Hermit Cookies

My kitchen fall back when I’m in the mood to bake is usually cookies. I don’t know why: they’re not the most time efficient of baking choices or the simplest. But a hot cookie fresh out of the oven with a steaming mug of tea just can’t be beat.

Cookies also offer a HUGE range of flavor options for whatever you’re craving including savory choices.

Today I was hit by a craving for hermit cookies. If you’re not familiar, hermits are a standard drop cookie chock full of raisins, dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, and usually nuts. I use the term ‘usually’ because as in most cases with recipes: there are always variations (Check out a standard recipe and example of a variation here). My families’ recipe is also an example as we omit nuts and instead use chocolate chips. I remember being at school and being shocked that the recipe we were using lacked chocolate because at home chocolate chips were a staple. By sticking with the nut option you would have a very jazzed up spice cookie, but by sticking in the chocolate you have a great variation on the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Chocolate Pudding

As a kid there was nothing I enjoyed more then finding a chocolate Jello pudding at the bottom of my lunch bag. Now, I do have a little bit more refined tastes (In some areas!), so I tend to prefer a home made version more then store bought.

For dessert I made Christine Cushing’s chocolate pudding which we garnished with a dollop of whipped cream: delicious! So smooth and creamy, it satisfies my pudding craving every time.

Cake Pops

As anyone who follows baking trends (or enjoys partaking in baked goods) can tell you: there is a new craze sweeping the nation: Cake Pops. Gone are the days where the ‘be all end all’ for cuteness dwelled solely in cupcake territory alone. There is a new customizable and dare I say ‘flavour-izable’ way to enjoy your cakeJ.

The basic formula is simple enough: bake your favorite cake, crumble it up, mix into your frosting of choice, form into desired shape, coat, and then decorate with whatever you wish. These cake pops can be made into almost anything you can imagine and be in whatever color you desire: perfect for any event. And, as was pointed out to me, you get a mouthful (Or two) of cake without having to commit to a large dessert. Your guests can simply choose the flavor that they enjoy in a portion that won’t overwhelm. You can check out a full recipe with pictures here.

The rise in popularity of Cake Pops is rumored to rest on the shoulders of one famous blogger alone: Bakerella. She is the current reigning Queen of everything Cake Pop and with good reason. The now author has designs that will make even the most jaded baking enthusiasts jaw drop open. Her creativity and imagination has opened a whole new world of treats for any holiday and occasion.

So for my first experimentation, I decided to stray a little from the traditional recipe. My eye had been caught by the Wilton Brownie Pop pans after my last trip to my favorite cooking supply store. I received an order for a bridal shower and decided that there was no better time to try Brownie pops out. Please ignore the use of coffee mugs/glasses in some of the pictures: they were very handy for drying purposes!

I stuck with a classic brownie for all of the pops but experimented with the toppings. I did four variations: white chocolate dipped in cookie crumbs, dark chocolate with sprinkles in the bridal colors, milk chocolate with toffee and chocolate pieces, and…Well…Pink: white chocolate that has been dyed pink, lol. I loved how they turned out! The bride had the choice to mix and match the different variations for her gift bags and also accommodate varied tastes of the guests.

The brownie pop choice did restrict the shape, I do definitely want to try the classic ball format in the future, but I was content with how it all came together.

The bride also greatly enjoys my Linzer cookies, so she chose to include these in her gift bags as well. It’s so nice to see a bride that includes her personal touch and favorites, in her wedding.