chocolate hazelnut cookies

   
Nutella . . . Nutella . . .Nutella . . . Oh, how I love thee!

I'm not sure how to describe this rich spread. Hmmmm . . . how about ~ creamy chocolate yumminess with a hint of buttery hazelnut.   

I couldn't resist baking these soft, chewy cookies. They are a beautiful brown with a complex chocolate flavor because of the many ingredients that include not only white sugar, but also brown sugar . . . and 1 cup of nutella! Yum!

   
Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup of brown sugar

3/4 cup of white sugar

1 cup of Nutella

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup of chocolate chips

1/2 cup of chopped hazelnuts   

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter in an electric mixer for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and Nutella and mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.  

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds between each. Add the vanilla and mix for 10 seconds.  

Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda (do not skip this step, as sifting eliminates clumps of cocoa). Mix into the butter mixture on low speed until fully incorporated, scraping down the bottom and sides at least once to ensure even mixing. Fold in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts and refrigerate the dough for ten minutes.  

Spoon tablespoon-sized drops of dough onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on the sheets for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes 6 dozen.      

I've been admiring these gorgeous cupcakes . . . 

and I think they might need to be next on my baking list!

Yum!

~ Nutella cupcakes ~

bella nutella


Bon Appetit!

black witch hat platter

  
A charming way to add Halloween character to your table . . .  

   grandinroad   

Have you ever visited GrandinRoad?  It's an on-line shop that hosts an inpsiring variety of home and holiday decor.  I heard of the website for the first time on the Martha Stewart Show.  She sells many of her holiday signature items on this website. Although this platter is not one of Martha Stewart's pieces ~ it's still as charming as ever!   

   

The brim of this Black Witch Hat Halloween Platter is a perfect place to serve appetizers, finger foods, festive candies . . . and desserts! 

Oh ~ and look at these  . . . 

~ Halloween Tea Towels ~

Another charming find from GrandinRoad . . . 

I love this set of 3 tea towels!

Each is unique . . . and features embroidered Halloween characters:

ballerina bat cat

spooky spider

gourdon pumpkin

Simply . . . charming!

acorns

   

. . . . decorating with nature

I visited a charming gift shop recently and fell head-over-heels for a bundle of beautiful hand-carved, wooden acorns that were displayed in a chic white porcelain bowl.  

I just couldn't resist, so . . . 

I brought a bundle home and found that there are so many ways to decorate with acorns.  

Decorating with nature . . . 

a wonderful way to welcome Fall this year.

~ chic meets cozy ~

babble

~ wool acorns ~

this next

~ acorn cakelet ~

williams~sonoma

~ iron acorns ~

trendy tree

~ card holders ~

localism

~ acorn wreath ~

the outlet jackson

~ wool acorns ~

~ acorns, candles & mason jars! ~

pottery barn

~ decorating with pumpkins and acorns ~

Welcome Fall!

Laura Kirar Collection

 
      . . . this week's charming find  

 ~ Laura Kirar Collection ~

arteriorshome.com  

Talk about exotic produce. The solid-glass radish, eggplant, mangosteen, and bell pepper - can bring modern whimsy to an entry or dining room, especially when set in a matte white bowl; or just plant one on a bookshelf among your favorite titles.   

These edgy vegetables would be stunning any time of year, but would surely make a statement when paired with a white cinderella pumpkin in the Fall. 

Stunning!

home~made pumpkin ice cream

   
As yummy as pumpkin pie . . .    

You'll fall for the warm pumpkin and spice flavors of this Fall favorite . . . and don't forget gingersnap cookies ~ they make a great addition to this creamy dessert!   
   

pumpkin ice cream

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 Tablespoon orange juice

Place ice cream in a large bowl set aside. Place the remaining ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed; blend into ice cream. Let soften slightly before scooping into cups.
Serves 8 to 10

Bon Appetit!

Cupcake Camp OC 2011 results

photo by Mary Bell

My best-friend, Alex, and I attended Cupcake Camp OC 2011 last weekend. It's a must attend if you're a cupcake enthusiast!  

I'll admit ~ I'm not as big of a cupcake enthusiast as Alex, but I still enjoyed the excitement of the event.  I was most impressed with the variety of cupcakes.  

Each baker averaged 2-4 different flavors; and there were around 20+ amateur and professional bakers. So there were quite a few cupcakes to choose from.  
  
As a guest, you're given a certain number of "cupcake tickets."   One cupcake ticket is equivalent to 1 regular-size or two mini-cupcakes.  Although Alex and I only had 6 tickets each ~ we had more than enough to sample!! 

Dolce Vista Sweets and Treats

photo by Mary Bell

The Frosted Boutique

photo by Mary Bell

There were flavor combinations like chocolate & chili, caramel snickers & Jack Daniels, Merlot & chocolate, sweet potato & vanilla, Captain Crunch cereal & vanilla . . . just to name a few. 

photo by Mary Bell

Our favorite was the Caramelicious cupcake, which also happened to win the 1st place ribbon at this year's OC Fair Cupcake Classic.  

Overall, we had a great time! Everyone was friendly, volunteers and guests alike. While sitting in the foyer sampling our many cupcakes, we met and visited with one of the judges ~ Lucy ~ and her mom. Young Lucy is also a big cupcake enthusiast!  

Everyone enjoyed free entertainment headed up by a DJ, as well as a fun dress-up photo booth.  The event also provided free water, milk, and coffee ~ so be sure and enjoy a beverage while you're sampling!  

Here are a few tips if you haven't been to a Cupcake Camp, and plan to attend one in the future . . .  

Purchase a VIP ticket

~

Arrive at least 20-30 minutes early

~

Leave your purse and other belongings in the car, 

as it is a challenge to carry a tray(s) full of cupcakes 

while navigating amidst and through hundreds of people.  

~

Bring a large tray, Tupperware, or bin of your own to carry cupcakes, as the ones provided at the event are quite small.

~

As you're walking along the tables,

decide which cupcakes you want to sample - as you go, 

because if you're indecisive they

may not be there later when you return.

~

Pace yourself to avoid an upset stomach!

~

Bring your patience!

The entrance and cupcake lines are long!

~

And finally . . . have fun!!

~ happy attendees ~

photo by Mary Bell

photo by Mary Bell

~ so many cupcake enthusiasts ~

photo by Mary Bell

~ long lines! ~

photo by Mary Bell

~ notice the large Tupperware bins ~

They've obviously done this before!

photo by Mary Bell

Drum roll, please . . . 

Here are this year's winners!

1st prize for Most OC

~ Bubba Sweets ~

Chocolate Salted Caramel

2nd prize for Most OC

~ Hollicakes ~

Chocolate Orange

Alex and I left Cupcake Camp OC feeling inspired!  

So we've decided to sign up for next year's competition!

pumpkin pie spice

   
         . . . this week's charming find!   

Pumpkin Pie Spice is not a new find, but it made today's charming find because of it's wonderful, warm flavor and versatility.  
   
I don't know about you, but Fall is the time of year when I replace baking ingredients like baking soda and baking powder with new ones.   
  
Since I bake more in the Fall and winter, than any other time of year - I want fresh ingredients and spices. So along with new cans of baking soda and baking powder ~ I buy a new jar of Pumpkin Pie Spice.   
  
If you're a baker, then I'm sure you have this Fall spice in your cupboard! A blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and all spice ~ pumpkin pie spice not only tastes wonderful in pumpkin pie and pumpkin breads, but also tastes amazing in or on . . . 
  

  ice cream 

protein shakes

Greek style yogurts

cheesecake

quick breads

pancakes & waffles

spice cookies

sprinkled on oatmeal, 

cream cheese frosted cupcakes and cakes, 

hot chocolates and ciders . . .

the list goes on and on . . . 

So . . . find a spice shaker (maybe one that's shaped like a pumpkin, or other Fall-themed item or color), fill it with this lovely spice, and then leave it on your counter-top so that you remember to use it. 

 I promise you a delightful treat! 

pumpkin white hot chocolate

pumpkin spice muffins with cream cheese frosting

Treat yourself this Fall season 

with today's charming find!

Oh ~ a jar of Pumpkin Pie Spice also makes for a 

great hostess gift or party favor!
Don't forget to attach a card with a list 
of all the ways you can use it!
For prettier spice jars, visit your local specialty markets.

fall treats

It's hard to believe that Fall is right around the corner!                                                                                                                              
I'm not sure if you've noticed yet, but the craft stores are full of Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, craft projects, florals, and baking items! It's difficult not get excited about the upcoming season and holidays!                                                                                                                                        
I'm even receiving daily emails from my favorite online shops with charming decorating and baking ideas for Fall and Halloween. Here are a few of this week's favorite charming finds from Fancy Flours!

~ cake stand web skirt ~

~ cupcake wrappers ~

~ cupcake Halloween kit ~

Fancy Flours . . .

where charming bakers bloom!

cupcakes! cupcakes!

This weekend is  . . . 

It's being held at the Atrium Hotel near the Orange Country Airport, which is a short drive away, so I purchased a ticket and plan to attend with my best-friend, Alex, who is one of the biggest cupcake enthusiasts I know! I can't wait!                                                                                                           

If you haven't heard of it ~ Cupcake Camp is a gathering of cupcake-lovers to raise money for a good cause. The most essential feature is that it brings people together to share their love of cupcakes through tasting, cupcake eating contests, raffles, bakers competitions, fundraisers, and more.

The concept for Cupcake Camp originated in San Francisco and promotes the true spirit of community and sharing. They now happen around the world and come in a wide variety of flavors and sizes. They've taken place in beautiful cities like Paris, Montreal, Boston, and New York.

Cupcake Camp is 100% volunteer organized and operated by two huge cupcake lovers . . . Kay & Tiffany . . .  

"The spirit of Cupcake Camp is sharing . . . 

sharing cupcakes, sharing our joy of cupcakes, 

and sharing our fortune with those less fortunate than us."

I'm excited to share in this weekend's fun and cupcake tasting, while contributing to a great cause!! I hope to report back next week with photos and news about the event. 

There may still be tickets available, so if you live in Southern California . . . stop by and support a great cause!

Charity never tasted sweeter!