A couple of weekends ago while we were traipsing about in the Outer Banks, I ordered a piece of carrot cake for dessert the first night we were there (I talked about it in my food and restaurant review of the Outer Banks). It was outrageous in all sorts of good ways… it was massive (I couldn’t finish it), it had four layers, those layered were sandwiched and topped with a delectable cream cheese frosting, it was drizzled with orange and caramel sauces, and it was sprinkled with candied pecans. I was in foodie heaven. And I’ve had carrot cake on the brain ever since. So while I was flipping through some of my cookbooks and came across this recipe, it immediately jumped out at me. First, I was still on a carrot cake high; and second, for as many times as I have pored over Dorie’s Baking book
, I couldn’t remember ever seeing the recipe before. Insanity! So off I went to whip these up and try to catch a whiff of salt water if at all possible… (totally not possible, I live in southwestern Pennsylvania, and the winds just aren’t strong enough to whip that salty air this way… such a shame!)
Continue reading ‘Gingered Carrot Cake Cookies’
Mmm, more dip! Since we’re heading into the start of the football season, it’s likely that you’ll be seeing an increase in appetizer-style food over here. While my heart belongs to chocolate, butter and sugar, when not eating dessert there are few things that I love more than appetizers and dips. I waxed poetic about it last week when we chatted about Artichoke Spinach Dip, so I won’t repeat myself here, but suffice it to say I’m a sucker for good dips. And this is better than good. This is hide-it-and-the-potato-chips-from-everyone-else-so-I-can-have-it-all-to-myself kind of amazing. If you think French onion dip from a plastic tub is good, you’re going to go out of your mind over this. Make sure you pencil it in for one of your game day menus!
Continue reading ‘Pan-Fried Onion Dip’
I’m a big fan of BIG cookies. Those dainty ones that you find on doily-lined dessert trays? They aren’t for me. The bigger, the chunkier the better. I have found quite a few that fit the bill, such as the Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (my all-time favorite), Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies and Monster Cookies, and these Cowboy Cookies meet all the requirements of the big-cookie club. First, let’s talk size. These bad boys have some serious heft and they are over 4 inches in diameter. Then, the thick, chunky factor is in full effect here. When you include oats, chocolate chips, pecans and coconut, you are certainly not lacking in flavor or texture with each and every bite. In fact, their size and heft make them perfect for satisfying cowboy-sized cravings!
Continue reading ‘Cowboy Cookies’
Welcome to a new weekend feature here on Brown Eyed Baker: The Weekend Dish! It’s a little food, a little life, and a relaxing end to the week.
So here’s the scoop. You’re busy, right? We’re all super busy and I know sometimes I feel like the hours and days run together during the week. I try to stay up to date keeping tabs on the blogs I love, but I often fall behind. And I’m sure you do too. Maybe you only get to check Google Reader during your Saturday morning tea or while you’re watching old 90′s reruns on Sunday afternoons. So, I want to make life a little easier for you. Of course I’d love if you came and chatted with me about recipes during the week, but if you only have time for a quick browse over the weekend, here is where you’ll find a recap of the recipes that I posted during the week, as well as some recipes from other blogs that I have found that I think you might like too.
And then, a little fun. One of the themes in the feedback I received a few months ago when I did the reader survey is that you’d like more of a glimpse into my life outside of the kitchen. I’ve been trying to interject more of that into my recipes, and will do even more in these Saturday posts. So, I hope you enjoy the recaps, and getting to know me a little better!
Continue reading ‘The Weekend Dish: August 28, 2010′
