Mir | Just About Baked

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cookiebark1.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

M & M Cookie Bark

I’m back from sunny Williamsburg, VA, where my husband and I had a mini-vacation without kids. It was magical. If you’ve never been, you need to go! I’ll be sharing some of my favorite parts of the trip over the coming days. But first I have to share something else with you, and I’m excited.

Oh, my goodness. Hold on to your hats. Because I never realized that bark, one of the best treats ever, could be made in cookie form. Guess what? Epiphany time, people!

I was in the grocery store minus my children (wow, am I ever with them?) the other day, which is known in my world as a vacation. It was so lovely. I was wandering up and down aisles, looking at packaging without having to tune out a baby shrieking in my ear or feeling harassed, when I came upon the Brownie Brittle display. Have you seen that stuff? Basically, there are several different flavors of these thin, crispy brownie pieces. Some of them have chocolate chips, others toffee. It doesn’t really matter. The point is, when you bite in, you taste brownie. And I wanted to do the same thing, but with a cookie instead. So cookie bark was born!

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/marg1-e1399204637959.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Margarita Mini-Bundts

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! I hope you’re reading this with festive food in front of you. It might be early, but how about a margarita? Honestly, I’m going to have to be careful here. If I don’t watch myself, I’ll wind up writing a 20-page essay about the glory of the margarita and never actually get to the dessert I made.

Because margaritas are just…yeah. I don’t have to explain, do I? They’re nice. Let’s leave it at that. But because it’s still morning where I am, I decided to start the day with these little bundt cakes instead.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/pastry5-e1399204551691.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Chocolate Cinnamon Pastry Strips

May 4, 2014
Mir
Pastry Cart
2 Comments

Happy Sunday! Days like today are perfect for pastry. Easy pastry for people with little to no time! I’m already having tons of fun, and it’s only eight o’clock!

Ah, cinnamon and chocolate. It’s one of the best and definitely most underrated combinations out there. Have you ever had cinnamon sugar donuts dipped in Mexican hot chocolate? No? Then you’re missing out, buddy!

Years ago, I went to a super-trendy DC restaurant that is now pretty hard to get reservations for. It’s called Komi, and it’s genius. But I digress. They had a dessert that was fairly simple, but the best food in life is that way. They had those cinnamon donuts and the richest, best chocolate sauce to dip them in. I’ve never forgotten, and that experience is the root of my love for cinnamon with chocolate.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mmdough6-e1398693957667.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

M & M Cookie Dough Fudge Bars

When I was a kid, people didn’t worry about raw cookie dough. So I happily licked the beaters, knowing in my soul that eating batter was the best part of baking anything. But then the dark forces moved in and exposed the dangers of eating cookie dough.

I know a lot of people aren’t afraid. But me, I live in fear. I get nervous around fire and water, I wash my hands obsessively during flu season, and I always wait for the walk sign before crossing the street. Eating raw cookie dough used to be absolutely taboo. Until, of course, everyone realized it was possible to have your dough and eat it, too. Just don’t put in the egg, add condensed milk, and you’re good to go!

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cheesepake2-e1398691852996.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesepake

April 30, 2014
Mir
Cupcakes and Cheesecakes, Pakes and Pookies, Pie Day
6 Comments

No, that’s not a typo. Remember my obsession with pake, the pie-cake hybrid? Well, the love continues with this cheesecake in a pie crust. Behold the cheesepake!

This one is special, folks. While I say I don’t like to play favorites with my desserts, this one is too good for me to lie about. It’s ridiculous. If you’re a peanut butter and chocolate addict, making this cheesepake is not even optional. Get into your kitchen. Now!

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Minnie2.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes

April 28, 2014
Mir
Cakes, Cupcakes and Cheesecakes, Let Them Eat Cake
4 Comments

My baby is two! I can’t believe it. And I know that’s something everyone says, but really, my youngest is tiny. She’s very small for her age and always has been, so I am a little shocked every time I realize how old she’s getting.

Despite her smallness, my daughter can really eat. Every day when I get home from work, she looks at me and says, full of hope, “Want chocolate.” And you know what? I give it to her. Because I totally understand her, and because she’s cute. And because she’ll throw a mean tantrum if I don’t. That’s good parenting in action, people.

So for her birthday, I took the most intense chocolate cake recipe I could think of and made cupcakes out of it. Minnie Mouse cupcakes, to be exact. Because the only thing my daughter loves as much as chocolate is Minnie Mouse.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/GFcookie4.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

April 27, 2014
Mir
C is for COOKIE!, Cakes, Gluten-Free Goodness, Let Them Eat Cake
4 Comments

Ah, the gluten-free life. It comes with so many challenges. My husband eats a mainly gluten-free diet, and he tends to try some baked good or other and then say, “It’s missing…something.”

To which I reply, “Um…wheat?”

Yep, it’s hard to make him forget just how great that gluten is. Which is why I’m so grateful that along with the recipes I make for him from scratch, there are people out there who make really good gluten-free refrigerated cookie dough. The Immaculate Baking brand is his (and my) favorite. The ingredients are free of chemicals and the cookies are nice and chewy. If you can’t find that brand at your local store, you can substitute two packages of your favorite gluten-free refrigerated cookie dough in this recipe.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lemon1-e1398420674695.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Sunshine Lemon-Lime Tart

This is the best time of year. As soon as Cinco de Mayo hits, the weather gets sunnier and spending time outside is nothing but a sheer pleasure. Lazy days, frosty margaritas, flip-flops…and lime-infused desserts!

I still remember my first slice of key lime pie. It was quite a special moment. My husband and I were dating and we went on vacation to Florida, and in a restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, I had my first slice. I think that moment was perfection. And I’ve been trying to recreate it ever since. This particular tart, though not a key lime pie, manages to bring back that happy feeling effortlessly.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PBbark1-e1396891779500.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Peanut Butter Cup Bark

April 23, 2014
Mir
Candyland
2 Comments

Oh, come on. You knew this was coming, didn’t you?

You don’t get to my level of peanut butter and chocolate dependence easily. It takes hard work. Daily doses of Reese’s, for instance. That’s a must. So why should it surprise you that I decided to make this bark?

It’s just…lovely. Sigh. So much lovelier than any bark ever. Have I mentioned that I like to exaggerate from time to time? But really, look at those peanut buttery swirls, all dotted with little peanut butter cups. It’s just pretty. A very attractive dessert, which dessert should be if it possibly can. Yes, I’m paraphrasing Jane Austen. I’m an English teacher.

Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Pesachblond2-e1397777508515.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121

Brownies and Blondies (Passover)

April 20, 2014
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, Gluten-Free Goodness, Passover Edition!
2 Comments

Folks, Passover Week is drawing to a close on Just About Baked. Come Wednesday morning, I will be back to posting regular baked goods. Thank the lord and all the powers up above! I can’t take much more of this…

See, I miss the forbidden foods. Like pizza. And sushi. Oh my lord, a week without sushi is a very dark time in my life. You can imagine how well I got through three pregnancies without raw fish. It was a horrible time. So I guess I shouldn’t complain about one week. Especially when I can have brownies!