Bread pudding

Half loaf of sliced bread
3 Tbl. softened butter
1 Cup heavy cream
1 Cup milk
1/2 Cup sugar ( I would only do 1/4 Cup if you plan on serving this with Maple syrup)
3 eggs
1tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 Cup chocolate chips

Butter 9x9 baking dish. Spread remaining butter on slices of bread. Quarter slices of bread.
Combine heavy cream, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, sugar and cinnamon.
Layer half the bread into baking dish. Pour half of batter over bread, sprinkle with half of chocolate chips Repeat for another layer using the rest of the bread, batter and chocolate chips.
Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.

Sculpted cakes

I'm not a huge fan of fondant. Tastes waaaaay too sugary and has the consistency of play dough. Which is great if you're 3. However , as yucky as it tastes, you can make some awesome sculpted cakes with fondant. My pastry chef friend went into labor early and so a couple co-workers and I decorated all the cakes for her last weekend. Shaping this Crown Royale cake was challenging but super fun. I felt like a surgeon making precise cuts and placing the fondant perfectly, knowing there was no going back so I better not screw up. The label was made using an edible ink printer. Gotta get me one of those.

Chocolate chip cookies

Since these have a little PB in them, I think I will call these Buckeye cookies. For sweet memories of Ohio.

2 1/4 C AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 C peanut butter
3/4 C white sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 (12 oz) package chocolate chips
1/2 C chopped nuts (whatever floats your boat)

Cream together butter and PB. SLOWLY add in sugar beating until resembles mashed potatoes. Add eggs one at a time. Add Vanilla, baking soda and salt. Mix in flour until just combined. Remove from mixer and stir in chips and nuts.
For perfectly shaped cookies, use a cookie scoop and with moistened fingers, lightly press down tops of mounds.
Bake in preheated 350 oven for about 7 minutes.

Chocolate paintings

I thought this would be very cool for special occasions especially weddings. Just imagine, the Bride and Groom's portrait in chocolate. I think its going to be big. And I just so happen to know a fabulous artist.

Someday....

Welcome to my planning blog. This blog is mostly for me to record my ideas for my future bakery (I can dream can't I?) however, I would love to hear your comments and suggestions for what you think would make a great bakery.