Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Baking with the Mini Chef

I've been meaning to do some baking but the last couple of weeks have seem to have gotten away from me.  Today however was set aside for baking no matter what.  Tomorrow is the last day of "little school" for my son and he informed me that he wanted to give his teachers flowers and cookies to say goodbye.  To be exact, he wanted chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles. 

Baking with kids can be alot of fun...and alot of mess....and you have to resign yourself to the idea that the end result will not be as pretty (or sometimes, as edible) as what you can bake on your own.  My little guy tends to get bored with the process and wanders off until its time for the taste tester.  Today however I was pleasantly surprised that he stuck through it from start to finish with both cookie batches....and then suggested that maybe when he grows up he will be a "cooker".  WHOOP!!!!  That's my boy!!!!!


Chocolate Chip Cookies (kids choice)

Adapted from Company's Coming - Cookies by Jean Pare

1 cup butter                  1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs                          2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour            3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda         2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon



Cream butter and sugar together, then beat in eggs one at a time.  Add vanilla.



Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and the kids "secret weapon" cinnamon.  Stir into sugar mixture.




Add chocolate chips (or whats left of them after the taste tester does some quality control)




 I roll them about the size of Timbits ( for non-Canadians that would be about a 1 1/2 inch ball) and then flatten slightly.  Bake at 350 F (180 C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes. (until bottoms are slightly golden).  Makes about 3 dozen.






Sunday, May 8, 2011

Kitty Cats and Bunnies

Well finally the nice weather has decided to join us so the kids and I have been spending lots of time at the park.  Yipee!  I've also been able to get a fair bit of Spring cleaning done...I don't know if it's just me...but I do my best cleaning when its bright and sunny.  If its raining ...forget it. 

So with one thing and another I haven't spent much time in the kitchen.  I did do a couple of batches of various berry muffins for the kids lunches but since they look like every other muffin on the planet I won't bore you with them here.  I did do some baking for Easter.  Mini Carrot cake  (Forgot to take a piccture) and for all the kids I made Brownie Bunnies Pops.


Yes, that is a snowman hiding behind them....my cousin has already teased me about still having that out at Easter....but thats not the worst bit I'm afraid...Mr. Snowman is also filled with my kids Halloween candy!!


So I haven't been baking but I have been continuing my stash-busting efforts and have just completed this stroller blanket.  Its in WW yarn so it can hold up to trips to the park and such.  I used the Kitty Afghan pattern that I found on The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady although I did my final round different then hers.  (at 2 am I just couldn't follow the instructions..not her fault... so just did a simple 2 DC in each space going around...)

Pattern can be found here:   kitties-in-row-afghan