Sweet Melissa Sundays (SMS) ~ Sugar Cookies

From THE SWEET MELISSA BAKING BOOK (page 142-143)

Sugar Cookies

is today’s featured recipe in the baking group blog

Sweet Melissa Sundays, acronym (SMS),

which is hosted today by Nina of Nina's Cupcakes.

Check out Nina’s blog for the Sugar Cookie recipe.

This is my first post with the (SMS) group. I look forward to baking the recipes in Melissa's book and meeting new bloggers along the way! I also look forward to hosting. Sounds like fun!

I’ve made Sugar Cookies years ago, but used confectioner’s sugar as one of my ingredients. This recipe doesn’t contain this sugar. However, it is very easy and simple to make…and delicious!

The changes I made to this recipe:

I doubled the amount of vanilla extract. I always use the best ingredients when I bake. My brand of choice is Masseys Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract.

I halved the dough and added food coloring to one batch. I thought it would be fun to create a yin/yang look for my sugar cookies...especially since the logo for
Baking is my Zen has a yin/yang symbol.

So, now for a taste test…yum…they were good! It had just the right amount of lemon zest and vanilla.

I enjoyed this cookie and really liked how the
pink & beige yin/yang look turned out.
For a first attempt…not bad.

I made several spin-offs from the yin/yang cookie:

~ cookie with a heart in the middle

~ cookie with dragees tracing the yin/yang curve

~ cookie with sanding sugar on top

~ cookie with yin/yang symbol

Give it a whirl. Get creative with other ideas!

Peace in Baking,
Carmen

Baking is my Zen…sweet nibbles for the soul

RED VELVET CUPCAKES ~ Is it your heart’s desire?

(photo above: seen in TasteSpotting #74936)

RED is such a beautiful color.

Combine the color red and white and baking…what do you get?

Red Velvet Cupcakes

I baked these cupcakes using the recipe from the book
THE SWEET MELISSA BAKING BOOK by Melissa Murphy.

I hope to visit Melissa’s bakery in Brooklyn, New York soon and will blog about.
Until then, the recipe can be found on a blog by ROSY LIPS AND LAVENDER.

~ ~ ~

There are many recipes out there...
If you want to see baking in action…check out the VIDEOS below…
Below are videos from Epicurious featuring Magnolia Bakery showing how to bake and frost Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creamy Vanilla Icing
Epicurious February 2008
by Allysa Torey
More From Magnolia: Recipes From The World-Famous Bakery and Magnolia's Home Kitchen

Bobbie Lloyd of New York's Magnolia Bakery
demonstrates how to make delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Decorating Cupcakes
By Epicurious
Bobbie Lloyd of New York's Magnolia Bakery demonstrates her foolproof technique for icing and decorating red velvet cupcakes.


Peace in Baking,
Carmen

Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul

Laura, The Cooking Photographer - Winner of GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Laura! ! !

Laura is winner of the

Baking is Zen T-Shirt and Calendar GIVEAWAY!

A special 'Thanks' to all those who participated.

I appreciate your taking the time to be a part of my blog.

Check out Laura’s blog, The Cooking Photographer

Laura Flowers was recently in a Cake Off with other bloggers.
They were supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
Her team “Fall For Me” won! Click below for details and a picture of the team.
http://www.kelly-confidential.com/team_details/fall-for-me.html

Laura, email me at bakingismyzen@comcast.net
indicating an address for mailing and your t-shirt size...and soon you'll receive the giveaway.

Thanks to all and Peace in baking!

Carmen

Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul

Happy Valentine's Day ~ A Giveaway for You

Hello...I wanted to take this opportunity to say "Happy Valentine's Day"!

I would like to extend my 'Valentine wishes' to you by giving away two items:

Baking is my Zen T-Shirt

Baking is my Zen Calendar

HOW TO WIN THE GIVEAWAY:

1- Just drop a note on this blog post with the words "Happy Valentine's Day". That's it!
2- Deadline: 2/21/10 Sunday, at 12 midnight (eastern standard time).
3 - Available only for shipment in the United States.
4- Winner will be announced on my blog on Monday 2/22/10.
5- Winner will be notified by e-mail for address and T-shirt size.
6- T-shirt and calendar will be mailed within a day or two of receiving the address for delivery.

I won't be using a web-based tracker. I'm going to keep it simple. I have a simple method of how I will pick the winner. And...no worries...it will be fair...because that's how I roll. :)

Here is the T-Shirt you'll receive...
Here is the 2010 Calendar you'll also receive...

Peace,
Carmen

Sopapillas...my way ~ It's Dessert Heaven

Do you want to enjoy a delicious dessert that is quick and easy to make?
Well…keep reading. I’ve got a great recipe for you. No baking involved. But, get your fry pan ready.

My sister Edwina and her husband Fred made this dessert at a family dinner one evening. I was skeptical as I saw them make it. But, when I had one bite of this dessert, my eyes rolled back…my head…rocking left and right…slowly…ya’ know how it goes when you are falling in love with what you’re eating at the moment. OMG, heavenly! Some of the elements in this dessert reminded me of fried ice cream.

Now…I would like to share this recipe with you so you can enjoy it too! Sopapillas is dough which is fried and sweetened with honey. But, I’m going to "bring it up a knotch" (as Emeril Lagasse would say.

Sopapillas…My Way
By Edwina & Fred

INGREDIENTS:
These ingredients are not measured out. You just add as needed.

Canola Oil
Flour tortilla(s)
Vanilla Ice Cream – * Or use your favorite flavor - I used Vanilla Chocolate Chip
Strawberries – about 4 or 5 (or use as much as you like)
(additional soft fruits can be added: add whole: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Honey
Cinnamon

OPTIONAL: (I use Smuckers Sundae Syrup)
Caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Skillet
Cutting board
Knife
Bowl & spoon (for fruit)
Cookie cutter ( heart shaped) - optional
Tongs or fork
Paper towels & plate
Ice cream scooper
Knife
Plate, fork & knife (to enjoy the dessert)

1. Dice strawberries on cutting board. Add to a bowl. Set aside.
2. Use cookie cutter to cut Tortilla into shapes. (I made heart shapes).
Or, use tortilla as is.
3. Place a paper towel on a plate. Set aside.
4. To fry tortilla: Add oil to skillet. Allow oil to get hot.
5. Submerge the tortilla in the hot oil.
6. Fry until lightly browned. *DO NOT LET THIS GET DARK BROWN.
7. Flip. Fry for just a few seconds more.
8. Remove tortilla from hot oil with tongs. Put on paper towel lined plate.
9. Turn off the flame on stove.
10. Blot the tortilla with another paper towel. (This helps absorb excess oil).
11. Pour a circle of chocolate and caramel sauce on a plate. (optional)
12. Place tortilla on the (sauced plate-optional).
13. Add a scoop of ice cream in the center of the tortilla.
14. Add fruit on top and around the ice cream.
15. Lightly drizzle with honey.
16. Lightly sprinkle with cinnamon.
17. Get your fork & knife ready to enjoy!

Note; If shaping the tortillas in small heart shapes like I did, you can just pop them in your mouth or maybe take two bites…no fork & knife needed.



What is a Sopapilla?

See recipes below to make traditional Sopapillas:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/CynthiaPineda/Sopapillas/Sopapillas.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-sopapillas.htm

http://home.comcast.net/~osoono/ethnicdoughs/sopapilla/sopapilla.htm

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/sopapillas-recipe/index.html

When you try this, send me an email (bakingismyzen@comcast.net) and tell me how you liked it!
Peace, Carmen