Life Away From The Office Chair

So I hear there is a cookie contest held by the towns local newspaper. I have never entered anything ive made into a contest. Who me? Naw! I'm not that good at anything to be in a competition.

After giving it some thought, I grabbed one of my favoite cookie recipes and started baking. I thought, "why not, its just cookies, nobody can mess up a cookie even if its not prize material. It will at least make me happy to bake something sweet for a change and I dont even have to eat them"....

OK, there were several broke ones that I just could not put on a plate to be judged so I ate a few of those and put the rest of the ugly ones in a bowl right beside the coffee pot. Why? Because I made an Italian cookie, Cranberry Almond Biscotti. The word Biscotti means twice baked and that's why they are hard and crunchy, perfect for dipping in coffee.

This morning the judging begins. I called into work to let them know I'd be a few minutes late and drove my cookies to the destination. As I made my way across the parking lot, I noticed more mature ladies making there way to the door.

"Oh no, I cant compete with that!" I somewhat felt guilty knowing these ladies had a lot more flour on their hands than I ever had!

I made it to the lobby and was greeted by some very happy, peppy employees. I mean, Id be nice and peppy too if I knew Id be eating cookies all day at work.

There ended up being 34 entries!

The day is coming to an end as I sit here at work wondering if I won or not. I don't mind either way because it was all out of fun, but I still wonder.....{waiting}

While I wait. Here are a couple Tweets I've seen so far....

"I want to taste that one again." Cookie judge Ken Lemon from WSOC-TV. Gazette Cookie Contest. #GazetteLife.

Gazette Cookie Contest Judge Heidi Flick: "It feels like a hug from your mama." #GazetteLife.

{still waiting}

I just learned that the winners and their recipes will be announced in the food section of Wednesdays newspaper so I'm out to get the paper.....

Wait for it....

Wait for it.....

The verdict is in......Drum roll ...............
....
....
....
....

I did NOT win.

BUT.....My recipe DID make it in the paper as one of the 5 superlatives. My cookies were voted "Most Unique"

(source)

It was fun to have the chance to share some of my baking talent with others. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for the judges. These Biscotti are still a winner in my kitchen and I plan to share a fresh batch with my family and neighbors soon.

Click HERE for the recipe to my cookies plus the other wonderful recipes.
Click HERE to see the three winners and their recipes.

I was craving some nice warm banana bread but since Im still watching what I eat, I didn't want to make a whole one. I've not baked any kind of cake or bread since January! WOW. Knowing if I would have made a big banana bread, I would have eaten the whole thing in a day or two. I still doughnut trust my willpower....Wait did I just say "doughnut?" Just another thing I've stayed away from. Ha.

Anyway, I found a recipe for a banana bread in a mug. Single serve, one cup sweet treat. Made right in the microwave in less than 3 minutes!

I caved. I had to make one. In fact, It actually made two. I shared one with my husband which gave it a snarl but ended up eating it. It was not to bad. Surly not as good as my mommas banana bread but it did the trick to cure my sweet tooth at the moment.

Now I will share the recipe with you. So grab your favorite mug or ramekin, spray it with cooking spray, and go at it.

BANANA BREAD IN A MUG

4Tablespoons- Self Rising Flour

2 teaspoons -sugar

2 Tablespoons -brown sugar

Pinch.- baking soda

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon milk

half a ripe banana, mashed

Blend flour, sugars, salt, baking powder & baking soda.

Add egg & mix until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Stir in vanilla, oil & milk, then mashed banana.

Microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave.

I was able to get two ramekin size cakes out of this recipe for some reason. It may rise over the top of the mug as it's heating, don't worry, its goes back down a little when you take it out. Use a tooth pick to check center. If it's still runny it's not done yet. But be careful not to overcook!