September 2, 2012

A Slice of Amor from Me to You!...Baked from Scratch!!!

So I thought I'd give baking a try.  Yea me, I mean how hard can it be right?  It's not like I've never baked before.  As a matter of love, I use to bake Pillsbury Chocolate Chip cookies for my youngest daughter all the time.  They were are still her favorite.  Now I know many of you may be saying "that's not really baking" but, if it involves dough and an oven, then that sounds like baking to me.

Hola Readers!  Today's post is about my attempt at baking from scratch. Yes, you heard me right...from scratch!  Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie!   What inspired me to bake a chocolate turtle brownie pie?  Well, let me explain:  In no way did I set out to bake; baking was the furthest thing from my mind.  It all started when I was browsing over fellow blogs, checking out what everyone was up to and so forth when I came across mi Amiga's Stephanie's blog, Bassibility, and read her post I'm a Baker Babe!

She shared how excited she was that she got to be one.  To use Stephanie's own words, "Totally awesome blogger and righteous feminist Jes, has a great feature on The Militant Baker about Bakers around the blogosphere called 'Baker Babes'".  I guess my mind didn't really grasp the the "baker" part of it all since all I could think of was I wanted part in anything that has to do with Jes's authentic and radical awesomeness! Stephanie's excitement was contagious!  When I finally realized you had to be a baker, I said "Geeperz!"  But, if you really knew me, you'd know when I set my mind on something, nothing is gonna stop me.  So I decided I am going to bake.  "What the heck am I gonna bake?" was my next question. So, I went on an investigation venture and browsed around blogosphere and came across a comment that Jes had left on another fellow bloggers post saying something like "I love you more than Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie" (she's that superdeeduperdee cool) and then I said "That's it!"....I will bake a Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie! So I emailed Jes about it...thus my first attempt ever at baking...from scratch!...Let's see how it turns out!

Hi ho, hi ho off to the market I go...
Decisions...decisions...
My God, so many different brands, I'm sure they are all the same.
I found everything with ease!  So far baking is fun!!!
I just could NOT resit...
Sorry guyz, but ya know I gotta do me.   I think the last time I rode a grocery cart was as a child.  It was a spontaneous act of action, really.  It's my nature. It was hilarious!  And you're only seeing one "take" of the ride!  If you really knew me, you'd know there was more than one ride! It was hilariously fun!   But, let me just get home and get wit'it!  
 All the ingredients necessary to prepare a delicious Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie are ready and waiting to marry together.  I will be providing the recipe at the end of this post for those who'd like grab it.   Okay, so this should be pretty easy.  Right?  "/

First step was to preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 inch pan which...no task at all.  Next, microwave 1 cup chocolate pieces in small uncovered microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute and stir.  I did take one piece of chocolate for myself.

I continued by combining the flour, baking power and salt; added the eggs and beat until light and fluffy.  Beat in the melted chocolate.  Add flour mixture that I had already prepared and put aside, stir until blended.   

Next beat in the melted chocolate.  Add the flour mixture and stir until blended. I should've picked up a mixer while I was at the store!  My arms were killing me from "manual" beating!  

Just a few more steps before baking in the oven.  Stir in 1/2 cup pecan, spread mixture into the greased pan I prepared earlier and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1/3 cup of chocolate pieces.  
Finally its baking time!  Bake for 33-35 minutes or when wooden pick comes out clean after pinching pie in the middle.  It's looking so good!  Doesn't it? 

While the pie was in the oven baking, I took a break and danced to my Disco Funk CD playing Play that Funky Music White Boy in the background!
I love and enjoy dancing!  And at times I do dance in front of the mirror to admire my beautiful awesomeness!  Let's go check on the pie.  Hope my stomping of dance feet had no negative effect on it.  


It baked a little too much at the edges, but that's okay...I like crunchy.  Now for the toppings!  I melted 1 to 2 more caramel squares than what the recipe called for in a microwave safe bowl with 1 teaspoon of milk.  Stirred it well and drizzled over the pie.   I will say I skipped a step of the recipe.  But I improvised.  I was supposed to safe some chocolate pieces for this step, but I failed to do so.  I guess I didn't pay attention to the recipe all too well.  The step required to microwave the remaining chocolate (which I had none) in a small heavy-duty plastic bag (which I did not get), then microwave to melt and knead until smooth; cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over brownie.  But, like I said I improvise and drizzled Hershey's chocolate syrup instead.
  
Time to serve a piece of pie.  And not just a piece of pie.  A Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie.  And not just a Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie.  A Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie made from scratch.  And not just a Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie made from scratch.  A Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie made from scratch by someone who'd never baked before.  And not just a Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie made from scratch by some who'd never baked before.  A Chocolate Turtle Brownie Pie made from scratch by SimplyyMayra. 
                                          That's me!  Let me cut you a slice of heaven.  

Here is the delicious recipe I followed:

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Cooking Time: 35 mins
Cooling Time: 30 mins cooling
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients
2 bars (8 oz.)NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate Baking Bar, broken into small pieces, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick)butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup toasted, chopped pecans, divided
6 squares caramels, unwrapped
1 teaspoon milk

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease 9-inch spring form pan.

MICROWAVE 1 cup chocolate pieces in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Pieces may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth; cool to room temperature.

COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt. Beat brown sugar and butter in medium mixer bowl on high until creamy. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1/3 cup chocolate pieces.

BAKE for 33 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes; remove ring.

MICROWAVE remaining chocolate in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 30 seconds; knead. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals; kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over brownie.

MICROWAVE caramels and milk in a small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 20 seconds; STIR. If necessary, microwave at additional 5- to 10-second intervals; stirring until smooth. Drizzle over brownie. Cut into slices.


Make sure you come back and tell me how you think I did.  Am I a baker now?  Also let me know if you tried out the recipe.  As always, it is a pleasure to have you come by and visit!

Tootles!

19 comments:

  1. See baking's easy! As for manual beating, I do it all the time. I don't even use my mixer. Just think, you'll have burnt off all the calories by the time you eat the cake #ifonly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Helen!
      LOL! Yea it was easy (sorta) and it was fun too! ;)

      Delete
  2. How wonderful!!! And I hope you know it's a required thing for all bakers to munch on the tidbits during the process, haha.

    And you have to think of manual beating in this way: It's a great freakin' workout. =D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Cassie!
      Always nice to hear from you! Good perspective on the "manual beating". It was definitely a workout! :D

      Delete
  3. You're brave. I can not bake. I once put raws eggs and unmelted butter together in a bowl, then decided to melt the butter in the microwave, thus cooking the raw eggs. I am a disaster in the kitchen. Buying the frozen stuff and putting the little balls on a cookie sheet is about close to baking as I get! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Chelsea!
      LOL!!!! What a funny accident with the raw eggs & un-melted butter! I really did enjoy the baking though! Thanks for stopping by!

      ~SimplyyMayra :)

      Delete
  4. that's what you baking with love and dancing, hahaha!!! I also tried baking from scratch when I was still learning how to bake (I'm still learning up to now!) , when I get frustrated with the result I always end up buying the premixed package.
    btw. I saw your name at BBN New Bloggers group, which I'm a member also, I just nominated your blog for Liebster Award. If you're free, pls. check my post

    http://imeeseeshoes.blogspot.com/2012/09/liebster-award-2.html

    Imee<3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Imee!
      Thanks for the Liebster Award nomination! I am honored. I know what you mean about getting frustrated, that's why sometimes I do prefer the premixed packages! LOL! Thanks for stopping by :)

      ~SimplyyMayra

      Delete
  5. OH MY GOSH!!! I love this...how cute, how fun, how adorable! I want to come cook with you. That's looks yummy! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Tam!
      You're so sweet! Thanks for the kind words! It was yummy!

      ~SimplyyMayra ;)

      Delete
  6. I love this! Your pictures are so fun! More baking posts, please! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Nikkiana!
      The pictures do really reflect the fun I had! I think I will try baking bread for my next baking project. Thanks for stopping by! Tootles!

      ~SimplyyMayra

      Delete
  7. That pie looks delicious! Looking at it, I would have never guessed this was your first adventure in baking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Bronwyn!
      The pie did come pretty tasty for my first adventure in baking! It is always nice to hear from you...Siempre! Tootles!

      ~SimplyyMayra ;)

      Delete
  8. you are probably the cutest woman ever. ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Jes!
      Thank you for the sweet words! :)

      ~SimplyyMayra

      Delete
  9. This is very interesting, and it seems to be I'm the only guy thats posting a comment on this post.

    But anyways, after reading this, It gives me an idea of giving it a try, nothings wrong for a guy to be baking, but my reason of thinking of doing so, is to impress my ex girlfriend, you think baking if a good way to have fresh start?

    Thank you for sharing....

    itsaboutcars.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Brolitz!
      I am open to all who want to visit! There is absolutely NOTHING wrong for a guy to bake. On the contrary, it is a plus because it shows his confidence and self-acceptance. I believe one should follow their heart and if you want to bake to impress your "friend" then you should do so. If she likes sweet-goods, then baking from scratch may be a good way to have a fresh start. Please let me know how it turns out for you!

      Thanks for stopping by! Tootles!

      ~SimplyyMayra :)

      Delete
  10. You are too cute.. and funny, too. Wow. You baked from scratch. Yea, that deserves a medal okay. I like to start with a box and go from there... haha Good job. Take care, Linda

    ReplyDelete

Let's chat, share and get to know each other!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...