0 CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD TILES

so easy..so simple...why didn't i know about this ziploc trick before...? check out this recipe here
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/12/espresso-chocolate-shortbread-cookies/
see....i told you smittenkitchen had some good stuff...

i was going to make this exact recipe, but my instant espresso was finally found in the back of the spice drawer and when something is covered in cob webs, you have to question how old is it???...i mean i know the powdered stuff can take a fews years, but....can't tell ya when this stuff was purchased..i hate it when that happens. anyway, i went ahead and made plain, i mean pure shortbread with the added mini chocolate chips.
i also read elsewhere that it is important to chill dough after cutting and right before oven to help keep whatever shape you've chosen...definitely will do everytime from now on.

OH...and you have to try this ziploc trick...i can't wait to try it with other recipies...

0 VALENCIA ORANGE CAKE

i was so intrigued when i saw this cake recipe. not only did it have no flour and sugar, BUT it has 2 WHOLE valencia oranges in it. i found the recipe here...

http://www.comfybelly.com/2009/06/valencia-orange-cake-made-with-almond-flour.html

many thanks to comfybelly for introducing me to this cake and a little about it's origin. i didn't change a thing so please check out the link. i mean, what's to change?...being that it's ancient and worked for eons...

oh..one thing i DID do that comfybelly gave as an option....i whipped the egg whites and folded them in...i wasn't real worried about folding them in all professional-like since it wasn't a must in the first place...i think it did work well for this cake though.

0 CHERRY LEMON ESSENCE CAKE

well, i thought this cake worthy of a birthday...MY BIRTHDAY !...and i was right. i loved it. actually i loved it even more this morning for breakfast. YUM!

i found this recipe @ http://www.kitchenexperiments.net/2009/05/cherry-in-cake.html

many thanks to kitchen experiments. i didn't change a thing...

oh...well, i DID use canned whole bing cherries because she said it was okay to sub. i might have to break down and buy a cherry pitter. that's really the only reason i went with the canned goods. kinda feels like a sin while we're right in the middle of cherry season...duh !

0 RASPBERRY BUTTERMILK CAKE

right outta the gates i knew this was a winner !!!

i first saw this cake on tastespotting @ http://kitchencorners.blogspot.com/2009/06/raspberry-buttermilk-cake.html

she mentioned she saw in gourmet, so i went there also. i don't think i changed a thing. this is perfect as-is !!!!! i know i will be making this again because i just bought more raspberries and i know it's now a family favorite...gone in sixty seconds...

0 BLUEBERRY CRUMB BARS

this is definitley a delicious crumb bar. i'm glad i chose blueberries for the first go 'round. just one full layer of little blue gems was perfect. i don't know how many things i can make with blueberries, but i'm sure gonna try to make 'em ALL!

i added big handful of toasted almonds. i think it adds just a little extra crunch.

found these little gems at smittenkitchen... http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/blueberry-crumb-bars/

i love smittenkitchen. check it out...good stuff.

0 BUTTERMILK ALMOND TART

0 SNICKERDOODLES

the snickerdoodle has to be known as one of the favorite among the classics.





look at these beauties...you can just taste the cinnamon-ie sweet sugar-ie goodness.
i got a big smile on my face as i saw them deflate as they cooled and get those quintesential snickerdoodle cracks and crevasses.


this was my first try with the snicker...AND i got rave reviews all around...YIPPEEE !