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Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

December 11, 2012

DIY Food Gifts: Homemade Sugar Cookies (Part One)

December 11, 2012

 Here’s the third recipe that’s being using for my food gifts.  There’s a few variations to my sugar cookies this year, but when I got to the dog bones I decided they deserved a post all to themselves (just agree with me).
I’m choosing not to use frosting this year on any of the cookies in an effort to keep things simple.  I make a lot and when it goes to storing them before giving the cookies stick together.  I’ve tried the glaze recipes but haven’t mastered it yet.  So, to avoid all of that I explored other options for decorating the cookies.
Last week I visited my favorite shop in the whole wide world (seriously), The Calico Bean Market.  I shop there for several reasons.  Their seasonings are fresh, I find extra oddities that the supermarket doesn’t carry, they make fresh peanut butter while you shop, they sell the best cookie cutter shapes, and most of all, they are LOCAL!

To use a dog bone cookie cutter may not be very Christmas like, but I don’t care.  I use it every year no matter what holiday it is.  I guess you could say it’s very Jennifer like.

Before I forget, here’s the recipe.  Another one that my Mom passed along to me.

Sugar Cookies:
Ingredients:
1 C. margarine
1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
1 tsp. of vanilla
1/2 tsp. of almond extract
1 egg
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
Oven at 375 degrees.  Baking time?  Couldn’t tell ya.  Just watch them close.  Depending on the size of the cookie cutter and depth of your dough baking times will vary.  The dog bone cookie cutter that I used is two inches long and one inch wide.  They took roughly five minutes.
Supplies:
Cookies cutters of choice
Rolling pin
Extra flour along with some in a bowl
Baking sheets (I like using the air bake ones)
Parchment Paper (optional, but it works great)
Cooling rack
Decorations for cookies (your choice).  With these I used vanilla almond bark and mini chocolate chips
Instructions:

Cream together the margarine and powdered sugar.  Add the vanilla, almond extract, and egg.  In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Sift the dry ingredients into the cream mixture.  This is the part where you can now take a break to lick the beaters.  Cover the bowl with an airtight lid or transfer the dough into another container with a lid.  Refrigerate for a couple of hours until the dough sets enough that you can roll it out.  I made the dough the night before I rolled them out.  That works fine.  I use my Lock n’ Lock containers to ensure their freshness.
When your ready to roll out your cookies make sure you put a nice amount of flour on the counter to prevent it from sticking.  *Bakers tip*  I found that dipping the cookie cutter in a bowl of flour each time prevented any dough from sticking to it.  I’ve heard of people spraying them with cooking spray, but this worked fine for me. 
I may of went a bit crazy on the flour, because as you can see once they were ready to go into the oven I had plenty still on the cookies.  What I did was took the corner of a paper towel, slightly wet it, and dabbed those cookies with the most flour on them.  I wonder if using a pastry brush dipped in water would also work?  I’ll have to try that next time.
At first I wasn’t sure how I wanted to decorate them.  Then I came up with the vanilla almond bark and mini chips combination.  
I’m most pleased with how they turned out.  How do they taste?  I’m not sure.  Haven’t tried them yet.  Being in the kitchen for three straight hours on my feet rolling out endless shapes of cookies had me pretty much sick of looking at them.  No worries though.  I had fun making them and have decided to make another batch of dog bones.  Three hours wasn’t enough time, right?  For the next batch I’ll use chocolate almond bark with semi sweet micro baking bits.  
I did other cut outs at the same time.  Those will be passed along in part two later this week.   
In case you missed the other two recipes I shared click here and here.  Today I completed another DIY project pertaining to recipes.  The project was for myself, but it would also make a simple and inexpensive gift for someone who loves to cook/bake.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Chocolate Lovers, Christmas Goodies, crazy dog mom, DIY Food Gifts, DIY recipe book, dog bones for dog people, food gifts, gift giving, Holiday baking, homemade sugar cookies, treats for dog people

December 9, 2012

DIY Food Gifts: Homemade Mini Muffins (Banana and Chocolate)

December 9, 2012

Alright, back to the homemade goodies for Christmas.  Here’s the second recipe that I’m using for my food gifts.
Skip the gift card this year and give that special person on your list something you know they’ll love.
A Homemade Gift!

My Mom gave me this recipe a few years back.  She had found it in some Best of Something Cookbook.  If I knew the cookbook/magazine that it came from I would give them proper credit.

I LOVE BANANA BREAD!  This recipe makes a total of four loaf pans.  The last time that I made it I chose to make them into muffins and had some extra chocolate leftover from another recipe, so guess what? 
Ingredients: 
1 Cup of Oleo
3 Cups of Sugar
6 eggs
3 Cups of Sour Cream
4 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tsp. Vanilla
4-5 Mashed Bananas
1 tsp. Salt
5 Cups of Flour
*12 oz bag of mini chocolate chips
Supplies:

Mini muffin pans.  I love Wilton’s pans.
Mini muffin papers.  I did half the batch using the papers and the rest without.  Your choice.  
Large Cooling rack
Small Cookie Scoop
Large spoon (soup bowl size)
(3) Mixing bowls.  “Sorry” you will have a few extra dishes with this one, but well worth it!
Here’s what you do:

-Cream together the oleo, sugar, and eggs in one bowl.  Set aside.
-Grab another bowl and mix together the sour cream and baking soda.  Set aside.  You’ll notice the mixture foaming.
-In your third bowl mash the bananas.  I’ve been waiting all week for them to go black for this recipe. Lately the supermarket has been getting greener than green ones in.  Perhaps it’s always been this way and I’m just being a tad more observant than usual.
-Add the vanilla, salt, and flour to the mashed bananas.  Set aside.
-Now, combine the ingredients in the first two bowls.  After they are mixed add that to the third bowl with the banana mixture.  Sounds confusing when I type it out, but it’s really simple.  After making these a few times I found that it’s much easier this way due to it being such a large batch.
-Last, add the bag of mini chocolate chips to the mixture.  Toll House never disappoints.
It only took about 20+ shots to get one that I was happy with.  Have you ever photographed mini chocolate chips?
I like to use three mini muffin pans when using this recipe.  Using just one would take a long time to finish the huge bowl of batter.  

*Bakers tip* When filling the cups I used a cookie scoop along with a large spoon.  I hate it when I fill the tins and have spilled batter all over the pan.  Then I have to stop and clean it off or else it’ll burn when placed in the oven.  So, after you fill the cookie scoop place the spoon underneath as you transfer the dough to the tin.  Works like a charm and no mess.
I thought I was going to run out of muffin papers, so that’s why I made some without.
The oven should be set at 350 degrees.  If your using the four loaf pans bake for 50 minutes or until done.  I apologize that I didn’t time the muffins, so just keep an eye on them.  Somewhere around 12-15 minutes.
One thing about making so many is that by the time I’m done I don’t want to eat any (cause I’m sick of looking at them).  But, these little guys got stuck in the pan so I had to use a spoon to loosen them.  Can’t give those away cause they don’t look very presentable.  I guess I’ll bag them for a snack later.
With this recipe and the peanut butter/chocolate sandwiches I made last week (if you missed that one, click here) I was happy to use these huge Tupperware containers that I got from my Grandma’s.  I chose them, from her belongings, just for times like this.  She used them for Holiday baking as well.  She baked everything in advance.  Packed the containers full and in the deep freezer they went.  Ready for Christmas!  I’m glad to carry on her tradition.  She would be pleased.
Time to go.  I’m spending my Saturday night rolling out sugar cookie dough for my last holiday treat.  This year I’m “attempting” a little different approach for the cookie toppings.  Check back to see how they turn out.
Enjoy your Saturday night.
Disclosure:  This isn’t a sponsored post.  The brands that I used were solely decided on by myself and no one else. 
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Banana Bread Recipe, Chocolate Lovers, Christmas Goodies, DIY Food Gifts, Eightymillion's Photography, gift giving, Holiday baking, Homemade Baked Goods, Memories from Grandma, sugar cookies, Wilton pans

December 3, 2012

DIY Food Gifts: Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches (Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving and Cookie Exchanges)

December 3, 2012

Last night I started my Christmas baking.  It was a perfect day to light the oven due to the on and off rain we received.  Plus it also made my house smell like a chocolate factory.
Skip the gift card this year and give that special person on your list something you know they’ll love.
A homemade gift!
I came up with this combination a few years back during the holidays.  Perhaps it was during my obsession with peanut butter cups.  It’s simple and has only three ingredients.  Enjoy!
 Ingredients:
*(2) 15oz. boxes of Ritz crackers (any generic brand works just fine, Ritz just happen to be on sale)
*Peanut Butter
*(2) .24oz packages of Chocolate Almond Bark
Supplies:

*(3) Cookie sheets.  (2) lined with either wax/parchment paper
*Tongs
*Double Boiler (or microwave safe dish)
*Butter knife
Using the butter knife make sandwiches with the crackers and peanut butter.  I stacked them all on one of the cookie sheets.  After I’m done I placed the cookie sheet in the frig so that they could set a bit.  This helps them from sliding around when we dip them in the melted bark.
I found a couple of vintage double boilers at the thrift store last winter.  Perfect for melting bark.  You can also use the microwave but watch it closely.  I’ve burned a few batches previously using that method. 
When the chocolate is smooth and creamy grab the tongs and dip away.  I find it best to grab the cracker in the center.  That way when the peanut butter hits the chocolate it doesn’t slide around.  Utilizing the two lined cookie sheets I fill one up and then rotate them in the freezer until all the sandwiches have been dipped.
When the chocolate has set I break off the odd pieces around the sandwich.  You’ll come across some of them that the sides weren’t completely covered or a few spots on top that are missing chocolate.  No worries.  A little imperfection adds character to the treats.
The recipe makes 11 dozen, plus 2 in which I ate right away.  They were good!  Perfect combination of sweet and salty.
I have a cookie exchange coming up later this month.  My first one actually.  I’m thinking of taking these.
I’ll have two more holiday recipes to share within the next couple of weeks.  I use to make a large assortment of goodies every year, but nowadays I’m lucky to find the time to make a few different ones.  I’ll be giving them as gifts to my clients.
I’ve also got some DIY recycling tutorials coming up on inexpensive ways to package these sinful little tastes of pleasure.
Be sure to check back soon.
Tomorrow starts another long work week.
Girl needs sleep.
Disclosure:  This isn’t a sponsored post.  The brands that I used were solely decided on by myself and no one else.  
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer 6 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Chocolate Lovers, Christmas, cookie exchange, DIY, food gifts, gift giving, Holiday baking, Holiday goodies, Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

July 12, 2012

For the Love of Chocolate

July 12, 2012

I’ve had this bottle of nail polish sitting in my drawer for quite some time.  It’s called Brisbane Bronze (OPI). Or I just say chocolate.  I’m very routine when it comes to style issues.  I find a color I like and then I wear it forever!  Seriously!  So I thought it was time to step out of the box and try something new.
When my niece, Maggie was here to visit we both purchased a bottle of Sun Kissed (Tangerine color) nail polish.  Fun? Sure, but will I ever wear it?  Not sure.  Have you seen the Mint Green yet?  Cute!  The cashier in Panera had it on.  The other bottles will need company on the shelf so I may get that one also.
I decided to try the chocolate color first.  My first reaction was that I didn’t like it.  Then as I was examining the situation closer someone sat down next to me and then I realized why I bought this color in the first place.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Chocolate Lovers, crazy dog mom, Eightymillion's Photography, flip flop summer days, Girly Girl stuff, nail polish, OPI Nail Lacquer

June 16, 2012

No Pleasure Should Feel Guilty

June 16, 2012

How about that one white sprinkle?
Realized this morning that I haven’t had any chocolate in the past week.  
Someone please take my temperature!

That all changed today.
And as the title reads, no pleasure should feel guilty.  Agree?
More recycling Pinterest inspired projects coming this week.  And I’ve got a few ideas for recycling silverware into wall art.  
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: cake donuts with sprinkles, Chocolate Lovers, Eightymillion's Photography, Guilty Pleasures, Pinterest inspiration, Recycled DIY projects, Saturday morning routine, sinful goodies

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