{Custom Made} Shortbread Cookies

Husband is really into shortbread. Since it is a cookie, I am also a fan. However I can’t say that I would be the first in the shortbread line at the bakery.

Shortbread always reminds me of your Great Aunt Mary or your grandmother’s friend with a ridiculous nickname like Boopie or Dodo. Not really sure why, but it just makes me think of old folks.

I bet if you were to investigate the sale of Sandies, you would be sure to find an older clientele. Nothing wrong with it, it is just my humble observation. Without old people, we would not be able to enjoy in such spirited treats as starlight mints, ice cream sandwiches, and early bird specials.

But, I digress.

I saw this recipe from Pittsburgh favorite Emily Levenson forever ago and I decided to try it out with my fancy new cupcake cookie cutter. The pictures are with my old camera so they are slightly atrocious. However, the cookies are yum, yum, yummy and super easy to make. Plus, you get to dip them in chocolate and make them even better. Excellent...

Recipe after the jump.

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Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

 

I love when people take desserts that are usually meant to be made into cakes or pies and create a cupcake version. Tiramisu, chocolate cream pie, banana cream pie, and the list goes on and on.

For a chubby guy like me it is nice to have desserts in cupcake form. The smaller version keeps me from eating an entire cake or pie. Seriously. Don’t act like you have never thought of it.

Cupcakes are something close to heaven. Small, quick, and personal size; each one has its owns distinctive beauty. Who doesn’t love them?

I know the cupcake trend has been dying a slow death but I am going to chain myself to the doors of the bakery and hope it never goes away. I love you cupcakes. I even wrote a song about you…

Okay maybe not.

Here is a cupcake version of Pineapple Upside Down Cake… Fun, right?

More after the jump…

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Pride Cupcakes

The last few weeks have been so exciting for the LGBT community.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is nearing its final day…

The state of NY has legalized same sex marriage…

There seems to be an increase in glitter protests…

All around, it has been an exciting couple of weeks! What better way to celebrate than with some rainbow pride cupcakes?

I actually made these in June for the wonderful Pittsburgh Pride celebration and am finally getting around to posting it. But with such an exciting week of LGBT events, I think it still fits.

So make some pride cupcakes, hug a gay person, and figure out more ways to throw glitter at Michelle Bachman.

Recipe and an inside picture after the jump…

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Margarita Cupcakes

Oh hello blog… It’s me, Chubby. Sorry, I have been away.

Here is a recap…

1. My elderly dog, Nana Bear, has been really sick. She has cancer and we thought we were going to lose her. Luckily she pulled through and is now acting like she has never heard the word cancer. YAY!
2. I had a quick (and unexpected) trip to NYC- my happy place.
3. Upon my return, one of my other dogs (Buddy) decided he felt left out. He hurt his back and was screaming more than I ever heard a dog scream in my life. Emergency trip to the ER Vet, lots of drugs and money later; now my house is a dog hospital.

Sigh...

All of this makes me want to drink. Yep, drink. Since it is summer, I feel it is only fitting to drink my favorite summer beverage- a frozen margarita.

Alas, my blender is in the shop. So, we will have the next best thing: a margarita cupcake!

Oh man these are good. You know how some “drink desserts” are just a little off. Not these babies… They are just the perfect mix of summer and fun to make you want to eat every last one. The recipe is from my go-to vegan goddess, Isa Chandra Moskowitz.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. They are L-O-V-E-L-Y.

Info after the jump…

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Chick-O-Stick Cookies

Have you ever heard of Chick-o-Sticks?

They are very unusual candy that tastes pretty much like the inside of a butter-finger; a crunchy candy made of peanut butter and coconut. I had never heard of them until a few months ago and I started seeing them everywhere. 

I hosted an event at work around the same time that had a candy buffet. Low and behold, chick-o-sticks were on the buffet. When the event was over we had so much candy left over; literally pounds of candy. I took the chick-o-sticks and decided to do something creative with them.

What to do… what to do…

Chick-o-stick cookies sound like a good idea, right!?!?

When I first took these out of the oven I thought they were going to be a miserable failure. They looked terrible and didn't taste as good as I had hoped. But, after they cooled they were delightful and actually looked really cool; almost like a crackled Halloween cookie.

Whoever said you couldn’t use leftovers?

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Mini Donuts

 

Does anyone remember that famous Dunkin Donuts commercial, “It’s time to make the donuts?”

I always thought that “Fred the Baker” was the coolest. As a child, I was pretty convinced that he was behind the counter at my local Dunkin making all of the donuts. Like a donut Santa, he could be at multiple places at once.

 

Fred the baker, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, they are still real to me dammit!

However, I think Fred the Baker may need to move out of the way and make room for Chubby Vegan. My latest attempt at Mini Donuts was a pretty big success if I do say so myself.

First of all, you need a special pan to make this recipe. It can be purchased online or at Crate & Barrel. I suppose you could try making these by hand, but I have a feeling they will look a little special.

Mini pastries are totally in right now, so if you make these you will be a hit at any party you attend. I promise. Everyone will be amazed at your mini cooking skills. You can just feign humility and go on being awesome.

Recipe and tons of photos after the jump…

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One Ingredient Ice Cream

The sun is out today!

I better run outside quick before it goes back into hiding. Blasted gloomy Pittsburgh!

In honor of this momentous day, one out of 59-145 sunny days, I think we should celebrate with ice cream. When it is nice out, everyone deserves ice cream. It is my most guilty pleasure and I could probably have it every day.

Thankfully, vegan ice cream is so much more than just vanilla Tofutti. Trader Joes soy ice cream and Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss are just a few that make my mouth water.

However, a few months ago I stumbled upon this little trick for “Homemade Banana Ice Cream” with no ice cream maker required. 

No milk of any kind. No added sugar. No high fructose bull crap. No anything; just banana and a food processor. Yes. It’s true.

I bet you want to know how to make it. The super complicated recipe is after the jump…

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(Almost) Raw Pie Crust

After coming off one of the best weekends ever, it just doesn’t even seem right to write about something so simple.

Let’s just say I have some serious posts coming up that I am so excited to share with all of you. I can barely handle it I am so excited.  *SQUEE*

Okay, okay… On to the pie crust…

So, you all know I have been really into researching the raw food movement. I am just fascinated by all of it. After my first raw appetizer in New York and a visit to a totally raw restaurant in Austin, I am just digging on it more and more.  I have no plans on being the Chubby Rawist, but I think integrating creative raw recipes into our cuisine is really great. Vegans are creative. Raw foodists take food creativity and kick it up to a whole new level.

This piecrust is from the Engine 2 Diet book and is the basis for a couple of different recipes in the book. I made the Chocolate Icebox pie from the book which 

1.      Thought was just okay
2.      Forgot to take pictures of…

Therefore we get to be creative and think of all the things you could possibly use this crust for. I have compiled a list of my suggestions, as well as the recipe, after the jump…

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Mickey Cupcakes

“I can’t stand the rain, against my window… I, I, can’t stand the rain…”

It has been raining all day in the gloomy ‘Burgh today. It is nearing the middle of April and I have yet to see much sunshine poking through in Western Pennsylvania. 

Everyone needs sunshine.

That sounds like a Disney song.  (What a segue...)

So if you follow me on Twitter and have read some of my previous posts, you know I am a terrible cake “froster.” I freely admit it. A piping bag and I are not friends. People have given me all sorts of suggestions but I think I am just stubborn about it. I need to take a cake decorating class.

Just for fun I wanted to share my latest frosting mess. I guess it isn’t that bad but it sure isn't perfect. Since I like perfection (which evidently is a Taurus quality, so I have been told) I am just not happy unless it’s the best cupcake you have ever seen. I made these cupcakes for one of my students who got a job at Walt Disney World.

The cupcakes tasted great, but I could pick apart their aesthetics all day. But, I won’t.

Instead I will just think like Disney; forget the gloomy rain, forget my poor piping bag skills, eat my cupcake and say, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" Yes!

If you are riveted to make your own Mickey cupcakes, follow me after the jump…

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Peanut Butter Squares

Sometimes people are scared of making desserts.

Wait, I have to turn on the oven?

Do I have to buy crazy ingredients?

I am just “not a baker.”

Well, never fear my chubby veganers; this is the easiest dessert ever in life, ever, ever, forever ever.

I stumbled across a new vegan website the other day that I absolutely adore. The Vegan Stoner is written (and illustrated) by two amazing graphic artists and vegans. Their concept is to take the idea of vegan cooking down to the absolute basics; a couple of easy to find ingredients, a few steps, and BAM- vegan yum, yums!

Their pictures are so beautiful (jealous) and their illustrations are amazing and hilarious. I have a crazy vegan crush on both of them.

So these peanut butter squares are from the Vegan Stoner. I brought them to a work luncheon and they were snarfed down in about 5 seconds flat.

The recipe and more pictures after the jump.

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S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have you ever heard of the website, “This is Why You’re Fat?”

It is pretty much the most ridiculous food items that people prepare for no reason other than to grow their waistline. Really, who in the world needs a bacon sandwich using Krispy Kreme doughnuts as bread?

Nobody!

Every now and then I see something on the interwebs that makes me go, “hmmmm.” One of those recipes that I think, "this is why you're chubby." I stumbled across a recipe for a s'mores stuffed cookie the other day. Yes a s'more, stuffed into a cookie. What?!

After my initial rational reaction I thought, “Wait, I bet I could make that vegan.”

This would accomplish several of the things on my recent to-do list.

1. Attempt to veganize a non-vegan recipe.
2. Try vegan marshmallows.
3. Make a cookie larger than most newborn babies.

*tinkering tinkering*

Victory!

This is the most absurd cookie (read: 4 cookies) you will ever see in your life. To be totally honest, I didn’t really “veganize” anything, I just constructed something using vegan ingredients and a recipe I already love. So take that as you will.

But, without further ado, presenting the vegan s'mores stuffed cookie.

More pictures and the recipe after the jump.

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Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

Husband hates coconut…

I don’t know why really. I think it is such a versatile fruit that can be used in so many different ways. Coconut milk, oil, water, juice, flakes and the list goes on and on.

My mother always liked coconut pastries. I remember getting coconut donuts when I was a kid and I must say they were pretty darn good.

However, primarily due to husbands dislike, I have not baked much with coconut. It is not like he has to love everything I make, but I try to be nice and make things he will enjoy too.

The other day I was in the mood to stress bake. This is pretty much when you want to stress eat, but don’t have premade items in your house to adequately suffice your need. So I stumbled upon this recipe (and video) for Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies from Sarah Kramer at GoVegan.net. I have seen her books before but never tried her recipes.

There a billion and one recipes for vegan CC cookies, but this one had a nice twist and I decided to give it a shot.

The verdict…. INCREDIBLE! Really, they are one of the easiest and tastiest cookies I have ever made. The coconut flavor is so perfectly slight you barely even know it’s there. Husband remarked that they were some of the best cookies he ever had and proceeded to eat about 6. Coconut and all…

Who says you can’t change a man?  *wink*

Recipe, more pictures, and the video of Sarah making them after the jump.

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Jelly Filled Cupcake Donuts

Did someone say cupcake donuts? Jelly filled? It can’t be!?!

Well it is my friends and it’s a whole world of delicious…

I have always wondered how people make pastries with a filling. For whatever reason, I always assumed people used some type of crazy injection system that shot jelly into a pastry. Maybe I thought everyone owns a giant pastry syringe?

Although pastry injectors do exist, this recipe is much easier and does not require a syringe (or any other special tools). In fact, it is probably the easiest vegan baking recipe I have ever seen. All of the ingredients are readily available at any supermarket; it uses one muffin pan, two bowls, and that’s about it.

These were one of the many recipes I made for a Super Bowl party we went to on Sunday. They were a smashing hit, if I do say so myself. I will be posting the rest of my party recipes throughout the week.

The recipe came from Veganomicon, which could very easily be my new favorite cookbook.

Recipe and more pictures after the jump.

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Happy Birthday (Cake)!

I love baking. It stresses me out, but I love it. It is a little bit like magic when you see what you can create out of mixing different things together.

Husband and I

As much as I like baking, I have also never been against going to a bakery and buying a cake for a birthday party. I don’t understand those people that say you need a homemade cake for your birthday. Honestly, some people just suck at baking and I don’t want their homemade cake. Yeah, I said it.

This year I decided to be adventurous and make a cake for husband’s birthday. We didn’t have a big party or anything but I thought it would be fun to do the whole homemade thing. Plus, I am selfish and wanted to eat the cake too. Don’t judge me… I am chubby for a reason.

Enter vegan god Isa Chandra Moskowitz and her Post Punk Kitchen. I have been sitting on her chocolate cake (and vegan butter cream frosting) for months now and was jazzed that I finally had the opportunity to try it.

I must say this was a really easy cake to make. It did not take long and was DELICIOUS. Although, I have a confession…

My name is Chubby Vegan and I can’t frost a cake.

I just suck at it. I don’t know why really. Its part me being impatient, its part me not having the best tools, it’s part me being clumsy. So pardon the picture of the final product and just enjoy it for what it is. I never said I was a professional cake decorator.

So (let them) eat (vegan) cake!

Recipe and pictures, after the jump!

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Is it Friday Yet?

I usually like Thursday… It means the weekend is almost here!

But don’t you ever just feel like you can’t possibly make it through the day. For me, it's usually at about 2:30 when you look at the clock and realize how many hours you have left at work.

I like my job but we all have those days. Don’t lie… Sometimes you just need a little boost to get through it.

Enter my guilty pleasure… vegan cupcakes!

I know, I know, cupcakes are so late 2000’s. But I don’t really care; I still love them.

So today I took a mid afternoon walk to one of my favorite Pittsburgh bakeries, Dozen Bake Shop, for a little afternoon guilty pleasure.

Vegan vanilla cupcakes, my love for you is real. AKA, the reason I am chubby.

What is your late afternoon guilty pleasure?

Head after the jump for more photos from my mid-day vegan cupcake emergency!

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