tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46433704252172150942012-02-17T12:30:41.947-05:00Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.comBlogger1411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-74033207504027996692012-01-22T16:01:00.001-05:002012-01-22T16:01:48.520-05:00

There are always grey areas in life. I'm never sure how I've done on exam until I get my mark back (which reminds me, I'm currently freaking out about my exams). I often misinterpret hazy text messages. And there is always that occasion when I buy a dress that seems right at the time, only to realize I actually hate it once I've already removed the tag. Generally, 'maybe,' 'sort of,' '

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-47612801149502115692012-01-01T20:49:00.000-05:002012-01-01T20:49:08.584-05:00

For some, winter tends to dampen spirits. The bitter cold and grey skies deter them from getting dolled up and heading out for a night on the town. They’d rather rent a movie on Netflix (because who can even be bothered to drive to Blockbuster), settle down with an extra large mug of hot chocolate, and plant themselves on the sofa for the night. The chilly air has exactly the opposite

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-36994822857470263692011-12-13T05:11:00.001-05:002011-12-14T06:14:00.333-05:00

I don't know about you, but there are certain things that simply seem off limits in my own kitchen. I mean who on earth could, or would even want, to make bacon or gummy bears or phyllo at home in their own kitchen? You'd have to be insane. For most people, marshmallows would be on that list. They seem like one of those magical things that cannot be made in a home kitchen. You buy them in

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-36658044112923022462011-11-16T13:14:00.001-05:002011-11-16T13:56:18.010-05:00

So I've finally managed to settle down after a whirlwind week of travel. And, unfortunately, I've settled down right into a giant pile of work. Not exactly what I expected from my first week back. I guess that's college for you. I'm currently sitting in a corner of the library surrounded by fluorescent lights and palpable despair, wishing I had a cookie. Because cookies make everything

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-90232938541071422192011-11-03T20:10:00.002-04:002011-11-03T20:10:43.363-04:00

Guess what.  I'm hungry. Yeah, I guess really no surprise there. Even if I'm not actually hungry, I find myself craving something. Sometimes it's chocolate chip cookie dough. Sometimes it's pumpkin soup. A lot of the time it's roast chicken. Strange, I know. Oftentimes, my cravings are incited by my near constant blog-trolling. My roommates can attest to the fact that I am frequently

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-13381440859191736802011-10-20T18:37:00.002-04:002011-10-20T18:37:47.804-04:00

Wahoooo! It's fall. Although, it's really felt like fall here for quite some time now. I love the crispness. I love that I can now justify buying tons of warm drinks like London Fogs and cappuccinos. I don't really love waking up in the dark. But, all in all, I love autumn. One of my favorite things that comes along with the change of seasons is the abundance of pumpkin-flavored things.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-74081461638540613722011-10-12T13:29:00.001-04:002011-10-12T13:29:27.917-04:00

As you know, I interned at Serious Eats over the summer. What could have been three months of intimidation and thankless work turned out to be three of the best months of my life. New York itself was incredible, offering a new gem of a restaurant around every corner, so many wonderful museums, and an unrivaled energy. But I'd have to say my favorite thing about my summer in the city was

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-61193534046036791542011-10-06T06:07:00.002-04:002011-10-06T06:07:56.957-04:00

Who doesn't love the Cookie Monster? Honestly, I'd say he was about the only reason I enjoyed Sesame Street as a kid. I wasn't particularly concerned with the alphabet he was trying to drill into my young brain. What really interested me were the chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate chip cookies became an obsession for me. They were a lunchbox staple and were always available after church at

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-23446995509611845142011-09-24T10:34:00.000-04:002011-09-24T10:34:13.031-04:00

Living on your own (and by living on your own, I mean not with your parents) is a lot of work. You have to take care of bills, set up a phone and internet plan, clean the bathroom, and remember to turn the heating on. You have to stock the fridge and the pantry. Which means you have to remember to get butter and baking soda and vinegar. Of course, you don't forget the essentials like

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-18046241078714555342011-09-14T20:47:00.000-04:002011-09-14T20:47:28.097-04:00

Ahhhhhh! Finally. I'm leaving tomorrow to go back to school. I couldn't be more excited. It's been a very wonderful, yet very long summer. I'm probably the only kid around to complain about not having school. Nerdy as it may sound, I'm ready. Ready for new Moleskine notebooks. Ready for new pencils. Ready for fresh Latin textbooks. I know what you're thinking. But Latin is actually

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-29779422848152902002011-09-07T19:16:00.000-04:002011-09-07T19:16:13.085-04:00

Have you ever craved something you've never even tasted? Something you've never really even seen in person? It makes sense, though, because people yearn for new experiences like sky-diving or running with the bulls. So why wouldn't those same feelings apply to food? I had come across ANZAC biscuits in my regular food blog stalking, a cookbook or two, and maybe even an issue of a magazine.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-61620636791240682162011-08-31T13:15:00.000-04:002011-08-31T13:15:18.193-04:00

Reposted from Small Kitchen College  My 'To Make' list is getting out of control. In my mind, it's sort of separated into two distinct categories. One is for recipes I stumble upon on the internet or in a book that really and truly whet my appetite. These are usually recipes like Ginger Scallion Noodles or Moroccan Red Lentil Soup that are fairly straight-forward and would easily slide into

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-5327465879896714212011-08-24T15:45:00.002-04:002011-08-24T15:45:37.554-04:00

Good lord. I had no idea that surgery would take so much out of me. I am supremely exhausted. Even a morning spent running errands leaves me drained, a little achy, and ready for a nap. So you can only imagine how tiring baking was. But I couldn't leave you hanging, could I?  In addition to the flour, carrots, eggs, and spices it took to make these tender little muffins, it also took a 3

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-31699376073059818312011-08-13T12:39:00.000-04:002011-08-13T12:39:10.019-04:00

It's lucky for me that I like airports. Because I sure seem to spend a lot of time in them. By the end of my four years at St Andrews, I will predict I'll have quite a comprehensive knowledge of them. CLT has good gelato, and MAN doesn't have luggage carts. LHR has a shop with caviar, pâté, and champagne. You'll be greeted by a bar serving Efes upon landing in SAW. As much as I enjoy

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-53677971388266104832011-08-08T14:22:00.002-04:002011-08-08T14:22:22.779-04:00

Sometimes simple is best. A bowl of fresh summer strawberries sprinkled with sugar. A chicken sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted until the skin is crispy and golden. A crusty French baguette slathered with rich, salted butter. Hungry? Yeah, me too.  So that's where this 'ice cream' comes in. I suppose it's not really ice cream at all, considering there isn't any cream in it. In

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-57884557506780252952011-08-03T14:37:00.001-04:002011-08-03T14:46:01.205-04:00

I'm getting antsy. It's not that I'm not enjoying my time here in New York, but I'm just a little exhausted. Work is great, and it's been a blast getting to explore the city. I think I just need a break. I came home from school and only had a week to spend lolling about, doing a whole lot of nothing. Up here, everything is pretty much non-stop. Go, go, go. Now, I'm actually sort of

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-23301340120389539462011-08-01T10:29:00.002-04:002011-08-01T10:30:38.538-04:00

God, I am so tired of complaining about the weather. I'm just tired of talking about it. And I don't doubt that you are truly sick of hearing me gripe about it post after post. It's just something about that sticky, sweaty weather that consumes all of my thoughts and has me running for any air-conditioned building. I've spent more time "perusing magazines" and "just browsing" than any normal

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-35757866370192629562011-07-26T19:49:00.001-04:002011-07-26T19:49:52.476-04:00

When I went home for a few days, I was greeted by the greatest weather I could hope for. Well, at this time of year anyway. And in Charleston, no less. I left New York right before the sickly heat wave struck, and I managed to land in relatively mild weather. This break in the weather, coupled with a fully-functioning air-conditioning unit made it possible for me to bake up a storm.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-69371971578898930112011-07-21T16:20:00.001-04:002011-07-21T16:20:21.147-04:00

How do I tell you that these are 'spiced tea' cookies? Should I call them cookies flavored with spiced tea? Should I throw a hyphen in there and declare that I have made spiced-tea cookies? I honestly have no idea. But that's really beside the point. Do you ever find yourself itching to bake, but you realize your shelves are nearly empty and your fridge is almost completely emptied out? I

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-34572172703315085532011-07-11T21:45:00.001-04:002011-07-11T21:45:46.804-04:00

Do you know what I just realized? I haven't posted a single biscuit recipe. How is that possible? I spent three months of my life eating, sleeping, and thinking about biscuits. Before I started working with Nathalie, I always turned my nose up at biscuits. I honestly wasn't even tempted by the trays stacked high with miniature ham-filled biscuits or the gigantic, fluffy ones at restaurants

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-48442139787941402492011-07-06T09:28:00.000-04:002011-07-06T09:28:36.687-04:00

Do you ever feel like you need cake for breakfast? Not a whole cake, of course, but a slice. Or two. On a dreary morning, there's honestly nothing better than a warm, slightly sweet piece of cake. Especially when there's a beautiful, glossy layer of caramelized strawberries on top. Because who doesn't like a bit of pink in the morning? The sour cream keeps this cake incredibly moist. Even

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-54185837811934159302011-06-27T21:59:00.000-04:002011-06-27T21:59:53.995-04:00

There are some things that just go together. They just have an affinity for one another. Of course, they are tasty on their own, but when put together, they are that much better. Peanut butter and jelly. Oreos and milk. Tomatoes and basil. Eggs and bacon. Bread and butter. These are some of the pairs that belong in the hall of fame, but I have another, newer pairing that I'd like to nominate-

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-12440627033618965172011-06-23T15:56:00.000-04:002011-06-23T15:56:25.667-04:00

Do you know what I've realized since being here in New York? Food is expensive. I don't just mean eating out, although that can be outrageous in this city. I'm really talking about groceries. It's really putting me in a bind. I love to buy the freshest, best quality ingredients and foodstuffs I can find, usually organic, but these sky-high price tags are making me feel a little guilty about

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-11326788679395806492011-06-17T17:27:00.000-04:002011-06-17T17:27:29.094-04:00

So, it looks like it's lemon month here on Baking the Book, but that's not to say it's a bad thing. I know that lemons, like other citrus fruits, are winter fruits, but I can't help but associate them with summer and warmer weather. Maybe it's memories of endless cups of lemonade guzzled while trying to make a few dollars at sidewalk lemonade sales, or maybe it's their sunny hue. But lemons

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-68930775841718857872011-06-10T13:27:00.000-04:002011-06-10T13:27:58.823-04:00

Jeez louise. Is it ever hot here. I've arrived in New York and have started work at Serious Eats. I'm living in NYU housing over in Greenwich Village, and the SE offices just recently relocated to Chinatown. Despite the blistering heat, I walk to work every day, leaving earlier than I need to in order to allow ample time for meandering through the side streets. Each trip to and from work adds

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-46251133968689073582011-06-02T12:44:00.000-04:002011-06-02T12:44:09.147-04:00

It looks like a lemon tart, right? Yeah, I know. So I guess this particular batch aren't lemon bars...can we compromise and call them lemon slices? Lemon wedges? How about just plain delicious? There. That's much better. That clears everything up. I don't know about you, but I am the world's biggest crust fan. Hand me a peach cobbler, and I'll pick around the fruit. Give me an apple crisp, and

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-36745011619270930202011-05-30T17:51:00.000-04:002011-05-30T17:51:39.174-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! What better way to celebrate my return to the United States than a very American holiday? And what better way to celebrate the holiday than a very....British treat? Yes, I understand that's strange. Awfully strange, in fact. But let's say they remind you how good America really is. I don't mean to say that these cookies are bad. They're not. But they are not anything

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-25355120133921618962011-05-15T09:24:00.000-04:002011-05-15T09:24:50.977-04:00

I know some of you may consider this blasphemy, but I don't really like chocolate chip cookies all that much. When I do eat them, I actually prefer a firmer, more crumbly cookie. So many people love a soft, pillowy cookie studded with milk chocolate chips. Simple and comforting. Of course I wouldn't pass up one of those if it was in front of me, but I like mine a little more grown up. Swap

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-54045055285034782782011-05-09T20:17:00.000-04:002011-05-09T20:17:40.753-04:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........sometimes savory can be so much better than sweet. Just imagine it- melty cheese, golden onions, and flaky pastry. Tell me you aren't drooling. Caramelized onion tart is one of my favorite things to make for dinner parties. I can't remember if I've told you or not, but every week I host Sunday Supper. Each sunday, a big group of my friends and I gather together,

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-65823834477419503452011-04-24T16:39:00.000-04:002011-04-24T16:39:49.787-04:00

This recipe is short and sweet. So, I thought I'd keep my post short and sweet to match. This is less of a recipe and more of a guideline. It is infinitely adaptable. Ran out of apples yesterday? Sub in strawberries and rhubarb. Don't keep muesli in the house? Simply use rolled oats. Cinnamon doesn't do it for you? Feel free to use ginger instead. This recipe will take whatever you throw at it.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-56768003541972872822011-04-17T11:02:00.000-04:002011-04-17T11:02:35.471-04:00

I've had these bookmarked for such a long time. They've been waiting patiently, starred in the inbox of my email, since the middle of February. Every week or so, I get a nice little email from Honey and Jam. Each email always features an irresistible recipe and beautiful photography. Careful not to drool on my keyboard, I read every word of the post before scrolling down hungrily down to the

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-50655626835020280022011-04-07T19:47:00.001-04:002011-04-13T09:23:13.628-04:00

As shocking as this may sound, I felt that it was time for something healthy. I've been on sugar overload lately, and I think it's getting to me. I would throw open the cupboards looking for a bit of chocolate with the fervor and determination of a hungry lion on the hunt. Blood no longer flowed through my veins; they coursed with sugar and honey and chocolate. I needed to counteract all of

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-59616796274427566402011-03-24T15:19:00.000-04:002011-03-24T15:19:19.397-04:00

So I'm a little bit homesick. I never thought I'd say that. It's not that I'm not enjoying my classes or having a good time. No, that's not it at all. I just miss the comforts of my house- my family, my bed, my shower seat,  my mom's cooking. I could not be happier that I am flying back to South Carolina on Sunday. As Rhett Butler said, "I'm going back to Charleston. Back to where I belong."

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-5288916015070555622011-03-07T18:05:00.000-05:002011-03-07T18:05:15.946-05:00

How is this possible? Have I really not posted a shortbread recipe while in Scotland? Shortbread is everywhere here. Every coffee shop has a little assortment of shortbread. They always have plain shortbread, and, almost as often, a millionaire shortbread (topped with caramel and coated in chocolate) makes an appearance. In fact, I could go on an all shortbread diet and never be at a loss for

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-12245714487275003162011-03-03T06:46:00.000-05:002011-03-03T06:46:23.716-05:00

Now this is almost as good as it could have been. If only Tesco had been a little more cooperative. Since when do they not accept student i.d. cards? I swear that every other time I've gone in to buy a bottle of wine with a friend, they didn't require a driver's license. Unfortunately, I got stuck with the grumpy old troll of a man to ring up my groceries last night.  The bottle of Cognac (I

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-34464960612555581982011-02-08T08:22:00.000-05:002011-02-08T08:22:59.930-05:00

Uh oh. I fear that I've made a bigger blunder than I had thought. I have been away for far too long, and I don't like it at all. In my defense, though, I was out of the country for two weeks. Not a good enough excuse? Well, I did bring you a little something as a peace offering. So hear me out before you abandon me completely- please? We started our journey in Marrakech. Our first day there

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-85390025630757626972011-01-17T10:39:00.001-05:002011-01-17T19:33:58.796-05:00

Scotland has been relatively mild lately. I'm a bit confused by it to be honest, but hey, I'm not complaining. It has, however, been raining almost every day. I love the rain, but I'm actually looking forward to a bit of sun and warmth. On Friday, I am jetting off to Morocco with a few of my friends for a week of sightseeing, escaping from the chill, and great food. After that, we're heading

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-80162903883689960502011-01-08T05:22:00.001-05:002011-01-08T05:22:12.760-05:00

I am well aware that some may consider pumpkin to be a little trite by this time. Starbucks churned out its Pumpkin Spice Latte in the lead-up to Thanksgiving, restaurants proudly presented their own interpretations of pumpkin soup (sprinkled with caramelized bacon, topped with toasted sweetcorn, swirled with cream, and infused with the spices of Thailand), and every bakery happily announced

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-49513945759888192182010-12-27T16:47:00.000-05:002010-12-27T16:47:03.779-05:00

Oh. My. Goodness. The only way my trip home from Scotland could have been any worse would be if it had been on the Titanic. What started out as a simple, albeit long, series of flights home turned into the odyssey of a lifetime. I'll just put it out there- the United Kingdom needs to get its act together. Beau and I left St Andrews at 5 in the morning last on Saturday December 18. We took a

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-28975849414164435282010-12-09T14:35:00.002-05:002011-06-26T17:07:16.589-04:00

The holidays are rushing toward more and more quickly each day. My family was here visiting for Thanksgiving for a few days, and the next thing I knew it was a third of the way into December. Usually, the Christmas season is a flurry of activity for me. I'm tracking down presents for friends, scrawling notes on cards, and baking up a storm- pumpkin bread for the teachers, cookies for the

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-82653488109257840972010-11-20T12:45:00.001-05:002010-11-20T12:45:31.497-05:00

Today has been such a glorious day. People often mistake cheery, sun-drenched days for the best days, when, in fact, the days awash in mist and grey skies are the nicest. I woke up at 12:30 and ambled down to lunch. Emma, Daniela, and Ellie greeted me with a wonderful proposition of a walk into town to explore the new H&M, poke around Bonkers, and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate at Bibi's

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-81503773438256312342010-11-11T10:29:00.001-05:002010-11-11T13:00:47.483-05:00

I regret making this cake. Not because it wasn't good. In fact, it's quite the opposite situation. After tasting it, all I can think about is digging my fork into a dense, rich slice and swooping it into my mouth. Why, oh why did I not make another? It seemed the sensible thing to do at the time, but now I've learned. From now on I will make double of everything. Until this cake, I never craved

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-42672304287303622132010-11-01T07:16:00.001-04:002010-11-11T13:00:25.257-05:00

Do you ever get an intense craving for something? Do you ever feel like you have to have something, and you have to have it right now? Most of the time you can indulge your hankering right away, swinging by the supermarket for a Snickers or meandering into town for a mini shopping spree. But other times, your craving is a little more complex. It requires work. This presents a dilemma. Do you

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-45088272502799201062010-10-24T05:23:00.001-04:002010-10-24T05:24:31.556-04:00

What To Do with a StragglerSo you’ve rushed back from Tesco, thrown your Innocent Bombay Curry in the fridge, and collapsed on the sofa for a relaxing evening watching The Inbetweeners. Halfway through, something catches your eye. One of your beers didn’t make it into the fridge; it is now room temperature, not exactly the refreshing accompaniment to your meal that you had hoped for.  Of course

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-49584662592821603862010-10-17T04:37:00.003-04:002010-10-17T04:40:30.749-04:00

OK OK. I totally understand if you're a little annoyed. Maybe even a little angry? Or perhaps you just got fed up and have stopped reading. I am here though. I've come back to try to charm you (hopefully) again. These photos may not be stellar, but the recipe, ohhhh the recipe! For some strange reason, many people do not like oatmeal raisin cookies. I'm not sure whether the oats, the raisins,

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-26972185450776788292010-10-07T09:32:00.000-04:002010-10-07T09:32:22.809-04:00

Hi. I know you haven't heard from me in a while. I have baked so many things, but I haven't shared them. I am a bad, bad blogger. It isn't because I don't care about you. In fact, it is because I care so much that I haven't posted any of them. Yes, they were yummy. Yes, some were even pretty. However, I didn't get any nice photos because it was always dark by the time I had finished baking. I

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-52799594969198432762010-09-24T05:24:00.001-04:002010-09-24T05:25:31.071-04:00

I have good news. My dorm has a kitchen! And it's not an itty bitty little thing either. It has two ovens, two stove tops, and ample counter space. Now how did I get so lucky? I couldn't have asked for a better kitchen situation in my first year of college. So, the real question is whether I have been baking or not. Drumroll please................................I have baked twice already! It

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-34258447628141328112010-09-17T14:18:00.000-04:002010-09-17T14:18:12.653-04:00

Hi! Sorry I've been a little absent. I haven't had internet access for a little while now. Sadly, I have to be quick, as my computer is about to die and the cafe I'm in is closing for the night. I'm moving into my dorm tomorrow which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time, so I'll be sure to let you know how that goes. As a treat (at least what I consider a treat!) I'm sharing some

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-50028406012367112772010-09-08T16:21:00.000-04:002010-09-08T16:21:44.460-04:00

Bonjour mes amis! That's right. You guessed it. I am in Paris. Now I don't mean to brag, but it really is such a wonderful place. Usually I am a big shopper, but clothes haven't really been enticing me since I've been here. I am much happier to pick up knickknacks and trinkets, running my fingers along the spines of beautiful, old books in musty bookshops and inspecting pocket watches and

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-81147444116587801292010-09-03T09:22:00.000-04:002010-09-03T09:22:53.939-04:00

Oh my goodness. The day has finally arrived, and I really can't believe it. I am leaving. UNTIL DECEMBER. Yeesh. That sounds ridiculous, no? While I'm telling you things, I should probably tell you that I don't move into my dorm until September 18th, and I don't even start classes until the 27th. Regardless, I am leaving America for nearly four months. Because I will be flying and because

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-12149623323897253752010-08-27T10:38:00.002-04:002010-08-27T10:39:51.355-04:00

I forgot to mention that I recently joined the Daring Bakers as a way to connect with other food bloggers and become part of a community of food-minded people. I also knew it would help push me out of my comfort zone, and it most definitely has. The August 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Elissa of 17 and Baking. For the first time, The Daring Bakers partnered with Sugar High Fridays

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-76124717530782663982010-08-23T00:05:00.001-04:002010-08-23T08:32:56.552-04:00

1 year. 365 days. 90 posts. Too many calories to count. I can't believe it myself, but it's true. Baking the Book is officially celebrating its first birthday today. I am over the moon. I am so glad to have shared this year with all of you, baking and eating and even making mistakes. But really, what fun would it be to read about someone who always makes something tasty, always pulling

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-47999212715041982732010-08-19T17:18:00.007-04:002010-08-23T08:33:12.752-04:00

It's official. I am on a yeast kick. I'd almost go as far as saying that I'm a little obsessed. I don't know how I can explain it; bake a loaf of bread or a yeasted coffee cake, and you'll understand. There is something truly magical about bread. Although it is said that man cannot live by bread alone, I am certain that I could live on bread....well bread and cookies that is. Whole wheat bread

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-65173263649123893292010-08-14T20:34:00.006-04:002010-08-23T08:33:27.086-04:00

So I told you about the joys of yeast the other day. But I didn't actually share a recipe for any breads that use yeast. That is not fair at all. How could I do that to you? Well, I'm going to make it up to you today. I am going to give you a recipe that might just change your life. Ok, ok. It probably can't do that. It will, however, brighten your day. I realize that this is an awfully

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-21916582629759627792010-08-06T20:41:00.005-04:002010-08-23T08:33:44.823-04:00

Have you heard of a Bakewell tart? I hadn't until only a few days ago. I was doing my usual marathon through the internet, flipping from one food blog to the next. My final visit was to one of my favorite blogs, Smitten Kitchen. I drooled over her newest post, which was an everyday chocolate loaf cake. I knew it was time to use another of Deb's recipes, as hers always hit the spot. I went

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-55312365553768478292010-08-04T16:28:00.006-04:002010-08-23T08:34:02.042-04:00

Bread is one of the best things on earth. It is so versatile, and it really just makes a meal. Even bad bread is still so easy to eat, but why would you waste your time eating bad bread? Why not just make it yourself? Bread is one of those things that really intimidates people. Yeast seems like a terribly scary thing, particularly if you've never used it before. I must admit that I was wary

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-27209704012910385022010-07-30T20:22:00.005-04:002010-08-23T08:34:16.909-04:00

I kept my promise! Not only did I want to give you something prettier to look at, but I also was very inspired by a new cookbook I bought yesterday called The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook. The book is written by John Baricelli, who works with Martha Stewart, and provides the recipes for 125 of his most delectable recipes from his bakery in Connecticut. It is so dangerous for me to go

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-65620953844457528412010-07-30T08:53:00.007-04:002010-08-23T08:34:30.789-04:00

I am so sorry. I'm just going to get this out of the way. These pictures are absolutely horrendous. What began as homely, oddly shaped cookies slowly became battered and bruised, while still delicious, confections with their stay in my refrigerator. Hermit cookies are no beauties, and, to my surprise, homemade thin mints are not at all photogenic, although they are nice to look at in person.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-86798108863822970492010-07-24T20:42:00.005-04:002010-08-23T08:34:48.416-04:00

Is anyone else sick of this heat? I swear I really can't take too much more of this. I proposed a weekend trip up to Maine, but my family just laughed it off. Hey, I was serious! Even a walk of a few blocks leaves me dripping sweat and as red as the strawberries at the farmers' market. I do hate to complain, but I believe I've kept my mouth shut long enough. The excruciating heat left me no

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-62702058969209995422010-07-19T18:39:00.009-04:002010-08-23T08:35:23.360-04:00

Holy. Cow. I am totally serious now. These shortbread are literally insanely good; they might even be the best cookies I've ever made. If my ankle wasn't hurt, I would be jumping up and down, screaming about how amazing these are. AHHHHH I just want to gobble up the entire batch. I just want to make them every day. If it makes you feel any better, I did use some whole wheat flour and some oat

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-57968144998583369712010-07-17T14:45:00.007-04:002010-08-23T08:35:42.960-04:00

Sometimes there are just some things you need to do. Sometimes you need to dance around in your room when (hopefully) no one is watching. Sometimes you need to sit down and watch an entire season of Seinfeld. Sometimes you need to polish off that jar of peanut butter, swirling it into your ice cream. And sometimes you really just need to bake a batch of sugar cookies. To be perfectly honest,

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-16440053895517569752010-06-29T09:14:00.007-04:002011-06-21T11:51:51.062-04:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm................... Just thought I'd throw that out there. I'm not sure whether I've told you or not, but I adore scones. I think I can honestly say that scones are my absolute favorite baked good. Ever. They have a little undertone of sweetness, but they are not so overly sugary that you wouldn't want to smear a delicious dollop of jam or lemon curd on top. No, no, no. Scones

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-43998466141602622322010-06-18T08:42:00.006-04:002010-08-22T23:29:52.652-04:00

I know it. I've fooled you. I have led all of you to believe that the only things I make are sweet. In fact, you probably even think that the only things that you can bake are desserts. I, myself, began to believe it. I knew that I needed to shake myself out of the pattern, and I thought you'd appreciate a change of pace. For my internship, I spend my days testing recipes. Many, many of them

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-88083094535926298662010-06-11T10:08:00.006-04:002010-07-28T19:36:40.250-04:00

This has got to be one of the strangest things I have ever eaten. Don't get me wrong. It is pretty good actually, but it almost indescribable because it is like nothing else I've ever put in my mouth. The texture and the flavor are mild, yet a little bit exotic. It's kind of exciting. I found this gem of a recipe in a cookbook called The Silver Spoon. The book is an incredibly comprehensive

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-40690279862695617192010-06-06T09:47:00.005-04:002010-07-28T19:36:54.218-04:00

For the most part, I am not partial to intensely chocolate desserts. Of course, I like chocolate bars and chocolate ice cream, but those fancy-schmancy, five-tier, molten-nonsense cakes do not interest me. At all. I like my chocolate pure and simple. I don't like anything to complicate it or dilute its flavor. When I was younger, I always ordered the chocolate option off of the dessert menu at

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-69102782588532280022010-05-26T12:53:00.004-04:002010-07-28T19:39:06.416-04:00

Baking is truly one of the most therapeutic things you can do. The motion, the rhythm, not to mention the glorious scents that fill your kitchen, all help to alleviate any stress or unpleasant feelings that may be weighing down upon you. I know that if I'm feeling down I can always head into the kitchen, and all of my worries will just melt away. So there you have it. Baking makes me happy. I am

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-61428199442040943482010-05-16T17:34:00.006-04:002010-07-28T19:37:23.769-04:00

Yum. Yum yum yum. That's all I can say. I will try just about anything that even hints at oats. I love them, prepared any way, eaten at any time of the day. These little beauties were no exception. This weekend was pretty uneventful. I was feeling very unproductive and unbelievably bored, so, of course, I wandered into the kitchen. I have been giving you quite a few recipes from Apples for Jam

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-52426890690951286522010-05-14T15:20:00.003-04:002010-07-28T19:37:35.354-04:00

Since I teased you with the mention of delectable lemon curd ice cream, I figured it was only right for me to share it with you. Lemon curd is one of my absolute favorite things in the world. Slather it on a toasty English muffin, spread it on a graham cracker, or drizzle it over ice cream. I'm all for it. Any way, any time. When I saw this recipe for lemon curd ice cream, I was flabbergasted.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-44414228147128835812010-05-09T13:18:00.006-04:002010-07-28T19:39:21.731-04:00

Happy Mother's Day! I hope that all of you are celebrating those wonderful women who supported you and always had little bits of advice at the ready for tough times because I know I am. My family and I are going out for dinner this evening at my mom's (and my) favorite restaurant in Charleston, Monza. Rather than eating dessert there, I thought it would be even more pleasant to linger over

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-14681355022347347682010-05-01T09:57:00.007-04:002010-07-28T19:39:35.119-04:00

Hip hip hooray! A beautiful, wonderful Nikon D90 is on its way to my house as I write to you. As soon as it arrives, the baking will definitely pick up because I will be able to share each and every creation with you! Luckily, my friend Mary lent me her camera so that I could snap a shot or two of this little cake for you, making sure that you had something to keep you going until the arrival of

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-7305219475583115842010-04-22T09:07:00.003-04:002010-04-22T09:28:01.121-04:00

I honestly cannot thank all of you enough. This process would have been so much less fun without you. In fact, I'm not sure I could have done it without your support and comments. Seeing even one viewer in a day made everything worthwhile. I also want to assure you that I am not done with the blog. I know I've been rather absent lately, but it's only because my camera is broken. Hopefully, I'll

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-68312756452760761942010-04-02T16:31:00.004-04:002010-07-28T19:38:18.370-04:00

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I swear I have not forgotten about you. After my project was over, I decided to take a bit of a break, but I never intended for it to be quite this long. I've been baking and cooking still, but I just haven't had time to photograph any of it, let alone write about it. Actually, I made this cake last weekend. I was so excited to share it with you, particularly

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-82718618714792704142010-03-10T19:31:00.006-05:002011-07-19T14:46:17.896-04:00

You will never believe it. I almost don't believe it myself. Drum roll.........................I finished my project! It is such a relief to no longer have a graded project hanging over my head. Don't worry though. This is not my last blog post by any means, however. After having baked each recipe in Room for Dessert, I am going to keep blogging. I'm thinking that I will change the format

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-65166733470624620762010-03-07T12:49:00.004-05:002011-07-19T14:53:04.897-04:00

For some reason I had always found meringues intimidating. They just seemed too light and delicate to recreate at home, well successfully anyway. I felt that meringues, and pavlovas by extension, should be relegated to restaurants. But of course, Room for Dessert had another plan for me. I honestly can't believe I waited this long to make meringues. They are so impressive, but they

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-45052615275150044202010-03-01T20:55:00.006-05:002011-07-19T15:03:59.254-04:00

Eeek! This almost feels weird to write again. The essay component of my senior project had been eating me alive, but now, thankfully, it is over. I finished. Woohoo! I hope that you missed me as much as I missed you, and I greatly appreciate all of the comments that you leave me. They brightened my days, which is saying a lot as the stress has been crowding out almost every other ray of

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-78732424911424683842010-02-21T19:03:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:12:26.849-04:00

Clearly it is not Spring yet. The weather down south today was hinting that warmer weather is on its way, but we are most definitely not there quite yet. Because of this, rhubarb was impossible to find. I drove around to grocery stores in all parts of the county, but there was none to be found. I made an executive decision that strawberries would be equally, if not more, tasty than the

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-55748186079522925692010-02-16T18:08:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:18:22.352-04:00

I'm getting worried. I'm starting to think you may not believe me. I have such lofty praises for nearly every one of the recipes in Room for Dessert that it might seem that I am not particularly discerning when it comes to food. In fact, I am ridiculously picky. Not picky in the sense that I am not an adventurous eater, but I have quite high standards and am hard to impress. I would ask

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-59014908707471467482010-02-14T19:47:00.003-05:002011-07-19T15:21:55.321-04:00

To everyone who was traveling alongside me yesterday, this is for you. Like some of you out there, I spent Valentine's Day in the airport. Alone. I had intended to photograph this and put it up before I left for New York as a sort of gift, but I ended up getting caught up in packing and whatnot. My plane arrived at the Charleston airport at 11:56 last night, so the light was not exactly

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-50474757926455170352010-02-10T14:45:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:30:29.485-04:00

Wow. I have not written to you in a while. School work has been flooding my life, and I was in Boston last weekend to visit Boston College. I wish I could say that I've enjoyed my break away from the blog, but I really and truly missed it. I was itching to bake, and I did; however, it really wasn't the same not sharing the experience. Even if I don't always receive comments on what I

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-10924614336714420712010-02-02T20:11:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:41:06.882-04:00

As it turns out, sorbet is one of the simplest things to make. It takes so little effort that there is almost no excuse not to make it. Sorbet is always wonderfully refreshing and tangy, and it is guilt-free too. It really can stand alone, but I would never object to pairing it with another, richer dessert. This sorbet is no exception. I found myself wondering if I had actually made it

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-32087033763058161652010-01-27T15:01:00.007-05:002011-07-19T15:46:19.856-04:00

Man. I thought the caramel ice cream was tasty, but this blows that out of the water. It is even deeper and richer, if that's even possible, and it was even creamier on the tongue. I feel a bit dizzy even thinking about this ice cream. You almost have to close your eyes when you eat it because it's so good. Honestly though, how could it have been bad? I mean, it is butterscotch ice cream

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-19337030677506624842010-01-26T09:13:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:50:18.390-04:00

Lemon+cinnamon+coffee= one interesting combination. This concoction combines a quietly flavored sherbet with the robust taste of coffee. Unlike the other sherbets that I had made, this one was not incredibly unfortunate tasting. The texture of this sherbet was much creamier than that of the previous ones. I'm not sure how I feel about the flavor pairings, but I do like the idea of

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-76672282153538775772010-01-24T19:57:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:57:33.580-04:00

It really does pain me to say this, but I suppose I must. This actually may be the single most disgusting thing I have ever eaten. In my life. I know that is a strong statement, but sadly, it's true. It has no redeeming qualities. Nothing about it is appealing whatsoever. It is nearly impossible to cut into, as it is very hard and very sticky. The combination of spices is actually

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-70200992470747234982010-01-20T18:18:00.005-05:002011-07-19T15:59:44.714-04:00

The weather has been incredible lately. The sun has been shining kindly down on us but not so much so that you feel like you are roasting. The breezes have been casually blowing across the peninsula, bringing the scents of Spring along with it. Whenever Spring starts to roll around, I think of strawberries- strawberry shortcakes, fresh strawberries dolloped with creme fraîche, and tangy

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-79400442863928737372010-01-17T13:09:00.005-05:002011-07-19T16:04:40.605-04:00

Trust me. I know it is not summer, especially not in the northern cities where some of you are undoubtedly curled up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa. Today in Charleston, it is sunny and seventy degrees outside. The humidity in the air makes it feel like late spring or summer; it is not even the warm weather of fall here. Luckily for me, berries are almost always available at every

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-6543166928465067322010-01-17T13:04:00.003-05:002011-07-19T16:12:51.369-04:00

David Lebovitz sure seems to like Jell-O. Well, not the real Jell-O of course, but its grown up cousin, the gelée. The gelée becomes even more elegant with the addition of red wine. It probably would not be the best thing to serve a child for an after school snack or to someone who is sick, as Jell-O usually is; however, it is much, much tastier in my opinion. When compared to the

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-80338797270787113792010-01-16T15:36:00.007-05:002011-07-19T16:12:17.487-04:00

Clearly it was alcohol day around here. I'm not sure whether I ended up leaving all of the alcohol-centered recipes till the end or if Room for Dessert just really uses a lot of alcohol. I was talking to my brother, who goes to college in Scotland, on Facebook today and told him what I was making. He was very envious of everyone who is here and will be able to consume all of the treats I made

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-84315774232956510622010-01-14T21:28:00.004-05:002011-07-19T16:19:35.242-04:00

I know what you must be thinking. Why does she keep using apricots and blueberries? In my defense, apricots were actually the original main fruits in this recipe. The accent fruit, the cherries, were not looking too hot in the grocery store, and I have a slight aversion to them. I'm not sure exactly what it is about them, but I would rather forgo dessert, which is saying a lot, than eat

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-59564317838951097322010-01-13T18:33:00.004-05:002011-07-19T16:28:49.457-04:00

I'm going to tell you something. I was terrified of making crepes. I pondered purchasing a pack of pre-made crepes from the grocery store and trying to pass them off as homemade. Of course, I would have told you that I took a shortcut, but I decided against taking the easy way out. After all, this project is all about trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. By the way, the

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-17905022854304868602010-01-12T12:22:00.006-05:002011-07-19T16:32:43.102-04:00

One of my closest friends, Christina, is getting her wisdom teeth pulled on Friday. Unlike most normal people, Christina is ecstatic about the procedure, even touting her excitement on Facebook. One of the downsides of having your wisdom teeth removed is the soft-food diet that you must follow post-surgery. On the other hand, ice cream, mashed potatoes, and applesauce all happen to be

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-16148569693738850132010-01-09T13:04:00.006-05:002010-07-28T19:43:41.093-04:00

Ouch. Hot. It seems an odd comment to make about an ice cream, but this one somehow managed to be hot, hot, hot. Of course, it was not hot after it was done. To tell you the truth, I am surprised that this even made it to the ice cream maker. Lucky for you, my mom helped me out a bit and convinced me to forge on and follow through. You may still be wondering what exactly what I am talking about,

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-4626232211632997682010-01-07T18:50:00.004-05:002011-07-19T16:38:36.160-04:00

Sadly, my New Year's did not go as planned. I had intended to go out for a nice dinner with my friend Mary, watch a bunch of old movies at my house, and enjoy this for dessert. A few days before the festivities, I got a call from a frantic mother asking for a babysitter. As I was completely broke and had just learned that Mary was going to dinner with her family, I decided to take the job.

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-55079519932664568502010-01-06T07:34:00.009-05:002011-07-19T16:46:24.013-04:00

I have terrible news. I am writing to you from school. I cannot even tell you how much I would rather be at home baking all day and writing about it than sitting at school, reading about biodiversity, and trying to squeeze in baking whenever I can. It definitely doesn't help that a terrible case of senior-itus has really set in. To make matters worse, I am taking care of my little brother

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-76939747288161106252010-01-04T13:47:00.003-05:002011-07-19T16:49:55.880-04:00

Crisp, buttery, and quietly sweet. In other words, excellent. These enchanting cookies have the most wonderful crunch that really is unmatchable. You honestly don't even feel that bad eating one or two (or three or four) of them because they are so thin and delicate. It is even more helpful that the recipe only makes a dozen, as you would only be able to gobble up twelve cookies if you ate

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-24594816776281540682010-01-03T13:29:00.003-05:002011-07-19T16:55:54.089-04:00

My mom, my dad, and I are on detox. After the holidays, it felt a bit necessary, but my dad is having a much harder time of things than my mom and me; still the chocolate chip cookies my mom made today were calling my name. We were in the grocery store yesterday, shopping for fruits and vegetables, of course, when my dad spotted a large slice of dark chocolate cake sitting alone in the bakery

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-91306028839813583882010-01-03T12:38:00.003-05:002011-07-19T17:03:25.964-04:00

I knew that soup had its place in a meal. It could be a light starter to a dinner, a hearty and show-stopping main dish, or even a palette cleanser between courses of an elaborate meal. Until I received Room for Dessert in the mail, however, I was not aware that soup was ever eaten after dinner. Soup for dessert? Yes, it sounds strange to me too. Despite my misgivings, I knew I would

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-86811433313225738172010-01-02T12:41:00.004-05:002011-07-19T17:07:20.722-04:00

I cannot tell you how much I adore any sort of spiced nut. The cinnamon sugar pecans that they sell at Whole Foods? Man, oh man. When my mom brings a box of those home, they are wiped out within the day. I don't have to tell you twice that all of those pre-made foods at grocery stores can be quite costly, especially when you go through a pack a day. I decided that I would try my hand at

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-66096479748412164552010-01-01T19:12:00.005-05:002011-07-19T17:10:10.671-04:00

I. Hate. Sherbet. I know that I told you that I was not a big fan of it, but I have changed my mind. I honestly think it is some of the worst stuff on earth. The process of making it does not have the charm of slowly stirring a custard for ice cream or juicing bright, tangy fruits for a sorbet, the texture is disgustingly grainy, and the flavor is almost always barely there. For some

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-79963250228843924502010-01-01T17:55:00.004-05:002011-07-19T17:28:10.994-04:00

As you may or may not have noticed, the recipes I have been doing as of late are a bit more unusual. Maybe they don't even sound as tasty as the treats I concocted in the beginning. I think I made a mistake when I first planned this project; I made the recipes as I was inspired to do so and made the ones I wanted to eat. More and more, however, I am finding it difficult to locate

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643370425217215094.post-53712989608875816132009-12-29T16:01:00.005-05:002011-07-19T21:13:35.214-04:00

Sounds like an interesting combination? It is. As you may or may not know, I don't really like white chocolate. However, Room for Dessert is slowly changing my opinion of the stuff. I will never be a die-hard white chocolate fan, but I won't be avoiding a tasty-sounding dessert that, to my former dismay, contains white chocolate. I cut down on the steeping time because I wanted a milder

Hayley Daenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00395255527561400097noreply@blogger.com1