All posts filed under: Baking

Easter Egg Cookies

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If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll remember these cookies from Valentines Day, they were quite the hit. I decided to do them again for Easter, since they’re so easy and fun to make! Here’s the recap on how to make them: 1 batch of Sugar Cookies 1 batch of Royal Icing Icing Gels – colours of your choice – I used purple, sky blue, kelly green and yellow. An off-set spatula 5 squeeze bottles Lots of toothpicks Egg Shape Cookie Cutter I used Ms.Field’s Sugar Cookie recipe. I made the Royal Icing with 4 cups of icing sugar, 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder, 9 tbsp of water and 1 tsp of vanilla. I separated the icing into 4 bowls and coloured them with the icing gels. I used squeeze bottles as I find they are the best for flooding cookies. I flooded each cookie with white and then made   little dots or lines in a contrasting colour. To get the different designs I simply dragged a toothpick through the icing. I’ll be honest the …

Paleo Chocolate Muffins (aka sugar/dairy free muffins)

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My husband has decided to try the paleo diet, which is all great, minus the fact that I’m 8 months pregnant and all I want is carbs, carbs and more of them! In all honesty though I am enjoying trying out the recipes and came across this little gem the other day. Paleo Chocolate Muffins INGREDIENTS 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup) 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup coconut oil – melted 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1/3 cup coconut flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/3 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped (85% cacao and higher) Combine wet ingredients then add the dry ingredients. Place heaping spoonfuls in muffins cups and bake for 20 mins at 350.

Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies

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I really wanted to try something new this year for Valentine’s Day. I came across these cookies on Seeded at the Table’s blog and decided I had to try them out. They are actually much easier to make than they look and they are sure to impress anyone! You’ll need the following materials: 1 batch of Sugar Cookies 1 batch of Royal Icing Red Icing Gel An off-set spatula 3 squeeze bottles Lots of toothpicks Heart Shape Cookie Cutter I used Ms.Field’s Sugar Cookie recipe. I made the Royal Icing with 4 cups of icing sugar, 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder, 9 tbsp of water and 1 tsp of vanilla. I separated the icing into 3 bowls and tinted two of them with different shades of pink and left one white. I used squeeze bottles as I find they are the best for flooding cookies. I flooded each cookie with a different base colour and then made simple little dots or lines in a contrasting colour. To get the different designs I simply dragged a …

Cinnamon Buns

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  I woke up this morning thinking about cinnamon buns, I went about my day but the thought of warm, sticky, cinnamon bread just kept popping into my mind, eventually I couldn’t ignore it. This is the problem with cravings and being 5 months pregnant. So I went online and found an easy, no fuss recipe, I did a couple adaptions and voila! Ingredients 1 packet instant yeast 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 cup butter 1/4 tsp salt 2.5 cups all purpose flour (plus some extra for rolling) 1 Tbsp cinnamon 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp sugar, divided 1 tbsp of brown sugar Instructions In a large sauce pan (or in a bowl in the microwave at 30 sec increments), heat the almond milk and 3 Tbsp of butter until warm and melted, never reaching boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to the temperature of bath water. It should be warm but not too hot or it will kill the yeast. Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle on yeast. Let …

Linzer Cookies

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I absolutely love Linzer cookies, they have that perfect hint of lemon and nutty flavor all rolled into one cookie. They are slightly time consuming but they’re definitely worth it, not only are they pretty, but they make a fabulous holiday gift. Follow the recipe below to make these delicious cookies. Makes approximately 36 cookies Ingredients 2/3 cup almonds 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for the work surface 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 large egg zest from one lemon 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1tablespoon confectioners’ sugar 1 12-ounce jar raspberry jam Directions Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool. In a food processor, process the almonds and ¼ cup of the brown sugar until the almonds are finely ground. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and …

Gingerbread Cookies

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Gingerbread Cookies are a staple at Christmas time as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been using the same recipe for years and it always gets rave reviews. I usually double the recipe so I can get twice as many cookies out of it. The best part about gingerbread is that it keeps for a while and thus can be made ahead of time. This year I made a ton of cookies for our Santa event, I particularly liked the mini gingerbread men because they can be used in so many different ways. You could string them for garland on your tree or use them as cupcake toppers.  

Happy Halloween!

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Everyone seems to love Halloween, from little children to big grown-ups. This past Sunday we had our annual Haunted House and it was a hit! We tried to serve as many healthy snacks as we could, which included Clementine Jack-O-Lanterns and bran muffin cupcakes. We were left with only crumbs at the end, so I’m guessing our Halloween Sweet Table was a hit! Here are some pics from the big day! We’ve really enjoyed getting into the Halloween spirit this year, we’re particularly excited about going trick or treating for the first time!! My little one is dressing up as a monster (or a shark, we’re still undecided) and will be walking the Halloween streets for the first time! I’m slightly nervous about the temper tantrums that may ensue regarding the eating of candy, but I’m bracing myself for them. Happy Halloween everyone, wishing you a safe and fun evening!  

Guilt-Free Brownies!

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These brownies were super easy to make and absolutely delicious, plus they’re pretty much guilt free as there is no added sugar and they’re very high in fiber. Ingredients 2 cups (about 200g) dates, pitted 1¼ cup walnuts, ground finely 1 cup almonds, ground finely ¼ cup pistachios, shelled and ground finely 1 cup cocoa powder ¼ cup cacao nibs 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted 1 teaspoons Coffee Grinded 1 teaspoon sea salt dash of cinnamon    Instructions In a food processor, ground the walnuts, almonds, and pistachios until fine. Next add in the pitted dates, a few at a time helps, repeat pulsing and blending until the mixture has come together. Add in cocoa powder. Pulse to combine again. In a large mixing bowl, pour this mixture, add in melted coconut oil, cacao nibs, and remaining ingredients. Using a spatula or your hands, stir. In a lined (with parchment paper) 8×8 square pan, spread the brownie mixture in and start to evenly press down until you form a brownie layer. Chill for at least …

Mini Fall Pies and Tarts!

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This past weekend we took advantage of the fabulous weather and drove to Andrew Scenic Farms, this farm is a family run business and definitely doesn’t have the long line ups and wait times that other apple picking farms have. We spent about 2 hours there, had a pony ride, picked raspberries and apples and then enjoyed some lunch. On Sunday, my son and I spent the afternoon in the kitchen making these delicious mini tarts. First you’ll need some custard, this recipe is scaled down as you don’t need that much, my son (who is 2 years old) really enjoyed making this, lots of mixing and whisking! Buttermilk Custard 3/4 cup of sugar 2 tbsp of. flour 1/4 cup of butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 cup buttermilk Mix sugar and flour; cream with butter. Add eggs, vanilla, salt and buttermilk. Raspberry Mini Tarts (recipe makes 6) Preheat oven to 350 F Pastry Recipe (I used Martha Stewart’s – I find it’s better to add a little more …