Killer Chocolate Cookies

Firstly let me apologise for the poor picture quality, my husband dropped my camera and now it won't turn on, so I had to take it on my webcam!! It's my birthday in 3 weeks, I'd better be getting something black and clicky! (take note hubby!!)

I've always wanted to be able to make those scrummy melt-in-the-mouth chocolate cookies they bake in the supermarkets. Now, thanks to a domestic goddess, I can!! WOO HOO!!

Recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson's "Totally Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies" click here for Nigella's recipe and instructions.

Ingredients

125g dark chocolate

150g plain flour
30g cocoa powder (sieved)
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp salt
125g soft butter
45g Dark Brown soft sugar
80g white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 medium egg (cold from the fridge)
100g dark chocolate chips 
100g milk chocolate chips
100g white chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3. 
2. Melt the dark chocolate either in the microwave or in a heatproof dish over a pan of simmering water.
3. Put the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl.
4. Cream the butter and sugars in another bowl.  
5. Add the melted chocolate and mix together.
6. Beat in the vanilla extract and cold egg, and then mix in the dry ingredients. 
7. Finally stir in the chocolate morsels or chips.
8. Scoop out 12 equal-sized mounds ~ I used an ice-cream scoop as advised by Ms Lawson.
9. Place on a lined baking sheet about 6cm apart. DO NOT FLATTEN THEM.
10. Cook for 20-25 minutes, testing with a cake tester to make sure it comes out semi-clean and not wet with cake batter. If you pierce a chocolate chip, try again.
11. Leave to cool slightly on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to harden as they cool.

These cookies are exactly what I've been aspiring to for years and now I have the know-how. I'm soo excited!!! So are the family.

I hope you enjoy these as much as we have. 

xx Kat xx

Just a Quickie

Hellooooo my chickens!!

I am very aware that I have been super slack with Cupcake Baker in the last few months, this is my new baby's fault...she is a needy girl :-)

My beautiful bundle was 3 months old 2 days ago and is a stunning. lovely, happy baby. I could burst with pride when I see my sons play with her a smother her in kisses and cuddles. 

I love making treats for special occasions and have missed photographing and posting many I've made for Halloween, Bonfire Night and even the big daddy, Christmas.

But, do not despair, I've got some things up my sleeve for Valentines Day (*coughs* my birthday) and Easter, plus random goodies throughout the year including the birthdays of my nearest and dearest. 

For now though I thought I'd give you a fab idea that I've come up with to save me time since I added another person to my family. 

CHEESECAKE...not just any cheesecake, a boxed cheesecake that you just put together and make any flavour you want. My favourite cheesecake mix is...

It's soooo easy to make, just follow the instructions, er, of course.

However, to flavour it, add a dessert spoon of whatever smooth jam you like to the milk. Mix it in with a hand mixer so you get it evenly dispersed (no-one wants to comp on a massive blob of jam). Then just add the cheese mix and prepare as per instructions.

I've used lemon curd, blackcurrant jam and raspberry jam, all of which turned out perfectly.

Brilliant time saver...I urge you to try this.

I'd love to see what you do with it  so send me your pics :-)

ENJOY

xx Kat xx

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella

My husband has been friends with Sam since they were 4, now we've moved we live just 2mins down the lane from her and her fiance. Due to their close bond I have also grown very close to Sam and love living so close.

Today was the birthday party of Sam's niece, Ella, she's now 2! It was a fabulous day in the countryside playing in the garden and eating cake made by yours truly. 

It was a mixed bag of a day......so much fun and the kids had a great time and I got to know Sam's family a lot better.....and I like them all BTW :-)

However there were a couple of moments of sadness, you see, last year Sam's brother, Jorden (who is Ella's dad) and Ella's mum went to Sam's to celebrate Ella's 1st birthday. This year though Jorden was not there. He passed away suddenly in November last year leaving behind his partner, their two daughters and the rest of his family, including Sam. He was just 27 years old.

Thankfully the day was a success and everyone had a great time, the cakes went down brilliantly and Sam is excited to do more baking with me, the girl seriously needs the tuition!! Ha!

Anyhoo I hope you get inspired by the pics.

Enjoy your weekend

xx Kat xx

Butterscotch & Banana Parfait

 

I've seen Parfait's all over the bloggersphere and they always look delicious.

A Parfait is a food (savoury or sweet) that is layered and is served in singular portions. The word "parfait" is French for perfect......and these really are!!

I had some left over Banana Flapjack from yesterday (the ones without chocolate on them) and decided to make them into a Parfait. I rummaged in my cupboard and found banana pudding and butterscotch pudding mixes. 

I wouldn't have normally used Butterscotch but Ros from The More Than Occasional Baker gave me the idea. Check out her Banana Butterscotch Pecan Muffins.

Recipe ~ makes 4 (depending on your glass sizes)

1 x Banana pudding mix

1 x Butterscotch pudding mix

8 x pieces of Banana Flapjack (without the chocolate topping)

1. Preheat Oven to 200/Gas Mark 6
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3. Cut up the flapjacks into granola-esk sized pieces/crumbs.
4. Spread out evenly over the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 5-10 min make sure you mix the crumbs once or twice so they get an even bake.
6. When they are golden brown take them out of the oven and leave to cool.
7. Prepare both pudding mixes as per the packets. 
8. When the banana granola is completely cool layer it up in a glass like so..........

ET VOILA! 

Easy peasy!!!

I was right about Parfait's being delish, the flavours in this one go great together and the granola stays lovely and crunchy (like chopped nuts)!

These are tooooooo goooooooood! They might even be my new THING!!

ENJOY

xx Kat xx