Happy Father's Day

It's Father's Day~ the special day to thank your dad for all that he's done. 
What did you surprise your father with?  A new shirt?  Breakfast in bed? 

Here's what I did:

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I woke up really early this morning and looked for a quick and easy recipe to try out.  At first I wanted to make scones, but I didn't have all the ingredients.  Then, I thought about muffins, but I didn't want to take out the beater.  I finally decided on shortbread cookies.

Freshly baked shortbread cookies

Ingredients:
-1 cup of sugar
-1 cup of butter (two sticks or 1/2 pound)
-3 cups all purpose flour

Materials:
-large mixing bowl
-measuring cups
-mixing utensils (a spoon will work fine)
-wooden board or other cutting board
-rolling pin
-cookie sheet
-fork
-knife

Optional:
-cookie cutters

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Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker" Part 2)

Hello Friends,

As promised this is the continuation of my two part series, Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker Part 1").  In part 1 I taught you how to make your own batch of brownies using "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix", and I made two batches myself.  One with the oven and one with my "Babycakes Cupcake Maker".

In this next part of my brownie baking day, I got together a group of the finest judges in the business, who are experienced tasters and chefs.  They will be tasting both brownies and seeing which brownie they like better.

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Please welcome...

 Chef Butler

 Chef Baxter

 Chef Droplet

 and Chef Berrington

Since dogs cannot eat chocolate, and therefore definitely not triple chocolate brownies, Buddy had to sit out on this one.  Sorry Buddy. 

 Buddy smelling the brownies through the window

Today the judges will be tasting two different brownies: 

Oven brownies

"Babycakes" Brownies

The two competitors side-by-side

Each judge will receive one oven brownie, one "Babycakes" brownie, a plate, a fork, and a napkin.

 So get your tasting materials, and let's get started!

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Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker" Part 1)

You know those days when you have the sudden urge to bake?  Today was one of those days for me.

So, I opened up my pantry and found a box of "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix".  Perfect.  Next, I got out materials and other ingredients needed for the brownies.

Ingredients:
-1 package of "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix"
-1 egg
-Non-stick cooking spray
-1/3 cup vegetable oil
-1/3 cup water

Materials:
-8x8 metal pan
-Medium sized mixing bowl
-Measuring cup
-Mixing tools (whisk, spatula, etc...)
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 Materials needed: Pan, mixing bowl, mixing tools, measuring cup

 Ingredients needed: Egg, brownie mix, vegetable oil, water, cooking spray

 Step 1: Mix together water, egg, and oil in medium sized bowl

 Step 2: Add brownie mix and mix thoroughly

 This is how your brownie mix should look after blending ingredients together

 Step 3: Pour brownie mix into metal pan

Step 4: Put brownie mix into oven at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes

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While I was waiting for the brownies to come out of the oven, I got bored so I decided to make another batch.  However the second batch I decided to bake with my "Babycakes Cupcake Maker".

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