A Week of Treats Day Six

Day 6.

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting.

Ganache all over the cake

the birthday girl

The big finale. I got these recipes from my favorite magazine Real Simple. It is by far my favorite magazine because it is all about organizing, how-to's, and new uses for everyday items, just to name a few. I copied many recipes before I had to turn my magazines over for the magazine swap and I am so glad I did because they all sound decadent.
The cake I chose to make for the Big Birthday Celebration Dinner was a Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting. Or what I like to call it Chocolate Coma because when you are done, for real you are done.
If you try this I recommend making the ganache well ahead of time. It takes 5 minutes to prepare but 5 hours to cool and you cannot speed up the process.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 1 Lb. semisweet chocolate, chopped. (I used a bag of semisweet chocolate chips)
• 2 C heavy cream
• pinch kosher salt

In a medium saucepan, bring cream to a bare simmer. Put the chocolate into a heat proof bowl, pour the cream over the chocolate. Add the salt and let stand for 2 minutes. Whisk until melted and smooth. Let cook, stirring occasionally until thick and spreadable, 4-5 hours. Do not try to speed up the cooling process by putting it in the fridge, it will become lumpy.

For the cake:
Chocolate Cake
15 minutes to prepare. 1:45 to bake and cool.

• 1 C unsalted butter, at room temp.
• 3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 C all purpose flour
• 1 tsp each baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt
• 1 1/2 C sugar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 1/2 C milk

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter the pan(s) you desire to make cake in, line with parchment paper, butter the parchment then sprinkle lightly with cocoa powder. If you are making cupcakes there is no need to butter the pan. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium high until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla, then the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. 
4. Reduce mixer to low and add in flour mixture in 3 additions and milk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until combined make sure not to over mix. 
5. Pour into pan and bake until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes.

This cake did NOT last long.

Bake time-
2, 8-inch rounds: 30-35 minutes
2, 9-inch rounds: 25-30 minutes
1, 9X13 inch rectangle: 35-40 minutes
24 cupcakes: 20-25 minutes

6 hours of cooling and my ganache still was not to "frosting" thickness. It may have been my fault because I was cooking and using the oven the entire day so there really was not a cool area for the ganache to sit. It was still the best homemade chocolate cake I have ever tasted.The next day though it was spot on.

she loved the ganache, can you tell?

P.S. Mr. L and I vote that the cake is even better left over night in the fridge.

A Week of Treats Day Five

Day 5.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies.

(I know right)

the legit version of how they look.

• 1/2 C Butter
• 2 oz. dark chocolate coarsely chopped
• 1 C Sugar
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
• 2/3 C all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp Salt

• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 C sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8 inch metal pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan and butter the parchment. 
2. In a small, heat proof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients are left.
4. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Set aside.
5. For the cheesecake mixture, in a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drop mixture into 9 dollops over the batter in the pan. Swirl with a knife or spatula. 
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned. 
7. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting it out the parchment paper to remove the brownies. 

These are mine, not as "red" but still as delicious.

and again, a pic after i taste tested.

A Week of Treats- Day 4

Day 4.

S'mores Cookie Bars

The photo is not the best because I took it right after, or before, no, no it was definitely after my first bite. I made this a few weeks prior and although it was a half-assed attempt at it, they were still pretty tasty. No complaints. This time however, not to toot my own horn but they were the shizz. I also followed the recipe to the T, so if you attempt this one, do as I say.

This one is definitely a favorite of mine, and since I always have all the ingredients in my pantry, they should be readily available anytime y'all want to stop by. Just sayin'.

Here you go.

• 1/2 C butter, room temperature
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/3 C all purpose flour
• 3/4 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 2 King Sized Milk Chocolate Bars
• 1 1/2 C Marshmallow fluff (DO NOT USE MELTED MARSHMALLOWS!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 8 inch square baking pan. 
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. 
3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. 
4. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer at the bottom of the prepared pan. Break the chocolate bars place bars over dough. Spread marshmallow fluff over the layer of chocolate bars. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff. For the last step it is easier to flatten out pieces of the dough and then lay them together. 
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars. 

A Week of Treats. Day 3

Day 3.

I blame Pinterest and the fact that I had every single item on the recipe in my cabinet.
Also, let me say, Perfecto with a cup o' joe!

Cinnamon Breakfast Bites.

So easy recipe. 30 minutes to make 30 bites and the house smells so homey for a few hours.
1-1/3 C.  all-purpose flour
1 C.  crisp rice cereal, coarsely crushed
2 Tbl plus 1/2 C. sugar, divided
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 C. butter-flavored shortening
1/2 C. milk
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 C. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 425.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cereal, 2 Tbl sugar, baking powder, and salt, cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until moistened. Shape into ping pong balls.

In a shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar. Dip balls into the melted butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture

Arrange in a single layer in an 8-in. round baking pan. Bake at 425 for about 15-18 minutes.

balls in butter mixture

rollin in cinnamon/sugar

they looked good even before baking

This is how I layered them in my pan

Fresh out the oven!

A week of Treats. Day Two

Day two.

Oreo Truffles 

If you like Oreos, this is the treat for you. If you like chocolate, this is for you. If you like cookies dipped in chocolate. THIS IS FOR YOU!!

This is a horrible picture. Horrible. Does not do the Oreo things justice. I suck at before pictures and right in the middle of the project I remember. Next time, I will take better pictures.

Another easy recipe. Makes about 25 balls depending on the size of your balls. :]
1 pkg 8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened, room temp)
1 pkg 12-16oz bag of Oreos or Tuxedos
Chocolate for coating. I used a bag of semi-sweet Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chips.

Put the cookies in a bag and pound to crumbs. They are easier to blend that way. Pour half in the blender then put half the softened cream cheese in the blender and mix. Repeat with the remainder of cookies and cream cheese. Chill to harden about 30 minutes. Scoop out into 1 inch balls or the size of ping pong balls. Put in the fridge or freezer about an hour to harden, that way when they are dipped in the melted chocolate they will still keep their shape better.
Melt the chocolate in a bowl in the microwave or in a double boiler. Dip the balls in and coat completely with chocolate. Place onto wax paper or parchment on a baking sheet. When all the cookie balls are coated in chocolate, put in fridge until ready to serve. They are bomb diggity.

I was concerned about tasting the cream cheese but honestly all I tasted was bits of heaven in each bite.

A Week of Treats. Day One

     It was my besties 28th right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate her wonderful day? Make a week out of it. I always celebrate my birthday for as long as I can push it. When people do not celebrate their birthdays, I like to celebrate it more for them. We have not spent a birthday together in...well lets just say it's been a while. Since her birthday fell on a Saturday this year, it worked out that I had the whole week for treats.

     Her first treat was some of the ever-so-yummy Strawberry Stuffed with Cheesecake. Yes they are as delicious as they sound and literally easy as pie to make. First of all, I have to give the credit to my sister because she made these while I cooked dinner. So, thanks JP!

Step 1. Buy Strawberries. We bought the a small container of the biggest size strawberries. We weren't sure  how the cheesecake to strawberry ratio was going to turn out. Plus the bigger the strawberries, the bigger the hole for stuffing the cheesecake into. Cut holes into the strawberries. I would say as big as you want. The hole was cut to take the stem out, and scooped out. Easy enough. (like I said, I didn't make them)

Step 2. Buy the No Bake Cheesecake stuff. Make it. Stuff it into the strawberries. An easier way to stuff it into the strawberries would be to put it in a ziploc and cut off the corner tip of the bag and squeeze it out.

Step 3. Top with the graham cracker crumb mixture.

Step 4. Eat. Devour. Inhale. Enjoy. We sure did!

lots of strawberries to stuff

the end result. mmmm.

The Sister Came to Town!

     For the 4th of July weekend we had the best time ever. We had our first holiday visitor to our new house in Texas. The lovely little sister Jessica, or as I call her J.P. This was so great because not only is she one of the awesomespice people I know, but because we always have a good time.

     I was nice because we got to spend some time checkin' out some areas in Texas that we have not seen before, and her and I were able to get a pedicure which was much needed for my Fred Flintstones. We spent one day at the lake and got completely worn out by the sun. Also ate some yum food and saw fireworks. One of the best parts of her visit was that the boys were so excited to see their Tia Jess.

     Here are some photos from the fabulous weekend. Thanks Jess for coming out. I love  We loved having you fly out to spend the weekend with us.

The boys and Tia Jess

Tia Jess and Ryan

After some Steak n Shake

check out the scenery

Yes Drinking while getting a pedi!

could it get any better?

Strawberries Stuffed with Cheesecake!

Lake Lavon

Fun @the lake

it was hot

but a good time.

Us @The Harbor

My FAVORITE PICTURE that Jess took with her phone :)

Once again, thanks Jess for coming out to visit us. Can't wait for you to come out again.

Day 25- What I would find in your purse.

1. Wallet. 

2. Keys.

3. Inhaler.

4. Cherry Chapstick.

5. Camera-never leave home without it.

6. Sunglasses.

7. Lip Gloss.

Thats pretty much it. Too much stuff for one purse.

Getting to Know Me.

This is kinda lamespice. for lack of inspiration and delight. I wanted to share a little ditty about me because sometimes people start to focus on themselves and often forget about me.

Getting to Know Me 2011

1. What time did you get up this morning?

Dang near 10a.m. I know who am i?

2. Pearls or diamonds?

Uh duh, diamonds. I havent been with him for 5 yrs to have pearls!!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Fancy question. Stupid movie though, Battle Los Angeles. I think.

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Always will be “Friends”. New fave is “The New Adventures of Old Christine” or HIMYM. RHW of Any County.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?

Coffee. Then more coffee.

6. What is your middle name?

Nina. Yes like the boat. 

7. What food do you like the least?

Hmm. Idk. Thick crust pizza.  

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

 Haha cd. I Adeles latest is my newest. Taylor Swift Speak Now. One of my sis mix tapes that she makes me. 

9. What kind of car do you drive?

Chevy Equinox.

10. Favorite Sandwich?

Ooooh. Thanks to pinterest I tried a grilled cheese. However this one was a fancy kind, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and sliced turkey. Mouth watering. Devine!

11. What characteristic do you despise?

Lying, cheating, fake...

12. Favorite item(s) of clothing?

My jams. Comfiness. 

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for vacation, where would you go?

Bora Bora for real. 

14. What color is your bathroom?

White. Lamespice.

15. What is your favorite brand of clothing?

Uh, is target a brand. Thats usually where I shop. 

16. Where would you retire?

Anywhere!

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday!

This past one was cool. Kona grill with my fam. 

18. Favorite sport to watch?

 Basketball. GO SUNS!

19. Favorite saying?

Lamespice. I know its lamespice. Amazeballs. I love you.

20. When is your birthday?

April 25.

21. Are you a morning person or night person?

Night owl. Hence the blog posts so late at night. 

22. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

The big problem. I am the problem maker and problem solver.

23. Do you have any pets?

My PITA yorkie Fitz. 

24. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with us?

Nope -But y’all will of course be the FIRST to know should something "new and exciting" happens to me!

25. What did you want to be when you were little?

A fashion designer. For real. Always.

26. How are you today?

Fine. Right now bloaty mc bloaterson after nibbing on cheesecake brownies.  

27. What is your favorite candy?

Hersheys with Almonds frozen.

28. What is your favorite flower?

Tulips

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?

It should be August 27th but really at this point its Hawaii, I’m not gonna lie.  

30. What are you listening to right now?

HIMYM. The show, not really your mom.

31. What is your favorite movie?

My Best Friends Wedding. Pretty much any Julia Roberts movie.

32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Gray.

33. How is the weather right now?

Hot and humid. 

34. What is your favorite soft drink?

I dont drink soda, but every once in a while I fancy an Orange Crush. 

35. What is your favorite restaurant?

Steak n Shake!! Dont judge, this is my quiz.

36. Natural hair color?!

Dark Brown.

37. Siblings?

Clown to the left of me: Ramon. Joker to the right: Jessica. I am stuck in the middle. 

38. Favorite day of the year?

See #20

39. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Barbie! Sheera (of Heeman and Sheera)

40. Summer or Winter?

Summer! F’sho.

41. Hugs or Kisses?

Hugs. 

42. Coffee or tea?

Coffee. Did you see #5?

43. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla.

44. Favorite season?

Summer

45. Last time you cried?

Everyday. Who knows. 

46. What is under your bed?

Safe. Idk if y’all should know that, just in case.

47. What is your favorite smell?

Gasoline, and matches. But not together at the same time. 

48. What are you afraid of losing?

My baby weight. I mean its been with me for so long now. And we never seem to be able to part. If it left now, things just wouldnt be the same. its a love/hate thing.

49. Salty or sweet?

Salty. 

50. How many keys are on your key ring?

5

51. Favorite day of the week?

Wednesday. Its humpday. Nuf said.

52. Favorite book?

Idk. Havent gotten there yet.