Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Feb 5, 2012, 1:58 pm
It's February and I still have leftover cans of pumpkin. What a great reason to make pumpkin cookies. Not to mention, I have a bag of cinnamon chips that I picked up at the King Arthur Flour headquarters in Vermont last fall and they deserve to be featured in something where they can truly shine. Th...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 13, 2012, 12:48 am
I simply cannot take credit for such an amazing cookie. The Unicorn Poop Cookie is the brainchild of a genius named kristylynn84 (at least, that's her username on Instructables). Try it at home! She provides the recipe and step-by-step instructions here. And she even made a cheesy-good video set to ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 9, 2012, 3:01 am
I brought these to work and people went bananas! I've learned over years of bringing treats to parties, work, friends' houses, etc, that certain flavor combinations are definite hits with crowds. And the popular opinion whole-heartedly supports chocolate and banana together. These brownies are the r...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 9, 2011, 1:00 am
Do you know why the song "99 Bottles of Beer" is called "99 Bottles of Beer"? Here's a nifty story. Believe it at your own risk. There once were 100 bottles of beer. A nice round number. But someone stole a bottle to make this beer yeast bread and then there were only 99! Got an extra bottle of bee...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Nov 14, 2011, 10:00 pm
Remember that Award-Winning Lucky Charms Ice Cream I blogged about back in April? One of the steps for making the ice cream required separating the toasted oat grain cereal from the marshmallows. And as a dedicated ice cream maker, I handpicked those marshmallows out, one by one, because what else w...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Nov 11, 2011, 1:24 pm
Looks like KitchenAid's Brazilian division is offering a Wonder Woman edition of the KitchenAid stand mixer. And a peace and flower edition! And a bugs edition! And a skull and cross bones edition! Gahhhhh! View the Brazil KitchenAid stand mixer Facebook photo album here. Maybe they'll add more desi...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Nov 7, 2011, 3:01 am
It's the darndest thing. I was watching an episode of Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel, and this cook was featured demonstrating how he makes meat pastries (or pasties, as the restaurant calls them) from scratch, rolling out the dough with a vintage commercial dough roller, and hand filling and sh...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Oct 18, 2011, 3:01 am
I have a weakness for soft pretzels. They are my kryptonite, and the thing I gravitate toward at baseball games, festivals, street fairs, malls, Costco, you name it. And yet I'd never tried making them at home. It was time. When I found this recipe and read the instructions, I had one thought: I've ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Sep 30, 2011, 3:01 am
Believe it or not, I am still using up the chopped candy pieces I acquired from the birthday party my friend hosted for her husband back in April. She had an ice cream-themed party with a gazillion toppings so you could build your own amazing sundae. At the end of the party, she sent me home with lo...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Sep 11, 2011, 3:39 am
A guy named Mark Reigelman, an artist, created this genius silverware. I'm not sure what it would feel like to hold these in your hands while eating - perhaps a bit (pun intended) sharp or uncomfortable? But worth it, right? Way to go, Mark. I am awarding you with the Happy Go Marni Award for Coole...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Sep 6, 2011, 3:18 am
Source: Wired Magazine Photo Credit: Celine Grouard Just read this in Wired Magazine. According to Girl Scout Cookie sales data, here's how the cookie crumbles. Most popular cookie is Thin Mint, followed by Samoas. BUT! If you combine the Peanut Butter Sandwich and Peanut Butter Patties, peanut but...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Sep 4, 2011, 3:01 am
Chocolate chip cookies are the new kitchen sink cookie. Or maybe it's not new but I'm just late to discover this. You can pretty much take any chocolate chip cookie recipe and then toss in additional ingredients you have on hand. I can't vouch for the results each time, since what you add in ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Aug 12, 2011, 3:01 am
I think it took me all of 5 seconds to decide if I would make this bread. Usually there's a whole lot of deliberation before I decide what baking project I will take on. I'll sit with several cookbooks, mark them with post-it notes, and anywhere from an hour to 3 hours later, I've made my choice. No...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Aug 2, 2011, 3:01 am
M&Ms are one of my favorite things to put in cookies. And the M&M cookie at Diddy Riese near UCLA is one of my all-time favorites! M&Ms are also great eaten straight out of the bag. (Stating the obvious.) But I was feeling like baking, and I view candy as a baking ingredient as much as it is a trea...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jul 20, 2011, 6:06 pm
Today is my half birthday. The 6 month mark. That is worth celebrating, right? I was thinking of baking myself a half birthday cake. But what exactly does that look like? Does it mean I bake a whole cake and toss out half or give away half? Or do I only bake half the recipe? But in a round cake pan ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jul 13, 2011, 3:39 am
I finally made Sally Lunn Bread. I've seen various versions of this famous bread in a lot of my cookbooks and couldn't figure out what the allure was. Why were so many cookbooks including it? But by george, I've got it! Now that I've made it and tasted its richness and analyzed its dense cross sect...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jul 4, 2011, 3:01 am
GASP! SHOCK! AWE! BEHOLD! A cookie dough truffle! Why haven't I heard of this before?! And for all you raw-egg-freaker-outers, there are no eggs in this cookie dough so don't get your panties in a bunch. Instead of eggs to bind the dough together, you use sweetened condensed milk! Go crazy with top...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jul 4, 2011, 1:55 am
Click image to view larger My mom just sent me this comic strip. It was published in today's San Jose Mercury News. Lucy and I are clearly related. I would do the same thing.
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jun 26, 2011, 12:14 pm
Photo Credit: Tastes Like Yum on flickr Photo Reprinted with Permission I am very excited by the news that New York has just legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the largest state to do so. And while perhaps this political news is out of place on a baking blog, I am going there! My friend Christin...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jun 20, 2011, 3:01 am
I made this back in January for my birthday. I love oatmeal cakes, cookies, breads. Pretty much anything with oatmeal. I have an oatmeal cookie recipe I want to share with you soon, too. I also eat a lot of oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is a big part of my life. Since this cake recipe is simple, an...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jun 10, 2011, 3:01 am
This'll bring you back to your childhood. Though when I offered it to coworkers and asked them if they felt nostalgic, they responded that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are still a very real part of their lives...and no, they're not parents yet. I guess I haven't been paying close enough attent...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - May 29, 2011, 10:48 pm
My cousin Jessica got married last weekend in a beautiful ceremony at a lakeside venue in Agoura Hills, California. She looked stunning! Her groom Alex is a lucky guy! And we're lucky to have Alex in our family now. Family came in from all over and if there's one thing you should know about me by n...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - May 16, 2011, 3:01 am
I was at the grocery store recently shopping for basics like milk, eggs, and bananas. I had no intention of veering off the path. And then I struck gold. I approached the Easter candy sale section and my eyeballs almost flew out of their sockets. First of all, I thought I had missed my chance to get...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - May 13, 2011, 10:34 pm
Yes, it's true, these are the cookies that will make grown men cry. Not because they are so damn good (and believe me, they are), but because they are here today, a physical, tangible thing I can hold in my hand and send to my stomach, at the expense of Lakers playoff tickets. Grown men, cry away. A...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - May 2, 2011, 3:01 am
I love banana bread with chocolate chips. But what's one ingredient that could make it even better? Cocoa powder! That's the key here and it makes this bread double chocolaty! Instead of making two large 9-inch loaves, I distributed the batter among 3 smaller loaf pans. Then, when the loaves were d...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 23, 2011, 3:39 am
I got to my parents' house Thursday night and the first thing my mom says to me (after the big bear hug, of course) is, "Marni, you have to try these pecan bars." She all but stuffed one into my mouth. It wasn't exactly hard to give in and try one, but it was noteworthy that she was so eager. I mean...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 21, 2011, 3:01 am
Nothing like a good music video by children to teach you proper cake-baking technique! Ok, technique? Well, not exactly. But they do encourage you to follow the recipe in the cookbook carefully. And I can't argue with that. So watch the video and pay attention! Quiz later. And don't forget to sing a...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 20, 2011, 3:01 am
Oh yes I did. I just put two of my favorite things (and I know they are also favorites for many of you!) together and it's all kosher-for-Passover! You can call me a hero. Start celebrating a Happy Go Marni Day in your city. Post cardboard cut outs of me on your lawn. Write me onto the next presiden...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 19, 2011, 3:01 am
Abracadabra, hocus pocus, make me a Passover brownie that will fool anyone! I chanted this spell as I put these Passover brownies in the oven, and apparently I'm quite a good witch. My magic worked! These brownies are, yes, technically kosher-for-Passover, but you would never ever know. I'd bet mone...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 18, 2011, 2:27 pm
Presenting my first ever Happy Go Marni Cake Tour! Because for some of you, it may be the closest you come to being inside my kitchen. Now if only we had smell-o-vision. Read the full post about this cake here.
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 15, 2011, 3:01 am
The cake I made for my sister's birthday, using skills I just learned in the Wilton workshop! A few weeks ago I was invited to a Wilton cake decorating workshop. Wilton is the brand of cake decorating supplies and resources I grew up with. Every birthday cake of my childhood (and that of my sister a...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 10, 2011, 8:36 pm
My friends Brittany and Bryan invited me to a BYOIC party. BYOIC as in bring-your-own-ice-cream party. It was Bryan's 31st birthday, and that calls for an ice cream-themed party! Duh! They mentioned in the invite that there'd be prizes for the best flavors. Well, I had no idea what others were bring...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Apr 4, 2011, 3:01 am
This is not your conventional birthday cake. But it is totally a great birthday cake! Imagine making banana bread in round cake pans instead of a loaf pan. That's essentially what this is. And it's made me rethink all quick breads. What if any loaf could be turned into a layer cake. So much more exc...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Mar 25, 2011, 2:01 am
NOTE: This post was originally published on Shabby Apple's blog on March 23, 2011, where I guest blogged as part of Shabby Apple's Roamin' Holiday Italian-inspired clothing line launch. If you are a fan of Anthropologie dresses (like I am!), you're going to LOVE Shabby Apple. Check it out here! Bisc...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Mar 20, 2011, 8:36 pm
Happy Purim! Chag Purim Sameach! To be completely honest, I wasn't sure I'd even get around to making homemade hamentaschen this year. But there's something about this annual tradition that if missed, would make the holiday feel a little empty for me. So I did it. But I didn't go back to one of the...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Mar 6, 2011, 8:48 pm
My brother-in-law is a pretty picky eater. Understatement!!! However, there's pretty much no dessert I make that he won't eat. And that redeems him from whatever pickiness he has for other foods. As long as he eats (and loves) what I make, we can sustain a healthy relationship. And what's more, he o...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Mar 3, 2011, 7:00 pm
Too funny! Someone decided to create a website dedicated to helping you photoshop cut outs of Paula Deen onto other photos. All of them result in Paula Deen riding things. Things like corn on the cob, and a bear, and Charlie Sheen's shoulder, and the Happy Go Marni logo (see below!). Thus, a very we...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Mar 1, 2011, 11:47 am
Take everything you know about cornbread and erase it from your mind. We're starting over today! This cornbread recipe is a yeast bread, not a snacking cake. That means it's light and fluffy and perfect for sandwiches. Not like the Jiffy box or Marie Callender's version. Not to be eaten with a fork,...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Feb 17, 2011, 3:01 am
Last year, I attended a talk by a cookbook author at Omnivore Books on Food in San Francisco (an amazing bookstore in one of my favorite neighborhoods of the city - Noe Valley!). The talk was led by Christie Matheson, someone who became so fascinated by salts that she wrote an entire cookbook using ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Feb 4, 2011, 12:25 pm
Ok, maybe I'm using celebrity a bit loosely. But she's on her way. So, a couple of days ago, I posted a recipe for Maple Walnut Brownies with Maple Glaze. But what I didn't mention was that I fed them to a YouTube personality for my first ever official on-camera taste test review! Well, to be more c...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Feb 2, 2011, 3:01 am
I grew up loving the flavor of maple because my mom is addicted and fed us kids maple-infused foodstuffs regularly. I've made maple desserts before. Try the Northern Maple Nut Pie on Happy Go Marni. Heaven. Or the Maple Walnut Cookies. Delicious. And as I've preached before, don't you dare use Aunt ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 29, 2011, 7:45 pm
Sometimes a few words explain it all. This time, I'm telling my tale with a limerick. Suffice it to say, the addition of apricot to a timeless classic dessert deserves a round of applause. Apricot Lemon Bar Limerick by Happy Go Marni There once was a famous treat: The lemon bar you thought couldn't ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 18, 2011, 3:01 am
Not fudge, but almost. Not ganache, but almost. Candy! This is an amazing and very easy-to-make chocolate marshmallow candy that looks beautiful when cut into pieces and tastes really rich and chocolaty. Makes a great gift and stays fresh for several days. You must try this!! Since I was giving the...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 10, 2011, 3:05 am
This bread got so many ooohs and ahhhs when I served it that I wanted to collect them in a jar and use them as currency somewhere! Hmm, now what country accepts VISA, Mastercard, and Ooohs and Ahhhs??? The most amazing thing about this bread is how fun and easy it is to make. In fact, I made one wi...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Jan 4, 2011, 3:47 pm
King Arthur Flour, one of my favorite stores and catalogs on Earth and a dream for pretty much any baker, has a Baking Hotline! What! No way. Yes way! Can't figure out why your bread isn't rising? Wondering why the edges of your brownies get crisp while the middle is still raw? Not sure of a substit...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 30, 2010, 3:01 am
I get very excited by new cookbooks. I've added several to my collection over the past year and I have a list of others I still want. Friends and family are going to give me a hard time for having such a list since I already own more cookbooks than most and I am out of space. They tell me to cut b...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 21, 2010, 3:03 am
I love Emily Luchetti! It was my mom who first introduced me to this master baker. Emily was the Executive Pastry Chef of Stars Restaurant in San Francisco, and has several other impressive roles on her resume. I own a few of her dessert cookbooks; they are all fantastic. Plus, Emily is down to eart...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 17, 2010, 3:01 am
What do you call it when you make something that tastes super delicious, with the perfect amount of crisp on the outside, implying the existence of loads of butter, and absolute chewiness in the center, with all the right spices to make your mouth warm up but not fire up, and yet, it's low calorie a...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 14, 2010, 3:01 am
I've never been a huge fan of white chocolate. I don't hate it. I don't even dislike it. It's just not something I'd choose over dark or milk chocolate. Oooh dark. Drool drool drool. But the point is, I don't advocate on white chocolate's behalf. This Black & White Brownie by King Arthur Flour just ...
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Marni L. posted an article on Happy Go Marni - Dec 13, 2010, 2:20 am
I bought a new cookbook. I know I'm not supposed to because I'm out of room. But I couldn't resist. Alice Medrich came out with a new cookie cookbook. I spent an evening studying it from cover to cover. In typical Marni fashion, I sat comfortably on the couch in sweats, I had HGTV on in the backgrou...
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