Blog #2

The most famous traditional dessert is the chocolate chip cookie. Cookies date back from all the way to 7th century AD Persia, and by the 14th century was known to many societies in the world. Simple chocolate chip cookies are the the greatest "pick me up" when having a hard day, or going through a rough patch. Chocolate chip cookies or any kind of cookies are always best with a glass of milk. They're famous during the time of Christmas, you know leaving out cookies and milk for Santa Clause. Cookies are great anytime of the day, and according to my family "the best way to keep your children quiet". Cookies have become a world wide sensation that they have even made characters and songs about them, the most notable character that's wild about cookies is Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, and an even more well known person in the Moreau community is our Maintenance staff named Cookie.

Well there is a very good reason why I blogged about chocolate chip cookies for blog number two, it relates to my chemistry homework. In chemistry we're learning about conversions, and Mrs. Couling had created an assignment making the recipe into all kinds of conversions, in the first part of our homework we were to convert her recipe into a normal recipe, which consists of cups and teaspoons. And in the second part we were suppose to take our conversions and make actual cookies. I thought that her assignment was very fun, but the way mine turned out DEFINITELY did not turn out as perfect as the one's in the picture at the top. Although the shape wasn't the same as, the taste had succeeded. Well hopefully it satisfies the taste buds of our judges for the cookie competition.

Here's Cookie Monster singing: C is for Cookie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BovQyphS8kA

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

2 1/4 cups of flour 

1 teaspoon of baking soda 

1 teaspoon of slat 

1 cup of butter 

1 cup of granulated sugar 

1 cup of packed brown sugar 

1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract 

2 eggs

2 cups of chocolate chips 

• Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
• Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in large mixing bowl.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Gradually beat in flour mixture.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake in pre-heated 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 9-10 minutes or until golden brown
• Cool for 2 minutes and then remove to wire racks to completely cool.

(This recipe is from my chemistry homework)

Picture on the top left, credit goes to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessieroth/4917395701/

Blog #1

My favorite dessert of all time are cupcakes. Cupcakes are by far the easiest dessert you could make, whether it's store bought in a box, store bought mix, or made from scratch; it's always the easiest to make in my opinion. Not only the easiest but the most convenient to eat. You could bring it along for trips, make them for parties, make them for fun, or even just for those birthday celebrants at your school. Cupcakes are basically like mini cakes in a cup, hence the reason why they are called cupcakes! There are just so many kinds of materials you could use for cupcakes, for example for the cups you can use, decorated or non-decorated, small cups, gigantic cups, or normal sized cups. The toppings can vary also, whip cream frosting, or cream cheese frosting or maybe no frosting at all, but what's a cupcake without frosting? Cupcakes are also very decorative, if you go on different websites you can see that cupcakes are a great dessert to make that can go with a theme of a party, or the age of a birthday celebrant, you can just put so much onto a cupcake, or even just keep them plain and simple.

Maybe you don't really want to make the cupcakes yourself, and just want to go to a store to buy some, but want REALLY good cupcakes, well there are various places to go around the Bay Area. My favorite store to go and buy some good cupcakes is Sprinkles Cupcakes. I'm sure you've heard about these delicious cupcakes, but just in case they are located in San Francisco and Palo Alto Stanford Shopping Mall. They're a bit pricey for a cupcake, but I think that one cupcake should fill you right up. Their flavors are really interesting because they also come with gluten free red velvet cupcakes, even vegan cupcakes, banana, chocolate, coconut, and more. I'm sure they will have a cupcake flavor that will satisfy your tongue. Some other places are Kara's Cupcakes, located on Santana Row, in San Jose; The Teacake Bake Shop, located in Lafayette or Burlingame. These are my top three favorite cupcake shops.


My favorite cupcake recipe:
Milk Chocolate Cupcakes:

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 8 ounces cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 2 ounces water
• 4 ounces unsalted butter
• 8 ounces plus 3 ounces sugar
• 4 ounces egg yolks
• 4 ounces egg whites
• 8 ounces milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare a cupcake pan with paper liners and lightly spray with nonstick spray. Sift the cake four, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.

Melt chocolates and water over low heat in a double boiler.

In a mixer with a paddle attachment, slowly cream butter and 8 ounces of sugar. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, and beat until fluffy.

In a separate bowl, with a mixer and wire whip attachment, whip egg whites and 3 ounces of sugar until stiff peaks form.

Combine milk and vanilla in a measuring glass. Fold melted chocolate mixture into butter mixture. Alternately fold the flour mixture and milk mixture into the butter mixture. Gently fold in the whipped egg whites. Fill cupcake cups 2/3 full and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 15 minutes.

Credits for pictures: 

http://onlycupcakes.net

http://foodnetwork.com

Introduction!

Hello to my followers. My blog was suppose to be about food, but then I thought why blog about food in general when I can blog about the best part of a meal. Desserts in my opinion is by far the best part, because it can vary and can almost be anything. Like fruits, to ice cream, to sweet bakery foods, and more. Desserts can play a major role in your day or on a specific occasion, desserts can be eaten when upset over a break-up, over a hard day, or even just gathering up some friends and impressing them with your creation. On my blog you can see pictures of different cultures versions of desserts, and also learn recipes for them. Trying new desserts, and baking the traditional desserts is something that keeps me busy on weekends and a reason to bake for my friends.

-Melissa!