Baking Basics List

If you’re in the eastern part of the United States right now, then you know its raining like monsoon season in Asia. Since I can’t go outside to chop wood or reseed the lawn (like I’d do that anyway), I’m inside doing some planning and prepping for when I finally move out and get my own place!

I’m focusing on the kitchen and making a list of things I’ll be needing. From utensils and sauce pans to basic mixing bowls, I’ll be buying out all of Williams Sonoma! Given my budget though, it might be more like the housewares section of Target. After looking through my list, I’m noticing a trend: I really only care about buying baking supplies. Quite honestly, I don’t care if I have the supplies needed to steam veggies or grill a steak because neither of those things I’ll ever be doing anyway.

I found a fabulous company called Sur la Table and they specialize in cookware. Their selection of baking products is awesome though! Here are nine things every girl needs in her kitchen.

1. Very basic, a stand mixer. My mom got one for Christmas a few years ago and it has been loved and used ever since.
2. Measuring cups and spoons. Do I need to explain this one?
3. For the messy baker, an apron. Sur la Table has plenty of adorable ones to choose from!
4. Simply because they look so cute, a tart pan!
5. I love a cute cupcake so these cupcake liners are a must for every cupcake connoisseur.
6. Tea towels. I literally can’t buy enough of them, partly because our chocolate lab loves to steal them and run around the house.
7. Cookie cutters! Seriously, sugar cookies are for all year round.
8. For the love of all things pretty and Paris themed, a cute spatula. It’s a basic for baking right?
9. A cake stand. There’s nothing more adorable than a pretty pastry sitting in a glass display.

What’s on your baking basics list? Leave a comment!

Favorite Ornaments for Your Tree

Oh my goodness, where has the time gone? Last I checked it was the day before Thanksgiving and now it’s Saturday. I’ve been so busy with festivities and work that I really haven’t taken the time to respond to your comments or write. Oops. Sorry, life got in the way.

You’ll be surprised to know that after my wonderful Thanksgiving meal and wonderful pie, I did not partake in any pre-Black Friday adventures or even any actual Black Friday adventures. That’s right, I didn’t shop at all. While I feel a little bent out of shape about it, I can honestly say it feels good to save my money for things that I actually will need. It about killed me to watch my Instagram feed blow up with everyone’s fabulous finds. I really pouted after seeing one blogger’s splurge at Kate Spade and a few other stores. Oh well, maybe next year?

Christmas Tree Ornaments!

For many of us, Christmas decorating is well underway. While my tree has yet to go up, I found the perfect tree for myself at Target! It’s a 4 foot pre-lit white tree that literally sparkles! I decided that a tree like this has to have cute ornaments. I found adorable “food” themed ornaments at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland online. These ornaments range from $5-$15 and they’re all made of glass. Here are the one’s that I’m wanting on my tree!

What’s your favorite? Let me know!

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (with a twist)

Sugar and Spice by oceangirl15 featuring white cake stands

I hate to cook but I love to bake! Recently, I made some lovely chocolate chip cookies with some added surprises mixed in to give it more flavor (and calories). I call them “Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies.” They were a big hit with my family and I was so proud of myself because nothing burned! Here’s the recipe!

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; let it sit out for easier mixing
• 1/4 cup and 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup and 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup stick pretzels, broken into smaller pieces
• 1/2 cup caramel bits (I’ll explain later why this didn’t work as well as I had hoped)
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

First, in a mixing bowl combine all wet ingredients with the sugars. Mix until well combined.

Second, add dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda) to the wet ingredients. Mix well. 

Third, fold pretzels, chocolate chips, and the optional caramel bits into the mixture. I found that the caramel was too thick to fold in and ended up spilling out of the cookie and burning as it was baking. My suggestions is to use butterscotch chips instead!

Fourth, place  the cookies on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper so they won’t stick. Put the cookies in the oven at 350 degrees for 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro tip: Flatten cookies with a spatula so they won’t bake into clumpy messes.

Normally, I would give you all a photo of the finished product but they were all eaten before I snapped a picture!

Tell me what you guys think of this cookie recipe or any other cookies recipes you’ve tried lately!