Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies (Inspired by Cookies & Cups)

 I used to be one to always try new things.

If something sounded good at a restaurant, I was up for trying it!

They I'd be disappointed and wish I'd have stuck with my tried and true favorite meal.

If I found a new recipe, I jumped at it!

But now...I'm more cautious.

Something has to REALLY jump out at me for me to try something new.

 When I saw this recipe for Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies by "Cookies & Cups", I KNEW I had to try it!

First off, just the name of it reminded me of one of my favorite "old-fashioned" recipes I grew up with that my mom always made..."Gooey Butter Cake".

When I saw the word "strawberry" added to it...I KNEW I had to try it!

 Well...let me tell you...

These cookies are GOOD STUFF!

You've got to try them!

They are like little mini strawberry cakes!

If you don't follow "Cookies & Cups" blog, you need to!

She's great!

You can find the recipe for these amazing cookies on her blog right here.

Now go try these...and come back and tell me if you don't think they're the best little strawberry cookies you ever ate!

And then be sure to thank "Cookies & Cups" for sharing this awesome recipe!

Valentine's Cake Truffles

 I always feel so behind during each of the holidays compared to all of the other bakers.

I see the cakes, cookies, and other treats being posted weeks, even months, in advance.

Me, I'm lucky if I get mine posted BY the holiday itself, or even after in some cases!

But then again...I don't just bake.

I work a full time day job 55+ hours a week in the early childhood field and am taking medical transcription classes...

So maybe that will excuse my tardiness...just a wee bit?

Hehe!

I haven't had a whole lot of orders lately, so I've mostly been baking for fun.

My husband requested some cake truffles.

 What are cake truffles?

Basically they are cake pops without the stick!

Many people refer to them as "cake balls"...but I never liked that word.

(Always thought it sounded rather crass.)
Then one day, my good friend and fellow baker Sandra who's work I admire so much, told me that she referred to them as "cake truffles".

I LIKE IT!

Sounds MUCH more classy!

"Elegant" Sandra says...hehe!

I have to agree.

Cake balls...NO...Cake TRUFFLES...YES!

LOL!

 When making cake pops and cake truffles, I do mine a little different.

I don't use the traditional cake/icing mixture.

I am not a fan of very "rich" sweet desserts.

And the traditional cake pop mixture was just too gooey for me.

So for these, I used my BabyCakes machine.

BabyCakes cake pops and cake truffles are strictly cake...which I love.

For these I used a Funfetti cake batter (white with sprinkles) and then dipped them in white chocolate.  For half of them I added some pink tint to the white chocolate.

Add a few red/pink sprinkles...and...voila!

Valentine cake truffles!

 

Happy New Year! 2013!

As usual, I am behind schedule "fashionably late".

That sounds much better, hehe!

So here are my New Year's cookies I made.

 

I did these for (as luck would have it)...

A "belated" New Year's party!

 

I used my favorite cookie recipe and this time, instead of using royal icing...

I used glaze.

I am beginning, like my husband, to enjoy the flavor of glaze MUCH MORE than royal icing.

I also love the smooth texture that you get EVERY SINGLE TIME with glaze.

With royal icing, it's always a gamble for me.

I always have "some" kind of issue...too thick, too thin, bubbles, cracking, etc.

With glaze, I just get a nice smooth surface, with a lovely sheen, and smooth texture...

EVERY SINGLE TIME!

 

 

I did use royal icing to pipe my designs and lettering though.

I think that is going to be the new way I decorate ALL of my cookies.

Glaze for flooding...royal icing for piping intricate details.

Royal can be made thicker and is perfect for those tricky details.

This was also the first time I tried ColorMist!

I used a gold and a silver.

It came out really well for a first time try!

I was really happy with the pretty metallic shine I got!

 

I was very pleased with this batch of cookies in general.

Everyone at the party was too!

Happy 2013 my friends!

 

 

 

 



2012...The Best Of The Best...

 

Can you believe 2012 is over?

Me either!

I thought I'd put together a little collage of a few of my favorite projects I worked on this past year.

Some turned out well...others...not so much...were learning experiences, hehe!

I look forward to another year of baking and decorating.

I hope to continue to grow as a baker/decorator.

I hope to learn new things, challenge myself, try new techniques, and expand my skills.

If I can ever help you out with a dessert, gift, etc...feel free to give me a call, e-mail, or message me!

And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

I wish you a very happy, healthful, successful 2013!

God bless!

Melody