Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

This was my first experience ever with yeast. Typically if a recipe called for it I would say, "yeah, right" and move on to something else. I just want to say I loved baking with yeast, the dough was so fluffy and warm and just lovely. This recipe did take me about 3 hours from start to finish but it was well worth the time. I was able to share these wonders with my dad on Father's Day and also with Anthony's grandfather who loves cinnamon and is quite the dad and granddad. If you have never tried your hands at homemade cinnamon rolls, I suggest you do so.

The recipe said to place the dough in a warm area for an hour. It was 95 degrees outside so I placed my dough in the shade on my deck.

After an hour I rolled out the dough and spread melted butter on top then sprinkled cinnamon and sugar.

Don't laugh....ok....you can laugh. No matter how hard I tried I could not get the pretty perfect cinnamon/dough/cinnamon/dough look. The warm dough plus warm butter did not make for a solid log to cut in perfect circles.

But the end results was indescribable. To taste these babies right out of the oven, they just melt in your mouth and you need to leave the house to refrain from eating the whole pan. I won't be making them anytime soon, I just don't think my jeans can handle it.

Recipe found here. BTW...my icing is a different color because my family doesn't like coffee.

Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recently I decided this blog would not only be a display of beautiful creations but simple baked goods and even yummy dinners as well. I have become a huge fan of Ree Drummond after a suggestion on amazon to buy her cookbook. Her cookbook is amazing and so is her website, you should check it out. The malted chocolate chip cookies are one of her many fabulous recipes. I am truly inspired by this woman who home schools her children, cooks, bakes, does photography and helps run a ranch. (All of which I hope to do one day, minus the ranch part, maybe I could maintain a garden instead?) I love how each recipe includes step by step photos so that is my new plan in baking and cooking. I do not have the best camera but purchasing a nicer newer camera is not my priority at the moment so these photos will have to do.

Who doesn't love cookie dough?

I love the way cookies bake on a stone.

Ta Da! My dad's birthday is today (these cookies were made Sunday evening) but I always make the first pan of cookies without chocolate chips because that is the way my dad and I prefer them. So Happy Birthday Dad and Happy Fathers Day this coming weekend. I hope you are still enjoying the flat screen plasma t.v. that was/is your Christmas, birthday, Father's Day (mom's birthday and Mother's Day) present for the next few years.

Cake Balls : YUM!

So there is this website bakerella.com and WOW! They are so creative! Cake Balls are one of their specialties that they have made in so many different shapes, colors, themes, its truly inspiring. After browsing their wonderful creations I decided I must try these. I made them this past weekend for Danielle's (Anthony's sister) graduation. I told her that her cake was in the kitchen (cake balls were on top of the refrigerator). Once she found them I must tattle and say she had some before dinner. They were sooooo yummy but also very easy. No plates or silverware needed.

Moist cake on the inside, chocolate on the outside.

Curious George : Birthday Cake

Happy 1st Birthday to Logan Lowenbach! I went to middle and high school with Logan's uncle Brad and his soon to be aunt, Diana. Logan's mom, Jennifer, contacted me with a photo of what she wanted the cake to look like. I was so excited to use edible spray paint for the first time! (the red on the sides) and in order to get the picture I wanted I outlined the icing with a toothpick first. I hope you had an awesome birthday Logan!

Help CakeGirls!

I just heard CakeGirls in Chicago, you may have seen them before on Challenge or on their t.v. show, was destroyed by fire recently. They are selling t-shirts to help raise money for their employees who are now out of work. Click Here to buy a t-shirt and show your love to the CakeGirls.

Cakes Cakes and More Cakes

This first cake follows my last post about the Sweethearts Ball. Not that we needed anymore dessert but it made for a great table piece and it was a chance to teach my friend Stephanie about fondant.
Below: Brittani and Brett recently got engaged and I was so happy when her friend Brandy contacted me to do their engagement cake. She wanted something classy and something to match their wedding colors. This picture is not the greatest so you can't really tell but the little dots are actually silver.
Below: Sarah Little turned 16 quite some time ago. As you can tell, I haven't blogged in a while. A few months ago I started as a youth leader and have had the chance to hang out with Sarah and some other awesome youth. Sarah is such a sweet girl who I also think has an interest in baking. She made cupcakes for another girl's birthday last week but I wasn't there to try them. I'm sure they were good!

Cheesecake and More!

Every year for Valentine's Day our church, Hope Christian Fellowship, throws a Sweethearts Ball which is completely free to the community to come enjoy music, food and fellowship. This year I was thrilled to do the desserts.

Also, the Apple Pecan Cheesecake below has been made for friends, my grandma, and other family and everyone loves it! Makes me want some now...