Zucchini Bread with chocolate chips

My mom use to make this for me all the time when I was in college. This was my first time making it, though, and I discovered a new favorite thing — grating zucchini! OMG IT’S SO FUN. It just happens so fast, and its so easy. Forget cheese, I’ll be putting freshly grated zucchini on everything. 

Also hiding vegetables inside bread and chocolate is genius. This bread contains more zucchini than I’ve eaten in the last 6 monhts. I need to find more ways to hide my vegetables.

ingredients

{3 Eggs♥ 1 cup veg oil♥ 2 cups sugar♥ 2 cups grated raw zucchini♥ 3 cups flour♥ 1 t soda♥ 3 t cinnamon♥ 1 t salt♥ 3 t vanilla♥ 1 cup chocolate chips}

1. Beat

eggs

,

 vegetable oil

,

 and sugar until fluffy.

2. Combine

the remaining ingredients (excluding chocolate chips).

3. Fold

in the chocolate chips.

4. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.

World's Best Pizza

I’ve been working on a list of the World’s Best Cheese Pizzas for a couple years now, and I’m finally ready to unleash it. I also have a whole wheat pizza recipe to share with you, and while it doesn’t make it onto the list, it is pretty darn good and really fun to make. 

1. Pizza Roma - Prague, Czech Republic

I discovered this pizza when I studied abroad in 2010. I went back to Prague in the fall of 2012, and returned to Pizza Roma to make sure this pizza was still, in fact, the best in the world. Pizza Roma is just a little hole in the wall shop. It’s all underground, with brick walls and no windows, and it’s just got a great rustic atmosphere without having tried to achieve it, you know? You get a large cheese pizza for about 5 bucks. It’s paper thin, with a perfect layer of sauce and tons of cheese, oil, and spices. But somehow all those toppings don’t weigh down the paper thin crust. It really is wonderful—even die-hard ABJC’s (anything but just cheese) prefer this cheese pizza to those with meat. 

2. Kontiki- Sint Maarten

I certainly wasn’t expecting to find the second best pizza in the world in this particular location. We were in a fairly touristy spot near Orient Bay, and I expected them to serve pretty generic food. But boy, was I surprised. I was with my family and they all agreed that this pizza was exceptional. 

3. Burke Street Pizza - Winston-Salem, NC

This is my hometown but somehow I never ate this pizza until I was 17. You know how delicious pizza always looks in cartoons? All thin and cheesey and when you take a bite of it the cheese drapes for like a foot before it breaks. This is exactly what this pizza is like – your favorite cartoon pizza come to life. 

4. Lilly’s Pizza- Raleigh, NC

I kind of hate that this place is on the list because they seem pretty pretentious to me. The atmosphere of the shop is definitely not for everyone. But this list is purely best pizza and nothing else so, alas, it takes spot #4. Every single one of their ingredients is special in some way. It’s like they harvested all the tip top meats, cheeses, and vegetables and then found the best recipe for crust ever. You can’t go wrong with anything you get here, although, of course, I prefer just cheese. 

5. Big Cheese Pizza- Wellington, KS

Admittedly, this probably slides into spot #5 for sentimental reasons as well as delicious flavor. They are a local place that does mostly deliveries. And while it is pretty rundown and maybe a little dirty, the pizza is awesome. And their other pièce de résistance is their chocolate dessert pizza. Maybe one day I will attempt to recreate this sinfully delicious masterpiece. 

Read more to check out the whole wheat pizza recipe. And let me know what your favorite pizza places are! 

dough

{1 packet active dry yeast♥  1 cup warm water♥  1 tbsp brown sugar♥ 1/2 tbsp olive oil♥  1/2 tsp salt♥  1 cup whole wheat flour♥  3/4 cup all-purpose flour}

1. In a bowl,combine the warm water, yeast, brown sugar and oil. Let sit for about 10 minutes while it gets foamy.

2. Add in the flour and salt. Mix with a spoon at first, and then knead with your hands. If it’s too sticky add in flour a little at a time. 

3. Form a ball with the dough, and brush lightly with olive oil. Set in a bowl, covered with a damp towel, and let it rise for about 1-2 hours. 

pizza

{ finely minced garlic♥  mozzarella cheese♥  oregano♥  olive oil♥  rosemary♥  grape tomatoes}

Obviously, use any ingredients that you want but these are my personal favorites. Whatever you use, load it up though, because we all know whole wheat dough can be a tad dry. The more cheese and sauce the better!

4. Heat your oven to 400 F. 

5. After the dough has risen, roll it out pretty thin with a rolling pin.

6. Top with your chosen ingredients, and bake for about 15 minutes directly on the oven rack.

Chocolate Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

This was one of my favorite things that my mom made growing up. But somehow it always seemed like she only made it for other people, or when other people were coming over—forcing me to share most of it. Did anyone else have this experience?

I made this in celebration of my friend’s birthday, and also the end of The Bachelor. I got what I thought were cool candles, but they ended up being really thin and cheap, so they started wilting inside the hot cake almost instantly. We barely had time to light 2 of them and blow them out before they fell over completely. 

Click below for the recipe →

ingredients:
{1 stick butter melted | 1 cup sugar | 3 tbsp cinnamon | 1 bag rhodes white yeast rolls thawed | chocolate chips}

1. Mix 1 cup sugar with 3 tbsp cinnamon and set aside.
2. Melt 1 stick butter and set aside.
3. Tear rolls into 2 pieces and dip them in the butter.
4. Coat them in the cinnamon & sugar mixture.

5. Place into a greased bundt pan. After achieving one, layer sprinkle chocolate chips.

6. Layer rolls and chocolate chips until you have filled half the bundt pan. (I cut the recipe in half and used a bread pan) 

7. Pour any leftover butter and/or sugar mixture over the rolls.

8. Let rise to double the size - about 3 hours.

9. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Check and continue baking until done— the rolls will be pretty brown on top.

the best oatmeal cookies

I know, I know…I just posted the best cake balls; how could I possibly have the best oatmeal cookie recipe too? Actually, this was probably one of the recipes that got me interested in baking. This was my go-to recipe as a kid, and even though I probably got it off the back of an oatmeal box, it felt like my own and I was always so proud to share it. 

My cat seemed to know that these are the best oatmeal cookies too, because she was all over the plate during the photo shoot.

Recipe follows 

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies

yields:4 dozen

{1 cup (2 sticks)softened butter | 1 cup brown sugar | 1/3 c granulated sugar | 2 eggs | 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract | 1 1/2 cup flour | 1 tsp baking soda | 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats | 1 2/3 cups cinnamon chips** | 3/4 cups chocolate chips}

1

. Heat 

oven to 350 F

. 

2. Beat

butter, brown sugar, and sugar until creamy

.

3. A

dd

eggs and vanilla and

beat

well

.

4. A

dd

flour and baking soda and 

beat

well

.

5. 

Stir

in oats and all chips.

6

. 

Drop

balls of batter onto ungreased cookie sheet.

7

. 

Bake

for 10 minutes

.

**The cinnamon chips can be unfortunately hard to find

. 

But I’m sure these would also be good with white chocolate chips

, 

toffee chips

,

 or caramel bits

. 

Island Redo

I started a furniture upcycling business a few months ago, and just went to Charleston, SC to give this island a much needed refinishing. The kitchen was stunning (as you can see), but the green cabinetry was really taking over. We needed to make the island a focal point that would distract from and compliment the cabinetry simultaneously. I worked with a talented local artist Austin Smith. It was definitely a two-man job! 

We did an antique finish and were really pleased with the results! I’m currently taking customers so email cortnac[at]gmail.com if you need something spruced up. I do most of my work in NC but I can travel—just ask! Continue for more before and after photos. 

The happy customers using their new island:

the best cake balls

I’ve made quite a few cake balls in my day, but somehow have always been disappointed. I never quite understood the hype. But luckily I have since figured out the magic. The real secret is texture. You have to perfect the frosting-cake ratio, and get some nice crunchy sprinkles. I added even more texture by using funfetti frosting! Try to contain your excitement. (oh yeah, and I used two colors to make them even cuter) 

Cake balls are a long process—make sure you are equipped with a lot of time and patience before you begin! 

[ ingredients:1 package yellow cake mix + necessary add-ins (eggs, oil, water) | food coloring | 1 can vanilla funfetti icing | candy coating | sprinkles]

1.Mix up your cake ingredients. Divide the batter into two bowls and add coloring of your choice to each bowl. Bake the cakes in separate pans according to directions on the box. Remove from oven and let them cool completely.

2.Peel off the firm skin that has developed on the cake. It should come off easily.

3. Take your peeled cake and finely crumble it into two bowls. 

4.Mix icing into your crumbled cake. USE CAUTION.This is how many a cake ball has been ruined. Add frosting in a little at a time, starting with 1/4 cup in each bowl. The frosting is there to bind the balls only—don’t let it overtake the texture of the cake by adding too much.

5.Form a small ball (1/4-1/2 inch) using one color of your cake/icing mixture. Take some of the other color and add it to your ball. Line them up on a cookie sheet.

6.Put them in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the fridge for a few hours.

7.Melt your candy coating over a double boiler.

8.Put a cake ball into the candy coating; rolling it around with a spoon until it’s covered.

9.Transfer the coated ball onto a cookie sheet and sprinkle immediately. Repeat steps 8-9 until all the balls are complete. Refrigerate until candy coating has set and enjoy! 

Now just try not to eat them all in one sitting,like I did. 

potato casserole

So we all know I pretty much only make sweet things. This is one of the few savory items I make regularly and it’s also probably the most caloric thing ever. But it is sooooo good—I promise. It’s the kind of thing you’ll be sneaking into the kitchen for late at night…and early in the morning…and for a snack. In fact, I’d recommend cutting the recipe in half just in case you eat it all in one sitting. 

[ ingredients:  1 package shredded hash browns (thawed) | pepper | salt | 8 oz sour cream | 1 can cream of chicken soup | 2-3 cups grated mild cheddar cheese | 5 cups corn flakes | 1 stick melted butter]

 

Mix hash browns, pepper, salt, sour cream, and cream of chicken in a large bowl. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Melt 1 stick of butter and mix with 5 cups of corn flakes. Top the potato mixture with the buttered corn flakes. Bake 1 hour at 350 F. 

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

So my mom called me yesterday with life-changing news:

Mom: “I bought some new super stuffed oreos today.” 

Me: “WHAT?!?!?!” (frantically searches for “super stuff oreos” on the internet) ”MOM I can’t find them what EXACTLY are they called?!” 

Mom: “Oh ummm…..Mega Stuf Oreos.”

Me:

After this minor freakout, I finally found proof of their existence, immediately went to target to look for them, didn’t find them, went home feeling despondent, fell asleep, and dreamt about buying them at Stein Mart.

All this to say that I never actually found/bought them; but it did inspire me to make something with oreos. And it’s low-fat, more or less anyway. 

awwww yeah, OREO COMPILATION! 

I would definitely put this recipe in the Top 5 which currently contains the oatmeal chocolate caramel gooey bars and the red velvet cheesecake!

[ ingredients:1 package reduced fat oreos | 2 8-oz packages low fat cream cheese |  1/2 c. sugar | 1 tsp vanilla extract | 2 eggs lightly beaten | 1/2 c. vanilla greek yogurt ]

yields: 18 cupcakes 

Preheat oven to 275 F. Break up about 6 of the oreos to be used later in the cheesecake batter. Place paper liners in the muffin tins, and put an oreo at the bottom of each one. 

On medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and mix until incorporated. Mix in the vanilla. 

Pour in lightly beat eggs a little at a time. Once combined, mix in the greek yogurt. Fold in broken cookies.

Top each oreo-lined cup with batter, almost filling them. Bake for about 22 minutes or until the filling is set. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Peppered Bacon

Just jumping on the cooking-bacon-in-the-oven band wagon…speaking of bacon – MERLIN’S BEARD! I still have bacon in the oven…

…yup it’s burned.

Annnywayyysss, cooking bacon in the oven really is the new black. Usually bacon is a guaranteed oil-spattering-all-over-the-counter-&-also-in-your-eyes-experience. 

(dramatization) 

But this is so simple and almost mess-free. 

Ingredients:

[ 1 package of turkey bacon | pepper | oven ]

Heat oven to 400 F. Place bacon on a foil lined cookie sheet (for maximum cleanup ease). Pepper your bacon. Continue to pepper your bacon. Bake for about 15 minutes. 

story & a cupcake

Embarrassing Story Time: There’s a great cupcake shop in Raleigh, but I never go there because I generally refuse to pay a premium for cupcakes. However, they are admittedly delicious, so I stopped in one day on my lunch break. As I walked in contemplating my flavor choice, I noticed, to my pleasant surprise, that there was a plate of samples on the counter! I positioned myself next to the other girl sampling and popped a few into my mouth, happily chewing and evaluating the flavor, trying to non-verbally convey my approval to the other customer and cashier. You know…exaggerated nodding, smiling, winking, pointing, slapping the counter…okay I didn’t take it that far. But during my non-verbal display, I noticed that neither the customer nor the cashier were sharing my emotions. In fact, their faces betrayed surprise and maybe even distaste. I swallowed, looking around, taking in clues I hadn’t noticed before, and all of a sudden it dawned on me…

I had just walked up to a private wedding cake tasting, squeezed myself next to the BRIDE, and popped a few of her PERSONAL cake samples into my mouth! Needless to say I was mortified and I can’t even remember if I bought a cupcake or what I said to explain myself.

moral of the story: Yes, free food is really exciting! But take in your surroundings before you take the food.

---

Chocolate Butterscotch Cupcakes 
[ 3.5 oz chocolate chips | 0.5 oz butterscotch chips |1/2 c. butter | 2 eggs | 1/3 c. sugar | 1/4 c. flour | extra butterscotch chips for topping ]

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt chocolate/butterscotch chips and butter over a double boil until they are completely melted and mixed. In a different bowl,  beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the chocolate butter mixture into the eggs. Then add the flour and mix until incorporated. Grease cupcake tin and use a ice cream scoop to fill the cups. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cinnamon Frosting
Just mix a ton a cinnamon into your favorite frosting recipe or some pre-made frosting of your choice.