Love and Cream Puffs

When Jas and I first met, we did quite a few fun things on dates. One of the very first ones, was when I invited him over to make cream puffs. Strange I know. Yet now when I eat them, it takes me back to that fun date when we were first together. Many people think that these are too hard to make, but that really is not the case. So make a date with your sweetheart, and bake some creme puffs.

Cream Puffs

2 cups water
1/2 lb butter (the real stuff!)
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups flour
7 large eggs

* Preheat oven to 400 degrees
* Line cookie sheets with parchment or wax paper
* Boil water, butter and salt together in a large saucepan. Turn heat to medium.
* Add Flour all at once.
* On low-medium heat, beat constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the pan. This takes about 3-4 minutes.
* Transfer to a mixer
* Beat 2-3 minutes on low with the paddle attachment. This will allow it to cool slightly.
* Turn mixer to medium and add eggs one at a time, making sure to beat after each one. Do not rush this step!
* The dough is ready when it forms together and comes away from the bowl. This could take up to 10 minutes.
* Spoon pastry into large pastry bag or use a cookie scoop.
* Pipe into eclairs or small balls using the cookie scoop onto the parchment paper. Leave a few inches in between.
* Bake at 400 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until the outside is golden brown, crisp and dry and they sound hollow.
DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DURING THE FIRST 15 MIN OF COOKING!!!
* Let cool before filling with pudding, jelly, pie filling or frosting.
* Store unfilled puffs in a sealed container. Only fill those you plan on using.
* These freeze well, making it easy to pop out a few when you need them.

Have fun making these very easy, very yummy treats!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake (perfect for picnics)

I need CHOCOLATE!
I need it NOW!

I totally have been feeling this way for some time now. Not that I run out and buy chocolate every chance I get. I am one of those that eats chocolate when I get stressed, lonely, happy, overwhelmed, you name it. Oh yeah, and I love chocolate. So to finally post a recipe, it has to be chocolate.

This cake is one of my favorites. There is no need for frosting, you can top it with cool whip if you want. I just grab a slice of it straight from the pan and eat it by hand. Maybe this is why I love this cake for picnics. It is very portable. The oatmeal in it makes the cake a little bit heavier and thus you do not eat the entire pan, but feel like you got a good bit of chocolate. It is one of the easiest cakes I know how to make and always hits the spot. I hope you try it soon!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake

1 3/4 cup boiling water
1 cup quick cooking oatmeal

* Combine and let stand 15 min

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cube butter
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 T cocoa

* Combine ingredients and add to oatmeal mixture. Mix until butter is melted and batter is mixed well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and sprinkle top with milk chocolate chips and 1 c chopped walnuts (optional).
* Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min.
* Serve warm or cool, plain or with cool whip or vanilla ice cream.