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Snowshoeing in The Canadian Rockies (Kimberley BC)

February 1, 2013 by Jenn

As much as I complained about winter and the cold in my last post, and I do have some moments when I’m not cursing and hating winter.  These moments are few . . . and far between . . . but they have happened!  This video is proof for all of you nay-sayers (aka my close friends who love my complaining ways).

In this cardio video P and I made our way from Cranbrook (BC, Canada), to Kimberley (BC Canada) about a 20 minute drive, to the south end of the Kimberley Nature Park.  For those who know the area, we were actually closer to Marysville than we were to Kimberley.   About five minutes along St Mary’s lake road, there is a small pull out and it was from here where we started our snowshoe, destined for Sunflower Hill.  

At first we doubted whether or not we even wanted to bring the snowshoes along, as it looked like the path had been well travelled, but thankfully we did, because as soon as we were off the main branch of the trail, we needed them for the climbing!  The hike is not particularly difficult . . . there is only one part that is a longish hill climb, the rest of the trail is a steady low grade climb.  Once we got to the top of the hill, the views out into the St Mary’s Lake valley, and the Purcell mountains were amazing!  We were up later in the day, (as we had a dinner date with my parents at the ski hill and didn’t want to have to drive back and forth to Kimberley for it) and while we were at the top, we were treated to the start of a sunset.  It was beautiful!  

If you ever get close to this area, visiting Sunflower Hill is a must!  I can’t wait to check it out in the spring, and fall!  I’m looking forward to seeing all of the flowers that I’m told carpet the hills.  

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Filed Under: Cardio, Hiking, Videos Tagged With: Kimberley BC, Snowshoeing

Green Tea Cupcakes (Matcha Cupcakes)

January 31, 2013 by Jenn

It is freezing cold here in B.C. and I am trying to dream of hot summer days spent laying at the lake, basking in the heat!  Oh, how I wish it was warmer, so when I willingly go (am drug by my touque) outside I don’t need to put four layers of insulated clothing on!  But, alas, this is not the case.  It is cold.  It is Canada.  It is winter.  Suck it up self!  Or maybe I’ll move to Mexico . . . it has to be warm there all the time!  I’m sure my Mexican YouTube viewers would let me couch surf for a while!  I should stop complaining . . . but I can’t!  It’s in my DNA.  Thanks a lot Dad. 

When the hot summer sun is poking through, one of the most delicious drinks I use to cool myself down with is a Matcha Frappachino from our local coffee shop.  You can get them regular, or flavoured with lemon, peach, or strawberry.  The lemon is my favourite, and that is why I chose to top the Matcha cupcake with the lemon buttercream.  It is a nice, refreshing top!  

You have to be a Green Tea/Matcha lover to like these cupcakes!  The matcha powder has a very unique taste, and I’ve found that you’re either a lover or hater of the flavour.  You can find matcha powder at many health food stores, or do an online search.  Just make sure that you are buying the matcha powder, for use in baking.  There are a couple of different varieties available.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Cupcakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Green Tea Cupcakes, Matcha Cupcakes

How to Make Cake Flour: Baking Quick Tip

January 29, 2013 by Jenn

Cake flour is a lighter, fluffier version of all purpose (AP) flour that is regularly used in cakes, cupcakes and cookies!  It is not as common a kitchen ingredient as AP flour, but it is easy to make if you don’t want to go to the store. 

If you’re looking to make your own cake flour, all you’re going to need is all purpose flour and cornstarch!  I told you it would be easy! 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup All Purpose Flour

2 tbsp Cornstarch

Procedure:

Whisk or sift them together and use for recipes calling for cake flour.  

*This recipe is the equivalent for a recipe calling for one cup of cake flour. 

 

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Filed Under: Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Cake Flour, Make Cake Flour

Heart Shaped Cookie Pops (Stained Glass Candy Effect)

January 29, 2013 by Jenn

I’m back up and running after the St Eugene Bridal Fair this Sunday, and (I think) I have recovered!  All the prepping, set up, chatting and take down, while not overly intense, all adds up and ends up very tiring.  But, the best thing about a Bridal Fair is the chance to get to talk with all of the excited brides, and their loved ones.  

Oh yes, love is in the air . . .

Speaking of love . . . with Valentine’s Day ideas floating all around the internet, I was super excited to think of a new cookie pop idea!  The last time I made cookies with a stained glass effect, I was probably a teenager!   I loved baking even back then, and now, those golden nugget ideas are coming in super handy!  How cute is a cookie with a window cutout??  If it could get any cuter, putting the cookie on a stick is to die for!  I don’t know why, but I love eating food off a stick!  It makes me feel much more refined as you can take dainty little bites and most importantly, you don’t have to get your hands dirty!  

Unfortunately, when biting into a stained glass windowed cookie, the window is hard.  Like, crack your teeth, shocking hard!  So watch out if you make them . . . and forget that they are hard candies melted in the center . . . not gooey centers . . . not that I did that or anything.  Twice.  Maybe. 

To make these cookies, you will need: 

Sugar Cookie Dough (my favourite is here)

Cookie/Cake Pop Sticks

Crushed Hard Candies (jolly ranchers, lifesavers work well)

 Heart Shaped Cookie Pops

 

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Filed Under: Cookies, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Cookie Pops, Stained Glass cookies, valentine's day, valentine's day cookies

Making Chocolate Lace Bowls

January 27, 2013 by Jenn

Previously, I posted about making chocolate bowls, and this post is along those same lines.  Except this time, I am using a piping bag to create a delicate lace bowl. Obviously the gaps needed to create the lace affect will limit what you can put into the bowl, but this bowl is a great display piece.  When my students at school hosted a sundae bar, we used the bowls to hold the toppings for the sundaes!  They looked great, and the kids loved eating them when they were finished their “job”!

Chocolate Lace Bowls

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Filed Under: Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Chocolate Bowls, Chocolate Lace Bowls

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

January 26, 2013 by Jenn

 

Let’s make whoopie!  Pies that is.

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Filed Under: Cookies, Cupcakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: red velvet, valentine's day, valentine's day cookies, Whoopie Pies

How to Make Buttermilk

January 25, 2013 by Jenn

Baking for all of these years has given me knowledge about things that I never even knew existed or had any idea as to what they would be used for if they had suddenly appeared on my counter.  Buttermilk was one of those things that I had only every heard in reference to pancakes, but apparently, it is the liquid left over during the process of making butter, when churning cream.  Mmmm, sounds so delicious . . . um, not- disgusting! 

Despite how buttermilk seems to come about, it adds a unique taste to baked goods . . . it’s rich, creamy and tangy.  I use it regularly in lemon and, red velvet cake to name a couple. 

A frequently asked question that we get asked on our YouTube channel is about what to do if you don’t have buttermilk.  We made a video on how to make your own buttermilk if you don’t have any handy.  All you need is milk, and lemon juice or vinegar!

 

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Filed Under: Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: buttermilk, make buttermilk

How to Make Chocolate Bowls

January 21, 2013 by Jenn

The best thing about a taco salad is that you get to eat the bowl!  The best thing about soup served in bread bowls is you get to eat the bowl!  What could make a bowl of ice cream better??  You guessed it, eating the bowl! 

Making a chocolate bowl to put ice cream and other delights in is a brilliant addition for any dessert, and all you’re going to need for it is a sweet tooth . . . and a balloon 😉

Chocolate Bowls

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Filed Under: Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Chocolate Balloon Bowls, Chocolate Bowls
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