tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55032364255961089392024-02-07T08:18:47.841-06:00The Great Cake CompanyJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-15001244847550212812012-03-07T15:45:00.000-06:002012-03-07T15:45:11.603-06:00Taking a break...
My latest creation.
I am not abandoning ship, rather I'm taking a blogging hiatus. To my great excitement, my custom cake business (The Great Cake Company) has become a little too big for me to handle while also maintaining this blog and spending quality time with my family.
So, as the weather breaks and the busy cake season approaches, I have decided to step aside from this blog and focus onJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-83846244814865750812012-01-30T13:53:00.003-06:002012-01-30T13:53:45.632-06:00Daring Bakers: Speculaas
Have you experienced Biscoff biscuits? These delightful cookies, dished out by Delta Airlines, have won the hearts of many weary travelers, and have developed a bit of a cult following in the process. Biscoff, known as "Speculaas" in Europe, is a caramelized, shortcrust biscuit from Belgium. Its yummy blend of spices and endearing crunch have earned it the title "Europe's
Favorite Cookie Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-65351861536490028902012-01-27T23:14:00.000-06:002012-01-27T23:15:11.669-06:00Daring Bakers: Biscuits
Wow! I have been a very bad blogger lately. I just realized it's been well over a month since I last posted. I guess I have either been too tired to bake and write or involved with too many other projects to stop in and say hello. And, while I sort of enjoyed the break, I promise to try to get back on track.
What better way to get back in the baking groove then with good 'ole
fashioned, Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-79678664065363157572011-12-17T16:19:00.000-06:002011-12-18T08:47:29.277-06:00Sunday Baked: Buckeyes
Apparently, I need to apologize to the state of Ohio. I was never much of a fan of you... no offense, it's just that I'm a Purdue alum, and we just don't like anyone from The Ohio State University (intended mocking and sarcasm). Naturally, if I don't like Ohio State University, then I should make a blanket statement about the whole state... The logic is there, right!?
Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-75436728808160412242011-12-08T14:42:00.001-06:002011-12-14T21:55:30.318-06:00Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios & Dried Cherries
I'm not a big fan of fancy things. Rather, I am a jeans and T-shirt, mini-van drivin', no frills, plain Jane sort of girl. It holds true for how I dress down to how I bake. I like to keep things simple. Christmas cookies are the perfect example of how I operate. This time of year most people break out their "fancy-schmancy" cookie recipes. They're baking nut cups, almond crescents and other Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-82429305480837460492011-12-03T14:40:00.001-06:002011-12-05T10:43:21.034-06:00Sunday Baked: Baked French Toast
Alright, so here's the thing. If you were to ask me what I would want for my very last meal on this earth, I would answer quickly and without hesitation, French toast. It is my idea of food paradise, and if done right, makes me one happy camper.
How do I prefer my French toast, you might ask? Well, my version of French toast is simple, classic and not at all froofy
(which is what I am Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-30389102862426062982011-11-27T20:51:00.001-06:002011-11-30T08:57:10.118-06:00Sweet & Salty BrowniesTypically, I tend to leave my review of the recipes I try until the end of my post. But I am going to make an exception this time. I fear that if I don't make this adjustment you may get the wrong idea and not fully understand how much I am in love with these brownies.
They were killer! The sweet and salty combination is one of my favorites, and these rich, decadent bites left me wanting Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-68683182064228574302011-11-19T21:39:00.001-06:002011-11-22T18:00:00.239-06:00Sunday Baked: Boston Cream Pie Cake
Let's just clear this up right now.... This is no more a pie than I'm a size 2 beauty queen. There is no pie crust or pie dish to speak of. Nope. This is cake through and through. I imagine when the first versions of this dessert appeared in Colonial America, cake pans were not commonplace. So, the Colonial bakers of yore grabbed whatever they had available, which happened to be pie tins.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-750738970011126912011-11-06T09:13:00.001-06:002011-11-20T11:10:25.148-06:00Sunday Baked: Pumpkin Cheddar Muffins
Wow! I did not see this one coming. I guess I never really gave these
much of a chance. Yes, I love almost all things
pumpkin, but based on my reaction to the savory Tomato Soup Cupcakes
we made awhile back, I totally did not expect to like these
as much as I did. The combination of pumpkin, cheddar cheese and pepper seemed a little too unusual for my tastes, not to mention I am just notJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-63447356384909481552011-11-01T09:40:00.000-05:002011-11-01T17:25:39.509-05:00Apple Cider Doughnuts
It was October 2008. Our yearly trip to the pumpkin patch was drawing to a close, and the little ones were quickly fading into a cranky abyss. Eager to get out of the chaos, my husband and I grabbed the kids and our newly acquired pumpkins and headed towards the car. On our way out we happened to pass a vendor selling fresh, hot apple cider doughnuts, which they conveniently placed at the Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-36762347407936974452011-10-27T09:32:00.000-05:002011-11-22T18:13:41.601-06:00Daring Bakers: Povitica
Povitica, pronounced po-va-teet-sa, is a popular holiday dessert bread, much like a nut roll, served in Eastern Europe.
Depending on what country you are in, the name and filling will vary; however, they all share the common thread of tradition and familial pride. Secret family recipes and techniques have been passed down through generations. Epic battles have been waged over proper Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-83200510919917252642011-10-24T10:41:00.000-05:002011-10-25T12:34:57.065-05:00Sunday Baked: Googly-Eyed Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies
Hmmm...What to do? What to do? How do I make this week's selection from Baked Explorations a little more enticing? I mean, another mint dessert... so soon! Yes, the department stores have had their Christmas displays up for a couple of weeks (which is pure ridiculousness by the way), but we are still way too far away from Christmas for this baker to be overly excited about these cookies. Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-31924157224852907452011-10-13T08:45:00.002-05:002011-10-13T08:45:27.962-05:00Sunday Baked: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake
Yeah, yeah... I know, it's not Sunday, and my "Sunday Baked" title doesn't technically apply anymore. But, I promise you, I really did baked this over the weekend! Really, I did. I am just now getting around to writing them up. Does time fly these days, or what?
This cake was another winner from the boys at Baked NYC and their cookbook Baked Explorations. A quick, easy recipe that Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-78292128948829459642011-10-05T15:07:00.000-05:002011-10-06T18:13:14.594-05:00Pumpkin Pistachio Cannoli (Homemade)
I just can't help it. The fall desserts, I mean. I'm piggy-backing on my Caramel Apple Cake from a few weeks ago with another bit of fall deliciousness. And, you know what, I'm not gonna feel bad about it. Nope! In fact, I may even do it again next week. The thing is, my birthday is in October. I get all happy and giddy watching the trees change color and unpacking my warm weather clothes. NotJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-91812944836600742932011-09-27T08:50:00.001-05:002011-09-27T08:51:24.777-05:00Daring Bakers: Croissants
The Daring Bakers go retro this month! Thanks to one of our very
talented non-blogging members, Sarah, the Daring Bakers were challenged
to make Croissants using a recipe from the Queen of French Cooking, none
other than Julia Child!
This is not only my first Julia Child recipe, but also my first time making croissants. Yes, before this week I was a croissant-making virgin.
.... Err, IJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-19375610200375995312011-09-24T22:56:00.000-05:002011-09-24T22:56:29.103-05:00Sunday Baked: Honey Corn Muffins
The year was 1998. I was in graduate school for a degree I would never end up using, a good fifteen pounds heavier and chock full of that youthful optimism we all possessed in our earlier twenties. On one particular night, my girlfriend and I were making our rounds at a required school function when what did I come across at the potluck table, but a magical concoction that would forever Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-19946970289052379922011-09-17T22:26:00.001-05:002011-09-18T14:08:40.353-05:00Sunday Baked: Caramel Apple Cake
... Cue the music
Yup. That about sums it up for me this week. Pure heaven. Matt & Renato's little dandy of a cake represents everything I love about this time of year. The perfect blend of spice and sweet and all the flavors of the season. With a single bite, I wanted to throw on my favorite sweater, watch football and go rake some leaves. It is the perfect dessert to usher in Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-61169792584400022982011-09-05T22:59:00.000-05:002011-09-05T22:59:29.482-05:00Mascarpone Chocolate Toffee Bars
I'm not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way I've become a snob. A complete and total baking snob. I admit it. I came to this realization not too long ago after I found myself turning my nose up at some birthday cake being served at a friend's party. Before you get all huffy with me, no, I didn't ask them if it was a "boxed cake" and then refuse when asked if I would like some. Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-5300038719762591362011-08-30T20:44:00.000-05:002011-08-30T20:44:30.371-05:00Sunday Baked: Coffee Ice Cream
I SCREAM. YOU SCREAM. I MADE ICE CREAM.
I am not going to deny it. I totally indulged and bought an ice cream machine specifically for this week's Baked Sunday Mornings challenge. Silly, I know, but I figure with three little kids and an ice cream loving husband it will get put to good use in the long run. After all, it has been on the "would love to have" list for a long time. Totally Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-64471951590635996472011-08-27T22:43:00.000-05:002011-08-27T22:43:00.078-05:00Daring Bakers: Passion Fruit Gelées with Lime Sugar So, here it goes... And it isn't pretty this month.
The August 2011 Daring Bakers’ Challenge was hosted by Lisa of Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drive and Mandy of What the Fruitcake?!. These two sugar mavens challenged us to make sinfully delicious candies! This was a special challenge for the Daring Bakers because the good folks at http://www.chocoley.com offered an amazing Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-64723215942742219032011-08-23T22:02:00.000-05:002011-09-20T15:30:06.241-05:00Strawberry Shortcake (Icing Smiles)
Have you ever shared a moment with someone you have never met before, and through that moment you become friends. I experienced this recently, and I will be forever grateful.
I was blessed with the opportunity to make this cake for two beautiful, brave little girls, sisters in fact. They were all smiles and giggles when I met them, and yet you would have never guessed that one of these Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-9746626658440601782011-08-14T21:06:00.000-05:002011-10-06T18:42:19.751-05:00Sunday Baked: Grasshopper BarsMy mom used to make a version of these when I was a kid. I think it was a Betty Crocker recipe. Like clockwork, they would make an appearance at every Christmas and St. Patrick's Day celebration. They were a holiday staple, and something I always looked forward to.
Their appearance at holiday functions diminished over the years. They were replaced by the confection of the moment, and it Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-14654159834118291822011-07-31T10:10:00.000-05:002011-07-31T10:10:21.682-05:00Sunday Baked: Olive Oil Orange BundtWe are having a party for my Mom's birthday today, and coincidentally I am scheduled to make Mom's Olive Oil Orange Bundt for my Sunday Morning Baked challenge. How fantastic is that!? I secretly think my family is getting sick of me bringing buttercream-style cakes to ALL our family events, so this cake will be the perfect break in pattern for me. I can't wait to surprise her. Happy Birthday Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-58559335181666511112011-07-27T10:00:00.001-05:002011-07-30T21:43:54.989-05:00Daring Bakers: Fresh Fruit FraisiersYou know those weeks when you just can't seem to get it together? You simply can't catch a break. I know you all do. We all have had them. For me there were no life altering events, just lots of stuff. We're talking sick kids, crazy summer camp schedules and sweltering heat... not to mention pending cake orders and an upcoming road trip to prepare and pack for. I couldn't catch my breath or 10 Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503236425596108939.post-66248471427359118012011-07-08T09:17:00.000-05:002011-07-11T23:16:53.192-05:00Sour Cherry Crumb Cake
I could kiss you right now Michael Sullivan. I really could. I could give you a big 'ole wet one for planting the beautiful cherry tree in the front yard of your home. The same home that would one day become ours.
I was totally unaware of the gift you left for us until it bore its beautiful red fruit, a most fantastic surprise. Now, for a few weeks each year we are blessed with a bountiful Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338790455075455212noreply@blogger.com2