S'mores are as American as Apple Pie

You know how much I love smore's (see S'more Tarts 2010), so much after having several traditional smore's that summer I thought to make a s'more brownie. Yes, it's been done before but I've never had one and had a huge hankering for brownies. 

Brownies take me back to my childhood home when my sisters and I would run around with nothing to do every summer afternoon. My mom would make brownies - she LOVES brownies and would succumb to the power that chocolate had over her. I tell you, she would cut one for me, one for my sis, one for my big sis and one for herself and we all stood there in the kitchen eating hot ewwey, gooey, fudgey brownies straight from the oven. Ah what a delight! The next day we would see the brownie pan washed and in the drying rack like nothing ever happened. What happened to all the brownies? Brownies didn't last more than a day in our house. Same with apple pie (apple pie post coming soon.)

This recipe showcases the chocolate aspect of the s'more. I read many tips from this recipe and they all said that it was difficult to cut the brownies once the marshmallow had melted, sliding right off like cheese does on pizza. With that said, I cut the brownies into perfect squares then topped each one with a marshmallow before putting the tray back in the oven to roast for a few minutes. Try it, kid tested, Mother approved!

You can find the recipe for S'more Brownies here compliments of Food Network. Happy Baking!

Cooked and Cut Ready for S'more Toasting

Graham Crust, Gooey Brownie topped with Toasted Marshmallow

Savory is Sweet with Puff Pastry

I realized recently that I have a foul proof, crowd pleaser appetizer recipe that I hadn't yet shared with you. Yes, its savory but every bit as sweet.

I would like to share with you a recipe I found on the Food Network website. I have been making this recipe for years so much I know it by heart. This is a perfect recipe when the girls come over for brunch, a great side to bring to a dinner party and it was even a hit with the guys at our Super Bowl party.

The recipe for this Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tart is simple and so delicious just wait til you see peoples faces when they take the first bite. Oh so savory goat cheese with the sweetness of the onions paired with the mushrooms all on a flaky puff pastry! Yum!

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tart

 

 Bon Appetite!

Decorating with Nostalgic Candies

Hi Everyone, 

Lets start with decorating. Decorating is by far the thing I love most about baking. Adding candies to the top of cupcakes, topping a tart with thinly sliced fresh fruit, making candy flowers to garnish a wedding cake; all of which are ways to put your own touch on your wonderful baked goods.

Now, you can do this with your own recipes or store bought items. The only thing that's important is that it looks and tastes delicious! Whenever I am out, at the corner store, a candy shop, I will even go out of my way to go to the grocery store in Japan Town just for different or old fashioned candies.

Here are pictures with some of my favorite decorating candies, Necco Wafers and colorful chocolate candies!

Traditional Necco Waffers

Flower Buttons and Pastel Chocolate Candies from Miette

Lime and Lemon Candies from a British Candy Shoppe

The final product! Meyer Lemon Cupcakes for a friends baby shower party for one of her girl friends. Half the fun of decorating is color coordination. The mother-to-be is keeping with gender neutral colors so that's what I did too. Although the chocolate candies have dusty pinks and blues there are also yellows and greens to offset the standard "its a boy" and "its a girl" colors.

Minis perfect with a Necco Wafer on top

Meyer Lemon Cupcakes!

Happy Baking!