New Attitude, Good Mood

Here is my new new header over at Facebook come check it out- I am looking forward to getting my hands busy when my shipments come in ;) stay tuned. ShayBelles ShortBreads Facebook

BIG Changes coming soon!

As all good things- they get better! That is exactly what I am doing- getting better. I have been on a baking and growth journey ever since my first batch of burnt cookies years and years ago.  Since then I have failed miserably and have had may successes. Today and the future marks a new kind of personal victory. A step into sweet health & enchanting experiences. I am going organic- better yet GMO Free and nothing in between. What this means for you? No artificial anything. The same love that goes into every product I make but better ingredients which means its better for you too. What this means for me? A whole lot of experimenting which equals a whole lot of fun. Organic flours, grass fed butters, organic evaporated cane sugars, organic coconut oil- heck everything Organic. 

It is a recipe I wrote yesterday

A perfect cookie bar

FREE RECIPE: 

vegan lemon poppy seed cookie bars!

2cups flour

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

2/3 cup sugar

2 Tbs aluminum free baking powder

2 tsp poppy seeds

1/2 tsp vanilla

Zest of one lemon

Juice of one lemon

350 10-15 mins

Method:

Cream melted coconut oil with sugar, add Zest ( do this first ) then freshly squeezed juice & vanilla. Mix well. Add well mixed dry ingredients ( flour, seeds, baking powder). Consistency is like shortbread ;)

Hand press in pan evenly. Bake util desired color and texture- 10 mins: light and soft - 15 crispy and golden. *** All ingredients are organic and GMO FREE ***

Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ShayBelles-ShortBreads/199776783374077?

Baked peanut butter and jelly!

I am so excited to share with you all about my first real recipe publication in "Simply Family Magazine's" Blog! I give a great lil story and and an amazing must have for every lunch box recipe! Here is the link, go, share and enjoy!!

http://m.simplyfamilymagazine.com/site/online/2013/02/super-sammies/?imz_ed=www.simplyfamilymagazine.com

Ballerina Birthday

I am not a cake maker. (Period) I do make fabulous, taste bud dancing cakes, but not the birthday, wedding, baby shower kind. This is a special occasion. I will do cakes for my family and friends who are so amazing they are like family, but that is it. This is for my sweet Clara, who is basically my niece. My youngest daughter's best friend and the daughter of my best friend. So she pretty much scored. Not only did I make the cake ( did I mention I would rather make cupcakes) I also made her cookies for her class. Nutcrackers for the boys and ballet slippers for the girls. I also visited my favorite place to get crack, I meant crafts ;) All hail Pinterest!!! I made a ill pettitutu. Sew much fun:) without any sewing needed. It has been a blessing know dear sweet Clara and her amazing family. I hope she always smiles and twirls through life with delight!!

Now. Back to that cake. Ugh. Cake.
You will notice the primary decoration is a big cookie (victory for me) and candy clay roses butterflies and ballet shoes. I did kinda enjoy making this, only because it was made for Clara. Cake is still not my thing;)
So here is to a sweet birthday girl! Eu amo voce muito!

Ring in the New Year

With a New Recipe from me!!
Pink champagne cake
With some unusual ingredients
For a succulent sweet cake!

1/2 c butter salted
1/2 c milk
2 eggs
6 oz of yogurt ( Greek or vanilla)
3 cups flat pink champagne ( reduced later to 1 cup)
1/2 tsp pure vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder

Pre heat oven to 375 while you reduce champagne to one cup. You get about 12 reg sized cupcakes one large loaf or mini cakes. For cupcakes 25 mins will do, for a loaf about 50 minutes and mini cakes about 12 minutes.

Cream soft butter sugar and eggs, add milk, yogurt, and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour and baking powder. Add all together except for cooling reduced champagne. Once slightly cooled you will have about one cup add in intervals stirring well each time util all champagne is combined. 1 drop of food coloring if desired.

Once baked they will be golden on top. Try not to devour it all!

Finishing touches:
A powdered sugar glaze with a lil reserved reduced champagne. Drizzle.
Add a tablespoon of the reserve to buttercream.
Add fine white or dark chips.
Set with raspberries or chocolate covered strawberries.
Sprinkle before you bake with sparkling sugar, pink white and red.

*Remember since it has been reduced all of the alcohol has been cooked off and is safe for that special momma to be or little tummies ;)

CHEERS!

Holy and Holly Days

I've tried to quiet myself, within the bustle of excitement for forty busy toes. Twirling on candy cane dreams and reindeer wishes; they are the reason for my season of joy. The idea of compiling what I am blessed with is a daunting task as a plethora of blessings unfold themselves to me daily. Wether it is a healthy giggle from across the room, a quietly sleeping still potty training ;) toddler or the ability to cook a clean & nourishing meal for my family, I am blessed.

With that I wish to you and all you hold dear, the gift of feeling loved and blessed through out the year. May the little things take a big place in our hearts as we are gracious daily. Love & Light on your Holy & Holly Days from my family to yours!
Merry Christmas

Bencaos de luz e de amor um de Todos os Meus amigos Brasileiros e Família. Feliz Natal!

Here are some of my fun Christmas creations!!!

Easy Red Velvet Cookies!

How are you celebrating 12-21-12? We are having a pajama party, crafts and of course cookie decorating! If you are a red velvet fan do I have a sneaky recipe for you!
1box red velvet cake mix
2eggs
1/4 cup milk
Flour
Mix the top 3 add flour to make a rollable dough ( add milk a tsp at a time if too dry)
Roll out, cut with cutters bake at 350 for 9 mins!

Enjoy!

P.S. use parchment paper for easy release!