The Hearty Little Cookie

Hello Sweets,

Happy Monday y'all!  Lol okay maybe Monday isn't the day most people look forward to, but if there's cookies involved people might be more receptive :)  My day was full of phone calls and migraines :( but the show must going on right?  Since tomorrow is the birthday of this very blog, I have much to do and no time to do it lol.  I'm trying to narrow down a special recipe to celebrate this occasion and I'm looking at thousands lol.  I also have a sad announcement to make :(  A website that originally started as a monthly subscription and ignited my passion to creating in the kitchen is closing in 2 weeks.  Grandma's Kitchen has always been an inspiration to me, but she is retiring to spend more time with her grand kids, so I can understand.  I will, however, miss all her helpful tips and and suggestions.  So naturally I am scouring through every recipe on her site (which is a LOT), and writing down every recipe that sounds to delicious to be lost forever.  If you're an enthusiast of all things delicious and love to create them too, head over to the site and take a look. You won't be disappointed ;)

Enough sad news, lets get to something delicious and will bring a smile to any face.  As I've mentioned over the last few weeks I've been craving oatmeal cookies, but I wanted to try something new and a little unusual.  So I've been searching and searching but never found what I was looking for.  That is until I received the email letting me know of grandma's retirement. I should have known to look on her site.  I found a recipe that was sort of what I was looking for, and I made a few changes to suit exactly what I had been craving.  The original recipe called for white chocolate, but I'm not a big fan of chocolate anyways (I know *gasp*) so I replaced it with pecans.  I adjusted some of the ingredient quantities, and also added some spices for a little more dimension.  You can find the original recipe, for the next two weeks anyways, on Grandma's website!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with a Canuckette Flare

Ingredients

1 1/2C raisins

3Tbs orange juice

3/4C sugar

1/2C butter, softened

2 large egg

2tsp orange zest

1C flour

1tsp baking soda

1 1/2tsp cinnamon

3/4tsp nutmeg

1 1/2C rolled oats

1C pecans, chopped

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F, grease two baking sheets.  Combine raisins and orange juice in a small bowl, allow to sit for 10 minutes.

 

2)  Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

 

3)  Beat in egg and orange zest.

 

4)  Mix in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda in a small bowl.

 

5)  Add to butter mixture and mix well.

 

6)  Add raisin mixture, oats, and pecans mixing well.

 

 

7)  Drop by rounded teaspoonful 2" apart on baking sheet.  Flatten with a fork.  Bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes.

 

 

These cookies are unlike any other oatmeal cookie, there soft and chewy like normal but the orange juice and zest really enhance the flavor of the raisins.  I wasn't sure how it would blend but I am very glad I didn't omit it, I actually might even try this little trick with other recipes that include raisins or any fruit.  On grandma's site she says that the acidity works with the natural sweetness of the front and enhance the flavors.  She's one smart lady, and I'm really going to miss all her wonderful recipes and wisdom!

I wanted to share something with y'all that I'm pretty darn proud of :D  In preparation for this weekends birthday booking I wanted to make sure my logo for the box was perfect, presentable, and had contact information if any of the guests wanted to contact me

 

aren't they cute :)

They're printed on sticker paper so that is goes on seamlessly.  Next thing to tackel is business cards, but that will have to wait until there are funds to do so.  Until next time.....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxoxoxo

The Nutty Candy Man

Hello Sweets,

How are all my lovely readers today?  I am in a fantastic mood :), which is weird because I woke up with a migraine and that normally makes me grumpy all day.  I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with my nephew Miguel, and he is just the best little boy around.  I know I'm biased, but he's just so funny and inquisitive right now.  Today I showed him a video of Nathan and I flying around the Dallas area, he was in complete awe.  He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and at one point he thought we were in a helicopter because he saw the propeller.  Once I explained to him what the propeller was for he had this adorable little smile on his face :D  I asked him if he would want to go flying in the airplane when he comes visit Texas, and he excitedly said YES!  I know this will make Nathan very happy, as he wants to get to know him better (seeing as he'll be his uncle one day) but that's hard when we live in two different countries.  In the meantime Nathan is going to bring back an American Airlines plane on his next visit for him to start building their relationship, these two are the cutest!

So today's post is a short one, mostly because the recipe is short but also because the website is almost ready to go live and I'm hoping to finish that up tonight so I can share it with y'all tomorrow.  Okay maybe there is one more tiny reason, Criminal Minds starts back up tonight and my roomie and I watch it together lol (I know, silly).  Today's post is the first in a three part series, these recipes were part of my "first delivery" which was for a party my mom was threw.  It was actually her husbands birthday, so I decided to make a cupcake geared towards his favorite things.  This sweet little treat was the finishing touch, and lets just say "someone" may have eaten one without eating the cupcake just so they could have one lol ;)

Canuckette's Candied Pecans

Ingredients

1/3C sugar

1/3C brown sugar

1tsp cinnamon, heaping

1 egg white

1Tbs water

1 2/3C pecans

splash of vanilla

tiny pinch of salt

 

(vanilla not show as it was a last minute addition)

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 250F.  Mix sugars, cinnamon, and salt together in a small bowl, set aside.

 

2)  Whisk egg white, vanilla, and water together in a separate bowl until frothy.  Toss pecans in egg wash.

 

3)  Mix pecans in the sugar mix until they are evenly coated.  Spread onto a baking sheet.  Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes until pecans are evenly brown.

 

4)  Allow to cool on parchment paper and enjoy!

 

Don't they look yummy :)

They are the perfect blend of salty and sweet, not to mention it's the best nut around!  Obviously I ended up with leftovers, but I'm sure I can figure out something to do with them ;) lol.  These are so much better than the pre made ones you can get at a local baking supply store, but the pan needs to be cleaned right away as it is a sticky mess.  Also, I wouldn't use a good baking sheet because you will need to scrub it clean.  

So like I said earlier, I am hoping to roll out the website either tonight or tomorrow.  As soon as I do I'll share it with y'all, and just like my blog I always love hearing feedback :)  But right now I'm going to go make some more of my now famous Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, because I don't want the pumpkin puree I already have open to spoil.  And maybe because I didn't keep many for myself from the last batch lol, and damn they're good.  Until next time............

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

O.M.(chocolate)Goodies!

Hello Sweets,

I'mmmmmmmmmmmm baaaaaaaack!!  Lol yes it does feel great to be back at my computer for my blog, and on a regular basis ;)  I'm also trying out some new recipes this week, I started tonight with a delicious roasted chicken and my kitchen smells so good.  Yes it would have been cheaper to just pick up a pre-made one at the grocery store, but we all know that is not the Canuckette way.  Not to mention I wouldn't know what went in the prep or how to cook a moist whole chicken, but now I do!!  However, that tender and juicy recipe will not be revealed today, today I wanted to write something sweet instead and no I'm not talking about a little love note ;)

Everyone loves brownies right?  I know what you're thinking, I've already done brownies.  These brownies, much like their name, are the best brownies ever (so far)!!  I wanted a brownie that had a frosting on top, as those were my favorite when I would buy the boxed stuff *hangs head in shame*.  But that is not the way I bake anymore, only with heart and love now and that means no more boxes!  Nathan and I went to visit some of my family in Florida a couple weeks back, we flew over in his small airplane which took 6 1/2 hours but with views like this who can complain;

 

 

 

 so pretty right?

So keeping with my new love of sharing my baked goods I wanted to bring some brownies for the family to enjoy :)  Yes I know, total dork, but that's just me and I'm okay with that ;)  Lets get to the yummy treats shall we?

The Best Brownies

Ingredients

14Tbs butter

4oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 1/2C sugar

2 1/4Tsp vanilla

2 large eggs

1C flour

1/3C pecans, chopped

2 1/4C powdered sugar

1/2C unsweetened cocoa powder

3-4Tbs milk

 

only the best chocolate for my man ;)

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 400F.  Grease an 8" square baking pan.  In a large heavy saucepan over low heat; melt 8Tbs of butter and the chopped chocolate, stirring constantly.

 

2)  Remove from heat and stir in sugar, 2Tsp vanilla, and eggs (one at a time).

 

 

 mmmm chocolate!

3)  Blend in flour and pecans.

 

4)  Spread batter in the prepared pan and bake until brownies just start to pull away from the sides of the pan; 18-22 minutes.

 

5)  To prepare frosting; in a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat remaining butter and vanilla until creamy.

 

6)  At low speed; gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder alternately with milk, beating well after each addition until frosting is smooth and fluffy.

 

7)  Frost brownies when removed from oven by gently spreading on.  Cut into 16 squares.

 

(I forgot to take a picture of the completed brownies :( )

These brownies are so moist, chocolaty, and AMAZING!!  Lol these are close to what I'm striving for in my perfect brownies, I love brownies with frosting so this is a keeper :)  Only thing left to do is to make small little changes until they're worthy of a Canuckette title ;)

As much as I would love to write a little more for y'all, I have a migraine starting and I also have some research to do.  Yes the research is food related, and of course it is a surprise ;D  Until next time...........


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxoxoxo

 

Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate.........Did I MentionChocolate???

Hello Sweets,

Well if you haven't guessed by the title of the post, we are talking about CHOCOLATE!!!!  And lots of it too :)  Tonight I bring you the anniversary dessert that got me a wide eyed smile from my handsome love, and I wanted to also share our amazing date.

Since Nathan is preparing to finish up all his commercial pilot requirements, he's been flying, like a lot.  Which means early mornings...like before dawn early lol, only because by 9-9:30am the temperature is already in the mid to high 90F.  However, the views you get are worth every yawn and every bag under your eye lol. They're also some of the prettiest colors.  I've always been a lover of nature, and I am very fond of any natural beauty, but these views........well check them out for yourself :)

 

 2 years together, but only feels like minutes have gone by

 

 Taxiing over to the strip and the colors start to form :)

 

 

 absolutely breath taking

 

 I need a better camera, because if I can take this with my phone imagine the possibilities

 

my personal pilot, so handsome when he concentrates

 

 

Love this profile shot <3  

 

There is nothing better in the world then sharing a view as beautiful with the one you love.  To be honest, after the first breath taking ride, I've had no problem dragging my butt out of bed ;)  I've missed one flight thus far, and I felt guilty that I did lol, I know crazy right?

So you can see how amazing the gift that he gave me was, so naturally I was very excited that I got the same excitement from him with the dessert :p  Yesterday we made the base for our dessert, the chocolatey goodness of Oreos!!  Well today we are going to fill that puppy up with.....you guessed it chocolate!!  I wasn't sure what to look for or what to expect with a chocolate pie but that wasn't going to stop me ;)  Then I came across a recipe that embodied both chocolate and a Texan favorite, pecans! 

Triple Layer Mud Pie

Ingredients

3sqrs Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1/4C sweetened condensed milk

1 Oreo Pie Crust (6oz)
1/2C pecans, chopped
2pkgs (3.9oz) Jell-O instant chocolate pudding
2C cold 2% milk
1 tub Cool Whip, thawed

Directions:

1)  Mix the melted chocolate with the condensed milk.

 

 2)  Pour into the pie crust and sprinkle with the pecans.

 

3)  Beat pudding mixes with the cold milk with a whisk for 2 minutes; spooning 1 1/2C onto the pecans

*I would recommend piping the pudding mixture on, as it is quite thick and frustrated me lol*

 

 

4)  Stir half of the Cool Whip into the remaining pudding.  Spread over the pudding layer.

 

5)  Top with remaining Cool Whip and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours.

 

2 years of nothing but LOVE!!

 

Not the prettiest, but heck it's damn tasty!

In addition this delicious dessert, Nathan made his Signature Steaks (mmmmmm) and we paired it with my amazing Twice Baked Potatoes and the super yummy Corn on the Cob (which Nathan and I have updated since then and will share soon!).  I also made a fresh loaf of Whole Wheat Honey Bread, almost identical to the bread from the Cheesecake Factory :)  Paired with a lovely glass of red wine

 

Sorry about the half eaten dinner, but it smelt so good I dove right in lol

As you can see the little puppy Bear was mooching, but I was in a particularly good mood (love and all) so she got some steak.......and fillet.

That's a few snap shots into our loving day of celebration, I hope you enjoyed it as much as Nathan and I did :)  Until next time...........................................



Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxoxoxo