The Cake Slice: Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake with Ginger-Pecan Crust in more than 18,000 Words

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Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie ‘n Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar

I found these brownies on foodgawker, which led me to My Shiny Life which led me to Kevin {&} Amanda. Their pictures made me bake these brownies, since the pictures look absolutely drool-inducing. Be sure to check it out at My Shiny Life and Kevin {&} Amanda because my pictures sure don’t give the brownies justice!

There were 2 Double Oreo cookies left over and I was looking forward to eating one of them. Unfortunately, the Beau got to them first and ate both of them! Probably better him than me. I was able to taste them in the final product though – deeelish! I had to follow Dorie’s example and Bake and Release. I took them to work on my first day back from two months off since breaking my right foot. They were well received! I only wish I had ice cream and hot fudge to go along with it!

FIRST LAYER: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

SECOND LAYER: Double Stuffed Oreos

THIRD LAYER: Brownie

Looks just like a brownie...

but it's an Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie 'n Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar!

The Cake Slice: Apple Cake with Maple Frosting

Care for a bite?

Up close and more personal

Out of the pan

 

The Cake Slice – October’s Apple Cake with Maple Frosting

The Cake Slice is currently baking cakes from “The Cake Book” by Tish Boyle. Buy one for yourself and bake along with the group!

This cake had my favorite spices in the mix and when it was baking, the aroma made me smile. Please check out all of the other Cake Slice October cakes here. I wish I could take better pictures!
 

French Fridays with Dorie: Roast Chicken for Les Paresseux

Boy, Dorie was not kidding when she said this is a Roast Chicken for lazy people. Soo easy! And look at the outcome!

The bread did not exactly come out crispy, more like soppy, but it was still tasty with the fat juices soaked into it!

The Beau loved this dish. In fact, he loves French Fridays with Dorie a whole lot more than Tuesdays with Dorie – less sugar!

Tuesdays with Dorie: Not-Just-For-Thanksgiving Cranberry Shortbread Cake

I wish I had taken a picture of the cranberry jam – it was really fun to make although the popping cranberry made a small stain on the Beau’s white kitchen wall… oops.
Grating the frozen pastry dough was a really novel approach and I loved it! The dough was super yummy!

Jessica of A Singleton in the Kitchen picked this cranberry goodie for the TWD Bakers. Please visit Jessica’s blog, you’ll be able to get the recipe there and try it yourself – maybe for a Thanksgiving treat to share!

Tuesdays with Dorie: Peanuttiest Blondies

These were really tasty – I loved the addition of cinnamon in the mix!

Good thing the Beau took this to work, otherwise I would have eaten it all by myself!
Nicole of Bakeologie selected this TWD goodie. You can get the recipe here. Please visit Chef Nicole’s blog – it’s really beautiful.

French Fridays with Dorie: Marie-Helene’s Apple Cake

This ‘cake’ was mostly apples. I used Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples.

We didn’t actually like this cake much, it was too many apples and I rather have my apples fresh vs. baked…

French Fridays with Dorie: Hachis Parmentier

Just out of the oven…

It looks like more potato than meat.

I don’t have a ricer, so the mashed potatoes were really soupy right out of the oven.

It totally reminds me of comfort food.

The Beau loved this dish and enjoyed it with a glass of wine.

The next day the potato was much less soupy.

French Fridays with Dorie: Vietnamese Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

White Coconut Milk, White Rice Noodles, White Chicken Breast...

...had to be eaten in a black bowl!

TWD Goodies

I have been overloaded at work for a while and haven’t had the energy to blog posts on the TWD goodies that I was able to fit in (which weren’t many). I made the coffee espresso shortbread cookies but can’t seem to find my pictures. So please forgive me TWD Bakers for not visiting and commenting. I believe I see the light at the end of the tunnel at work, which could be the end of this month…
My typical day at work begins with waking up at 3:30am (or 3am if I have to wash my hair), getting out of the house by 4:30 (or 4am), commuting 87 miles to work in Rancho Bernardo, working 9 regular hours (we’re on the 9/80 work schedule), working an additional 1-4 hours depending on what needs to be done that day, coming home, taking care of the puppy (poor Marshall, stuck at home while I’m away for at least 12 hours a day), taking care of me, going to bed by 9, 9:30 and repeat. I am very grateful to be gainfully employed – especially after having been laid off last year, it’s just that it gets to be very tiring – but like I said, I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Well, enough complaining, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. HAH!
I found the shortbread pictures!

Espresso Chocolate Shortbread Cookies - They didn't exactly turn out nice and square...

But that's okay, I ate them anyways and loved them!

Coffee Break Muffins with Bittersweet Chocolate

I didn't get 12 'evenly' portioned muffins...

Peanut Butter Criss-Cross Cookies

These were a favorite of everyone!