I have been trying to make choc-chip ice-cream cookie sandwiches for the past 2 days. I have tried 2 different recipes and although the biscuits came out nicely and the mixture of vanilla bean ice-cream and chocolate ganache is very morish, I think I need to find a choc-chip recipe that makes softer, chewier biscuits.
I came across this blog run by Julie Marie Craig who lives in the little town of Benicia California. She takes such beautiful photos of the things she bakes and cooks. I was going through her posts and all they made me want to do was get up off my butt and bake like Nigella on a sugar high.
Here are some photos of some of the things she’s made. If you want any of the recipes, just click on the link below each picture xxx
Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream in the World and Lemon & Orange Blossom Ice Cream
Came across these phyllo pastry boats and thought I should do the right thing and share them with you guys. Have you ever seen anything sweeter than this? And they float in a chocolate lake. I think all boats should be edible and float on actual lakes made of chocolate. I mean, man has managed to rocket themselves to another planet so surly they can make a lake out of chocolate and boats that you can eat with your face. SURLY.
The cold, she is a coming. The last couple of days have really felt like Winter up in here and soon enough the jerseys, jackets and of course boots are going have to come out.
I don’t really buy boots often because I find it pretty difficult to find exactly what I am looking for, but every now and then I do come across one or two pairs that I really like. I was in Mr P 2 days ago and I found these nice simple vellies, which I snapped up because I wore my last pair to death – which makes me think that maybe I should just invest in a real pair.
And then a little while ago, I found a packet at the back of my cupboard that I had forgotten about and in it were these guys. Now I remember buying them, but I obviously didn’t remember to wear then ha! So they are still brand spanking new, which I’m quite happy about. They remind me of a pair of soaring eagles, not sure why, but they do.
I think i’m going to take these little eagle puppies downstairs for a hot chocolate. Perhaps some lavender hot chocolate. How good does this look?! Holy crap.
Recipe and pictures from here
lavender hot chocolate:
2 cups whole milk
3 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao)
1 ounce milk chocolate
1/4 teaspoon lavender buds
whipped cream:
1/2 cup cold heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or seeds from 1/4 of a whole vanilla bean pod
1/2 tablespoon granulated white sugar
For whipped cream, place cold cream, vanilla, and sugar into a cold mixing bowl. Beat the mixture with a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks form. keep refrigerated until ready for use.
For hot chocolate, heat milk and lavender over medium heat, whisking occasionally until the milk begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let lavender steep for 5 minutes. Strain lavender and return milk to saucepan. Over medium heat, add chocolate and mix until chocolate is melted and incorporated. Whisk milk mixture for 10-20 seconds until frothy. Pour into mugs or bowls and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
My traffic lady bought this book in for me to have a look at. It’s an old school cake icing an decorating book. It is so old school in fact that it makes me giddy. Geez, what I would do to get me a ‘Sponge cake Novelties’ cake for my birthday. Look at that thing! It’s magnificent hahah. I love how you don’t know what the hell is going on or where to even start. Shame, it looks like gay over-enthusiastic pizza.
I also love love the baby in the giant quilted bed cake, complete with built-in mosquito net. Hahaha, flip these things made me laugh so hard. I mean when last did you have a slice of hat on someones special day? Bet you the answer is never. What a pity.
I wish I could make them in real life. I just don’t think my baking hands could complete such masterpieces. I need me a Julia Child, she could make these with her eyes closed, which is funny because it looks like they have been designed by someone who had their eyes closed. Hey, does anyone have a spare Julia moping around their house? I’ll take her off your hands for you.
Edible place cards, now you’re speaking my language. This is when you wish you had 15 middle names, so your pie will need a XL serving platter not a dinner plate. Such a cool idea for a table setting.
– These mini pies pull double duty – place cards + dessert/appetizer/cause-for-excitement. Or am I the only one who gets visibly excited over pie? To make your own simply cut squares of pie dough, fill, fold, dust and bake. I freehanded the letters and baked separately.
