A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

Just what everybody wants, right? Not! Gluten free is a buzz word. Current diets are based on it. But for many, gluten free isn't just a diet, it's relief! We've been on a journey with my boy cherub. It's been difficult, with many unanswered questions . . . until now! We know that gluten is not his friend. Gluten makes him sick. Some day soon, when there's more time, I'll share a bit of our journey. Right now, though, I want to share this recipe. For some, you'll be glad. You've decided that you're willing to jump into the world of gluten free baking. For others, you don't even need this. That's OK -- tuck it away for another day. One of these days, we might be coming to your house for dinner, and you'll be stressing out, and you'll remember this recipe. You'll decide to mix this up and make a ton of gluten free desserts just to show how much you love us! Gluten Free Flour Substi...

These are baseball cookies and bats that were ordered for a baby shower. I know I've said it before; I just L.O.V.E. decorated sugar cookies. I'm not sure that there's anything better! This is one of my favorite sugar cookie recipes because it's so stinking easy! I was going to post a link to the blog where you could find the recipe . . . then discovered that I had never posted the recipe! That's unbelievable! Whether you make a plain cookie and frost it with store bought frosting, or you whip up some royal icing and make a masterpiece, you won't be disappointed with this cookie! Vanilla Sugar Cookies 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup butter, chilled, cut into small pieces 1 cup powdered sugar 2 egg yolks 2 tsp. vanilla Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the flour in a food processor and add the butter.  Pulse the mixture until it resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla and process until you have a...

Coconut . . . an under-rated condiment. But coconut is fantastic . . . . it's even more fantastic when it's toasted! I remember my great grandmother making toasted coconut. There's really no recipe for toasted coconut, that I'm aware of. I remember my grandmother just adding butter and coconut. She toasted hers on top of the stove in a heavy pan. I toast mine in the oven. Either way, you can't go wrong! All you want is to get the coconut nice and "toasty."  Like in the picture above. Perfect! Toasted Coconut Butter Sweetened flaked coconut Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place desired amount of coconut in a bowl. Put in some butter.  Maybe a TBSP or so -- depends on how much coconut you have. Place bowl in the microwave and melt the butter. Then stir the coconut all around, keep stirring, . . .keep stirring, until all of the coconut is coated with the melted butter.  The trick -- you don't want a ton of melted butter...

I have to practice restraint when looking at the King Arthur website! I want one of everything! When a friend gave me a bottle of "fiori di sicilia" -- it's changed they way I look at extracts! When my little friend, Benjamin, gave me a gift card last May to King Arthur -- I knew I was in heaven! I ordered several things -- but two flavorings that I got where the Princess and the Vanilla Butternut. Both are subtle and add just a bit of depth to cakes, cookies, and frostings!  The flavorings and extracts are strong -- so just a little goes a long ways!  I've never added more than 1/2 of a tsp. in any recipe! If "living on the baking edge" is thrilling to you -- then get yourself a bottle of each  . . .and maybe the Butter Rum too! That's my next purchase!

It is true . . .I can bake for you. I'm asked a lot -- do you bake for people? The answer is " YES !" The only requirement:  You have to live close enough that your items can be picked up -- I don't offer any sort of "drop shipment." Whatever you want, I can usually make for you: pies cakes cookies scones cupcakes biscotti brownies bars By Texas law, I must inform you that I am not inspected by the Texas State Health Department.  So with that information, I want to let you know two important facts: There are no animals that live in my house I keep a clean and sanitary kitchen And finally -- when you order, I want you to know that you are receiving "home baked goods."  I do not claim to have bakery quality looks or abilities.  I simply make for my family what we enjoy and my hope is that you'll do the same! So!  If your in wants of something to take to the office, or deliver to a friend, or carry to a pot-luck, and yo...

Did you ever have one of these when you were a little kid? I did -- I remember it well. I remember the delicious cakes! Some things have changed for the Easy-Bake Oven . . . like they're plastic now! But the Easy-Bake mixes are just about the same!  Wink, Wink! My sweet little cherub (all decked out in her Summer look!) has had an Easy-Bake Oven for a long time. We did the pre-package "convenience" mixes 1 time. And 1 time only! If she was going to bake and I was going to have to eat it . . . I wasn't eating that stuff! Plus, those mixes aren't necessarily cheap! So, this momma figured out how to use my recipe mixes in my cherub's Easy-Bake Oven! That's right -- real cake and cookie mixes that actually taste good after they've been cooked with a light bulb! Here's what we do! First, she begs me to get her Easy-Bake Oven down off of the shelf and asks me if I have any number of mixes ready. Usua...

My boy cherub has been apart of the Honor Guard at school this year. This privilege is reserved for 6th graders. He and his partner are responsible to lower the flag every day during their week. They were trained by the local fire department honor guard as to how to do their task correctly as well as responsibly and reverently. Today is their end of year party with pizza and drink. Of course, moms were needed to provide dessert. This mom didn't mind a bit to get the request yesterday . . .and run home before picking the kids up from school and delivering everybody to their after-school-activity, and whip up some cupcakes! Oh no!  What fun that would be! And not just plain cupcakes with plain frosting! Oh no!  Let's try to do something we've never tried before! Of course!  That would be the stressful way of creating the "oh, no big deal to send treats" kind of cupcake! My cherub gets tired of chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I...

I said that with my chocolate chip cookies, I think the silpat is what makes the difference. I've gotten this question . . . . "What's a silpat?" A silpat is a silicone baking mat. That's it. It's thin, goes right on top of your favorite baking sheet, comes in a variety of shapes and I use it for a ton of stuff: cookies biscuits meringues biscotti pizza doughs cheese crisps This is what they look like They're re-usable.  You just wash them and roll them up according to instructions and store until you need them again. I use mine ALL THE TIME that I don't even roll them up any more! They're not cheap and there are other brands, but I'm just saying, my silpats are amazing!