I Wish I Could Just Bake All Day

So the other day the word gâteau was rolling around in my head. I don't know why, exactly, but I just adore that word. Cake is so....boring. Gâteau is fancy. It is french after all, and whenever people want to be fancy, saying things in French seems to be par for the course. I made the mistake of looking recipes up on Pinterest, and found something that would fit the bill. "Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake". Yes, that is a thing, and yes I made it. It took about 4 hours, and was certainly a labor of love. 

Here is the finished product:

Yes, it tasted as good as it looks. Here is what is in it; 2 round chocolate cakes, one pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate ganache, and pumpkin icing. Soooo good

In other news, I have some photos of an outfit I wore the other day. Wearing full vintage to school can be a little daunting. I stick out sorely in a mid length velvet skirt amid a sea of spandex and hoodies (I am not knocking this outfit choice as I have been known to rock this look, but I'm just sayin). This outfit felt very 40's/50's co-ed to me. I am a co-ed after all!

 I went to an antique store today just for a look-see. I ended up with two 50's dresses that I am not too sure will fit me. I eyeballed them because I don't carry a measuring tape in my backpack as I had just been at school. Oh well, if they don't fit, I could always list them in my Etsy shop, or lose those 15 pounds I have been meaning to :)

Outfit:
Red Pendleton Sweater: Thrifted
Black Velvet Skirt: Clothing sale
Necklace: Made by my sister
Socks: vintage
Shoes: Minnetonka

Baking Magic

Okay, well maybe it wasn't actually magic. Maybe it was actually chemistry. But still.

Today I walked by my pantry and saw 4 jars of peanut butter. That's right 4. Who even does that? We do. We are a peanut butter loving family. I also saw baking chocolate in the cupboard and thought to myself, "Self, you are going to make some peanut butter and chocolatey goodness today." And that is precisely what I did.

Took photographic evidence too of course :)

 Vintage Pyrex mixing bowl!

The apron is one I made for myself 2 years ago. When I was little I always wanted a pinafore like the one Alice wore in Alice and Wonderland......Only with more ruffles (hence my blog name, I always wants more ruffles!) This apron blends perfectly my love of Alice, 40's fashion, ultimate girliness, and baking.

I wish you could taste these through the screen. Absolutely divine. When I took a bite I made lots of noises and said "ohmygosh". That is when you know a recipe is a keeper.


Stay tuned for Norway trip post! :)

Roxie! (And Cookies!!!)

Hey y'all!  I should be posting more, but I have been so busy lately with school work, ugh!  Anyhow, I got a puppy.  I have wanted a Papillon since sixth grade,ever since one I saw one of my relatives with one on a trip back there.  My mom almost got me one for my sixteenth birthday, but due to some miscommunications, she got sold to someone else.  But all is not lost because now I have Roxie.  My sweet 8 month old Papillon.  She is a very timid girl, but I have only had her for 6 days, so maybe she still has to get used to some things around here.  She sleeps in my bed every night, and loves to snuggle and be held.

That's her on my bed.  Isn't she a cutie :) <3

Currently I have been obsessed with the Regency Era, and I am dying to try and make a bib-front dress and a jacket, but I haven't really found a decent pattern for one.  I may just have to do trial and error with some muslin fabric.  But I think it will be a fun project :).  I think I may go about it by finding elements I like in garment I find in thrift stores, and then de-construct them and use them as a pattern.  

Meanwhile I am also obsessed with Pumpkin Sandwich Cream Cookies!  I have made them twice this week, and think I may make more soon.  They are so good.  They're more like mini-cakes, very soft and moist.  And oh! the cream cheese is to die for!  Recipe and pictures:

Pumpkin Sandwich Cream Cookies

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use more than that :)

Dash of nutmeg

1 cup white (granulated sugar)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup canned pumpkin 

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

4 oz butter, softened

Frosting

 2 cups powdered sugar

4 oz butter, softened

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350.  Cover baking sheet with buttered parchment paper, set aside. Mix up dry ingredients in medium/large mixing bowl.  Put both sugars and butter in a separate large mixing bowl, beat till smooth.  Slowly add milk, eggs and vanilla.  Add pumpkin.  Add dry ingredients and beat on medium until blended.  Don't over do the beating!  Drop onto baking sheet, texture will look funny, like cake batter almost, don't worry about it.  Bake for 10-14 minutes.  While they are in the oven, place all frosting ingredients in bowl and beat until smooth and creamy.  When the cookies are done, let cool 5 minutes.  Then place frosting on the the bottom of one cookie and affix it to the bottom of another cookie......and Viola! You have just made my favorite recipe :D.  Enjoy!

Happy Baking!!

Abbi