COOKIE Butter (or Biscoff) Cookies

Cookie butter or Biscoff is pretty popular.  I always hear others rave about it on other blogs or on Instagram.  So a few months back while at Trader Joes I had to pick up a jar.  But when I tried a spoonful I didn't really care for it.  I am a Jif Reduced Fat kind of girl.

 

Last weekend I stumbled across a recipe for Cookie Butter Cookies and figured it was a great use of the cookie butter or Speculoos (the name on the Trader Joe's jar) that was still in my cabinet.

 

 

 

 

I got the recipe from The Coterie Blog and tweaked it a tiny bit.

 

Let me just say... these were a big hit.  My husband brought the leftovers to work and the guys at work also enjoyed them.  My husband may have also requested I make him a cookiewich after dinner tonight with vanilla and a bit of chocolate ice cream smashed in between two of these great cookies.

 

 

 

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Cookie Butter Cookies -

 

3/4 c. cookie butter/Trader Joe's Speculoos
1/2 c. butter - softened
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

 

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and cookie butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add in 1/2 cup of the flour, the sugars, the egg, the baking soda, baking powder, and the vanilla.  Beat until thoroughly combined.  Beat in the remaining flour until well incorporated.

 

And if you like to eat raw cookie dough... have a nibble.  This dough is fabulous.
 

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. I placed mine on a pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake 9 minutes until lightly browned, then cool on a wire rack.

 

This recipe makes about 2 dozen. 

I am linking up this post here -

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"Pin"spiration for Weekly Meal Planning

Saturday evening while watching a Lifetime movie I worked on our meal plan and grocery list for the week.  Pinterest has been such a source of "pin"inspiration for my meal planning lately.

Sunday – Baked Rigatoni & garlic bread

 

Monday – Ranch House Chicken (crockpot), mashed potatoes & corn

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Tuesday - Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice and Sweet & Sour Chicken

Source: skinnytaste.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I am going to use this sauce over some chicken chunks I am going to cook up in our wok.

Source: seriouseats.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Wednesday- Buffalo Chicken Wraps &  Oven Baked Fries

Source: justthe3ofus-melissachrismaddie.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Thursday – Subway for dinner after Madison finishes babysitting

I also plan on doing some baking this week.  I am sending in some desserts to Madison's school this week for an event -

Oreo Poke Cake

Source: thecountrycook.net via Sarah on Pinterest

Sugar Cookie Bars

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Holiday Baking ~ Teacher's Gifts

This morning I am doing some baking before work.  I want to make little treat containers for Madison to pass out to her teachers.  When you are working on a tight budget and your middle schooler has multiple teachers... holiday gifts become a bit more difficult to manage.

I had these leftover Chinese takeout boxes from our wedding favors plus those great and super cheap labels I ordered through Tiny Prints.

I filled them with chocolate frosted brownie squares and Buckeyes.

Then I made cinammon sugar pretzels (sooo good) and tied them up in little baggies with more custom labels for her teachers too.

I know it isn't much, but I hope it is a small treat to brighten their day.

A Busier Weekend Than Usual

We usually don't do much on the weekends... but this weekend was busier than usual. 

Friday night we picked up Chinese food and Chris and Maddie watched movies while I worked on my Christmas cards... a few went out Saturday morning...but then I needed more stamps... so the rest will go out tomorrow.  I didn't order enough... oh well.  I will be posting my card this week...but here is a little sneak peek.

I worked a four hour shift on Saturday.  Chris and Maddie went out to run errands which included picking up Dunkin Donuts gift cards for her two bus drivers.   Her bus has never been late...to pick her up or drop her off.  I figure a bus driver is a pretty thankless job and I just wanted to do something small to thank them and to let them know I appreciate their punctuality. 

Later that day my Aunt Carol and Uncle John drove in from Massachusetts to visit.  They've really made a great effort since we have moved closer to reach out to us, invite us to family gatherings, out for meals, and even to come to their house for Thanksgiving.  So we enjoyed being able to spend the afternoon/evening with them in Rhode Island.  We enjoyed at late lunch at the Coddington Brewery.  Then they came back to our house for a little football and to hang out.  I sent them home with some goodies - 7 layer bars and chocolate peanut butter pretzel balls (which by the way are amazing)...although they ate plenty of them while still here. 

This morning I had to be up and out of the house early.  I occaisonally help out a local family with three small children.  I answered an ad a bit ago.  They have twin babies and a 2 1/2 year old and basically when one of them is working... the other one just needs an extra hand.  I was really dreading going this morning because it was cold and I wanted to stay in bed, but once I got there the time went by fast...plus the extra cash isn't bad either.

This afternoon I headed out solo to finishing shopping for stocking stuffers... I picked up a Paris locket and chain Madison had seen while out yesterday with Chris, a Paris notebook, a fun graphic tee, some candy, some gel pens, and some headbands...all to stuff in her stocking.  Then I stopped at BJs to pick up a few things...mainly trash bags which we were totally out of before heading home.

I cannot believe Christmas is in a week.  I am making Christmas dinner here and need to finalize my meal plan for that day.

Day 16 & 17 - Monday Morning Ramblings....

I'm combining days 16 and 17  because I forgot to blog yesterday.... it just slipped my mind.

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*My first meeting for my new job is today at 9:15.  I think I will just have to introduce myself and then it will be a lot of listening... I have to call in from my phone and log in from my computer. 

*After my meeting ends I am taking a nap.  I was up most of the night last night because I didn't feel well and couldn't sleep and I am exhausted.

*I had a repeat customer place an order last night from my baking business.  That makes me super happy.  I am making these little goodies for Madison's school's bake sale... how cute are they?  I made a sample one last week.  It is a split chocolate cupcake layered with butter cream frosting, sprinkles, and a candy pumpkin.

*My mom is flying into town on Friday.  I am letting Maddie stay home from school and we are going to pick her up from the airport.  Then we will do lunch and some shopping.  Saturday we have to go to my cousin's bridal shower in Boston... so that should be fun. 

*Sunday we are taking Maddie to the Melting Pot for her birthday dinner.  She won't be 12 until Tuesday but we wanted to celebrate while my mom was here.  She is currently obsessed with anything French so I ordered these candy molds on Amazon last week.  They should arrive tomorrow.  I am going to make little Eiffel Tower candies to use as toppers for birthday cupcakes.

* I am beginning to think of Christmas card ideas for this year.  I am not sure if I want to order them or if I want to design my own.  I am kind of holding out to see if Shutterfly does that great deal for bloggers again... where if you blog about their Christmas cards you get a free set.  Has anyone heard anything?

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I am linking this post up over at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

  

*This morning once Madison left for school I put this BBQ chicken in the crock pot.  I hope it turns out good. 

Source: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com via Nichole on Pinterest

Pumpkin Spice Cookies - EASY

Last year I saw these cookies mentioned somewhere and searched high and low for them and never found them.  Sunday evening while grocery shopping I finally found them 2 for $5 near the registers.  So I happily threw two bags of them into my cart.

Yes... I am a baker.

Yes... my dream job would be a bakery storefront.

Yes... sometimes I just want to throw together a quick and easy dessert.

Yes... I love anything pumpkin.

Then I set out to find what else I could make besides cookies using this mix.

I can also make pumpkin spice bars.

I cannot wait to make some great things with this mix.  If I like it, I am stocking up before the end of the fall season.

What is your favorite pumpkin recipe?

Glazed Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake

Here is a super easy recipe you can make for breakfast or as a dessert.  My recipe it below but essentially I took this cinnamon roll cake recipe, added apples to it, and baked it in a bundt pan.  My brother-in-law went apple picking yesterday and brought a bunch of apples over so I had been looking for something to make with them.  My husband suggested an apple cake and that's where I came up with this recipe.

Ingredients -

-1 box of yellow cake mix + the ingredients it calls for {mine called for 3 eggs, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 c. oil}

-1 cup of light brown sugar

-4 T of cinnamon

-3 large apples - peeled and chopped
-2 cups confectioners sugar
-warm water

Directions -

-Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Grease your pan.

-Mix up your cake batter.

-Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl.

-Make sure your apples are peeled and finely chopped.

-Pour 1/2 of the cake batter into the pan.

-Cover with the apples.

-Cover the apples with about 3/4 of the cinnamon/brown sugar mixture.

-Cover with the remaining cake batter.

-Sprinkle the top with the remaining cinnamon/brown sugar mixture.

-Bake as directed on the back of the box until a knife inserted come out clean.

-Let the cake cool for 10 minutes and then turn it over onto a plate.

-Gradually add teaspoons of warm water to the confectioner's sugar until you get a smooth/thick glaze (probably 4-5T).

-Pour over the cake.

-Slice and serve.

Crazy About Cupcakes

I finally placed my order tonight for the Scentsy July Warmer of the Month.  I love it...cupcakes...pink...and green... all of my favorite things.  I cannot wait for it to arrive.  I am also thinking of selling Scentsy... anyone sell it and have any opinions?

I have started to work on my etsy bake shop - Betty Ray's Bakery and hope to have it up and running my mid-August.

I have a super generous giveaway coming soon from an online store that sells the cutest baking mixes for cupcakes and whoopie pies...  You won't want to miss this giveaway.

My First Wedding {Baking} Job = Success

This past weekend I had the amazing opportunity to make the wedding cake and cupcakes for my friend Amy's wedding.  It was my first major paid baking job to help launch my baking business and it was a huge success.  I will be sharing more about the process...the recipes...and the fabulous comments I overheard (because we were also guests).  But here is a sneak peek of what I created -

A Baking Frenzy

Today I am a crazy baking lady.

I am doing a wedding this weekend.

Yesterday I picked up of these jumbo sizes baking items at BJ's.

I still had to go to the regular grocery store for some other items I needed in small quantities.  On Tuesday, Kara, from Happy Go Lucky, came over and helped me re-decorate the cupcake tower I am going to display them on.

I am baking 48 Chocolate Buttermilk cupcakes, 48 Carrot Pineapple cupcakes, and 24 Coconut Almond cupcakes, as well as a 6 inch Chocolate Buttermilk cut cake for the bride and the groom.  I am also going to do a seperate 6-pack of cupcakes for the bride and groom to enjoy when they leave the wedding or the next day since they are not leaving for a week for their honeymoon. 

I am honored they selected me to do the baking for their wedding.  I am also fortunate enough to attend the wedding.  My former college roommate, Amy, is getting married.  I hope I hear only positive remarks from the other guests about my cupcakes...

Tuesday Randoms

Here are some things going on in our lives...

I painted this monogrammed canvas this weekend to match with the new fabric I bought for our new living room. I love how it turned out -

I also painted these blocks and stamped letters on them to spell out words.  These will also end up in the new living room -

 

I have my first real baking job this weekend.  I am going the wedding cake and cupcakes for my former college roommate's wedding.  I am so thankful for the opportunity she has given me and feel honored to be baking for her wedding.  They chose to go with a chocolate buttermilk cake with cream cheese icing for their cake to cut.  Guests will be served a choice of three cupcake flavors - chocolate buttermilk with cream cheese frosting, coconut cake with butter cream frosting, or pineapple carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.  I have a lot of grocery shopping and baking ahead of me in the upcoming days.

 



I am trying to get as much time in as possible at our neighborhood pool before we move.  It is never crowded and we are usually the only guests there...like today.  Madison and I went for a few hours yesterday with her friend Nikayla.

 

Can I once again proclaim my un-affiliated love for Groupon.  I had a not so hot experience with a recent Groupon I purchased from a place that turns photos into canvas (Picture it on Canvas).  It was my second time ordering from them.  The first time I had a great experience...this time not so much.  Think unanswered emails, false promises, and a super long time to receive my canvas...  I emailed Groupon and within a few hours I had a full refund for the price of the Groupon.  They have fabulous customer service at Groupon and therefore I will continue my obsession with buying Groupons.  All I wanted was to get this photo put on canvas in a timely manner --

 

I cannot even count how many times Madison and I have dined at Moe's since my husband has been working out of town...probably way more times than we ate there when he was here.  Back when I was a single mom...we ate there all of the time.  It is one of her favorite places.  It is affordable and we like the food...plus I don't have to cook.  I am trying to get my fridge cleaned out so I can store cupcakes for this wedding.  Tonight the burritos were only $5...so I had mine in a bowl.  They had a sign up today that said on July 20th...you get a free cup of queso with your purchase.  I texted my husband to share and he said "I guess I know where you all will be on the 20th".  Ummm...yep.

 

What a GREAT/Productive Weekend!!

We are moving in 3 months.

Our garage has looked like this for quite some time...with only a small bath to get from the garage to the house -

After a lot of hard work (mainly by my husband) and some Freecyle giveaways.  We still have some flattened boxes to set out for the trash.  Now itt looks like this -

I had the most fun finding a bunch of old photos and Madison's baby book.  Look at these cute photos-

Maddie went to a sleepover last night.  She had a blast...even though I got a text from her at 4am this morning saying she was having "funn".

Chris and I were able to go on a date night...which included dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse and our 2nd trip to Target this weekend.

Today I baked these Peanut Butter Blondies that were to die for.  I will share the recipe this week.  I also made labels and worked on packaging for my baking business.

I went grocery shopping and spent way too much money...as usual.  I have dreams of becoming an Extreme Couponer and only spending $9.27 for $1,000.00 worth of groceries...but I have come to the realization it will probably never happen.  Instead I have the following yummy meals planned for the week - burgers on the grill, chicken gyros, balsamic onion London broil, and brown sugar balsamic pork roast...all done on the grill.

I LOVE the Weekends

I love the weekends.

I love being able to sleep in.

I love having time to bake (like I did Friday night when I made a pumpkin bundt cake with butter cream frosting).

I love being able to make a hot breakfast for my family (today is was scrambled cheesey eggs, biscuits, and bacon).

I love being able to meet up with old friends for lunch (as I did yesterday at one of my favorite restaurants).

I love being able to run errands and go shopping (yesterday I went to Michaels, a gift shop, a scrap book store, and Target).

I love being able to pick up a Sonic Diet Cherry Coke (like I did yesterday with my friend Kara).

I love being able to paint and make things (like I did yesterday with stuff I purchased at Michaels).

This has been a great weekend...as are most of our weekends...being together...being at home...enjoying not having to deal with school and work.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

Made From Scratch Cupcakes

I love to bake, yet I have never made a cake before totally from scratch. Saturday evening I attempted it for the first time. I made white cupcakes and they turned our fabulous. I used my friend Angie's recipe from her blog, Angie's Simple Cooking.

I used the buttercream frosting recipe from the back of the confectioner's sugar box and added pink food coloring to chage the color. I totally recommend these cupcakes - they were light and moist and a hit at Madison's Back to School Pool Party that we hosted today.