KRYNCAKE, HALF BIRTHDAY EDITION

After all, half birthdays only come once a year!

When in Paris....

As a blog connoisseur and Pinterest pro (self-proclaimed, but that's besides the point.) I know my way around a macaroon. Besides the fact that they are incredibly photogenic (exhibit a HERE.), they come in a variety of colors, which obviously is they way to a girls heart. And any good girl knows that the best Macaroons come from Paris and the best macaroons in Paris come from Laduree. So to Laduree we went!

▲▲ For future reference (hopefully this information will be handy to you or I one day!) skip the Champs-Élysées  Laduree (Don't skip Champs-Elysees! Its nice to hear some English while in Paris and that's the place to get your fix) and go to the Rue Royale shop for a bit calmer (and brighter?) macaroon experience!

▲▲ The best part about Paris was all the stupid things I did for photos! Seriously, I didn't even eat a macaroon till we got HOME, in order to make sure I had a "just right" photo. Still cracks me up, but hey! You only get Laduree once. Wink.

Can we all agree that macaroons are the prettiest? Yes? Amen. 

Exciting Muffins

 

I know, I know, An exciting muffin? HOW CAN THIS BE? You thought they were boring but ha! You thought wrong. Let me introduce you to the rock star of all muffins...(dun dun dun!)..... The double chocolate banana muffin. (!!!)

Somehow, that didn't sound as profound as I imagined it too?

But let's dive into the muffin - you'll find it's profound-ness sooner or later. My friends mom made these muffins for me once (okay, multiple times) and I've been hooked ever since. I seriously don't think a week has gone by in the past year where I have not had one of these muffins.

I just typed fuffins....I should probably just get to sharing the recipe. 

 They even contrast very well with watermelon nail polish. What a nice quality for a muffin to posses!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BANANA MUFFINS

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup baking cocoa
• 1 tspn baking soda
• ½ tspn salt
• ¼ tspn baking powder
• 1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium)
• 1/3 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
•  1 egg
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, combine bananas, oil and egg
3. Stir into dry ingredients until moistened.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Fill greased or paper-line muffin cups ¾ full.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

 Rock star, profound, exciting muffins?

Amen, Amen, Amen.

Persistence, Macaroni and Macaroons

 One time, my cousin told me I was persistent after I'd emailed her about 100 times asking for some pictures. At first I thought that was COMPLETELY rude, but now I guess I'm okay with admitting that I am a VERY persistent person.

(And when I say VERY in caps, I mean it.)

So, what's with the macaroons? Apparently, it's just something bloggers like? I'd been super persistent with Macaroons, showing my parents pictures all the time and practically having my pinterest abducted by them. Yeah, persistence is my thing. Anyway,  daddy spoiled me by getting these for me for Christmas. Unfortunately, they came early and KJ opened the box and told me I had gotten macaroons. I was still sick and I was like "Oooh, Macaroni?"

Macaroons, Macaroni. Same deal.

  And they are the most photogenic nuggets ever. If only I could be like them...

xoxo,
Miss Macaroon

PS: Have you ever tried macaroons? Raspberry Macaroons = OH MY GOODNESS = they taste amazing.

Ginger Snaps!

Okay, these are not really ginger SNAPS. They're technically called Gingerbread Softies. But the snotty 11 year old in me was pretty sure that's the most retarded name for a cookie....so they're ginger snaps.

 Gingerbread Softies
These cookies flatten and crack as they cool. The secret in keeping them soft is to remove them from the oven as soon as they are set but before they start to brown.
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup shortening*
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
l/2 tsp. cloves
l/2 tsp. salt
Cream together the sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat until thick. Add the molasses and stir until combined.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Add to creamed mixture and stir just until blended. If the dough is very soft (hot day? warm kitchen?), wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Shape into 1” balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350º for 7 – 10 minutes or just until set but before they start to brown.

And I kinda meant for this to go up before Christmas. But I kinda (no I REALLY) had the flu so, plans change!

xoxo! Hope your Christmas was a merry one!

Tradition Love

Today is about tradition, because it's the super bowl. Our family's groovy tradition for today is that us kidders get to choose a Super Bowl Snack. For the first 12 years of my life, I got little Debbie valentine cakes. I haven't gotten then for the last few years, but I am still smitten on their sweetness. This year, it's iced lemon pound cake from Starbucks. Yummers!

I like this Tradition a whole, whole lot. My other favorite is that we always listen to the big bands on trips. I think I should dedicate a day to the big bands - that would be seriously awesome.

Stop reading this and go watch some football people!!!

It's Thursday

This blog is getting pretty embarrassing. No posts - not cool. It's just that whenever I feel like writing a post, all I want to do is write all about the wonderful projects I've been doing. And as much as you love me, do you really want to know? So I'm having trouble deciding weather to suck it up and find something else (Which clearly has not been working) or break down and go crafts galore.

I usually end up breaking down. I'm not really one for self persecution.

I am so excited! Valentines day is almost here! Valentines day is super cool, because you have an excuse to wear red and pink and eat sugary things and just have a delightful day. I am busy planning and making decor for my room so it stays festive and all. Scratch that, I'm making decorations. Decor is such a stupid word. I hope I didn't offend anyone by that. It just sounds stuffy.

I was about to start writing about how sad I am that I am thwarted at every turn Vera Bradley wise, but I just found a lip gloss under my keyboard, so I'm happy again. Yes, apparently I keep lip gloss under the keyboard for just such times.

I am weird.