Chocolate!

This week we played with chocolate. I think I've found my new obsession. As frustrating as it is (sometimes) to temper chocolate, what with all the stirring and the melting, I LOVE it. And I know that it will get less frustrating with more practice! I was so relaxed the entire week, which is great and almost never happens.

I loved it so much that on Monday, I happened into a kitchen store and went right for chocolate molds. Sadly, they didn't have any, so my search continues! Anyone know of a great place to buy some?

This week, we worked on Easter themed goodies. We were all required to make a bunny, an egg, and some filled chocolates. We also learned how to shock temper chocolate- you take melted chocolate and work it onto a VERY cold marble surface. My class used shock tempering to make little nests out of white chocolate.

I have learned a lot this week, and I hope to learn more about chocolate in the years to come! I am really excited about chocolate, if you can't tell :)

Here are some of the photos I took from class! Some had already been packaged up before I was able to take a picture, so here they are!

Chocolate bunny and a bee

Passionfruit ganache chocolates, cassis logs and almond diamonds

The cassis logs are AMAZING

What's your favorite kind of chocolate? Better yet, what's your favorite chocolate store?

I'm still here!

I'm still around! I've been so caught up with school and homework and job hunting that I haven't had any energy to update this blog.

I have still been taking pictures of my creations, though! Here are some of my favorites:

Sacher Torte

Charlotte Royal

We also made Napoleons and Strawberry Mille Feuille this week. I got a chance to sample them, and YUM! I think I'll be making those at home.

We have our final exam in Skills class in a few weeks, and boy am I nervous! We are getting tested on Strawberry Short cake, Petit-Fours Glace and Challah bread, among others.

How is your Sunday going? Have you made anything exciting lately?

Martha Stewart cookies!

For the past few days, I had a chocolate chip cookie craving. And not just any kind of chocolate chip cookie- the kind that is really chewy and not at all crispy! Apparently it's really hard to find a recipe for them, because the last few times I have been met with crunchy, terrible cookies!

No! They have to be soft, and they can't spread too thin while baking. After doing a little bit of research (the fourth link instead of the first on my google search), I found these Martha Stewart cookies! Now, reading the comments about this cookie- my favorite went along the lines of "it's not the recipe's fault if they don't taste good"- I decided to give it a go!

And they were JUST what I was craving! Hoooray! I used half milk chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips. Which in my opinion, is awesome. Check 'em out!

Yes!! Chewy at last!

Needless to say, I bookmarked that page and I'm going to use it as my go-to cookie!

Now who wants some cookies? I think I have about 300. Oh, what a problem! :)

I'm back!

I'm back from Montreal!

I had a great trip, but I'm glad to be home. I crocheted far too much, slept far too little, and ate a lot of great food! Even took a trip to Schwartz's deli! I had a really relaxing time, which was what I needed!


Nuit Blanche was held on the second night that we were there! I was really happy, because I missed the Toronto one thinking that it was an all week event (silly me!).

Beautiful globes- with canvas and a projector inside!

I do love me some rainbows!

Stained glass on the Metro

I also took a trip to Mont Tremblant to visit some of my baking school buddies! We had a great time eating delicious food. In fact, one of my classmates spent the entire day making croissants!

It's a beautiful area and very touristy! But the little village certainly had its appeal.

You have to ride a ski lift to get up to the village!

And look at the trees!!

That's just the tip of the iceberg for my photos! I hope everyone had an amazing week!