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Baking

These are a few of my favorite things!

Since yesterday was my birthday, even though I offered to make my own cake, my family wouldn’t hear of it.  I choose the next best thing.  This is a mini version of my favorite cake.  It is a caramel crunch cake and is heavenly layers of a nutty crunchy meringue, caramel and a whipped mousse!  It is made by a bakery called LaRocca Creative Cakes.

I had the pleasure of taking a pastry class this summer and my chef professor was a chef at this bakery.  As hard as I tried, the recipe is top secret and he wouldn’t share!  When my girls headed out to pick up one for my birthday celebration, they could only find this mini version……but I was quite pleased…..I got it all to myself!

They also picked up this delicious Boston Creme Cake covered in a layer of shaved chocolate and decorated with glazed strawberries.  Yummy!

These beautiful flowers were delivered to my office and put a smile on my face a mile wide!

Since I had a “day off” from baking I decided it would be a good time to share a list of some of my favorite “baking tools”.  These are the things that get used almost daily.  They make things easier in the kitchen and most didn’t cost more than a few dollars each!

1.  digital kitchen scale – since taking my pastry class I seem to be coming more recipes that measure ingredients by weight rather than volume, so this scale is a must.

 2.  Measuring cups – although it seems a no brainer, this is only a fraction of measuring cups you will find in my kitchen.  It is a real time saver to have lots to choose from when gathering my ingredients

3.  Parchment Paper – I use this to line my baking sheets and pans.  It makes clean up a breeze and provides a non-stick surface without adding extra fat (I know, like it makes a difference when the recipe calls for 1/2 pound of butter!)

4.  I call these widgets – I have no idea what they are really called, but I picked them up at the dollar store and they are perfect for holding spices and extracts as I prepare to make a recipe

5.  My pastry blade and tart shaper get lots of use.  The pastry blade I use whenever making pie dough for scraping up the rolling surface and also doubles as a spatula for lifting in a pinch.  The tart shaper I used for patting dough and graham cracker crumbs in my desert in a jar recipes, and to shape dough for tarts

6.  Ramekins.  I have several of these in many different sizes.  I use them for small tarts, creme brulee, mini cakes, cheeseecakes, the list is endless.  At a cost of only $2 to $4 each, it is a good investment

7.  Candy thermometer.  This is essential for candy or caramel making

8.  My Kitchen Aid.  This is the work horse of my kitchen. My favorite kitchen tool of all. It rarely sees a day that it isn’t used.  I think it is about 5 years old now and still running strong.  It is worth every penny you will spend on it!  I have the artisan model, but there are several different models available and the colors are endless!

After a day off in the kitchen…

…..tune in tomorrow for Frosted Squares (the Mr’s favortie!)

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3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kati says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Happy birthday, Maureen! It sounds like your family made it quite a special birthday for you.

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    April 9, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    I found the recipe for the la roccca caramel meringue perfection. I could not believe someone shared it! I am paying it forward here, enjoy!
    https://22d6a153-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/gnufmuffin/Home/CrunchyCaramelCake.txt?attachauth=ANoY7cpmxQ-88EL8dqeLKA7LSioA4FFAQfHTL147XBL4VLvhXOHQ1onlNa3DUJCMb1HNMjzUfesJdU9M_mdlqVB5ljaeqcUYHNmUKlkCu0I32ZYKBGN2ryZrlSibsi40J0B-ZVIX5q9ycb7CbEEpMO1TQZvsW_Oc1lnB_rvIHPbzkSQWDCagVDNc89ZNz9TFSp2VuIkDoC1WZ8ZS86SAmnhER0LjVCHbdM2T0hwprHlTpKmZwbJba7g%3D&attredirects=0

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      April 13, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      Wow!!! Thank you Elizabeth. You are a rockstar 🙂

      Reply

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Red Cottage Chronicles

Oh, hi there!

Well, hello! I am Maureen, and welcome to our little Red Cottage. Married to my high school sweetheart, I am a passionate baker, accidental DIY'er and love all things home! Read More…

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It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it is raining. This nasty weather day needs a bit of brightening up. These gorgeous orange parrot tulips are just what I needed this weekend to remind me that spring is almost here! #parrottulips #orangeflowers #springflowers #spring #flowermagazine #brightblooms #tuliparrangement #orangetulips #florist #flowersmakemehappy
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My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a spa day @fetchme.later  He always comes home looking fabulous and happy to be all fluffed and buffed!! #adogslife🐾❤️ #sleepinglikeadog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #goldenlove #lovemygoldenretriever #letsleepongdogslie #christmasready🎄
A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, fro A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, from what I am seeing not only on social media but also right here in our neighborhood #, folks are decking their halls early this year! Twenty-twenty has been quite a year, and anyway I think people are looking for a way to add a little joy into their lives! Today on the blog I am sharing this, my Victorian inspired Christmas tree, plus links to 27 other inspirational trees!! Link in my bio! And, if decorating for the holidays is too soon for you or you don’t decorate at all, that’s okay, but I encourage you to find a little thing to light up your day!! #christmasdecor #victorianchristmastree #holidaydecor #sparklythings #christmastreedecorating #victorianmagazine #hgtvcanada #dowhatmakesyouhappy #christmasinniagara #styleathomemagazine #canadianlivingmagazine #englishcountrystyle
The living room Christmas mantel is almost finishe The living room Christmas mantel is almost finished!! Instead of buying new garland I used inexpensive garland I have had for several years and embellished it with faux green stems bought during a 2 for 1 sale, and beautiful silk garden roses I already had!  Best part, I can reuse all the elements and create something new next year!  #christmasmantle #fauxgarland #victorianmagazine #repurposedchristmas #handmadechristmasdecorations #christmasdecor #countrylivinguk #nutcracker #pinkchristmasdecor
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