Bailey's Crunch Cake

Hi there friends...sorry I have been gone for a while.  Sometimes, you just lose track of everything, especially those weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I have been telling myself for weeks, well you know a couple of months now, that I need to be blogging more.  I mean I have been baking, and I have a baking blog, so why am I not sharing?  Truth is, I kind of feel like I lost my voice, so why share a bunch of nothing.  

So here is a little something...I have been thinking back over the craziness that was this fall.  Being gone three out of five weeks between in October and November is tough on "real life stuff," but also sort of fun.  I mean who wouldn't, even just a little bit, enjoy hanging out at a super nice hotel, getting out of the office, and being in Park City.  When you are at that many meetings, you can also really start to look into yourself, and think about how you are doing your job.  I might have been planning meetings at the same company for nearly 7 1/2 years now, but I know I am not perfect, there is always room for growth, and sometimes you need a little "honesty couch."  (That time where you can sit down with someone who isn't your boss, but has years of experience and can tell you areas for improvement, but knowing you won't get upset.)  I actually need to "schedule" my time for late January.  It's good to have friends and co-workers who can do this though; who you trust that the honesty goes both way.  An unofficial mentor you might say...

Salted Butterscotch & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Do you ever think about slowing down? Sometimes I forget to do just that when it feels like I wake up, rush to work, rush home (Even though I am probably sitting in traffic both ways.) walk Margeaux, figure out what to have for dinner and then it's time for bed and to do it all over again.  

It's hard being in a city where everyone always gives the appearance to be in hurry, where people are racing down the roads, walking, what my husband would call "DC pace," from place to place.  I sometimes forget how much of hurry, let's go, world we live in until I go home to North Carolina or like this fall spend three weeks on and off in Park City, UT.  It has made me want to spend even just a few minutes each day taking a slower pace or going on longer walks with Margeaux to enjoy the beauty in the everyday little things.  

Being gone for so long has also made me crave a home cooked meal, and has made me want to bake.  Not just crank a cake out overnight, but be creative. I haven't gotten too just yet, but I did get to make some spicy cheddar crackers and some salted butterscotch chocolate chip cookies for a bride this past week.  And let me let you in on a little secret...you thought salt and chocolate went well together...salt and butterscotch chips are better. So putting both in this cookie was pretty dang delicious, definitely one of the best cookies I have eaten in a while! So give these soft chewy cookies a try and enjoy! By the way, please, please eat one warm...maybe served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Beauty in the little everyday things...sunrise over Park City.

Peach Blueberry Buckle...for when you just can't let go of summer

So its fall, and I am ready to jump in feet first sort of!  Bring on the pumpkin and apple everything and the fun fall Starbucks cups. Fall for me mean it's time to start drinking hot tea again, it's time for flannel and boots, and most importantly ECU Pirate Football.  But before all remaining hints of summer are gone and the ground is completely covered in leaves, and I had to share this recipe with you.  It is perfect for those late summer peaches that are still in the store. You know the ones that are better for baking or making jam with because they are just kind mushy.  This peach blueberry "buckle" didn't exactly buckle because I put a few to many blueberries and peaches in it, but I am kind of the opinion that there is no such thing as too much fruit in this.  It definitely came out more cakey, but it absolutely delicious as a breakfast cake served warm.  Give it a try or save it for next summer, either way Enjoy!

Lemon Blueberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting in the form of a wedding cake

This week marked seven years of living in DC and working at The Academy.  It's been full of adventures and I can't wait to see what the future holds..and all of the different desserts to come.

This week is going to be about something new for me...my very first tiered cake and my sister-in-laws wedding cake.  I am a little late posting it, but I had to share the adventure that it was making it.  The task at hand was a blueberry lemon cake with lemon cream cheese frosting.  I made this cake a couple of months ago for my team member, Emily's, birthday, but this time I had to think about the best way to travel with the cake.  So, I made the cakes in DC, buckled the KitchenAid mixer into the back seat, and set out to frost the cakes in Grifton.  And well...the cakes survived the trip, the frosting came together and I managed to tier the cakes well enough to not have them come falling down. 

The cake itself was delicious, super moist with just the right amount of tartness to help some of the sweetness from the cake and blueberries.  It wasn't what I would call a traditional wedding cake, but it was absolutely delicious!  Someone even said it was the best wedding cake he had ever had, and that was coming from the minister.  So if you like blueberries and lemons, and basically want to have a muffin with frosting for dessert.  Enjoy!

Time for the frosting...the 10" cake.

"Triple Layer Cake" - Chocolate Chip Cookie, Brownie and Vanilla Cake

You know those moments when you are left with only your thoughts? Whether you are on a 7 hour flight, running a half marathon and trying to think about anything but how many miles are left, or just laying by the pool, sometimes they are what you really need. Sometimes I think we all avoid being with just our thoughts, because there are things in life we don't want to think about...other times you just have to make yourself do it so you can try and figure things out. 

Recently I can't stop thinking about what's next, and I DON'T mean kids. I mean, I really still enjoy my job, but I have been loving to meet with brides and help as a day of coordinator. BUT is it really okay if I have a side job?  I mean it's good because I am learning, like I keep learning here by making new recipes, testing my knowledge and skills, but I am not sure how others will see it.  After lots of thought though, I think I have to go for it so wish me luck! (www.whiskedawayweddings.com)

In honor of it, this week lets talk about cake. Let's talk about a cake that was fun, challenging, time consuming and required a lot of planning, just the way planning a wedding can.  This cake is no ordinary cake it is three individual layers that come together into an amazing birthday cake that just had to have sprinkles on top.  Whether someone prefers chocolate chip cookies over brownies over vanilla cake they are all here stuck together with creamy vanilla buttercream frosting.  So, if you have the time, and are looking for a fun dessert, give this one a try.

Peaches n' Cream Scones

Well it's been a bit well busy around here lately, but doesn't everyone claim they are busy these days?  I have started reading a book that talks about learning to spend and give your time towards things you are more interested in, rather than just giving and doing because you feel like you should.  I haven't made progress with this yet, but I will keep you posted.  

Let's see...the past few weeks have been...

A trip to Park City, UT for a few days with work...this fall is going to be crazy, but these aspen trees are beautiful. 

5 cakes in one week: 2 cheesecakes, the crazy cake below...

(From bottom to top: chocolate chip cookie, brownie, vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting)