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Monday, November 30, 2015

Virtual Cookie Exchange!


Hi, and thanks for stopping by the 3rDegree Bakery today!  If you're visiting for the first time, this little blog is a place for our family of makers to share "what's cooking" at the Chateau de Stott.  


Today is DAY I of the Virtual Cookie Exchange, hosted by my friend Carol at JustLetMeQuilt!

Around here, we love to spend time in the kitchen.  It's our gathering place.  And we have collected some amazing, wonderful recipes (see our family cookbook  on the side bar →).  Today's prize-winning, killer cookie recipe is more like a candy bar that will have your minions worshipping at your feet, ready to do anything at your beck and call just to get a bite of these golden nuggets of deliciousness!

The Recipe:  
Praline Shortbread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

SHORTBREAD CRUST:
Blend:    3/4 c. powdered sugar
              2 c. flour
Cut in until crumbly:  
              1 c. butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
Form mixture into a ball.  Pat or roll into a 9" x 13" baking pan.  Bake the crust at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

PRALINE TOPPING:
In a medium saucepan, melt:
              1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
Add:       1/2 c. honey
              1/4 c. whipping cream
              1/2 c. brown sugar
Mix over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat and add:
               4 c. walnuts or pecans, chopped
When the crust comes out of the oven, top it with the nut mixture.
 Return to oven until topping is bubbly and golden, about 18 to 20 minutes.
Cool completely; cut into bite-sized squares.  Yield:  48 
~~~
Oh, that shortbread crust!!  And to show you just how delicious, I used practically the same shortbread recipe to make Thumbprint cookies for my daughter's wedding!  You can check it out HERE.  Buttery, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  You could just skip the praline topping, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the top, or eat it plain!

But the praline topping, mmmm-buttery rich caramel-covered nutty goodness!  This time, we used walnuts from the tree in front of my daughter's apartment.  

Harvest 'em.

Shuck 'em.

Crack 'em.  That was the Dad's assignment.


Collect.

Cook.

Add nuts, pour over the shortbread crust.  Bake. 

Cool; Cut.

Eat 'em.,,


Yum.

We like to make these at Christmas time and assemble little plates with a few homemade instant  Caramels for neighbor gifts.  Looks like we'll have to put the Dad to work again!

Thanks for stopping by! 
Master List - updated with direct links: 
Deonn at 3rd Degree Bakery ← you are here

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Aebleskivers!


Chelsea recently watched a travel show with our favorite puzzle artist, Eric Dowdle, featuring the Danish village of Solvang, California.  These little Danish Pancake Balls caught her eye, and she had to try them!  She bought the pan at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and we set to making a scrumptious breakfast.

Basically, an aebleskiver is a little round pancake, filled with some kind of fruit compote in the middle.  Brush each section with butter and pour in 1 Tablespoon of batter.  Add a little filling, then top with another Tablespoon of batter.


Cook on medium heat for a couple of minutes, until you see the batter start to bubble, then flip over (Chels used a chopstick) and cook another couple of minutes.


Getting the hang of it.


We just used the recipe that came with the pan, with a grated apple-pie-type filling.  I tried a few with huckleberry jam, and oh, ummm!

Dust with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar and serve.  I ate mine with butter and syrup, like regular old pancakes.  Here's a recipe from Food.com if you want to try:  Aebleskivers.


Now I'm wondering about filling the middles with ham & cheese or bacon, or maybe Nutella...

Deliciousness.

~ the Momma

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Hipster Bags!

We've had fun making up sweet little Hipster Bags!


They're the perfect size with an extra-long strap to sling over a shoulder and wear on your hip.  (Note to self: Is that why they call it a "hipster"? Ask the kids.)

Chelsea's:
So cute!  Ricky Raccoon fabric
Back, plus a little bonus cardholder/wallet (<click for tutorial)
For a trip to New York earlier this summer, I made mine with a "New York Beauty" quilt block on the front.  Because, you know.  New York!



   the Momma's:
Check out the cool Temari Ball zipper fob made by Lauren!
Next is Nicole's sweet "Cruisin'" hipster bag:  

Room for the wallet, phone, sunglasses and..... PASSPORT!!! Yeah!  Perfect for all the necessities when we head out on our Quilt Cruise to the Bahamas next Spring!


Here is the link to the FREE Hipster Bag PATTERN < designed by my friend Sharon for Riley Blake Designs.   A great beginner project for kids and adults alike.  And the zipper installation could not be more simple!  Check this out:

Press upper pocket section in half,
 slip the zipper inside and stitch along the fold,
enclosing the edge of the zipper tape.  

 Press away from the zipper. 

 Now press the lower pocket piece in half,
 slip the zipper inside and stitch along the folded edge
enclosing the other side of the zipper.

Press pocket pieces away from the zipper and edge-stitch on each side of the zipper(s).

We added an extra zipper at the top of the bag plus two more layers of lining - to hold just a little more stuff.  Absolutely perfect!  I predict more Hipster Bags in the future...

And... since I taught the girls to install zippers, we've each earned our ZIPPER merit badge from SewMamaSew!  It's their "Teach A Friend to Sew" Series, and you can find out about it here:
SewMamaSew.

Here are more quick links in case you're interested:
HIPSTER BAG
TEMARI BALLS
NY BEAUTY QUILT BLOCK


~the Momma

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Send Evan to Europe!

It's a family fundraiser.

Order HERE ↓

$16 + Free Shipping


We are so excited about this opportunity - and the Dad is working extra hard to save up for the trip - 3 weeks in Europe is a bit spendy.  But we are getting close to the goal!

Wouldn't you love a great little cookbook to give as gifts?  155 pages of great little recipes, easy to make and budget-friendly.  Great for kids leaving home, or Moms trying to decide what's for dinner.  Desserts, elegant entrees, party foods and appetizers, breads and even home made playdough.  Fun and tasty, quick and easy, mouthwatering, prize-winning family favorite, delicious recipes!  You'll love it, and we love you!


BONUS:  Free Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD with purchase.


~the Momma

Hallowe'en Breakfast

What's for breakfast on Hallowe'en morning? 

Pumpkin Pancakes recipe from AllRecipes.com

There is always something cooking at the Chateau de Stott!  The Dad's "Sunday Morning Deluxe Whole Wheat Waffles" are legendary, but we wanted to try something different.




The taste of Fall.  Definitely a keeper!

~the Momma

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Autumn Aspen 2015

We live in a lovely mountain valley, surrounded by lakes, trees, wildlife, 
and a river that runs through it. 

 
For the Beauty of the Earth - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Sometimes we get so used to this beauty that we don't even pay attention to its loveliness.

This Fall, however, our family has taken a few late afternoon drives and walks
up a corner canyon through the trees as the colors have been changing.  
The Aspen are my favorite.   



That evening sun and the golden shimmer.... ah.

 
Valley View


Even tried to get a few family pictures...


A few mountain maples nestle in the scrub oak with that last bit of color hanging on...


Oh, deer.

My favorite time of the year.  Warm sun, cool air, deep shadows.

If only every day could be just like this.



Fall foliage; family.  What could be better?

It's a beautiful world.

~the Momma

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