Layered cake with eggless choc. chip cookie filling

Oh my goodness you will just die over this cake!!!  I have taken ideas from many different recipes and made my own and I am in heaven!!  I have made this cake to enter a dessert contest at my husbands work.....so look out people here I come!  I am also making the thin mint truffles and woopie pies which I will share with you on another day.  But let us begin with our cake:
Steps of assembly:
I baked two 9" circle cakes, one yellow and one chocolate.  When I stacked them I placed the choc. on bottom filled the middle with an eggless choc. chip cookie dough and topped with the yellow cake.  Once chilled for about 30mins, I poured a homemade choc. ganache over the whole cake.  I let that chill for a couple hours also.  The last step was to add the frosting and sliced almonds.

first step layering

second step choc. ganache

Recipes:
              Cake make any cake recipe that you love.
              Choc. chip cookie dough filling:
Ingredients
     Frosting base:
1 3/4 cups confectioners sugar                    1/2 cup butter, chilled
1/8 teaspoon salt                                          1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk                                         eggless cookie dough
     Eggless Cookie dough:
1/4 cup butter, softened                                1/4 cup brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons
2 teaspoons water                                         1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup flour                                                 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup mini choc.chips
Instructions
      Eggless cookie dough:
Cream the butter and brown sugar in a small bowl. Add water and vanilla and mix well. Add flour and salt and stir to combine. Stir in mini choc. chips.
       Frosting:
1.  Use an electic mixer to make this step. Combine 1 1/4 cup of confectioner sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla.  Scrape the sides when needed.
2.  Add milk and continue mixing until well combined,  add remaining 1/2 powdered sugar and mix well.
3.  Fold in the eggless cookie dough.  Add to your cake!!!

               Homemade Ganache:
Ingredients
    1 1/2 cups heavy cream
    3 tablespoons light corn syrup
    1 bag (10oz) dark choc. chips
Instructions
  1.  Combine the cream and corn syrup ina medium saucepan.  Bring the mixture just to a boil.  Remove from the heat and stir in the choc. chips.  Cover and let stand for 5 mins.
  2.  Remove lid and stir mixture until smooth. Let the ganache to cool for about 15 mins.  Stir again.
  3.  Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet with edges.  Place layered cake in the middle of rack.  Pour ganache over the whole cake. You will want to keep the drippings of the choc. to help make your frosting.

             Homemade Choc. frosting:
Ingredients
    6 tablespoons butter softed
    1 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
    3/4 cup choc. ganache drippings
Instructions
1.  Cream the butter until smooth.  Add the sugar and mix well.
2.  Add the choc. ganache and fold together until smooth.  Taste and add more choc. if not chocolately enough for you.  Or add more powder sugar if not thick enough.

Wow, lots of steps but you will not be sorry you took the time.  Your friends and family will also thank you!!  :)



         

Lets talk cupcakes :)

I love to make and  design cupcakes!!!  I am so over the plain cupcakes you find out there, they are so boring.  I love to make cupcakes, fill them with yummy goodness, and then top with a crazy, fun design.  I enjoy making whole cakes but just not as much as cupcakes.  The idea of a small cake I can eat all by myself is just so much more enjoyable then a slice of something bigger. My husband works with someone who's motto with food is, "I DON'T SHARE FOOD!"  This is how I feel about dessert but would never voice it in person.  Any dessert that is small and just for one is my kind of dessert.

Do not be afraid of being creative with cupcakes. I will confess that I use box cake most of the time. This is my way to make sure the cake will come out moist. But I have been playing around with making them from scratch now. I truly believe if they look fabulous and taste extremely yummy then who cares if its boxed or made from scratch. So do not be afraid and get baking. If you need help with ideas for creative designs then look for some online or even the cupcake books out there. You may also take some of my creations as your own to get you started in your quest into being a creative designer.

Chicken dinner

Thanksgiving turkeys

Friendly Pandas

Happy Valentines Day

Grow a garden

Spaghetti and meatballs

Happy feet

Pie Anyone?

A shower of Babies

Why Goodies by Design.....

I chose this name because I love to bake and make goodies. They are each made by myself before I share them on here.  Just as each treat is designed by me, we are all designed by God Almighty.  Ps. 100:3 tells us that "it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;"  Of course food cannot make itself and we did not just become with a Big bang.   A creator had to design all of the beauty in our world. (Gen 1)  
I want to start making treats not to just add pounds to my hips but also to be a blessing to others.  I will be holding bake sells off and on to raise money for families is great need.  But also if you really want to send a special care box to a love one or a solider, please email me and we can talk about your special request. I have a list of goodies I make and would love to share it with you.  Email me at curlysue01@juno.com
Thank you so much.

Yummy Granola

Well, I have a fun and mostly healthy snack to share with you.  The first time I made this granola I gave a bag to my Mother-in-law and she just loved it.  My hubby and I will not eat yogurt without it now because it is so good.  My sister-in-law's father loved the granola that he has been playing around with it and has come up with some really good variations.   So I really hope you enjoy this recipe and learn to add your own spin to it the more you make it.

What you will need for the base of your Granola:
              1.  4 cup Quaker oats                            5.  1/2 tsp sea salt
              2.  1 cup sunflower seeds                     6.  1 cup warm honey
              3.  1 cup sliced almonds                       7.  1/4 cup olive oil
              4.  1 tsp cinnamon                               

Directions:
             1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees, spray oil on a large cookie sheet with edges
             2.  Warm the cup of honey for 15 secs, mix warm honey and olive oil in a small bowl
             3.  Mix well all the dry goods in a large bowl.   Pour in honey/oil mixture and mix till coated well
             4.  Pour onto the cookie sheet and spread out evenly
             5.  Bake for twenty minutes or until oats are turning a light brown
             6.  Let cool and break up for granola bits.

TIP:  If you want to add dry fruit like I have in the picture, add them after the granola has been baked.  If you would like to add Peanut butter: warm up till runny and add when you add the honey/oil mixture.  There are so many things you can do to personalize your granola. Just have fun and eat healthier.  :)

Easter treats

It is that time again to think about Easter and what kind of fun treats to have for the party you are throwing for the kids or just for you.  I have been thinking about what to share with you and it was a toss up between pie or a fun sweet treat.....So I am going with the sweet treat and will introduce the pie another time. 
My mom introduced me to this treat, she found it on the blog called the Novice chef.  This lady has many great ideas and I recommend that you check out her blog also.  She has many more things and not only sweets. 
The Fruity Pebble Pop:

The Fruity Pebble Pop is just a fancy rice crispy treat on a stick.  Here is what you will need:

                 1.  3 cups Fruity Pebbles

                 2.  3 cups rice crispy treats   (tip:  You can do all 6 cups fruity pebbles but I like a little less sugar so I do half and half.)

                 3.  4 tablespoons butter

                 5.  10 oz of mini marshmallows

                 6.  Popsicle sticks (or I used sticks for cookie pops found at most craft stores)

                 7.  White or milk chocolate for dipping

Directions:

                 1.  Grease the bottom of a cookie sheet with edges
                 2.  Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. When melted, add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
                 3.  Add melted marshmallow goodness to the cereal and mix well.  (tip: I grease my spatula to help the gooey goodness from sticking)
                 4.  Pour contents onto cookie sheet and spread evenly. (tip: to get an even layer use your hands to press down)
                 5.  When cooled, cut into rectangles and insert Popsicle stick. (tip:  I dip the stick in the melted choc. before inserting, I found this helps make it a bit stronger.)
                 6.  Heat chocolate in a microwave safe bowl at half power at 30 second intervals, until fully melted. Dip top into white chocolate and sprinkle with extra fruity pebbles if you wish!
                 7.  Will keep for 3 days in an air tight container.

Happy Easter to all of you and remember that Christ is Risen!!

St. Patty's Day

Ok tomorrow is St. Patty's Day so as we wear green (or orange like my Hubby) we should also make treats that follow the color theme. Here are some Thin Mint Truffles.

They are so easy to make and everyone will love them!!!  Here is what you will need in order to make them:    1.  A box of girl scout thin mint cookies

                       2.  One block of cream cheese (at room temp.)

                       3.  White chocolate (either chips or melting choc.)

                       4.   Green food coloring (make sure it is for choc.)

The Steps:

1.  Grind up all cookies in a food processor or smash in a plastic bag, until the cookies are a fine crumble no chunks.  (tip: when smashing in a bag I find that putting a towel under and on top of the bag will help to keep the bag from getting holes.)

2.  In a med. bowl mix cookie crumble with cream cheese until nice and smooth.

3.  Make one inch balls out of the cookie/cream cheese mixture, and place on a cookie sheet with wax paper on top.  Place filled cookie sheet in fridge for about thirty minutes  Balls should be nice and hard once chilled.

4.  Milt half of your white chocolate ( I add also a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil which makes a glossy coat when dried) in a microwave bowl for 30 seconds, then stir.  Heat again for 15 seconds and the choc. should be all melted.  Add Green coloring and mix well.  (tip:  I found out the hard way that normal food coloring does not work with melted choc.  You have to buy Wilton's coloring for choc.  You can find this in most craft stores)

5.  Empty cookie sheet of balls so that you can replace them with the choc. covered ones. :)

6.  Drop one ball into the green choc. and roll around.  Lift out with a fork (or tools that you can find in most craft stores) and let the excess drop off.  Place on wax paper to dry.

7.  Once all the balls have been covered in Choc. Melt the rest of the White Choc. same as before just do not add coloring.  Using a Knife tip, dip into the choc. and crate a design on top of your balls.

8. Place in the fridge once again for ten minutes.

9.  Serve to all your Family and friends!!!!  They are so so yummy!! 

     (Tip:  You can also use Oreo cookies or any hard shelled cookies in place of the thin mints.)

A stay at home mom:

Hello,
Welcome to my blog.  I needed a way to talk about my love of baking and creating fun desserts.  I am not educated in pastry or any kind of decorating.  I just love to bake!!  And I know there are tons of moms out there that see things and say I wish I could do that.  YOU CAN!!  Just take your time and use your imagination and anything is possible.  I need an outlet being at home all day, every day and baking has become one of those outlets.  I do want to say that anything I make is not my own creation.  I found them in a cookbook or here online somewhere.  I hope that for some of you out there that you will find baking as much fun as I do!!!
Cassie Sue