Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

I take for granted that growing up in the semi-south, I had the privilege of birthdays with red velvet cake.  In fact it was one of the best parts of having a birthday.  Red velvet lovin’ wasn’t relegated to my childhood, the red velvet I had on my 21st was from Magnolia Bakery in New York City, and it was so amazing that I froze it and would eat tiny slivers when the mood stuck me.

I’ve been pretty vocal about my lack of interest in sweets, but another New York City temptation was cheesecake.  Oh, Juniors and Roxy Delicatessen, why did you tempt me so?

Why the back story?  To set the stage for the ultimate combo – Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake!

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

As a home baker, I am always on the quest for the perfect vanilla cupcake recipe.  Seriously, why is it so hard to find a recipe that yields results like a silly little cupcake from the grocery store.

I found this particular recipe on the delightful site, I Heart Cuppycakes, and since it was from one of my fav local boys, Duff Goldman, I had to give it a whirl.

Bacon Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

Ever been driving along mindlessly, and before you know it – you’ve sat through an entire song that you otherwise can’t stand?  No, this isn’t a PSA against bad music, although I implore you to listen to the goods, this is a lesson in mindlessness.

It is entirely too easy to sit down with a bowl of this popcorn, mindlessly shovel it into your pie hole, and then realize you’ve eaten an entire batch.

I don’t want you getting sick – so take it easy with this stuff… please!

Orange Croissant Stuffed French Toast

Fact – this is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten for breakfast.  This statement is no way a reflection of my sweet ass cooking skills – rather an illustration of the fact that you MUST make this.

Oreo Truffles

Attention ladies and gents – Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and you are about to be given the tools for a delectable sweet that will have your sweet thinking you are:  a. thoughtful  b. a great cook  and c. not at all concerned with the size of their ass!

Ale & Pretzel Salted Caramels

Eat local.  Shop local.  Put your money down locally.

I preach another kind of local… beer!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Filling

It’s the beginning of December and I’ve already purchased enough cans of Libby’s Pumpkin to support them until next November.  Seriously, if I could throw pumpkin into everything during this time of year I would.

Captain Morgan v. Cap’n Crunch Overnight French Toast

“That’s just crazy enough to work!” A dear friend busts out this comment when things seem utterly ridiculous -  I adore it and it could not apply more than in the case of this recipe.

Captain Morgan and Cap’n Crunch in French toast?  Get out!  I tell you friends, this is sublime!

Double Chocolate Cupcakes

The beauty of my life as a novice baker lies partly in the fact that I don’t like sweets.  Don’t get me wrong – I love baking them,  smelling them, working with them and sharing them… my taste buds just prefer the savory side.

Trust me, this is a good thing.  My list of food/beverage related vices is long enough that sparing me of sweet related calories is a God-send.  Now when I start making my own cheese, beer and bread – we’ll be in trouble… “we” being my waist-line.

Lemon Drop Cake

Every now and then us novice cooks and bakers get ballsy in the kitchen (at least we should be gettin ballsy) – sometimes the results are tremendous and other times, disastrous.  As in life, in the kitchen it’s important to step out of your comfort zone, take a leap of faith and just go for it.

For me, my comfort zone is definitely in the cupcake, cookie zone, so when I snatched the amazing Baked: New Frontiers In Baking and drooled after some big boy cakes – I decided to step it up.