Back in the Baking Groove

I'd like to start this post by thanking everyone for their patience during our absence from social media.  While the business side of Katie's Kakes has continued, I let the social side slide during a tumultuous period for my family.

2013 has been a very rough year, and while dealing with grief, I let my passions fall to the wayside.  I didn't experience the same joy in baking that I always had before, so I only baked to fulfill incoming orders.  I stopped experimenting.  I stopped baking for our parties.  I stopped surprising my boyfriend with homemade treats.  I just stopped.

My boyfriend was the one who encouraged me to start this business in the first place, so he perhaps above anyone else felt the effects of my lack of interest.  He often encouraged me during these last six months to get baking again, but I would ignore his requests and leave my KitchenAid woefully unused in the corner of our apartment. 

A few weeks ago, I asked him to go apple picking with me.  He agreed, but only if I would bake something using the apples.  When I began making an apple crisp after our trip, something within me stirred once again.  I felt the familiar serenity and satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch. 

A few days later, after watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother, I was inspired to attempt "sumbitches."  While making a modified version of those TV-inspired cookies, I realized that I was finally getting back in the groove.

This Tuesday, I'll be competing in an Iron Chef event at my office, and I'm happy to report that I'll be spending today perfecting my entry.  I'm baking again, and there's no turning back.

So thank you again to everyone for your patience.  I can't wait to debut some fresh ideas on my blog and on the site.

gfreelove,
Katie
@KatiesKakes
www.katieskakesnj.com 

Fall Menu

The Katie's Kakes break from social media is over, and we're thrilled to be posting our fall menu!

gfreelove,
Katie
@KatiesKakes
katieskakesnj.com

Ben's Breakfast Treat

banana bread with toasted walnuts and chocolate chips - now available in loaf and mini muffin form

Nannie's Toffee Bars

brown sugar squares topped with melted chocolate - nuts optional 

Country Corner

cinnamon cupcake with brown sugar frosting

Apple Pie a la Mode

apple cinnamon cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting

Toasted Treat

vanilla cupcake with nutella filling, topped with toasted marshmallow frosting

Fireside Brownie

dense and delicious flourless chocolate brownie

Spring Menu

When March hits, no matter how cold outside it may be, I can never shake the feeling that spring has arrived!  The weather this week on the East Coast has done its best to squash that joyful feeling, but the optimist in me is holding on to it with all I've got.  To celebrate, I've posted the Spring Menu for Katie's Kakes.  I hope you enjoy!

gfreelove,
Katie
@KatiesKakes
katieskakesnj.com

Ben's Breakfast Treat

banana bread with toasted walnuts and chocolate chips - now available in loaf and mini muffin form

Nannie's Toffee Bars

brown sugar squares topped with melted chocolate - nuts optional 

Spring Fling

lemon cupcake with a lemon cream cheese frosting

Sunday Brunch

vanilla cupcake with raspberry jam filling and cream cheese frosting

Sweet Treat

vanilla cupcake with pink vanilla frosting

Give Me Some Sugar

sugar cookie with toast almonds

Super Bowl Cupcakes

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  The Ravens and 49ers have just kicked off, but I had to post about my Super Bowl dessert.  About 2 weeks ago, Glutino tweeted back at me, after I mentioned I wanted to use their pretzels in a recipe.  I have been trying to figure out the best way to use them ever since, and finally decided that I wanted to incorporate them into a cupcake.  Then I thought it would be fun to make something savory and sweet for the Super Bowl.  And then I thought it would be REALLY fun to make something savory and sweet and boozy for the Super Bowl!  So I had the privilege of combining two of my favorite (gluten free) things: Glutino Pretzels and Julian Hard Cider!

I made the icing first:

3 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Julian's
1/2 cup smashed Glutino pretzels
1 stick unsalted butter

Sift the confectioner's sugar - or, if you don't have a sifter, simply whisk it in a bowl.  Add the confectioner's sugar to the butter (room temperature), and mix on the medium speed of an electric mixer.  Then add then add the vanilla, Julian's, and finally the Glutino pretzels, mixing well after each addition.

Cupcakes (makes 1 dozen):

1 1/2 cups all purpose gluten free flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 cup crushed Glutino pretzels
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup Julian's

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line your cupcake tin with cupcake holders.  Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, xanthan gum, and Glutino pretzels in a bowl.  Whisk together and set aside.  In a mixing bowl, add the brown sugar to the butter (room temperature), and mix on the medium speed of an electric mixer.  Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Next add the vanilla.  Finally, alternate between adding the flour mixture and the Julian's.  Scoop the batter into your cupcake tins, and bake for 20 minutes.

ENJOY!!

gfreelove,
Katie
@KatiesKakes
www.katieskakesnj.com

Mid-Winter Menu

Happy Saturday and Happy February!  I can't believe that the first month of 2013 has come and gone.  In honor of the most romantic month of the year, I have decided to update our menu.  We have four new love-inspired treats, along with our two year round staples, to complete our Mid-Winter Menu.  Enjoy!

gfreelove,
Katie
@KatiesKakes
katieskakesnj.com

Ben's Breakfast Treat

banana bread with toasted walnuts and chocolate chips - now available in loaf and mini muffin form

Nannie's Toffee Bars

brown sugar squares topped with melted chocolate - nuts optional 

Give Me S'more Love

chocolate cupcake with toasted marshmallow frosting

The Look of Love

red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles

Toast to Love

pink champagne cupcakes with champagne frosting, topped with edible pearls

Gentlemen Prefer Blondies

delicious blondies with semi-sweet chocolate chips

Whip It Good

Whipped cream can improve almost all desserts.  It's so great with brownies, cakes, ice cream, pudding - I don't think whipped cream has a bad relationship with any sweet.  Although I love my red can of Reddiwip as much as the next person, my favorite whipped cream has always been my mom's.  It's so simple and light, and I love that it's homemade.  Follow this basic recipe to sweeten up your (gluten-free!) desserts!

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar*
1 teaspoon vanilla

*add more to taste

Simply combine the ingredients in a mixer, and start whipping!