Lovin' From the Oven

My Favorite Posts of 2010

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Happy New Year all! 2010 was a wonderful year, just like every year of life so far. Some highlights were going to New York with my DB, getting published in Australia, and having my first surgery (appendicitis)! I thought I’d do a recap of 2010 with my favorite post from each month. Here goes!

January: Everything Cookies. These hold a special place in my heart. This is the cookie that made me love hearty cookies.

February: Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake. I could eat the whole plate of these. Soft, fluffy, and cinnamon sugar. What can go wrong?

March: Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread. My favorite simple banana bread. I’ve tried TONS of recipes before and this one still stands strong.

April: Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies. I think this is one that you guys loved the most. A cookie inside of a cookie. Brilliant.

May: Alton Brown’s The Chewy. A versatile cookie base that goes well with any add-ins. The options are endless!

June: Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes. Only a few ingredients with a knockout taste. Plus, every blog has to have cupcakes!
July: Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies. This one’s another crowd favorite. The best way of using up Nutella so far.

August: NY Style Crumb Cake. Something simple for the ones that like classics. The crumb topping alone is enough to make a man turn his head.
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September: Chocolate Pudding Cake. Every girl needs chocolate in her life. This will be sure to satisfy those cravings. You know what I’m talking about, ladies!

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October: Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake. I love all things cinnamon and sugar.

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November: Sour Cream Apple Bars. I guess we should probably add some fruit to this list and make it semi healthy.

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December: Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies. A more complex recipe for our over achievers. We have fruit on our list, let’s add some vegetables!
I hope everyone started off their year with a kick! Southern California decided to start off with snow for the first time since I was two. Believe me, we’re all still shocked. I spent the first day of 2011 with a mock bridal photoshoot! Here’s a little snippet:

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Shot by my dear friend, Drew. More pictures to come later on my style blog!

Day 12: Pecan Sandies

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My secret to crushing nuts? Putting them in a ziploc bag and using a rolling pin.
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Scoop.
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Drop in a bowl of sugar.
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And roll.
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Place a pecan on top of every one.
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Then bake!
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Day 12 of my 12 days of cookies: We made it! Okay, I admit I’ve had this post in queue for a while.. it just took me a bit to get around and posting it. I apologize, but I’m so glad we were able to finish the 12 days of cookies this year. The 12 days of cookies is always a challenge that I’m willing to embrace!

These pecan sandies are a very simple kind of cookie. These are a bit different from my normal cookie because the texture is very, well… sandy. By sandy, I mean crumbly and crispy. They melt in your mouth with every bite. My family loved these and my mom raved about them. I feel like they’re more of a “sophisticated” cookie. Kids won’t love them, but the adults will devour them. Make them to impress your +40 year old crowd.
Isn’t the little snowflake plate cute? I won it at my work’s 5 dollar gift exchange party. It’s such a perfect way to end my 12 days of cookies! (It’s from Hallmark, if anyone’s wondering.)
This recipe is slightly adapted from The Sweet Life. Beware… it makes a TON of cookies! Just under 5 dozen!

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • whole pecans
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Cream butter, vegetable oil, 1 cup granulated sugar and powdered sugar until smooth.
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time; stir in nutmeg and vanilla.
  4. Fold in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.
  5. Mix in chopped pecans.
  6. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball in remaining granulated sugar.
  7. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  8. Press 1 whole pecan into top of each dough ball.
  9. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
  10. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Day 11: Brookies

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Day 11 of my 12 days of cookies: Brookies! These cookies are basically a mix between a brownie and a cookie, hence the name: brookies. They’re quite delicious and will melt in your mouth. The kind of chocolate that you use really makes a difference with the taste of the cookie, so make sure to use one that you like!


This is kind of a quick post because I’m on my way to Christmas lunch with the DB’s family, but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all my blog readers! I hope everyone has a safe and merry holiday with plenty of cookies!! Love you all!
I found this recipe over at A Baked Creation.

Brookies
From Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook
(Makes about 18-20)

  • 1 tablespoon of canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter
  • 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chunks (52-62% cacao)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup of light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  1. Melt the oil, butter, and 2 cups of the chocolate together in a stainless-steel bowl of a double boiler. Let the mixture cool.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla together until combined.
  3. Fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until combined.
  5. Freeze the batter in a shallow pan for 6 to 8 minutes until the batter sets and hardens slightly.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F at this time.
  7. Scoop the cookie dough into balls and place on baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes until the tops look dry and cracked.
  9. Cool completely for a soft and chewy Brookie.

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