My latest purchase

I've been making a lot of my favorite cocoa-nib brownies recently and besides the nibs the secret ingredient is really great cocoa. I've been buying Valrhona cocoa by the pound from Surfa's (amazing, amazing store, btw - I hope to visit in person soon!) but it wasn't pricing out to buy a pound at a time. Long story short - the other day Mr. UPS man dropped off a 3 kilo box! Did a lot of online research and ended up ordering from Chocosphere - great price, reasonable shipping. I just want to stare at it all day!

Valentine's Cookies

Valentine's Cookies
Originally uploaded by the schneider clan

I knew I forgot something! I've been working at a local bakery/sandwich shop very part-part-part time (like 5 hours a month), and last time I was there I was on cookie duty. I loved the way these turned out!



PS - I forgot to bring my camera the day I made the cookies, so Doug went back the next day to take these. Thanks, Dougie!

Emma's swirl cupcakes

Emma's swirl cupcakes
Originally uploaded by the schneider clan

I feel as if I haven't baked in a long time! I got a call last week to make two dozen rainbow swirled cupcakes for Emma's birthday. Very specific, wanted vanilla cake with a whipped ganache filling. I always throw in an extra big one for the birthday girl!

P.S. - how obvious is it that Doug didn't take these photos???

I'm a finalist!

Just heard that I'm one of the finalists in the baking contest I entered. The pessimist in me is thinking that they only had a couple entries to choose from, but who cares!!! I'm a finalist. Woo hoo! Check out the prizes. Sarah R. just gave up coffee but said that if I win something she'd come over an have a cup with me!

Recipe contest

Brownies and coffee
Originally uploaded by the schneider clan

I entered TheKitchn's bittersweet recipe contest this week - made the brownie recipe off the back of the King Arthur Flour bag but added cocoa nibs - my new favorite ingredient. More photos can be found here.