Hot Cocoa Cookies

Last weekend a beautiful thing happened. Me + Sur la Table + a giftcard from last Christmas that I found deep in my wallet.  The result- my "happy place". 

So there I am, in the middle of that glorious store with money to spend, and I see it.  A tower full of cookie cutters- all shiny and new.  I couldn't look away.  Nor was I able to decide which ones to get.  I mean, there was everything from a T-rex to a baseball bat.  Point of the story- if there's a holiday or occasion, I now have a cookie cutter for it.

Included in this cookie cutter shopping spree were these little guys- I'm ashamed to admit that before I put that giftcard to good use, I didn't have a single tree or snowman cutter.  But now that they are in my possession, I had to put them to good use.  Enter hot cocoa cookies.

Marshmallow fluff stuffed between two chocolate sugar cookies.  Made undeniably better by the fact that they're adorable.  Even Sammy wanted in on the cookie action.  P.S. photographing cookies is a bit trickier when your boyfriend brings his dog over to your apartment....

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Truffles

It's no secret that I'm slightly caffeine dependent  And my slightly, I mean if you try to take away my coffee or diet coke, I will turn into a caffeine-deprived Sarah-zombie.

OK- I probably won't turn into an actually zombie. I am, however, very likely to glare at you really passive-aggressively and then fall asleep.

But like everything else- too much of a good thing isn't necessarily the best for you. Which is why no matter how much coffee I consume throughout the day, I have to cut myself off by mid-afternoon. Otherwise I'm up at 2am watching the "Chaz Dean for Wen" infomercial for the 32nd time. 

So what is a girl to do when it's a cold, rainy night and all she wants is a cup of joe to warm her up yet doesn't need to be told once again that she's been shampooing incorrectly her whole life? Unfortunately my options are kind of limited.  I refuse to drink decaf - I think it tastes different and I feel like I'm cheating on my full-leaded true love.  And I'm not really a fan of tea.  I know it's the trendy, anti-oxidant filled thing to do, but it just isn't my thing.

The answer to my woes? Hot cocoa.  But this isn't just any old package of mix powder. No my friends- this is a rich, velvety, minty hot chocolate bomb that slowly melts into a warm cup of awesome.

P.S. If you do use Wen, I'm sure it works wonders. I mean- Alyssa Milano uses it..... I'm just too cheap to spend $60 a month on shampoo.

Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

As the old saying goes, it's the well-meaning thought of caramel corn that counts. (Trust me- it totally goes like that). I swear friends and co-workers- I did not intend to make 8 cups of caramel for the sole purpose of eating it all while getting caught up on American Horror Story.  I promise I meant to share. I'm just weak.

 It was just sitting there. All alone. On the counter of a girl with no will-power and a full Hulu queue. It's a recipe for a delicious disaster.

And don't stress out about making a caramel from scratch.  I promise you can't screw this one up. And you don't even need a candy thermometer.

Chubby Hubby Brownies

Real Life Fact #1: I'm obsessed with chocolate.
Real Life Fact #2: People flip over these truffles.
Real Life Fact #3: I love baking, hence this whole blog thing.
Real Life Fact #4: I'm in a wedding this weekend and need to fit into my dress that I purposely ordered too small.

What does all this mean to you? You get delicious brownies inspired by the aforementioned truffles.  What does it mean to me? That I love baking so much that I managed to make these AMAZING brownies, all while not having a single sample and sticking to my fruit-and-veggie only cleanse.

I'm pretty sure I'm a masochist.  Damn that bridesmaid dress.....

I kinda feel like a bit of a hypocrite by posting something I haven't even tasted, but trust me- I had plenty of sample testers and they all went away extremely happy.  Plus it's pretzels, peanut butter, and chocolate- how could it go wrong.

Chocolate Custard

Ok, I realize it's INCREDIBLY pedestrian to chat about the weather, but seriously- can't we please talk about the weather?!  I swear the sun is full on bi-polar.  Someone get that thing on some lithium because I'm going insane.

Allow me to back up before you start questioning my demand to put a star on mood-regulating drugs......The last few weeks have been amazing.  Actually, the last few months.  I never saw more than a dusting of snow all winter.  It was bright and lovely and sunny and in the 80s most of March.  It was full-on "let's get the AC pumping" hot last week.  And now I'm sitting here at my desk, a week away from May, shivering in several layers of sweaters and tights and other winter apparel while cities as close as Philly are talking about getting snow tonight.....

Seriously Sun- go see a doctor....


Now that I got that out of my system, on to the actually good stuff.  The food stuff.  The chocolate stuff.  The custard. (Or ice cream. or whatever you want to call it) 

This was made last week when it was super warm and Summer was being a big tease.  You should know- I have a pretty big crush on Summer. I love everything about it.  BBQs and cold beer, vacations, 4th of July picnics, outdoor concerts, sun dresses and suntans, and lots and lots of frozen treats. 

This custard is like wonderful. Rich and velvety.  Perfectly sweet. What makes it custard- lots and lots of egg yolks.  4 to be exact.  That's how you know it's good. It's totally worth the few extra steps required.   And the purchase of an ice cream maker.  I have an older version of this one for anyone that's curious.

Reese's Brownie Cookies

I have no idea how this could possible happen.  It’s honestly unthinkable.

Easter has come and gone and I didn’t have one Reese’s egg.  And now they’re gone.

Noooooooooooooooooo.

 I’ve shared my love of chocolate and peanut butter many times here.  The fixation started with Peanut Butter Blossoms.  It infatuation grew with Reese’s Cupcakes. And it went to all-out obsession with Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Blondies. And then there were the Pretzel-Peanut Butter Truffles. Oh, and the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies.  Yeah- I kinda like chocolate and peanut butter..... 

 So you can image how big of a deal Reese’s Eggs are for me.  I’ll hide a body for you for one of those delicious, delicious eggs.  Not kidding.  I live close to water. I got this covered.

 In the midst of my tears and temper tantrum in the grocery store over the lack of eggs, I did find these little gems.  Bite-sized Reese’s.  Just begging to be thrown into a cookie. I can’t deny a begging peanut butter cup.

Banana Split Cake Bites

My typical Friday night usually consists of the following:

Red wine.

Popcorn.

Dove Chocolate.

Endlessly mocking the women on Say Yes to the Dress. 

I swear it isn’t as pathetic as it sounds.  (OK, maybe it is. I have no shame. Those girls are insane).

 However, some weekends I actually act like a social human being.  I know- crazy sauce.  Sometimes I put on my good, not frayed at the bottom, jeans.  I throw on my shiny shoes.  I rock a cute shirt. I take public transit into lovely city of DC.  I reconnect with some of the coolest people I know. We stroll around The National Mall, visit a couple museums, and eat pizza slices the size of my forearm.  And we gaze at the Cherry Blossom trees that are the epitome of spring in DC.

 These trees are probably one of my favorite things about living here.  They’re absolutely gorgeous.  So in the spirit of the trees, I wanted to make something cherry-y.  Yeah, I know that cherries don’t come from cherry blossoms trees but for my sake, we’re just going to act like they do.  Coolness? Pretty please with a cherry on top? (see what I did there- I’m so clever;)

 My fav thing with a cherry on top? That’s a no brainer- A banana split.  But I really can’t bring myself to make (and then devour) an entire banana split.  No matter how much I would love to.  So I made the next best thing:  non-melting, bite-sized banana split cake balls.

Almond Joy Cupcakes

 Things I dream about:

• Looking like Mila Kunis
• Getting paid to people watch
• Winning the Mega Millions (though, I have to figure out when the drawings are. Real talk: I totally tried to buy a ticket Saturday morning. Apparently they announce the numbers on Fridays...who knew)
• Anything with coconut and chocolate

That fourth one I can do something about.  (Though I'm doing my damnedest to work on that Mila Kunis thing)

Ever since I made these Snickers Cupcakes, I've been brainstorming what other candy bar concoctions I can come up with.  Why it took me so long to come up with Almond Joy, I have no clue. Considering they rank very high on the list of Sarah's Favorites. Though that list is pretty long. And anything with chocolate is tied for 1st. But I digress.... 

Chocolate Cinnamon Bread

 Dear Blog-

I'm so sorry that I've been an awful friend.  I've ignored you. Acted like you didn't even exist. I even cheated on you....yes, I made numerous fantastic sweets and treats without letting you know.

I have no excuses. I was just lazy.  Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

But I'm back. And I brought bread.  I hope you like it.

Love,
Sarah

Candy Bar Cupcakes - Snickers

Of all the multitudes of cookies and brownies and cupcakes that I’ve made over the years, there’s one treat that my friends CONSTANTLY request that I make.  Whenever I show up with these in hands, it’s a literal “clear the room- Sarah has arrived with THE CUPCAKES”.

People flip over these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes. I figured since they are such a hit, why not try it with other candy bars.

First up- Snickers.  Sweet caramel with salty peanuts covered in chocolate.  I can totes get on board with that.

I’ve been experimenting a bit with my chocolate cake recipes, trying to find the perfect one.  This one had a fantastic chocolate flavor without being super sweet which held up great to the over-the-top salted caramel buttercream.  Don’t be scared when your batter is really watery, it’s supposed to be like that.  Or just don’t worry about it and by all means, hit up Duncan Hines for a boxed mix :) 

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Somedays a trip to the kitchen teaches you a lot.

You learn things like how you should always sift your cocoa powder. Otherwise your cookies come out with cocoa powder gob-bombs (real word, just go with it) all over the top.  Real bakers everywhere probably know this already.  I am not a real baker.

Or you discover that you're apparently the last person on the planet that had never heard of a whoopie pie.  In the Midwest, they're small and crunchy.  We call them Oreos and they come in a blue package on the shelf at Hy-Vee.

And lastly, turns out I'll always have the maturity of a 13 year old boy because I can't hear the word "whoopie" without giggling and thinking of old reruns of The Newlywed Game.....

P.S. how weird of a word does "newlywed" look spelled out.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

After I posted those Cookie Dough Truffles last week, I had the itch to make chocolate chip cookies like you wouldn't believe.  I honestly get cravings to bake things.  I don't really care if I get to eat them (though it is a lovely perk), but I literally couldn't think of anything else but making chocolate chip cookies. 

I told people this and they looked at me like I was crazy.  Who cares- I now have cookies and they don't.  OK- that's a total I lie. Because I'm nice and I share.  When I make cookies, everyone gets cookies.  It's just how I roll.

Trust me, I LOVE the chocolate chip cookie recipe that I grew up making.  But it isn't the PERFECT cookie in my mind.  It's a little too soft and too almost bread-like.  What I'm looking for is something with a little bit of crunch and a lot of chewyness.  Stands up great against a good dunking in milk.  Loaded full of chips but with a hint of salt in every bite.

These cookies hit almost every note.  They are damn near perfect.

Texture? Awesome.
Milk Test? Passed with flying colors.
Chocolate Chip-y? Perfection.
Balance with a hint of Salt? Oh so close....

These cookies called for sea salt which I found a little strange, but the original poster swore by it so I went along.  I'm totally on the sea salt in cookies band wagon now.  Except I wanted just a little more.  When you got that crunch of salt, the cookie was OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD.  But then there were bites where it was missing and it made me sad. 

Though in fairness, I also used milk chocolate chips verses semi sweet.  So the salt may have been over-powered by the sweetness of my chip selection.  Ya live and ya learn.  Guess that means I just have to make more test cookies. What a shame......


What makes your perfect chocolate chips cookie?