February 10, 2008 
You, no doubt, didn’t miss a thing this week in the word of food and blogging. But in case you blinked, here’s a synopsis of some of my favorite mouth watering edibles found in the foodie blogger’s world.
Linda at ButterFlourSugar rocked the Casbah with Carmel Honey Pecan Slices. The recipe is a breeze, besides the fact that it’s in grams and I’m a stupid American incapable of conversion. Luckily, my baking scale is smarter than me, and can help me out.
Katy at SugarLaws showed off with a Apple, Honey, Goat Cheese Tart. Now the question is: do you eat this tart with a small side salad, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream? After much thought and deliberation I’ve decided that the only decent option is to have a slice with a small salad and wash that down with another warmed slice topped with vanilla ice cream. Delicious!
Deb at Smitten Kitchen is a master of all things delicious. She didn’t disappoint with her Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Squares. Ok- these left me with stars in my eyes. If there were a bank filled with D de L Cheesecake squares, I would rob it, and I wouldn’t feel bad… at all.
Want to make Valentine sugar cookies? The recipe is a hop, skip and a jump away.
Thank you to all you talented and hungry people who make my life a whole lot sweeter!
February 9, 2008 
Coffee Cupcakes with Butter Whipped Baileys Chocolate Ganache
This month’s Cupcake Hero theme, inspired by love, cupid, the colors pink and red, and all things heart shaped and chocolate covered was: liqour. Hosted by the endearing and endlessly charming Quirky Cupcake and Tempered Woman, who want to remind us that some holidays (Valentine’s Day is a holiday, right?) are better with a strong drink, or a cupcake that simulates a strong drink.
I use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to get out my construction paper and Elmer’s Glue and make cards asking various loved ones if they’d be my Valentine. Why have just one Valentine? I also like to give (by give, I mean, eat) loads of chocolate covered heart shaped candies. But, let’s be honest, I don’t buy those until February 15th. I think we both know why- 50% off.
This year I’m going to add drunken cupcakes to my V-day extravaganza. Coffee Cupcakes with Butter Whipped Bailey’s and Chocolate Ganache- sweet enough for lovers, and bitter enough for ex lovers.
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February 6, 2008 
I think there is something so special and intimate about backyard weddings. They’re my favorite kind of wedding to bake for. The food, the family, the friends, and someone inevitably jumping (or falling) into the swimming pool. I suppose that every wedding is full of laughs and love, but I find extra joy in the relaxed celebration of a warm and breezy backyard nuptial.
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February 1, 2008 
Oatmeal with Candied Ginger and Walnut Cookies
Chocolate Chip Salted Cashew Cookies
I have a strong connection to my Kitchen Aid. It spoils me. It takes me on lavish Caribbean vacations, compliments my fashion choices, and yes… even mixes my cake batters evenly in the flash of an eye. I have deep affection for this machine, which was in no way diminished by my choice to make cookies by hand. There is something to be said for the wooden spoon technique. It’s a baking fundamental. My fantastic pastry teacher Chef Griswold taught me that good cookie dough shouldn’t have too much air whipped into it. So a wooden spoon help decrease the amount of air and also helps ensure that the dough isn’t overworked by the powerful mixer. It takes more time and elbow grease, but the result of hand craft and fantastic!
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