Rocky Roads

So, lately I have been making my way through a great little book called Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar.  I may not be a vegan, but it's a welcome change of pace to bake cookies without the use of eggs or butter.  I also love the challenge of sneaking unexpectedly veg/vegan recipes past my unsuspecting carnivore guy friends.  It's good research :)  So far I have made Oatmeal PB, Ginger Macadamia, and the undisputed champion:  Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles.   *drooool*


Last night's cookie flavor was Rocky Road.  On a scale of 1-5, I give em a 4.  They were super yummy and full of gooey delisciousness, but they transformed into giant pancake cookies (see photo) when baked that were a little on the greasy side.  I think next time I will try a little less oil and see what happens.  Taste-wise, however, they were awesome.  A generous helping of almond extract, TWO kinds of chocolate chips, and roasted almonds??  Kinda hard to go wrong with that combo.

before.....

the delicious, but pancakey, after

Metallicats



Charlotte - she takes after my love of sweets



Thank you to those who took the survey! The winner for best write-in comment in the "other" section goes to whomever suggested I post more on Lars Ulrich. Well played.

Well, I am not one to disappoint my fans, so in addition to this week's cute cat photo, I give you this, anonymous poster:

Lars Ulrich - drummer for Metallica (1981 - present)

*sigh*

Oh, Lars.  My middle-high school crush. I was so in love with you.  It would be way too easy to post about the negative stuff surrounding Mr. Ulrich: Napster blah blah blah, but I would never bad-mouth my first love.


I drove my mom's mini-van to the (then) Fairmont Hotel when Metallica was in town for Lollapalooza 1996.  I was 16, and I was on a mission.  With me I had a painting I had done of Lars spitting water across the stage in silhouette.  I was wearing some synthetic fabric awful dress that was black with red dragons all over it...because I wanted to look like I belonged at the fancy hotel, and that I wasn't just some crazy fan.  I marched my way to the front desk and in my best adult voice requested that they deliver the gift to a one "Mr. Lars Ulrich".  The lady behind the desk said there was no one staying there under that name. I knew better!  She was just covering for him! I told her to keep the painting at the front desk and give it to him when he arrived...and I left.  I returned several days later to find the painting had NOT been delivered, but I was able to retrieve it.  Thankfully, the following year, I was the lucky recipient of backstage passes to the after show meet-and-greet when they came back to play at Kemper Arena.  Bassist Jason Newstead was the only band member to appear at the event, but I successfully delivered the painting to him, and he promised to give it to Lars.  He said he would put it in his road case.  Flash forward to 2000:  Dallas, TX.  I was again fortunate enough to acquire backstage passes to yet another Metallica show, this time I think it was for different reasons:  we were 2, 20-year-old girls, and it was James Hetfield's birthday party that night.  (cough) The things I witnessed that night are irrelevant to the story, but I do know that I managed to finally meet my high-school love and ask him myself if he had indeed received my painting.


So, what does this story have to do with baking?  NOTHING!  I'm just here to give the people what they want.  Look for more dessert-related posts starting Monday.  xoxo

Oh, Lars.  Don't look so sad.  Your private jet and groupies will be along shortly.



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debut

Welcome to Donut Girl’s first ever blog posting!

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do·nut girl [doh-nuht gurl] n.

1.  a member of the Salvation Army's all-girl group who provided fresh doughnuts to weary soldiers in the trenches of Montiers, France, during WWI

2.  a hard-rockin’ gal from Kansas City who creates stylish sweets with eco- and animal-friendliness in mind

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I am venturing into the world of blogging to share my journey toward my ultimate goal:  opening a fun and stylish bakery with an emphasis on organic, local, and animal-friendly products. 

I currently have an active Facebook page for Donut Girl, but I am finding my posts are occasionally too “wordy” for the FB format, so this will allow me more freedom to vent the successes, fails, and fun that I have in the kitchen and the business world.

My culinary focus is primarily cookies and cupcakes.  I use organic flour, Shatto milk (Osborn, Missouri), Campo Lindo eggs (Lathrop, Missouri), and fresh, animal-friendly ingredients whenever possible.  I have been experimenting lately with vegan cookies, and I foresee small-batch, couture DONUTS on the horizon.  I figure I better follow-through on the “Donut Girl” moniker, right?  I have a graphic design background, so I place a strong focus on the aesthetics of the sweets in addition to making them delicious.

I am currently in the MBA Entrepreneurship program at UMKC, learning everything I can to help make my business a successful one. I also work a full-time day job. This all leaves little time for filling orders, but I DO take custom orders on a limited basis.

~Cat

1917

2011