On a Cinnamon Roll: Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

I must confess my little current little obsession with cinnamon. There is something addictive about the smell, especially when it is basked in the oven. I could not wait to make these pancakes when I came across this recipe. These pancakes are great without the ciing because it's essentially a cinnamon pancake but the icing makes it taste like a cinnamon bun. Why is that so great? Because it tastes like a cinnamon bun without all the guilt. I love a cinnamon bun every once in awhile but this recipe will definitely satisfy my cinnamon bun cravings. It's not like I have these cravings that often but when I do, I know what to do. Even if you are not addicted to cinnamon, this is a great change of pace from your typical breakfast pancake. But for all you cinnamon lovers out there, I dedicate this one to you!

Joining the Cupccake Family: Red Velvet Cupcakes

There is something catchy about red velvet color. It's probably the vibrant red color that grabs your attention to pick one up and try one. Afterall, we eat with our eyes first! Upon biting into a red velvet cupcake, it is irresistible to not love it because it is essentially a chocolate cupcake that is not brown. I have made red velvet cupcakes several times but this my first time blogging about my red velvety experience. I typically use Johnnie Gabriel's recipe featured on Paula Deen's show but I felt like experimenting with different red velvet recipes and opted for a recipe from Joy of Baking. I remember when I first stumbled upon this website, it had an excellent of repetoire of recipes but the recipes have been updated and improved since then. Everything I have made from this website has not disappoint. Recently, videos have been added on how to make certain sweet treats like red velvet cake. The results of my experiment?  A great little concoction of a cupcake! It was moist on the inside with a great balance of cocoa flavor. The cream cheese was of course delicious, if I do say so myself. This recipe keeps the integrity of the cream cheese flavor which compliments the cupcake perfectly. It's annoying when I eat a red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting that is so sweet that I don't taste the cream cheese. I can definitely taste the cream cheese in this frosting which makes this recipe a winner in my eyes.  Before the cream cheese frosting! The finished product!

Cinnamon Buns (Rolls) with Cream Cheese Icing (No Shortcuts Here!)

I love cinnamon rolls and the smell of Cinnabon reminds me of my childhood when my family and I would frequent the mall. Every once in awhile, my parents would let my siblings and I indulge on cinnamon bun for all of us to share. As much as I always wanted to have my own cinnamon roll, I always had just the right amount to be satisfied until the next indulgence! It was a good idea that my parents never bought me my own cinnamon bun because when I was 12, I went to this food fair in California and I got to try all of these different foods. One station made their own cinnamon rolls. I watched in awe behind the glass on the magic of cinnamon rolls. As I saw the bakers slobber sticks and sticks of butter on the bread dough, I began to feel this heavy pitted feeling in my stomach. I told my mom I never wanted to eat a cinnamon roll again because it looked disgusting. She laughed but I was as serious as a 12 year old could be!

That experience is still vivid in my memory but there is something about the cinnamon-ness in a cinnamon roll that just makes it a divine treat. I will indulge every once in awhile and if I do, I will eat a bite...or two. The thing is if you make it on your own cinnamon buns, you can regulate the fat in the recipe, you'll feel better about yourself by regulating how much you make and eat. I'm not saying this recipe is not fattening but I feel better about eating something that I made. The smell of the cinnamon buns baking in the oven is one of the greatest scents because it reminds me so much of my childhood. Now, I can recreate those memories right in my own kitchen.

If I learned one thing from my cinnamon buns encounter it is the importance of the icing. While cinnamon buns are delectable on their own, the icing really make a cinnamon bun from good to stupendous! I used a cream cheese icing for this recipe because I love cream cheese but it also provides a depth of flavor beyond a simple sweetness that a standard icing provides. I kept the integrity of the cream cheese by not adding hat much sugar so you can still taste the cream cheese but doesn't overpower the cinnamon goodness.

I am proud of this cinnamon bun baking experience for many reasons. First, this is my first time making homemade cinnamon buns (I have only made shortcut Cinnamon Bun Bread before). Second, I found making these cinnamon buns pretty easy. I usually have some sort of anxiety when it comes to making bread. I remember when I first started baking bread, I was a hot mess. I didn't understand how particular I had to be when it came to the directions and that yeast is a very sensitive matter. If the liquid is too cold, the yeast takes a long time to activate. If the liquid is too hot, the yeast can die. I have experienced both but I guess it is what has gotten me to this feeling of ease. I am so happy with the result of my cinnamon buns and I'm even happier to share my experience with you!

 Cinnamon buns before they went into the oven. If you think this looks good, just wait!

 Lookin' good, ain't it? They are missing something though...

Finished product with cream cheese icing. Cinnamon buns aren't cinnamon buns without the icing.

Lemon-y Pound Cake

I think lemon + sugar makes such a dangerously delicious combination which is why this lemon pound cake is perfect for all of you lemon lovers. I'll admit it, I am a lemon lovers but it is contingent upon using fresh lemon. If at all possible, always use fresh lemon. Using real lemons makes a world of difference when it comes to recipes that puts lemon in the lime light. I have never made a pound cake before today. Don't get me wrong, I love pound cake. I can eat Sara Lee's all butter pound cake like it's no one's business but I know my pound cake will never compare to their magical recipe. I'm alright with that but that doesn't mean I can't make a good pound cake, especially if it uses lemon! I was proud of my first pound cake.  Honestly, nothing can beat the butter taste of pound cake.

When the pound cake comes out of the oven, was not as sweet as I thought it would be. The recipe is great for those who are cutting sugar out of their diet, those who like to eat on the healthier side, or those just don't like really sweet things. The key to making the cake sweet is a lemon infused concoction by adding the sugar and lemon juice mixture and brushing it on the cake. It brings more sweetness and lemon-ness to the cake as well as making the cake moister.

Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookies (Replicates): Too Many Chocolate Chip Cookies? Never!

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most greatest inventions ever. Don't you agree? One of the reasons why it is so awesome is because it is versatile and comes in many shapes and sizes. I want to share a recipe for with you that makes these chocolate chip cookies a little different from the other ones. The main difference: cinnamon. You will see what I mean while the cookies are still in the oven. I cannot describe how simply decadent that smell is because the cinnamon aroma infuses through the entire house. It makes my mouth water and it's unfortunate because the cookies are not even done baking yet. These cookies are best straight out of the oven because they are soft, squishy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The cinnamon gives these cookies a unique character and it reminds me of cookies that I buy at a bakery. Now I can bake those bakery cookies at home!

Japanese Cheesecake

I have been dying to make this recipe because it looked so moist, fluffy, and cheescake-like when I came across it on Chrstine's Recipe blog. I didn't have time to make it when I first found the recipe but I knew the wait would be worthwhile. So, what is a Japanese cheesecake and how does it differ from the standard cheesecake? Well, Japanese cheesecake is not as sweet, rich, and dense.  Also, the texture is light and airy. I would compare it to a cross between a souffle and a sponge cake. If I can give a few words of caution, don't be deceived by the "cheesecake" name because if you have a craving for cheesecake, this is not your cake. The recipe calls for cream cheese but the cream cheese flavor doesn't come through as strong as the typical cheesecake. However, if you are looking for a cake (especially an eggy, sponge-like cake), this recipe is for you! The texture is a unique one because it's light and spongy, while being really moist. This makes the cake practically melt in your mouth like cotton candy (just not as quickly).

Overall, the directions were easy to follow and I recommend this recipe to anyone who wants to try something different. Also, this recipe requires to fold in egg whites and I was quite proud of myself in successfully whipping egg whites and folding it into the batter. A few years ago, I did not touch recipes that required whipping eggs but I'm practically fearless now. Practicing this technique is the only way to get good at this so it is definitely not an understatement! So, if you are one of those fearful egg whippers, give this recipe a try if you are interested in trying Japanese cheesecake!

I baked this with the intention of tasting like a cheesecake but with more of a cake texture. Needless to say, I was not expecting the cake that actually came out of the oven; however, my family liked the cake so I guess this recipe was a win! As for myself? I got my cheesecake fix at lunch today!

 

Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake Bars

What did I do this St. Patty's Day? I spent it in Prescott, AZ. For those of you who are not from Arizona, Prescott is a small town approximately two hours away from Phoenix. It is funny how people construe desert with Arizona and while that is true, many neglect the fact that two hours north of Phoenix is nice and "normal" weather. Yes, there are trees, real grass, and anything but 100 degree weather. Granted, there is not much to do in this town but it is cute and has its own little unique wonders. I spent the day with my friend exploring the local businesses and seeing what it had to offer. We went to a delicious brewery for lunch and a homemade ice cream shop with over 20 flavors. Aside from the food, everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Look at what you see all around the town (see image to right). Talk about feeling welcomed!

Anyways, what does Prescott have to do with chocolate fudge cheesecake bars? Well, we stumbled upon a bookstore in downtown Prescott (on Gurley Street or somewhere very close). It was this adorable and little local bookstore where one can trade, sell, or buy books. Since it was so small, they try their best to organize the books but books were coming out the shelves, literally. I don't know how the store can squeeze anymore books into that confined space but I knew there had to be treasures in this chest! Upon finding the cookbooks, I intently searched for some sort of cake book but instead found a book titled 201 Chocolate Treats. Of course I couldn't resist picking it up! As I flipped through the pages, I wondered if there were some unique chocolate creations that I don't typically see in the cookbook. I thought there were enough recipes that intrigued my curiosity to sit down and really check out the recipes. So, I ended up supporting one of the local businesses (my new fad) and purchased the book. Let's see how my $4 investment faired...from the aroma of my kitchen as I bake, it's smellin' like a good investment!