Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

There is so much in my head that I want to put into action and that include keeping up this blog as you can see I haven't put any entry for a couple of months.

Baking for me is happiness, more if I share what I bake to my love ones.  Its my pastime, my escape to stress and worries. Baking is a magic for me.

Honestly, I'm a newbie with no experience at all and never had a decent study. As I remember the last time my mom ask  me to hold a whisk  is when I was a preschooler. It was long ago and I'm very glad that oven is back in our life just recently, and since I have a free time I want to bake as much as I could specially on a very important occasion.

I am sharing with you my baking experience, blues, success and failures, fun and new discovery in baking. If you are a professional, your thoughts are highly appreciated. This is for you. To all baking enthusiast out there. To you who just want to learn how to bake. Come peep into my blog. Its free. You are very most welcome and somehow this CUPCAKE SENSATION can make your day even brighter! Enjoy!

These brownies prove that peanut butter and chocolate is the ultimate combination!

Makes 1 8x8 - inch square pan
Prep Time 45 minutes to 1 hour
Baking Time 30 to 35 minutes

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (112 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups and 2 tablespoons (275 grams) brown sugar
• 2/3 cup (180 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 (42-grams) pack chilled Reese's peanut butter cups, diced into 16 pieces and refrigerated until ready to use 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease the pan. Prepare a pipping bag with a 1/4 inch hole; set aside.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and brown sugar in 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and continue to beat for another 5 minutes. Use a  spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and beaters; mix well. Transfer 80 grams of this mixture to the prepared piping bag and set aside.
4. Add eggs one at a time to the remaining peanut butter mixture, beating 30 seconds on medium speed after each addition. Add vanilla extract.
5. Lower  mixer speed to the lowest setting. Add the dry ingredients in three additions. Mix just until no dry streaks remain, but avoid over beating the mixture.
6. Pour butter into the pan. Smoothen the surface with a rubber spatula.
7. Pipe the reserved peanut butter mixture on top, making a continuous "U" shape winding up and down from left to right, including corners and edges to ensure even distribution. Evenly distribute the diced peanut butter cups on top.
8. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or just until the center is set but still moist. Test by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the brownies are easy.
9. Let cool for about 20 minutes before cutting into squares.

TIP : Baking is an exact science, so you'll get the best result if you use a scale.

Two-tone Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites

Its a cookie day! What I love most, aside for its two different color, is the combination of sweet soft  dough with chocolate chips and the chunky salty pretzel is so amazing. Dipped into semi-sweet chocolate.

APPLICATION: Life has two-sides, black and while, up and down, but that what makes it more meaningful and beautiful. Just like this pretzel dipping it into chocolate that makes it even better.

Each of us have battles in life; you cannot say "that wasn't so hard" or "that must be so difficult for you". Each of us is  facing an ocean in our life, and we have our own unique way how to get into the sea side. What I know is that it is not for a lifetime, you may get tired and weary and ask why? why me? why us? swimming makes you tired but hang in there, hold on, breath, your faith will get you on your way. The waves will spontaneously push you to a better place, a warmer season, where you are supposed to be.

GOD LOVES YOU. GOD LOVES US. WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN HIM AND HIS PROMISES.

Chocolate Almond Biscotti

I  have known Biscotti through my aunt who came from oversea and since then it became one of my must-have  biscuits so I made one for myself.
A little history, Biscotti was originated in Italy. Since they are very dry, Biscotti traditionally are served with a drink, into which they may be dunked. In Italy they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called vin santo(made from white grapes). 

Outside of Italy, they are more frequently accompany by coffee, including cappuccinos and lattes, or black tea. So in a rainy season, Chocolate Almond Biscotti (I substitute cashew nut)  is a well matched to my hot honey green tea with a good book on hand and head leaning on a soft couch that makes my laid back cozy rainy afternoon.

Truly be inspired when cooking or baking, as we heard 'cook with love and bake with heart'. Ive been playing this song 'No Matter What' by Kerrie Roberts, since the baking procedure. Using a whisk as a microphone, It works. Here are some of the lyrics I like.

When I'm stuck and there's  nothing else by myself
I'm just sitting in silence
There's no way I can make it without Your help
I wont even try it

I know You have your reasons for everything
So I will keep believing
Whatever I might be feeling, God, You are my hope
And you will be my strength

No matter what, Im gonna  love You
No matter what Im gonna need You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, Ill trust you
The touch of your hand is enough on its own.

 

Super Chocolate Crinkles!

When life gets bitter, make it sweet. Make Chocolate Crinkles!

So many happenings in just a short span of time.

More often, when bitterness comes around we just let everything happens extemporaneously.  We don't restrain neither we let go. We just let everything flow and let the electric mixer do its job.

At first we may be doubtful, confused and worried but knowing the recipe, the power of the combined ingredients, precise temperature and the heart of a baker, with this every bits and pieces comes up together you will be amazed by its awesome product.

We have a never ending faith, it may be blur but we are actively smelling the sweet aroma coming from the oven. Keep our trust bounty as our  mighty God, the master chef has something extravagant for us.

Like an innocent child waiting for his nicely specially made bitter-sweet chocolate crinkles!