Cranberry - Pear Crumble

It's that time a year again, cranberries are in season.

I love, love, love cranberries. This is a cranberry-pear crumble.

As simple as this dish is it is much more delicious than you would think it should be. Cut some pear and whole cranberries in a bowl and mix with lemon juice and sugar. Make a crumble and add on top. I added some homemade whip cream to top it off.

Carrot Cake

This one is for Joe!

Yummy, carrot cake with a extra creamy cream cheese frosting.

I didn't think that I liked carrot cake, but after having these I don't know what I was thinking.

The cake was perfectly cooked this time and the frosting is just divine.

These would be good for any occasion.

Caramel Candies

These little gems are chocolate covered caramel candies. The plan was to make a caramel candy with sea salt inside and on top. I did this but I also included chopped pecans.

I actually prefer this candy with no chocolate but I know majority over rules my liking. These candies are very good, soft, chewy and tasty. The only problem is trying to keep their shape. I am unsure if it's because I didn't cook them to an exact 257 degrees.

I have been wanting to make a chewy caramel candy and I believe that it is a success.

Old-Fashioned Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, is there really anything to say? I added half the amount of chips as I like the cookie part more than the chocolate part. Still delicious either way.

and yes I ate raw cookie dough.

Steaming not Baking...

Yesterday, I made tamales by myself. I have only made these once before and it was with my mom many years ago.

The process is rather simple once you have all your ingredients. I really enjoy tamales not that picky.

Although, these were not the best tamales they weren't bad. Per Joe, they had too much masa, but I like that part.

All in all it was a good practice round.

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Wow, this was definitely a huge feat.

My Second time to make a pie. The first time was so difficult I put pies off forever. It has been at least five years since my last try, I am more experienced now and things tend to be a bit easier.

As you can see this is a pecan pie. This is for my husband, Joe, to make him feel better; this is his favorite. It was basically practice as I know he will want another one for Thanksgiving.

The crust turned out evenly brown and not overcooked at all. The key was not pre-cooking the crust as most recipes suggest.

Okay time for honesty, I usually try my desserts before I start to write. Well this time I was waiting for it to cool. Well I have never been a fan of pecan pies, actually I don't like them at all. But this pie sucks!! I followed the directions although the crust is nice and flaky, the filling is horrible in flavor.

I guess this is not the recipe I will be cooking for Thanksgiving...

At least the pie turned out pretty. :(

I also made Rosemary Shortbread Cookies just for practice and they turned out pretty good.

Cake in a Cup

or cupcakes....

These are white cake with buttercream frosting. I am not much of a frosting person it's too sweet. This cake is the perfect combination with this frosting. The cake has a good vanilla flavor but isn't too sweet. So when you eat them together your palette is pleased.

Still working on my decorating skills...

Flan

This is the Flan or Caramel Custard that I made for our one year anniversary. This was my first time to make custard and caramel and not to brag but I did a wonderful job.

I haven't always been a fan of flan but maybe it's the blood and sweat that makes things taste a bit better. The custard is so creamy, caramelly, with a bunch of vanilla beans. If you check out the top of the custard you will see black spots this is vanilla beans. Having this in this dessert brings an additional layer of goodness.

Enjoy, I know I did.

Bacon, Bacon, Bacon

This is the most unusual combination but it is so delicious. This is a cake donut with maple icing sprinkled with bits of bacon.

I know what you are saying, "crazy lady". The combination of the maple with the bacon compliments so good.

I dare you to try this, I believe almost everyone will enjoy this donut.

I also made Rosemary Shortbread Cookies and they turned out hella-awesome, according to Lori.

Simple Sugar

Today was more of a practice baking day. My mother-in-law bought me a cake decorating set for beginners. I wanted to make something that wasn't a cake, but still has a flat surface to practice my decorating skills.

The flavor is a plain sugar cookie. Crisp but yet soft and a little chewy.

The icing was a traditional buttercream frosting; thick, sweet, and very creamy.

As far as the decorating I will need to practice a bit more.