Time for an upgrade

I can't believe tomorrow is the start of 2015! Happy year of the Lamb! Hehe I truly believe that it is going to be an amazing year of new opportunities, beginnings, and struggle/growth.  So excited for what the Lord has planned :') 

I am also excited for how God will use my baking this coming new year.  Thanks to my secret santa, I am now fully upgraded to be a better baker! Thanks, Shinster! 

Decided to try out my new mixmaster buy getting rid of some brown bananas by making banana bread.  Also, whipped out my nixon which I have not used in forever. Upgraded blog entry for the new year! wooop~ 

Happy New Year everyone! For those of you who read this blog, I appreciate you :)
Happy blogging and baking 2015!

Sweet Thanksgiving

What: Soft-baked white chocolate chip cranberry cookies
Why: a special treat for a special lady
How: sallysbakingaddiction.com via pinterest
With: Garebare

Finally got the chance to bake with G- and these cookies were amazing.  I was missing a few ingredients and supplies, but due to G's mixing skills and some praying haha it didn't even matter at the end.  One note though, the recipe said to bake these for 8-10 minutes, however, they were too soft when I took them out so I baked them for another 3-5 minutes.  Was a bit worried about taking the batch of cookies in an out of the oven, but they were perfectly soft and sweet.  Definitely hit the spot for sure!

Often times during thanksgiving season I tend to think about what I am thankful for hahah.  A couple months ago, a guest speaker asked us how much we depend on God.  He said the amount of things we're thankful for shows our dependence on God.  I sat for awhile to think what I was thankful for this season and..above everything else I am so thankful for a God who continues to watch over me.  Despite how much I may say that I can do things on my own without His help and how much I choose to question His perfect plans for my future on a daily bases...He has and always will look at me with love and grace and remind me of identity in Christ...

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me. 
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 
He fills my life with good things. 
My youth is renewed like the eagle's! 
Psalms 103:2-5 (NLT)

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven - and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future.  The Day is coming when you'll have it all - life healed and whole.  
1 Peter 1:5 (MSG)

Happy Thanksgiving
Happy baking :)

Splash of Color

What: Cranberry Orange Bread
Why: let the thanksgiving festivities begin! 
Fact: Cranberry bread freezes well so you can freeze this bread up to 3 months! 

One thing I'm thankful for this month is that I gave more of a reason to bake for loved ones! These didn't come out the way I expected them too, but they were still a hit so phew.

Start of Something New

What: Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Why: because it's October and I must bake something with pumpkin in it #bestseason #fallisbestofall
Who: GCEM community
Fact: Chilling the dough is mandatory (at least for 30 minutes)
Need:

- 2 stick of unsalted butter
- 1/4 dark brown sugar
- 1/2 granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 and 1/2 cups all purpose-flour
- 1/4 teaspoon sald
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

little poop droppings hehe

I'm still waiting for fall to start in SoCal.  Why is it so warm? Bleh.  Just going to pretend that its cold outside while eating these.. OTL

happy baking xx

Girlfriends + Doggyfriends

What: Earl Grey Macarons

Why: G.N.I baking & cooking
Where: Hanster's Casa

Junior & Gucci meet for the 1st time 

Earl Grey Macarons 

I take absolute no credit for these tasty treats.  All credits go to Hanster and Euni, but I wanted to add it to my blog just to show them off and the cute doggie friends.  Also, I've wanted to make the ramen burger and have a doggie playdate for the longest time.  Thank you, God for making both of these things happen on the same night/weekend.  haha.  It's now been a little over a week since I've been dog-sitting my sister's dog, Gucci.  Her and her kids went on a camping trip last weekend and I finally finally finally got the opportunity and the 'okay' from my parents to bring the little guy home.  What was supposed to be just a weekend has become a week and now I am so attached and don't want him to go...I would also like to believe that Gucci has attached to me as well as he follows me around literally everywhere.  My parents are slowly falling in love with him too, but the guilt of taking my nieces and nephews dog is kill me so...I must return him asap.  (Still, I would like to believe (or actually know) that Gucci is happier with my parents and I..but oh...well.)

OH and I'm thankful for these girls I get to call friends and for these dogs that bring me so much joy and comfort...

Clearly, this one wasn't really a baking how-to post, but more of a 'its-nice-to-bake-with-loved-ones' kind of a post. Even when the product doesn't come out the way you want it, at least you get to spend time with your loved ones laughing about it.  

Happy baking xx 

Easy As 1, 2, 3

What: Shortbread Scottish Biscuits dipped in chocolate
Need: Flour, Butter, & Sugar
Why: Because I finally more of a reason to bake for my community (but didn't have time to make something grand)
Fact: poking holes with a fork on the cookie dough before putting it in the oven will create perfect cookies without any bubbles

Chocolate is optional 

These came out a bit hard because I put them into the fridge for the chocolate to set, but eating them with a cup of coffee makes them perfect. 

ps. happy baking! 

Studying For Jesus

Secret study spot thanks to Euni 

Going to change up the topic of my blog a little bit this weekend.

When I started this baking blog, I wanted to to make it about Jesus; baking for His glory that is.  Every time I get to bake I remind myself of the little things that I get to do in glorying God and I am so thankful for those moments.

As my new semester started as a full time grad. student and my responsibilities at work growing (it feels like), I found myself in the mist of my old habits of getting overwhelmed by everything that needs to be checked off in my agenda on a day to day basis.  After a week of frustrated tears of asking God why I needed to be in school for so much longer and not knowing what I was doing at Biola and with my teaching career even though it seemed so simple for others, I was gently reminded in the mist of all my tantrums that pride had been built up in me.

One of my classmate in my program prayed thanking God how blessed we are to be getting an education that is glorifying Him as well as something we want to do for the rest of our lives and it left me speechless.  If I am learning to teach as Jesus taught I must be aware that "teaching is an art of serving, a process of humbly guiding others not to oneself but to the Lord and his Word.  Therefore, pride is totally inappropriate in a teacher" (Roy B. Zuck, Teaching as Jesus Taught).

I'm so thankful that despite my ugly tantrums, God brings me to this point of gentle rebukes, forgiveness, and encouragement.  Even though I may not know what God is doing in my life, I am surely in good hands and that through the process' I will experience His love, care, and provision as everything comes together perfectly (Eccles. 3:11).

Jesus, You know me better than I know myself and for that I am so relieved and thankful...

E is for Earl Grey Cookies

What: Early Grey Cookies
What:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons loose earl grey tea leaves (6 tea bags)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup or 2 sticks room temperature butter

Fact: Salt brings out more of the sweetness! food science is amazing. 

so simple

it smells UH-mazing! 

Before the oven

After - perfect golden edges

Note to self:

1. refrigerate cookie dough for at least an hour (the longer the better) 

You win some. You lose some.

What: Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Muffins

Need:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 teaspoons Nutella

Cinnamon Topping

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

How: quickandeasyrecipes

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt.
3. In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together milk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist.
4. Scoop a spoonful of batter evenly into the muffin tray. Drop 1 teaspoon Nutella into the center of each cup. Top with remaining batter to completely cover the filling.
5. Place into oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. To make the cinnamon sugar, combine the cinnamon and sugar.
7. When the muffins are done, cool for 10 minutes and dip the muffin crown into the melted butter and then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Let cool on a wire rack.

I've had a bit of a sweet tooth all day and decided to whip up something simple, but the moment I mixed everything together and realized how liquid-y it still was..I knew I messed up. Still, I decided to just go ahead and bake them and it turned out okay + I definitely need to work on making the topping look a bit more presentable next time haha.  

Man, this summer has been tough, but it'll all be over in about 2 weeks. I reached my 6 month mark at work which feels like a huge accomplishment (...it's been tough lol).  I'm excited for the summer program to finally end and for the school year to begin (both mine and the kids).  

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. A verse I had to come back to over and over again this summer. Thankful how God is so faithful to meet me where I am even when I'm not being faithful to Him :') #bakingforJesus 

till next time..xx

Matcha Green Tea Cookies

I loved baking these cute cookies so much that I made them twice this week.  They were Mom and Dad approved too! The first batch was for Mama Kim and I was surprised at how simple they were to make (& quick). I was on a time crunch, but was able to whip it all together in about an hour! I'm just going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

Recipe inspired by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNQm7TNQijE

p.s. I also found these little treasures in the sales section at Michaels today. hehe. Can't wait to start using them. 

p.p.s. Happy August! holy moly....

Or'Ange you glad it's Summa

Cranberries + Almonds + Oranges = mMmMmmMmm!

What: Cranberry Almond Scone with Orange Glaze
Scones:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cups sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup cold butter 
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds

Orange Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp orange juice 

How: Preheat oven to 400F. Combine all the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Then mix in the cold butter. Add in the dried cranberries and milk and mix until it forms a ball.  After patting it out on a cookie sheets brush milk + top with almonds before putting it into the oven.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Fact: It was Mom and Dad approved! #win

Who knew powdered sugar + orange juice would make an orange glaze?! amazing.

Scones remind me of my 7th grade Korean school teacher.  I remember she used to always bake us these cranberry scones back in the day.  To be honest, I don't think I like them then, but now I love it.   I love it even more now that I know how easy it is to make!

Going into the Oven

Ding! 

Note to self: Next time don't add too much milk on top. It was too wet for me to cut it into little triangle pieces. opps!

Budget Baking

What: Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Need:

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (I actually chopped up a bar of semi-sweet chocolate) 

Spent: $5.00 

I remember when I first made my first batch of cookies for Erica's 15th birthday. They came out like big fat cakes.  I didn't know what went wrong, but they came out horrible.  Ever since then I've been a little nervous about baking cookies, but these days I've been wanting to perfect the chocolate chip cookie...then eventually try other interesting recipes.  

It's already the end of July and it has warmed up in the SFV.  Warmed up? scratch that, it's an oven outside.  I think I know how my cookies felt in the oven (clearly, this heat is making me a little cray).  This heat has been making me lazy and cranky so decided to change up my mood by walking into one of my favorite stores: 99 cent store.  After walking around for free AC, I found the baking aisle and found everything I needed to try to recipe. Well,  I had most of the things at home already, but had to restock on flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and butter.  

It's been a week since I finished up my summer courses and it feels amazing! I definitely feel relaxed and refreshed.  I'm seriously going to enjoy every single moment till the end of Aug. (when school starts again..I think..don't even know..don't even care rn? haha) On a serious now, I do have some big decisions to make regarding my graduate program.  I have one more course before officially finishing my master's portion of the program which means I'll be getting into my concentration in the fall which I'm so excited for btw.  However, I haven't decided if I should stick to Early Childhood or to a multiple subject credential. Idk Idk! Lots of thinking and praying to do about that, but enough on that.  

Back to the cookies!! I'm planning on trying a lot of cookie recipes till school starts so..friends..get ready for that! hehe

These came out a little flatter then I wanted, but they were perfectly chewy! 

Till, next time! x

Boom, Bang, Pop!

Happy Birthday, America!

What: Red, White, Blue Birthday Cake
Need: White Cake & Butter Cream Frosting Recipes via foodnetwork
Why: because I'm proud to be an Americaaaaaan~

Love using my pinned items on pinterst to good use!

Location: Shepherd of the Hills Church

PC: Kristina Choi

The frosting started to melt on my way to Oly's house due to the valley heatwave and I missed singing happy birthday, but it was such a good day off to spend time with old and new friends!

Who lives in a PINEAPPLE under the Sea?

Spongebob!

What: Pineapple Cake
Need: Angel Food Cake Mix & Crushed Pineapple chunks (with juice)
Fact: only 2 ingredients were needed for this (I was lazy)
Why: for my own sanity!

My professor had mentioned that people who have careers in teaching, counseling, therapy, psychiatry (basically any job that deals with people) tend to enjoy baking or gardening. Why? Because dealing with people is always a never ending progress and if you're super OCD (like me) and need to "get things done" and see the final product? well, baking is the answer.  This made so much sense to me.

These past couple weeks have been overwhelming and after moping about everything I realized I need to stop feeling everything and fix my eyes on Jesus and just like that I was released from it all (PTL) Also, thanks G- for pretty much telling me I needed to relax haha so this was my final product!

happy baking xx