My New York City Trip

Hello everyone! No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I've just been super busy.  I got back from New York 2 weekends ago, and had finals just a few days after. New classes started this week. And also, I'm taking the SAT's this Saturday. So I'm kind of stressed. But anyways, I wanted to share some pictures from my trip to NYC. 

Statue of Liberty at sunrise

Clock in Grand Central Terminal

Empire State Building

Me and my dad in front of Rockefeller Center

Entrance to Central Park

Beautiful scenery in Central Park

Buffalo chicken and smoked gouda pizza in Little Italy...best pizza I've ever had!

Brooklyn Bridge

Me on the Big Piano in FAO Schwarz  

I don't even need to say anything..

Whole road named for it!

Me in front of Carlo's!

Red velvet cupcake

Eclair

Me in front of the consultation table!

Times Square

Manhattan Skyline from the ferry

Sunset

 I had loads of fun on this trip, all thanks to my wonderful dad. I saw everything I wanted to see and more. I also fell in love with the city. Hopefully I'll be going back again in a few months. I also hope to bake something here soon. It's been over a week and I'm going through a little bit of withdrawal. I promise, I will post a dessert on here very soon!

Banana bread & a special trip!

I am not a huge fan of bananas. I like them in things, but not by themselves. Although, I do like banana bread! It's one of my favorite things. The recipe I use is super good & super easy. The bread has a slight crust on the top, making it even better!

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
dash of cloves
dash of allspice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups ap flour


1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease whatever pan(s) you're using.
2. Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
3.In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the spices and milk.
4. In another bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir. Add the dry ingredients, mix until flour disappears. Don't over mix.
6. Pour in pans and bake for 1 hour.
7. Cool for 20 minutes before removing and slicing.

Now, I have fantastic news to share. My dad is taking me on a 3 day trip to New York City this upcoming weekend! I've never been to New York, so i'm extremely excited! I get to go ice skating in either Central Park or Rockefeller Center, shop at New York Cake & Baking Supplies, see the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Crumbs Bakery, Times Square, & Carlos Bakery (Site of one of my favorite shows, CAKE BOSS!!!). Ahhhhh! I can't believe I'm finally getting to visit this exciting city! I'll be leaving Thursday night at 5, & returning Sunday evening. So I'll post some pictures a few days after I return!

New Years Eve

 I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of cookies & brownie truffles I made for New Years Eve. Almost a week later, but hey, I've been sick. I used gray and white royal icing to flood the circle & star cookies. Then I wrote on them with either black or white royal icing. I also used some black crystal sprinkles, dragees, and gray and black edible glitter to decorate them. I really liked how they turned out. 

I also made some brownies truffles (got the idea from The Enchanted Oven). You just make a pan of brownies, whether from a box mix or from scratch. I made them from scratch. And you under bake them by about 5 minutes or so. Let them cool completely, then dump them in a bowl & form into balls. Then I rolled them in powdered sugar. Here's the recipe for the brownies:

Ingredients
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon salt


1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 11x7 baking pan. 
2.Mixtogether butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Add eggs and beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, gradually add to egg mixture, Beat until well blended. Spread batter in pan. 
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. 

 Hope everyone had a great New Years Eve/Day!