The 5 Things I Learned from Katherine & Sophie of Georgetown Cupcakes

As some of you may know, when it comes to baking, I'm kind of a dud. There's just something about all that time...and measuring...and "not being able to taste the batter"... I go crazy just thinking about it! 
Now, I have the philosophy that if you want to know how to do something, ask! So who better to ask than Katherine and Sophie of Georgetown Cupcake! The DC Cupcakes stars were sweet enough to invite me into their LA location for a private baking session! 
We caught the whole thing on tape and that will be coming to you soon, but while the video is cooking, I wanted to share with you The 5 Things I Learned from Katherine & Sophie of Georgetown Cupcake!

Toasted Coconut Shortbread Cookies

Over the long weekend I had been bitten by the baking bug! Now, this is something quite out of the ordinary as I've always said "I'm not a baker" but something came over me and all I wanted to do was whip up delights with flour, sugar and butter! 

Since I'm not a "super sweet" person (palate, not personality) I decided that shortbread cookies were the way to go! I wanted the buttery taste with a hint of salt. I also wanted to figure out a way to include my latest addiction, Dang Toasted Coconut Chips. So, here's what I came up with. Oh, and did I mention the cookies themselves are made with only 4 ingredients! 

Ingredients

2 1/4 c flour, sifted

1 stick of butter, room temp

1/2 white sugar

1 tsp sea salt

No-Fail Banana Bread

You can ask The Mr. , banana bread is not my strong suit. I always want to make it because I have a habit of letting my bananas go bad... whoops. However, in all my attempts it always seems to come out too doughy, too dry, too sticky, or too blah. But guess what? Last night, I did it. I finally came up with the easiest banana bread recipe that actually tasted good! 

Ingredients

1/2 c butter, softened

1 c sugar
2 eggs, beaten
4 bananas, mashed

1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I used fresh beans from Wild Bean Vanilla Co.)

Baked Coconut Shrimp by Cupcake Provocateur

Check out these fantastic recipes from my friend Cynthia of Cupcake Provocateur. Add in some veggies and you've got yourself a full meal! Yum! 

Restaurant Recipe: Magnolia Bakery's Frosting

This is one of my favorite frosting recipes because it's not too gritty or heavy. The vanilla buttercream they use at Magnolia Bakery is technically not a buttercream but actually an old-fashioned confectioners' sugar and butter frosting. Be sure to beat the icing for the amount of time called for in the recipe to achieve the desired creamy texture.

Caramel Apple Pie - "Once Upon A Pie"

One of my favorite shows, Once Upon A Time, is back on the air tonight! Last season we were left in suspense with everyone starting to remember their fairytale past. Here's my recipe for "Once Upon A Pie", one slice and I'm sure it's something you will never forget! 

What You Need:

4-6 HoneyCrisp (or other sweet) Apples
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1/2 c Brown Sugar
1/2 c White Sugar
1/4 c Flour
Roll-out Pie crust
Caramel Sauce

For Crumb Topping:
1 1/2 c Flour
2 sticks of butter
1 c Brown Sugar
Cinnamon

What You Do:

*Preheat oven to 350*

1. Cut up your apples into large cubes and place in a large mixing bowl
2. Add flour and sugars and a few shakes of cinnamon to the apples and toss
3. Roll out your bottom pie crust into a pie pan.
4. Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce onto the crust.
5. Fill with the apple mixture. It's OK to let it pile up! 
6. In the same bowl you used for the apples (I hate doing extra dishes) melt down your sticks of butter in the microwave. 
7. Add flour and brown sugar and mix with your hands. Be careful, the butter may be hot. 
*If you notice the mixture is too wet and not forming a "crumb", add more of the dry ingredients. 
8. Pack the crumb mixture on top of the apples in a thin layer. 
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. 

Let cool before serving! Drizzle with a little caramel sauce or top with vanilla ice cream for a little extra magic!