Sugar

Extensions By Lindy

2011-02-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

www.extensionsbylindy.blogspot.com
www.extensionsbylindy.com

What are eyelash extensions?
Eyelash extensions are syntheitc eyelashes that are individually applied to each natural eyelash. They enhance the beauty of the natural eye and give the look of mascara. Eyelash extensions can be applied to look as natural or dramatic as you would like.
How long does the application take?
Eyelash extensions are a painless process, taking an average of 2-3 hours for a full set. Extension refills are 90 minutes. Eyelash extensions last an average of 5-6 weeks. To have your eyelash extensions always looking their best fills are recommended 3 weeks from the inital application.
How long do they last?
Your initial set lasts about 6 weeks, if properly cared for.

Nemo & Squirt

2011-02-08T22:33:00.001-08:00

This cake has been by far my favorite one to do! Reason being I was able to do whatever I wanted, the only request was that there be Nemo and Squirt. It definitely tested my sculpting skills and trying to recreate the look of coral was fun too!

Buzz Lightyear

2011-02-08T22:27:00.001-08:00

Again I apologize for the quality of my photos. I always seem to be snapping a picture as I am rushing out the door to deliver the cake. This was my first sculpted cake, I was terrified at first! But I just broke it down piece by piece and after 5 days of working on it, he came out looking like Buzz!

Savanna's Birthday Cake

2011-01-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

Tinkerbell Cake

2011-01-22T10:38:00.000-08:00

This cake was a lot of fun to make, I do not have a picture of the final design. A tinkerbell was on the very top.

My Son's Cake

2011-01-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

My Son LOVES hotwheels, so I had to make him a hotwheels cake! I wish I would have given myself more time to work on it, but Kaluna and all his little party friends loved it!

Cake Class

2011-01-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Everything I have learned about cake making up to this point has been self taught, and I learn A LOT from lots of mistakes. I still have so much that I would like to learn. Orson Gygi offers some amazing classes, and they have a fondant class that I took. I am SO happy I did, I learned many new techniques from it. In the three day class we made our own cake. I plan on taking more classes as they come up.

Baby shower cupcakes

2011-01-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

Leilani's Wedding Cake

2011-01-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

So this cake has been my most challenging one so far. She wanted it clean, simple, and with columns. Which I have never worked with before. Also she wanted her figurine in the center to light up. But! Even with all the bumps in the road it came out exactly how she wanted it, and in the end, all that matters is that the bride is happy! Although I did kinda feel like Duff from ace of cakes with my electrical work :)

More to come....

2010-11-17T17:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not stopped in for an update in awhile, BUT there is a lot more to come this next week!! So hopefully this simple baby shower cupcake will do for now! ;)

Baby shower cupcakes...again! :)

2010-09-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am trying really hard to improve on my picture taking skills! ;)

Martha Stewart Cake

2010-09-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

This bride wanted some custom flavors and a very simple but elegant copy of a cake from a Martha Stewart cake book. It was just messy butter cream, but the flavors were almond cake with raspberry filling, a dark chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse, coconut cream cake, and a white and dark chocolate caramel swirl cake, YUM!!

Jeanette's Bday Cake

2010-08-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Its my step moms bday today!! Happy Birthday Jeanette, we love you!!

(I think this would be a fun wedding cake if it was all done in white!!)

Babies in blankies

2010-08-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

These are for my sisters green and orange themed baby shower. I was not planning on doing them originally, so they were made VERY quickly!! I have seen them made with the baby and blanket covering the entire top of the cupcake, but I did not have enough fondant to do that. I think I like them better this way though! :)

Lori's Bday Cake

2010-08-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

This cake was a lot of fun to make cause I LOVE working with chocolate fondant, and it taste just like a tootsie roll!!

I am sorry about the quality of the pictures I have been taking, most of them are done in a hurry and with my iphone. I promise I'll get better! :)

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2010-07-09T22:47:00.001-07:00

Since my birthday is on July 5th, we always celebrate it with the family on the 4th, so I had to make myself a patriotic cake!!

June's 1st Birthday

2010-07-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

These cuties where made for little June's first bday. I made just a small 'smash' cake for the birthday girl, then the ladybug cupcakes for all her guests!!

Paisley Bday Cake

2010-06-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

My niece loves monkeys, so for her 2nd birthday party I made her a monkey cake! This cake was a lot of fun to make, and the best part was Paisleys face when she saw it. After she blew out her candles she stuck her finger in the monkeys belly button! :)

Gretchen's Wedding Cake

2010-06-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

I have made a handful of cakes, but this one was by far the most stressful and time consuming. I am SO happy with how it turned out! We did hit a few snags, and if it didn't have the roses on it, the cake would not have looked flawless. The bride was happy and that's all that matters!

Baby shower cupcakes

2010-06-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

My BFF was having a baby shower and offered to make her cupcakes. Not only do they look cute but they were super yummy strawberry cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting, YUM!

Test cake

2010-06-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am making a wedding cake for a close family friend, and although I have made a couple before I wanted to be sure I could create exactly what she wanted. So here is my test cake, pretty proud of myself. Although the actual cake will have three tiers!! I'll be sure to post pictures of the final product!!

Dirtbike Cake

2010-06-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, its been FOREVER since I have posted a single thing, but adjusting to life with two kids took some time. And now that I think I have gotten the hang of things summer comes running into my life, and who wants to be inside?! Not me!! But I will be popping in more often, I have a bunch of birthday and wedding cakes that I'll be making this month!! :)

This quick and fun cake I made for my dads birthday! He LOVES dirtbikes, so how easy was it to make a cake look like dirt (I sure know when I mess them up that's how they look anyways) then throw a toy dirtbike on top! It was a hit!!

Mexican Food Night!!

2010-01-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

As I have mentioned before, I LOVE Mexican food!! I could live off it! One of my goals for this new year is to expand my cooking menu and try recipes from all sorts of places around the world. So why not start with my favorite?

Chili Lime Enchiladas

1 to 1 1/2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded

4 Tbls. honey

5 Tbls. fresh lime juice

1 1/4 Tbls. chili powder

1/4 tsp salt

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 onion diced

1/2 small can diced green chilies

1 Tbls. sambal oelek

(This is a spicy garlic chili paste, I always have it on hand cause I love it. It can be found in the oriental section)

8 to 10 flour tortillas

16oz. enchilada sauce (red or green)

1 lbs. montery jack cheese

(I use the one with jalapenos in the cheese)

1/2 c. heavy cream

Combine honey, lime juice, chili powder, salt, garlic, onion, green chilies, and sambal oelek in a large ziploc, and mix well. Add shredded chicken and marinate in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. Pour half of enchilada sauce in the bottom of a greased 9 x13" pan. Reserve 1 cup of shredded cheese for topping. Fill tortillas with chicken mixture and cheese, roll and place in pan. Combine heavy cream and remaining enchilada sauce, pour over rolled tortillas, and top with reserved cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Spanish rice

3 Tbls. olive oil

1 cup uncooked white rice

1/2 tsp. chili powder

3/4 tsp. ground cumin

1-2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 onion diced

1/2 small can diced green chilies

1/2 cup tomato sauce

2 cups chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil over medium high heat, add rice and cook till it just starts to brown, add onion and green chilies, cook another minute. Add chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, and tomato sauce, mix till rice is well coated. Slowly add chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 30 minutes or until rice is done. Fluff rice with a fork

Chocolate Cookies

2010-01-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have to start off with saying sorry for my very llooong absence!! This pregnancy has not exactly been a walk in the park, so a lot of the things I enjoy doing, have been put on the back burner. But now that I am in the last stretch of my pregnancy, and besides feeling rather large, am doing pretty good, and am back in the kitchen! At least until our sweet little boy arrives. :)

So here is one of my favorite cookie recipes, its simple, can be mixed up however you choose, and most important yummy!!

2 sticks softened butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2/3 cup cocoa powder

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups white chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars till fluffy. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time, mix till well blended then add your dry ingredients. Fold in the white chocolate chips, and spoon by the tablespoon onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 13 to 14 min, I like mine a little underdone that way they set up and stay soft a gooey in the center. I have done this recipe a million times, white chocolate is my fave, but I have also done it with walnuts, dark, milk and mint chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless :)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2009-09-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Being pregnant has made it extremely hard for me to be in the kitchen, the smells and some sights will send me running to the toilet. So I have been trying to make the things that I crave which is not always easy, cause when you have a pregnancy craving for a McDonald's hamburger, you gotta have a MACDONALD'S HAMBURGER no other hamburger will do!!! :) Mexican, Thai, and anything salt and vinegar are on my craving list ALL the time, unfortunately for my baking blog, sweets are not something I love right now :( So for now, I will post anything outta of the ordinary that I cook!

2 Tbls. flour

3 Tbls. oil

3 corn cobs

1 red pepper

1 lbs. chicken breast or tenders, diced, or cubed

1 tsp poultry seasoning

1 tsp. ground cumin

salt & pepper

1 small zucchini, diced

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic

1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced

(you can find these in the mexican food aisle)

1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes

1/2 (8oz) can tomato sauce

1 small can diced green chilies

3 cups chicken stock

3/4 cup heavy cream

Char corn and red pepper in broiler, or over a gas stove. Remove skin from pepper, and dice. Cut kernels off corn cobs, set both aside. In a soup pot, over medium/high heat add oil, and brown chicken for two minutes, then add poultry seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook chicken another two minutes, then add zucchini, onion, garlic and chipotle peppers. Cook another 2-3 minutes, then add in flour cook another 4-5 min. Add diced tomatoes with juice, 1/2 can of tomato sauce, chicken stock, and cream. Stir well and bring to a boil. Then add green chilies, red pepper, and corn. Bring to a boil again, reduce heat to low cover and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Serve with sour cream, avocado, Frito's, tortilla chips, ect...

*I forgot in the original post that I added about 3 Tbls of white sugar, you can leave this out. I just thought it needed a little sweet balance :)

Septembers Theme

2009-09-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize for my absence lately. I have not been in the kitchen as much as I would like, with me being pregnant and sick, cooking is not exactly soothing on my stomach :) But the baking group is still going strong!! This months theme APPLES!! If you would like to join please let me know at ajkeala@yahoo.com

August's Theme

2009-07-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

If you can't tell by the pictures, August's Theme is ICE CREAM DESSERTS!!! I know a lot of you are thinking there is no way!! But its desserts, not just ice cream. I am not expecting everyone to bring a big bucket of hand churned ice cream (although if you want to that is amazing!) There are a lot of creative things you can do with store bought ice cream. I think it is a great way to end our summer! We will be meeting the last wednesday of August, which I believe is the 26th. If you are interested in joining in on the fun please email me at ajkeala@yahoo.com

July Baking Group

2009-07-30T11:29:00.001-07:00

July's baking theme was APPETIZERS! It was a lot easier to stuff ourselves sick with real food rather than sweets. We had a great turn out this time and everybody made amazing food! Thank you ladies (and Joey) for your yummy food and helping out!!

My son Kaluna enjoying a fruit kabob from our 5yr old chef Lucky :) After all the food was gone we could not move :)

Kelly playing babysitter! And this is not even half the kids that come!!

This months list:

Myself: Chili chicken lettuce wraps

Bre: Spicy stuffed mushrooms

Flo: Spinach roll ups

Lacie: Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon

Cassie: Easy marinade meatballs &

Guri Guri (maui style ice cream)

Kelly: Avocado mango cream dip

Lori: Watermelon slushies

Lucky: Fruit Kabobs

Dream...

2009-07-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

This was my first 'official job.' I had so much fun making these, even though this was the largest amount of decorated cupcakes I've ever made (50!!). These cute little cupcakes were for a 'dream' themed baby shower. Thank you Melissa for giving me this opportunity :)

Jaeden's Birthday

2009-07-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

My best friend Lacie's son Jaeden turned 5 on Monday, and she asked me to make some sport themed cupcakes and a cake. I had a lot of fun making these. Happy Birthday Jaeden, we love you! :)

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-08T08:16:00.001-07:00

Hope you all had a fun and safe 4th! I know we did :) These are the fun patriotic treats I made for the family BBQ.

July's Theme

2009-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know this is supposed to be a "baking" group but the girls who have been participating are tired of the sweet treats. So we are gonna try something different and see how it works. APPETIZERS! Yum, right? We will be meeting the last Wednesday of this month, July 29th at 4pm. If you would like to participate please email me at ajkeala@yahoo.com

June Baking Group

2009-07-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am sorry it has taken me SO long to get this up. Summer always seems to be crazy busy. But here it is our bread baking group, and I must say this one was YUMMY! We ate carbs till we were sick :)

We had a delicious list this time:

Cinnamon Rolls

Zucchini Bread

Orange Rolls

Chicken Stuffed Dinner Rolls

Yogurt Bread

Sweet Bread w/ strawberry cream spread

Scones w/ honey butter

If you would like any of these recipes please just drop me a note :)

Vacation!

2009-06-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

I will not be posting for a couple weeks, we are leaving for Hawaii!! I will be back just in time for the baking group. So for those of you who are still debating on whether your ready to tackle bread baking its not too late! Email me at ajkeala@yahoo.com I will be checking my email while away!

Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

2009-06-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

These fun cookies are this months recipe for the Cookie Carnival. I have never had actual strawberries in a cookie so I was a little nervous, but they turned out pretty good! My brother LOVED them. I did add a little more sugar to the last batch cause when you bake strawberries they get a little tart.

2 cups strawberries diced 1/4 inch
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup + 1 tbls. sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
6 Tbls. cold butter, diced
2/3 cup heavy cream
sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together the diced strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 Tbls. of the sugar, set aside. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining sugar, cut in the cold butter or just use your hands. Slowly add in the heavy cream until a dough forms. stir in your strawberry mixture. Drop by the tablespoon onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with sanding sugar and bake for 20-23 minutes. These cookies are best when eaten shortly after baking.

Sesame Street

2009-06-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun making these! They were for a sesame street themed baby shower!

June's Baking Theme

2009-05-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

So with Cupcakes done we move onto our next 'challenge' which was decided by all the ladies who participated in May's baking group. Drum roll please....BREAD!! Yes, I know I have stated many times how bad I am at baking bread, but all the more reason to do it right?? Hopefully I don't poison anyone!! Don't let it scare you too much, it's not just yeast breads, but quick breads, fruit breads, rolls, etc. We will meet June 24th. If you would like to join please just leave me your email and I will send you more info!! :)

May Baking Group

2009-05-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

So our May baking group has come and gone, and I think we all gained ten pounds!! It turned out great for our very first meeting. I know I enjoyed every ones cupcakes and their company. We had quite the list of yummy treats:

Lacie-Devils food with dark chocolate frosting

Lori-S'more cupcakes

Kelly-Devils food with italian sweet cream frosting

Bre-Chocolate banana with cherry filling and cream topping

Natalie-Cranberry orange cupcakes

Myself-Cantaloupe vanilla cupcakes

Thanks ladies for your baked creations!!

And this is all that was left by the end....

If you would like any of these recipes please let me know and I will post them, or better yet join our baking group :)

Umm...

2009-05-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

What do these look like to you?? Maybe some yummy snickerdoodle cookies? Ya, maybe not! Every once in a while my hair brain ideas and creations don't quite go as planned. Still not sure what they are? Well, they are SUPPOSED to be cupcakes! I know, I know! What in the heck happened? I'm not sure either. But I will say this, they tasted good :) I am going to give these another whirl, and hopefully will leave you a recipe, cause you don't want this mess of a recipe!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommy's out there! Hope your enjoying your day! I know I am, my great husband got me a gift I have been longing for! TA-DA! Yes, I finally got one! I am really gonna be a bakin' machine now :)

Coconut Creme Cupcakes

2009-05-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

I made these cupcakes VERY quick for a few of my co workers and a dinner later that night, so I did cheat and used a cake mix, but I dressed them up :)

For Cupcakes:

1 box white cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. coconut extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and beat for two minutes. Pour batter into cupcake pan with liners and bake 18-20 min, or until inserted tooth pick comes out clean. Make sure your cupcakes have completely cooled before you continue.

For Filling:

8oz. (half a can) sweetened condensed milk

8oz. coconut milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and coconut milk, set aside. Whip heavy cream till stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the coconut mixture. Fill a piping bag set with a large piping tip (I used #12) with your creme filling. Insert the tip into the middle of the cupcake and gently squeeze, making sure not to over fill your cupcakes. I did a test one and cut it in half just to check. Chill cupcakes for at least 30 minutes.

For Frosting:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Shaved coconut

Whisk cream till soft peaks form, then add extract and powdered sugar and continue to whisk till stiff peaks are made. Frost each cupcake then dip the tops into a bowl with the shaved coconut. Store cupcakes in the fridge.

It's set

2009-05-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

The baking group is set! The first meeting will be May 27th, if your interested in joining please leave me your email and I will add you to the list and send you more info! :)

Cupcakes anyone?

2009-05-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about baking and how to get other friends and family involved. Because we bake (or at least I do) to share it with others, a dessert always brings a smile to someones face! I want to start a club, but not just one where you bake and tell, but bake and EAT! I'll set a date, and a theme once a month. Lets say cupcakes this month, you'll bake a new creation make copies of your recipe and come to my place, and we eat cupcakes, share stories, and recipes. So not only do we get together to have a good time, but we get new recipes!! I need feed back though, cause I want this to be big! The more the merrier, right? I want to meet new people, so drop me a note, and leave me your email. Let me know if your interested, any ideas, days that would work best to do this.

Fruit Pie Bars

2009-05-05T10:15:00.001-07:00

Have you ever gone through your mom's or grandma's old recipe box? Well I have and this is just one of the MANY recipes. I hope to make all of them, then I'll really be bakin' just like mom used too :)

Crust & topping:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup cold butter

Filling:

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup flour

pinch of salt

16 0z. blackberries

(Any type of berry will work, I just used what I had on hand. You could also used frozen berries just make sure you defrost them and they are not the ones soaking in juice)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x8" pan. Combine flour, sugar, and salt and cut your cold butter into the flour mixture to create a crumb topping. (now you can do this is a food processor but I do not own one :( so I just use a good old fork and my hands) Reserve half of the mixture for the topping and press the remaining into the bottom of your pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, remove and let cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile whisk eggs and sugar until combined, then add sour cream, flour and salt. Gently fold in your berries, and spoon the mixture over your crust. Sprinkle on the rest of your crumb topping. Bake for 45-55 minutes, remove and let cool for at least 30 minutes before you cut it.

Round up!

2009-05-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

The cookie carnival round up is complete!! Check out http://phemomenon.blogspot.com to see all the yummy lemon bars :)

Shirley's

2009-05-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

I drive by this bakery almost every day and finally got the chance to stop by. The very first thing I saw was a sweet looking old couple, holding hands, sipping on coffee and pastries on the table waiting to be eaten. I was surprised to see that this little bakery was all OPEN, you see the pans, the ovens, rising dough, the bakers baking, frosting, and decorating. It would be great if all bakeries were like this, just to take a peak at the pros. Now Shirley's is not like a lot of these new cupcake and specialty cake bakeries, this is old school style; dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, donuts, danishes, every type of cookie you could imagine. But they had something I have never come across, you can choose what type of frosting you want on your rolls, from cream cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, to the tempting raspberry cream cheese!! I got six orange rolls with cream cheese frosting, and they were yummy! Inside the roll wasn't just orange glaze, but tiny chunks of candied orange! So if your looking for the traditional bakery swing on by Shirley on Freedom Blvd. in Provo you won't be disappointed. (Sorry for not having pictures I did not have my camera with me)

This little piggy...

2009-04-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

First off I have to give props to Bakerella, she makes cake pops like nobodies business. I had KNOW idea how much work they are. From start to finish it took me about four hours to make them!! Well worth it though, it is my grandma's birthday and she loves pigs! I originally was going to make a cake, but we are all just going out for her bday so I thought I'd give cake pops a whirl! Not too bad for my first time, I'm definitely no Bakerella though! :)

Sprinkles

2009-04-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of posts but there was an unexpected death, my hand mixer passed away!! We have had a lot of great memories. But out with the old and in with the new! No, I did not get a kitchenaid stand mixer (someday). I also found sprinkles, and lots of them! Thank you to all of you who dropped me a note :)

Black n' White Cookies

2009-04-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have seen these cookies made a million different ways, I love them all! But this creation was an attempt to use up what ingredients I had in my pantry. I am really bad when it comes to buying ingredients to bake something but not using it all up.

1 cup butter softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

1 bag white chocolate chips, or baking bark.

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl sift together the baking soda and flour. In a separate bowl beat butter, brown sugar, and sugar until creamed together and fluffy. Add both vanilla and almond extract, then beat in eggs adding only one at a time. Add in sifted cocoa powder, making sure it is completely combined. Slowly add your flour mixture. Drop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 14-15 minutes. When done remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile melt your white chocolate (I just melt mine in the microwave.) Make sure your cookies have completely cooled, then dip half of your cookie into the chocolate and place onto a cookie sheet line with parchment paper to set up.

Cookie Carnival

2009-04-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have joined the Cookie Carnival, which was created by Kate at The Clean Plate Club. Every month she will send you a new cookie recipe, you make it, then email them back pictures and any comments you have about the recipe. It is great cause who doesn't love getting new recipes? Plus it's a great excuse to bake! This months recipe was Toasted Almond Lemon Bars from 'The Sweet Melissa Baking Book.' I love, love anything baked with citrus, it reminds me of warm spring days and picnics. This one was a winner!

For Crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, lightly toasted
1/2 tsp. salt
20 Tbls. softened butter (2 1/2 sticks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spread almonds onto a cookie sheet and bake 10-15 min. Until lightly toasted. (I only baked mine 8 min. but every ones oven is different, just watch them closely so they don't burn) Remove and place on a wire rack to cool. Spray 9x13" pan with vegetable oil. Make a sling with parchment paper, so you can easily remove the bars and cut them. Combine all ingredients in a food processor until balled. ( I am not lucky enough to own a food processor YET! So I just placed the almonds in a ziploc and rolled over them with a wooden rolling pin till they were finely crushed and just did the rest by hand.) Press into pan and 1 1/4 inches up the sides, making sure there are no cracks. Cover with foil and pie weights (Once again, I do not own pie weights, but dried rice or beans will do the trick.) Bake 25 min, remove foil and pie weights, bake another 10 min. until golden brown.

For the Filling:
4 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6-7 lemons)
1/4 powdered sugar

Whisk eggs and sugar until smooth, and almond extract. Slowly add flour while still whisking to not create lumps. Add lemon juice, and pour into baked crust. Reduce heat to 325 degrees, and bake 30 min. or until golden and firm. Remove with sling when cool, slice into bars and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Lime Cupcakes

2009-04-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

Spring was here, it felt AMAZING! Until I woke up to six inches of snow the next day!! Spring always seems short lived in Utah. So while I've been staying warm inside I decided to bring back a little bit of my sweet spring with lime cupcakes!

Note: My pictures are slowly improving!! Yaa!

I made this recipe with a yellow cake base, but I think when I make them again I will use a white cake base. I also used my mini cupcake pan for the first time, I ruined the first batch cause I over cooked them. But the rest turned out pretty good.

For Cupcakes:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbls. lime zest

Juice from one lime

1 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup buttermilk

In separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, set aside. Combine butter and sugar, and beat until smooth, slowly add eggs one at a time. Add lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla. Add half of the flour mixture, make sure it is fully combined then add half of the milk. Repeat until flour mixture and milk are gone. If baking in a mini cupcake pan preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake for 8-10 minutes. For regular size preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 18-20 min.

For frosting:

1/4 cup softened unsalted butter

8 oz. softened cream cheese

zest from one lime

juice from two limes

3 1/2-4 cups powdered sugar

Beat together butter and cream cheese, then add lime zest and juice. Beat until fully combined. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.

Rice Pudding Again!

2009-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

I figured that since I ate SO much over the holiday weekend I will keep ruining my diet and eat some more!! Rice pudding again, but a different recipe. I had better luck this time with it thickening up, but I think the taste of the previous recipe was better, still very good though :)

I got this recipe from www.maresfoodandfun.blogspot.com which she got from March 09' issue of Bon Appetit.

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup Basmati rice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, split

Bring water, rice and salt to a simmer in a large heavy saucepan, over medium high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer till water is absorbed, about 10 min. Add milk, cream, and sugar. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean, add seeds and bean. Increase heat to medium, cook uncovered till rice is tender and mixture thickens, about 35-40 min. Serve warm or cold.

Help...

2009-04-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

I need help finding a few things, I have searched every place in Utah county I know that sells baking supplies. I'm looking for sprinkles! Sugar pearls in all sizes, and mini candy coated chips! Why are they so hard to find? Is there a secret spot that I have not been informed of?? I know I can buy them online, but I am a procrastinator!! And need them soon! So if you know of a few places that might have them or any other baking supplies please drop me a note!! Thanks :)

Baby Shower Cupcakes

2009-04-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have been busy baking away this month! I made these for a baby shower. You can't tell in my amazing picture but I used (for the first time) edible shimmer dust, I was surprised how much of a difference it made!

Easter Cupcakes

2009-04-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

I whipped these tiny nests up for a bunch of young girls for a church activity. Quick and easy, especially since I have a TON of Easter candy laying around. I did run into one problem, I've never toasted coconut and I burned half the bag of coconut before I got it right :)

Thai Turkey Burgers

2009-04-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

I know this is not a sweet dessert, but this was to yummy to keep to myself. I love, love Thai food and I will admit I am not the best cook. But every once in awhile I whip up something that is surprisingly good!!

Sauce:

1/2 cup soy sauce

4 Tbls. sugar

1/2 garlic clove

1/4 tsp grated ginger

1 1/2 tsp. corn starch

1/4 cup cold water

Combine soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger in small sauce pan and bring to a boil, reduce heat. Combine corn starch and water, slowly stir into sauce just to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside for burgers.

Burgers:

1 lbs. ground turkey

2 Tbls. finely chopped cilantro

2 tsp. creamy peanut butter

2 tsp. fish sauce

1 tsp. sriracha chili sauce

1/4 tsp. lime zest

1 tsp. lime juice

1 small garlic glove

1/2 tsp. grated ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients and divide to make four burger patties. Grill on the bbq or broil in oven. Garnish with tomatoes, sprouts, green onion, ect..

Tartlets

2009-03-26T23:03:00.000-07:00

I previously posted this recipe but I wanted to make finger food for a party, and since I enjoy this recipe SO much I played around and instead of using a large tart pan I used a mini cupcake pan, they turned out to be a hit. I will say it was a little time consuming to make them all but worth it!

I put the filling into a large ziploc bag and just cut off the tip, it made it very easy to fill the little tart crusts.

The sweet end... These would be great for a baby or bridal shower, so yummy!

Lemon Bundt Cake

2009-03-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize for the extreme lack of posts, but their are two very good reason for my absence. 1, I just signed my two year old up for swim lessons and do not want to be the 'chubby' mom in the pool every day! 2, I started training for a half marathon that I will be running in august, and cupcakes and rice pudding are not a runners diet (although I wish it was!)

Tonight me and my friend Lacie hosted a Scentsy party and I had to make a few goodies for it. I got this recipe from a family friend and I LOVE it! Super easy, it is what some people would call cheating, but its so good who really cares!

This picture is awful, but you can't judge a dessert from its picture!!

1 box lemon cake

1 package lemon pudding

1 cup water

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. Pour into a bundt pan, bake at 350 degrees for 50min or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

For Glaze:

4 Tbls. frozen concentrated lemonade

1/4 cup water

2 Tbls melted butter

2-2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients adding powdered sugar to desired consistency. While cake is still warm, and in the pan poke holes all over and pour half of the glaze into holes. Let cool ten minutes then turn out cake onto plate. Poke holes all over the top and pour remaining glaze.

More Aprons...

2009-03-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

I love aprons if you haven't noticed and yet again their is another giveaway! This time it is an apron from Boojiboo! So cute! Check them out and enter at http://stepmomextraordinaire.blogspot.com

Aprons

2009-03-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Good Things Utah!! I also love blogging and cooking, and a miracle happened and all those things came together! PheMOMenon was featured on GTU, and her along with Bloom-n-Blush are giving away an apron! You can check both of them out at http://phemomenon.blogspot.com and http://bloomnblush.com

Citrus Meltaways

2009-03-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

The first time I made these light little cookies was for a baby shower I hosted and they were a hit. I got the original recipe online from Martha Stewart and it calls for limes. But I have made MANY variations from her recipe. This time I used oranges, I have also used grapefruit and lemons!! I enjoy making them cause they are very simple and a fun twist on a cookie.

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

zest of two limes

2 Tbls. lime juice

1 Tbls. vanilla

1 3/4 cup + 2 Tbls sifted flour

2 Tbls. corn starch

1/4 tsp. salt

Beat butter and 1/3 cup of the powdered sugar till pale and fluffy. Add lime juice, lime zest and vanilla beat till blended. On low speed at flour, corn starch, and salt. Divide batter in half and roll into 1 1/4 inch logs on parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Cut into 1/4 inch rounds and bake at 350 degrees for 12-13 minutes. While still warm toss in remaining powdered sugar!

Pan biscuits

2009-03-10T19:43:00.001-07:00

I am so sad to admit it, but I am horrible at making breads! My best friend always makes fun of me cause I cannot even get Rhodes rolls to turn out perfect. It is something with the whole yeast, rise, and wait part that goes horribly wrong!! I came across this recipe on Cafe Johnsonia and figured since there was no yeast involved I will give it a try.

1/3 cup butter

2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 Tbls. fresh chopped herbs

1 Tbls. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put butter into a 9" square pan, melt in heated oven, remove and set aside. Combine all dry ingredients (cheese included) create a well in the middle and add milk. Stir till just moistened, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead ten times. Roll into a 12"by 4" rectangle and cut into 1" strips to make 12 rolls. Dip into butter and arrange in pan two across and six down. Bake 20-25min.

I apologize for not having a picture of he finished product but my son got into them before I could. I did do a few things different from the recipe, but only cause I did not have all the ingredients on hand. Instead of parmesan cheese I used shredded cheddar. I also find it very hard to always keep fresh herbs on hand. Around Thanksgiving I came across freeze dried herbs that you store in your fridge and have been using those ever since, but only use half of what the recipe calls for.

My Fave

2009-03-09T20:06:00.001-07:00

One of my all time favorite desserts is rice pudding!! I could eat it every day, my brand of choice has always been kozy shack cause it has that homemade taste. So instead of battling the incredible snow storm today I made my own for the first time! I looked over probably twenty different recipes and read the reviews for all of them, and after all that research I decided I didn't need a recipe I'll just do it myself!! So of course it did not turn out perfect, but it tasted AMAZING, almost like kozy shack :) The problem I ran into was that it did not thicken up as much as I would have liked. So the recipe I'm giving is the changed one, the one I will use when I make it again:

3/4 cups Basmati rice

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 1/2 cups water

3 1/2 cups half and half

1/2 cup carnation cream

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg (beaten)

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Using a heavy bottom sauce pan boil rice, salt, and water. Once it reaches a boil reduce heat, cover and simmer on low for 8-9 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed. Then slowly stir in the half and half, and sugar. Once it reaches a boil again reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes stirring occasionally ensuring your rice is not sticking to the pan. Slowly stir in beaten egg and cook for 2 more minutes (At this point you could also add in any other flavorings or ingredients; raisins, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, extracts. Although if you would like to add fruit I would do that very last) Remove from heat and add vanilla, then add carnation cream to desired consistency. Remember as it cools it will thicken so you can always add more cream later. Refrigerate with plastic wrap pressed onto the top of the pudding so it does not form a skin. SO yummy!

More giveaways!

2009-03-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who does all sorts of fun giveaways on her blog. Right now she is giving away a face mask product from Pure Naturals, you can check her out and enter at stepmomextraordinaire.blogspot.com! She is also doing a few other great giveaways :)

Relax

2009-03-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

Sweet life in the Valley is doing another great giveaway this time it is a $100 gift card to Primrose Retreat in Spanish Fork. You can check her out at sweetlifeinthevalley.com

Saturdays

2009-03-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday morning I make breakfast with the help of my two year old son Kaluna. Normally we just use what we can of the leftover ingredients from the weeks meals, like the veggies, cheeses, and meats. But this week I had made Macaroni n' cheese and had some left over ricotta cheese so I whipped up this! Once again I apologize, I don't have measurements for this quick creation but its very simple.

ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and powdered sugar was all I used to make this yummy breakfast. I didn't have very much cream cheese left but if you make this I would use equal parts of both cheeses then just add powdered sugar to taste, I probably used 3Tbls. Refrigerate it while you make your french toast. I ALWAYS make my french toast the same, I use cream instead of milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice :)

Sweet give away

2009-03-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

Designs by Vanessa is giving away these cute magnets and hair accessories by Just add Charm

designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com

Fruit Tart

2009-03-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

Since spring is in the air I wanted to make a light and fruity dessert. I got this recipe from my aunts neighbor, now for those of you who have gotten recipes from me before you know I NEVER follow them and I never have exact measurements! I think of recipes as more of guide lines. But this one was SO good I only changed a few things. This is a great recipe because you can do so many different things with it....

For the crust you will need a 10" tart pan, preferably with a removable bottom. Or you can use several mini tart pans:

3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

Mix all ingredients to make a dough and press into tart pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 10-15 min. Now if your in a real hurry, or just want less work you can buy the pre-made sugar cookie dough in the plastic tubes and just follow the baking time as directed.

For the filling:
8oz. cream cheese
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla till smooth. In separate bowl beat heavy whipping cream until stiff. Fold in with cream cheese mixture, and spoon into tart shell (make sure you tart shell is completely cooled) Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Now for the creative part!! You can do any fruit combination that strikes your fancy. I originally wanted to do peaches with blackberries, but peaches are not really in season. I got this fruit combination idea from a fruit salad my aunt made. Now you can used canned fruit if you don't want to take the time to wash and slice everything, but since canned fruit tends to be pretty sweet I would cut back on the amount of powdered sugar you put in your filling!! In all honesty you can throw your fruit on top in no order and it will still taste the same. Let me know if any of you get around to trying this recipe out!!

Welcome!

2009-02-25T19:59:00.000-08:00

Here it is! My baking blog! I am SO excited about this, I plan to post ALL of the things I bake even if they don't turn out! I will also post about bakeries and other sweet shops I visit! My goal is to go to every bakery in Utah, we will see...