Hi everyone, It's been a while since my last blog post and let me tell you it was not planned. I went back home for the holidays. Before I knew it I was renovating my old bedroom (it was time for the rainbow & palm tree wallpaper to go), I was eating my weight in chocolates, drinking way too much Christmas Cheer and on occasion replacing my Vitamin D pill with Melatonin by mistake (note to self a ziplock baggie does not work as a pill case).
Needless to say I dropped the ball on sending out my New Years Newsletter (sorry gang) but I did have a fabulous time spending many days & nights with family and had one of the best New Year's i've had in a few years! I am so ready for 2011 and can't wait to make The Happy Baker brand bigger & better.
This year did not disappoint in the gift department. Although I told everyone I really didn't need anything (unless it's a yacht in the French Riviera with Keanu Reeves) I still was spoiled rotten. Some of my favourite gifts include, of course, baking items and fabulous props for the kitchen!


These cute little egg cups were a gift from Santa and in my stocking. They are from one of my favourite kitchen stores Kulpepper's on the square in Goderich, Ontario. Not only do they have my favourite Planet Bean Jumping Bean espresso but they have a whole mish mash of kitchen gadgets from sassy aprons to fruit zesters to my cookbook!


These super cute accessories were given to me by my sister in law from one of our fav stores HomeSense. We both have a bit of unhealthy obsession with the store. You just never know what you may find there! She sure knows me well I can't wait to use the props for upcoming Valentine's Day promo ... and if you didn't know yet my web series The Happy Baker will be launching on the Food Network Canada February 14th so I will get some serious use out of them:)

I just love these fruit pieces. My mother gave me these lovely gifts from another one of my favourite small town stores The Gift Cupboard in Blyth Ontario. The owner Janice sure knows her stuff and I always find something to buy when I am in her store. They will both be a great addition to The Happy Baker kitchen.

A very Happy New Year to everyone. I wish you all nothing but the best for 2011. I just know this year has a lot in store for us. My batteries are recharged and I am ready for action!

Ok so I'm a sucker for new baking products especially anything from President's Choice. Rarely am I ever let down by their products and as a rule they are cheaper than comparable products. As I was perusing the grocery store back home I noticed the huge display of the new PC Mini Melts. They have fudge, peanut butter and butterscotch (yes I bought all 3).

I thought I would start off with the peanut butter ones and decided to make something from my newest obsession FUDGE.

I love fudge there is such a science behind it. You really have to pay attention and get to know your fudge for it to turn out. Although I do use a candy thermometer I may try it without a thermometer one day and create it like my grandma would ... testing the fudge for the soft ball stage and such. Fudge is old school and I love that I can just imagine my Grandma making it back in the day while she had a pie cooling in the window sill.

My review of the peanut butter melt is this: DO not open the bag before you need to add them to your recipe you will eat them and not just one or two but a handful! I quite enjoyed them in the fudge although the chocolate did melt away from the cups even though I added them when my fudge was at room temperature. But the little creamy pockets of peanut butter in the fudge are extremely enjoyable. Next time I make the fudge I will reserve a third of the package to sprinkle on the top so I don't lose the chocolaty taste. That being said I do wish they had a more chocolaty taste. The chocolate is too subtle for my liking in general. I also added pecan pieces because that is what I had lying around although next time I will use chopped peanuts.

Now this product is Canadian and available and Loblaws, Zehrs etc ... on behalf of all Canadians I would like to apologize to my American friends. If you come over the border to shop I suggest you stock up like I do with Mint Mojito gum by Orbit mmmmmmm when I'm in the U.S.



PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE RECIPE
Like I said I love fudge it makes a great gift for this time of year as well!

4 cups light brown sugar
1 1/3 cups milk
1 cup peanut butter (not low fat)
1 tsp. Vanilla
3/4 cup chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans)
1 bag (minus the handful you have eaten) of PC Peanut Butter Mini Melts
Method

In a heavy bottom saucepan combine the sugar and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Clip a candy thermometer on to the side.
DO not touch, stir or even look at your fudge the wrong way. Fudge is about as sensitive as I am. Do what a good man should when you are PMS-ing ... leave you alone or stand a good distance away from ya at all times!
When your fudge reaches 240 degrees on the candy thermometer gently remove it from the burner. Gently place the peanut butter and vanilla on top.
Once the fudge comes to room temperature 110 degrees you can stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Using a hand mixer beat the fudge until it thickens up and it will lose it's gleam a little. DO not scrap the crystals of the side (if you have any) this will make your fudge grainy and not smooth.
Stir in 2/3 of the mini melts and the nuts. Press into a 9-inch greased tin, smooth down top. You can place a piece of plastic wrap on top and smooth the fudge down with your hands. Sprinkle the remaining mini melts on top and gently press into the fudge.
Let set in the fridge and then cut into 1-inch squares. Can be stored in the fridge for one week.

Grocery alerts is a fabulous Canadian website that has printable coupons and is your source for all the great grocery deals in Canada! They have just done a feature on my cookbook and 1 lucky winner will walk away with my book. You can learn more about the contest and enter here: GROCERY ALERTS WEBSITE. The contest closes on December 16th!

Howdy everyone, I am loving my book media tour in the U.S. I love to travel and I love to chit chat to everyone about my book! So far my journey has taken me to Washington D.C. for the National Press Club's annual book fair and then off to Philly for a segment on NBC's the 10! Show and then off to NYC for a segment on the nationally syndicated show Better TV with host Audra Lowe.

I'm enjoying every minute of it (except the airport part) but it does beat driving across the country in my book mobile like I did for my Canadian Tour!
This morning I'm going to chat with Lou from the Mr. Fix It Radio Show in Chicago and then off for some Chicago promo on WGN next Tuesday.
Anywho Ill keep y'all posted of this crazy ride I am on and of course I love to take lots of pics!

HI everyone, I'm super excited to let you know I have been chosen as a guest for the National Press Club's Annual Book Fair & Author's night in Washington D.C. The event is Tuesday November 9th from 5:30-8:30. You can learn more about the event here - Book Fair
You can also catch me live on Let's Talk Live in Washington Tuesday between 11am-Noon.

Hey Y'all I thought I would share The Happy Baker cookbook now & then. The original was submitted for the Public School Fall fair (circa 1986) ... well my stick figure drawings have not improved LOL

You Can't Be A Witch Without A Broom!!

Recipe:

1/4 cup butter
2 cups peanut butter chips or 1 300g bag
2 cups of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

5 Shredded Wheat biscuits, crumbled
App. 15 pretzel rods, broken in half
Halloween jimmies

In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in the crumbled Shredded Wheat.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Break the pretzel rods in half. Spoon a tablespoonful of the mixture on top of one end of the pretzel rod. About 1-inch up the rod. Shape the mixture in the shape of a witches broom. Sprinkle with Halloween Jimmies. Let set in a cool area or in your fridge. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

Happy Halloween!!

1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
¾ cup white sugar
1 ¼ cups fresh roasted pumpkin, pureed

3 eggs

2 ½ cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. cloves
pinch of nutmeg

½ cup warm milk

Preheat oven to 350*
Line 2 cupcake tins with cupcake liners. Makes 24 cupcakes.
In a large bowl mix together the sugars and butter; mix until light and fluffy. Mix in pumpkin puree until thoroughly combined.
Add the eggs one at a time on low speed of hand mixer; mix until combined.
In a medium sized bowl sift or whisk together the remaining dry ingredients.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Gradually stir in the warm milk.
Spoon into prepared cupcake tins. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
Let cool.

Caramel Cream Cheese Icing & Filling

½ cup butter, softened
1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
3 cups Icing/Confectioners Sugar
3 tbsp. Caramilk Liqueur or any caramel liqueur
Halloween Candy Corn for decorating

Using a hand mixer; mix the cream cheese and butter together until light & fluffy. Add ½ cup of icing sugar; mix. Add 1 Tbsp. Caramilk Liqueur; mix. Alternate until you get a smooth and creamy icing.

Fill an icing decorating bag. Using a long round decorating tip insert into the middle of the cupcake and squeeze in icing. Continue filling all the cupcakes. Then ice cupcakes with remaining icing. Decorate with sprinkled cinnamon, candy corn, walnuts or caramel sauce! Get crafty people ☺

I've teamed up with The Suburban Princess for a giveaway of my book to help celebrate the launch of my book in the US
You can find out all the details here SUBURBAN PRINCESS BLOG. The winner be picked Friday October 15th don't delay enter today!!
Happy Baking!

Hi everyone here is the rundown for my radio interviews the next couple of days. I hope you get a chance to listen. ALso check out my book Friday it's the big launch day across the USA. Woo Hoo

Thursday September 30th

9:40-9:50 Dave Malarkey WISR-AM Listen Live in Butler.Pa

10:05-10:30 Larry & Robin WOCA-AM Listen Live in Gainseville Florida

10:30-10:40 Debbie Denk WCUB-AM in Green Bay Wisconsin

12:00-12:10 Marifaith Mueller WQUB-FM Listen Live in Quincy, IL

Radio Interview for Friday September 30th

Dana Childs KWYK-FM in Albuquerque, New MexicoListen Live

Woo Hoo Radio Interviews for the US book Launch of The Happy Baker Cookbook!! September 29th, 2010. All times are in Eastern Standard Time. Hope you all get a chance to listen!

7:40-7:49 The Bill and Joel Morning Show on WDUN-AM Listen Live in Atlanta, Georgia

7:50-7:59 Mark Wayne on WICH-1310 AM Listen Live in Hartford, Connecticut

8:20-8:29 Pete Braley in the Morning on WBSM-1420 AM Listen Live in New Bedford, Massachusetts

8:30-8:39 Dan Johnston on KWDQ-FM Listen Live in Oklahoma City

8:40-8:49 Rob Hakala with The South Shore’s Morning News on WATD 95.9FM Listen Live in Boston, Massachusetts

8:50-8:59 KKCK-99.7FM Listen Live in St. Paul, Minnesota

9:10-9:19 Matt & The Rise Guys on WTPT 93.3 Listen Live in Greenville, South Carolina

9:20-9:29 Barnaby & Friends on WLHT 95.7FM Listen Live in Grand Rapids, Michigan

9:30-9:39 WKLS FM96 Listen Live in Atlanta, Georgia

9:50-9:59 Chet Walker & Beth Adams on WHAM-AM 1180 Listen Live in Rochester , NY

10:00-10:09 Karen & The Morning Crew on WMIL FM 106 Listen Live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

10:20-10:29 Cathie Martin on WGRT-FM 102.3 Listen Live in Port Huron, Michigan

10:30-10:39 Tron Simpson on KCMN-AM 1530 Listen Live in Colorado Springs, Colorado

10:40-10:49 Kyle Martin on KFJB-AM 1230 Listen Live in Des Moines, Iowa

11:15-11:35 2 Moms & a Mic on KKZZ-AM 1400 Listen Live in Los Angeles, California

Hey all I have some very exciting news! I will be baking up a storm on Steven & Chris for the 4th season of their show! Check your local listings for airtime & channel. In Canada you can watch the show 2pm weekdays on CBC.
looking forward to some fun sassy times with the boys! Steven & Chris website
Check out my first segment this Thursday October 30th we will be making some biscotti from my cookbook The Happy Baker.

I had a fabulous time at the 2nd annual Taste of Huron Event in Huron County, Ontario. I was asked to be a guest judge for the Recipe Challenge competition where chefs had to use Turkey products and were given only 20 bucks to shop at the local Farmers Market for fresh ingredients. Judging was based on ease of preparation for at home cooks, use of Farmers Market ingredients, tastiness and presentation. The winner was Terry head chef from .Thyme on 21 in Goderich Ontario.
I also taught a baking class. We had a blast making cupcakes and mini cheesecakes. Thanks to everyone for supporting this award winning event. There are still a couple events left! Tonight is the Plowing Match and this week-end is the Zurich Bean Festival. For more details visit Taste Of Huron Website.

Starting this week I am doing the baking segments for a TV show all about cooking with alcohol. The baking segment is new for this season and my producer said I didn't have to bake every recipe with it. Maybe he thought it would be difficult for me and I told him "No...no...I prefer to. No problem!".
Thanks to Corby Distilleries LTD. for supplying the bottles! Corby Website. Details to follow about the TV show and some fun behind the scene photos.