the making of the whoopie

These were fun to make and I would definitely try them again. Though for fun I would try something more exotic next time. (E.g. pistachio cardamom whoopie pie with rosewater buttercream!) Since it was my first time, I made the classic chocolate whoopie pie with marshmallow filling.

But a quick interruption for anyone in the Phoenix area. Have you been to this little shop before?

Since this was my first attempt at baking something other than brownies or cupcakes out of the box, I thought it would be fun to get some colorful sprinkles other than the kind offered at the Safeway down the street. (Which is ALWAYS sold out of the rainbow jimmies btw.)

ABC Decorating Supplies aka Cake Arts, Inc. What a fun place for someone who loves to bake! On a Saturday morning, it was quite busy too. And I know it's legit from the half dozen catering vans that were parked outside. No doubt picking up last minute supplies.

I was hoping to see more unique decorations and favors; but for quick ideas for your next birthday party, I would definitely give them a try. Lots of character cupcake liners and plastic toppers. The boys thought it was a treasure emporium of plastic doodads.

Link to store hours and directions here.

So this is what I scored at the bake shop. Rainbow jimmies, yay!

And chocolate crunch stuff. Check out the price!

Same as I would have paid at the grocery store and, like, 10 times the size. Woot!

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE WHOOPIE PIES

Makes 12 pies (24 halves)

INGREDIENTS

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 tablespoons vegetable shortening (don't substitute)

1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, shortening and brown sugar on low speed until just combined.

Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.

Add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk to the batter and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining flour mixture and 1/2 cup milk and beat until completely combined.

Using a spoon, drop about 1 tablespoon of batter onto one of the prepared baking sheets and repeat, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the pies spring back when pressed gently.

Remove from oven and let the cakes cool on sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.

For the marshmallow filling, you'll just have to check out the book. (Or browse the various recipes offered online!)

After adding the filling...

Roll the edges in decorations of your choice...

Then... enjoy!

And because this post is making me a look a little too Suzy-homemaker, here are some glimpses of the fruits of my mothering.

Little brother inventing his own superhero. Captain Superman Green Towel Monster Baseball Thor Guy!

And big brother giving his presentation at the class talent show. "My talent is Legos. Being good at Legos takes a lot of practice and creativity."

The End.

proud mama

So, days have passed and I never followed up with the whoopie pies as promised.

They were good. They tasted a bit like homemade ding dongs. With sprinkles.

I took pictures too.

Post will still come, in a day or so.

In the meantime, here is a photo montage of mah boys at a doctor's visit last month.

They were the brightest things in that sterile room.

p.s. Big brother is participating in a class talent show tomorrow. Talents among his classmates range from piano, gymnastics, singing and drawing. B will be doing Legos. As his talent. I am simultaneously shaking my head and beaming with sheer joy. Love him so much.

making whoopie [pies]

My latest trip to the downtown library yielded this exciting find.

whoopie pies by Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell.

Being a reluctant baker, I am nearly always behind the times when it comes to the latest dessert trends. I still maintain that cupcakes are on the way out and diner-style pie shops are going to be popping up like Sprinkles signature dots on every trendy shopping corner.

But I digress.

We are headed over to bro and sis-in-law's house for a much-needed family dinner tonight and the only thing we need to bring is dessert. Say what?

Yes.

My terrible cooking attempts have paid off and I am no longer responsible for bringing anything of significance to potlucks.

And with huz out all day on a rugged Into the Woods style fishing venture, the boys and I have a day of mischief-making ahead of us. And napping.

If I have any say in the matter, it will probably mostly consist of napping.

And somewhere in between the naps and the mischief, we will bake. Oh yes. We WILL bake. And you will eat what we bake. And it will taste GOOD.

And this is what we are making today. It is my very first time making whoopie [pies]. You might say I am a whoopie virgin. A novice at whoopie making, if you will.

Here is my grocery list for this morning.

Here are the pretty pictures from the pretty book.

Please cross your fingers for me and pray I don't cry during my whoopie making. I will post all about my first time tomorrow. Hugs, K

chickens and their coops [on my mind]

I missed the Tour de Coops back in December, but lately I have been dreaming of having a chicken coop in our backyard. With our current *situation* adding a chicken coop to our lifestyle isn't practical. But it will be. Someday. And when it happens I have visions of a modern and playful chicken coop with plenty of comforts for a few hens to call home.

And looky here, there's even a class this weekend on the very topic!

From Kippen House.

Via here.

From dwell magazine

Via backyardchickens.com.

Even the LA Times is writing about them.

a few pictures from my garden

Well after letting my last successful garden venture go to seed, it was time to till the soil last month with hopes of growing a bountiful late spring to summer garden again this year. I find gardening in Phoenix to be a bit challenging which is why I write about it. Having lived in Florida where I could throw seed in the ground and grow anything without watering or fertilizing, without *working* at it, I find growing things in downtown Phoenix to be a bit more trial and error.

Because many things have failed for me, I also try not to spend a lot of money on expensive container plants at the nursery. I look for bargains and experiment with different seeds.

What I've planted from seed this season: beets, carrots, green beans, cilantro, basil (I let my beautiful crop die. Booo.), marigolds, assorted herbs, and assorted wildflowers.

What I've planted from transplants: tomatoes (better boy, grape and roma), rosemary, and spearmint.

What I managed to keep from last year: bell peppers, jalapenos, thyme.

While doing my gardening shopping last month, I came across some succulents, cheerful cosmos daisies, and beautiful tulip and daffodil bulbs (very cheap!) at a big box store and was so happy I had extra pots to accommodate them on my back patio. The daffodils got blooms within a few weeks of planting.

I am already seeing beet and carrot sprouts, so fingers crossed for a bountiful harvest!

playing hooky at the Phoenix zoo

The boys and I had a day of fun during what would normally be a school day. (Shhhh...) Well, it's only the first grade for one. And preschool for the other. And my 6 year old is super smart. (The world according to a mom.)

We went to the downtown libary. Still love you Burton Barr, you architectural splendor, you. And then we went to the zoo.

You know what? We learned a lot. And we walked. A lot.

These are the only pictures I managed to take of my little monkeys. Playing. And learning. Some days I wish we could spend every day like this. But, perhaps that's why it's so magical when we skip out on the routine for a special excursion.

Oh, and here are some more pics from the archives. These little gems are from September 2008.