Carrie Crocker

These are my confessions....

2012-02-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

I pray that you read that in usher's voice. I have a dirty confession to make. I feel embarrassed to talk about it, but I feel like it needs to be discussed.

Let's start with the basics. I love dairy. I love cheese.
:deep breath:

I made this delicious looking cornbread, a new love in our house. I love plain cornbread, and cornbread with butter and honey. I thought- why not add cheese? I love cornbread, I love cheese.

(side note: I just mentioned the word love 6 times while talking about cornbread. Is that a problem?)

I mean, that looks tasty, right? Baked in my beloved cast iron skillet that has gone through three generations.

I hated it. I didn't like the salty sharp cheese on my sweet buttery cornbread. I am embarrassed to admit that I don't like something smothered in cheese.....who am I?

Son of a BITCH!

2012-02-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

There are a few facts about me that many don't know, or frankly don't care to put together.

1. I am a christian. I have been baptized and belief that there is one Heaven and one Hell and one deity. I believe that Jesus Christ was sent here to provide an example of what God is capable of, and to give everyone a way to connect with God. I do not belong to one denomination, mainly because I have issues with religion. I firmly believe that religion is man based. One more way for man to think they have control. I am more focused on living my life according to the Christian Bible while balancing between the legalistic views or the lifestyle views. I am a sinner.
(side note- it has always boggled my mind, even before I was a follower of Christ, that there was a stigma that Christians think they are perfect and better than everyone else. Why is that? The whole basis of Christianity is admitting that you are a sinner and you need help. )

I know- that was a bit heavy. But I needed to go there.

2.) I swear. I say fucker and shit and bitch and cunt. I don't think that these words are any different from jerk or vagina or poop. I will swear on this blog. I hope that you aren't offended, but I'm sorry I'm not sorry. I refuse to act like these words have more power than what I am willing to give to them.
a. I DO NOT curse. I won't use God's name in vain, or damn anything. In my opinion, there is a difference between the two. I was specifically instructed to not use God's name as if it is just another word in the dictionary.
b. I won't swear in front of people that I know it will offend. I rarely swear in front of my parents, because I don't want to disrespect them. I don't swear at work (okay- let me be honest, I don't swear MUCH at work) and I don't swear in front of friends/family that I know don't swear.
Is that changing who I am to fit in with people? No, I don't think it is. I don't swear because that is one way I show respect to the people I am around.

Since I think every post needs at least one picture, here is my dog Ove, taking after his momma:

Friday Brain Dump

2012-02-10T03:50:00.000-08:00

My brain needs a good dumping every once in a while. and currently, it is to the point of spilling out in a huge mess unless I don't organize this shizz.

* Currently, my husband's phone is blaring a local morning radio show and it is one of the last things I want to hear blaring through the house every morning. Although, when he leaves, the silence is amazeballs.

*I have a burn on my thumb from touching the metal part of the steamer on my latte machine. I feel like a douche since that is such a first world problem, but it is on the elbow of my thumb, and it freakin hurts!

* The hubs was home yesterday for a 2 hour delay, and he sent me this:

Yup- my dog Ove. In the snow. I bet he was pissed! He hates the snow and the hubs and I always letting him out together when it first snows because we think it is hysterical that he runs out full force then skids and backtracks as fast as possible to get out of the snow.

* I look awful today. As in, mildly like a meth addict. I must have slept hard last night because I woke up with a snarl in my hair like a first grader and bags under my eyes.

1. I started my blog because I was really into cupcakes. Like, begging people to eat cupcakes so that I could make more. Which was started because I was working all day, then melting away into myself in the night which = depression. One of the cures for the depression was to find something to be passionate about. I was just letting life slip past me, instead of living. So I chose to be passionate about baking.

2. One thing I love seeing on other blogs I love to see pictures. I know that makes me stereotypical, but I mostly read blogs to Zen out.

3. Something I love about blogging To be honest, I haven't really had the pleasure to be included in any community yet, mainly because I treat this as a journal that I left out in the public. Which everyone knows, if you don't want people to read it, don't write it. I just am not to the point where I think anyone would benefit from me pimping out my blog. I also don't want the responsibility of needing to blog every so often. I have enough people/ responsibilities pressing down on me, and I don't want to add one more.

4. A favorite blog post of mine is probably Once again, I don't really have one yet.

5. Something my friends in real life know about me that I've never before mentioned on my blog is a shit ton, since I've barely blogged on here much. I adore hippos and hockey.

6. My new favorite blogs to read are Heir to Blair is one of my favorites. I started reading when she was knocked up with Harpie. She let us in through everything, and I fell in a girly blogger crush on her. I also love Peanut Butter Runner.

7. Some things I tend to avoid doing on my blog are posting work drama. It swirls through my head nearly every hour even if I am not there, I don't want this to reflect my job.

Yooooga it up

2012-02-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

In my attempt to getting my body to be healthier, I have been going to a local yoga class offered at my gym.

:done laughing? Good:

People who know me, know how clumsy I am, and balance is not my friend very often. This class is pretty easy going and the calm quiet afterwards is something that I could drink up. I have been beyond busy at work lately, and while I love my home in the winter it is dark and I just want to curl up and not do anything. I have been craving a space where I am sit without any distractions or people needing something or expecting something from me. A quiet space with no expectations. Just typing that out makes me want to take a deep breath. So I spoke to the instructor (as per advice from my girls on the nest health and fitness board) about letting me sit a few extra minutes after class, by myself. She gave me her blessing to "zen out" and I did.

and I cried...

As soon as the last people left the room, I could feel that feeling in the pit of your stomach to let you know that it's coming. The tears just fell and I just sat in the quiet space with no expectations. And it felt good. So fricken good.

Hey! Look at me! Posting again!

2012-01-27T09:21:00.001-08:00

1. The last thing I ate was Saltines from my desk in my office. I just needed something salty (okay- fine, I was bored)

2. The last song I listened to was, hmmm there was something on the radio, but I don't really think I was "listening" to it. I think it was that song with Keri Hilson, Kanye, and some other guy. Obvi- it was at the gym during my epic workout last night.

3. Using the letters in my name I can spell (I cheated and used a scrabble helper online!)

1.	racier (8)	2.	carer (7)	3.	racer (7)	4.	ceria (7)	5.	crier (7)
6.	areic (7)	7.	ricer (7)	8.	erica (7)	9.	care (6)	10.	acre (6)
11.	cire (6)	12.	carr (6)	13.	race (6)	14.	rice (6)	15.	ice (5)
16.	arc (5)	17.	car (5)	18.	rec (5)	19.	airer (5)	20.	ace (5)
21.	rear (4)	22.	rare (4)	23.	era (3)	24.	are (3)	25.	ria (3)
26.	ire (3)	27.	air (3)	28.	rei (3)	29.	err (3)	30.	rai (3)
31.	ear (3)	32.	re (2)	33.	ae (2)	34.	ai (2)	35.	er (2)
36.	ar (2)

4. If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick black. I have so many black items already...

5. If you were to look in my bag right now you'd find a slew of junk. a straw, a few pens, my wallet and nearly dead phone and chex mix.

6. When I finish filling in the blanks I'm going to go lay down. I have a killer headache- and I love to nap.

7. My all time favorite song to dance to is Dance Epidemic by Electric sixx . (yup- click it for awesomeness)

Oh Snap!

2012-01-26T12:30:00.000-08:00

I've tried setting up a new blog, because I thought that this one had sadly passed away, no longer able to be retrieved. Little did I know that it was still alive and well, just insanely neglected!

So changes are coming. I have changed so much since this blog had been created, and I think it needs to follow suit! Changes in colors, content, and...and...dammit, what's another c word?

I am *going* to try to post more often then say, once a year- deal? deal!

poppping in

2010-01-10T05:11:00.001-08:00

I saw this only a blog, who saw it from another blog, and so on and so on. I wanted tp keep it somewhere!
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, alterior motives;

be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest people may cheat you;

be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the end, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

~ Mother Teresa ~

Fall has arrived!

2009-10-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

So a few things have changed- WE'VE BOUGHT A HOUSE! We have been beyond blessed and beyond busy- I think I say that every post! So far we have had only one major room redo, which is only major in the fact that we have painted over dark brown paneling to make it white. Pictures will follow when we * finally* finish it!

For now, head over to Mel's Blog and sign up to win a super cute and ultra useful plarn bag! Or..ya know...don't, because I want to win it! haha. But check out her etsy shop for real!

Six Months Later...

2009-07-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

I am alive..barely. I can't believe that nearly six months have passed since I have written in here. I am nearly positive that no one still reads this, but I am inspired to share a few of my stories, and excuses as to why I have neglected this.

First and foremost, school. I completed my internship and I had the best and most gratifying experience that I could have. God placed me, through several strange and awkward paths, to exactly where I need to be. I began the year interning for 32 hours a week, with two classes on top. I ended my internship working 50 hours a week, with two classes on top (enter my excuse for the lack of updates) the 4 months felt like 4 years some days, yet I didn't want to leave my internship- so I didn't! My amazing supervisor asked me to work in the toddler room. So I did! I changed around my plans of finishing college next semester into working full time and finishing in 3 semesters (that kills me to write that!) I prayed (and prayed, and prayed) and decided that it was what is best for the family. I love where I work, I love what I do, and that is a hard thing to find. Thanks to my internship, I found where I was suppose to be. Irony= I told my professor that this was a back up plan and that I didn't want to work after I graduated, but rather pop out babies. Now my plan has changed. Apparently my plan=/= God's plan all along!

I have had some fun experiences so far! I am still cooking like a maniac! I bought an ice cream machine, and my favorite so far is the sorbet! who knew? I've made strawberry,
peach, blackberry, watermelon and all were yummy, here are just a few of the pictures!

I lost a very important man in my family very unexpectedly. My uncle passed away just a few weeks ago, and it still doesn't feel real. He was my dad's best friend and a genuinely great guy, his death made me realize how much I treasure my parents, and has driven my anxiety just a little further.

In other less life-changing news, I have pick my camera back up, dusted it off, and took some pictures... here's hoping it doesn't taken me another 6 months to update again!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

Goodness so many things have been going on in my life that I have, once again, not had time to focus on my blog! I have finished a very grueling semester and came out the other side. Despite the moans and groans and certainty that I was NOT going to have great grades or make the Dean's list- I did. I also secured an internship at the local YWCA (which I am anxious about! please pray for a positive experience!) My Father in Law completed his semester in grand style- BY GRADUATING with his master's degree. Joe and I are both extremely proud of him! This is Joe's father (obviously in the gown) and stepmother Karen. The rest are siblings/foster siblings etc.

So, since I am officially finished with this semester, and I have several days (ahem: weeks) to resume what I was made for, becoming the lovely wife who keeps the house clean and makes delicious food. What? Don't laugh- I can keep a house...clean, well, cleanish. Have you been talking to Joe? Moving on...
This Christmas, I decided to make my loved one their christmas present. Hopefully, none of them will read this blog! HA! I am making (highlight to read)::: Ranch Pretzels, Peanut Butter Choco Truffle, Pine Bark, Orangettes and Biscottis! :::Whew, that is a lot when I type that out! Hopefully everything turns out well! I am going to share a recipe that I really questioned, but decided to try since my loving mother gave me permission to steal as many grapefruit and oranges from her house as I would like! It was trial and error at first, but they came out so lovely!

The recipe!
Orangettes/Grapefruitettes

2-3 Oranges (or 1-2 grapefruit)
2.5 cups of sugar
2.5 cups of water

Score the rind of the fruit in eight equal (ok, it doesn't have to be equal!) sections. Peel off teh rind, and with a small sharp knife (think paring knife) remove as much of the pith as you are able to. This is no joke! The first 2 oranges I used, I didn't remove enough of the pith, and I had to throw it away. I liken it to skinning a fish. You will want to skin the rind so that you can see the small circles on the rind.
The 1st batch(which I didn't do properly) The 2nd Batch (see the little circles!)

Toss the rinds into a pot with enough water to completely cover, then heat until just boiling. Strain the rinds, rinse with cold water, and repeat the boiling process. I did this twice with the oranges, and four times with the grapefruit because I read that grapefruit tends to be a bit more bitter than oranges. Once they have been properly cooked, set aside.

Combine the water and sugar in a pot and bring it to a boil. The sugar should be dissolved. Carefully toss in the rinds, and simmer for about 25 minutes. When the rinds are transulcent, carefully remove the rinds and place them on a cooling rack.

I would suggest placing something underneath in case the sugar mixture drips off. From this point, you should dredge it in sugar, or let cool, then cover with chocolate! ENJOY! These taste almost...gummy like? It was a very surprising treat! enjoy!

Was it comcast, or just Blogger

2008-11-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

I couldn't get on here to post that I wouldn't be posting my tuesday with Dorie. I am kinda glad that I skipped out because I read the results, and with the way I have been baking lately, I am sure it would have been horrific! I will not be baking the rice pudding, but may dip into another recipe for my BIRTHDAY party this saturday! Wahoo!

Tuesdays with Dorie

2008-11-04T04:14:00.000-08:00

This is my very first blog about my TWD experience. I joined a few weeks ago, but just got the book this week. SO- I made Rugelach. I have never heard about it before, and I was super excited to make it. Until I made it. I don't have a food processor, so I had to mix it together with two knives. I'm not sure if that's what made the dough so- crappy for a lack of a better term. I was so unimpressed with this dough. It was tough to roll out, and looked clumpy after it was cooked. I even used my super awesome new rolling pin, andn it was HORRIBLE. I was very dissapointed, as my face shows. I won't post any recipe ingrediants, but these are what pictures I took. They turned out so bad that I didn't even take pictures of the final product.

Mixing the dough...

Before they went into the pits of Hell (my oven)

It's fall alright!

2008-10-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK....

So, this blogging has proven to be a little more work than I thought. It's not the cooking part- it's the posting part! HA! My loving husband was forced to reboot our computer- but saved all of my work (including pictures of recipes that were waiting to be posted!) So I was waiting to post those, but I am going to just move forward and post what I have been up to. The most exciting thing (cooking related!) is that I am offically part of tuesdays with dorie! I will be proudly adding my badge soon, and I will be forced to post more often!
For now however, I will post some of the chocolate cookies I made. I wasn't super impressed with them, so I won't be posting the recipe until I make it perfect. It was a thick chocolate shortcake type of cookie that wasn't moist enough. Here are a few pictures! I also included my adorable but naughty bunny benny. We let him play on the floor that isn't carpeted, so he ran for cover under a dresser (and is trying to clean the dust off of his face- THAT SHOULD TEACH HIM!

C IS FOR COOKIE...

Moving on! I have a few great cookie recipes that I want to share. None of them are my own recipe, so I am adding where I found them under the name! =)
Homemade Oreos:
Created by the wonderful Smitten Kitchen, who ripped it from Wayne Brachman

Homemade Oreos
Retro Desserts, Wayne Brachman

Makes 25 to 30 sandwich cookies

For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar*
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375 degrees.
2. In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
3. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
4. To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2-3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
5. To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

* Let’s talk about the sugar for a minute, shall we? This is a sweet cookie. A good, sweet cookie. Yet, if you think of an actual Oreos, the wafers are fairly un-sweet and actually on the slightly salty side, which contrasts with the super-sweetness of the filling bringing harmony, happiness, yada yada. If you want your cookie closer to that original, you can take out a full half-cup of the sugar. I usually do. If you want to make the cookie by itself (as I did a while back for ice cream sandwiches), go ahead and use the full amount.

I am adding a photo of the cookies that she (I'm assuming it's a female who posts!) took- THIS IS NOT MY PHOTO!

CRISP SOUP!

Today, since it's colder than a witches teet in my house, I made homemade chicken corn soup. Only without eggs or potatos (which are part of my favorite things about this soup.) I tried to make it a little healthier for DH. It made my house smell so good!

For those of you that know me, you know that I love rules. I thrive in a controlled situation, and that's why I love baking more than cooking. Baking requires exact measurements. Today however, I wandered away from the norm. I made my own crisp. Now to be fair, I have made crisp about 20 times this year, mostly apple. but today, I looked at the 1/4 peck of Mac's, and I knew what I had to do. I needed to make a crisp on my own, without measuring cups or a printed out recipe. I needed to make my own crisp recipe. This is what it made:

Apple Crisp:

6 apples (I used Mcintosh, but won't suggest that breed of apple, it mushed)

a pinch of flour

a handful of brown sugar

whatever amount of flaxseed that you have left in your cabinet

cinnamon and sugar that was left over from a failed snickerdoodle cookie

a pinch of salt

oats

melted butter (enough to bind the mix together)

This next part is fairly standard. I peeled them cut the apples:

I mixed everything else in a bowl, then topped the apples:

I baked this piece of Heaven in 275 degree oven for about 45 minutes.
I ate it right away, there are no pictures!

Iced Coffee

2008-09-01T13:41:00.001-07:00

There is nothing like starbucks. I love a local coffee joint called sparky and clarks, but there is something addictive about the taste of starbucks coffee that I've never tasted before. I know people say it tastes burnt- I love burnt things, so we fit! Regardless since I have have decided to place myself into poor college student category, I have not been to starbucks in a looong time (or S&C for that matter!) I have been reduced to making my own coffee I know, I know, I lead a rough life. I could never find that perfect blend to make ICED coffee though. It always tastes watered down and bland. Hopefully- I have found the solution!
In my travels through the gobs of baking/cooking blogs I have found the SMITTEN KITCHEN (ok, that just took me 20 minutes to find again...you had better go there and see it!) and her'his version of iced coffee. Of course, Joe isn't here to persuade me to NOT make it, I dove right it!
First, I have to give mad props to my grinder. I can't call it a coffee grinder because I have used it to grind sugar into powdered sugar, grind flax seed small enough to hide it in dinner and occansionally it grinds coffee! Mr. Coffee! Moving On... The "recipe"

1/3 c coffee( medium grind)
1 1/2 c water

No really, it is that simple. Grind the coffee and add it into the water. Let it soak over night. In the morning, strain the grinds twice through filters. Add equal amounts of water and coffee . I will be adding creamer. mmm. I will update tomorrow with the finished results!

Let's chat!

2008-08-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

So- let's start with the obvious- I have grossly ignored my little gem known as carrie crocker. I have been baking/cooking, but not at the speed that I had when I was in college. It was that pesky full time job I held- but alas!- in order to spend more time becoming the loving housewife God has intended me to be, i quit my job. Well, it was either the calling of my destiny, or the fact that I will soon be back at college- you decide!

My biggest and most stressful adventure this summer was an eight cake beast that I promised a very good friend I would complete for her. To be honest, I wasn't happy with it. I didn't have enough time/money to create a series of cakes that I loved. I also hate my oven, but I shall save that rant for a whole other blog post!
The break down of said cakes, 2 red velvet/2 dark chocolate/ 2 white/ 2 lemon. A few things made this difficult. First, I didn't have enough money to fix any mistake I had made, so if I cut a cake wrong, I just had to fix it. Second I used box cake mix and premade frosting, am I ashamed- yes. I also found out that not only do I enjoy making cakes from scratch, homemade cakes and frostings are MUCH easier to mold and work with. enough jabber- here are a few pictures:

In addition, I made marshmallow fondant. it was suppose to be draped over the cakes, but that would have added atleast 20 more dollars to the project, and I did it pro bono. so I just cut the letters out of the fondant. Since that is the only thing I made, I will include the recipe at the bottom. (Skyelynn is the baby's name, and the reason why I had to make EIGHT cakes!) Well, at least the baby momma liked i t!

my new inspiration

2008-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Many foodies/bloggers will list an array of delicious food as their inspiration to create dishes. That is usually the case for me as well. I currently have one vanilla bean that is waiting for me to love on it. But this....this my friends/blogreaders is different. This blog (clicky!) has changed my life, and my appetite.

2008-05-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

In my last post I mentioned dark chocolate, but never said why- I received wonderful chocolate bars today in the mail. (that is what I look like after Yoga and before pilates! haha)
Man...this chocolate is soooooo smooth. it is yumo and this is the website.

I also made a few different things on the savory side (mainly because I don't see anyone to pawn the cuppies off on since I am not at college anymore)
So I made rosemary focaccia similar to the stuff at the Macaroni Grill. I am almost ashamed to amdit how much of this stuff I have eaten. The recipe is from Gillian's Goodies and is as follows (my changes are bolded)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil plus more for greasing the bowl
1 clove garlic, minced (I used about 5 cloves roasted garlic smooshed ontop)
4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I used bread flour)
3 tbsp. finely chopped rosemary
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1 1/4-ounce package rapid-rise yeast
1 tsp. dried rosemary (crush it a little with a mortar and pestle) - I was seriously tempted to use lavender! Next time ;) I am so in love with the rosemary-lavender combination!
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (omitted this)
1/6 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated (omitted this)
1 2/3 cup warm water (it should be about 110 degrees F)

Method:
1. Rub a large bowl with olive oil. Mix 1 1/2 tbsp. of olive oil with the clove of garlic. Cover and let sit. Combine the flour, chopped fresh rosemary, sugar, salt, yeast, and dried rosemary in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, stir in 1 2/3 cup warm water and mix until kneeded (about 2 minutes). The dough will seem wet and sticky.

2. Transfer the dough to the oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in bulk.

3. Line a baking sheet or baking dish (I used a glass lasagna dish) with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray. Stir the cheeses into the dough and transfer the dough onto the baking sheet. Spread to the sides of the sheet/dish with wet fingers. Brush the top of the dough with the olive oil-garlic mixture. If desired, sprinkle with additional (whole) fresh rosemary. Let the dough rise 1 hour more or until it is level with the sides of the pan.

4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and bottom. Allow the bread to cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack before unmolding and serving.

**Note** i baked 25 minutes and this is what it turned out like. My oven is horrible and from the 80's. I would take it out earlier b/c the smutz ontop burned =( but it was still suuuuuper yummy. Pictures before and after:

I also made a mini batch of the BBFCCC. If you don't have the recipe- I shall post and share( the hippo head is the top to my cookie jar!):

Cuppies, a new camera, and dark chocolate! OH MY!

2008-05-06T05:14:00.000-07:00

So to the one reader I have, I will share my news---- I finally have a working beautiful camera! Now I don't use it correctly quite yet...but soon! I have taken (of course!) pictures of chocolate cuppies with cherry frosting. I bought the frosting b/c you know I am on a never-ending quest to find the perfect cherry frosting. this was not it. it tasted almost like...sweettarts? regardless half of the can is still sitting in my fridge. But here are some pictures of it!

You have been neglected

2008-04-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

It is the week before finals and I can feel it! I have been baking, just not sharing with you all. I have had several success and several failures. The worst? cherry SMBC- made from cherry juice. yucko. looking back, I should have used the maraschino juice, but I opted for the stuff with less sugar. It was a bad choice! haha.
Success....I have made in the past few weeks:
Chocolate cuppy w/ PB SMBC (a classic that everyone loved)
Root Beer Float(for my dad's b-day. super yumo)
PB oreo truffles- these bad boys were so goooooood!
funfetti with Blue SMBC( can you see a pattern? everything is smbc)
A strawberry and peach pie...mmmmm

Here are a few pictures (which may be the last from this dinky camera! I am getting this camera and boy oh boy am I excited!
Regardless, here are the pictures!

Root beer Float Batter (Just a vanilla batter with root beer extract!)

Swirled with vanilla batter and ready to be baked!

Finished baking and this made the house smell soooo good!

I didn't take a picture of the finished project, but I tried to make the frosting look like a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't work and I didn't want the frosting to be a pile in one place, so I evened it out and added a swirl of root beer frosting...after that description, this is the semi final cuppie

Now on to the delish pie yummm

The filling:

Apparently I never have patience to take a picture of the finished project, but here it is in the pie shell!!
And finally, I made homemade bread bowls...they were wonderful (and easy!) they are filled with broc cheese soup (which my husband loves canned soup!)

Breast cancer cuppies

2008-03-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

I am going to be selling my cupcakes this saturday at the Thomasville Morningstar market in hopes of raising enough money to send a few ladies to walk in the 3 day walk. I will be posting my recipes here now & adding pictures (hopefully) when I am finished. The flavors are vanilla with strawberry SMBC (I AM A BELIEVER NOW THIS STUFF IS DELISH! and as always I am using HTEAC's recipe) and chocolate cuppy with cherry frosting. although the more I think about it, the more I might do half with cherry half with strawberry etc. you get the picture.
Cherry Frosting Ingredients:
5 1/2 c
Sifted Confectioners Sugar
3/4 c
Butter Or Regular
Margarine, Softened
6 tb
Maraschino Cherry Juice
2
Drops Red Food Coloring
1/2 ts
Vanilla Extract
I will most likely half the recipe.

Strawberry SMBC:
Strawberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Ingredients
Makes about 4 cups
4 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks), softened, cut into tablespoons
1/3 cup strawberry jam
Directions
Put egg whites and sugar into the top of a double boiler over a pan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, cook until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm (about 160 degrees).Pour heated egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg white mixture on high speed until it forms stiff (but not dry) peaks. Continue beating until fluffy and cooled, about 7 minutes.Switch to the paddle attachment. With mixer on medium-low, add butter two tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase speed to medium-high; continue beating until frosting appears thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add strawberry jam and continue beating 2 minutes to eliminate air bubbles

I'm going to try a new vanilla cupcake recipe b/c I wasn't thrilled with the last batch.I am also going to halve this batch
Nilla Cupcakes
22-24 regular cupcakes / 375-350 degree oven
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1. Beat butter on high until soft, about 30 seconds.2. Add sugar. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.3. Add eggs one at a time, beat for 30 seconds between each.4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add to mixer bowl. Add the milk and vanilla. Mix to combine.5. Scoop into cupcake papers about half to two-thirds full (depending on whether you want flat or domed cupcakes).6. Bake for 22-25 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

Choccie cuppies
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcakes
14 regular cupcakes / 375 degree oven
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temp
1-1/4 cups sugar2 large eggs, room temp
3/4 cup flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoons vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.2. Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined.4. Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small sized bowl and whisk to combine.5. Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine6. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.7. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 2/3’s full. Turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake cupcakes for about 22-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Samoa cuppy cakes

2008-03-23T17:32:00.001-07:00

First let me correct a statement from my last post. the SMBC was NOT from how to eat a cupcake's blog. it was from Martha Stewart. I tried HTEAC's chocolate SMBC and it turned out so so so nicely. I made a simply white cake but substituted vanilla extract for coconut. I think I would have added a few more drops to make the coconut flavor stand out, but they are still good. The cupcake recipe is so standard we are going to make like my favorite childhood toy and skip it. I did however take pictures with my phone due to an uncharged camera battery.

Here is the recipe for Swiss Meringue buttercream- Chocolate edition
Nutella Swiss Meringue Buttercream (my own recipe)
Makes about 4 cups (enough to generously frost 24 cupcakes)

4 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks), softened, cut into tablespoons
1/2 cup melted and cooled bittersweet chocolate
3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t vanilla

Put egg whites and sugar into the top of a double boiler over a pan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, cook until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm (about 160 degrees). Pour heated egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg white mixture on high speed until it forms stiff (but not dry) peaks. Continue beating until fluffy and cooled, about 7 minutes total. Switch to the paddle attachment. With mixer on medium-low, add butter two tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase speed to medium-high; continue beating until frosting appears thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add chocolate and vanilla and continue beating until incorporated.

Now for the pictures!!

vanilla cupcakes with strawberry filling and SMBC

2008-03-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

SO, this recipe did not turn out as great as I had once hoped. I will post the recipes here, mainly b/c it was my fault they didn't turn out wonderful. I left the cupcakes in about 5 minutes too long b/c I had the attention span of a....LOOK A BIRD!
Anywho- There are no pictures to post b/c I wasn't happy with how these turned out. next time though- I promise!

Vanilla Cupcakes

I thought they were good. I had one comment saying they tasted too flour-y, but that was just the plain cuppy w/o anything. Had I taken them out when I was suppose to- I think they would be wonderful! The recipe is from magnolia's, but changed ever so slightly to fit my needs

1 1/2 C self rising flour
1 1/4 C AP flour
1 cup soften butter
2 C sugar
4 eggs
3/4 C skim milk + 1/4 C cream ( I only keep skim at my house, and it sometimes makes a difference
2 t vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.
In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Strawberry filling

This filling recipe is just the typical recipe I use. Super easy and yumo!

16 OZ. strawberries frozen in sugar (thaw out for recipe)
1/3 C sugar
3 T corn starch
1 dash of lemon extract
enough water to equal a total of about 1 1/2 cup when added to strawberry liquid
Boil all of the ingredients together until it become thick. let cool before filling cupcakes.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Ahhh. This is where this recipe REALLY took a turn for the worse. I borrow this recipe from HTEAC, and I knew this would be a little difficult. I think my mistake is my comfort level with my new mixer. It is ALOT faster than everything I use to use, and I waaay overbeat this frosting. I am not going to post the recipe until I am able to do it correctly.

The results are in!!

2008-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

I will be making vanilla cupcakes with strawberry filling and chocolate SMBC TODAY!! Please let me know if you would like to taste one! I am charging my camera in an effort to take decent pictures to add to my bloggity blog! Recipe and pics to follow!!

Ok..so I lied

2008-03-18T10:59:00.001-07:00

This blog shall consist of mainly baking things. But this entry shall be an exception. I was driving to school today listening to 88.3, and while listening to a sermon this thought struck me:

In sign language the sign for Jesus is touching the middle of your palm with your finger. This signifies the nails in His palms during his Crucifixion. Of all of the things Jesus has done in his life (being conceived of a virgin, healing people, walking on water etc...) this was the gesture that was chosen to signify Him.

What gesture would signify you?

This shall be my growing list of wishes

2008-03-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

I shall compose a list of flavor variations I would like to try. Please feel free to add any flavors you would like to taste. This list will be growing, experimental, and let's be honest, is mainly for me!

Chocolate cake (a lighter version) with a black cherry vanilla frosting
a white light fluffy vanilla based cake with a deep fruity flavor buttercream that doesn't taste like buttercream
Pumkpin or sweet potato medium density cake with a vanilla bean cream cheese frosting
Vanilla light airy cake with a light airy frosting and a miniture funnel cake atop
a medium density cinnamon flavored cake, fresh crisp apple filling, vanilla buttercream with homemade caramel drizzled atop.

Welcome to the World of Carrie Crocker!

2008-03-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Just in case I didn't have enough websites to check and update- I have added this lovely little jewel to my world of blogging. This shall be unique though- this blog is dedicate to my world of cooking, or more specifically- BAKING! My current passion is cupcakes, and as soon as I figure this blogspot stuff out, I shall post recipes, pictures, and reviews. This is also a site for the taste testers to add their thoughts and opinions!