Out of the Box! A sample

So, I signed up to be part of the Out of the Box Sampler this month! I am so excited! I just sent them 25 samples of a s'more treat. Of course if you were to order this on my etsy site you would get a much larger amount! I had so much fun making marshmallows and graham crackers. I found the graham cracker recipe on Smitten Kitchen!

Friends

When ever I need inspiration I go to Smitten Kitchen for ideas. A few weeks ago I had a new friend over. We had bbq for dessert I decided to bake some cake. I made a Raspberry Buttermilk Cake found on Smitten Kitchen. Here is the recipe:

Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
Adapted from Gourmet, June 2009

Makes one thin 9-inch cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional) but I think its a must!
1 large egg
1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 cup fresh raspberries

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In a larger bowl, beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about two minutes, then beat in vanilla and zest, if using. Add egg and beat well.

At low speed, mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Put raspberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar.

Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

My oops moment: As I was mixing the batter together I put way too much butter in the cake. When I realized I had to start over! This cake turned out so yummy and was so easy to bake. I also made the cake with fresh mangos and tasted delicious. I am sure if you used any kind of fresh fruit it would be good.

And the Winner is.....

so, after reading everyones comments, which I really enjoyed! I am picking Karen! She is from Connecticut and is new at sewing. I will be sending her a zippered pouch and some baked goods. I haven't figured out what I will make her yet, but hopefully she will enjoy! Thanks for entering, Karen!!!

May Giveaway!!

I will be participating in Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway! I am so excited to be a part of this. It was such a hit last year. This year I will be giving away a baked good gift and a cute makeup bag. All made by me!!
To enter please let me know the following:

1. If you are a baker: Your favorite go to baking item you make on a regular basis.
2. If you are a sewer: Your favorite easy item to sew!

I will be announcing the winners on Tuesday June 2nd!

GOOD LUCK!

Bananas Muffins

What do people do with old bananas? If you are a baker, you make banana bread or muffins. On Tuesday I went to Berkeley and had my first experience at the Berkeley Bowl. This place is amazing! A whole aisle of bulk food, huge section of teas, the largest fruit and veggie section I have ever seen! So when I bought more bananas than we could eat I figured I could bake!

3 very ripe bananas
1 cup of whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
1/4 cup tablespoons applesauce
1/2 cup chocolate chips
walnuts for topping

Preparation

1. Mash bananas in a bowl.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
3. Pour into muffins tins
   
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes if making muffins\ or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
5. ENJOY!!!

You can eat as a snack or a part of breakfast. They are not too sweet so you can enjoy whenever!

Courtney's Birthday!

My best friend who lives in San Diego just celebrated a birthday. Since she was recently visiting her parents, me and a few friends decided to celebrate a little early. We got together and went for a glass of wine and some cupcakes! YUM, I made angel food cupcakes with a coconut frosting. I also gave her a little zippered pouch because he old one was looking kind of ragged...

Mother's Day Treat

On Sunday I went to my mother in laws house for dinner. She insisted on making dinner, so I insisted on bringing dessert. I made peanut butter cupcakes with a whipped cream and raspberry jam sauce. I thought they were yummy!