Christmas cookie baskets

I just made these today, they're filled with sugar cookies and iced in almond/vanilla royal icing. With just 3 days till Christmas I'm baking away. Just not for me of course just orders I need to get done by tomorrow....whuuuuh. I guess I should get back to work and stop bragging on baking....it really smells good...pumpkin rolls with cream cheese filling.....brazo gitanos.....mmm...eggnogg cakes.... Ok so I've gained a few more pounds but I can't help it. I'll make another New Year's resolution to lose weight like I have every other year but never get around to doing it. Ha Ha Ha Don't you wish your cakes were as good as mine, Don't you wish you cakes were as good as mine. Don't you? Dut Dut Dut. Don't you?

Delicious Brazo Gitano

This is the best roll ever! Ok, it's called, "Brazo Gitano" aka, jelly roll. I found this recipe online and was hesitant to try because it was a chocolate roll, and I don't really like chocolate but after trying this I love chocolate. I ate the whole thing, it made me sick, but I still like it. Imagine this....chocolate sponge roll filled with fresh sweet whipped cream and a little rum....that's what this is. Death by Brazo Gitano. I will attach the recipe but you have to make it and tell me what you think. It's the best!

Brazo Gitano

5 eggs separated
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp sifted confectioner sugar

Filling

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 tsp rum extract
1 tbsp superfine sugar

Beat yolks & 1/4 cup sugar until thick. Stir in flour, cocoa and vanilla extract mix well.
Whip egg whites until stiff not dry. Fold into yolks and flour mixture. Line and grease 15x8 pan. Bake at 350 x 15 min. Cool for 5 min before rolling in sugar dusted towel.

For filling: combine whipped cream, sugar and rum extract and whip until peaks form.
Fill the cooled roll with whipped cream and voila.....brazo gitano.

My Favorite Book

I know this book is not new, but I love it and you have to get it. I bought months back, and have tried the banana cake recipe, it the best banana cake I've ever tried. I was really surprised to see that she gives her most requested cake recipes but now I know why, because they are soo good. She also gives you step by step directions on how to make these really nice cakes. It's worth buying, go for it. My favorite cake in here is the teapot it's so cute I would like to make it. She has the new one out already it's her kids cakes, I hear it's real cute so that's next. Anyhow when you do get it, tell me how you like it.

I just made these to get a feel of how the edible markers work. I bought some Wilton edible markers and just used them. These are sugar cookies covered in royal icing. So even with the writing and all, they are edible. It's a cute idea as a birth announcement if your not to worried about a picture. I mean how many people actually eat the candy cigars? I bet people will definitely eat a cookie and they're cuter too.