Wednesday 27 May 2015

Healthy Soft-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies









Oh boy.


It has been a while since I have been able to actually post a new recipe. Lots of small orders have been going out of my little kitchen -- and as usual, it's just been a whirlwind of flour, royal icing and chocolate smears.


Seriously, I have chocolate on everything.


I was joking as I got to the gym with a friend that my sweater had chocolate on it -- like a lot. And that it's pretty typical for that to be the case. I don't even remember eating chocolate some days and there it is. Boom. All over the place.

One time I fell asleep eating a bar of dark chocolate -- because any time I would go out..you know..OUTTT....I would come home super late but always have a bed time snack.


That's normal, right?


Anyways, I woke up with chocolate all over my leg and forgetting I had eaten chocolate before bed I was very concerned.











Home girl thought she doo - doo'd on her self.


Thankfully I didn't but honestly it was just as annoying to clean up. Chocolate just smears into everything and carries itself around as opposed to wiping OFF. It's so lazy, that chocolate. "Oh you want to get rid of meeee...Well I was just gonna spread myself all over if that's coo",


Such a jerk.










But I can't ever stay mad at chocolate. Chocolate is baby, or...boo...or bae. Or something.










And that something is deeeeelicious.


You may have already tried my Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.



If you haven't you need to get on my level, son.










I eat chocolate chips like you for breakfast!












But really you should make them. UNLESSSSSS you much prefer a soft and fluffy cookie that stays soft and deliciously sweet for days and days.






A cookie that tastes like a chocolate chip marshmallowy pillow of joy that makes your heart smile and your tummy happy and your brain even happier because it's all like "Woooaahhh these are good for me I should have 10" and you're all like "Ahh noo don't do that we were supposed to share" and then IT'S ALL LIKE...


Too late.


Wednesday 20 May 2015

Blush & Champagne Bridal Cookies




Cookies are awesome.


Shoes? AWESOME!


Shoes that ARE cookies?!? Uhh...Amazing.


These cookies were made for the most ridiculously sweet bride to be. Seriously you guys -- everything at the shower was gorgeous and there were cookies as far as the eyes could see! I was very honoured to see my little cookies at the cookie table! Her colour theme was blush and champagne -- I snuck some white in there too, because, you know, bridal!


I stuck with 4 designs: shoes, cakes, heart dresses, full dresses. I tried to do the same amount of each in the 3 respective colours and of course, little additions of some pizzazz were added. If there's no pizzaz on cookies I don't want anything to do with it! Hand me roses! Sprinkles! Shiny things! STAT!


Bridal season is in full swing and I love doing bridal cookies SO SO SO MUCH! Something about how delicate and simple they are just makes me really happy.


But...I guess I just like cookies in general!








If you don't think those cakes are fun...well I have no words for you, friend. Just no words.








NO WORDS!







The cakes I have the most fun with in terms of design. I think of weddings cakes as being the perfect canvas for pretty much any kind of pattern, sprinkle and doo-dad.


So on they went!









In terms of what to expect from the blog other than cookies (and please expect cookies because I have more to share) there has just been a higher volume than normal of small and large orders alike -- which is AMAZING. Not that I vocalize this very much but that is kind of the game plan to make baking in some capacity my daily gig. I know I won't get there any time soon but keep the orders coming everyone because I appreciate it!


That being said I do have a full-time job so the posting of new recipes has been...erratic. I have 5 new recipes developed and ready to go, it's just a matter of finding the time to edit, write, post, etc.


So in the mean time I will keep sending out newsletters, posting photos on social media, posting updates on the blog and really really hoping you stay with me on the journey!



So let's see the rest of the cookies -- shall we? We don't have all day, now. Or do you? DO YOU!? STAY HERE WITH ME ALL DAY PLEASE!


Sunday 17 May 2015

Mother's Day: Cookies and a Fancy Brunch!




HAPPY....last week was..MOTHER'S DAY!!!


I spent all of last weekend preparing all of the various bits and bobs in this post to surprise my mama for Mother's Day.

I absolutely adored every step of the process.

Usually when I have a lot of orders to do...or a lot of things to do for blog posts and something goes wrong I freak out.

I panic and there are tears and oh boy. Bad news.


But this time was different. I think when you care enough for someone you're just willing to make them happy and taking time and effort is always worth it.


The entire meal was gluten free and made with the best ingredients I could get my hands on!



I even bought a new tablecloth and some flowers..


Apparently tablecloths come in SIZES...which I did not consider. Silly me!


And I later trimmed the flowers down so they weren't flopping around in peoples faces ;)








We had called my Aunt to come join us as she was in town for the weekend -- and I almost think that she was more surprised than mommy dearest!


But we all had a great time. And all mutually agreed I made WAY too much..Except for the galette. Definitely could have used at least ONE more!




So let's talk more about the spread. Fruit. Lots of fresh fruit! It's a brunch, after all.



I picked it all out -- tapping on melons and smelling things and inspecting.


Quality control, you know??













I did put aside some fruit for this beautiful cheesecake (double the recipe for one this size).












I tried to be fancy and make strawberry roses. Let's just say...I ate a lot of mistakes... :S










AND JUST LOOK AT THAT! Forgive how thick the crust is. We like the crust. But if you wanted you could just do 1 1/2 times the recipe for the crust and still have enough!









A big ol' fruit tray. 









And I made these scones. They were absolutely DELIGHTFUL! I really missed these beauties. They looked so nice even before they were baked. I love the little blueberry cross-sections.









And even lovelier baked! They are so soft and delicious on the inside. SO GOOD!


I mean... just check that out!


Monday 11 May 2015

Cheeky Bachelorette Cookies




HA! Do you see what I did there?



With the cheeky? And the butt jokes? Because they are ladies butts???

Not funny when I explain it, right? I KNOW BUT LOOK AT THE CUTENESS!


Unrelated to these cookies I hope all the Mother's out there had an AMAZING DAY yesterday. Don't forget to check out my recipe list if you haven't already -- maybe you are celebrating it late and still need some ideas?! I will post a full recap of all the festivities with pictures later.. it turned out AWESOME and was the culmination of an entire weekend of preparation and baking -- definitely worth it!

Any who -- more on that later! The kind young lady who ordered these cookies allowed me to choose the colour scheme and design which of course, is my favourite thing to do -- EVER!

I had actually done a batch of lingerie cookies (bras and panties) for another bachelorette party but sadly did not capture any of the pictures! Sometimes I finish orders late at night and the lighting isn't the best. But I will remember to snap some quick ones next time because bachelorette cookies are so fun!



Hot pink and black are quintessentially the 'bachelorette' colours in my mind. I don't know why. I don't know where I got that idea from. No clue! BUTTTTT....







To many butt jokes?







Lot's of swirls and roses, of course. And adorably girly sprinkles to boot!


I had so much fun with these! To make your life a bit easier you could just leave the cookies naked. I found that flooding them with beige icing made them look more put together, though. 









The sanding sugar looks like glitter! I wish it picked up better in the photo -- it was so glimmery!


Speaking of sanding sugar and sprinkles I have been on a serious sprinkle kick lately. Everywhere I go I am finding new sprinkles and sugars to buy.


OOPS!?







I  hope you enjoyed a quick snap of these adorable little cookies! I have a bunch of new things to post and will definitely be debuting a few new recipes, lots of cookie designs, and just an overall catch-up on all the things that have been coming out of my kitchen, lately!

A few ways to keep posted on all the delicious noms before they make it to the blog are: Facebook, Instagram ( @SummerBakes88 ), and of course subscribing to my newsletter for lots of fun facts about food, baking and all things related to either of those things!


'See' you soon!


XO


Friday 8 May 2015

6 Recipes for Mother's Day Brunch







OH HEY! Anyone out there? BUELLER?!?


I hope you are all doing SMASHINGLY! Eating well, moving well, being well.


Speaking of which -- did you get my newsletter this week? I talked a lil' smidgen about my favourite macro-nutrient -- protein, DUH! Actually I like them all, equally. But protein is pretty great. Even if you didn't learn something I hope it inspired you to make sure you are getting enough of what you need to just live a badass life.


This week has been a weird one. I had a trip to the emergency room which was GREAT TIMES, lots of good food (thanks Mom!) and some good gym sessions, too. Oh and I tried frozen yogurt for the first time which ..honestly, I kind of wish I didn't. It was like magical unicorns all singing praises from the heavens in my mouth. But dairy for me is usually no-bueno and now all I want is fro-yo </3.


SPEAKING OF MOM! Mother's Day is coming up! In lieu of a recipe or Cookies, Cakes and Catch-Ups post I decided to put together some 'Menu Ideas' for maybe a nice Breakfast/Lunch/Brunch?!


Mom's love brunch. I love brunch. Any God-fearing American with a sense of dignity loves brunch. Too far? No. Brunch is delicious.

Brunch is the world's way of saying -- "Hey girl, I know you wish you could eat Breakfast for every meal...so go ahead. Sundays are for you."

I don't think I need to wax poetic about my love for my Mother. But ah hell, I will do it anyone! She is, after-all, this blogs most loyal supporter.


While I have always been the princess -- I'm the only girl, I won by default -- I definitely put my mom through a lot of grief. She has been there through far too many hospital stays and sleepless nights, through the tears and through moments when I truly felt all alone. And while those moments will linger as painful ones the only shining light is that she was there for me.

As a person who is undecided as to whether or not children are in my future, I can only say that the bond that I have with my mom makes me have faith that maybe, JUST MAYBE, I will have a little cupcake eatin' peanut one day. But don't hold your breath, mama ;)


So what do you do to honor the person in your life (doesn't have to be your mom -- could be any special mother or lady!) who is the most self-less, loving, wonderful person?

FOOOOODDDDZ.


Of course I post a lot of dessert options that healthy mother's would appreciate. Or you could re-visit last year's Mother's Day cookies!


BUT I also have lots of breakfast options, too! You could add them on top of a main dish or a savoury food item to round out the meal in addition to some fresh juices, hot teas and coffees and maybe some bubbly....water. Bubbly water?




1. Savoury Gluten Free Galette. 








First -- this recipe is now up at here on the official TreStelle website! They provided me with this beautiful photo, too! Doesn't this look UNREAL?! It is. This is the absolute perfect centre piece for a brunch. It's light but flakey and decadent at the same time. Vegan? Omit the cheese et voila! One of my favourite recipes that I have created to date -- and one that everyone will BEG you to make over and over and over again.


Not into the savoury option? I made a sweet Peach and Plum Galette with Brie. It is a perfect brunch option, too! Very classy and refined for all those foodies out there!



2. Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Muffins 





One of my lovely Instagram friends (Heyy gurrrl!) made these muffins for her family and they LOVED them -- and I have no doubt yours will, too. Without fail no one in my family believes these are gluten free. They are soft on the inside with a nice domed muffin top and the most pleasant and delicious aftertaste in the whole world. They are a beautiful show piece and fantastic side to a Mother's Day Brunch! 



3. Gluten Free Lemon and Blueberry Scones






Scones are the quintessential adorably English brunch/breakfast item. These are FULL of flavour with bursts of fresh blueberries and real lemon zest these will brighten up your brunch table and be a fun vehicle for specialty jams and teas.  I also have a pumpkin version. But hey it's spring -- so whip out that lemon zester and GO TO TOWN! These are crumbly, sweet and delicious.


4. Gluten Free Vegan Banana Walnut Breakfast Bars





I have made these chewy and sweet bars for coworkers, family, friends, pretty much everyone. Definitely a family favourite. It's like a sweet banana brownie but obviously...not chocolate! Absolutely incredible and addictive texture -- these vegan treats are a MUST for any breakfast or brunch function. Mom will love how healthy they are!



5. Gluten Free White Chocolate and Lemon Cranberry Cookies






My grandmother and my mother and -- well, the whole family, ADORED these bright and sunny little cookies. I think these pair VERY well with tea. In fact, I suggest you serve them with tea! Or as a part of a delightful afternoon tea spread or brunch. These are quite soft cookies and they melt in your mouth -- so stick them on any table and watch them disappear!


6. Healthy Vegan Vanilla Bean Donuts 





If your mom doesn't fall in love with these donuts...I will give you your money back. Err, theoretically speaking, of course. Soft, flavourful and full of vanilla bean flavour these baked donuts can be made vegan and are gluten free. They will brighten up any table and add a bright pop of fun and excitement. Snap them up while they are fresh and at their best - don't worry, they won't last long ;)




SO THERE YOU GO!


Lot's of bright and fun items to add to your mother's day events-- with a healthy twist! I hope some of these inspire you to make your mom something delicious for her special day -- but of course, that should be every day, no?

Try any of these? Snap a picture and let me know? I love when people share photos of items they have made or items I have made for them at their events! It makes me smile!


And MOM! I love you. Thank you for being my shining light. I love you to the moon and back.


XO