No Cookies for You!

Come back next year!

I had attempted to make a veganized version of some delish looking Mocha Meringues. These, of course, would have required a substitute for egg whites. I did some research and found... Apricots. That's right, apricots, dried. 

We bought dried apricots, I soaked them over night, per the instructions. I blended them, I attempted to whip them. In the end, what I ended up with, after I added all the other ingredients, was a chocolaty  bowl of goo, that would not have baked. It was just too runny and messy.

I will head back to the egg white board this weekend.

Wish me luck.
P.S. This stunning tea set was one of my holiday presents. My hubby rocks!

A new project

I have this amazing old cookie cookbook that has been around my house so long I don't even remember where i got it. It was written in '66 (it is the Better Homes and Gardens Cookies and Candies). I have decided to try and veganize as many of the recipes as I can. This could get interesting as many of the recipes call for evaporated milk and pudding mixes and so on and so on. I think this will be a fun adventure and I started today.

Coconut Diamonds: (I will present my notes and changes at the end)
6 tablespoons Earth Balance Margarine
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed with 4 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut

Grease an 8x8 pan ( at the least grease the sides!)
Cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Stir in flour(1 cup amount). Pat onto bottom of 8x8 pan. Bake at 350degress for 15 minutes or till lightly browned.

Meanwhile, beat flax seed and water, add vanilla. Gradually add brown sugar, beating until just blended. Add flour and salt. Stir in coconut. Spread over baked layer. Bake about 20 minutes longer or until toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle more coconut over the top, reduce oven to 200 degrees and bake another 5 minutes, until the top coconut is lightly browned. Cool, cut into diamonds (although really squares are pretty cool too).

Notes: The flax seed replaces 2 eggs. The original recipe called for 1/2 cup of walnuts, but my family hates walnuts. And the recipe doesn't need them. It would be lovely with some orange zest and extract. I mean lovely!

Gifts and treats

It was Christmas office parties for both Vyapti and I this week. He made some delicious eggnog bread for his employees. I wrapped up the loaves and attached ornaments from the weekend. The darling little packets were a big hit. The bread is to die for.

I made some very tasty little gingerbread cupcakes (Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, of course!). Shown here dressed and undressed (lemon butter cream frosting. 


Peace
K

Ornaments

Both the hubby and I have work parties tomorrow. I volunteered to bring some yummy foods (more about that later in the week). But I just wanted to do something a little more. It was a bit last minute. And I did have a heck of a time figuring out what I was going to do on such short notice. 

I love what I decided on though. Heart ornaments that will be adapted over the holidays for Valentines day. 

Have a great week.

K

Better Late...

As you know we did not have a traditional Thanksgiving. I was ready to launch right into the holiday season. The day after, the tree was up and there are Santa's everywhere. 
But I did make charming cupcakes for Thanksgiving munchies. They are from my favorite cookbook "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World". These were Margarita Cupcakes that were rich and limey. Take a moment to drool.

Also, just a note. I did open a new facebook account. It is under the same name as the old one, but has a pic of me laughing as the profile pick. Just in case you care!

I have lots and lots of great pics to sort through and some projects to post. I hope to get to them very soon.

K