A bee's life...Honey Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Sometimes a little organization is seriously needed when baking; like on weeks where you are busy with work stuff all day and have work dinners three nights in a row.  Sometimes my OCD takes over and it really plans out how and when things need to happen.  Let me just give an example...this is last week when I had to have cupcakes made for a Thursday birthday (Happy Birthday Caroline!) and make pancakes and waffles for about 30 people Thursday morning ala pancake/waffle bar.

"That Funky Monkey" Cupcake

These were the last thing I made on my baking weekend.  I have to give it to my friend James for coming up with the idea for this flavor profile a few months ago and for giving these cupcakes there name in tribute to the Beastie Boys "Brass Monkey" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLyBL2cYXmo).  He is always good at challenging me and pushing me to be a better baker.  So, this is going to be a short and sweet post because these cupcakes speak for themselves.  They may or may not be a breakfast cupcake...

The cupcake: banana cupcake + chocolate ganache + peanut butter frosting + banana chip garnish

Red Velvet "Beet" Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Last weekend was a serious baking weekend...there was a four layer devil's food, these red velvet cake-brownies and some serious banana cupcakes.  There was night with friends with singing and dancing.  There was also a run in 32 degree weather, where I proceeded to freeze.  But some how you ALWAYS feel better after a run.  There was also a taco night in front of the TV watching football and stuffing my face.  There was and will be lots more hanging out with a great guy in the next month before he heads off to Scotland for a year.  And I am losing another one this year; another best friend moving on to more adventures, in new places.  This just also happens to be the guy that I moved to DC for in the first place.   Looks like a visit to Glasgow is in my future!

Devils Food Cake Birthday Cake for an awesome friend

What a nice and relaxing weekend with lots of baking!  It started with acting like an adult Friday night and going to listen to the National Symphony Orchestra.  Then there was brunch at Founding Farmers with a couple of great guys, and then there was cake!  This is a birthday cake for my very good friend Stephanie. (It also served as a thank you for her being my first guest blogger!)  It was delivered to her birthday party where there was drinking of Skittles infused vodka, yes you read that right, and a night that ended with dancing and singing at the top of our lunges.  What else do you want to do after eating birthday cake on a Saturday night, I ask? 

Guest Post 1:Peppermint Coconut Macaroons in White Chocolate (or Dark)

This year I wanted to try something new on this blog, so every month I am asking one or two of my friends to do a guest post.  They get to choose what ever they want to bake, savory or sweet, their favorite recipe or something all together new, to share with you and sometimes have a little fun in the kitchen with me.

Let me introduce you my friend Stephanie, guest blogger #1!  She is awesome and crazy fun!  She was my first official "DC" friend I didn't meet through work.  Her qualifications: excellent apple tree climber, donut maker and photo taker!  We might also have had the same first cookbook when we were kids.  She is a dairy-free girl an we most definitely first bonded over vegan baked goods.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

So, I originally wrote this post on my flight to Florida last week to hangout with family and just relax.  I was looking at Elle magazine and dreaming about the warmth of spring...about the days when I can put on a skirt without having to wear tights...when I can wear flower patterns and sandals...paint my toes bright colors and go for a bike ride without freezing.  Also, I am totally pumped for this spring because apparently, at least according to Anne Slowey in the January issue of Elle, "pretty is now ripe with wit, irony, and, in some cases plenty of cheek."  So, come March bring on the pastels, florals and nautical stripes.

Gluten-free Herb Pizza Crust

This weekend was fun and jam packed.  Saturday there were vegan cinnamon rolls (Sticky Fingers Bakery is basically amazing), a flying lesson with me in the pilot's seat, and drinks with new friends and old.  Sunday I played tourist, took lots of photos and went for a walk around the Capitol Building and the mall with a stop in to the National Gallery of Art and at a Chai at Teaism.  Sunday was rounded out with cookie dough...Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie dough that is.  These cookies will not stand alone...

A Breakfast Apple Pie with Bacon

So, apparently I currently need a little bacon in my life or at least I need to bake with it.  You would think I am not currently in the process of training for a half marathon that is just a little over a month a way.  That maybe I am trying to discourage all those New Years Resolutions to get in shape in 2012.  Really I just needed to make an apple pie and I wanted to switch things up a bit.  Plus, I found this recipe through Tasting Table months ago and have been meaning to make it.  And what better way to start off the first work Friday in January than with an apple pie topped with bacon crumble and a ginger snap crust?  Come on...you know I am right. 

Brown Sugar Bacon Biscuits

There were biscuits...biscuits with bacon and brown sugar, with a hint of pepper.  These biscuits were served at brunch with these quiche.  These biscuits are amazing and they make me even more excited for Joy the Baker's cookbook to come out in February.  They were served with butternut squash soup and salad for a semi-healthy way to start the New Year.  These also go great with a little apple butter or maybe even some pumpkin butter if you have some leftover from this past fall.