Cookies & Cookie Dough Brownies

Today my girls went back to school and for the littlest one it was her first day of all day school.

I’m not going to lie there were tears. Not a lot and I made sure they were not in front of her. 

Then she went and told me she was going to miss me! I was strong though and I told her I would miss her too, but that she was going to have lots of fun in her new classroom and with all her new classmates!

If only I was starting in a new classroom with new classmates to distract me. Now I am sat here on my computer suppose to be writing up my CV for some part-time jobs I've been looking at. Instead I am here writing this post while eating one of these brownies to ease the temporary loss of my children.

You may just have to take my word on this one, but I do believe a combination of chocolate and sugar can help with the emotional stress of leaving your child at school for the first time.

Even if the first day of school has come around for you or you don’t have kids you should still try these brownies! Everyone has some sort of stress of everyday life. It's a fact.

Right before I left my parents house I discovered these Cookie Dough limited edition Oreos! I of course brought some back with me. And you wouldn't be reading this if I didn't use them to make brownies! Regular Oreos would work just as well in this recipe so don't worry if these limited edition ones aren't available by you!

First I made eggless cookie dough to add to the brownies, but the chunks that were thrown in the mixture just disappeared even though they were frozen when put in. So, you could leave this step out, but I would still want to sprinkle some on top! If you do make the cookie dough you have to freeze it so do this ahead of time! Here’s how I made it.

Cookie Dough:

50g chocolate chunks

160g plain flour

130g golden caster sugar

4 tablespoons of demerara sugar

170g unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons of soya yogurt

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 tsp of fine salt

Place all the ingredients into a big bowl, I used my free-standing mixer and beat into a sticky dough. 

Place on cling film, wrap it up and then flatten it until it’s about 2 cm. 

Chill in the freezer for about 2 hours.

I couldn't find soya yogurt in a small tube, so I used the leftover to make a delicious fruit smoothie by throwing in some mixed frozen berries and an over ripe banana. Perfect breakfast!

You will have a lot left over of the cookie dough, that could be used in ice cream or cupcakes or whatever floats your boat!

Once it’s been sitting nicely in the freezer for about 2 hours you can get on with the brownies. I shared with you how I made the ones pictured; however I would add at least 50 grams more of crushed Oreos if not more!

Cookies & Cookie Dough Brownies:

150g dark chocolate, broken up

150g milk chocolate, broken up

250g salted butter

400g light brown sugar

4 large eggs

140g plain flour

50g Mortimer Pure Dark Chocolate Powder

120g Cookie dough (recipe above)

100g (7-8 cookies) Cookie Dough Oreos, smashed

Preheat oven to 180C/gas4 and line a brownie tin (8x11) or an 8in square pan with parchment paper.

Very gently melt both chocolates with the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir occasionally with a silicone spatula. Just before the chocolate is completely melted, take off the heat and gently stir until it’s completely melted.

Then add the eggs one at a time to the melted chocolate mixture. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the pan and stir until just combined. Fold in half the cookie dough and half the smashed cookies.

Then pour the mixture into the prepared tin/pan. Scrap the bowl with your spatula to make sure you get all the batter in. Scatter the rest of the cookie dough and Oreos over the top of the brownies before baking in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. If you want them a little less gooey bake for 5 minutes more.

Cool completely before cutting into squares. When I bake them for only 30 minutes I tend to stick them in the fridge for 30-60 minutes before cutting just to get a cleaner cut.

last minute notes: I wish writing a CV was as easy as writing a blog post. I miss my children already; I actually like having them around! I must stop eating these brownies! 
Spatulas are from OXO, as a baker I tend to use spatulas a lot and I must say these are very sturdy and have fast become my favorite spatulas! They are perfect for scraping out sticky cookie dough and getting that last bit of chocolate brownie! They were sent to me to review.
Mortimer Pure Dark Chocolate Powder was given to me at Food Blogger Connect and I bought the Oreos while on holiday. Please see my contact/policy page for further information.
Cookie Dough recipe was adapted from Jamie’s Food Tube Cupcake book and the brownie recipe is one that I have used over and over from Good Food Bakes & Cakes Magazine Summer 2013 edition.

Moose Maple Butter Bars

When I attended Food Blogger Connect I was introduced to Moose Maple Butter!

They were giving us samples of it on a square of toast and I kept going back for more! It was sweet and delicious!

The Moose Maple butter consists of exactly 3 things: Grade A Maple Syrup, oraganic butter, and sea salt. The less ingredients the better it usually is!

After talking to the ladies there they gave me a tub to take home! Ever since I have been thinking of ways to use it in my baking before I ate it all on my breakfast toast.

First I thought for sure I would use it in a frosting to top cupcakes, but I have been making a lot of cupcakes lately and it just wasn’t how I wanted to showcase this delicious butter!

So, eventually I decided I wanted to make a cookie/brownie like bar and so I did. They turned out better then I could image.

They are thin like a cookie, but gooey like a brownie and completely irresistible! 

Moose Maple Butter Bars:

130g plain flour

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

120g Moose Maple Butter

170g light brown sugar

1 large egg

½ vanilla extract

1 tablespoon Maple Syrup

50g white chocolate chunks

Heat the oven to 180C/350F and line your brownie pan or 8 inch square tin with baking paper. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside and melt the butter and light brown sugar on a low heat until the butter is completely melted and it’s a bit grainy still. Then gently whisk in the egg, vanilla extract, and maple syrup before folding in the dry ingredients until just combined. Pour into your prepared pan/tin and sprinkle the while chocolate chunks on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until it has a nice light brown color and it starts to come away from the sides a bit. Cool before cutting into squares. Then enjoy!

notes: Moose Maple Butter was given to me to try. Please see my contact/policy page above for further information.

My Summer Reading List

It’s officially the summer holidays! As a mom I look forward to the summer as much as my girls do! I love spending time with my girls and I won’t miss the school run!

This summer is different for two reasons 1. The girls are now big enough that when I go to the park I can bring a book with me while they play! 2. We are in America visiting my family and friends for 5 out of the 6 weeks! We will be out and about visiting and seeing things, but there will also be a lot of down time, which I am really looking forward too!

In that down time I plan to catch up on some books I have been meaning to read! Here are those books: 

Life after Life by Kate Atkinson (e-book)

synopsis: What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right? During a snowstorm in England in 1910, a baby is born and dies before she can take her first breath. During a snowstorm in England in 1910, the same baby is born and lives to tell the tale.

What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to? Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives through the turbulent events of the last century again and again.

- I am a big fan of Kate Atkinson; if you want to read her you must definitely read Behind the Scenes at the Museum and Case History (plus the 3 books that follow them!) There are so many twists and she’s one of the few authors that I actually don’t guess the ending before the end! I am really looking forward to the twists in Life After Life!!

The Story Teller by Jodi Picoult (e-book)

synopsis: For seventy years, Josef Weber has been hiding in plain sight. He is a pillar of his local community. He is also a murderer. When Josef decides to confess, it is to Sage Singer, a young woman who trusts him as her friend. What she hears shatters everything she thought she knew and believed.

As Sage uncovers the truth from the darkest horrors of war, she must follow a twisting trail between terror and mercy, betrayal and forgiveness, love - and revenge.

- Jodi Picoult has written a lot of books and I have read several of them. They all have a basic moral conundrum and/or a philosophical argument. I find it interesting how she handles all the different situations and this book isn’t any different. I am sure I will be thinking about it for weeks once I’ve finished reading it!

Pretty Good Number One: An American Family Eats Tokyo by Matthew Amster-Burton (e-book)

synopsis: Everyone knows how to live the good life in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany. Now, Matthew Amster-Burton makes you fall in love with Tokyo. Experience this exciting and misunderstood city through the eyes of three Americans vacationing in a tiny Tokyo apartment. Follow 8-year-old Iris on a solo errand to the world's greatest supermarket, picnic on the bullet train, and eat a staggering array of great, inexpensive foods, from eel to udon.

- I have had a copy of Matthew’s first book Hungry Monkey for years now and I hadn't realized that he wrote a second! When I did realize I added it to my Kindle App for my summer reading list! I have always wanted to visit in Japan and I look forward to reading all about Matthew & Iris’s foodie journey through Tokyo!

Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts by Mary Gibson (e-book)

synopsis: They call them custard tarts - the girls who work at the Pearce Duff custard and jelly factory. But now the custard tarts are up in arms, striking for better conditions. Among them is Nellie Clark, trying to hold her family together after the death of her mother. She has the most desperate struggle to make ends meet, often going hungry to feed her little brothers. 

Two men vie for Nellie's love. One is flamboyant, confident and a chancer. The other is steady, truthful and loyal. But the choice is not as easy as it might seem. 

Looming over them all - over Bermondsey, over the factory, over the custard tarts and their lives and loves - is the shadow of the First World War. And that will change everything and everyone.

 - This was a sort of random addition to my reading list. The title caught my eye; food and love always make for a good story! I also enjoy novels set in the past, so I can’t wait to get into this book!

Ice Creams at Carringtons by Alexandra Brown (e-book)

synopsis: The third book in the delightful series set in Carrington’s Department Store.

Georgie Hart and Carrington’s Department Store have got the world at their feet. Since a reality TV series put them both on the map, life has been amazing! Carrington’s profits are in the pink, Georgie has carved herself a place in the nation’s heart and even better, her romance with Tom, the store’s boss, has finally blossomed after a shaky start.

Now summertime has come to Mulberry-on-Sea and Georgie is in great demand. The town is holding a big summer festival and she and her mates from Carrington’s are planning on making sure that Mulberry puts on the show of its life!

But Georgie is about to get the offer of a lifetime – one that is just too good to turn down and something that will test her loyalties to their limits… Will Georgie be able to pull off it off once again, or has her luck finally run out?

- As it says above this is the third book set in Carrington’s Department Store and I have read and wrote about both books here on the blog (links in the notes). I have had a hard time holding off on reading this since I downloaded it! I just wanted to save it for the summer; I won’t be surprised if this is the first one I read. I just need to know what happens next!

I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk (e-book)

synopsis: Angela is in the city of love – but romance is taking a nose-dive…

When Angela Clark’s boyfriend Alex suggests a trip to Paris at the same time as hip fashion mag Belle asks her to write a piece, she jumps at the chance.

But even as she’s falling for the joie de vivre of Paris, someone’s conspiring to sabotage her big break. And when she spots Alex having a tête-à-tête with his ex in a local bar, Angela’s dreams of Parisian passion all start crashing down around her. With London and her old life only a train journey away, Angela can’t decide if should stay and face the music or run away home…

- For the last three years I have participated in World Book Night and this year I had an email from Amazon saying that to celebrate they were giving away a handful of titles free to download. Out of the handful of titles this is the one I decided on. I have never read anything by Lindsey Kelk, so I am always up for finding a new author I enjoy!

My Berlin Kitchen by Luisa Weiss (paperback)

synopsis: Chocolate and Zucchini. 101 Cookbooks. The Julie/Julia Project. In the early days of food blogs, these were the pioneers whose warmth and recipes turned their creators’ kitchens into beloved web destinations. Luisa Weiss was working in New York when she decided to cook her way through her massive recipe collection. The Wednesday Chef, the cooking blog she launched to document her adventures, charmed readers around the world. But Luisa never stopped longing to return to her childhood home in Berlin. A food memoir with recipes, My Berlin Kitchen deliciously chronicles how she finally took the plunge and went across the ocean in search of happiness—only to find love waiting where she least expected it. 

- I met Lusia at Food Blogger Connect back in June and it’s where I picked up my copy of her book and she signed it for me! It’s the only paperback I have packed. I am looking forward to read of her adventures of moving around the world. I also hope to try out some of the recipes at the end of the chapters!

That concludes my summer reading list! What are you reading this summer? Are there any books I should have added to this list? Please leave a comment below!

notes: I purchased all of these books; for more information please see my contact/policy page. All of the synopses were taken from the back covers or Amazon, pictures of the covers were also taken from Amazon. 

Review of Hungry Monkey can be found here. 

Recipes inspired by Alexandra Brown’s Carrington’s series can be found here and here. 

World Book Night posts can be found here, here, and here. 

Food Blogger Connect post can be found here. 

Oatly Espresso Cupcakes - for a real Buzz

I attended Food Blogger Connect so that I could learn more about the online foodie world I have gotten myself into! I wouldn't be anywhere else I love it here!

I do love books though; sometimes I wonder if I had put a bit more time into my book blog I would be somewhere else right now?

There isn't enough time for what-ifs and I figured I might start combining my love for food and books anyway (see my side bar for what I’m reading now)!

I’m just getting off topic this post is about Oatly… wait I haven’t gotten there yet.

At Food Blogger Connect I learned a lot and I ate a lot! In-between all the learning we had snack breaks and one of the brands there was Oatly - they were serving these amazing Coffee Shakes and delicious cinnamon rolls.

The coffee shakes were so good I kept going back for more! Oatly has a subtle oat flavor that I found refreshing and delicious; even better when paired with espresso.

Oatly is a nutritious alternative to milk. It is full of oaty goodness and made of natural ingredients no crazy additives here.

On the second day of FBC14 I started chatting with the ladies who were at the table and when I said I was a baker and would be interested in using Oatly in my baking they loaded me up with some of the product to try!

I couldn't get the Coffee Shake out of my head and so I decided to make espresso cupcakes. They turned out beautifully and had a very subtly nutty taste that just added to the flavor. One of these cupcakes could easily replace my morning cup of coffee! 

Oatly Espresso Cupcakes

20g instant espresso powder

240ml oat drink

80g margarine

280g sugar

240g plain flour

1 tbsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

2 large eggs

Heat the oven to 190C. Line the muffin pan(s) with liners; this recipe makes more then 12.

Weigh out the espresso powder in a small saucepan then add the oat drink. Gently heat the mixture until the powder dissolves. Take off the heat.

Beat the margarine, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until it looks like breadcrumbs.

Add the eggs to the slightly cooled espresso oat drink and gently whisk. Combine about 1/3 of the espresso/egg mixture with the dry ingredients and beat on a low speed. Increase the speed to medium while gradually adding the rest of the milk until the batter is smooth. Using an ice cream scoop fill the liners with batter (about ¾ full) and bake for 18-20 minutes or until it springs back when gently prodded and if a skewer comes out clean. While they are cooling on a rack make the frosting.

frosting

50ml creamy oat

16g instant espresso powder

250g icing sugar

80g margarine

Like the cupcakes weigh out the espresso powder in a small saucepan before adding the cream and heat just long enough to dissolve the espresso powder without boiling it, like I did the first time because one of my children were bleeding from a small cut after stepping on a rock. It smells burnt if you boil it and then you have to start again. Once it’s done right set it aside to cool

Beat the icing sugar and margarine together to look like breadcrumbs, and then gradually add the espresso cream to taste. Once it’s to your liking increase the speed and beat until lighter in color and spread-able.

to finish

Optional toppings- chocolate covered coffee beans or chocolate sprinkles

Using a pallet knife scoop some frosting on top of the cooled cupcake and spread evenly and then top with chosen topping.

I still have some Chocolate Oatly and an alternative to single cream left to use up so who knows what I’ll make next? I mean really I haven’t thought of anything to use it for so it’ll be just as a surprise for me as it is for you!

If you’re looking for Oatly it’s found in Waitrose, big Sainsbury’s and Tesco, or Holland & Barrett. The full range of products can be found online. I really want to try the Chai Oat Drink. I love chai as much as I love espresso.

notes: If you want to see what I learned at FBC14 check my post here! If you follow me on Twitter you’ll have seen my love for books in my tweets for #bookadayuk or #fridayreads I love to talk books so tweet me if you’re reading a good one! If you are interested to learn more about Oatly visit their website they are nice people. I was given the product to try, but I was not asked to post about it. Please see my contact/policy page for further information. The recipe is adapted from hummingbird bakery Cake Days. 

Dear Blog, (3)

Dear Blog It’s your birthday! 

I hope you didn't think I’d forgotten! I haven’t and am writing this post to have a look back at the last year with you!

I thought I would do the usual bakers dozen of links remincising of the past last year. 

Where to start? I know, how about where we left off last year….

1. Last summer I made White “Witch” Ice Cream for a Chronicles of Narnia competition. It was white chocolate ice cream with home made Turkish Delight folded in. It was actually really good. It was a shame I didn't win.
2. I made a week of yummy treats all based on Cadbury chocolates! Like PicnicDoodle Salad, Double Decker Pillow Cookies, Star Bar Cake, Cherry Ripe Cupcakes, and Curly Wurly Brownies.
3. We also took a trip up to Scotland to visit family and I made Cranachan Cupcakes while up there! Inspired by the Scottish dessert Cranachan. 
4. I made my first YouTube video again for a competition, once again I didn't win, but it was an experience and it taught me not to let my husband be the video recorder.
5. The Apple Pie Ice Cream I made in the fall was A-Mazing I don’t know why it didn't get more views? Who doesn't want Apple Pie Ice Cream?
6. In the New Year I made a resolution to use up the baking things I had in my magical baking cupboard. So, I made Mince Pie Biscuits!
7. I made a few cakes for my local Clandestine Cake Club, but the Killer Zebra Cake and a Cherry Garcia Cake were my favorite over the last year!
8. FINALLY, I successfully made fried doughnuts!
9. Homemade Double Deckers proved to be a bit of a challenge and were a bit chewy, but totally worth the extra effort!
10. We had a lot of fun meeting Johnny of Johnny Cupcakes at his 3 year anniversary in London.
11. The Brownie Quest I was on is now pretty much over. I found, in my opinion, the best and most versatile brownie recipe ever. Try it and then we can talk.
12. I blogged everyday in May which was an interesting challenge. It took me out of my comfort foodie zone and made me talk about different things.
13. Last but not least I attended Food Blogger Connect last week and on top of learning a lot of stuff I meet some really cool people!!

This last year was a year of experiences. Not just in my bloggy world, but in my real life too. Growing up is hard to do.

Things will continue to change, because things are always changing. We can’t stop it I've tried! I mean my littlest is starting full time school in September. How did that happen?

I’m also taking a much needed, long-time coming trip home to my family! USA here I come! It will be quiet here in United Cakedom while I am away, but don’t worry I have a few things brewing!

Then when I get back and the girls are settled in school, I will have to answer the big question: What do I want to be when I grow up?

When I find the answer I will let you know!

So, dear blog until next year! Love you, Lisa 

Top 10 Things I Learned at Food Blogger Connect 2014 #FBC14

It was a whirlwind weekend full of new friends, food, and lots of information. Lots and lots of information!

There is just so much to write that I am not even going to attempt to write it all. So, instead I am going to share the top 10 things I learned at Food Blogger Connect.

Some of it is what I already knew, but sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that I’m heading in the right direction!

Top 10 things I learned at #FBC14 (in no particular order): 

1. Opportunity: Sometimes it finds you and sometimes you have to find it.
2. Find your niche. What makes you and your blog different?
3. Have a good idea. Research it. Plan it out. Just do it. A good idea will stay a good idea if you don’t do something about it.
4. Social media is important. Find the ones that really work for you and use them to their fullest ability!
5. I wish I had looked into being a travel/food blogger! I am definitely interested in seeing sites and experiencing food all over the world. (Maybe one day when the girls are bigger.)
6. All brands sell luxury, status, comfort, and so on so what are you trying to “sell”? What you make people feel is just as important as what you make.
7. Remember you can say no. If you aren't comfortable or something doesn't fit with your blog you don’t have to say yes. If in doubt ask questions. Brands are learning how to handle the whole blogger thing so you won’t know unless you ask!
8. Don’t take too many photos. You only really need a handful of photos to relay your story. I know I do struggle with having too much choice, so this was a handy tip for me.
9. If your dream is to publish a cookbook consider an e-book, look at Holly Bell from the Great British Bake Off. She has a mini e-book and her new book is out next month!
10. Food Bloggers and Foodie People are awesome!

So, there was all that learning stuff and then there was the food! We had a lot of variety and it was a lot of fun trying all of it! Each day gave us different choices and I made sure to try each choice. 

I especially enjoyed Tequila Patron everyday, all day! If I wasn't drinking that I had a Good Beans cold brew coffee or a Sweetbird's lemonade! There was some delicious street food too! I didn't take pictures of all of it, but I did get quite a few! 

I have a few products I brought back from the weekend and am in the process of brainstorming ways of using them in my baking! Hopefully they will be posted in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned!