Sweet & Salty Brownies

Do you have a billion recipes bookmarked but then you suddenly come across one that makes you want to drop everything and make it that very moment? These brownies were bumped up the list the second I read the title..

Double/Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, I attended the University of Georgia for my undergrad. Their dining halls are known to make very delicious foods, they've won something like 54 awards over the years for their meals... I only ate there the first year because after that I lived off campus. But I did love that first year. They have such a variety! I went back a couple of times over the years, and it was still just as tasty. But the best ever dish they had were their chocolate cookies. It's odd because I love a classic chocolate chip cookie and generally the double chocolate ones are almost too chocolate-y for me. But this one was just right.

It was dark, deepened by cocoa and never stale or crunchy. It was perfectly chewy and the chocolate chips in it just put it over the top. I used to dream about these cookies after my first year. I even snuck some out for my friends at home, and they loved it too!
I tried to buy Pepperidge Farm cookies that looked like they might taste the same but those were so horrible. They had an odd aftertaste and were pretty much the worst I'd ever tried.
I tried my own hand at a couple double chocolate cookie recipes but I didn't like any of them.
Until. Now.

Discovering Mascarpone Frosting

Joe invited two of his professors over for dinner the other night and it was such a great night. The food was plentiful, the company was wonderful, the drinks were flowing, and the dessert did not disappoint! I was so worried since I wasn't able to taste test it before I served it. I made a 2-layer cake instead of cupcakes, since I thought a cake would be more elegant for the night. This was my first successful looking cake! YES!
In fact, I wasn't going to post this because the lighting was horrible and the pictures turned out so-so, but I may not be able to recreate this...

Green tea and Black Sesame Milk Bread

My friend Cici currently lives in China and on her last visit she brought me several packets of matcha powder along with black sesame seeds. For some reason, matcha is pretty expensive here. She gave it to me about 6 months ago and I never really used it. I did run through the black sesame seeds making macarons since everyone loves those, but I had been neglecting the green tea powder... until recently.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins (with a touch of honey)

I don't have much to say about these muffins, except that you should really make them as soon as possible. Get a couple bananas, peel them and wrap them in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge/freezer till it browns and is ready for baking!

Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Even if you don't have a significant other, V-Day is a good time to appreciate all the people near and dear to your heart :)


I had a glorious weekend with family... and I got to spend much needed time with my favorite niece. For this reason though, I'm a little backlogged on blog posting, not to mention homework... but I'll be caught up soon, I hope.


I got back into Saint Louis today, and the boyfriend cooked me up an amazing three course meal, including lamb! I'd been thinking about lamb for a while.... it was so yummy, I'm still reeling from it.


On to the muffins...

Stylish Blogger Award!

This has been a crazy last week! My internet router was supposed to arrive on Tuesday but the ice storm in Saint Louis (and lots of snowstorms elsewhere) delayed it. For that reason, I didn't have the internet all week at my place. It was a bit frustrating since all my baking products and food are at my place, but the internet was only available at Joe's! It doesn't help that I'm also the last person in the world without a smartphone (yes, I only use my phone to call or text anyone).
I did attempt some baking and cooking, but sadly, nothing so memorable to make it onto the blog. It's either been a series of baking duds or foods that just don't photograph well... but hopefully this weekend I'll get to remedy that.

Boozy Cakes w/ Honey Ginger Caramel Frosting

I made these cakes last week and they're delicious, even though you can hardly taste the alcohol. I put Grand Marnier in the batter, but next time I would add some orange zest to really get an orange flavor. I went a little crazy with the frosting, since I had my homemade caramel in the fridge for so long, and then I decided honey and ginger would go well with it. It really did! This frosting was divine. Joe was in lurve. You can't taste the ginger so much, since I was a little afraid to put too much...