3rd Generation Cake Lady

My 1st Topsy Turvy Cake

2011-12-28T09:51:00.000-10:00

I made my first ever topsy turvy cake for my daughter's 4th birthday! It took me 3 days of pain and trial and error! But! I finished it! And got lots of compliments on it! I even had the Wacky Bear Factory owner fooled... she thought I had purchased it from the big bakery in town! NOPE!

End of Season Cupcakes

2011-11-08T13:43:00.000-10:00

My son's soccer season has come to an end. The "Lions" had a fantastic season, and to celebrate at their party, I made some cupcakes for them all!

Scooby Doo Cake

2011-09-02T18:10:00.000-10:00

I made this for my boys!

Tangled Cake

2011-07-08T07:13:00.002-10:00

Baby Einsteins Cake

2011-04-10T17:33:00.001-10:00

I made this for a friend who's son turned 1!

I made mini cupcakes to create a small caterpillar smash cake to match the big cake...

Tulip Cookie Bouquets

2011-04-06T12:53:00.000-10:00

Spring Cookie Bouquet

2011-03-25T16:59:00.000-10:00

Anniversary Cake with Pink Flowers

2011-03-19T08:01:00.000-10:00

Ballerina Cake

2011-03-19T07:57:00.001-10:00

Blue Bug Smash Cake & Cupcakes

2011-01-08T12:00:00.000-10:00

I made this little bug out of half of the sports ball pan and covered it with rolled buttercream icing. The head is the top of a cupcake. I used lollipop sticks for the antennas with rolled buttercream balls on the top of them. This is a perfect smash cake for a first birthday!!!

I also made matching cupcake bugs.

Sweet 16 Cake

2010-12-13T18:10:00.000-10:00

This was probably the biggest cake I've done yet!

(next to the HMH-362 Ugly Angel cake here)

6 inch round chocolate

9 inch round chocolate

12 inch round white (green & pink swirled)

The crazy thing about this cake, though, was that my husband and I were going out of town the weekend they needed it, so I had it ready to go Thursday night, but left the cake in pieces to be assembled by the gal who ordered it! She is a friend of mine, and I was confident she could put it together just fine! So, this is what it looked like when it left my house:

I was thrilled with how it looked all put together!

Baking Supplies at CSN

2010-11-17T13:48:00.001-10:00

Have any of you shopped for your baking supplies on CSNstores.com?

They. Have. Everything!

I'm serious. And because they have over 200 websites, you can buy anything you need. From end tables to aquarium filters, to shoes, to ANY baking utensil or supply you need! And with the holidays fast approaching, it's your one stop online source for ALL your Christmas shopping!

Stay tuned for a review of a product on here very soon! And you KNOW I'll be finding some baking products to try!

Zebra Cupcakes

2010-11-14T15:21:00.001-10:00

Sweet 16/Halloween Cake

2010-10-30T11:20:00.000-10:00

Cupcakes!

2010-09-18T16:31:00.001-10:00

Aquarium Cake

2010-09-06T05:10:00.000-10:00

Pink Castle Cake

2010-06-15T15:38:00.002-10:00

I made the towers out of rice krispie treats, and then covered them with rolled buttercream and rolled them in pink sprinkles. Then topped them with waffle cones.

Baking Baking Baking!

2010-05-20T03:45:00.005-10:00

I have been on a baking kick the past few days. Probably because I have company coming and I should be cleaning instead!!!

My middle 2 helped me make some yummy donuts! I got the recipe from my friend Alaina, which she got here. I used the glaze with that recipe, and then found a chocolate glaze recipe here that I wanted to try. The chocolate didn't get as high of ratings as the original glaze from my family. But it was all still yummy! The recipe made about 3 dozen donuts and I made the donut holes as well.
THEN.... I made some Mega Monster Cookies that my very creative (2nd) cousin posted on her blog. If you get a chance, you MUST check out her blog. She has some amazing recipes you HAVE to try. I grew up on a lot of them, and the others are just so great! I haven't tried a recipe I haven't likes YET! Plus, her two little boys are THE cutest things EV-ER!

The kids were very good about eating their supper, which was Feta Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Which I also got from my cousin. THEN, as soon as their last bite was gone, they all ran for a mega monster cookies! You can see how much fun they were to eat!!!

After that, I made some cinnamon rolls, which you can find a to-die-for recipe here. I didn't get pics of those! My first pan disappeared at breakfast this morning, and the other two are in the freezer waiting for our company!

Let me know if you try these out! You won't be disappointed!

Baby Belly Shower Cake

2010-05-17T05:47:00.001-10:00

Okay, I think this was my favorite cake to make... to date! I made this for a very dear friend who is due to have a sweet precious baby in July!

Aren't pregnant bellies just the cutest?

Catching up... Baby Shower Cake

2010-03-24T02:24:00.002-10:00

It's A Boy
Baby Shower Cake

(Sorry for the cell phone pic)

Valentine Cupcakes & Cookie Bouquets

2010-02-19T10:10:00.003-10:00

Here are the valentine cookie bouquets I made for my son's 2 pre-school teachers. They were huge hit!
And the cupcakes topped with heart cookies (rolled buttercream icing) he brought for treats that week.
I colored some of the white cupcake batter pink and red and swirled it with the white to make some fun colored cupcakes.

Choo Choo

2010-02-06T14:30:00.000-10:00

Thomas is made with rolled buttercream icing.

Valentine Rice Krispies

2010-01-31T06:52:00.004-10:00

How to make some yummy festive Valentine treats:

You will need:
Rice Krispie Treats

Melt 3T butter
Add 4 cups mini marshmallows until smooth
Stir in 6 cups rice krispies

Spread in 9x13 pan to set.
Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.

Melt chocolate (color of your choice) in double boiler

Dip rice krispie treat in chocolate.
Smooth chocolate
Add sprinkles... or wait until chocolate sets to decorate with frosting.

Or... make footballs for your upcoming Super Bowl party!!!

Cupcake Flower

2010-01-21T09:40:00.003-10:00

I'm back! After finally getting settled into our new home in Virginia, I've gotten to do a little baking! And here is the first official cake I've done! A cupcake flower cake. I had to use the picture I took with my cell phone... the one I took with my nice camera seems to have disappeared!

Free Gourmet Apple

2010-01-08T15:41:00.002-10:00

Want a free gourmet apple? Thought so. Ivan Mog is offering free samples of your choice until 05.01.10! Thanks to Be Different Act Normal, I found out about this and have requested mine. No strings attached. It just might take 4-6 weeks for it to get to you. (while supplies last) I can wait.

HMH-362 Ugly Angels Cake

2009-09-14T16:00:00.001-10:00

I was asked to make this huge cake for our squadron's Change of Command today. I used 4-12 inch square pans and butted the cakes together (2 chocolate, 2 white) to make this huge cake. I had my husband cut a cake board for me out of plywood to ensure that is would support the weight of the cake.

I am NOT a fan of fondant, so I make rolled buttercream. I iced the cake in buttercream, and then used the rolled buttercream for the "Olaf" a.k.a. Ugly Angel. I was pleased with how this all turned out!

GO UGLY!

Baby Rump Cake

2009-09-13T15:00:00.011-10:00

This was the cutest cake I've ever made for a baby shower!

You can find the link with instructions on how to make it here.

Thomas the Tank Engine Cake

2009-09-11T18:51:00.002-10:00

Soccer Cake

2009-09-02T13:54:00.002-10:00

A quick cake I made for my son's 5th birthday last weekend. Soccer balls are definitely a weakness of mine.

Elephant Cake

2009-08-23T21:45:00.003-10:00

It's been a while since I've baked a cake.... here is a big elephant cake I did for a friend's son's 1st birthday!
(I filled in the cracks after the photo was taken)
I made a 2 layer 9x13 white cake and used buttercream fondant and cut out elephants on the side with an elephant cookie cutter.

Then I made one 6 inch and one 9 inch chocolate cake for the elephant's body and head, then made cupcakes and stacked 2 for each foot.

The trunk is buttercream fondant, and the ears are frosted cardboard cut outs.

Daisy Cookies

2009-07-18T13:43:00.002-10:00

4 1/2 dozen daisy cookies for a luncheon!
Labels and all!

Bean Bag Set Giveaway

2009-06-29T22:53:00.006-10:00

Check out my giveaway on my craft blog!

Enter to win up to 2 sets of bean bags!
Flames or Ladybug set!
Many ways to enter!

Giveaway closes at midnight July 4th!

Pillow Cake

2009-06-11T22:08:00.004-10:00

This was a special request from the birthday girl herself. Designed and described in great detail in email to me about what she would like her 11th birthday cake to look like. Eye mask- Colors- Polka Dots- Flavor!

I hope she and her sleepover friends enjoy it!

Teacher Gift from Hallmark

2009-06-05T07:54:00.003-10:00

Hallmark has these really nice tall mugs you can decorate with a special marker. Then you bake the decorated mug at 300 degrees F for 35 minutes to set the marker designs. This makes your mug dishwasher safe and microwavable without losing your designs!!!

As far as I know, it only comes with a black marker, so I kept the details simple, and then decorated my sugar cookies with pink icing and matching flowers and hearts. A little tissue paper and curling ribbon add a little more color and flare!

Then it was off to "Miss Thompson" on the last day of school!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!!! GO HAWKS!

2009-06-04T09:47:00.003-10:00

Today is my little brother's 25th birthday! I am a little behind in getting these done. I wanted to get these shipped off so he had them on his birthday, but if it's any consolation, I'm sending them ON his birthday.

**Melissa, this is a before picture, I hope they get there and at least resemble these!!!

Sandwich Cookies

2009-06-04T07:03:00.002-10:00

I've seen this recipe all over lately on the blogs around here. The cake mix sandwich cookies!

1 cake mix *most types work
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
Mix together and bake at 350 just until set and tops start to crack.
DO NOT OVERBAKE!

Let cool, then sandwich two cookies with desired filling, I used my buttercream icing.

The cookies are so moist, and taste like chocolate cake cookies!!! YUM!
I used some leftover colored icing I had sitting around, so mine were pink, purple, & yellow! My daughter took these to school today for her end of the year class party!

Birthday Party Goodie Platter

2009-06-02T12:12:00.003-10:00

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Crinkles
Snickerdoodles
Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats

Here is a platter 'o goodies I made for my friend's son's birthday party this afternoon!

A few recent goodies

2009-05-29T12:22:00.001-10:00

A Baby Welcoming Cake

Sunflower Cookie Bouquet

Garden Cupcakes

2009-05-27T10:42:00.002-10:00

Here are some adorable garden cupcakes my mom and sister made for their Master Gardener's Meeting last week. I love how they turned out and wanted to share them on here. They got the instructions out of a Cupcake Book. (Sorry, can't remember which one, exactly!?)

Sunflowers

2009-05-24T10:45:00.003-10:00

Here is part of a large order I did this weekend...

2 Sunflower fondant sheet cakes

Sunflower cupcakes

Sunflower sugar cookies (with oreo cookie middles)

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies

Hibiscus Cookies

2009-05-22T20:53:00.003-10:00

An order of a couple dozen hibiscus cookies I did this week:

TWD - Fresh Mango Bread

2009-05-19T00:01:00.004-10:00

This week's TWD recipe was chosen by Kelly of Baking With the Boys. You can check out her blog for her take and the recipe as well!

I was so glad to see a non chocolate, non cake/cookie recipe! This is semi healthy, right?!

My daughter loves mangoes, so she is always BEGGING me to buy them at the commissary. She was so bummed when I finally brought one home, only to find out it was not for her! Sorry!

I loved how quick and easy the recipe was... and it required no mixer which equals less dishes!!! My mango only made me about one cup, so I went ahead and halved the recipe. But I used 2 whole eggs, and zested the entire lime, instead of half... why not? My only concern was my super stringy mango!
I debated on making muffins, but since I had just had a Pampered Chef party recently, I decided to break in my brand new stoneware mini loaf pan! Yay! My halved recipe made 3 mini loaves! They took exactly 30 minutes in the oven and came out nice and golden brown. I let them cool a few minutes before turning them out onto the cooling rack.... and only waited until the steam stopped rolling off of them before slicing into the first loaf to try it out!YUMMMMMMM! I LOVE IT! And after having my first slice, the mango was tender enough that the strings break right up in your mouth... no gagging when you swallow! And I loved the spices in it! Some people commented that it was too much spice.... but I loved it! It probably doesn't hurt that I love gingerbread cookies....

Red White & Blue Cupcakes & A Little Cupcake Experiment

2009-05-17T13:21:00.007-10:00

In lieu of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I decided to have a little fun with some cupcakes! I wanted to make them red, white and blue!!! Some friends and I are getting together tonight, so I thought I'd try them out!

I made up some white cake batter, and then divided it into thirds. Using food coloring, I colored one third of the batter red, one third blue, and then left the last third white.

Once the cupcake liners were in place, I started dropping a spoonful of blue batter at the bottom of each liner. Shaking down the pan so that it was level and covered the bottoms of the liners. Next, I dropped in a spoonful of the plain white batter. Again, shaking it down so it was level. Last, I spooned in the red batter. This should fill up the liners to about 1/4 - 1/3 from the top or so.

They went into the oven, cooled, were topped with buttercream and some fun patriotic sprinkles, and voila! I loved how they turned out!

As for the experiment.... after Easter, I found some mini Cadbury Chocolate eggs! Yum! I wondered what they would be like in a cupcake? I would have really liked to have made them with chocolate cupcakes, but since I had a little white cake batter left over from my red, white and blue cupcakes, I decided to just try it out to see how they melt!

I topped them with with my usual buttercream icing and sprinkled the tops with chocolate shavings.

The cadbury eggs sunk to the bottom, even after waiting for the cupcakes to bake a few minutes in the oven before dropping them in. But I'm sure they will still be super yummy! But think of how much better they would be in chocolate cupcakes?!?!

Team Ugly Angels Round 8 RoundUp

2009-05-16T07:37:00.002-10:00

Here is the roundup for round 8! I still have not received photos from some of the members, so I will add them when I receive them!! Thanks to all the members for joining Team Ugly Angel! I appreciate all that you did for our Marine! Round 9 is coming up next, so be sure to check the Baking Gals site for details if you want to participate again!

Audrey

Tamara, Jennifer & Denise (Angela not pictured)~ Alaska

These gals rocked out a huge spread of goodies! With a tad bit of drama, this package had better make it to it's destination with all the hard work these gals have put in!
Chocolate Chip, Orange, Peanut Butter & Iced Sugar Cookies PLUS loads of extras!

Debbie ~ Nevada

www.thefridayfriends.blogspot.com
Chocoalte Crunchies &
Ghetto Toffee/Rumstick Crunch
Julie ~ Hawaii
Fudge Crinkles

Kim (Me!) ~ Hawaii
Great Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

TWD- Tartest Lemon Tart

2009-05-12T21:27:00.005-10:00

This week's TWD was chosen by Babette of Babette Feasts. There have been so many 'tarts' lately, I have been hitting myself for not going out and buying a pan. This week I just made it in a pie pan... and some mini tartlette dishes (as I'll call them).

I made this tonight after the kids had supper and were 'winding down' (aka tearing up the family room before bedtime). I was surprised at how easy the assembly was!

However, I didn't care for the taste. Too bitter from using the whole lemons... but that was strictly my own opinion!

Go check out Babette's website for the recipe!

TWD - Tiramisu Cake

2009-05-09T09:56:00.003-10:00

This week's recipe was chosen by Megan of My Baking Adventures. I did this recipe a few days behind because I ended up making them for a birthday party I went to Friday.

I saw some great ideas from other bloggers who made petite fours and cupcakes, so I decided to go the cupcake route with this recipe.

I sliced them in half, soaked them with the coffee syrup and spread the filling and added chopped bittersweet chocolate between the layers. Then topped with a swirl of filling and sifted cocoa over that before topping with a dark chocolate chocolate chip!

They were a big hit! Kudos to Megan for chosing this recipe! Yum!

Earth Day is Every Day... thank goodness!

2009-05-04T20:58:00.003-10:00

These cookies were ordered for a "Secret Spouse" gift this week. The recipient has been out of town until this week, so thank goodness EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY! Because these came a little later then the actual "Earth Day"!

TWD this week

2009-05-04T19:44:00.003-10:00

I LOVE tiramisu, and was so excited that it was chosen for this weeks' recipe! I am baking some desserts for our squadron's HALFWAY THROUGH DEPLOYMENT party this weekend. (Only 3 1/2 months left until our husbands/wives return from Afghanistan!) So I am going to wait and make it for that..... I hope it turns out!

Stay tuned! Lots of baking coming up this week/weekend!!!

Join Team Ugly Angel for Baking GALS: Round 8

2009-04-28T06:00:00.002-10:00

Round 8 is here for the Baking GALS (Give A Little Support). This round, team UGLY ANGEL will be hosting a fine Marine!Sergeant Mark Svatek is from Wharton, TX. Mark joined the Marine Corps in July of 2003 and is stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He is in Supply with 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines H&S Co. This is his second tour to Iraq. He and his wife Tina have two daughters, Chloe 3, and Emily 18 months.Any treats would be appreciated, but oatmeal is not on the "Like" list, so keep that out of the recipes!!

Here is a list of things Mark and his fellow Marines would really love to receive in addition to your home baked goodies (optional):

Beef Jerky
Hard Candy (starbursts, jolly ranchers, jelly beans, blow pops, etc)
Fruity Gum
*No Chocolate due to the extreme heat please

I will post the mailing address through the baking gals bulletin once you have joined, as well as send it out in an email once I hear from you.

Last round we had several problems with the Baking GALS site, and I feel like things didn't go too smoothly and want to make sure I get everyone's contact information this round to keep good communications.

So, if you are interested in joining, here's what you need to do:

1) Go to BakingGALS site

2) Join TEAM UGLY ANGEL from the ROUND 8 TEAMS

3) Email me at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com and let me know you have joined!

4) Shipping Dates are May 4-13

5) Email me a picture of your goodies and package contents!

I will post the Roundup on the blog once the shipping period is over and receive all the members pictures!!!

Bananas!!!

2009-04-26T19:45:00.003-10:00

What do you do when your kids decided they don't want to eat ANY of the HUGE bundle of bananas you brought home from the store?!?!

You make lots of banana muffins and banana oatmeal cookies!

My kids usually go through a bundle of bananas in a couple days and then beg me to go get more from the commissary when we run out! Not this week....these bananas were WAY past their prime.

I searched through some cookbooks of mine and found a couple recipes. I had never made these banana oatmeal cookies before and I love how they turned out! A healthy little cookie that isn't too sweet. Enough not to make me feel guilty for eating them as a mid morning snack. (Not that I ever feel guilty eating a rich chocolaty cookie in the mornings either....tee hee)
BANANA OATMEAL COOKIES

1 1/2 CUP SIFTED FLOUR
1 CUP SUGAR
3/4 CUP SHORTENING
1 3/4 ROLLED OATS
1 CUP MASHED BANANAS (2-3)
1 EGG BEATEN
1/2 TSP. BAKING POWDER
1/4 TSP NUTMEG
3/4 TSP CINNAMON
1/2 CUP NUTS (I USED ENGLISH WALNUTS)

Sift flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder in a bowl. Cut in shortening. Add egg, bananas, rolled oats and nuts. Beat until well mixed. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Spider Monkey Cake

2009-04-18T08:15:00.002-10:00

Ok, so it's really just monkey bread. But my 4 year old for some reason, started calling it "spider monkey cake".... so I thought I'd use that. I have honestly never made it before but have had it many times growing up. I found a really simple and delicious recipe online (there are millions).

Hot out of the oven....

Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

4 cans refrigerated biscuits
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (these are optional, it's great with or without them)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9-10 inch tube pan.

2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a medium sized plastic bag. Cut the biscuits into halves or quarters and place six to eight biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Shake well.

3. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the greased pan. Continue layering until all the biscuit pieces are coated and in the pan. If you are using raisins, place them among the biscuit pieces as you are layering.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the layered biscuits.

5. Bake for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Pull apart and enjoy!

YUMMY!

Easter Cookies

2009-04-14T14:43:00.004-10:00

I have seen this recipe where you go along with the Bible as you mix these cookies up. I have finally gotten around to making them with my kids this Easter. I think it was fun and the kids really get involved and get a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Easter!!!

Ingredients:
1- cup whole pecans 1-teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites pinch of salt 1-cup sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.

Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.

Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.

Read Matt. 28: 1-9

Baking GALS: Round 7- Captain Ladner

2009-03-30T10:01:00.005-10:00

Thank you all for being so patient with me this round!

Here is our lucky recipient for this round:

Capt. Andrew Ladner is from Kiln, MS. He graduated from Auburn University in December of 2001, when he was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Capt. Ladner is a CH-53D pilot and is good friends with Capt. Turner, whose wife is our team leader! Capt. Ladner has been married to his wife, Alaina, for 4 years. They have a 2 year old son, Andrew. They are stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Drew has a sweet tooth and will appreciate all your delicious goodies. If you want to include other items, he likes south beach diet snack bars and beef jerky. Since it's Easter candy time, his favorites are Dove truffle eggs and Snickers Eggs! Thank you all for participating. I know Drew will be grateful!

Shipping dates for this round are April 1-10. There is still time to join the team if you are interested in supporting our troops!

Go to www.bakinggals.com, register if you haven't already, and then log in, click on ROUND 7 INFO, JOIN A ROUND 7 TEAM and then scroll down to find TEAM UGLY ANGEL and join us!

All the info you need (including the mailing address) will be sent to you and posted in our bulletin section!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you have troubles with the website. At the end of the shipping period, if you could email me a picture of your package contents with a brief description as well as a link to your blog if you would like, I post a roundup and show off all our generous goodies!

So, here's to round 7! Bake away!

Elmo Cake & Tiger Cake

2009-03-28T21:12:00.003-10:00

I had a big weekend for baking. Here are two cakes I made for a couple birthdays:

ELMO CAKE

And.. a TIGER CAKE

My favorite part was the animal print on the sides! I was thrilled with how that turned out!

Farewell Cupcakes

2009-03-27T08:44:00.003-10:00

My son's best friend at preschool is moving to Florida soon, and his last day of school is today, so here are some cupcakes I made for his "Zebra" class.

Each class is a designated animal to help keep them all straight.

My New Website/Blog

2009-03-23T11:13:00.003-10:00

I've redone my cake and cookies website....

I have been paying for a domain name, and host service the past few years and created and maintained my own site through FrontPage.

Now that I have a new laptop, which does NOT include Frontpage, it's been a pain to go back onto my desktop to update my picture, etc on my site. Not to mention my desktop is ancient and threatening to crash at any moment.

I have been fooling around with the blogger formats and figured out how I could manage a baking site on a blog. And, the best part, it's free!

Check it out and see what you think! I'm still tweaking and playing around and getting things set up.

www.kimturnercakes.blogspot.com

Operation Baking GALS: Round 7

2009-03-20T09:10:00.003-10:00

Round 7 is here for the baking gals! If you'd like to join my team, Team Ugly Angel, please contact me via email at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com

The baking gals site is having some issues with their email system. If you are able to sign in and join the team through the site, great, if not, then just shoot me an email and let me know that you'd like to bake for a Marine over in Iraq/Afghanistan.

If you have a friend/loved one who is currently deployed and you would like us to bake for them, let me know! I am searching for someone to host for this round!

If you aren't familiar with Baking Gals, it's a group of baking teams from all over who ship home baked goodies to troops who are deployed. It's a great way to help support our troops, and provide them with a little something special, home baked, to let them know we are thinking of them and are so thankful for what they are doing for us!

ROUND 7 SHIPPING DATES ARE APRIL 1-10

Baby Shower Luncheon

2009-03-20T09:04:00.002-10:00

Here are some cookies and a cookie bouquet I did for a baby shower.

The bagged cookies were for the take home treats and the bouquet for the mom-to-be!

Kiss Me I'm Irish Cupcakes

2009-03-15T18:48:00.003-10:00

I brought cupcakes to a squadron function today. I added green food coloring to white cake batter, and then topped the cupcakes with icing, and sprinkles. Then I made small shamrock sugar cookies and topped half of the cupcakes with those!

Elvis Birthday Cake

2009-03-13T09:30:00.004-10:00

My friend, Julie, LOVES Elvis. I have made her a little Elvis cake on her birthday for the past few years. This year I went for the lighted ELVIS sign. But with a girlie twist.

Here are the cakes I've made in the past for her...

Cookies For Teacher

2009-03-11T22:35:00.004-10:00

My daughter's 5th grade teacher has been hinting to her about her birthday this week, and mentioning my cookies....

So I stayed up last night and threw together a little birthday box full of little cookies that spelled out "Happy Birthday". And a couple big flowers to fill the void!

She was so thrilled with the treats, despite them being one day late!

Round 6 Operation: Baking GALS Roundup

2009-02-25T10:37:00.002-10:00

HERE IT IS, THE ROUND 6 ROUND UP FOR TEAM UGLY ANGEL:

Schreffler family of Nebraska

mailed off a package of goodies!

Jen of BeanTown Bake r
mailed off oodles and oodles of all kinds of cookies!
Check out her blog!

Chris
mailed off 2 packages including Valentines from a 1st grade class and chocolate candy bars from the 6th graders!

Alaina of Hawaii
made Peanut Butter Heath Bar Cookies

DeAnne of Iowa
mailed 2 boxes of all sorts of goodies!

Heather of H2O Heather baked 4 dozen cookies!
Oatmeal Raisin, Giant Chocolate Chip &
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut + some extra goodies!

Cheryl of Arizona along with her Mom and Sister baked mass quantities of goodies!
7 Layer Magic bars, Snickerdoodles,
Oatmeal Raisin & Valentine M&M Cookies!
+ Some Extra goodies!

Julie from Hawaii
Auntie Ono's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies + Extras

Turner Family from Hawaii
Frosted Sugar Cookies!

A big thanks to all of my Ugly Angel teammates! I know it's been a busy time and I really appreciate your generosity! Check back for next round details if you'd like to join us again!!!

TWD: Floating Islands

2009-02-10T19:46:00.004-10:00

This week's Tuesday's With Dorie was chosen by Shari from Whisk: A Food Blog.

Floating Islands, aka, Creme Anglaise with a cooked meringue and drizzled caramel.
Never have I ever heard of these. But since I've been MIA, I thought I'd give them a try! I was really nervous about the meringue, but ended up passing that step with flying colors. It was the creme anglaise that I struggled with. Mine had little lumps in them. But it still tasted a lot like a custary ice cream. I also bypassed the caramel making and defaulted to the jar I had in the fridge due to screaming children that needed my attention.

I enjoyed trying something new and am glad that I tried it! It was tasty, but something I will probably not make again. All that egg is just not good for me! My 11 year old daughter even thought it tasted alright!

Chocolate Dipped Fruit

2009-01-28T11:47:00.003-10:00

My sister's 20th birthday was yesterday. She has moved in with me and my 3 kids while my husband is deployed to iraq for 7 months.

I wanted to get her a little something for her birthday, but since she is really trying to be healthy while out here, I didn't go the birthday cake route. I looked online to order from Edible Arrangements and was SHOCKED at how outrageously expensive their fruit bouquets were!!!

I decided to make my own version. I had some fresh pineapple, strawberries and bananas on hand, so I used those to dip in milk chocolate. I didn't make them into a bouquet, but just arranged them in a bowl. I sprinkled coconut and sprinkles over the strawberries just after dipping them to add a little flare!!!

They were delicious and much healthier than birthday cake....because fruit cancels out the chocolate, right?!

Join the Ugly Angels Baking Gals Team for Round 6

2009-01-27T21:59:00.004-10:00

It's that time again! The baking gals are at it again....time for round 6!

This round I am very excited to be hosting my husband, Captain Nick Turner. We just saw him off last week for a 7 month deployment to Iraq.Captain Turner is a CH-53D helicopter pilot for HMH-362 (Ugly Angels) based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Oahu. He is stationed at Al Asad, Iraq. His missions as a helicopter pilot is mainly transporting "bullets, beans & bandaids".... moving supplies and troops where ever they need to go.
This is his 2nd tour to Iraq. He and his wife (me) have been married for over 5 years and have 3 kids, and one on the way...which he will probably not be back for in time for the birth. But hopefully a few short weeks after!
He grew up in a small town in Iowa and flew helicopters with his dad, who was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for the Marine Corps, and also, ironically enough, for the Ugly Angels, the same squadron his son is in now! His dad owned a helicopter business, doing heavy lifing and spraying crops, so he grew up in helicopters.

Once returning from Iraq, Captain Turner has the honor of flying for HMX-1 and possibly flying President Obama in Marine One on his next tour.

We are all very proud of Captain Turner and miss him so much already. Please join Team Ugly Angel and the baking gals and send him some love by baking up some goodies for him this Valentine's season!
Here's what you need to do:
Go to Baking GALS website
Register if you haven't already. (It's super easy & free)
Sign In
Click on JOIN A ROUND 6 TEAM
Scroll down to JOIN TEAM UGLY ANGEL

I'll be sending out bulletins with the mailing address, ideas and favorites, as well as some reminders.
SHIPPING DATES THIS ROUND ARE FEBRUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 21

We'd love to have you with us this round!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com

TWD: French Pear Tart

2009-01-07T15:25:00.003-10:00

It's been a long break for me! I've was busy with holiday baking, birthdays, and squadron functions and then a 2 week trip back to Iowa to be with family for Christmas! Then, to top that all off, I got sick...which ended up helping me to find out I was pregnant! A surprise to us all! So, #4 will be making his/her appearance early August!

So, with that out of the way, it's good to be back home and back to baking.

I got a new stove, so I have been trying to break it in as much as I can!

This week's TWD was chosen by none other than our very honored guest each Tuesday, Dorie Greenspan!

This recipe wasn't too difficult, but I was a little disappointed in the end result. I halved the recipe, and didn't have a tart pan either, so if that had something to do with it, I take all the blame for my not so perfect ending.

I had to sneak peeks at other TWD-ers to see how they sliced their pears, as I didn't understand what Dorie meant in the recipe. After seeing what everyone else did, going back and re-reading the recipe, I get it now!

I think the biggest turnoff for me was the dark rum. I made sure and halved it with the rest of my ingredients, but the taste was so strong (enhanced senses due to pregnancy, maybe!?) But it was too much for me.

I'll be eating the pears, and maybe pick at the rest, but I probably won't attempt this recipe again. But like I say, I always enjoy trying something new! Thanks to Dorie for chosing this recipe this week! It was fun to read all the answers to our questions on the TWD blog!

New Stove, Box House & Cookies

2009-01-06T11:51:00.004-10:00

I got to bake with my new oven today!!!! I made some quick oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. The oven gave off a new hot smell, but the cookies turned out great!!!

And with every new stove comes a big cardboard box that is required to be made into a playhouse.

My son has been eating in there and everything.

I'm Back! Animal Pancakes

2009-01-04T10:53:00.003-10:00

My sister sent me this adorable Nordicware pancake pan in the mail the other day. It makes pancakes with animal imprints!

I was so excited to try it out!
It was so easy. Just drop a small scoop of batter in each circle and then flip them over when they bubble!
Both my kiddos loved them! Here is my little Addi roaring like a lion as she ate her lion pancake!
Thanks sis!

OBG: Round 5 Roundup

2008-12-18T23:00:00.006-10:00

Here is our Operation: Baking Gals
Team Ugly AngelRound 5 Roundup

Jennifer ~ Alaska
Ginger Cookies w/ Lime Glaze
Sugar Cookies
Seasoned Oyster Crackers + TONS of extras
including some holiday decorations!!!

Anna S.
Oatmeal Molasses Chocolate Chip Bars

Julie S. ~ Hawaii
Black Forest Crinkle Cookies with Cherries plus lots of extra goodies!

Still Sick...

2008-12-16T19:19:00.004-10:00

Ugh...still sick here. It's been over a week. Never have I been so run down and blah feeling. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find out what's going on with me. We are flying back home in a couple days for Christmas, so I hope to be on the mend by then... I hate flying enough as it is, so flying when I feel like this will totally suck.

TWD - Down in the Dumps

2008-12-09T18:45:00.004-10:00

I've let you all down again this week. After a crazy last week of baking for our squadron Christmas Party, and two birthday parties in one weekend, one being my own baby girls', I am exhausted!!!

I think my body is giving up on me and sending very obvious hints that it's time for a few days off. I still need to bake for my Operation Baking Gals Marine and get his package sent off. At least I have until the 18th for that.

I was supposed to go to our Officer Spouses Christmas Coffee tonight, but my husband is flying late, and left me at home with the three kiddos. So, with early bedtimes, taking them along with me was pretty much out of the question. It would have been a lost cause. I was really looking forward to the ornament exchange, goodie raffles, ugly christmas sweaters we all were to wear, and just getting out and being with the gals.

I haven't done much Christmas shopping, and we are flying home at the end of next week to be with family. I need this time to relax and recover. This holiday season has really snuck up on me! I plan to take a nice hot shower, and then relax in bed and browse all the TWDers blogs. I can't wait to see all the pretty sugar cookies!

*Besides, I have my own sugar cookie recipe I have to stay loyal to!

Birthdays Galore!

2008-12-08T16:34:00.006-10:00

My baby girl turned 1 year old yesterday. We had some friends over for a "Ladybug" party! Instead of making a big birthday cake, I made ladybug cupcakes.

And for the birthday girl, I made a #1 ladybug themed smash cake!

Aren't smash cakes fun?

I even wrapped up some of my yummy sugar cookies shaped as ladybugs for guest favors!

One other thing I made, was the cake balls. I had so much cake scraps from all the baking I've done this past week, that it was time for some cake balls. So I poured some Amaretto coffee creamer in a bowl of cake scraps, scooped them into balls and froze them. Dipped them in red chocolate, then sprinkled them with mini chocolate chips. They somewhat resembled ladybugs, or atleast carried out the theme! They sure didn't last long!

The day before, I made another Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake for a friend's son's birthday. He is turning 2! I made a matching #2 smash cake for him, but have lost that picture?!

UPDATE: PICTURES FOUND!!!

Squadron Christmas Party Cakes

2008-12-05T12:57:00.004-10:00

Our squadron is having a big Christmas party today for all the Marines and their families. I helped coordinate the door prizes and the cake walk, so here are the cakes I made for that. Several other spouses are bringing cakes...I can't wait to see them all! I had fun decorating....I got to use some pans I haven't used yet.

3D Snowman
(I found a clear plastic tube container to box him up, and used a small wooden dowel through the lid to hold it in place for transport)

Christmas Tree

Santa

6 inch round Holly Cake

And 3 containers of cupcakes!

Yikes! Is it Tuesday already?!

2008-12-02T16:24:00.003-10:00

Sorry TWD-ers, this week really got away from me. I would have loved to try these yummy looking cookies out, but I have a big week ahead of me!

Stay tuned for tons of Christmas Cakes I'll be baking for our squadron christmas party, and a couple birthday party treats! My daughter is turning 1, and I have big plans for this weekend!!!

Operation: Baking GALS, Team Ugly Angel Round 5

2008-11-29T07:38:00.007-10:00

Operation: Baking GALS (Give a Little Support) is a blog group that teams up to mail home baked goodies to our troops each month.

My team, TEAM UGLY ANGEL, hosted a Marine last round and had a fabulous turnout! This round, I have another Marine who is also a very good friend of ours.

Captain Tom GibbonsCapt. Gibbons is on the far right

Tom is currently stationed at Al Asad, Iraq. He's a CH-53D helicopter pilot with HMH-363, the Red Lions. Their mission is to transport "beans, bullets & bandaids" to the surrounding military bases in Iraq.

Tom is getting close to completing his 7 month deployment, and should be home in January. During his deployment, he missed the birth of his first child. Little Tommy Jr. Luckily, he was able to see him soon after he was born via web cam. His new wife and baby are back home with her family until Tom returns home.

If you would like to join Team Ugly Angel and send some goodies to Captain Gibbons, go to the Baking GALS website, register, and then click on Join a Round 5 Team, scroll down to Team Ugly Angel, and join us! There are lots of tips on the FAQ page, so take the time to look around the website.

Once you join the team, I will send out the mailing info and any additional supplies or requests that Captain Gibbons has.

We are shipping packages between December 5th-18th, so that the packages will arrive before Christmas.

I know December is a busy time for all of us, but let's remember the troops in Iraq who have to spend the holidays away from their loved ones. Let's help make this holiday extra special for them by baking special holiday treats!

TWD: Baking, Baking & Baking

2008-11-27T08:11:00.012-10:00

So I held out on making Tuesdays With Dorie this week until closer to the big day. A bunch my friends in our squadron are getting together this holiday, and having a big potluck of Thanksgiving feasting!

This week's recipe was chosen by
Vibi of La Casserole Carree.

Thanksgiving Twofer Pie
It's a cross between Pumpkin and Pecan Pie

I remember growing up how much my dad LOVED pecan pie. I just couldn't stand it! I thought it was too rich and just.... bluck! But now, I think I've kind of grown to like it. It's definitely not my favorite, but I'll eat it.

My 4 year old, as you know by now, loves to help me in the kitchen, so he was very excited to help me make some pies. I don't do pies much, so this was his first experience with that!

He was quite an expert at designing the crust edge! Not even letting me help him!

I partially cooked the crust, but didn't get the crust completely covered with the foil. The edges got a bit browner than I wanted.

It was fun to pour all the different layers in the pie. I was worried it all wouldn't fit! But it did!

And here is the final product! I snuck a little sliver to try it out! I am thinking I'll need a bigger slice this afternoon after the big Thanksgiving feast to decide it I really like it...however, I could taste the pecan pie part instantly, and then right at the end, you get that burst of pumpkin flavor! Both I love very much!
Notice my crust edges are pretty much burnt! Argh!

I decided that just in case this pie wasn't a big hit, I'd bring back up...
Besides, what is Thanksgiving without Pumpkin Pie?

The spouses are also baking/cooking some food for the single marines living in the barracks, so I baked up some cookies from some dough I had leftover from yesterday. I pulled out some cupcakes from the freezer and frosted those up, and then made little mini pumpkin pies from the extra pumpkin pie filling and pie crust.

I have two pans full of the goodies my husband will deliver this morning. I hope they enjoy them!

As I'm posting this, I'm waiting for my potato rolls to rise so I can start baking those up! These always go fast, and I am wishing I would have made a double batch... oh well, hopefully 4+ dozen will be enough!!!

Then, I think I'm going to make up some mashed potatoes to take along as well. Then, I'm done. Then the rest of the morning I'll just be running around getting things loaded up, kids bathed and ready, and oh yes, try to get myself made up too, if I have time! Oh, a mother's work is never done!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Simple Carrot Cake

2008-11-26T16:49:00.004-10:00

I had a last minute order for a carrot cake for Thanksgiving!

They wanted it simple...so here it is!
Yum, I love cream cheese frosting!

Here is the simple recipe I use:

8 oz. cold cream cheese
5 T softened butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2+ cups of powdered sugar
(depending on the desired consistency)

Fall Treats

2008-11-26T15:16:00.006-10:00

A friend of mine has family flying in for Thanksgiving, so she asked me to make her some goodies! Here is a fall birthday cake I made for "grandma" who gets to see her little grandson for the first time!

I also made 2 fall leaf cookie bouquets.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shaka Cake & Frog Cake

2008-11-25T14:43:00.008-10:00

My fellow squadron spouses get together every other Thursday for playgroup with our little ones. They are all turning a year old- one month apart, spanning across about 5 months!

Here is a frog came I did for one of the little guys in our playgroup!

Happy 1st Birthday Richie!

And you can't have a first birthday without the #1 smash cake!

Here is a "shaka" cake I made for a friend's husband! Living in Hawaii, we had to have a little fun with this one!

Volleyball Cookies

2008-11-20T21:14:00.004-10:00

As a follow up to the last cookie post, I made these volleyball cookies for my daughter's volleyball team. She was in charge of treats for her last game this season. I had the dough leftover, as well as some leftover rolled buttercream, so I whipped these babies up in no time! I just used some leftover pink icing to outline the volleyball.

Again, these cookies were a huge hit!

TWD Rice Pudding & Rugelach

2008-11-19T19:53:00.004-10:00

So for starters, I am posting the strawberry rhubarb rugelach I made last week, which even then was a week late. This recipe was chosen by Grace of Piggy's Cooking Journal. Someone else on TWD tried this variation and it sounded good to me. I have never made, or even heard of Rugelach....but it looked good in the book!

I substituted strawberry preserves and fresh rhubarb for the filling.

Here is my little 4 year old helper sprinkling on the cinnamon and sugar before we rolled them up!
And, here they are ready to go in the oven...
Where is the final product? Well, they didn't last long enough to take a picture! They were that good! And...I used pink sugar sprinkles on top! That's all I had! Ha Ha

Now, on to this week's TWD, which again, is a day late! This recipe was chosen by Isabelle of Les Gourmandises d'Isa. You can also find the recipe on her blog.

Ok, so I was not too excited about this one, because I could not track down the special rice Dorie recommended. So, I'm embarressed to admit I used minute rice. (Dodging rotten tomatoes)

I also cut the recipe in 1/3 because I had just ove 1 cup of whole milk. Good grief, I know! I followed the rest of the recipe to a T, but it still tasted like alcohol to me, I think it was the pure vanilla....too much?!

I do like rice pudding, so I think I'll give a go another time....when I have the correct ingredients. I will even try the chocolate version then.

Oh, I am so ashamed...

Birthday Treats for School

2008-11-18T22:10:00.005-10:00

My daughter is turning 11 tomorrow, gulp! Ugh, it's hard for me to say that! I asked her what she wanted me to make for her to take to school for birthday treats, and at first, her pre-teen response was, "Mom, you always make cupcakes or cookies, why can't I just take bags of candy?!"

My quick 'Suzy Homemaker' response, "Everyone probably has tons of Halloween candy leftover, so can I make something?"

Pre-teen: "Ok fine, make some cookies!"

So, tonight, I have been baking cookies...and thought I'd try out some rolled buttercream icing as well. I've been wanting to try that out for a long time now, because I can't stand the taste of fondant, and making my own marshmallow fondant is too messy. (Plus, I didn't want to be up all night knifing frosting on 28 cookies)

I wanted to do something fun, so I started with round cookiesAnd then I rolled out the rolled buttercream real thin.

Using the same cookie cutter I used for the cookies, I cut circles out of the icing, so that they would fit perfectly on top of the cookies. (Since the cookies tend to spread a little wider in the oven)

Now, the trick to getting the rolled buttercream to stick, is to lay it on top of the cookies just as you pull it out of the oven, so that the heat causes it to soften and stick to the cookie!

Once all the round cookies were done, I started on the "M" cookies. I laid them right on top of the frosted round cookies as soon as they came out of the oven so that the warm cookie would stick to the icing below it! Then, same as above, quickly laid the green buttercream on top of the warm "M" cookies.

At this point, my daughter came out to the kitchen to inspect. I think she was pretty impressed and was happy with my creations. She told me how I needed to decorate them before she went to bed, so I hope she likes them!

You'll have to forgive the poor lighting. Like most baking I do, it's done late at night when the kiddos are in bed.

Now, once the icing stiffins, I can bag them up and send them with her to school in the morning!

ROLLED BUTTERCREAM ICING

MIX
(using an elec. mixer w/ paddle attachment):
1 cup solid crisco
1 cup corn syrup

ADD:
1 tsp. clear vanilla flavoring
1/2 tsp. butter flavoring
1/2 tsp. fine grain salt

SLOWLY ADD:
7-8 cups powdered sugar
over 30 seconds, and then mix another 30 seconds once all the powdered sugar has been added.

Allow to sit for atleast 30 minutes before using. Use at room temperature.

Can be kept in fridge for a few weeks.
Can be frozen for months.

300 Cupcakes

2008-11-16T10:43:00.005-10:00

I was asked to bake 300 cupcakes for the Kids Marine Corps Birthday Ball Celebration on base. I was thrilled! So here are just a few of the 300 red and yellow icing on chocolate and white cupcakes!

All packaged up and ready for pickup!

Happy 233rd Birthday Marine Corps!

Operation Baking Gals: Round 4 Roundup

2008-11-14T15:12:00.003-10:00

Here is the Round 4 Roundup for

Operation Baking Gals: Team Ugly AngelHere are the people who have shipped their packages. I heard from Captain Trammell and he has already received some of them! He was very thankful!

Kim (Me...Hawaii) from 3rd Generation Cake Lady
Snickerdoodle Cookies + Extras

Jill (Texas) of www.jillmanty.com
(no photo)
Chocolate Chip Cookies + Extras

Nayelli
Peanut Butter Bars with Chocolate Filling
Sugar Frosted Ginger Chewies

Sharon (Iowa)
Peanut Butter Blossoms & Snickerdoodles + Extras

Pam (Alabama)

Kristina (Hawaii)

Alaina (Hawaii)
Double Chocolate Chip + Extras
Beth
Snickerdoodles, Ginger Snaps, Pumpkin Cookies & Apple Butter... as well as lots of extras and a special drawing by her 6 year old of people enjoying all the goodies (they are licking their lips)!
Marge (Texas)
(no photo)
Cookies, Snacks, Magazines + lots of extras!

Katie C. (MA)
Check out her flickr page for pictures!

Erin (Alabama)
(no photo)
Oatmeal Raisin & Chocolate Crackle Cookies + Extras

DeAnne (Iowa)
Peanut Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies & Pumpkin Scones,
along with all sorts of extras which include toys for the Iraqi children!

Cheryl S.
(no photo)
Red White & Blue cookies (white chocolote chips, cranberry and blueberries...oh my!) And...some maple date oatmeal bars, along with all kinds of extras I'm sure Captain Trammell and his buddies will much appreciate!

Samantha

Susan (Florida) from Yaffa Dreams
Chocolate Chip Pan Cookies + Extras

Julie from Hawaii
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies + Extras

Thank you to everyone who joined the team this round! I'll keep you posted on next round if anyone would like to join us again! Check out Operation: Baking Gals website!

TWD - Kugelhopf

2008-11-11T19:00:00.004-10:00

This week's Tuesday's With Dorie was chosen by Yolanda of All Purpose Girl. I skipped out on last week. I just had too much going on to try the Rugelach...but I have the dough in my fridge right now so I'll be posting a rewind in the next day or so.

I got to use two items for the first time with this recipe...my dough hook for my Kitchen Aid, and my Pampered Chef stoneware bunt pan. I was surprised at how simple this recipe was. Ingredient wise. It was quick and painless, well, quick if you don't count all the rising time.

Here is a time warp of my dough rising in my bunt pan.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have sprayed my bunt pan so that the end result would not have stuck to much. I forget that it takes a few times on the stoneware before it's actually "non stick".

Anyways, I had never heard of Kugalhopf in my life...so I was anxious to try something new! It smelled delicious in the oven, however, I have to admit, it wasn't what I was expecting. To me, it tasted like a semi sweet dinner roll with raisins. (And, I only put raisins in it because my husband likes them) Good thing, too, because that was his first comment "Mmm, I like the raisins in this!"

So I probably won't be making this again, but at least the hubby liked it!

Oh, my sad little Kugelhopf....the aftermath of a non - nonstick pan.

Pumpkin Pancakes

2008-11-06T22:10:00.004-10:00

The kids and I made pumpkin pancakes the other night. Man were they good! I have seen several blogs lately that have made these and saved one of the recipes to try it out.

My two older kids (ages 10 & 4) fought over who got to stir, dump, pour, and mix, but in the end, both were very happy to be able to eat pancakes for supper, along with a dollop of whip cream! What a treat!

I had to hide these last 2 pancakes for myself. I have never seen my son eat so much! (Letting him glop on his own whip cream may have had a little to do with that!)

Pumpkin Pancakes

Serves 2-3

1 cup (5 ounces) flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ nutmeg
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
½ cup pumpkin
1 cup buttermilk
vegetable oil for the pan

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the egg until thoroughly combined, then add the butter, pumpkin, and buttermilk. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until batter is mostly mixed but still contains small lumps. Let batter rest while pan heats, at least 5 minutes.

2. Heat non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a few drops of oil and spread it over the bottom of the pan. Using a ¼ cup measure, pour pancake batter onto hot griddle. When pancake is golden brown, flip to cook other side. Keep warm in oven heated to 275 degrees.

A Letter from a Soldier...

2008-11-01T15:18:00.002-10:00

Today I received a letter from the soldiers I sent my Operation Baking Gals package to in Round 3. I was so surprised to get it in the mail! It was a cute card that I'm pretty sure the soldiers received in their packages, as I'm sure they don't have too much free time for arts and crafts!

Three guys wrote a little message thanking me for the cookies and snacks I sent, and said it was a huge boost in morale there!

I was truly just happy to send the package to them, but actually getting a card back with a thank you really makes you feel like you have done so much!

That card made my day! I just wanted to share that!

TWD Chocolate Chocolate Cupcakes

2008-10-28T10:35:00.003-10:00

This week's TWD recipe was chosen by: Clara of I Heart Food For Thought

I almost didn't get this recipe done this week. I have so much to do this week with Halloween coming up (I still have to complete all 3 of my kids' costumes! Ay! What was I thinking wanting to make them all this year!?)

But, some girlfriends of mine are getting together tonight for supper, and I thought I'd bring these along for dessert.

The recipe was pretty simple. The glaze as well. I have so much to do today, so I will keep this short and sweet!

Have a Fun Filled Halloween everyone!!!

Double Birthday = Double the Cake

2008-10-26T08:02:00.003-10:00

Today the kids and I are going to a double birthday party! It's for a brother and sister whose birthdays are only a week apart. One is turning 4, and the other is turning 1! I am helping their mom out and making some food for the party as well. Her husband is in Iraq now, so she is planning this party on her own. (Been there, it's tough) In fact, her husband is the Marine I am hosting for my Operation Baking GALS Team.

The pictures didn't turn out too well on some of these as I took the pictures around 1am this morning! I do my best work when the kids are asleep. Most of the time, that is the only time I can do my cakes, at least without any interruptions!!

This is the first time I have used my grandma's dinosaur cake pan. I have a ton of shaped pans in my closet that I haven't used yet that are from my grandma's collection.

The kids are very excited to go today, let's just hope the rain stays away until the party is over!

Blog Giveaway - You Big Turkey!

2008-10-24T12:44:00.004-10:00

I'm having a double giveaway on my craft blog! Come check out the fun Turkey themed prizes here and enter to win!

TWD "Get In My Belly" Pumpkin Muffins

2008-10-21T00:01:00.000-10:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Mmmmmm Mmmm Mmmmmmmm. Oh, sorry! I was just enjoying some pumpkin muffins that I just pulled out of the oven.All hail Kelly of Sounding My Barbaric Gulp for chosing this recipe for this week! I love you!

These pumpkin muffins are indescribable. I love spices, and pumpkin, and pumpkin pie! Mmm pumpkin pie! These muffins are like eating pumpkin pie for breakfast....or lunch, a snack.....or while you are blogging!

They were so easy and the batter was so delicious! It's a good thing my 4 year old son, who usually gets to lick the spatula, didn't like the batter, because we would have gotten into a wrestling match over who gets to lick the spoon with this recipe!

I made 11 standard muffins and 2 dozen mini muffins, which are probably half gone now...ok I'm exaggerating, but the night isn't over yet!

*I will say that next time I will have to turn down my super hot oven...my poor pumpkin muffins got a little too 'brown' around the edges in there!

I've got playgroup Thursday, so if there are any left, I'm totally bringing some, even if I have to make another batch!

This was the perfect recipe for the season! I can't wait to get me some pumpkin pie! But these will tide me over until then!!!

Team Ugly Angel's Marine for Round 4

2008-10-18T22:30:00.013-10:00

Our team is hosting a great Marine this round.

Captain Alan Trammell
Alan is with 1/3 (1st Battalion 3rd Marines) based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. They are currently deployed to Op Omar - Iraq for 7 months and are just about at their halfway point.

Captain Trammell acts as the liaison for the Iraqi Police and Tribal leaders in the area. He is also the air officer. He calls in air support for protection if needed when out on patrol, and he also goes on missions and checks things out when suspicious activity is reported from the air.

Alan is provided two meals a day, but due to their schedules, he usually only gets one.

Here is a list of items Alan could use if anyone is interested in adding any additional items to their packages.

Hand Warmers (they are nearing the colder season)
Wet Wipes
Protein Bars
Individual Snack Packages
Single Powdered Drink Packets (to add to water bottles)
Beef Jerky
Tuna Lunch To Go Packets

***Please, no packages of nuts or trail mix.

Alan is a close friend of our family. We met him and his wife Sherree when they first arrived in Hawaii 4 years ago. They have a 4 year old and 1 year old. Two of our children are only weeks apart in age from theirs, so our families have been through a lot together. Lots of training, and a few deployments. So I am very proud to be hosting Alan this round!

Packages need to be shipped between:
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 10

If you have any question about packaging or shipping, there are a ton of tips in the FAQ page on the Baking GALS website. Otherwise, feel free to contact me with any questions at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com !

With that, we have a great group going for our Operation Baking Gals Team!

Team Ugly Angel Roll Call:

1. Kim *me* (Hawaii) from 3rd Generation Cake Lady and Yummy Cuppy Crafts
2. Alaina (Hawaii) of Ladner's Latest
3. Pam B. (Alabama)
4. Julie S. (Hawaii)
5. Julie T. (Iowa) of www.slowdownhayfeeder.com
6. Nayeli of www.IttyBittyCakeShop.com
7. Cherie
8. Cheryl
9. Katie (Massachessets) of www.kcroteau.blogspot.com and www.kcroteau.etsy.com
10. Jill (Texas) of www.jillmanty.com
11. Marsha (Alabama)
12. Sharon (Iowa) Wilson Auction Service
13. DeAnne (Iowa)
14. Beth
15. Erin (Alabama)
16. Susan (Florida) of www.yaffadreams.etsy.com
17. Angela (Iowa)
18. Jennifer (California) www.eatsleepdreamfood.blogspot.com
19. Marge (Texas)
20. Suzanne
21. Lynda (Hawaii)
22. Kristina (Hawaii) At the Attwoods
23. Samantha (Connecticut) Boat Drinks and Dreams

*I will update this as our team grows!

Pumpkin Cake

2008-10-18T21:22:00.002-10:00

Here is a set of cakes I did for a baby shower with a fall theme. They didn't want it too Halloween-y!

Riflery Team Cake

2008-10-17T14:23:00.002-10:00

Here is a cake I just finished for a local Riflery Team.

Team Ugly Angel - Operation Baking GALS Round 4

2008-10-14T12:53:00.004-10:00

TEAM UGLY ANGEL

This is my second round participating in Operation Baking GALS (Give A Little Support) but my FIRST time hosting! I am very excited to start Team Ugly Angel!

Operation Baking Gals is a group of over 700 people. This month there are 30 teams consisting of up to 25 people each that host a serviceman/woman and sends them baked goods and other items during a certain time period.

If you would like to join my team, please email me at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com and let me know you want to "Give A Little Support"! Then go to the official website and register. It just takes a second! Once you have registered, you can go check out Round Four Info and see all the teams that are participating and the troops they are hosting!

I will email the members of my team and get them the address of our host, along with any items they may request specifically. I will also remind the team when it's time to ship!

As a proud marine wife, I am so excited to host some friends that we have overseas right now! Soon, my husband's squadron will be deploying and hope to continue to host marines from HMH-362 Ugly Angels!

Keep watching my blog for the profile of our first lucky marine! I'll be posting his information in the next couple days!

In the meantime, go to Operation Baking GALS and register!!!! Go Team Ugly Angel!!!

TWD Lenox Almond Biscotti - Yum!

2008-10-13T21:15:00.006-10:00

Woot! Woot! I love me some biscotti! And I was so excited not to see another cookie recipe or chocolate something. Don't get me wrong, I have a sweet tooth like no other, but sometimes a girl needs a break!

I love love love almond, too, so I just knew this was going to be good!

Since my husband is off training (again) for a couple months, my friend Sherree asked the kids and me over for supper tonight. She made red beans and rice....something she introduced me to a while back. LOVE IT! Me, being a poor deprived midwestern girl, grew up on meat and potatoes and casseroles! So I love all the southern foods my friends make!

I decided to throw this recipe together quick and take her some. She is a coffee drinker and I knew she would enjoy some biscotti! She is also guilty of introducing me to the Hot Caramel Mocchiato at Starbucks. But...the secret was to get it as skinny as they make it so you don't ever know what you are missing without all the good stuff.

Oh, I digress. I have always been so surprised at how simple it is to make biscotti. Had I known this, I would have started making my own years ago! The smell of this batch was devine! I even snuck a quick lick of the bowl after I made my biscotti logs. (Which, by the way, were so not even!)

These got a little browner than I would have liked the first round in the oven, but oh well. I think I left them in a couple extra minutes than I should have.

I even cheated a little on the cooling stage due to my lack of time in order to make it to my dinner date. Doing so caused some of the ends to break off as I sliced it....darn, they just HAD to be eaten! I can't have little bits laying around my pan!!!! Ugh!

A quick round two and they were done. I threw some in a mug for my friend, and decided the little bag I had them in didn't hold very many if I was going to tie the end up, so I threw in a few more and left the bag open....they were still steamin' a bit anyways.

She was thrilled to have some biscotti...and I was equally thrilled to eat her red beans and rice...as well as not have to cook supper! Ha!

I also have a package to send to my sister tomorrow. My neice just turned 6, so I have a package full of goodies for her....plus, my big sister is soon turning the big 3-0! So I thought I'd package up a few for her with the recipe and some herbal tea.

You better beleive I'll be making these again! Super Uber delicious! Thank you to Gretchen of Canela & Comino for chosing this recipe! Kudos!!!!

By the way, I'm on my second one tonight as I'm sipping Melaleuca Tangy Lemon hot herbal tea while posting this blog!

My First Operation Baking Gals Package

2008-10-07T14:40:00.005-10:00

While perusing the blog-o-sphere a while back, I came across a blog called OPERATION BAKING GALS. It was a group of gals who sent packages to the troops every month with home baked goodies. I was thrilled to see that. And of course, I wanted to join!

There are teams that have several members. Each team hosts a soldier and sends a package during a certain week. Before you can host your own soldier, you have to join another group for at least one month. So I joined up with Team Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases. We mailed off a package to Chaplain Michael Jones this past week.

I baked up some snickerdoodles and threw in some local candy and snacks that I picked up at the exchange before I mailed the package. I needed the candy to fill the dead space in my box! And then I wrote a little message on the back of a Hawaii postcard.

I snapped a quick picture of my package with my cell phone before I sealed it up! This was taken on my lap, in the van, sitting in the post office parking lot! I almost forgot to take a picture!!!

I am waiting to hear back from the master mind of OPERATION BAKING GALS about hosting next month! I have a couple marines in mind for next month, so I hope I get the chance to start a team!

Thank you to Donna at Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases for letting me join the team this month! I am so excited to do it all over again!

TWD Caramel Macadamia Nut Brownie Cake

2008-10-06T20:17:00.002-10:00

This week's TWD was chosen by Tammy of Wee Treat by Tammy. I almost backed out of this week's baking because things have been so hectic around here... But, by 4 year old son was BEGGING for brownies tonight, so I thought, well, I'll just bake these real quick. (Plus, I was out of town last week, and haven't participated in two weeks)

I glanced through the ingredients and was pretty sure I had them all. First thing I realized I didn't have was bittersweet chocolate, so I substituted 1 oz of unsweetened and 3 oz semi sweet.

Brown sugar....uh, none. So I was sure there was an easy way to substitute that, so I googled it quick and found you could use white sugar and molasses. I happened to have molasses on hand because I bought it not too long ago for a recipe, which I never made. I think I do that a lot. Anyways, brown sugar delema was solved.

Then, I was just SURE I had light corn syrup....NOPE! I always have it on stock for scotcheroos! So I replaced that with some dark corn syrup I just happened to find clear back in the pantry.

So, at this point, I am thinking, "This recipe is going to just flop, I know it!" But I carried on because I had a very excited little 4 year old helper in the kitchen with me who was happy to be making brownies with mommy!

Oh, yeah, and finally, I had tossed my cheap springform pan I had because it was one, cheap, and two, started to peel. Yuck, I know. CHEAP! So I used my stoneware baking dish from Pampered Chef! Can't go wrong there! Plus, my son was so determined to have brownies, if I made it look like a brownie "cake", he woudl have a fit. He immediately corrected me when I told me 10 year old that we were making brownie cake. "No...mommy, we are making brownies, not cake!"

The cake turned out perfect! And in a lot less time then it called for! As you can see, my son wanted his brownie as soon as it came out of the oven. He wouldn't want all the extra goo on his 'brownie' anyways.
My attempt with the caramel didn't go so well. I just couldn't get the caramel to darken, and I was so afraid I'd scald the stuff! So after nearly 15-20 minutes on the stove, I gave in and added the cream and butter. It still tasted alright!
I did have peanuts, but they were all UNSALTED....and since the recipe called for salted, I kept digging. I came across a can of macadamia nuts. Hmmmm, macadamia nuts it is! And Yum-o!
Due to a missing 'brownie' from my pan, I ended up with a caramel waterfall...
But, the overall result was amazing! I'm sure that if my caramel would have actually turned out to be caramel, that this would have been even more amazing, but nonetheless, it was very good! I may attempt this again, when I have all the correct ingredients! Now, what to do with all these brownies!!!