Marshmallows, Chocolate, and Graham Oh My!

Hello Sweets,

You know what I hate about this time of year?  Doing taxes!!  Now don't get me wrong, we buy Turbotax to make things easier, because lets face it the paper packages are too confusing.  But they're still annoying as heck, and I don't just do mine but my grandparents too.  So that is what I spent this afternoon doing, and then they surprised me by taking me out to Swiss Chalet for dinner :)  Win!!  Now I am tired and sore >_<  But on the bright side I can now kick my feet up and relax, that is once this post is done ;)

So I clearly didn't get to make my muffins yesterday, but that's because not only did I have a sore throat but I also had no eggs.  Since I was already out and about this morning, I managed to get to my butt to the grocery store and get my eggs!  Once I was ready to actually get into the kitchen (lol lazy), I had to figure out exactly what I was going to make.  As I was sitting on the couch sifting through recipes and eating a marshmallow, it dawned on me, I really want s'mores.  However, I do not have a fireplace or BBQ and didn't want to make them in the oven :(  Then I figured why not s'more muffins?!?  The idea was so delicious I was not going to give up, and that's when the perfect recipe, care of Bakerella, arrived.  Now technically these are classified as a cupcake, but I left out the icing so it's a muffin to me :p

S'more or Less (Bakerella)

Ingredients

(muffin)

1 1/2C flour

1 1/2C sugar

1tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda

3/4C cocoa

3/4C graham crumbs

1C milk

2 eggs

2tsp vanilla

1/2C olive oil

9 jumbo marshmallows, cut in half

(graham cracker crumb topping)

1/2C brown sugar

1/2C graham crumbs

1/4C butter, melted

 

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  In a bowl mix; flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda together with a whisk.  Separate the mixture in half into two bowls. 

 

2)  Stir in cocoa into one bowl, and the graham cracker crumbs into the other.

 

 

3)  Add 1/2C milk, 1 egg, 1tsp vanilla, and 1/4C oil to the graham cracker mixture.  Beat until just combined.

 

 

4)  Repeat adding the same ingredients to the cocoa flour mixture.

 

 

5)  Prepare the graham cracker crumb topping.  Add the brown sugar and crumbs in a small bowl, and pour on the melted butter.  Stir until just combined.

 

 

6)  Pour a little graham cracker cake batter into the bottom of the baking cups, and then sprinkle the topping mixture lightly on the surface.

 

I accidentally used all the topping in the middle lol

  

7)  Place a marshmallow half on top, then cover the marshmallow with the chocolate cake batter until it's about 3/4 full.  Sprinkle with more topping.

     

 

8)  Bake cupcakes for about 15 minutes.  Place a cookie sheet underneath when you bake just in case. 

  

This recipe will make at least 12 cupcakes, I got 18 :)  My apartment smells like a golden marshmallow that's been wrapped in a graham blanket.  Yummy yummy!!  Since I am still full from dinner,  I haven't tried them just yet.  I'll let you know the full flavor spectrum on tomorrows post, I promise :D

Now I'm going to go and do absolutely nothing, and boy does that sound glorious!!!  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo 

Sweet Fluffy Clouds

Hello Sweets,


I hope y'all are having a lovely weekend :)  I started today off with a migraine, not a good thing lol, which obviously threw my whole day out of whack again.  Luckily the person I was supposed to meet up with is very understanding so we will try again tomorrow, but I've got a good feeling about it :)  We've been trying to connect for literally a week now lol, it's so hilarious to us.  So I've just been lounging around thinking and doing my crossword, and now I feel much better :)  I spent a few hours with my sister and nephew yesterday and I enjoyed it very much, but my shoulders are sore today so it was mostly resting and only a little creating today ;)

I've got a lot on my mind right now so focus is a little hard for me, but baking and creating in the kitchen always grabs my attention.  Since I have an upcoming party to get ready for I am in full planning mode, half the planning was done based on reputation (Pumpkin cupcakes sell themselves).  My main focus is on the birthday boy's cupcakes, he is going to be 8 and is a HUGE Star Wars fan so that is the theme!  Specifically he is a fan of Darth Vader and Darth Maul, yes he is a fan of the dark side lol.  So I am looking at  a couple different options for the decorations, and if I want to create a little character or symbol that is more crisp than just piping icing there are only a few different options.  I tried one of them today, it was my first time ever working with this type of product and making it myself.  I am proud and excited to announce that it was a success!

Marshmallow Fondant

Ingredients

marshmallows, small or big doesn't matter

icing sugar

water

food coloring, optional

flavoring oil, optional

  

Directions:

1)  Take a couple of handfuls of marshmallows and place them in a microwavable bowl.  Add a couple drops of water and toss until they're damp.  *if making more than one color use the whole bag*

 

2)  If using flavor oil, add in now and use less water.  Place the marshmallows in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until they're puffed up and easily stir into goo with a wooden spoon.  *I sprayed my spoon with cooking spray to help the marshmallows from sticking*

 

 

3)  Add the food coloring to the melted marshmallows until you get the color you want.  Remember you're going to be adding icing sugar which will lighten the color, so make sure it's a bit brighter than needed. *I opted out for this batch as it was a test, and I may also need white ;)*

4)  Start folding icing sugar into the marshmallows until it becomes a soft and fluffy dough *I added heaping spoonfuls at a time*.  Dust hands and counter top with icing sugar, turn mixture out on the counter and sprinkle with icing sugar.

 

5)  Continue to kneed until stiff enough to roll out.  Dust rolling pin with icing sugar and roll the dough until you reach your desired thickness.  Cut is a sharp knife into desired shapes.

 

 

Sorry but I can't show you what shape I created today as it is a surprise, but any Star Wars fanatic will probably know based on the scored markings ;)  This is very sticky to work with until you reach the perfect consistency and then it is just like regular dough.  It's very tasty, like a sweet dense marshmallow and I look forward to seeing the kids at the party devour them :)

I'm thinking tomorrow about making something less on the dessert side, maybe muffins??  I bought some lovely apples and pears which has been filling my head with all sorts of ideas, I might even whip up a batch of my spicy pear muffins as they're oh so good!  Oh before I forget :p, yesterday I told you that I bought some new bakers treats and I would share them with y'all today, and I am true to my word;

 

 

isn't it pretty :)

I got it for half price (score!!), and it's compact and durable which will help with taking it to and from clients locations.  The shelves are also slightly tilted outward so displaying beautiful treats is even easier, eek I can't wait to use it!!  I know I'm a baking nerd who loves kitchen stuff, but I love getting new gear to make my passion even more of a breeze.  Until next time..........

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxoxo