Lemon Velvet Cake & Our 1st Anniversary

Lemon Velvet Cake with a Lemon Poppyseed Buttercream: a tart and sweet cake by ibakeheshoots.com

As of one week ago, it’s been 365 days of culinary adventures, gorgeous photography, and studio abandonment. There have been bouts of great food, failed recipes, a trip to Dumbass Starbucks, plus a good old fashioned perfect baked potato. I’ve been mesmerized by grilled chocolate sandwiches, magnetized by chocolate covered potato chips, and hypnotized by dark chocolate waffles. Are you noticing a pattern here? Read More…

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts: the complete breakfast by ibakeheshoots.com

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts! These are the donuts people have been talking about for ages. In fact, a buddy of mine asked me to join her at the Glazed Donut Cafe here in L.A.. I said I would once I realized they have a Brown Butter Maple Bacon Donut. I haven’t had a chance to get there yet, but let me tell you something…these bad boys will hold me until I do.

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts: the complete breakfast by ibakeheshoots.com

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. I mean, I love me some bacon and I’ll never say “no” to a donut, but a baked maple bacon donut? I wasn’t too sure. It’s like putting two things together that have no business merging. Let me put it to you like this: cheeseburgers are fantastic and ice cream is to die for, but do you really want two scoops of meat-filled Rocky Road? I didn’t think so.

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts: the complete breakfast by ibakeheshoots.com

On the other hand, what have I got to lose? Worst comes to worst, I’m left with a pile of crispy bacon and six maple glazed donuts.

I think I’ll be alright.

 

Recipe for Baked Maple Glazed Donuts

Recipe for Cinnamon Donuts slightly adapted from Buns In My Oven

Recipe for Maple Glaze

3/4 c powdered sugar
1 T milk or water
1 T maple syrup

Put powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add maple syrup and milk and whisk to combine. Dip donuts in glaze or spoon over the top. Top donuts with crumbled or chopped bacon. Enjoy!

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Makes 6 donuts
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 c flour
  • ¼ c plus 2 T white sugar
  • 1 t baking powder
  • ¼ t ground nutmeg
  • ¼ t ground cinnamon
  • ½ t salt
  • ¼ c plus 2 T buttermilk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ½ t vanilla
  • 1½ t butter, melted
  • 4-5 strips of bacon, cooked
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease donut pan.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
  4. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and butter.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
  6. Fill the donut pan and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.
  7. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  8. Glaze and top with crumbled or chopped bacon.

 

 

Dark Chocolate Waffles & the Art of Conversation

Dark Chocolate Waffles by I bake he shoots: a chocolate alternative for breakfast that's not overly sweet. | ibakeheshoots.com

I’m a people person.

Man, that sounds corny, but it’s true. I’m one of those people who draws energy from other people. Good lord, I’m starting to sound like someone who worked at the Psychic Friends Network. The truth of the matter is that if you’re sitting next to me at a cafe, I’ll just start talking to you like we’re old friends-I’m that chick. I mean, why not? Spread the joy…that’s my policy.

Usually, when this happens, I meet some interesting people. Or, at least have some fun and airy banter. Our conversation doesn’t have to be anything deep over a hot cuppa and biscotti. Let’s keep it light. Shall we?

And yet…

Sometimes it goes all wrong. On occasion, I choose the worst person with whom to start a chat. You know, that one dude who’s waiting desperately for someone, anyone to say anything to him, but doesn’t understand the art of conversation.

Check it out…

Dave and I went to Starbucks the other day for a coffee and a tea. I was in a mood and just wanted to get out of the house. We grabbed our drinks and sat down next to a guy working on his laptop.

“Let’s be friends.” I said.

“That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in weeks,” he replied, which of course, made me feel wonderful. I was all set to exchange pleasantries and then this happened.

“Usually, it’s white people telling me to go back to my own country.” Wow, um…that’s a bit much, but ok.

Dave tried to keep it light and said, “We usually try to keep that to ourselves.” Fantastic, I thought. Let’s laugh this away and get to talking about something else.

“I don’t consider you white. You’re too nice to be white.”

Ugh, I had chosen wrong. I chose to sit next to some nut job with an axe to grind. I wanted to scream at him “No! Keep it light, dumbass! You’re supposed to keep it light!” Instead, he unleashed upon us an endless stream of bullshit comprised of titles like Why Siri Sucks and My Healthcare Situation.

I guess I should’ve stayed at home. If I had I could’ve whipped up a batch of waffles and drank my tea in peace.

Dark Chocolate Waffles by I bake he shoots: a chocolate alternative for breakfast that's not overly sweet | ibakeheshoots.com

Typically, I reach for a golden, crispy waffle, but not today. Today, I took a trip to the dark side.

These dark chocolate waffles are serious…not see-me-after-class serious, but are-you-really-trying to-have-this-for-breakfast serious. The answer is ‘yes’. Yes, I am and I did.

Dark Chocolate Waffles by I bake he shoots: a chocolate alternative for breakfast that's not overly sweet | ibakeheshoots.com

The kiddies probably won’t like this one. This breakfast is on the adult-side: super-rich, dark chocolate waffles that aren’t too sweet. Perhaps, that’s why I drizzled them with melted peanut butter. What?

Dark Chocolate Waffles by I bake he shoots: a chocolate alternative for breakfast that's not overly sweet | ibakeheshoots.com

Don’t wait for a special occasion. Make them today. Invite me over for breakfast and make them for me. If you do, I promise to be on my best behavior…and keep the conversation nice and breezy.

 

Dark Chocolate Waffles Recipe

Dark Chocolate Waffles Recipe from Bon Appetit

Dark Chocolate Waffles
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup (packed) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao), finely chopped
  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • Unsalted butter, warm pure maple syrup and peanut butter (for serving)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 250°.
  2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Make a well in the center and add egg yolks, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
  4. Blend with a fork, then gradually incorporate dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  5. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites in a small bowl until soft peaks form.(It took about 6 min)
  6. Working in 2 batches, fold egg whites into batter just until combined. Fold in chocolate.
  7. Heat a waffle iron until very hot; lightly coat with nonstick spray. Working in batches, cook waffles until cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and keep warm in oven until ready to serve.
  8. Serve waffles with butter, syrup and peanut butter.