February 13, 2013

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

I really like baking doughnuts because I can usually save some calories & fat from frying and splurge on the doughnut icing. I find that it’s usually the icing that makes the baked doughnut taste magnificent. But here…we have something different. A cake based doughnut with just a cinnamon + sugar topping. Will it be as magnificent?

You best believe! It might be the closest baked doughnut to a fried doughnut I’ve had. The cake part is imparted with flavor thanks to a combo of cinnamon & nutmeg. And that spongey dense texture? I die. I’m sure the cinnamon-sugar binder (butter) helps!

I halved this recipe because….well…you know most people (namely ME) can’t be trusted with 12 cinnamon sugar doughnuts in their possession.

What else is new?

around the home, Uncategorized

February 11, 2013

What to make for Valentine’s Day:

Valentine’s Day! I can’t remember the last time we went out to dinner for Valentine’s Day. It’s been ages! Can I be honest with you? Going out to dinner on V-day is not my thing. I like making dinner with/for my husband. There’s less stress/pressure, it’s cheaper, and we don’t have to worry about paying a babysitter! We usually go out to dinner sometime in February, but never ON the 14th. I’m gonna give you some ideas for those of you who are like me and want to make a meal at home. Clothing is entirely optional, except when you’re frying chicken.

my everyday life, Photography

February 10, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 6

Here’s what this past week looked like:

A trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This time with Cooper!

Uncategorized

February 8, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

Have you seen these seeded popovers? They look irresistible!
7 Reasons Why You Lose So Many Friends in Your 20s. SO MUCH TRUTH here.
I’m so fascinated by celebrities morning/breakfast routine.
I can’t believe she’s doing commercials now!!
This heart garland is adorable.
Soup! Who wants to try the Best Coconut Soup Ever? ME.
Dip dyed treat bags. You need to be in my life!
This little boy Oscar has captured my heart!
Speaking of hearts, this is how you make a heart shaped cake. GENIUS.
EZ! You had me at No Bake. How good does this dessert look?
Cereal Milk Ice Cream! AMEN to this.
This impression of Dana from Homeland is spot on.
EXCEPTIONAL video-blogging tips. Hilarious. Seriously.
It’s so cool to see the behind the scenes of a cookbook!
I loved reading the history of Tina Fey & Amy Poehler’s friendship.
I may have wasted an hour playing with this.

There’s an all new episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast. Joy is in NOLA collecting beads. We talk about Valentine’s Day, ice skating costumes, doughnuts! Episode 83: Mrs. T.

This week on High Straightenence, I organized Cooper’s Toy Drawers! It’s REFRESHING.

MY Bites Around the Net:

Domestocrat made my Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

Sugar Mountain also made my Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

Fabulous Family Food made my Giardiniera.

Wherever I am, you are also there made my Broccoli Cheddar Soup w/Mustard Croutons.

Uncategorized

February 7, 2013

Shutterbean + Minted GIVEAWAY!

Valentine’s Day is next week! Thanks to Minted, I already have one of my gifts covered. I picked out this awesome print above for Casey. If you’re on Instagram, you know that we take coffee seriously around here. That’s why I fell in love with this print. Having coffee & breakfast on the weekend with my husband is one my favorite things. I believe I do love him more than coffee, and that’s saying a lot. This print will most likely be hung up in our kitchen.

Have you see Minted’s Art Prints? They’re crazy good. So good, that I actually had a hard time picking.

Here are a few that I had my eye on:

LOVE | Laugh Often Love Much |Love Love LOVE You

Three Again | Wood Grain Hearts | Me & You

Here’s the deal!

Minted is offering an 11 x14 framed print for TWO of my readers.

I’m picking two winners for this giveaway. Two winners- AT RANDOM.

To enter, please leave a comment below, telling me which print you’d like to receive if you won.

Here’s a reference if you wanna check out their selection!

One entry per person. US Residents Only.

GIVEAWAY ENDS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2013.

Be sure to check out all the cool ART PRINTS. They have a fantastic assortment of customizable Valentine’s Day Cards too!

GOOD LUCK.

recipes, Uncategorized

February 6, 2013

Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies

I have an on-going list of recipes that I want to make but then I flip through a magazine and something new and bold trumps the list and gets made right away. That’s the case for these Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies. They were too cute to pass up since I’m a sucker for heart shaped cookies.

I made them while Cooper was taking a nap over the weekend and I think I blew is MIND when he woke up and saw these on the counter. It’s amazing how something so little, cute and charming can have such a big impact (these might be his spirit cookies). I don’t doubt an adult/loved one would have the same reaction. The only difference is that they don’t have to incessantly beg me for another one…cuz they’re grown. They do what they please and have control over their own sugar rush (I hope).

Anything that’s made with love is void of calories & fat….or so I tell myself. Homemade Oreos are like diet food 😉

recipes

February 4, 2013

Honey Banana Smoothie

I’m always trying to add MORE and MORE stuff into my smoothies. Kale, spinach, protein powder, flaxseed oil, chia seeds–YOU NAME IT. And while that’s all good, sometimes I just want something simple and uncomplicated. Sometimes I just want to make a smoothie that isn’t trying to deceive anyone (ahem, COOPER).

I want something that reminds me of my childhood– when my dad used to make us smoothies called Orange Cows (just orange juice, malt powder & milk). And here it is, grown up a bit because Greek Yogurt was never a thing when I was young.

And when all is said and done, go ahead and put some flaxmeal, oats, cocoa nibs, kale and whey powder up in this smoothie. It’s your life! But if you want to reboot your smoothie sensibilities, I feel it’s always best to go back to your roots!