Almond Marshmallows

Happy Leap Day!

This was the marshmallow flavor I was most excited to try and was probably my most successful batch. I made them with extract and crushed almonds to add a little crunch. The first time I made them (pictured) I used the almonds as a garnish, but it worked best if I folded them into the mixture before I spread it out to set.

Full disclosure: I have made some marshmallows that have not turned out so well due to chemistry, including honey lemon, maple walnut, and peppermint. I just don't blog about them, and won't until I get the combinations right.

And a note to my new readers: I like comments. They make me feel special.

The Gingerbread House From Hell

Let me start off by saying that my Halloween gingerbread house, which I think was kind of ugly, was a piece of cake compared to this monstrosity. This house took more than 22 hours over three days to complete, and sucked away any Christmas spirit I had. Enter to experience the saga and see the finished product.

Candy Cane Cupcakes

Though you can't tell because of the frosting, this cupcake is a marbled red and white cake made by putting a portion of each color batter in the liner and swirling it around with a knife. It's topped with a peppermint glaze (primarily so I could spread it on the cupcakes since I was baking multiple things that day) and a mini candy cane. Fun fact for you: when stored in an airtight container, the moisture from these cupcakes melts the candy canes, so the candy canes need to be placed in the cupcakes just prior to serving. Fortunately they were still delicious. I intend to revisit these cupcakes soon so I can make them prettier.

Pumpkin Tart

I debated about posting this item (it was originally supposed to appear on Halloween), but eventually decided to go with it. As you can see, it is not the most attractive thing I've posted here. The pastry bag fell apart when I was piping a spiderweb on it, and there wasn't enough chocolate to spread it along the top of the tart/by the time I got more chocolate melted, the mess on top would be completely set. Even though it looks like a hot mess, I'm sure it still tasted delicious. I don't actually know if it did- my mom gave it as a gift to a coworker, and keeps forgetting to ask if it was good. It was incredibly easy to bake, so I'll be selling this one seasonally.

Bacon and Caramelized Onion Quiche

I made this as an experiment for my parents. They liked it, but the house smelled like onions for days afterward. Since I don't intend to sell quiche, this is a special occasion thing. 

Cream Puff

I'm not dead! I've been busy working on starting my business. And watching Merlin. But I'm back, and I give you the cream puff:

I will probably sell these when I get my shop/stall/food truck, but I require more practice with them first. I need to focus on cupcakes, tarts, and cookies while I get my home business off the ground, so I won't have the opportunity to try these again for awhile.

It's a Halloween Post, Y'all!

I know I promised that I would update a few days ago, but I ran a little behind schedule with this behemoth:

I have never made a gingerbread house before that wasn't graham crackers attached to a little milk carton, but I felt the overwhelming need to make one for my favorite holiday. It was a learning experience. For example, while putting the candy corn on the roof I learned who actually eats candy corn: my dad. The only major issue I had was making too much purple royal icing for trim and too little gray royal icing for covering the board. Assembling the house itself was incredibly easy, so for Christmas I will try something bigger and more complicated.