Crackle Cookies MkII

Now I don't normally make the same thing straight after learning a new recipe, but the kids love these and I have a couple of people wanting to try it for themselves. So I decided to make it better. Up to you which one you try but I have it on good authority (the boys) that these are "way better".

The recipe:-

1 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt - mix together in a bowl. Add 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (I rubbed this in like breadcrumbs but it may be better to use melted butter!?). Mix in 3 large eggs until a stodgy dough (quite hard work) and add a cup of chocolate chips (I used milk and white)

Put oven on 375*F and chill mixture for 15 minutes.

Cover your hands in icing Sugar and put some in a bowl

Use a teaspoon and make a ball (walnut sized) and drop into the icing sugar and roll around till completely covered (this reminded me of truffles). I made about six, dropped them in and whirled the bowl till covered. Put the balls on a baking tray greased or with baking parchment about 2" apart.

I made 30.

Bake for 10 mins.

Leave to cool before touching as they are quite delicate. Once you can move them put them on a cooling rack and try not to eat them till cool.

I have to say the mixture is lovely to eat (possibly if you don't eat the mixture you may get more cookies than I I did ha!). The cookies straight out of the oven are lovely to eat too.

Once again, let me know if you try them and especially which recipe you chose. ENJOY xxx

 

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Chocolate Crackle Cookies

I am fortunate enough to work with a lady who bakes the most amazing things for us to eat each week. This week she presented us with a plate of Crackle Cookies. oh my goodness, they were amazing. In fact so amazing that I had to find a recipe and make them that very night. So I am sharing this wonderful recipe.

Mine were a bit flat, possibly because I wasn't patient enough to chill the mixture and I didn't time them. They should be more cookie shaped and more icing sugary. Also I let my two boys get stuck in!!

1&1/2 cups of all purpose flour (6.25oz)

1&1/2 cups sugar (10.5oz)

1&1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3oz) melted and cooled

3/4 cup cocoa powder (2.25oz)

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cups of chocolate chips (I used semi sweet and white)

3/4 cup icing sugar

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl and mix. Mix the butter and cocoa powder together making sure there are no lumps. Mix the vanilla essence and eggs together and whisk together with the cocoa mixture. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Oven 350*F. Line two baking trays with parchment. Scoop dough with teaspoon and roll into a ball which you then dip into the icing sugar and roll around until completely covered. Place on tray about 1&1/2" apart. As they bake, the cookies will spread and the icing sugar will crack. They need about 12-15 minutes. The longer they are in the crispier they are.

I like them crispy on top and soft in the middle. Please do let me know if you make them and send me a photo. I guarantee you will like these.

 

 

I used the recipe from About.com.

 

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WOYWW #229 - not quite a pair!

Hi woyww'ers. How are we all today? As usual please go here to find out what this is about. In the meantime I guess you want to see my desk.

A slightly different angle to normal. My bag, which was given to me by my lovely friends in England before I left, and it's contents looking very 'pink' with the snake not too far from being finished. Next to that is my sock. One is completely done (thanks to the wonderful Donna at my knitting class who put me right) and the other is progressing well. I managed the fiddly wrap and turn stitches and am now working up the leg. You can see the finished one posing next to my ever increasing pile of socks for Christmas. Apart from my Union Jack bunting glass of water I think that's it for me this week.

We have visitors about to turn up from England and their 'space' is the other half of the loft I work in, so I may not be here next week, or I may be on a different table.

Can't wait to see what everyone is up to this week, there were some truly amazing desks last week and I struggled to get round all the people that visited me, some I wasn't able to leave comments which is a shame.

 

 

 

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WOYWW #228 - not a Willy warmer!

It is nearly Wednesday again here which means it's time to show our workdesks for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. Once again Brenda jogged my memory by posting her WOYWW. (what would I do without her.)

So my desk is the coffee table in front of The Great British Bake Off.

This week I have abandoned all socks in favour of a snake. Yes a snake, not a willy warmer. This is for a friends baby. I am hoping it will be nice to cuddle. I am knitting it on four double pointed needles with no pattern.

I am off to eat my banana bread now. (You can just make out the bake off team analysing my bread).

See you x

 

 

 

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Cosy Christmas Socks

I finished Small's Christmas socks at last and got him to try them on.

I really like making these and I have already made a pair for Huffle.  Now I need to make a pair for Smallest and I would like some too.

They were knitted on four double pointed needles with Cascade Cream, Red and Grey Merle.  No fancy pattern just knit, purl, decrease, increase.

They are based on the original Work Sock and are the sock that is used to make the sock monkey which is why I think they look so cute.  I can imagine the sock monkey winking at me.  Hopefully these don't get holes in too quickly else that is what they will end up being.  These will be put on the sock pile now for finishing, ie tying up any loose ends, blocking and wrapping for Christmas.

WOYWW #227 - olè sock

Hello here I am sitting at my desk on a Tuesday evening because it is really Wednesday in the UK. Julia of What's on your worksdesk fame started this craziness so click on her name and all will be explained.

My desk.......

At the front left is Huffle's IPad (he lent it to me to post this as Small had mine). Next to it is a colourful thing that looks like a sombrero but is in fact a tea cosy. I am crocheting it and trying to get it wide enough to fit my Brown Betty. Next to that is the 2nd of Small's Christmas sock, the first one is next to this one. I love this, it is so cosy and warm and really easy to knit though I have gone back to the four needles instead of two circular but there no fiddly patterns.

At the front of my table was the surprise of the day. I came home to find a parcel from Marks & Spencers with the words 'scissors' on the front. Who would send me scissors? My lovely friend from England sent them for my birthday (last Friday). M&S, Kirsty Allsop in a floral case - HOW HAPPY AM I?

Right corner is my remote control for my new speakers (also birthday) from Huffle. Now I can sit and blast my music (Adele is on there at the moment - fabulous).

Two balls of cream wool are covering two cream lattice patterned socks that I was working on last time I was here. They are both at the same stage - needing wrapping and turning and I am not getting on so well so I am having a break from them. That's me for this week.

P.s. I was asked to show Leftover Leo now that he is finished. Smallest decided he didn't want him to have a scarf after all and I found a crocheted heart I made ages ago and sewed it on.

He is showing off and trying to take over the picture so that raggy doll doesn't get a look in (I am still waiting to deliver her to her new owner).

 

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woyww #225 - a pain of a sock

Hello, here I am joining in with What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday. No need to explain, you know all about it by now.

So my desk, back upstairs in the loft.   Unfortunately the light is dimming which is why my lamp is on.

At the front is my new sock. This is a lattice pattern which is fairly easy unless you are good at losing stitches like me and can't count, like me and don't read a pattern properly, like me. Suffice to say this sock has been a real pain in the neck and yet the wool is so soft (Regini Angora Merino). It is a gorgeous cream, well it was. I have knitted and undone about five times already and it has got quite grubby. I am thinking of pulling it all off and starting again too as I have done the pattern on the underside of the sock and I shouldn't have!
Good news though, I did finish my little rag doll and Leftover Leo is all done apart from his scarf.

Well I don't think there is anything else on my desk that is of interest so I will go and have a quick game of football with my Smalls (not my underwear my small boys!!) and then have a look to see what else is happening around the world of lovely scrumptious desks.

P.S. No baking this week, maybe next week.

Raggy Doll

Today I finished my little knitted Rag Doll.

I didn't find this the easiest of things to knit but I do like how she turned out. There was quite a lot of sewing up to do which I am not great at, however, I am very envious of her stripey legs and her hair is funky and modern.

I don't have many girls in my family so I can't imagine I will be knitting this too often. Maybe I can adapt it to become a boy! Thank you Jez for sending me the pattern. She is lovely.

 

 

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Woyww #224 - Floor Fings

Today I am joining in with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. I am not at my usual desk though, as I am cold. I have sat myself downstairs in front of the fire and emptied my bag onto the floor.

So...... A wad of stuffing ready to stuff my little rag doll. A ball of purplish wool for sewing up part of the rag doll. Leftover Leo minus his scarf (do you ike his slightly permed hair?). Another ball of wool making Leo's scarf. Stripey legs of the rag doll. A stuffing stix which fell out of the stuffing bag (I never knew I had one and it will be so useful). A ball of cream wool (not sure why that is there!). Leo's scarf in the middle of being knitted. The rag doll's dress. So annoyed that I ran out of wool with just five rows left so am thinking I might add a button in a contrasting colour and see if I can get away with it. There is a head and some limbs too which need sewing up. I did start a sock last week but I have no idea where it is, maybe on my cold desk!

Right, that's me done. It is actually still Tuesday evening here (Canada) so I am watching the Great British Bake Off whilst eating my homemade cookies and zucchini loaf, yum yum. No photos of it today, sorry.

 

 

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WOYWW #223 - Stuffing, sewing and stripy legs

Hello Wednesday'ers. Join in with WOYWW here - you will find it inspiring, addictive and incredibly nosey ha!

Well I finished my sock at the weekend. Not my favourite but it is only for me. I have another two to do though I have only bought the wool for one pair. I need to go to a technical day to learn the next one as it is a bit more complicated, so in the meantime :

 

I am stuffing Eco Eric's brother (now called Leftover Leo) and you can see him with a needle in his chest (poor thing) and then sewing on his face and hair before hiding him away for Christmas.

I have also started to knit a Rag Doll. The pattern was sent to me by a lovely old friend (she's not old, I have known her a long time but lost touch and found again on FaceBook), and I am making it for my friend here who has a little girl. They don't know anyone who knits or crochets and asked me to do something. Of course I was delighted. She has lovely stripey legs (the doll, not the girl) so it is another project to use small bits of wool. So far so good. I have made her body, knickers, legs and I am just finishing her second shoe. This has been a nice easy pattern to follow whilst watching TV.

Last week I showed you some muffins I had made. This week I made Oatmeal Cookies, yum. I have one on my desk which you may think is very naughty for a Wednesday morning (bit it is actually Tuesday Evening so maybe I can be excused?). There are plenty if you want one.

I found out last week that I can not comment on anyone who uses the flash on their blogs, which is a shame. We have only Apple devices these days and they are just not compatible, so forgive me if I don't comment - I am not being rude. ; /

 

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Weekend Finishings

Well I finally got my socks finished.

These are the ones that started with 'Judy's Magic Cast On' which looks really complicated but is very easy and is just a flick of the wrist with twisting. It makes for a very neat toe with no seam and so much easier than the Kitchener Graft.

I used a self striping sock yarn on two circular needles, which was a first for me but again much easier than the normal four needles, especially when you do the heel as you just leave one needle and work on the other.

This one also had two cables running up. You can see on the left one I missed a few cables (well it is only the second time I have EVER done cables) but I got it right on the other one. They are for me so I wasn't too fussy. You may also notice the cable doesn't go to the top because I just forgot on one and thought I should do the same on the other.

I found these socks very calming until I went wrong and then they became the worst thing I had ever knitted. I don't love them, they are a bit baggy at the top but at least I learnt a few things doing them.

I do love the colour.

Right, now to finish off some other things.

 

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WOYWW #222 Things Unfinished

Hello, today is the day to be joining in with What's on your Workdesk, Wednesday or WOYWW.

Without Brenda to give me a push, I very nearly forgot again. Which could be another reason for why my desk is so untidy and in the middle of things!

Eco Eric's brother (Smallest requested one for Christmas) is in the middle of being stitched and stuffed. He requested blue and as he is supposed to be made of recycled wool, I used all my old bits and bobs, hence the strangeness of him. The pattern and what he should look like is middle left. I have made two of these previously and one looked a bit like it and the other, well, he is so loved it doesn't matter.

Middle back are my socks I am still working on. It seems I had done them right until the other night when I was knitting and watching TV and I did too many decreases, couldn't undoe them and pulled the whole lot off but then couldn't get the damn stitches back on right. It is a mess! The other one is okay now and under control and should be finished in a day or so.

Other things on my desk, my library book, a To Do list, my sewing tin, cup of hot water (sore throat) and the same origami book with the same pieces of paper I couldn't fold last week - whoops!

Hopefully I commented on all who commented on mine last week plus a few more. This week I have no kids, visitors, relatives or excuses, so I should get round to many many more.

I will just leave you with a photo of some muffins I made yesterday using Courgettes again. Yum yum.

 

 

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WOYWW #221 finished, wrong and working.....

Hello, it is time to join in with What's on your Workdesk, Wednesday (Thank you Brenda, I forgot until you commented!!!). If you are not familiar with this, go on over to here and see a mahoosive list of crafty people that all link up on the same day each week and show their fabulous desks off.

My desk today boasts three pairs of finished socks (one from ages ago, the other two just got finished)

IPad playing some music, a green bag with next sock in. Apparantly last week I gave the impression that the two green bags had materials for one sock each. I didn't mean that at all ha ha, enough materials to make a pair in each. One pair that I have started since my last post is the one at the front of my desk and the one on the right of the photo above. This is done using 2 circular needles (which I find very relaxing after four needles) and it is a cable pattern (also relaxing) made toe-up using 'Judy's Magic Cast On' - there is a video if anyone is interested let me know. It makes a seamless toe and it is much easier than the Kitchener Graft (still with me?). Anyway, the first sock I started to make went wrong which is why it is now sitting on holding needles until my Friday Knitting Group. The second one I started is going well but I will have to stop soon too as I am about to get to the same point. Either the pattern is wrong or I am reading it incorrectly.

I have still been trying to figure out the origami Modular Marigold, I thought I had it but I can't get it to stay together! I made a swan but that was easy.

Not much else on my desk this week except for a glass of water. No cafetiere today, I drank that downstairs. Sorry for the longness (a word?). Am going now. Cheerio x

 

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Pedicure Socks - don't read if you are MOO!

I have just finished the second of Moo's Pedicure sock for Chistmas. Wahooooooo.

They do need blocking and ends thing in still.

I really like the colour and am especially pleased because the kids chose the wool. They have knitted up really well and it was very easy. I used four double pointed needles again and just one skein of wool.

Trying these on made me realise I needed a Pedicure!!!

Beautiful. Now I have to attempt my next sock which is a cable one using two circular needles. I have been told once I 'get' this method I will never want to use four dpn's again. We'll see!

 

 

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WOYWW #220 - tidy socks

Hello, it's Wednesday again (well somewhere in the World) and it is the day to show our crafty desks as per the lovely Julia at What's on your Workdesk Wednesday.

A tidy desk this week.

I have been knitting faster than a speeding freight train and finished Huffle's sock on Friday and then quickly started his second one (though I did make the rib without ribbing - arrrggghhhh and had to start again). Still I furiously knitted on and finished sock no2 last night. So you can see Huffle's socks neatly folded at the back with Moo's little Pedicure sock on top. Her second one is at the front of the desk that I started last night.

At the back are two green bags. Each one containing wool, needles and patterns for another sock each. One a cable sock and the other a toe-up sock. Both of them using two circular needles which I haven't learnt yet. Might be interesting.

Various origami things are on my desk, I folded a less than perfect tulip with a stalk that doesn't hold it! I have just been trying to figure out how to fold a many folded many squared marigold in four colours but I cannot work it out. Maybe by next week!

In case you didn't read yesterday's post or want to see a better photo of Huffle's socks. Tadaaaaa.

Not bad eh?

Okay, time to drink my coffee and go and look at everyone's lovely desks to see what they have been, and are up to. Cheerios my lovelies xx

 

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Work Socks

I have been knitting some cosy socks for Huffle for Christmas. The first one I started way before we went on holiday and I only finished it last Friday. The second one I started on Friday and finished last night.

The are very big and cosy but the idea is for Huffle to wear them in his boots in Winter. They are based on the original 'work sock' and I used four double pointed needles.

This is me trying them on and I am a UK 5, he is an 11, wide, flat footed man!

I am quite pleased with them. This is only my second pair of socks and the first pair with three colours. They are not a surprise to Huffle as he has sat with me while I swore, ripped out, reknitted, threw said things across room and constantly made him try them and measure his feet. They cost way more than to buy but the love that has gone into them is worth it.

 

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Courgette Overload

When we went on holiday, our neighbour was looking after our garden. I told her to pick whatever she wanted in the vegetable garden, particularly the courgettes as I didn't want to come home to Marrows, unfortunately she didn't see them hiding. This year we planted far too many courgette plants, thinking some wouldn't work, some would get eaten by raccoons etc. However they all grew beautifully and they produced some enormous courgettes while we were away. So what to do with a glut of courgettes.

First of all we made mini Courgette Chocolate Loaves to have as a pudding with ice-cream. We ate them before I had time to photograph them.

Then last night we made a Courgette Grain Bread in the bread machine. I got the recipe from my bread book. If anyone wants it, please let me know.

Today Small made a large Cinamon Courgette Chocolate Chip Loaf.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-home-cooking/chocolate-chip-zucchini-bread-recipe/index.html

Smallest made Chocolate Courgette Muffins. They didn't rise great but they were lovely and squishy.

1.5 cups flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp Cinamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp bake powder, 1/4 tsp salt mixed well together in a bowl. In another bowl beat 3/4 cup plus 2 tbs sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla essence and mix in the mixer til thick and creamy. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just incorporated. Stir in 2 cups grated courgette and 6oz chocolate chips. Bake for 35 minutes on 350*F.

I made a Courgette, Potato and Cheddar soup which we had with our courgette bread.

500g potatoes roughly chopped added to just enough water to cover them and 2 vegetable stock cubes. Boil and then simmer for ten minutes and add 1kg courgettes, roughly chopped and simmer for five minutes. Add a bunch spring onion, sliced - save 1 for serving. 100g extra-mature cheddar grated, plus a little extra to serve. Whizz until a thick soup and add extra water if needed. Add salt and pepper. Heat up, serve with a small amounts of grated cheese in the middle with spring onions chopped.

I even made a Tomato Soup for the kids and slipped some courgette into it. Huffle wanted to know where the Courgette Wine was hiding.

WELL AT LEAST WE DIDN'T WASTE THEM.

 

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Woyww - half a sock, nearly a sock, not started a sock

Today I am joining in with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday or WOYWW.

Apologies to those that I didn't get back to last week, thank you for your comments. I am am back from holiday now and ready to play properly again.

Here is my desk..

At the back in front of my sewing machine is my cardi that I abandonned but obviously have to finish it soon as I am told it is the end of the summer season now (in the shops anyway!).

There are some Origami Cranes that I have been trying to master (finally got it) after reading two books that featured them. To the left just out of view is the wool, needles and pattern for the sock I haven't started yet. In the middle front is the sock I am working on for Huffle. Coming along beautifully, it is so soft. I am on the foot part so just lots of knitting.

The blue one on the right is a pedicure sock I am making for Moo for Christmas. One sock done.....

The idea of these is so you can still paint your toes but your foot isn't cold. Moo wants them for when she puts cream on her heels but doesn't want too warm feet. I hope they work.

Well that's me for now. On with the socks and checking out everyone else's desk.

 

 

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Woyww sandy sock

Hello.  I'm a bit late joining in with whats on your workdesk wednesday today but I am on holiday so things are always that bit slower.  

I am also trying to post this on my phone which may or may not work!

So, I have my sock which is a present for someone so can't say too much and I am still at the rib part.  My lap is my desk today while I wait for everyone else to get ready.  It's a stormy day so we are off to the cinema (if it wasn't so dark I would take my knitting in ha!).  

You might just see the lake in the background and my toes in need of painting.  Hoping to be back to normal next week on a proper desk with more of a sock.  

Http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com go here for more desks x