12.29.2009

baci's baking - Fresh Strawberry Bellinis

Since New Year's Eve is just a few days away I thought a nice champagne drink would be perfect for today's baci's baking and I love bellinis so it's great!!

Fresh Strawberry Bellinis
(Recipe from FoodNetwork.com)

1 bottle prosecco
2 cups pureed and strained fresh strawberries (simply put in blender then strain)

1) Place 8 champagne flutes in the freezer for 20 minutes.
2) Open the prosecco and let it stand in a full ice bucket for 5 minutes.
3) Pour the 2 cups of pureed strawberries into a pitcher. Gently pour in the bottle of prosecco and stir gently to combine. Divide among champagne flutes and serve!

12.22.2009

baci's baking - Buckeyes

An Ohio favorite - I LOVE BUCKEYES!!! So simple and tasty :)

Buckeyes

1 18 oz. jar of creamy peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
1 stick of butter, softened
1 pound powdered sugar
1 12 oz. package of milk chocolate chips

1) Mix the peanut butter, vanilla, butter and sugar together.
2) Roll dough into small-medium balls.
3) Melt chocolate chips and dip dough into melted chocolate.
4) Let sit for 30 minutes and enjoy!

12.16.2009

Holiday Shopping Nights at the Akron Zoo


For all of the local folks out there, be sure to check out the Akron Zoo's Holiday Shopping Nights! The 3rd Annual Shopping Nights at the Gift Shop started last Wednesday (sorry for the late notice) and continue today the 16th and next Wednesday the 23rd until 7:30 PM. Zoo members receive an additional 10% off purchases!

12.15.2009

baci's baking - Grandma Sholl's Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Both my mom and grandmother are bakers so it's no surprise that they provide me with a ton of fabulous recipes and inspiration! This particular recipe is from my grandma - her sugar cookies make the perfect cut-outs for the holidays. Just top them off with a simple powdered sugar/milk frosting and share the joy with your family :)

Grandma Sholl's Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
4 T. milk
1 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
1/8 t. salt
3/4 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
1 cup butter

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Beat eggs, vanilla, milk and sugar together in a small bowl and set aside.
3) Stir flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together in a large bowl.
4) Work the butter into the flour mixture (like you would with pie crust) using a pastry blender.
5) Stir in egg mixture.
6) If dough is not stiff enough to roll out add flour little by little.
7) Refrigerate dough for one hour (it can be refrigerated for several days).
8) Roll out on to a floured surface and cut with a cookie cutter.
9) Sprinkle with sugar before baking if you choose not to frost them.
10) Bake for 8 - 10 minutes. Cookies will rise and be soft. Set on wire rack to cool.

12.08.2009

baci's baking - Soft Ginger Cookies

Once again - I made these for Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit!! Anything with molasses just screams holiday to me :)


Soft Ginger Cookies
(Recipe Adapted from BHG's The Ultimate Cookie Book)

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cloves
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup coarse or granulated sugar

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) In a large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
3) Add the 1 cup of sugar, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.
4) Beat in the egg and molasses until combined.
5) Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.
6) Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll balls in the coarse (or granulated, whatever you have) sugar to coat. Place balls about 2 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
7) Bake for about 10 minutes or until light brown, but still puffed (do not overbake). Let stand for two minutes on cookie sheet then transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

12.04.2009

Alexander McQueen - My Current Wish List

The always amazing while simultaneously shocking Alexander McQueen has recently caught my eye with a few "basics" (as if you can call anything he creates basic!) from his current Womenswear Line. Know that this is solely a "If I Win the Lottery" Wish List since Mr. McQueen's line isn't exactly super affordable, but I just couldn't resist!

1) These Black Dragonfly Sunglasses are so posh - I love them. 2) The Black Salvage Swing Tote is so cool - it actually has pull straps to close it! 3) My winter coat is begging for this beautiful Bloom Flower Brooch. 4) Honestly, I would wear these black satin Rose Sandal Slingbacks with my pajamas they so hot!

12.02.2009

Happy December!

I seriously can't believe that December is here - time is flying by!! With that being said, I'll be pretty sporadic here on Designing Woman this month - lot of decorating, baking, shopping and hosting to do this month! I'll try to do as much as I can though. Know that baci's baking will certainly continue every Tuesday. After all, this is the time of year when you need recipe ideas most :)

12.01.2009

baci's baking - Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

I made these tasty little cookies last week and they were superb!! I even doubled the batch and they still disappeared so fast over Thanksgiving :)

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Recipe from ThePioneerWoman.com)

Cookies:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin
2 cups flour
1/2 t. pumpkin spice
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla extract

1) Mix sugar, butter and egg. Add pumpkin and mix well.
2) Sift dry ingredients together. Add to pumpkin mixture and beat well.
3) Using a small rounded cookie scoop, drop cookie dough onto baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 - 10 minutes.
4) Meanwhile, in a large bowl cream together cream cheese and butter, scraping down the sides of the bowl and beater twice, until fluffy.
5) Add the powdered sugar, first mixing on low speed, then increasing the speed to high. Beat until light and fluffy, again scraping down the sides of the bowl and beater twice.
6) Blend in the vanilla. The icing should be smooth and spreadable. If it is too thick, add a little bit of milk.
7) Spread on top of cooled pumpkin cookies. Enjoy!