Success and Gingerbread!

I think this could be the best day I've ever had. So my challenge to everyone (see former posts) has been a success. My life is now complete! My goal over the break was to create my own recipe for gingerbread. I really just wanted to do something of my own. So, basing it off of other cake type things I began and here is what I came up with ( I can't believe it worked the first time, I thought it would take me 4 or 5 tries)!

Kenzie's Gingerbread:

1 1/2 cups Amy's Basic Flour Blend

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/4 +1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. ginger

1 Tbsp. Blackstrap molasses

2 Tbsp. powdered sucanat

Mix first 3 ingredients together. Then add eggs, oil, and milk and stir. The stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. Next add molasses and sucanat. Bake in 8" x 8" pan at 350 for about 10 minutes. Warning: Do not let the taste of

the batter scare you, it changes when it cooks! :)

I am proud to say that both dad and Shawn thought it was delicious (as well as everyone else)!!

The Nutcracker!

For the last month, but especially these last couple of weeks, my life has revolved solely around the Nutcracker! Don't get me wrong, I loved it! It's so much fun to perform again. I was in Arabian every night, Mice every other night, and Waltz of the Flowers for 2 nights. It was so fun to be part of a big production like that. Here are some silly photos of us waiting, bored, backstage.

Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookie Dough Bites!

Now that it is Christmas break , let the baking begin! I plan on making several yummy treats these next 2 weeks! I love cooking/baking and sometimes I wish I didn't have school so I could just cook. I have also challenged myself as well as everyone else that I will make something that they are going to like without even knowing that I made it with "different ingredients"! I'm quite excited! So yesterday I made these little delights! They are from Spoonful of Sugar Free.

Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookie Dough Bites:

5 dates

1 cup walnuts

1/4 cup cocoa powder

few drops peppermint extract

pinch of salt

(I also added a little bit of agave to sweeten them.)

First, process dates in a food processor or strong blender until smooth. Then add all other ingredients and blend. Shape the doughs into cookies and enjoy!

I made one batch that was super minty (toothpasty), but the second batch was good! It is super easy and only took me about 5 minutes or less.

Catch Up

Here are some photos from the past couple of months!

I was a flapper for Halloween!

My sweet Harry Potter pumpkin (and wand)!
Mom's cute pumpkins!
"Hewwo," Logan entertaining himself on the way down to St. George during UEA!