just for the hubby

so, being that my hubby is always surrounded by my baked goods, he's always asking, well more like begging me to bake things a little more healthy... not to mention that the hubs works in the health profession and he works to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle... so, sometimes he gets overwhelmed by the amounts of butter and sugar and FAT in the cakes and cookies... but come on... that's where the flavor comes from!!!

but i guess, once and a while i can bend the rules for him... so i decieded to bake up some whole wheat chocolate cookies... and let me tell you... they ended up soft, chewy, chocolatey with a hint of honey sweetness... i knew i was in trouble when i couldn't stop eating the dough, how was i going to handle myself when they are warm and freashly baked...

i found this recipe on king arthur flours website... since i was using their whole wheat flour, i found it only fitting to use their recipe...

whole wheat soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies:

6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar

3/4 cup (5 5/8 ounces) brown sugar lightly packed

3 tablespoons (2 1/4 ounces) honey

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) cider vinegar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups (8 ounces) King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour

2 to 3 cups (16 to 18 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

directions:
1. preheat the oven to 350
2. lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets
3. in a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, honey, vanilla, espresso powder, and salt till smooth
4. beat in the vinegar, egg, baking soda, and baking powder
5. stir in the flour, then the chocolate chips, mixing JUST till combined
6. drop the dough, by tablespoonfuls, onto the prepared baking sheets
7. bake the cookies for 10 to 11 minutes, until they’re starting to brown around the edges
8. remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely

so, if you're interested in a healthier version of an old classic... try this!

time to celebrate... with cake!

so... it's been a while since i last posted... but i have a valid excuse... i finally had my baby!! whoooooo hoooooo!!! ahhh... i'm all a-glow and mushy now!!

i'm pleased to introduce to you all, my little man, benjamin scout perkins... born February 6th at 4:36pm... weighing 8lbs 14ozs, 21 inches tall... (we were freakin shocked at how big he was... we figured he was going to be around 6 lbs since i gained only 20 pounds and i was all belly)... but hey, i guess i grow big kids... his big brother was 8lbs 3ozs, 21 1/2 inches... isn't he freakin cute... ahh... i'm in love!!


anyways... i've been looking for an excuse to bake a certain cake that just makes me drool every time i look at it... it is a perfect celebration cake... and now i had a reason... but, come on, who really needs a reason to bake delicious goodies... not me!

so, the particular cake i am talking about ladies and gentlemen is the cover "art" from dorie greenspans "baking from my kitchen to yours"... and no wonder she picked it... it just oozes yumminess right from the picture... you know what i'm talking about if you've seen it!


so this cake is an amazing combo of fluffy marshmallow frosting and a subtle rich chocolate cake... it just screams yummy party cake to me... or cake you wanna eat on a rainy sunday all cuddled under a blanket with a tom hanks/meg ryan movie on... come on ladies, you know what i'm talking about!

so anyways... i was heading back home to introduce the baby to some of the family, and in typical family fashion there was going to be lots of good food, drinks, and of course dessert! mom had gone to the local bakery, but was secretly hoping i had enough time to bake something (come on mom, do i ever show up empty handed!)

it was so fun to dig into this cake... i can't wait to bake it again... party or no party!