One of my favorite things to do is bake.  My husband always encourages me to go bake when I’m feeling stressed.  I like using my creativity to make something that looks and tastes good.  And my son is quickly becoming the little baker himself.  He is my right hand when it comes to making pancakes, muffins, scones, and cupcakes.

Today, my son and I made “Love Bug” Cinnamon Pancakes, a recipe I received courtesy of McCormick (the company specializing in spices, herbs,and seasonings).  If you’re looking for a unique and creative way to spend Valentine’s Day, check out McCormick’s holiday-themed recipes and craft ideas.  They offer adorable ideas for making Valentine’s Day a “Red Letter Day.”

This year, we’ll have both kids with us, so we could use a little inspiration to make it fun for all of us. McCormick’s food colors and flavor extracts are perfect for baking AND crafting.  If you and your child are planning on bringing treats to school, consider adding a splash of color to the frosting with McCormick’s Red Food Color.  Depending on how many drops you add, you could have frosting (or batter for that matter) in shades of pink or red.  If you’re looking to give cakes or cupcakes some texture, you could tint toppings such as shredded coconut or sugar.  Be sure to add a special note to any baked item to make it personal.

Here is the recipe for the pancakes we made this morning (Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut the pancakes for a special touch):

“Love Bug” Cinnamon Pancakes

Spiced Syrup: Mix 1 cup pancake syrup, 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract and 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice in microwavable bowl or measuring cup. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until warm, stirring once.

You can also top pancakes with strawberries, raspberries, cherries or dried cranberries to give them a bit of color!

McCormick’s food colors can also be used for art projects. Here are three craft ideas, courtesy of McCormick:

Water Colors:

Combine 1 Tbsp. white vinegar with 2 tsp. baking soda.  Slowly add 1 Tbsp. cornstarch and 1/4 cup glycerin.  Pour 1 inch of the mixture into 6-8 paper cups and let dry overnight.  Once dry, add McCormick Red Food Color, making sure to use a lot as the color isn’t as deep when it dries.  To use, dip a paint brush into some water, then into the homemade paint (it’s eco-friendly too).

Rainbow Dough:

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup McCormick Cream of Tartar and 20 drops of McCormick Red Food Color in a medium saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.  Cool on wax paper, then knead slightly until dough is smooth.  Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create personalized valentine’s.  Store in airtight container.

For more recipes and tips on making Valentine’s Day a Red Letter Day, just visit McCormick!  I highly suggest checking out their Red Velvet Cupcake recipe (YUM!).

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples and tips were provided to facilitate this review.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Susan T.  Congrats!

My aspirations of baking for Christmas won’t be fulfilled this year.  But I have a very good excuse.  Instead, my family and husband will be busy cooking and baking this holiday season.  There are many critical aspects that go into an excellent cake.  While the recipe and ingredients are important, I believe the pan it’s baked in is just as important.  I’ve used the wrong pan and either over or undercooked the cake.

Wilton has just released a brand new line of bakeware called UltraGold.  If there is one company who you can trust to make THE best bakeware, it’s Wilton.  The company has 80 years of experience in baking and dessert decorating and offers cake decorating classes.  The foundation for a beautifully decorated cake is in the pan.  A quality pan provides consistent baking results, produces a cake that won’t crumble when iced, and will last for years. UltraGold bakeware possesses all of these characteristics.

The bakeware is made from premium aluminum.  The rational for using aluminum is that it conducts heat well, creates an even rise to cakes, and consistency with regards to color and texture.   The type of aluminum used in these pans is of such a high quality that they won’t warp or rust.  And the anodized finish makes the pans scratch-resistant.

One of the features I like about the bakeware is the oversized handles.  I have been known to burn my hand or drop something I’ve made because many pans don’t have a large enough handle to grip with.  The other characteristic I was impressed with is the fact that the dimensions are stamped right on the pans. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to “guess” and hope that I’m using the right size pan for cakes, brownies, etc.  And this is an important factor because it has to do with baking times.

With regards to using the pan, I learned that a non-stick cooking spray be used to ensure that the cake comes out clean.   Metal utensils should also be avoided.  However, if you should scratch the pan, know that it’s integrity and usability will in no way be impacted.  The bakeware should be washed by hand, to preserve the look of the pans (but if they’re washed in the dishwasher, the pan will still be functional).

The pans come in a variety of shapes and sizes and range in price from $10-$29.99.  You can purchase the pans directly from the Wilton site right now and they’ll also be available JoAnn’s and Michael’s in mid to late January.

Win It! One of you will win an UltraGold Bakeware set (9 pieces).  Simply leave me a comment with another fact you learned on the site, with regards to UltraGold Bakeware.  Comments will close on January 5, 2010 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I received a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

Pregnancy always puts me in a baking mood.  My husband has been joking that the last 9 months I’ve been trying to “fatten him up.”  Baking for me is therapeutic.  The problem is once I’ve tried what I’ve baked, I usually don’t continue eating it for subsequent days which means there is plenty for my husband to snack on.

When I bake, I prefer to do it from scratch.  I enjoy trying new recipes and experimenting with new ingredients.  I was recently challenged by Musselman’s to use their applesauce to create something.  I decided to use it in a spice bread (rather than chopping up apples) and it turned out incredibly moist and tasty.  I often substitute oil for applesauce in boxed cakes and breads, however, using it as a main ingredient worked out well.  

A few months ago, I sampled their flavored applesauces (which were very good).  This time around I tried their Natural Applesauce which is not artificially sweetened and doesn’t contain any additives such as high fructose corn syrup.  I like it, particularly for children, because it is as close to the real thing (apples) as you can get.  I have never attempted to make applesauce and I probably won’t be doing it anytime soon, so for us, the natural variety is perfect.  My son eats applesauce every day, but it was nice to try it in an actual recipe.

Musselman’s offers an entire line of apple-themed products including apple juice, apple cider, apple butter (which I’d LOVE to try), vinegars and pie fillings.  I highly recommend checking out their natural line if you’re concerned about artificial ingredients.  Products are available online and at retailers nationwide.  

  Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive products, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Helen S!

I grew up as an only child so I spent a lot of time doing things with my parents (specifically my mom).  We read stories and played games and dressed dolls and did crafts.  Every year around the holidays, we would go out together and buy a gingerbread house kit.  I have so many fond memories of our holidays together and this is just one of them.

For the first time (I know it’s early), we decided that my son was old enough to actually participate and enjoy making a gingerbread house.  Of course he needed a lot of help.  But he was talking about making the gingerbread house all evening (he even told my mom about it on the phone this evening).  I definitely want to continue this with our children in the years to come.

Thanks to Wilton, we had an opportunity to pick out a Gingerbread House Kit from their collection.  Knowing that a 2 year old wouldn’t persist through the assembly and drying process, we chose the Pre-Baked and Pre-Assembled Gingerbread House Kit (which was really smart).  I highly recommend this kit for those of you with young children who may not have the dexterity and attention span necessary to assemble a gingerbread house.  At this point, decorating is what really excites them (at least that’s the case for my 2 1/2 year old).

I had no idea that Wilton has been around for 80 years!  They make it so easy for people like you and I to make incredible looking (and tasting) cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats!  I’m sure you’re familiar with the company but here is a little overview from the site:

For 80 years, Wilton has been the industry leader in cake decorating, quality bakeware and food crafting. We are the number one resource for nationally-located decorating classes, proven supplier of professional Wilton decorating bakeware and provide step-by-step information online and thru our publications to help you make your celebration special with Wilton cakes, cookies, cupcakes and candy.

You don’t have to be a Martha Stewart to create professional looking cakes for any occasion.  Their website is incredibly informative and a great resource for everything from recipes to cake decorating to wedding planning!

But back to their gingerbread houses…which by the way, are so easy to assemble and decorate and a lot of fun!  All three of us got in on the fun…check out our video here:

While I’d like to bake and cook everything from scratch, it just isn’t feasible for me.  That’s why this pre-baked, pre-assembled kit is perfect!  The kit comes with everything you’ll need to decorate the gingerbread house, however, you can also purchase additional items such as their Gingerbread House Holiday Candies Assortment, Gingerbread House Handmade Icing Decorations, Gingerbread House Stand Kit, and Gingerbread House Frosty White Icing Mix (which were all used in the decorating of our gingerbread house).  To be honest, the kit came with enough icing to decorate the entire house and we STILL had plenty left for my husband to taste!  If you need gingerbread decorating ideas, just check out their site! Each house also offers it’s own ideas on decorating.  Just check the insert that comes with the house or online.

Since we did this so early in the season, I’m not sure how long it will last.  But no worries…we’ll be buying another before the holiday season is over!  This particular kit retails for $16.49 but Wilton offers several in prices that range from $12.99 to $49.99.

Win It! One of you will win a prize pack that will include the following: Pre-Baked and Pre-Assembled Gingerbread House Kit, Gingerbread House Holiday Candies Assortment, Gingerbread House Handmade Icing Decorations, Gingerbread House Stand Kit, and Gingerbread House Frosty White Icing Mix.  Simply leave me a comment with something fun and interesting you found on the site (other than gingerbread). Comments will close on December 1, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

I love to bake.  I grew up baking with my mom and an easy bake oven.  Children have this affinity for “grown-up” activities like cleaning, baking, and wearing mommy’s shoes!  My son is already showing interest in “helping” mommy out in the kitchen!  We all know that children like snacks!  As hard as I’ve tried to keep my son far away from cookies and cake…it’s been nearly impossible! So occasionally, I’ll buy healthy, organic versions of these treats.

Every experience is a learning opportunity for children.  The two parents behind Zebra Mix were looking for a way to allow their children to learn through exploration by tapping into their curiosity and providing experiences around their interests.  While baking from scratch is ideal, it’s often a messy, involved process.  The co founders behind Zebra Mix understood that and wanted to create healthy baking mixes that allowed children an opportunity to be autonomous without creating a mess for parents.  Here is a little more information about Zebra Mix from the site:

Zebra Mix is everything we want it to be, a brand that brings out the best in kids, addresses the core values of parents and is committed to the environment and making a superior product.

We received a Brownie Bites Kit, courtesy of Mom Fuse, to review.  Each mix comes with the dry ingredients and a fold-out Safari Baking Map.  One of the first things I look at when I purchase baking mixes is the list of ingredients.  Each of the four baking kits only contain natural ingredients you’ll find in your own kitchen.  What really sets these kid’s baking mixes apart from others we’re reviewed is the baking map that adds an additional learning component.  The map has two sides, one for children ages 4-9 (non-readers) and one for ages 9 and up (readers).  Some of the things you’ll find on the map include math challenges, solving mysteries, learning Spanish words, and more. I didn’t realize this but baking can actually be a way to teach children math, science, and reading and allows for critical thinking and creativity.  I think it’s neat when the instructions tell the child to stir the batter 22 times to the left and 28 times to the right.  Whether or not it needed a little more stirring that that is irrelevant because it teaches children how to count and their right from their left.  Overall, Zebra Mix baking mixes are fun, educational activities for children ages 4 and up.  Oh…and they taste good too! The brownies came out perfectly moist and soft!

You can purchase Zebra Mix baking mixes online or in stores near you for $5.99 each.  Amazon.com also has them in bulk where you’ll save a little money.

Profuse thanks to Mom Fuse for this review opportunity!

ALL food should be good food!

Naturally Nora

It’s Earth Week and today is Earth Day, so I’m celebrating by baking a cake. We Bailey’s have a sweet tooth and I’m certain it’s been genetically passed on to my son.  I digress for a moment to prove this to you.  Over the weekend, while dining at Olive Garden, my son proceeded to grab one of the chocolate mints off of the check tray, open it with a defiant, try and stop me look, and then eat it (all while I’m calmly asking him to please give me the chocolate).  He then contentedly smiled, said “mmmm” and signed “more.”  My almost two year old toddler, has never had candy before.  The fact that he knew what was in that green foil wrapper PROVES to me that his sweet tooth is genetic.  

Back to the subject on hand…I find baking to be an enjoyable, relaxing activity.  And oh how Martha Stewartish I try to be with my homemade cookies, scones, and cakes.  There are two different ways to bake…from scratch and from a box.  As a busy, working mom, I don’t have a lot of time these days to bake from scratch.  And those boxed cake mixes are so quick and easy that it’s tempting not to want to use them all of the time.  Unfortunately, many of the boxed cakes and cans of frosting contain artificial, unhealthy ingredients like trans fats and hydrogenated oils (yuk!).

Fortunately, there is a healthier, all-natural way to get the convenience and taste of a homemade cake from a box.  A week ago, a box of Naturally Nora cake and frosting mixes arrived at my house.  Here is a little more information from the site:

We think that great tasting food should be created in a kitchen, not a laboratory. We pride ourselves on partnering with leading natural ingredient suppliers, use environmentally-friendly packaging, and produce our products in facilities certified to be among the best in the country. This ensures that we provide the highest-quality, all-natural products on the market.

There was no waiting to review these!  The first thing I did (which is what I always do) is read the back of the box.  It’s become a habit of mine to read nutrition information and the ingredient list before my family consumes anything.  The only ingredients you’ll find in the mixes are those you’d find in your own kitchen like flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.  The mixes also contain natural flavoring (like vanilla) and natural thickening agents (like guar gum). They are colored with elderberry juice and spinach extract.  You won’t find artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils.  They mixes are also Kosher and soy/dairy free (before you add the milk of course).  Once I was content with what I read on the back of the box, I started by baking the cake according to the directions.  The only ingredients I needed to add were eggs, oil, milk, and butter (for the frosting).  It mixed quickly, just like conventional boxed cake mixes.  Once it was done, I tasted a piece without frosting to be sure I got the full flavor of the cake in the real!  It was so rich, moist and the perfect amount of sweetness.  I think I was most surprised at how good the frosting is.  It’s thick and spreads easily and is sweet…frosting sweet (just the way I like it).While I was making the frosting, my husband came in and started “taste testing” with his finger! He really is the judge of whether a dessert is good or not.  I’ve tried to pass off No Fudge Pudge for brownies and he has yet to go for that substitution.  He had two pieces before the night was over (frosted of course) which makes them a winner in our household.  

Because I like to go off the beaten path, I decided to sub applesauce for my next batch a few days later.  According to Nora, you can sub applesauce for oil in the same exact ration (i.e. 1/2 cup applesauce for 1/2 cup oil).  Honestly, the only real difference I noticed was that it was a bit lighter.  My husband preferred the version with oil (of course!) but I am going to make the applesauce version for my son since it’s a bit healthier.  If you’re interested, the site compares their cake mixes with conventional manufacturers.  

Naturally Nora All-Natural Baking Mixes are available at select retailers near you although there are no physical stores in California yet so I must get my sweet cravings satisfied via Amazon!  You can buy in bulk, which makes each box approximately $3.69.  The price isn’t much more than conventional cake mixes.