Nutella Buttercream Frosting

Baking is one of my favorite things to do but I've never really been into making cupakes until lately.  I've been trying out new recipes from scratch. 

My favorite recipe so far is Nutella buttercream cupcakes.

They are so light and fluffy and are always a hit whenever I make them! And the icing is very easy to make as well.


Fluffy Nutella Buttercream

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2/3 cup Nutella
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1. In a stand mixer, beat together the butter and powdered sugar on low until well-blended.  Add the Nutella and increase the speed to medium.  Beat for two minutes.
2. Add the vanilla extract and salt and whip for an additional 30 seconds.
3. Add the whipping cream and beat for one minute, until the frosting lightens slighting in both color and texture

Once I made the icing I just used a pastry bag and iced vanilla cupcakes.  I haven't tried it on chocolate cupcakes but I'm sure it would taste just as great!

Weekend update

I started off Friday dreading the weekend (really who dreads the weekend???!!) mostly because I knew I had so much cleaning and laundry to do and absolutely hate that!

Friday it was so rainy and the weather was horrible. I made plans to see my grad school friend Jenn but was dreading the drive up the parkway. We live about an hour and a half from each other so we were meeting halfway. We grabbed dinner and caught up. I'm glad we are attempting to keep touch. She's really a down to earth person.

I sometimes feel embarrassed seeing my grad school friends though. Like heyyy I still don't have a school counselor job 3 years out of school! But she gave me the best advice ever. "It's just a job and it means nothing." If I'm not working as a counselor it really doesn't matter. We talked about my frustration with the job and she suggested some things and was really supportive. After all, its a little embarrassing realizing at the end of grad school that maybe you chose the wrong profession!

When I got home my husband decided to have some work friends over. They went to happy hour and then came by. I was very surprised since his work friends can be a little flaky. They are still young and are in that going out partying phase so it was nice that they were able to come by and have a few beers with him.

Saturday we were supposed to have our basement windows replaced but the guy had to reschedule so we ran a ton of errands and did laundry. Seems like that's always my weekend ! oh the joys of being an adult!

I decided it would be nice to go on a date just us since we never ever do that. Of course it took me 2 hours to find an outfit!! My husband didn't care though since he was watching the ranger game. We went and grabbed a few drinks and it was nice to dress up for a change!

(I really need to start taking advantage of my tanning package)

Sunday we relaxed and then went to dinner for my grandmothers 90th birthday.

 

 

(at grandma's house)

 



What happened yesterday at the boston marathon was sickening.  What is wrong with the world? I hate having to worry about where I'm going and what may happen.  Especially since my husband is going into the city next weekend for the ranger game and then flying in a couple weeks.

I'm glad the weather looks nice today!! Have a great tuesday everyone!

I'm loving this spring summer feeling day. It's currently 80 degrees in New Jersey!

I received so many compliments on my outfit yesterday that I just wanted to share it!


Last year my friend was celebrating her birthday so I bought this zebra shirt to go out in from forever 21. I absolutely love it and paid probably under $20 for it. I can only find things in there occasionally lately though which disappoints me a little.

I decided to pair it with my skinny black pants that I got from ny and co this year. I swear on them. They never stretch out! I think I paid $59 but it was money well spent.

Last year in jcp during their end of summer sale I bought these wedges for $10.  I wasnt sure I would wear them when I bought them so I was happy I could finally wear them! Plus I love bargin shopping!!

 

Here's my outfit put together:

 

 

I guess since I normally wear "teacher clothing" this was a huge improvement!

Another reason im acting like an old woman!!

I really want to know when I got to the point where I have to eat healthy to stay healthy and maintain a certain weight??

I miss my younger years when I could eat a whole container of Oreos and it didn't matter because I would never gain weight. In school I was the kid that ate 3 or 4 snacks at lunch and wouldn't gain an ounce. I did gain in college but only about 5-10lbs but I ate like a pig because I was cooking for myself and I drank often!

If I even eat the wrong thing now I notice it on the scale!!! Between this weight gain and grey hairs I see why people have breakdowns Turning 30!!! Granted I am still two years away but still...

I suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and I was reading horror stories of people who gained a few pounds and then suddenly gained 40 over a month. Knowing that I gained about 5lbs I'm a little worried!

So now I'm counting calories and looking at added sugars to make sure I eat right. What am I 90 years old worrying about sugar?!?!

Speaking of which my grandma turned 90 today. I can only hope I live as long as her!!!

Can I rewind 5 years...and change some things!

I'm glad the weather is finally nice out!!! I'm currently sitting on my deck organizing my recipes. I guess that's a sign I'm an adult!

My best friend wrote in a post about being at that awkward age where your not a college kid anymore but your not fully ready for full on adulthood and I couldn't agree more. Some days I wake up and want kids right now because I'm almost 28 and other days I'm so tired from work that I can't even imagine caring for an infant. I think sometimes I think I'm supposed to have kids now at my age so that's why I think about it so much. And that really is the wrong reason to bring any child into the world.

I work as an aide in a second grade classroom and I do love my job but make entirely way too little money and only work half of the day. This past week they had their recognition awards for outstanding staff. The teacher I work with nominated me but unfortunately I did not win. I was so overwhelmed with joy that she would even consider me for it.  The things she wrote in the letter were so wonderful and I really started to feel so appreciated for what I do.

But then I started to think..I went to graduate school to be a school/guidance counselor. It's been TWO YEARS since I've graduated and I've given up looking for a job. A few reasons which include: I'm frustrated about not getting any interviews, I'm not really sure I even like the position anymore, and I am comfortable where I am.

I just never thought at age 27 almost 28 that I would be so lost on life. I'm not sure if I should have kids yet or wait, if I should go back to school or just try and find a different job, if I should stay where I'm at making so little and hope and pray I don't lose my job at the end of each year. 

Getting engaged at 24 and saying I'll wait to get married a year after graduation so I would have a job and be settled sounded too good to be true.  So did my theory of getting married at 25 and having kids at 27.  This is just an awkward age!! People I know are either partying it up still or at home with their 2 or 3 kids.  And I'm just in the middle wondering what is going on and where did time go?!

I guess I just need to take one day at a time and enjoy the ride because I'm not getting any younger. After all I really felt like my college years were just yesterday!

 

And this feels like just yesterday. Not 6 years ago!

 

When is being my age going to feel right and not so awkward?!





Getting fit for summer

I'm really determined to get in shape for summer.  I'm focusing on my arms, abs and thighs.  I've been pretty good this week to sticking to my workout for my arms.  I'm doing a lot of weight lifting but do realize I need to add some cardio if I want to lose the fat that is on my arms.  I'm going to start abs and thighs next week.  I absolutely love the Brazilian butt workout.  I got it last spring and did it religiously and it really toned my thighs and butt. Unfortunately I did get bored of it after 2 months so I'm really determined to start it again.  It has an ab workout section too which is great!

Its so hard to lose weight since  I have a "pear shape."  No matter what, I really will never look that slim on my bottom area. 

Clearly seen here.

 

And my hips and thighs really don't have much fat on them.  My frame is just so big.  I hate having such wide hips!!

 

 

 

Anyway in honor of throwback Thursday I have a picture of me and my best friend from when we rekindled our relationship. I believe this was our very first "hanging out" picture after we stopped talking. I can't believe this was 6 years ago!

 

 

And I can't get over how young I look.  I feel old after seeing the difference from then and now!



Buffalo Chicken and Homemade French Fries

One of my absolute favorite things to make is buffalo chicken with homemade french fries.  I'm a vegetarian, but I do make this for my husband and it is probably one of his favorite meals! And I just love how easy it is to make!

For the chicken: (serving size approximately 2)
5-6 Chicken thighs (or wings, whichever is your preference)
1/2-3/4 cup Sriracha Hot chili sauce (or I sometimes use Franks red hot buffalo sauce)
1/2 stick Butter
Salt and Pepper (optional)

* Preheat the oven to 450 degrees
* Boil water in a large pot.  Once the water is rapidly boiling add the the chicken and cook for 7 minutes.
* Drain the water and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel (sometimes I choose not to do this but it will splatter on your oven if you skip this step)
* Spray a baking sheet with Pam Cooking Spray and place the chicken on the baking sheet.
* Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes turning it a few times to avoid it sticking.
* While that is cooking, melt the butter in the microwave.  Pour it into a large bowl.
* Add the Sriracha sauce and mix well.
* When the chicken is done place it in the bowl, covering it completely with the sauce and let it sit a few minutes before serving.


For the French Fries: (Serving size approximately 2)
3 Potatoes
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil

* Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
* Spray a baking sheet with Pam Cooking Spray.
* Cut the potatoes into slices and place them in a large bowl.
* Drizzle the potatoes with Olive Oil (enough to coat them completely).
* Stir potatoes adding salt and pepper evenly.
* Put them on the baking sheet and add more salt and pepper if needed.
* Bake them for 20-30 minutes flipping them often to prevent sticking.


Since the chicken is boiled and then baked its a healthier version, while still being crispy! 

 



 

 

Samoa Girl Scout Cookies!

Since last week I decided to make cookies, I really want to share the experience I had making them. First off, I absolutely love sweets. I'm really starting to think one day its going to catch up on me. I'm very lazy when it comes to working out (I'm working on changing that soon though), but I LOVE sweets. Its a bad habit of mine.

Well I love the samoa girl scout cookies. I could, in fact eat the whole box in one sitting if it weren't for the fact of feeling so guilty afterwards. So I decided to try a copy cat recipe that I found.

My finished product

Well, they took me a couple hours to make but I think they came out tasting great. Would I make them again? I think I would if I had the time. Baking is a passion of mine but sometimes its so hard to find time for it.

Here is the recipe with notes added :)

(in the future I will have recipes with pictures added along the way of the steps, but I wasn't sure if I was going to follow through with this blog at the time of making them)

Samoa Girl Scout Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen

Prep Time: 2 hours (including chilling)

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the cookies:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the coconut topping:
1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
8 ounces store-bought caramels (the ones found in a bag individually wrapped)
1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 ounces dark chocolate (I used dark chocolate chips)

Directions:

* Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

* In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

* In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In three increments, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter, mixing between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the milk and vanilla extract, blending until combined and the dough begins to come together in large pieces.

* Use your hands to press the dough together into a compact disk. Wrap the disk securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (I threw mine in the freezer for 20 minutes and it works the same)

* Once the dough has chilled, roll the disk out onto a lightly floured surface until it is 1/8-inch thick. Cut out as many cookies as possible with a doughnut-shaped cookie cutter. (I didn't have one so I used a circle cookie cutter and then used the screw top of a heavy cream container as the inside cutter. worked perfectly!) Place the cut-out cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.

* Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheet half-way through, until the cookies are pale golden brown. Transfer the cookies to a wire wrack to cool completely.

Make the coconut topping:
* Spread the coconut flakes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the coconut for about 10 minutes in a 350ºF oven until toasted, stirring frequently (I did every 3 minutes) to ensure even browning and so that it does not burn. Remove the toasted coconut from the oven and set it aside.

*Melt the caramels, milk and salt in a double-boiler by placing the caramels in a medium saucepan set over a large saucepan of simmering water. Cook, stirring, until the caramels are fully melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat and combine 3/4 of the caramel with the toasted coconut in a large bowl.

*Carefully spread the remaining 1/4 cup of caramel atop the cooled cookies then press on a portion of the coconut mixture. (this part was a PAIN. I used a spoon and left the remaining caramel over a low heat to prevent it from hardening. Let the cookies cool for 30 minutes.

* Melt the dark chocolate in a double-boiler or in the microwave. Dip the bottoms of the cookies in the chocolate and place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Use a fork to drizzle the tops with chocolate. Let the cookies sit until the chocolate hardens fully. (it also helps to put them in the fridge to harden)


So my overall review of them is they tasted amazing, but they do take quite a long time to make!

Hello all!! I've decided to start this blog to talk about different recipes I love, different outfits I find at great deals, and to just talk about things going on in my life. :)  I hope you enjoy reading my blog!