The Best Brownies I've Ever Made

A few months ago I was really craving brownies, and wanted to find a recipe that I would fall in love with. Now, I haven't always had the best of luck making brownies, in fact I have always overcooked them because I didn't exactly know when I should take them out of the oven, I didn't want them to be undercooked so I would just leave them in the oven until it was just too late. So, after many years of failed attempts to find the perfect recipe I came upon a recipe that sounded like I could possibly nail, and I did. I've never been so proud to have passed that hurdle, and now I know I will be making some more any time I crave them because they were actually not very hard to make as long as you read all the instructions. 
These brownies are not only moist and soft, but are topped with a chocolate ganache that just adds the perfect amount of chocolatey yumminess to this recipe. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. If you're ready to learn how to make these then just keep on reading.

Ingredients:
3/4 c All Purpose Flour
3/4 c Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Instant Espresso Powder
3/4 c Unsalted Butter, melted
3/4 c Granulated Sugar
3/4 c Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 c Milk
Ganache:
1/2 c Heavy Cream
1 1/2 c Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 9x13 inch pan with baking spray and lay some parchment. Set aside.
Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and espresso in a bowl and set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs.
Then, add the eggs milk and vanilla extract.
Add dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
Pour batter into the pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Once it has baked let it cool completely.

For ganache:
Heat up heavy cream in microwave or saucepan and pour into chocolate chips. Set aside.
After a couple minutes, whisk to melt chocolate completely.
Pour ganache over the brownies and let the ganache set. I put it in the refrigerator to produce a denser brownie.
After it has set it is ready to cut and eat.

I hope you enjoy these brownies as much as I enjoyed them, and have enjoyed sharing the recipe with you.

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

It has been a while since I've wrote a post on this blog, and I am very glad that I decided to start posting on here again. I had stopped because I got a little discouraged and also I was attending culinary school, working, and being part of a dance company. As you can see life happened, and I just didn't have the time to make posts. I'm happy to announce that I am done with culinary school, and I have learned so much. I am now ready to show you all what I have learned, and show you my creations as well as help you create them. 

Last year for Valentine's Day I decided I wanted to make a little bit of money so I decided to make a flyer, and sell some cupcakes to my friends and family. I thought since it would be Valentine's day, and everyone seems to like my cupcakes I could sell them for less than most cupcakes out there, and get many orders. Well, I may have bit more than I could chew at that time because it was a lot of work and I didn't sell as much as I thought I would. Also, I had so many cupcakes leftover that I had to give some away. Now, you may ask why did I make so many? Why didn't I take orders ahead of time? Well, I did. The problem was that I decided that for each package I would make 6 different flavor cupcakes with 6 different frostings so that each cupcake was different. I only got 5 orders therefore, I had so many cupcakes and not enough orders. It was a good learning experience because I learned that if I want to make that much work for myself I need to be able to get more orders. I still had a lot of fun making them so it was not all for nothing. 

Now that you have read all of my life story, if you want to see the cupcakes that I made and maybe give you an idea for some cupcakes you can make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day then here is a little description of each one and a photo to go along with it.

 Top: Chocolate Chip Cupcake with Chocolate Whipped Topping and Topped with Chocolate Chips, Pink Velvet Cupcake with Whipped Topping and Topped with Pink Pearl Sprinkles, Vanilla Cupcake with Pink Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and Topped with White Pearl Sprinkles
Bottom: Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and Topped with Red Heart Sprinkles, Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Topped with Red and White Sprinkles, Cookies and Cream Cupcake with Cookies and Cream Whipped Topping and Topped with an Oreo Cookie

 I put them in a cupcake container with 6 cavities

I wrapped the box with a cute red and white ribbon bow

These are my orders for Valentine's Day and the two red boxes are cookies which will be my next post.

I really hope you liked this post, and continue to read my baking journey.

Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

This week is teacher appreciation week and I thought I would share what I made. These are just some ideas that you can make for Teachers Day or Back to School. They are really cute and fun to make so you can show the teacher in your life how much you appreciate them.

Apple Cupcakes:

Apple Cake Pops:

Turkey Cookies

If you love sugar cookies and turkeys then you have come to the right place. Not only are these cookies delicious, but they are extremely cute and very easy to make. The kids can even help with the decorations. If you want to know how to make them then keep reading.

What you need:
Sugar cookie ( you can either buy the dough that is already ready or make some from scratch) if you need a recipe for sugar cookies here is the link to my recipe:
Edible Eyeballs
Candy Corn
Orange Candy Melts

How to:
Bake cookies
Melt the candy melts
Get five candy corns and use the candy melts to stick them to the cookies. These will work as the feathers.
Stick the eyes to the middle of the cookies
Draw a beak with the candy melt. Just draw a horizontal line and then draw a vertical line and with a toothpick make a triangle.
Done
Wasn't that easy? I told you. Now enjoy your cookies, your family and your holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving

Final Result:

Churro Cupcakes

If you like churros then you'll love these cupcakes. They are fluffy with the right amount of cinnamon. I decided to make these and top them with a few sprinkles to bring out the fall season. If you're interested in how I made these then keep on reading.

Ingredients:

For Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups milk

Cinnamon Sugar Crunchy Topping:
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Makes 34-36 cupcakes

Directions:

Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
Line standard muffin ins with paper liners
Whisk together both flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon
With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until fluffy
Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated
Beat in vanilla
Reduce speed to low
Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of milk, and beating until combined after each
Fill each cupcake liner to three-quarters full
Bake 20 minutes
Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes

Cinnamon Sugar Crunchy Topping:
In a small bowl melt butter
In another small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon
When cupcakes are completely cooled brush melted butter on the tops and dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture

Final Look:

Strawberry Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 2/3 Cups Cake Flour
3/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
3/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
2 Egg Whites
1 Cup Strawberry Puree
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Servings: 12 Cupcakes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit
Sift cake flour into a mixing bowl then add baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisk 20 seconds and set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy (occasionally stop and scrape down bowl throughout entire mixing process if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl). Mix in egg then mix in egg whites one at a time. In liquid measuring cup used to measure buttermilk, whisk together the buttermilk, 1 cup strawberry puree and the vanilla extract. Working in three separate batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, add 1/3 of the flour mixture (to the butter mixture) alternating with half of the buttermilk mixture and mixing just until combined after each addition. Divide batter among 12 paper lined muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full (nearly 1/3 cup in each). Bake in preheated oven 20 - 23 minutes until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
12 oz. Cream Cheese
4 oz. Butter 
1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla
10 oz. Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Lemon Juice 
1 tsp. Lemon Zest

Servings: Frosts 12 Cupcakes

Directions: 
Room temperature cream cheese and butter
Whip butter, cream cheese, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice for 5 minutes
Add powdered sugar and whip another 5 minutes

2.     

Bunny Cupcakes

If you love cupcakes and you love bunnies then these cupcakes are perfect for you. I took these for a potluck at work and they were a hit. Hope you enjoy.

Materials:
Cupcake Liners
Cake mix
White Frosting

Marshmallows
Pink Sprinkles
Pink Icing
Black Gel Pen
Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions:

Bake cupcakes and let them cool.
Take some white frosting and cover each cupcake

Take the marshmallows and cut them diagonally.

On the sticky side add some pink sprinkles. They should stick automatically

Add the mini chocolate chips as eyes.











Draw a pink nose with the pink icing
Make the mouth with black gel pen

Add the ears

Final Result:

Peep Tuxedos

Peeps are my favorite treat to enjoy this time of year. I know some people hate them and others love them. It just depends on your preference. Now if you thought they could get any better let me tell you they just did. I made these adorable tuxedo bunnies and it didn't take much time at all. So if you're ready to learn, here's how you can create them.

Materials:
Peep Bunnies
White Chocolate Melts
Black Chocolate Melts
Piping bag or Ziploc bag

Instructions:
First, melt the white chocolate according to the package. Once its melted, dip the bottom part of the bunny into the white chocolate and let it harden.

Next, melt the black chocolate. Dip the bunny at an angle on both sides to form a v shape.
Take the piping bag or Ziploc bag and fill it with a little bit of black chocolate and cut a very small hole on the side of the bag. Begin piping a button and bow tie to the bunny. Let them harden.

Final Result:

Bunny Treat Bags

Easter is coming up in a few days and if you don't have a basket, these treat bags are perfect for kids.
All you need need are a couple materials and you can make anyones day. Keep reading to see how I made them.

Materials:
Brown lunch bags
Ribbon
Brown construction paper
Pink construction paper
Ear cut outs
Feet cut outs
Glue
Black and pink markers

Directions:
First I made the cut out of the ears. I made a big ear cut out with brown construction paper and then a smaller cut out of either pink or beige, depending if you will be making it for a girl or boy.
Then for the girls I cut out some feet
For the boys I cut out some cheeks
Then drew the faces and added some bows.

Final Result:

Carrot Cake Cupcakes and Cream Cheese Frosting

Since easter is right around the corner, I thought I would show you guys how to make carrot cake cupcakes and cream cheese frosting. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Carrot Cake
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
3 oz. Melted Butter
1 oz. Vegetable Oil
1/4 tsp. Vanilla
7 oz. Sugar
5 oz. All Purpose Flour
Pinch of Nutmeg and Cloves
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
6.6 oz. Grated Carrots

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sift flour, sugar, spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle, beat eggs until they pale and frothy, add oil and melted butter, then add vanilla.
Add dry ingredients to egg mixture carefully until just combined.
Fold in the carrots and place batter into cupcake liners.
Bake until golden brown. Let cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds Cream Cheese
1/2 pound Butter
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 1/4 pounds Powdered Sugar

Instructions:
Make sure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature.
Whip butter, cream cheese, and vanilla for 5 minutes.
Add powdered sugar, and whip for another 5 minutes.

Final Result:

Lucky Charms Milkshake

With St. Patrick's day just around the corner, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share this special milkshake with you all. It's perfect for everyone of all ages. It takes seconds to make and it is delicious. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Ingredients:

1 cups vanilla ice cream (or any of your choice)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup lucky charms

extra lucky charms for garnish

whip cream

Servings: 1

Directions:

Add milk, ice cream, and lucky charms into a blender until everything is combined

Top with whip cream and lucky charms marshmallows

Final Result:

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Need an idea for a super bowl appetizer? Look no further these jalapenos will be gone in no time. They are easy to make and everyone will be begging you for the recipe. Here's how I made them.

Ingredients:
8 Jalapenos
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
4 slices of bacon
bread crumbs 
milk
flour
cooking spray

Direction:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Cook the bacon and let them cool completely
Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and crumble the bacon into little pieces. Mix everything together and set aside
Wash jalapenos, cut them in half and remove all seeds
Fill each half with the mixture you created
Pour some milk into a bowl
Put some flour in a small bowl
In a separate bowl, add bread crumbs
Take the filled jalapenos and drench them into the milk, then cover them with some flour and set aside
After all the jalapenos are covered in flour, take each jalapeno and cover them in milk again but this time cover them in the bread crumbs and set aside, after they are done cover them in more milk and bread crumbs
Lay them on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray ( this will prevent the bread crumbs from over drying)
Bake for 20-25 minutes

Final Result:

Heart and Anchor Cake

Materials:
Cake mix
White Fondant
Blue Fondant
Red Fondant
White whipped topping
2 Round Cake pans (Different sizes)
Anchor cut out
Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters (Different Sizes)
Popsicle Sticks

Directions:
Bake cakes according to directions on the cake mix
Cover the larger cake with white frosting or whipped topping
Put two popsicle sticks in the middle and center the smaller cake on top
Frost the top cake
Print out an anchor and cut it out
Place the printing anchor on top of navy blue fondant and cut out the fondant
Take some white fondant and cut out two strips and twist them together
Place the anchor in the middle of the cake 
Add the twisted white fondant and add it around the cake to make it look like a rope
Cut out a couple hearts and place a popsicle stick in the middle of one and with frosting add another heart to the back of it so two are attached together
Add the hearts to the cake, I added two on top two in the middle and two on the bottom
Final Look:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

Do you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? If your answer is yes, then you have to try these amazing cupcakes that I came up with. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
Jam or jelly of your choice

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Line 12-cup muffin pan with liners
Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
With a mixer, cream peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until lighter and fluffy
Beat eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. Scrape sides as needed.
Slowly beat flour mixture alternately with the milk, mix until everything is combined. 
Batter will be thick.
Bake for 23-25 minute or until toothpick inserted comes out clean
Let cool
Once they are cool, fill the center with jam or jelly of your choice.
Serve

Final Result:

Valentine's Day Flan

Here's a delicious idea to surprise your significant other or someone you love. Its not only a great dessert, but it's also perfect for Valentine's Day or anniversary.

Materials:
Heart pan
Sugar
Royal flan mix

Directions:
Set heart pan aside

Warm up milk 













Remove from heat
Add flan mix to the milk and keep mixing until dissolved













Add 1 scoop of sugar and keep stirring 

Let cool
Add caramel to heart pan
Put flan in heart pan and refrigerate
Final Result: