Egg Free Cookies

Egg Free Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies and Double Chocolate.  (information/results to come soon!) 

Halloween Treats

Whoopie Pies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Starting off fall with just a touch of Cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ice cream sandwiches!

Chocolate chip and Double chocolate cookies filled with all natural Breyer's ice cream! yay! Perfect summer treat.

Now to test different sugar alternatives...

Soft Chocolate Chip Agave Cookies (egg free, sugar free)

My first attempt in using agave nectar..

I took a couple of recipes and kind of put them together, altering them based on amount of dry and wet ingredients. I wrote down my own recipe before hand, based on research. I replaced the sugar, decreased some of the other ingredients to what I thought would work well, and also replaced the egg. While mixing the batter, I gradually added more dry ingredients and more of other ingredients in order to give what I thought it needed for moisture, bonding/helping replace the egg, and I wrote down things as I went and crossed things out, to keep track of what I did. But, I figured ... this is definitely going to be a first run, there is no way these cookies are going to turn out and I should be okay with that. I expected them to taste awful.. and I'd have to go through many tries to come up with the right taste, or to get them to rise correctly... But.. They actually turned out pretty well. I think my research before hand and knowledge really helped me completely come up with a recipe that actually worked. 

I first tried them while they were warm and my impression at first was, "OH THESE ARE VERY BLAH AND NOT SWEET AT ALL. NO FLAVOR!" But once they cooled, they actually tasted like normal chocolate chip cookies, pretty darn good! They were maybe a bit too cakey for my liking, and I'd like to see if I can make them a bit chewier.. and maybe a bit more flavor to them. But they turned out surprisingly well.. and even look perfect. They maybe look a bit TOO perfect. They look like processed, store bought cookies... too round and not chewy looking.. which I don't find amazingly pleasing. But I am pretty satisfied with the results so far. Pretty tasty. 

The agave gives a bit of a different taste though, kind of a nutty, maple-ish taste. My friend Brett, someone who can normally have egg and normal ingredients, said they were very good. I'm thinking a double chocolate cookie or even brownies would be good with agave nectar, that way the chocolate would cover up the nutty taste... I want to try Brown Rice Syrup as an ingredient to experiment with next. I'm thinking that I would maybe like that better, for I'm not one for a nutty flavor. I'm analyzing too much! Overall, these were great! But I have an attitude where I always think things can be better. My mom always tries to tell me to stop trying to be perfect. . but.. well I like to try to perfect things. And if I like to do it, then so what! 

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

I'm baking with things I'm allergic too. Just because I still like doing it and creating things for others. But AH! I need to experiment and focus on allergy friendly goods, so I can eat my own creations! I can't help myself though. The pecans just look pretty? And I need to come up with better egg free solutions. I don't like using all the starches and Potato Starch is a big no no for me at least. I've experimented in the past with flax seed and have really enjoyed it in Oatmeal cookies, but I am now told that Flax Seed, since it is related to tree nuts.. I should probably stay away from it.  Bare with me... as I continue to learn more about my situation and this will all take time.  In the meantime, I still focus on the beauty and visual aspect.

ps. My brother got me a light box for taking my photos. So experimenting with taking better photographs of my baked goods is exciting me and as you can see, their is a big difference in the quality and clearness.

Packaging fun!

Oatmeal Flax & Chocolate Chip Cookies - Egg Free

Valentines Day!

Valentines Day Experimenting

So I plan to make a bunch of cookies and cupcakes for Valentines Day and sell them to my friends. I was anxious to start baking AND trying to avoid homework, so a week ahead I did some experimenting. I wanted to make sure I had a good sugar cookie recipe and just try out a few things. I think I will make more of these come Valentines day, and sell them individually. I will also be making sugar cookies with frosting and sell them by the half dozen. I plan on making some adorable cupcakes also! I can't wait!

I should add - I haven't been feeling the greatest lately.  I think my love for sweets has finally had an effect on me. ? I've been having to really watch what I eat. I've been eating fruits and veggies, mmmmmm Corn on the cob is so amazing. But anyway, I haven't really been eating any sweets, besides this last bunch of baked goods, which I just had to try ONE bite to test. Even though I haven't been eating sweets, I CANT STOP FROM BAKING. So... uh, I keep filling my freezer, and bringing treats to my neighbors :)

I should start to experiment making healthy/light desserts! Something Pineapple sounds like a good idea...

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie!

The NY Times has an interesting article about chocolate chip cookies, Perfection? Hint: It's Warm and Has a Secret. Ruth Graves Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie. Ruth, owner of the Toll House Inn, developed this recipe wether by mistake or experimenting in the 1930's. (Interesting! I never knew who this lady was!) This article also tells techniques for creating the perfect tasting and perfect texture of chocolate chip cookies. Well known bakeries mention their secrets to their special cookie. Even though the chocolate chip cookie seems simple - there are many ways it can go wrong and a lot of specific techniques that perfect the cookie! And it is good to experiment and find ones own techniques or additions that satisfies. I found this site from Joy the Baker.