Chocolate Crinkles... nom.

Today's recipe has no big story... no funny anecdote, just simply a recipe...
Because nothing is better than chocolate, and these sweet little darlins are not only beautiful, but yumtastic... here ya go!

Ingredients

• 4 oz of melted dark chocolate
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into one inch balls. I like to use a number 50 size scoop. Coat each ball in confectioners' sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool.               

Momma Tips:
1. add white chocolate to replace the dark and mix a bit of cocoa powder into your powder sugar {a reverse crinkle!}
2. add a little surprize flavor... peppermint, raspberry... you name it! YUM!


Be Good to Each Other!

What Works for me Wednesday

I know this is not a new concept... but I cant tell you how many times this little trick my grandma taught me has helped sooth my sweet tooth!

So, for today's What Works for me Wednesday tip:

Pre scoop and freeze your favorite cookie dough!

When making a batch of cookies... drop cookies, cut outs you name it, I ALWAYS double the recipe... #1 because I have 2 teenage boys that will easily eat a batch of cookies all on their own, {baked or not}
and B... because you never know when the munchies will hit and you want cookies at 2am   AHEM...

So I just drop them/or cut them out pop them on a cookie sheet and freeze... annnnd...

SHAZAM! 

You have cookies at your beckon call!

I store them in Ziploc Freezer Bags with the baking info written on the front...

Be Good to Each Other!

Oh SNAP!

Ginger Snap that is!

I found this recipe a couple of years ago after a friend of mine brought over the most amazing pumpkin dip { which we will discuss later} and a batch of ginger snaps...

These are a favorite every year... I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/3 cup white sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks.

And dont forget... CookiePalooza is going on for 2 weeks! So run and tell your friends... if you win cookies maybe you can share! :) Or not.... its up to you!

And Grab this...

<a href="http://dailyicing.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r250/badablingg/12daysofcookies-1.jpg"/></a>

Oh... and if you are in the OKC area this Saturday, and looking to get your Christmas Shopping all finished up, you need to do THIS and come visit some amazing artists and crafters! And maybe I will give you treats! Or at least pretty little things that look like sweet treats!

right click and save for your printable recipe card!

Be Good to Each Other!

#1 Marshmallow Kisses...

So one of my favorite cookies ever is simply shortbread. Flour, Butter, Sugar... VOLIA! Whats not to love about that! I cover sweet bits of short bread in caramel, chocolate, jam... crumble it on ice cream, dunk it in my coffee... you name it!

Then add some marshmallow fluffy type stuff AND chocolate... & wowza! Its good Ya'll.

Shortbread:

1 1/4 C flour
3 Tablespoons
Pinch of Salt
1/2 Unsalted Butter


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Work in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the dough has the consistency of pie crust. Sprinkle a board or your counter top lightly with flour. Turn the dough onto the board and knead until it's smooth. Press till aprox. 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Prick with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet.

Marshmallow:

3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 Cup cold water
2 C granulated Sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dissolve gelatin in water in stand mixer for 10 minutes. In heavy bottomed sauce pan combine sugar & corn syrup, bring to a rapid boil for 1 minute. slowly pour into mixer bowl. Whip together till fluffly (about 10 minutes) then add salt and vanilla mix for another 6 minutes.

**Using a pastry bag fitted with tip (and sprayed with pan spray Apply warm marshmallow to the top of shortbread cookie. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes or till marshmallow is cool and firm. Melt 16 oz chocolate in double boiler. dip marshmallow covered cookies into chocolate and allow to set.

Just right click to save image for printable recipe card!

Dont forget to join me for all kinds of cookie fun! Get the Cookie Palooza details HERE

Be Good to Each Other!

12 days of Cookies... plus a giveaway!

Join me in celebrating my 2nd Annual CookiePalooza!

Its time again for the 12 Days of Cookies recipe swap & giveaway!

One of my favorite holiday traditions is our family's Christmas Eve Cookie swap... each year on Dec 24th the {extended} family gathers at our home for the big Christmas Cookie Swap and Stocking exchange... its a fantastic way to see everyone for the holidays and leaves Christmas Day for just us to lay around and play with all of our new toys! {A win; win situation in my opinion ;) }

Its such an awesome time, I thought I would share it with all of you! 

This year I will be offering 12 cookie recipes, with printable cards here on the blog... so make sure you are checking back everyday for each new treat!

And to add just a bit of Christmas Cheer... On Dec. 18th I will giveaway a printed version of the whole collection of recipes {plus a few more}  PLUS a lovely box of each cookie baked up just for you!

Here is how it works!

#1 grab a button... and put it in your side bar

<a href="http://dailyicing.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r250/badablingg/12daysofcookies-1.jpg"/></a>

#2 Follow Lollipops Sugar Shoppe on Facebook & Twitter {cuz there will be even more fun stuff posted through out the "palooza" and mini giveaways as well!}
#3 Tell your friends! Tis the season for sharing!
#4 Leave a comment... and let me know about your all time favorite Christmas Sweets!
      {each Cookie Palooza post comment you leave will enter you in the big giveaway on Dec 18th!}

Easy Peasy!

Now adjust your waist bands and lets get to baking!

Happy Holidays Friends!

Be Good to Each Other!

Things I ♥ right now...

I kinda have a thing for hedgehogs... I hope you enjoy!

Hedgehogie type things...

emandsprout $24.00	idea2lifestyle $63.00	ayarina $8.25	vsc83 $39.00
marianagaby $229.00	RKEMdesigns $19.60	kimberlylayton $5.00	purplepetunia $20.00
seabreezestudi... $20.00	AnneSolfud $15.00	rainbowswirlz $40.00	sugarandflour $33.00
KeepCalmArsena... $8.99	ThreeLeafDesig... $50.00	ennashop $6.80	SweetbodySoaps $9.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Be good to each other,

We paused for a station identification break...

But things are back to normal... I hope!

I feel just terrible that I missed the Practical Magic Blog Party! I had such fun planned, but oh well... I plan on spending the weekend visiting all the magical postings...

And now on with the show!!!

Dinner with a Gypsy...

This post was ment for yesterday... I totally forgot! We have had our fair share of connection issues around here lately and in dealing with that I totally missed the wagon train... but here we are anyway, pulling up the rear, baubles adorned and skirts flowing!

 So come sit with me by the campfire... and listen as the old ones tell their tales.

Have your fortune told and let me fill your belly...

Here is our offering...

                           GYPSY STEW

{photo credit: Traveling Gypsy Cravan}

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large chopped onions (2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chopped celery (1 large stalk)

2 cups peeled chopped sweet potato 

3 cups vegetable broth 

1 bay leaf 

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon basil
1 dash cinnamon
cayenne pepper, to taste
1 cup chopped tomato 
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 tablespoon tamari

Directions:

 Heat oil in large pot, and saute onion, garlic, celery and potato for about 5 minutes.

Add broth, bay leaf, and spices, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer (covered) 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, peppers and chick peas, simmer at least 10 minutes more.

Stir in tamari and serve.

                                                                                                          recipe courtesy of food.com

Momma Tips...

1} The longer you simmer this the yummier it is... and its one of those dishes that the leftovers taste even more amazing than the first night!

2} Add a little fresh pumpkin... you will thank me.

3} Best if served on a sweet autumn evening... fireside, with a side of this...

GYPSY BREAD

1 loaf French bread
1 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 tbsp. minced green pepper (optional)
2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 c. chopped ripe olives

Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise. Combine the rest of the ingredients into a smooth spreadable consistency. Spread on the bread and broil at least 6 inches from the heating unit until cheese melts.

Momma tips...

I like to make a lovely soda bread but really thats up to you
You can grill this and its amazing... perfect for the campfire!
  
Enjoy your Gypsy Dreams~

Be good to each other!       

PS... join the caravan! Pop on over to Gypsy Dreams Blog to see what adventures may await you!

 

guilt and shame....

I am really the single most self centered and cry babyish person I know.

 seriously.

Today's story begins like this:

I snuggled up early Sunday morning with a few cakes in the oven and a cup of coffee in my hand, ready to enjoy my day. That was the plan... supreme relaxation I felt I DESERVED for my Labor Day weekend {because you know; my freaking life of playing with babies and managing the bills and arguing with the chef is so damn hard.} whatever.
 All was going as planned and from my many facebook updates it would seem as though all was well, and for the most part it was... I made pie filling and frosting while dancing along to Beauty School Dropout{Grease was playing on cable...} I was getting only slightly annoyed at the idea that "Sandy" would change everything about herself for freakin "Danny Zuko" who lets be honest, is probably just gonna get her knocked up after highschool, and run off to join a band leaving her alone with 2 babies and rent due...
  It was there that I should have known something had changed in my day...  was it hormones? maybe. Stress... probably. The wind can blow wrong and my mood shifts to something ugly these days so who knows what made the switch inside me all I know is that it was there all of a sudden and I grabbed onto it with both hands.
  The rest of the story is really short, the cake was  out to get me. The icing was crap... serious crap {Thank you VERY much Better Homes and Gardens!} The cake cracked... and shortly after so did I as I found my self screaming with fists full of chocolate and cussing like a drunk sailor as I slung {is that a real word? I think so...} an entire cake... frosting, filling and all around my kitchen.
  I still have no idea why I did it, other than that dessert was gonna get it and I needed to be the one giving it.
  As I sat covered in frosting and sweet cherry filling and bits of fudgie cake I began to cry... not a "well poop I'm a nitwit all this work for nothing and now to top it all off I have an INSANE mess to clean up... " kind of cry...{have you ever seen what a double layer 8 inch round cake that serves 12 will do to a kitchen when it gets brutally murdered? Its a mess.} it was more of a release... this crazy persons way of "getting out" all the crap that has been building up in my head.
  And here is where the guilt and shame part sets in... I have NO REASON to feel overwhelmed or irritated about my life. I have a home... no matter how old and falling apart it is its mine. I have a husband, no matter how irritated we are at each other right now we have someone to hold at night and through all the crap life throws at us we are still a team. I have food in my belly, hell I have so much food I can throw it and still have more. I have a job; one that I am in control of not someone sweatshop puppet.

I have healthy kids. I'm not dealing with chemo and uncertainty. 
I feel nothing this morning but shame as I read though the struggles and small victories this family has gone through... I threw a cake around my kitchen because my bills are out of control and I was irritated by God only knows.

Cancer Sucks. and that is all.

Be good to each other,

Can I finally get that rewind button.... please?

On his first day of kindergarten I packed his sweet little Power Ranger backpack with crayons and markers, and giant pencils... today he grabbed a couple of pens and a spiral notebook.

On his first day of kindergarten he cried when I left him... and so did I  as I sat in the parking lot for 4 hours till school was out... today I was holding back tears as I drove him to school {he gets his car in a few weeks} and he leisurely hopped out and said "Cya Mom."

London Senior 2011-1012

I wonder if he realizes how important today is... his first day of his Senior year. I wonder if he knows how proud I am of him? Or how much I wish I could get back that first day of kindergarten...

Be good to each other...

There's a party goin on...

And you wont want to miss it!

The Twinery is celebrating their 1st Bday! And in a big way!
You can join them all week long for lots of really awesome ideas and and giveaways!

So hop on over there and join in on all the fun!

Be good to each other!

Back to School Things I ♥ Right Now...

So its that time again. The time of year when you have to shake yourself {and 4 very reluctant children} out of lazy summer days and back into... dare I even say it... SCHOOL! Back to mornings rushing around for shoes, and lunches and headbands that match tights, and homework assignments, and permission slips, and.... *sigh*.

 Here are some really awesome back to schoolish things I ♥ right now!

1. Eco Friendly sandwich bags from my good friend Elaine of Fig Tree Boutique on etsy

2. Who doesn't love pencils made from recycled newspapers! These from TreeSmart are really cool!

3. Water bottles from Lifefactory  are not only BPA free... but helloooo.... they are super cute!

4.  You can add sweet little kawaii faces to ANYTHING and I'm in love, but these sweet little flash cards just about sent me over the moon!

You can purchase the PDF from Typewink ;) on etsy and then get lost in the adorableness of her shop!

5. AubreyPlays {on etsy} is totally right! These lunch bags ARE way cuter than a brown paper bag! And she will even personalize them for you!



6. And who doesn't need this! Made from recycled soda bottles and waterproof! You will never get to class and find your iPad dead again! why? Cuz your backpack + the SUN totally charged it for you! duh.

From Voltaic 

Add a bit of extra cuteness to your daily read...

Grab this sweet cover for your NOOK/Kindle made by Downstairs Designs

So who else is dreading that 6am alarm and complaining kids this week?

Be good to each other!