Jalapeño Lime Cookies

The idea with these cookies was to elevate dessert to something more than plain sweet. Rather than spicy, I wanted these cookies to taste sweet and bright until the end of the bite when a subtle warmth hits your mouth. It took a ton of tests to make them come out just right, soft and chewy with a hint of warmth. Unfortunately, the judges liked their cookies chocolate and sweet. But I still think they are winners!

Jalapeño Lime Cookies

These chewy cookies require no electric mixers, making them perfect for little helpers. Their bright lime flavor melts on your tongue followed by a subtle, warm heat from the jalapeño reminiscent of summer days on the beach.

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1-2 roasted jalapeños, seeds and skin removed and chopped finely
• 2 tsp. lime zest
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. lime zest

Heat oven to 350°F, placing oven rack in middle position. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place sugar in a large bowl, cut up the cream cheese into small pieces, place on top. Melt butter and, while still warm, pour over sugar and cream cheese. Whisk to combine. In a small food processor or blender, blend egg, jalapeño, lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla, whisk until smooth. Blend into cream cheese mixture. Set aside.

Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. With a rubber spatula, fold in cream cheese mixture until smooth. Do not overmix. Combine 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tbsp. lime zest. Divide dough into 24 equal pieces, roll each piece in lime sugar and form into balls. Flatten the dough into 2-inch circles. Bake one sheet at a time until edges are slightly brown, about 12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, then cool on rack until room temperature.

Lime Sour Cream Glaze

• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream

Meanwhile, combine lime juice, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in sour cream. When the cookies are cooled, drizzle icing over the top, and allow to harden before serving.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Cupcakes

I've finally decided to share some of the recipes I've developed myself, starting with the cupcakes that won 3rd place in a Ghirardelli chocolate competition. I hope you enjoy!

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Cupcakes

Surprise! These cupcakes contain hidden zucchini and avocado: sweet chocolate cake, layered with earthy, rich chocolate mousse and topped with tangy white chocolate lime topping. For an even simpler version, just bake the cake in a 9x13” pan, layer with mousse and cream, chill, and cut to serve.

Sweet Dark Chocolate Cake

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• ¾ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup oil
• 4 oz. dark chocolate, melted
• 1 cup packed, grated zucchini

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl, just till blended. Set aside. In a food processor, blend eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, and zucchini until emulsified (no longer separates.) Fold egg mixture and chocolate into the flour and mix until just combined. Pour batter into 24 lined muffin cups, about ½ inch deep. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 20-30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan.

Rich Chocolate Mousse

• 1 avocado
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/2 tbsp. milk
• pinch salt
• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted
• 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Blend avocado, vanilla, milk, salt, chocolate, and powdered sugar in a food processor, spoon into cool metal bowl. Fold whipped cream into the avocado mixture with a rubber spatula. Spread over top of cupcakes, smoothing even with the pan rim. Chill until set, about 15 minutes. Heat a knife under hot water, run around edges of cakes and lift out.

Tangy White Chocolate Lime Topping

• 5 egg whites
• 1 ¼ cups sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 ¼ cups butter
• 1 tbsp. fresh lime peel, grated
• 4 oz. white chocolate, melted

Combine egg whites and sugar in metal mixer bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water, and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160°F. In stand mixer, whip on medium-low speed until mixture is cool, and mixture is stiff and glossy. While beating, add butter one tablespoon at a time. Beat until mixture is smooth and fluffy. Slowly add vanilla, lime peel, and chocolate. Pipe white chocolate topping onto the tops of the cupcakes.

Optional: For garnish, zest one lime into long, thin strips. Heat ¼ cup sugar and ½ cup water in saucepan until simmering, add lime zest, cook for about 10 seconds, remove from sugar water, and let sit on parchment paper, garnish cupcakes when cool.

A Redesign of Dating

Yes, I know this is probably a sign that I have too much time on my hands. Because of my visual nature, it sometimes helps to graph things out. Once I was done, I just had to laugh at myself. Once I started laughing, I had to share. Please note that this is just a diagram of silly thoughts of mine. Please don't take it too seriously, or think I'm supposed to be making some wise philosophical point or judgment call on the merits of one over the other. Everyone's different. Some of us are just more different than others. So here it is: The Common Practice of Dating (as a flowchart.) You'll probably have to view it full sized to read it.

Now, this is just how I've observed people's expectations. It's not supposed to show how dating actually happens. I doubt most people think of it like this, anyways. It's just what I've noticed when people talk about dating, relationships, and moving forward.

I think of things strangely. Most of the time, I blend pretty well, but sometimes it really smacks me across the face. Dating is one of those face-smacking parts of culture that I just don't get. This next flowchart is diagramming how I think a good relationship should develop. It has pretty much the same end points, but the process is wildly different. Again, remember this is just for fun. It's not supposed to say that my way is better or anything. If anything, it's just a sign of how strange I really am. [Edit: I cut it into two pieces to make it more viewable.]

Now, I don't get many of you reading this blog. It's kind of my own "mommy blog" where I get to let my hair down, get off the doctrinal topics and just let a little more of the whole me out to play. But if you do see this, let me know what you think! Analyze these things. That's what makes life interesting, right?