie in her child's lunchbox, she got a note home requesting that she only send "healthy snacks." So the next day, she sent TWO cookies. That is my kind of woman right there. #mompower #cookiepower
Dear schools, don't mess with a mother's right to make her child cookies. You will have a revolution on your hands. The end.

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
Jack started his junior year in high school today. < insert questioning how the summer went by so quickly and how in the world my child can be this old here. >

Is he too old for me to be baking cookies for his lunchbox and after school snacks? NEVER.

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
Let me tell you about these cookies. First, I love a soft, puffy cookie, but these are not those. Because of the caramel bits baked in, I wanted a chewy, thin, buttery cookie. These are basically a version of the good ol' Toll House Cookie (thank you, Ruth Wakefield, American hero) with a few twists.

First, I subbed over half of the flour for Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. This is optional; feel free to use all-purpose flour for the entire amount. If you do bake them as I did, be sure to use pastry flour, not regular whole wheat. Two, I added Kraft caramel bits. These are small pellets of caramel...they bake up wonderful and chewy. Look for them near the chocolate chips. Speaking of chocolate, I used chocolate chunks...
salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
....clearance chocolate chunks. Classy. Guys, could YOU pass up clearance Scharffen Berger chocolate? I think not. Finally, the cookies are hit with a pinch of Fleur de Sel sea salt before baking. Don't skip this. Look for Fleur de Sel in the grocery store, or order it online.

Are you ready to make these babies?

print recipe photo printrecipe.jpg
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 & 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup Kraft caramel bits
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chunks (Scharffen Berger, preferred)
Fleur de sel for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Whisk together the flours, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugars together until well combined and creamy. Beat in the vanilla and eggs, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
Stir in the flour, then stir in the caramel bits and chocolate chunks.

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to dollop the dough onto the cookie sheets. Leave at least 2" between cookies. Sprinkle a pinch of fleur de sel onto the top of each cookie.

Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is baked through. Leave on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

*links may be affiliate links.

salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies ... big, buttery, chewy cookies for back-to-school or anytime!
Lunchbox, after school snack...breakfast? Whatever the case, MAKE THEM.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Sweet on Trader Joe's: Our 5-Star Reviews (so far)

We had a request for a list of our favorite Trader Joe's goodies. It's been a while since we last did a round-up.
30 of the best desserts and sweets to buy at trader joe's
There are some seasonal items on this list...I've been scanning the aisles lately for the first signs of pumpkin. No sightings, yet. ;)

Here you go...our double 5-star reviewed Trader Joe's desserts and sweet treats:
{click the links to read our full reviews}


I now know what I'll be doing today....heading to Trader Joe's. I'd forgotten about a lot of these! 

30 of the best trader joe's sweets and treats
[note: We have no affiliation with Trader Joe's. I'm sure they have never read this blog and have no idea who we are. Hey, we like being incognito, although we never wear sunglasses indoors. ;)]

Read all of our Trader Joe's sweet treats and dessert reviews

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Mocha Toffee Brownies

I almost didn't get to eat these brownies. Mr. E requested some brownies to take to work and it wasn't until I was taking them out of the pan that I realized that they wouldn't all fit on the tray. Hallelujah!
mocha toffee brownies | from bakeat350.blogspot.com
{I promise I didn't pick the smallest tray I could find.}

Mocha. Ah, mocha. My introduction to mocha started early in life. My mom always ordered Jamocha (what exactly is JAmocha?) Almond Fudge at Baskin-Robbins and my Nana was a big fan of the Jamocha shake at Arby's. (Again with the Jamocha...is that mocha you eat in Jamaica? So exotic!)

mocha toffee brownies | from bakeat350.blogspot.com
Anyhoo...when I worked at the mall in my 20s, I'd get an iced mocha every morning before the store opened. Every. Day. In Decorating Cookies Party, there's a recipe for Mocha Cut-Out cookies. You get it. I love me some mocha.

Well, here they are. Mocha Toffee Brownies. The brownies are as they should be: thick and fudgey. They're frosted with a mocha ganache and then sprinkled with toffee bits. Good stuff.

mocha toffee brownies | from bakeat350.blogspot.com
print recipe photo printrecipe.jpg
Mocha Toffee Brownies
{makes one 9x13" pan}

for the brownies:
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 TBSP vanilla extract
1 TBSP espresso powder
3 eggs
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

for the frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
toffee bits for sprinkling

Grease a 9x13" pan. Preheat oven to 325.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, stir in the sugars. Stir and heat until the sugar is hot, but not boiling, just another couple of minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Combine the vanilla and espresso powder, then add to the batter. Whisk in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the flour.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until done. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Make the frosting: In a small saucepan, stir the cream and espresso powder together. Heat the cream to a bare simmer. Place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Stir with a silicone spatula until the chocolate is melted and the gananche is thoroughly mixed. Let the ganache set up, stirring occasionally, until it is thick and spreadable. Use an offset spatula to spread over the cooled brownies. Top with the toffee bits.

Place the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for the frosting to set.

*recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion
*links may be affiliate links

mocha toffee brownies | from bakeat350.blogspot.com
Be sure to place the brownies on a small-ish platter for giving, so you have some to keep at home. ;)


Monday, August 10, 2015

Cherry Pie Bars

cherry pie bars :: like sugar cookie bars and a cherry pie got married ♥
Imagine if sugar cookie bars and a cherry pie got married.

I like food marriages. Last week, I saw this macaroni & cheese pizza and, well, I haven't been able to stop thinking of it since.

cherry pie bars :: like sugar cookie bars and a cherry pie got married ♥
Here's what I love about these bars: EVERYTHING.
The sugar cookie base is thick and almond-y. The cherries are tart and sweet. The whole thing comes together in a snap. Cherry pie with no fork required.

cherry pie bars :: like sugar cookie bars and a cherry pie got married ♥
After the bars have cooled, you'll dust them with powdered sugar. My powdered sugar shaker (filled with Imperial Confectioner's Powered Sugar, of course) is one of my favorite kitchen tools.

cherry pie bars :: like sugar cookie bars and a cherry pie got married ♥
Mr. E went a little ga-ga over these. (Maybe men don't go ga-ga. Whatever you want to call it, he LOVED them.)

If you bake one thing this week...make these bars.

I'm sharing my cherry pie bars recipe over on Imperial Sugar today.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Sweet on Trader Joe's Saturday: Blueberry Cereal Bars

I'm thinking of this as our Trader Joe's back-to-school edition. I don't know about you, but when school rolls around, I like to hit up the bars. The cereal bars.

trader joe's blueberry cereal bars review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
There's a basket in our pantry stocked with bars for those rushed mornings (aka when I'm too lazy to make breakfast), to toss in a lunchbox, for an after school snack, sporting events, etc. etc. Bars are my go-to. (Not like they were in college. *ahem*)

Trader Joe's This Blueberry Walks into a Bar Cereal Bars come in a box of 6 for $1.99.

trader joe's blueberry cereal bars review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
A mom's (my) take: These bars were one of the first things I ever purchased at Trader Joe's and I keep coming back. Soft, fruity, whole-grain...I love having them on hand. I appreciate that they're not frosted or colored artificially; I can get that from cookies. They're a staple in our house.
Overall rating: 5 of 5 stars

A teenager's (Jack's) take: I love these, and have resorted to them for many a quick breakfast. The amount of fruit on the inside is a perfect amount to balance the grain part of the bar, and it's not too runny or jelly-like, either, making it easy to break in pieces or share with someone without a mess. I consider these to be a wonderful balance of fruity and grainy, sweet and savory, pliable and sturdy, etc... I could go on.
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars

trader joe's blueberry cereal bars review : part of a weekly review series of tj's desserts and treats
Trader Joe's This Blueberry Walks into a Bar Cereal Bars: put them on your list. 

[note: We have no affiliation with Trader Joe's. I'm sure they have never read this blog and have no idea who we are. Hey, we like being incognito, although we never wear sunglasses indoors. ;)]

Read all of our Trader Joe's sweet treats and dessert reviews

Other things we're loving this week:

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Tea with the Queen: Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Tea with the Queen! 
Pip, pip! Cheer-io! 'Ello Guv-na! 
{That's all I can say with a British accent. I wonder if the Queen can speak Texan?}

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Well, I couldn't resist this Queen cookie cutter. Ever since Kate Middleton arrived on the scene, my interest in the monarchy has definitely increased. Seriously though...England, we will trade you all of the Kardashians (and a Kanye) for your Kate. Even just for the day. Heck, you can keep the Kardashians. (Please.)

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
[Note: I bought my cookie cutter from Fancy Flours. It's also available from World Market and Amazon.]

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
In keeping with the royalty (royal-tea) theme, these shortbread cookies are flavored with Earl Grey tea and European butter.

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Earl Grey tea is black tea flavored with oil of Bergamot, from the Bergamot orange. So good. The cookies end up looking at little like poppyseed cookies, but the specks are from the tea. The orange flavor really shines here in these super buttery cookies.

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Let's not forget that the Queen needs her pearls.

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q-WCqkvA4QfsiHZL17LPiriDCywJ9NxFW5NIijSPc4Q/edit
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
{makes 12-24, depending on cookie cutter size...12 queens using this cutter}

1 cup unsalted European butter (I use Land O' Lakes)
3/4 cup sugar
3 TBSP Earl Grey tea (if the tea is very coarse, run through a spice grinder, then measure)
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 & 1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
sugar pearls for decorating

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325.

Beat the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until combined and fluffy. Mix in the tea and orange extract until thoroughly combined.

On low speed, add in the salt and flour, mixing just until incorporated and a dough forms.

On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4" thick. Cut into shapes. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 10 minutes before baking. (This will help the cookies keep their shape.)

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
Bake for 15 minutes or until done. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use kitchen-only tweezers to place the sugar pearls. Once placed, press down slightly into the warm cookie. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

*adapted from the King Arthur Flour Go-Anywhere Shortbread recipe
*Amazon links are affiliate links

tea with the queen : earl grey shortbread cookie recipe | bakeat350.blogspot.com
All hail the Queen (cookie)!