Mocha Pinwheels and the Twelve Hours of Baking

My heart is still hurting. I, along with many other bloggers, joined in a Day of Silence yesterday for the victims of the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, but it still doesn’t feel like enough. I know that I’ll never be able to comprehend the grief of all those affected, but my thoughts and prayers and tears have been with them since Friday. I can only hope that my children will live in a world a little less fearful than this one.

In honor of the spirit of family, friends, and love that is still so much a part of this season–now perhaps more than ever–I’m honored to bring you a guest post from a very special friend. Frequent readers will remember Cayce from our cake baking adventures, cupcake tastings, and her impending wedding, and today she’s sharing with you one of her family’s most treasured traditions (as well as a recipe): The Twelve Hours of Baking.

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

I know you’re all sick to death of me talking about the weather, but as I type this, the snow is still dripping from the boots I kicked off as soon as I walked in the door of my apartment. It was, for all intents and purposes, blizzarding sideways as I trudged home from class tonight. Can someone please explain to me what bizarre weather continuum I’ve entered?

Anyway. I’ve got a treat for you today! (Literally and figuratively.) This guest poster is someone you’ve encountered on this blog before, in stories I’ve told you about my baking and eating adventures. My lovely sister, Middle Chip (aka Megan), is quite a baker herself and (after a little bit of encouragement) agreed to share one of her latest creations with my lovely readers. Thanks, Meg!

Brownie-Cookie Surprise Cake: My Take on the “Slutty Brownie”

Baked goods are spiffy. You know who else is spiffy? My friend Erin over at The Spiffy Cookie. So when she needed a few guest posters to hold down the sweet fort while she’s away being science-y, I was more than happy to step up!

A soft cookie bottom and a fudgy, chocolatey brownie layer, all sandwiched together by a crumbled Tagalong Girl Scout cookie filling–it’s clear that this little cake packs a punch that puts the much-hyped slutty brownie to shame.

Stop kidding yourself. The end of your week is just calling out for some layer cake with questionable morals–go get the recipe!