Malted Rice Krispie Treats w/ Robin Eggs

 Okay lets have a serious discussion.  Do you find yourself constantly justifying eating delicious treats?  Let me tell you about my inner battles.

October: “I can eat a bag of candy corn a day, they are only around once a year!”

December: “Its the holidays! Who doesn’t gain 5 pounds?  Bikini season is months away.”

February: “Girl Scout Cookies?  Those are only around once a year and they remind me of my childhood…. i’ll only get one box!”

March: “EASTER CANDY.  I’ll just get one bag of robin eggs… oh wow those went fast.  Well I have to try the mini ones too I forgot what those taste like.  Well those were good maybe i’ll get another bag and bake them into something!  It’s for my blog after all…”

It is a vicious cycle.  I do think I would rather justify eating stuff then either not have it, or accept the fact that I just can’t live without constant sugar intake.  It can’t be very healthy but that is why I enjoy my fair share of green smoothies too.  I can definitely justify you making these.  Go to the store right now and get 2 bags of mini robin eggs.  One for this recipe and one to eat by the handful.

 Take 1/2 cup of robin eggs, put them on the side and put the rest in a ziploc bag.

 CRUSH THEM!

 Then make your treats and get them in a pyrex.

 Press those extra eggs in the top of your treats… if you happen to eat a few before doing this, no judgement will be taken.

 Let cool and cut them into large and delicious treats.

This is making me a little upset that I have eaten all of the robin eggs in my house… the store is just down the street though… Its less than a week until Easter!! Okay okay i’ll stop.

 Enjoy!!

Malted Rice Krispie Treats w/ Robin Eggs

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 6 1/2 cups rice krispies
  • 1 tablespoon malted milk powder
  • 1 10 oz. bag mini Robin Eggs

Directions

Grease an 8 x 8 pyrex for large treats or a 9 x 13 for thinner treats. Measure 1/2 cup of mini robin eggs and set aside. Pour the rest of the robin eggs into a ziploc bag and smash candies until each is crushed into about 3 pieces. In a large pot (teflon is best) melt butter over medium-high heat. Once butter is melted turn the head down to medium and add marshmallows. Stir marshmallows to coat with butter and let sit for a minute. Stir occasionally until every marshmallow has melted. Remove from heat and stir in malted milk. Pour in rice krispies and stir vigorously until evenly coated. Then add in crushed robin eggs and stir until combined. Pour into prepared pan. Take a piece of wax paper and grease one side. Place the greased side down on the treats and press down for an even layer. Take reserved robin eggs and press into the top. Let cool and cut! Enjoy!

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/malted-rice-krispie-treats-w-robin-eggs/

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Toasted Coconut Pound Cake

Coconut is soooo in right now.  Something about it is refreshing, sweet and seems to work well with anything.  This is even more true when its toasted!  This cake is packed with toasted coconut and the buttermilk makes it smooth and moist.  It is not overly sweet which makes it perfect with some coffee in the morning. Mmmmm first make your delicious batter and fold in toasted coconut.

Bake cake for about an hour.

Then let cool and pour on glaze and more toasted coconut.

Oh COCONUTS!

 

Toasted Coconut Pound Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted, divided
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl with paddle attachment, beat butter and granulated sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl as needed. Add vanilla, then eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down bowl. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with two 1/2-cup additions buttermilk, and beat until combined. With a rubber spatula, fold in 1 1/4 cups coconut.

Transfer batter to pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 60 minutes. Let cool in pan the remove cake from pan and let cool completely on rack.

Whisk together confectioners' sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Drizzle over cake and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup coconut.

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/toasted-coconut-pound-cake/

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Best Shamrock Shake Ever!

Yay! The weekend of St. Patrick’s day is upon us and it has been a beautiful week in So Cal.  When the sun is shining and leprechauns are running amuck, the only thing on my mind is a Shamrock Shake.  McDonalds coined this lovely name and their version is delicious.. but vanilla bean ice cream is SO much better than soft serve.  I whipped this up in no time and finished it even faster.  Thank you Saint Patrick!

Dryer’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to vanilla bean.  That stuff is good.  Mix it all in a blender! and you will get a green shake!

Then top with whipped cream and sprinkles!

Enjoy!

Shamrock Shake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla bean ice cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • multiple drops of green food coloring (until desired color is reached)

Directions

Add all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until combined. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles!

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/best-shamrock-shake-ever/

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St. Patrick’s Day Lofthouse Imitation Cookies

We all know Lofthouse cookies.  Those cookies in the bakery section of the grocery store that change frosting colors every season and always taste oddly delicious.  They are dense and sweet and always leave you wanting a glass of milk.  I found this recipe and was so excited.  After tasting them I have to disclaim that they are not as dense as the grocery store goodies.  They are lighter, fluffy and covered with sweet frosting.  Making the frosting green and adding some sprinkles makes these scream St. Pattys!  First you make your dough and chill it for a couple of hours.

Then roll it out and cut into circles.

Bake for 7 minutes and get them out of the oven immediately!

Then add frosting and sprinkles!  YUM!

St. Patrick’s Day Lofthouse Imitation Cookies

Ingredients

    Cookies:
  • 6 Cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • Frosting:
  • 1 cups butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons heavy cream
  • several drops green food coloring
  • sprinkles

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the a paddle attached, cream the butter and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time beating until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.

Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Dough will be a bit “sticky”. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1 1/2 inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least two hours until firm.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

Use the plastic wrap that you chilled the dough in. Dust the top of the dough and then flip and flour the other side, keeping it on the plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, until pale golden. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Best to work in small batches while keeping the remainder of the dough chilled.

To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar. Once smooth and creamy, add in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired spreading consistency is achieved. If desired, add food coloring and beat until combined.

Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and add sprinkles. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container.

Recipe from Authentic Suburban Gourmet

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/st-patricks-day-lofthouse-imitation-cookies/

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Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Doughnuts

DOUGHNUTS.  If you work in an office you are probably faced with sweet maple bars and chocolate sprinkled delights constantly.  There is something about that pink doughnut box that makes you think the happiest of thoughts.  But I always shove that sweet puff of air in mouth and its gone before i know it.  Then I am left with the self reassuring thoughts that they can’t be that bad for me… right?  Ugh, its exhausting!  But- when you take the time to make a doughnut like this, you don’t need to think twice.  First of all they are baked.  Second of all they are coated with wonderful pecan bits, which take you take longer to eat them and also add some substance.  My sister’s boyfriend came home to these and I believe his words were “omggomgomggoggmaahhahhahahhhhhwahahhahomgomg”  ….yeah he liked them.

First make your dough!

Glaze, pecans, and doughnuts.

oh yeah.

I might make these often…

very often!!

Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Doughnuts

Ingredients

    doughnuts:
  • 2 cups of cake flour
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup of buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
  • topping:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 3 cups roasted pecans
  • 1/2 cup toffee pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. First combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add in wet ingredients and combine. Add batter to greased doughnut pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Toss the pecans and toffee in a food processor until a pecan flour forms. Transfer to a separate bowl. In another bowl combine powdered sugar and water until smooth. While doughnuts are still slightly warm, coat with glaze. Immediately transfer to the pecan mixture and coat with pecans. Let cool on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/cinnamon-pecan-crunch-doughnuts/

 

 

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Chewy Coconut-Lime Sugar Cookies

 A chewy cookie with a a little crunch is hard to come by.  My friend Katie got me the America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook for Christmas.  She knows me well.  This book is amazing! They explain what they are trying to make and take you through their process of testing until they reach the best of the best recipes.  They have mastered the sugar cookie and ways to change it up a bit.  The Coconut-Lime combo caught my eye because I am really into coconut right now.  Let’s get started.

 Sugar, cream cheese, lime zest and butter.

 Egg and milk!

 The dry stuff.

 Roll that dough in sugar.

Bake!

Yummmm!

 

Chewy Coconut-Lime Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ounces cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and hot
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 cup pure cane organic sugar (large sugar crystals)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Place 1 1/2 cups of sugar, cream cheese and lime zest in large bowl. Pour butter over mixture and whisk until combined. Whisk in oil until well incorporated. Add egg, milk, and lime juice, continue to whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture with a rubber spatula until soft dough forms.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces, about 2 tablespoons each. Using hands roll dough into balls. Working in batches, roll balls in cane sugar to coat and place on prepared baking sheet, 12 balls per sheet. Bake one tray at a time until edges are set and just beginning to brown. 11-13 minutes, rotating sheet after 7 minutes. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.

Enjoy!

Recipe from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook.

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/03/chewy-coconut-lime-sugar-cookies/

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Hummus Avocado Tartine

Why are the best things in life so simple?  A sunny day, a good convo, or laugh attack can make you the happiest person in the world.  When you stop thinking about the stressful things like work, bills and your furture, everthing just seems better.  This tartine did just that.  It made me smile and forget.  It made me think of summer and blue skies.   I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at La Boulange Bakery’s new cookbook “Cafe Cooking at Home” that is coming out in April.  These recipes are amazing and I can’t wait for this book to come out.  Enjoy!

First grab some good bread.  I found this multi-grain loaf at Trader Joes.

A layer of hummus.

Cucumbers…

Tomato…

Avocado…

Top with sprouts, olive oil, salt & pepper.

Enjoy!!!

 

Hummus Avocado Tartine

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons hummus
  • 1 slice country bread
  • 5 slices cucumber
  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons sprouts
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

*Depending on how large your slice of bread is, you may use more or less of each topping.

Gather ingredients. Spread the hummus on the bread and lay the cucumber and tomato slices on top. Cover with the avocado. Sprinkle witht the sprouts and add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with olive oil.

Recipe from La Boulange Bakery's Cookbook "Cafe Cooking at Home"

http://www.laboulangebakery.com/

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/02/hummus-avocado-tartine/

 

 

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Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette

 Over the years I have heard from multiple people that making your own salad dressing is the way to go when dieting.  I like doing it because I know exactly what is in it and I can make it taste just how I want!  I drempt of an orange balsamic vinaigrette the other night and voila!  I did it!  This dressing is so delish and goes well on a spinach salad with some red onion and cuties.  The best part about this is that it all goes down in a blender!

Your ingredients: Orange Juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, allspice, salt and pepper.

 Pour into a cute container and you are good to go!  Keep it in the fridge, bring it to a picnic or even as a gift!

 

Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients but olive oil in a blend. Turn the blender on the lowest setting and slowly drizzle in olive oil. Serve over salad.

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/02/orange-balsamic-vinaigrette/

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Pink Champagne Cake

Booze Cakes.  I got this cookbook a couple of years ago and just tried it for the first time.  Booze + Cake = :D  Happy taste buds!  Considering there are 2 cups of champagne in the cake and 1/2 cup in the frosting, it surprisingly does not taste like champagne at all.  The bubbles and liquid somehow create a moist and dense cake that if wonderfully complimented by the sweet frosting.   Lets get boozey.

Mix the champagne with your batter…

Bake those cakes!

Then make your frosting!

Garnish with raspberries!

 

Pink Champagne Cake

Ingredients

    cake:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 egg whites
  • 2 cups Champagne
  • frosting:
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 9 - 10 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup champagne
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • a few drops of red food coloring
  • raspberries for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder and satl; set aside. In a mixing bowl with paddle attachement, beat butter and sugar for 3-5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat in egg whites one at a time.

Beat in flour mixture and champagne in alternating additions, starting and ending with flour to prevent curdling. Pour batter into pans and bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the frosting:

In a mixing bowl, beat butter for 1 minute. Gradually add powdered sugar, champagne, milk, vanilla and food coloring. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Once cake has cooled, place bottom layer on a cake plate and spread half of frosting on top. Add the next layer and cover the cake completey with frosting. Garnish with raspberries!

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/02/pink-champagne-cake/

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Linzer Cookies

Valentines day is approaching.  It is time to start immersing yourself in all things heart shaped and pink.  Many people think of v-day as a “hallmark holiday” or think you should treat your loved ones special everyday not just one day!  Well I think those people just don’t appreciate a nice heart shaped cookie.  The good thing about these cookies is that you can make them any shape you like, so everyone can be happy! These crispy cookies have a wonderful blend of almond, lemon and cinnamon flavors that are guaranteed to make you smile! (and possibly spill powdered sugar down your shirt…)  First you have to make your dough and chill it in the fridge for a bit.  Then take your dough and roll it out.

 

 You will need 2 different sized cookie cutter of the same shape to achieve this.  Bake and let cool.

 Sprinkle powdered sugar over the tops.

 Scoop some seedless jam into a ziploc bag, cut off the corner and pipe into a heart a little bigger than the opening of the top cookie.

 Then place the powdered cookie on top.

 Then give them to your sweetheart…. or eat them all and no one will know…

 

Linzer Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almonds, toasted and skinned
  • 8 Tbls. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 3⁄4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1⁄4 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄4 tsp. salt
  • About 1⁄4 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
  • Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

In a food processor, finely grind the almonds using short pulses. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter on high speed until fluffy and pale yellow. Add the granulated sugar and beat until combined. Reduce the speed to low. Add the egg yolk, lemon zest, vanilla and almond extract and beat until blended.

Sift together the flour, cinnamon and salt into another bowl. Add the ground almonds and stir to blend. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until blended. The dough should be soft. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, divide into 4 equal portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

Remove 1 portion of the dough at a time from the refrigerator and roll out 1⁄4 inch thick on a floured surface. Using a cookie cutter, cut out the cookies. Using a small cutter of the same shape, cut out the center of half of the cookies. Repeat with the remaining portions of dough, then reroll the dough scraps as needed. If the dough becomes sticky, wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze for 10 minutes before rolling out.

Using a thin spatula, carefully transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch, about 12 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Loosen the cookies with the spatula, but leave the cookies on the sheets until thoroughly cooled.

To assemble, spread the solid cookies with a thin layer (about 1 tsp.) of jam to within about 1⁄4 inch of the edges. Dust the cutout cookies generously with confectioners' sugar. Top the solid cookies with the cutout cookies.

Enjoy!!

Recipe adapted from Williams Sonoma

http://littlebitsof.com/2013/02/linzer-cookies/

 

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