what a way to start the year

Yesterday, I managed to stay in bed, not put on proper clothes, finished the third season of Merlin, and bought a Ciel Phantomhive wig  for future cosplaying.

I’d say it was a successful day.

Also, the cranberry-apple pie I made Dan was a success! Sandra Lee would have been proud.

Sandra Lee is shaking her head at me

I love cheesecake.

So, I decided to make homemade pumpkin cheesecake. From scratch. Vegan to boot so my roommates could eat them. Also, cupcake size. Cause, why not?

This is what went down...

 Taking my nervousness out on graham crackers.

 The crust doesn't look right, but hey, the internet said to make it this way. To the oven!

Bad idea...I owe someone a new cupcake pan. Oh well....moving on!

 Should I go to the store for pumpkin spice? Nah! I know what's in it.

 Second attempt. Went much better. Don't bake it, who knew? Apparently, a different website.

 Teeeeeeny batch. 

 To the fridge with you!

This all happened yesterday. They've yet to fully set so it's more like a cheesecake custard, but at least they taste like they should!

And that's why, I should not be allowed in the kitchen alone.

Geektastic Thursday: Drinking in the Kitchen

So, not exactly a geeky topic, but I did try (and succeed) in making margarita cupcakes for my work's Cinco de Mayo potluck. And yes, they did have tequila baked into them and in the frosting.

Onto my adventures in baking from scratch...the pizza and hammer were just spectators.

This is my worried about baking from scratch (and vegan to boot), not having vanilla, so I should have some sangria face.

 The recipe said to make homemade icing. Too much for my novice self, I just put lime juice and tequila into the unsuspecting store bought frosting. Besides, Sandra Lee taught me to take help where you can. She also makes her fair share of cocktails while cooking, so she's helpful on both counts.

 Lesson learned: don't let cupcakes without butter in them cool in the pan. They will stick to the paper.

Cause I was a sad panda thinking I ruined them, I googled why it happens and just heated them slightly in the oven for a couple of minutes, then let them re-cool outside the pan. Seemed to fix the issue.

 

All in all: not too shabby. People liked them, so I say a job well done.

Oh! I also made hummus. 

I'm so Martha Stewart today! I might make "drinking in the kitchen" a recurring thing.

Popping my pie cherry

I've finally buckled down and made my first pie. From scratch!

 

The reason I don't cook/bake from scratch.

  

Worth it.