Make it Monday

Well, it is another wonderful week of "Make it Monday." However, I have to warn you that I didn't exactly complete a recipe. I need YOUR help.

I attempted to make Meringues. Have you ever made them? Well, I thought it would be pretty simple but apparently it didn't work out the way I liked. So, if you are up to the challenge, here is the recipe:

4 egg whites

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)

1 cup whipped cream (optional)

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 large cookie sheets.

With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and salt in a very clean metal bowl on low speed. When they start to form soft peaks, add half the sugar and continue beating until the mixture holds stiff peaks.

With a metal spoon, fold in the remaining sugar and vanilla or almond extrac, if using.

Pipe the meringue mixture or gently spoon it on the prepared sheet.

Bake for 2 hours. Turn off the oven. Loosen the meringues, invert, and set in another place on the sheets to prevent sticking. Leave in the oven as it cools. Serve sandwiched with whipped cream, if desired.

So....I basically did the first few steps but the mixture didn't look white. I'm not sure what I did. It probably has to do with the egg whites.

So, please oh please try this recipe and tell me what I did wrong. Thanks and have a fantastic day.

Make it Monday

I'm only a day late in posting "Make it Monday." Life is a little crazy since we are going on vacation. Wahoo!

So, I made some chocolate bears for Eli's "bear" birthday party. I also made some coffee cake from a box for Adrian and I to eat. Yum! The bears were pretty easy. Our microwave doesn't work so I melted the chocolate in a pan. Then I used a tablespoon to fill the bear tray. Next, I stuck the tray in the fridge and waited about 30 minutes. The bears came out perfectly. It was super easy to take the molds out of the tray. I also used my sister's tray. Since it only had six, I decided to get another bear mold from Hobby Lobby. It was only $1.99 if you are interested in making chocolate animals. Plus, if you are on their email list you can get an additional 40% off. Happy late Monday!

Make it Monday

Today for "Make it Monday," I decided to tell you what I made for the 4th of July. I actually made a few of these cute clips a year ago. However, since I pretty much ate ALL of the cookies from last week...I need a break from snacking.

So, first I went to one of my favorite blogs called, "Make it and Love it" found {HERE}. I bought some red felt, clips and found some felt stars already cut out. Then I followed Ashley's instructions and went to work. These clips are fairly easy to make and they sure make your little one look beautiful. If you would rather buy them from me, check out my Etsy store found {HERE}. There are three different clips all for $4.50. Thanks and have a wonderful Monday.

Isn't Claire adorable?

Also, if you have made the Chocolate Crumb bars found {HERE} I apologize. I made a mistake on the temperature. It should be 350 not 300 degrees. Hopefully, you didn't make them. Thanks.

Make it Monday

Today for Make it Monday, I decided to make coconut macroons found {HERE} and Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies. Yummy! The macroons are for the ward's BBQ tomorrow and since I had the cooking supplies, I thought it would be perfect. It was actually a spur of the moment decision at the store. I saw the Andes chips and thought...Yum. What excuse do I have to buy them? Well, I could always see if there is a recipe on the back? So I got the recipe from the back of the package. I'm sure if you just look for the chips, you won't have to come back to my blog to make them. Here is the recipe just in case you desire to make them...

1/2 cup salted butter-softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 package of Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Blend butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed. Stir in Andes Baking chips and then flour. Chill approximately one hour in refrigerator. Measure out approximately 1 oz of dough. Form ball and slightly flatten. Raise oven rack one level above middle and bake on non-stick baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8-10 minutes. Cool on pans for two minutes before removing.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Make it Monday

Today, I decided to make Coconut Macarrons. I've made them before but haven't had them for awhile. Normally, I recommend doubling the recipe so you don't waste the sweetened condensed milk but I ran out of coconut so I stuck with the regular recipe. Here it is...Enjoy!

Makes 24

1/3 cup flour

1/8 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups shredded coconut

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (14oz can if doubling)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 cookie sheets.

2-Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Stir in the coconut.

3-Pour in the milk. Add the vanilla and stir from the center to make a very thick batter.

4-Drop heaped tablespoonfuls of batter 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. (I do 10-13 minutes). Cool on a rack.

Let me know how it tastes. Till next time...

Make it Monday

Okay so I didn't forget to do something for "Make it Monday." Life gets crazy plus I had a headache and wasn't feeling too great. I decided to try out some cupcakes from my brand new book-Hello, Cupcake. The cupcakes were pretty tasty. I also tried out two different frostings-cream cheese and chocolate. The cream cheese frosting didn't really go with the chocolate cupcakes so that is why I'm late in writing this blog. But, I'm sure you all understand. Anyway, here is the recipes.

Perfect Cake-mix cupcakes

1 box (18.25 oz) cake mix (French vanilla, devil's food, or yellow)

1 cup buttermilk

vegetable oil (the amount on the box)

4 large eggs (in place of the number called for on the box)

1-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2-Follow the box instructions, putting all the ingredients in a large bowl and using the buttermilk in place of the water specified (the box will call for more water than the amount of buttermilk that you are using), using the amount of vegetable oil that is called for (typically, white or yellow cakes call for 1/3 cup; the chocolate cakes usually call for 1/2 cup), and adding the eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and beat until thick, 2 minutes longer.

3-Spoon half of the batter into a ziplock bag. Snip a 1/4 inch corner from the bag and fill the paper liners two-thirds full. Repeat with the remaining batter. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the baking pans, place on a wire rack, and allow to cool completely.

Chocolate frosting

1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 box (16 oz) confectioners' sugar

1/3-1/2 cup milk

1-Combine the butter and the chocolate in a small saucepan. Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer.

2-Add the confectioners' sugar alternately with the milk, adding more milk, if necessary, to thin, and beat until fluffy and smooth.

Let me know how it is. Thanks. Until next time...

Make it Monday

This week for "Make it Monday," I decided to show off my knitting talent. Elijah's first birthday is coming up in July so I'm getting prepared. I made a cute banner with his name on it. Of course, his party will be red, blue and white (not because his birthday is a day after July 4th). The theme of his party will be teddy bears. I bought some bear plates, cups, etc and the colors were red, white and blue so that is the main reason for my color decision. Anyway, I had to make a total of 12 triangles since I had to make two per letter. Then I learned how to do a basic single crochet stitch for the letters and poof...done. It did take me awhile. But, it is finally done.

Since I'm throwing my friend Melissa a baby shower this weekend, I'm in the process of making another banner. I'm only doing eight this time to spell out BABY. I'll show you pictures of the shower next week. Let me know what you think. I love to read your comments! Till next time...