Tag Archives: Sodium bicarbonate

Happy Mother’s Day! Plus a Chocolate Pound Cake

Posted on by

2

Hey there! I know it’s Sunday and I normally don’t post on Sundays…but I also know that today is Mother’s Day. And I think that certainly calls for a blog post. I have a couple things to share with you all today. One is a recipe, of course! And the other is short little video.

I saw this ad about a month ago, and it really touched me. Literally made me cry. I know, I’m a baby..crying during a commercial. But hear me out. Just watch it, I promise you it will touch you too. Here is it. Mother’s Day Ad.

I hope all you mothers out there had an awesome mothers day and everybody wished their mom’s a happy mothers day, and for those of you who have mothers that have passed, I hope you have remembered all the good memories you had with them.

I feel truly blessed to have my mother in my life. She has taught me so much that nobody else ever could have. She has taught me that women will always be right. She has taught me which boys to avoid and which ones are worth a shot. She has taught me what is right and what is wrong. She has taught me how to cook. She has taught me how to bake. She has taught me who to trust and who will have my back at the end of the day. She has taught me how to tell when a pizza is truly good.

She has taught me that sometimes you have to get your “south-sider” out to get your point across (sorry for those of you who don’t know what I mean by “south-sider”, maybe I’ll explain later). She is the one who sat through countless hours of teaching me how to drive, including the days of nauseating backing-around-the-corner. She is the one who I look up to as a role model and hope to become a fraction of a mother she is. I love her to infinity and beyond, and there is nobody who will ever be able to replace that. Love you mom!

So to bounce off of that, I made a chocolate pound cake that is perfect for Mother’s Day. I know that mother’s day is practically over now, but it’s great for showing your mother, grandmother, or any other special person in your life that you really love them! This is a rich, chocolatey, delicious cake that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Enjoy!

Chocolate Loaf Cake

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

1 1/4 cups white sugar

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder (I used dark cocoa powder)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (6-ounce) container nonfat vanilla/plain yogurt

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan, set aside.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together yogurt, water, and vanilla extract.
  4. Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs, one at a time.
  5. Add half the flour mixture to the creamed butter-sugar mixture. Mix in the yogurt mixture, then add in the rest of the flour mixture. Mix until just combined and pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Cool in pan for 20 minutes, then turn onto wire rack to finish cooling process. Enjoy and store leftovers in airtight container or cake stand with lid.

Random Fact of the Day: A lion’s roar can be heard five miles away

Related articles

A Baby and Buttery Biscuits

Posted on by

8

If you happened to have read my last week in review post, you might have caught how on Friday I got my baby for my child development class. It was weird how I became so emotionally connected to a doll. Borderline creepy.

I ended up having to take the baby to my soccer games this weekend. How lucky am I that not only did i have one, but TWO games! Thankfully my mom was able to take care of her for the second game.

You would not believe the looks I got from some people. I feel for teen moms now more than I ever thought I would. Sure, I think that raising a baby as a teen is far from ideal, but I don’t think giving teen moms looks of disapproval will make anything better. It’s not going to change what has happened and it sure will not make things easier. It’s hard enough raising a baby as a teen, criticism just adds to the struggle. Again, I’d like to emphasize the point that I am NOT encouraging teen pregnancies or teen sex or any of things of that matter. This topic is not normally something I would bring up on the blog, but this baby project really hit me hard. The looks that I got were hurtful (from people who did not take a close enough look) and it just kills me to imagine what it would be like for a teen with a real alive baby. As much as I hate to say it, I think the fact that the baby was African American did not help.

Alright, that’s enough of that.

Let’s make biscuits! I have made biscuits in the past, some flavored, some definitely not. This biscuit recipe is my FAVORITE to date! They don’t exactly look “perfect” but that’s just because you don’t have to do the whole rolling and flouring thang. Plus for me! Enjoy these delicious buttery biscuits with jam, butter, or pretty much anything!

Buttery Biscuits

(Makes 6 biscuits)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 stick butter, cold and cubed

1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (150 ml) milk (I used skim)

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in cold butter, I used my hands. Pour in milk and use hands until fully incorporated, but be sure not to over mix. Mix until just combined.
  3. Drop dough onto cookie sheet and shape as desired. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Enjoy! Perfect with jam or butter.

Random Fact of the Day: In Romania around 1935, Mickey Mouse was banned because it was thought that he would scare children.

Related articles

Chewy Coconut Cookies

Posted on by

4

So if you happened to read last week’s “Week in Review” post, you would have seen I got a hair cut Thursday. A rare, yet essential thing for me. Anyways, my hair cut lady I used to go to was..hm, how to put this..? Different. She always had some pretty interesting stuff to tell me. The lady I go to to get my eyebrows done says some strange things sometimes too, but we’ll get to that later. 

The lady I used to go to for getting my hair cut had a very obscure conversation with me last time I saw her. To briefly summarize, she told me about her drunk driving experiences, how to get a job by “showing off my goods”, and how I should ALWAYS have a boyfriend and a backup option in case we break up.

It became quite apparent that I needed a new hair cut lady (or man, whatever works!). The only thing that was holding me back was that I still really wanted to go to the same place, I just did not want to deal with the awkwardness of seeing her again. She is totally the type to run up to you and be like “What’s wrong with you! Why aren’t you going to me anymore?!”. After a long time of not getting a hair cut, she actually asked me if I was “cheating on her”. Kind of funny I guess, but when I was 12 I was just freaked out.

Anyways, I finally got the guts to call in for an appointment and ask for a different lady. I went into the appointment biting my lip completely freaking out on whether I would see her or not, thinking what if i see her?! Ah, TOTAL awkward to the max moment. Then it came to me. Mom to the rescue! I could sooo use my wonderful mother as an excuse. My plan was to just say that my mom made the appointment and forgot who I normally see! Phew!! So then, I went into my appointment totally relaxed and ready for one of those great head massages they give you when they’re washing your hair. 

On a totally different note, I made these coconut cookies. I had not made them in like a really long time, but I remembered how awesome they were the last time I made them. They are chock full of coconut flavor. The shredded coconut really gives the cookies an amazing chewy texture that makes you want to grab another. and another. and another. and well…you know how this will end.

Chewy Coconut Cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cream together sugars and butter. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in coconut. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. These cookies will spread so even if they are small (teaspoonfuls) space them about 2-3 inches apart.
  3. Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted and edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet then finish on wire racks. Enjoy and store extras in airtight container.

Random Fact of the Day: California has issued at least 6 drivers licenses to people named Jesus Christ.

Related articles

The BEST Thick and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on by

5

I’ve got this thing for oatmeal cookies.

There is just something about them, that is so…satisfying. I’m not sure if it is the texture the oats give them, or the chewiness of the cookies, but something just makes me and my tummy smile.

I know I’ve got another oatmeal cookie recipe on here, which I do happen to love as well by the way, but this one. This one is just different. That other one is great if you want something healthy and tasty and all, but it’s a cookie. If you want a treat, you put real butter in it, not any of that applesauce nonsense.

So here you go, the world’s best oatmeal cookie recipe! When I say that, I really do mean it…In all 17 years of my life I have never had a better oatmeal cookie. This is a must-try, fool-proof cookie recipe!! Give it a try and put your own spin on it, be creative and add in all you want. That’s what is great about these cookies, super versatile and delicious every time :)

Thick and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 small package vanilla instant pudding mix

1 Tablespoon (Yes, an entire TABLESPOON) Vanilla Extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon water

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour (all-purpose is fine too!)

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (even if you don’t like nuts, I HIGHLY encourage you to add these in. It gives the cookies a great texture)

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Place butter, salt, and both sugars into mixer bowl. Beat until combined. Mix in eggs. Add vanilla pudding mix, vanilla extract, baking soda, water, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until blended. Mix in oats, then both flours. Finally, stir in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
  3. For best results here, you want to make pretty large cookies. Drop by large scoops, about 2-3 Tablespoons each. Place about 2 inches apart and bake 10-12 minutes, until tops are lightly cracked and soft when touched. Cool cookies 5 minutes on cookies sheets. Transfer cookies to cooling racks and finish cooling. Store cookies in airtight container.

Random Fact of the Day: The cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel fuel that it burns.

Related articles

Banananananaa Bread!

Posted on by

4

Banana Bread is something I would never expect to be good. Like fruit in bread…what?! When you think about it, it really is a little strange. Maybe it’s just me.

But anyways, banana bread has always been a snack and breakfast food that has made me happy. I’ve made a very, very healthy version before, which was good. If you want to be extra healthy.

But sometimes you just want something that REALLY satisfies you! This is where I swoop in and save the day, here is a super delicious fluffy banana bread that will really make you smile. It may even motivate you to get up in the morning! Maybe not…I’m no miracle worker here.

Also, in case you were wondering why the “anana” part is like uber extended in the title, it’s because I can never resist the urge to type banana with the extra “ananas”. I honestly don’t even know why, but I figured what the heck today I’m going to write it wrong and you spelling nazis will just have to deal with it! Just look at the yummy pictures to distract yourself from it :)

Banana Bread

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 stick butter

pinch of salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour (all-purpose is fine too!)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs,

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 extra-ripe bananas, mashed

1/4 cup nuts, chopped (I used walnuts)

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar in electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs. Sift flours and baking soda together and mix until just combined. Add in mashed bananas and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
  3. Scrape mixture into loaf pan and top with nuts if desired. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Random Fact of the Day: It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.

Related articles