A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Sheep come in a variety of shape's and sizes. They can present themselves as calm, warm, and comforting. Sometimes fluffy. Baked goods also fit this description.

Wolves (the stereotype, NOT the intriguing Canis lupus so often regarded as something it's not) are complex, tricky, and conniving.

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing = Sweets!

They just look so good and make me feel like once I eat them, the present moment will immediately be better. What is WRONG with me? Am I addicted?! Multiple baked goods per day, boxes of candy, bowls of ice cream (I don't really even LIKE ice cream) and terrible guilt are PLAGuing me. So good for the heartbreak diet and blossoming yoga practice. My appetite is insatiable. I'm still too lazy to bake and have moved on from apathy to crazy person anger but all of that aside and lucky for you, this leads to more reviews.

The regionally famous WaterCourse Bakery Scout Cookie = sheep in wolf's clothing.

It looks like one big bad cookie but guess what? It's not - it's vegan AND gluten free! For those of you who say it tastes like a Girl Scout Samoa, you're wrong. Those cookies are gross and this one is WONderful. I feel like I'm eating something healthy (even though I'm not) and I get to lick chocolate off my fingers :) You can find them at my favorite coffee shop and other fun places around Denver.

No need to tell you about the Crushery's ridiculously amazing chocolate chip cookie again because the last time I went and had one, the 5 doctors I was eating with came to the same conclusion SO, case closed. Go get one. Next stop? The Pajama Baking Company just down the street. It smelled like cinnamon rolls as we walked up so after having lunch I shared and smapled 3 of their try-it sized treats with some VOC peeps.

Our taste tests revealed that the Chocolate Chip Macaroon was the best, followed by a yummy Peanut Butter Brownie and then a disappointingly mediocre Chocolate Brownie. They each cost a dollar or less and my group of 6 was able to have a taste of each one. SUPER deal. Check 'em out.

Later that same day I finally had the pleasure of experiencing the Denver Cupcake Truck.

Jamie had the Red Velvet but said the frosting was better than the cake. Isn't that always the problem with red velvet? I had the Denver Snowball and loved it. Almond cake, chocolate buttercream, and coconut. Mmmm, delicious.

And I almost forgot Flour. How could I? I returned to my beloved bakery while on an escape to Boston last month and tried 2 new items. The Maple Walnut Scone won out over the Granola Bar packed with cranberry-apricot-apple jam only because it had more sugar. What can I say. I am addicted.

Maybe this should have been several posts. Maybe I should stick to baking instead of publishing a blog full of feelings. Maybe tomorrow the reality of wolves in sheep clothing won't bother me so much. Maybe wolves should just leave the disguises behind and admit to themselves and everyone else that they have been deceptive. Deception = dishonesty. Being dishonest is the same thing as lying. Lying is wrong.

Happy Monday

I have neglected my blog. First because I was too busy. Then too sad. Blogging and the associated forms of social media have a history of igniting a great variety of emotions in me. Previously honest generosity. Recently hate. Currently somewhere in between. Maybe apathy.

Happy Monday? Questionable. But whatever.

Onward? I suppose. I have been saving pictures to share with you so alright, let's start by revisiting February.

Any baker that can produce fluffy cake at 9,500 feet deserves some credit so check out Rocky Mountain Cupcakes the next time you're in Breckenridge. I sampled four of their creations while on the Kiriakos family's annual ski vacation a few months ago. This is what I remember:

Mint Chocolate chip? Meh, I don't think mint flavored buttercream is my thing.

Red Velvet? Great presentation but no flavor.

Chai latte? This one was a hit all around. Unique and deliciously spiced.

My favorite was their signature, the Rocky Mountain Cupcake. It was a rich chocolate cupcake with a divine cream filling. I think I ate a whole one myself.

I'm Back!

Wow, that was a long break, sorry friends. I was sick for a whole 5 weeks. Gross.

But now I'm back! I did attempt to bake while ill but it wasn't pretty. My first chocolate bundt looked pretty but the cake wasn't moist or rich enough for me. Oh well. Check out a pic on Kristin's cooking blog here.

Then I attempted some gluten free baking with Claire. That was a joke. After almost burning down the house with failed churros, we resorted to an ever-simple Mexican wedding cookie recipe. Based on Linnea's expression, can you guess how those turned out?

But don't despair, this past week included two, almost great cakes! The first was Amanda's birthday cake. I ran out of frosting but the cake was delicious and was still being eaten 3 days later. Still tasty after 3 days = success!

I also served it on this lovely platter Rachel got me for my birthday. I forgot to show it to you so I'm glad I finally remembered. Isn't it a perfect Jenni plate?

Last night was another adventure with Claire in the trendy cake mold department. We decided to make Fletcher a Doughnut Cake for his birthday today, since he loves doughnuts. We had some issues with the oven used but it looks exactly like a doughnut!

It also snowed while I was sick. It snowed a LOT. So tonight I'm heading to the mountains. Riding the steep and deep with my best snow peeps is what I live for in the winter months so my famous iced sugar cookies will have to wait until Sunday. I'm hoping I'll be able to blog about them in time for you to try them out before Vday...

Wish List

Happy New Year friends! I hope your holidays were warm and filled with love and sweets :)

After an unexpected extended stay in the midwest, I am back home in Colorado and ready to bake with the help of a whole bunch of new, fun things. Christmas came early when Kristin and Tyre got me a white, ceramic, scalloped pie plate and these pie birds.


Don't know what a pie bird is for? It's okay, I didn't either! Find out here.
Then Amanda and Casey got me these. Not only was I surprised by the gift in general, but each item was on my wish list!


Next is this delicious collection of recipes, but it's not to keep. Brett's Mama is loaning it to me because it's her favorite.


Brett gave me this beautiful apron! It's from my favorite store!! I LOVE it!!!


I opened up this present from Sissy on Christmas morning. I don't have a picture yet because I couldn't fit it in my carry-on suitcase. I will have to wait for it to arrive by mail (sad face) but it's another item I can check of my list!

Mama shipped some of Christmas back home ahead of me and when I arrived, I had a package filled with all sorts of baking goodies, including these.


When I'm done trying out all of my new tools, I'll start reading the top book on the stack next to my bed. Rachel sent it to me with a "seems right up your alley" note. Thanks Rachey!


It came as a bit of a shock when I didn't get one of these, so I'll go ahead and leave them on my list. If someone could please take a bit from the French Country, Napa Valley, and Craftsman designs and build me my very own, that would b great. Thanks ;)

What did you bake over the holidays?