September, 2014 | Just About Baked

Tricked-Out Graham Cracker Crust Tutorial

September 12, 2014
Mir
Pie Day, Pies
14 Comments

I have a lot of strong beliefs. Here are some:

1) The Indianapolis Colts will rise again.

2) Taking time for yourself is not an act of selfishness, but necessity.

3) Cakey brownies are a crime against humanity.

4) A lot of brides need to stop wearing strapless gowns. Other silhouettes rock!

5) Trying to sleep in my class is an act of disrespect.

6) Hope springs eternal as long as you’re getting enough sleep.

Oh, and here’s another for you: graham cracker crust needs to be tricked out!

What do I mean by that? I’m so glad you asked!

Apple Crumble Bars

September 10, 2014
Mir
Bars n' Brownies
10 Comments

Did you know that you can hire someone to help your kid stop sucking his thumb?

Until about a month ago, my son was a die-hard thumb sucker. He was just super attached to it. And when he didn’t have a thumb in his mouth, his shirt collar worked, too. I was getting tired of all the damp, stretched out shirt collars. Not to mention the thought of orthodontia bills down the road!

Our dentist connected us with a miracle worker I call The Thumb Lady, and now he’s habit-free! And since he’s not putting his thumb in his mouth, he now has space for other things. Like these amazing bars.

Double-Decker Bars

September 8, 2014
Mir
Bars n' Brownies
22 Comments

Every now and then, I go too far. When that happens, I’m woman enough to admit it. And I have no shame at all.

These bars go waaaaaay too far. And like I said, not sorry. Just be prepared, because you may have to go where other people are not in preparation for the sugar crash that will inevitably come your way if you eat these. It will be worth it. I speak the truth.

Baked PB Banana Bread Donuts

There is something about a donut. Or two.

Every day, donuts used to be my after-school snack. That was back when my metabolism was working in my favor. Now I can still have donuts, but maybe not every day.

That’s why I love my donut pan! Because you can bake healthier donuts, and they taste phenomenal. And you can get really creative with your flavors. Plus, you don’t get that weird feeling in your tummy that sits there after fried food has invaded the premises.

Peanut Butter Overload Ice Cream

Everyone else is happily beckoning in autumn, but not me. No way! Because it’s still 90 degrees out and I’m hanging out at all the frozen yogurt shops.

My obsession with fro yo is all in the toppings. You go fill your cup with lots of frozen goodness, but then you can dump whatever you want on top. I do that totally logical thing where I get a bucket full of fat-free yogurt and then proceed to pile on the chocolate. Lots of chocolate. And sometimes brownies or cheesecake, too. It’s like a make your own sundae party, any day of the week!

White Chocolate Oreo Bars

September 3, 2014
Mir
Bars n' Brownies
26 Comments

I read last year that Oreos are highly addictive. Like, more than crack. I wouldn’t really know, because I’m not a crack kind of girl. I prefer my highs via sugar.

And boy, do I eat a lot of it! Whenever I see anything that’s cookies and cream in flavor, my heart soars a little higher and my mood lifts. There is nothing like that flavor combination. And when Oreos make their way into baked goods, it’s pretty much as good as it gets.

Butterscotch Cookie Cake

September 1, 2014
Mir
C is for COOKIE!, Cakes, Let Them Eat Cake
18 Comments

I need to stop complaining. Because even though it’s been an exhausting first week back at teaching, I do love my job enormously. My students are so nice! They thank me for teaching them when they leave the classroom, and honestly, that’s just cool. I have to tell their parents how amazing their kids are on Back to School Night!

To celebrate getting through week one, I had to make a cookie cake. A butterscotch one. Because I’ve been neglecting that particular flavor lately, and that just isn’t right. What isn’t awesome about butterscotch?