October Bakin' Friends and Happy Halloween!

I was really happy when this month's Bakin' Friends ingredient was revealed to be candy corn! I love that sweet sugary stuff!  I mailed out these homemade Butterfinger and received these delicious sugar cookies from reader Aisha.  I had no idea, but Aisha is expecting a brand new baby in January!!  I loved these sugar cookies!  Each one was garnished with a piece of candy corn!  She used raw turbinado sugar which I think really added that something extra to these cookies.  I have never used it before, but I'm looking forward to trying it!  I wish I had more of these cookies now, but they didn't last long around here!  If you would love to bake and receive some tasty goodies each month head on over to Steph's blog to sign up...it is so easy and worth it!

Are you all dressing up for Halloween?  We always have fun with it at our house. At our old house we never had trick or treaters!  I'm hoping that we'll have lots in our new house..otherwise I'll have a lot of little candy bars to eat!   For the past few years we've been having some of my childhood friends over for a Halloween dinner. We all dress up and stuff ourselves with delicious food.  To honor my love of sweets I decided we should dress up as donuts!  Pretty easy to do with an inner tube and some spray paint...and a husband who is a pro at spray painting.  I made P's costume with a floral wreath and some foam.  She HATED it!  Would not put it on!  We'll see if she'll wear it tonight!  We have a block party with our neighbors and then we'll be celebrating with our family tradition of a jack-o-lantern pizza from Papa Murphy's!  Candy for dessert of course!   Whatever you do, I hope it's fun!

Halloween 2012: Baby Flashdance!

Halloween 2013: Irritated with her mommy!

Chocolate Zucchini Mini Loaves

This bread is not an attempt to get you to secretly eat your vegetables.  It's loaded with chocolate and chocolate chips. The zucchini absolutely does not affect the chocolatey flavor, but it does enhance the texture.  These mini loaves with very moist and the bread was tender.  Close your eyes and you will have no idea you are eating chocolate bread with green bits.

Zucchini was the secret ingredient for this month's Bakin' Friends.  I really wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.  My first thought was bread, but I didn't want to do basic zucchini bread.  Then I saw all these crazy people pairing chocolate with zucchini and I decided to join the ranks.  I figured a million people on the Internet couldn't be wrong.

These people weren't wrong.  Chocolate and zucchini can really make a tasty loaf of bread.   For fun I ended up making 4 mini loaves of bread...who can resist something mini sized?!  I know a lot of people get tons of zucchini from friends in the summer and if you're looking for a new recipe to try, I think this is a winner.

Chocolate Zucchini Mini Loaves

1 and 1/2 cup sugar

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon vanilla

4 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chocolate chips (I used milk)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray loaf pans with cooking spray.

In large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

In a smaller bowl whisk together eggs, oil and vanilla.  Add to dry ingredients and stir till just combined, dough will be stiff.

Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips.

Transfer batter to prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

These mini loaves are perfect for sharing.  I definitely recommend trying a zucchini and chocolate recipe at least once...and then get right back to the pure chocolate.

Blondies with Pretzel M&Ms and Pretzel pieces

Yep, sweet and salty combo.  Are you a salty or sweet person? I am 100% a sweet person.  Oh I love salt don't get me wrong, but I can not pass up a sweet treat.  If I have to choose between potato chips and a cookie, I'll choose a cookie....after the potato chips.

I made these blondies for my Bakin' Friend last month.  Our secret ingredient was pretzels.  I love a little hint of salt in my sweet treats.  I doubled it up with pretzel pieces and pretzel M&Ms.

For the blondie base, I used the same recipe as these peanut butter blondies, which I also made with M&Ms.  I didn't use peanut butter in this pretzel batch.  Hmmmm...what was I thinking?!?!  Peanut butter would have been a nice addition, not necessary, but definitely an added bonus.  Who doesn't love peanut butter and pretzels?!  I love this blondie base.  It is such an easy recipe and you can change it up however you like: different candy, chocolate chips, whatever makes you happy that day.

Blondies with Pretzel M&Ms and Pretzel pieces

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 and 1/2 cup pretzel M&Ms

1 heaping cup pretzel pieces, measured, then crushed

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Remove from heat and add brown sugar.  Set aside to cool.

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  

Stir eggs and vanilla into the butter mixture.   Slowly fold in dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, careful not to overmix.  Fold in M&Ms and pretzel pieces.  Spread evenly in prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

This is sure to satisfy all of those salty and sweet cravings.  Add in that peanut butter and you can't lose!

August Bakin' Friends

Bakin' Friends time!  Lucky me, I was spoiled by sweet Miranda again!  This is the second time she has sent me goodies!  This month our secret ingredient was pretzels! Pretzels are such a great addition to sweet treats! Who doesn't love that sweet and salty combo?

Miranda sent me some tasty soft pretzels topped with cinnamon.  I didn't save any to 

share!

No need to worry though.  You can sign up for Bakin' Friends and receive (and send) your very own treats!  It is so worth it. I'll be sharing the recipe for what I made shortly!  Thanks again Miranda!

July Bakin' Friends

This is a special Bakin' Friends month!! One year ago the group was formed!  I have so much fun eating, baking, and sharing with this group each month.  Any guesses as to what our secret ingredient was for July?  That one special thing that makes all treats that much more special....sprinkles!  I think we should do this ingredient every month!  

I received so many different treats from Marcia this month.  I think about 4 different things! Some biscotti, cookies, but my favorite thing was.....

These giant sprinkle covered marshmallow pops!  I would love to make these for a party.  Definitely a big hit.  If you're still wondering if you should sign up for Bakin' Friends, just go ahead and do it! You don't have to be a blogger, just someone who enjoys baking!  I have "met" some of the nicest people and I look forward to it every month!  Thanks to Stephanie who runs the whole show.  I don't know how she manages it with her new little baby at home!  Looking forward to next month!

June Bakin' Friends

Happy times! This month for Bakin' Friends our secret ingredient was caramel!  Definitely one of my favorite treats. Actually, a favorite treat in our house!  I was very lucky to receive treats from Miranda!   Check out what she sent me....

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats!  Rice Krispie Treats are one of my favorite things to indulge in.  When I say indulge, I mean it because I definitely can't stop at just one...or five.  Adding caramel and a little sea salt? I'm in trouble!  Clearly Miranda knows the way to my heart!

If this doesn't convince you to sign up for Bakin' Friends I really don't know what will!  You don't have to have a blog to participate.  Not only have I enjoyed some great treats, but have met some really fun bakers just like Miranda! Thanks for the tasty treats!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

We have been having some amazing weather here in Seattle!  80 degree temperatures in May?? That's pretty shocking for us here.  These cookies go perfectly with this summer-type weather we have been having. Citrus treats are just summery treats to me.  Not to say I wouldn't eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies in the summer, I just make a little extra room for citrus. 

I made these cookies for my Bakin' Friend last month.  These cookies have a great lemon flavor and are dusted with powdered sugar for that little extra sweetness.  This is a cookie where you could be in danger of eating the whole batch.   They are light, sweet, and just the perfect little treat.  I imagine eating a lot of these this summer...I think you will too!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

from Lauren's Latest

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Prepare baking sheet with cooking spray or parchment paper.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice.  Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again until all ingredients are combined.  Add in all dry ingredients except the powdered sugar and mix slightly more. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate.  Grab a heaping teaspoon of dough, roll into a ball, and roll in powdered sugar.  Repeat with all remaining dough.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until dough is set.  Allow to cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to cooling rack to completely cool.

Think you can commit to these cookies this summer?  You won't be sorry.  They'd be perfect to bring to all those summer parties you'll be attending.  They'll definitely get you some invitations to come back.

April Bakin' Friends

Yes....I received all that from my Bakin' Friend this month!  The secret ingredient was lemon, and I received not one, but three different lemon treats!  Valerie totally spoiled me! This month was really fun because Valerie sent treats to me, and I mailed treats to her! However, I only mailed her some lemon cookies!!  Note to self...do more baking next time!

Valerie sent me lemon fudge.  This was so light and flavorful.  It reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I tried several pieces trying to figure that out.

Lemon zucchini bread with lemon glaze.  The glaze was my favorite part.

Chex Lemon Buddies.  Look how she packaged these in adorable little bowls!  I can't wait to use these for ice cream!

This was such a fun month!  As soon as I opened this box I had to smile.  Valerie added so many fun things to her delicious treats.  I really appreciated all the extra effort she went to!  If you haven't signed up for Bakin' Friends yet, you should go ahead and do that now.  You never know what you might receive!

March Bakin' Friends

Already time for another Bakin' Friends reveal!  Lucky me, spoiled again!   This month, the required ingredient was something green.  Dawn, from Butter and Sprinkles sent me the most amazing Congo Bars.  I have been meaning to make Congo Bars for such a long time, but Dawn did all the hard work for me.   Just so you know, Congo Bars have an entire pound of brown sugar....yes, pound.  

These bars had mint chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallow bits.  The great thing is you can toss in just about anything you like!  I'm thinking I'll have to make some with leftover Easter candy (yeah, I know I won't have any leftover Easter candy).  Dawn?  Send me another batch?

Better get going and sign up for Bakin' Friends yourself.  Thanks to Steph for coordinating again. It just so happens today is her baby's due date!  Keeping my fingers crossed for her for a great delivery!   Can't wait to see what I receive next month...maybe something from you??

February Bakin' Friends

One of my favorite posts of the month....Bakin' Friends!  Nothing better than receiving a box of treats in the mail.  When I received this box from reader Desiree, I was thrilled.  February's ingredient was dark chocolate and she used the chocolate in some perfect brownies.  Dark Chocolate Caramel Brownies with Salted Peanuts to be precise.  I can't think of anything else you need in a brownie.  

Desiree told me that her husband said these should be called Snickers brownies, and he is totally right.  These brownies completely reminded me of a Snickers bar.  The sweetness of the caramel balanced out the richness of the chocolate, and then a nice little salty crunch from the peanuts.  I think they would be even more  delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.   Thanks so much Desiree!  I sent some Dark Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt to Annie, of What's Annie Making.  I'll share the recipe soon.

If you're still waiting to sign up for Bakin' Friends, you should go ahead and do it now.  You could be lucky enough to receive a box of brownies just like I did.  Each month has been full of delicious goodies right on my door step...I'm sure you would like some too.

January Bakin' Friends

Time for our monthly Bakin' Friends reveal.  I received some treats from one of my favorite blogging friends, Erin, who writes the delicious blog The Spiffy Cookie.  I was really excited to see that I would be receiving goodies from Erin.  She makes some of the tastiest treats you can imagine.  When I was busy with a newborn baby P, she shared this oh-so-fabulous guest post for Banana Peanut Butter Bread Pudding.  Do you see why I was happy to be her Bakin' Friend this month?  I couldn't wait to see how she would use this month's ingredient: applesauce!

She mailed me 2 mini loaves of almond applesauce bread..oh, with toffee bits.  This tasty package was sitting on my front porch when I returned home from a run.  I tore it open and ate half the loaf.  Hey, it was a mini-loaf!  Perfect treat after a workout.  I really loved the almonds, they added such great flavor.  To protect myself, I threw the other loaf in the freezer.  Thank you Erin for the great bread.  You can mail me treats from your kitchen anytime..I hope to return the favor soon!

I sent some oatmeal blueberry applesauce muffins to reader Tami.  She actually lives not far from me here in Washington!  Fun meeting new people!  If you would like to receive treats and inhale them like me, check out Stephanie's blog.  It's really not a tough decision...you can thank me later.

December Bakin' Friends

Another delicious treat arrived on my doorstep this month! Thanks to my involvement in Bakin' Friends, I got to enjoy these tasty peppermint chocolate cookies.  I had sent cookies to Anne last month, and she spoiled me for December.

These cookies were made with a cake mix!  I never would have guessed!  The flavor was nice and chocolatey, with a peppermint kick.  I will definitely use Anne's recipe to try a few different variations of this cookie.  I'm thinking peanut butter chips? M&Ms?  I have a feeling either will be delicious!  Thanks Anne for this tasty holiday cookie.

I keep telling you to sign up for Bakin Friends!!  Can't you see why?  Chocolate cookies!!

Make it a goal for 2013...you won't regret it!

November Bakin' Friends

I'm sorry but what's not to love about receiving a box of goodies on your door step??  That's why I continue to participate in Bakin' Friends.  Also, I get to "meet" new people, bloggers, and readers.  

This month's treat was another delight!  Elizabeth sent me these mouth-watering oatmeal-cranberry cookies. She found the recipe in her Southern Living Holiday Cookbook. I tried to control myself, but I couldn't eat just one.  They were so tasty and buttery, with a nice white chocolate glaze.  I"m definitely going to be adding these to my cookie rotation.  Thanks Elizabeth!

Have you been considering signing up for Bakin' Friends? Do it today! You don't have to be a blogger, just a sweets lover! It's so fun and maybe we'll end up exchanging cookies!

October Bakin' Friends

This is my third month participating in Bakin' Friends!!  I look forward to it every month!  The secret ingredient for this month, should be no surprise, pumpkin!   Everyone loves pumpkin at this time of year.  I sent some pumpkin granola bars to reader Abby.  I'll share the recipe soon.  Check out what I received....

Pumpkin Black and White cookies from Rachel at Studio Cuisine.  I have seen this infamous cookies, but never had one.  How fun that Rachel added this month's secret ingredient!!    There was a yummy chocolate glaze and a delicious cinnamon glaze.  These little treats were so soft and tasty.

I am embarrassed to say I shoved about 50 of these in my face...at once.  The pumpkin just made it delicious, so flavorful.  Rachel said the original cookie is one of her favorites and I'll be adding this to my list of favorite cookies.  Thanks Rachel!

If you love baking and eating...sign up for Bakin' Friends! Each month I can't wait to see what the secret ingredient is and get to baking....and eating!

September Bakin' Friends

This is my second month participating in the fun baking exchange Bakin' Friends.  Just in time for fall, this month's secret ingredient was....cinnamon!  I was pretty excited to be paired up with the Bakin' Friends creator, Steph! She is a busy blogger who is also a soon-to-be mommy, so I guess a soon-to-be even busier blogger!  I sent her some cookie butter blondies and I'll be sharing the recipe soon! But, you won't believe what I received..

Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls!  I have always wanted to make cinnamon rolls!  Thanks to my Bakin' Friend Milo, I might finally have the motivation!  

Milo got this recipe from the blog Bakingdom, which is also one of my favorites.

These rolls were perfect!  Great cinnamon flavor and I can only imagine what they taste like hot and fresh from the oven!  Milo said that during baking they would make my house "smell divine!"  I would love that!  Thanks for giving me the push to finally try to make my own cinnamon rolls!

Would you like something like this delivered to your front door? Then sign up for Bakin' Friends!  I've really enjoyed it! Thanks for a great treat Milo!