Jolene's Recipe Journal

Disclaimer:  I received product from Nielsen-Massey to use in creation of this post.  This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.  I earn a small commission at no cost to you with the purchase of the product. All opinions are my own.


When I was a kid, my mom would keep me out of her hair by making up a batch of icing and sitting me down with some decorating practice sheets. She was an amazing decorator, the one that everyone came to for cakes for their special occasion.

This month's Nielsen Massey's #BetterYourBake tip is decorating with  Buttercream Flowers and features how to pipe roses and hydrangeas. For the flowers I used vanilla buttercream. It comes together so easily, and I colored 2/3rds blue and 1/3rd yellow.


I used a 2D decorating tip in a disposable pastry bag. My tip to you is to twist the bottom of the pastry bag above the tip and put a small clip there so icing doesn't squeeze out of the bottom while you're filling the bag.

I carefully spread the blue …

This is a sponsored post. I was provided samples of Door County Coffee's new Spring/Summer flavors, all opinions are my own.

Over the last month there are two things that I've been doing a lot of: baking and drinking coffee.  When Door County Coffee & Tea Co. reached out and asked if I would help promote their Coffee for a Year giveaway there was zero hesitation.  I was introduced to their product just about a year ago and I've been a huge fan ever since!


One lucky winner will win a years supply of Door County Coffee shipped to them monthly, and 2 handcrafted Door County Coffee Stoneware mugs! And 4 second place winners will receive one months supply of Door County Coffee! I've got a few of those stoneware mugs and they are awesome.


All entries must be received by April 30th, winners announced via email May 4, 2020. Enter here: https://www.doorcountycoffee.com/pages/win-coffee-for-a-year/ Full contest rules are available here.


And what goes better with coffee than…

Lots of cookie baking going on here over the last few weeks.  This is another family favorite, I've been making these for over 15 years! Their beautiful color and citrus flavor is great for any occasion. I found this recipe in a Hershey's cookbook, and it's also on their website.

I'm a big fan of cookie scoops for uniform cookies. Not only does it make for a nice look, but it also ensures they all bake evenly. I just love cookies that are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside!


Here are some other cookie recipes you may enjoy:
Brownie Crackles
Raspberry Coconut Cookies
Sparkle Cookies


Lemon Coconut PixiesPrint
With ImageWithout Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients:1/4 C. Butter, softened1 C. Sugar2 eggs1 1/2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest1 1/2 C. All purpose flour2 tsp. baking powder1/4 tsp. salt1 C. Mounds sweetened coconut flakes (any brand will work)Powdered sugar Instructions:Preheat oven to 300 degrees.Beat butter, sugar, eggs and lemon peel …

These are one of the easiest cookies that I make, and they are always a hit. They start with a pouch of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix, and you dress them up with colored sugar, nonpareils, or sprinkles.  I started adding a teaspoon of extract to the dough, vanilla, sometimes lemon, but anything will work.

I highly recommend using a scoop to get uniform cookies. It also allows you to handle them less and keeps them a better texture.  This makes for a beautiful cookie that's got a crispy exterior and are soft and chewy on the inside.

Here are some other cookie recipes you may enjoy:
Brown Butter Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Big & Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Iced Oatmeal Cookies

Sparkle CookiesPrint
With ImageWithout Image Yield: 24
Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients:1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix1 stick butter -- melted1 egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or flavor of your choice) Colored decorator sugar or raw sugar, nonpareils, sprinkles Instructions:Heat oven t…

Disclaimer:  I received product from Nielsen-Massey to use in creation of this post.  This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.  I earn a small commission at no cost to you with the purchase of the product. All opinions are my own.

Each January I make a list of recipes or techniques I'd like to master and a great source of information is Nielsen Massey's Better Your Bake.  I've used their tips previously in some of our favorite dishes, Honey Vanilla Pancakes (Tip #1: How to separate eggs & whisk), Brown Butter Chocolate Snickerdoodles (Tip #2: How to brown butter), and Mini Chocolate Eclairs with Vanilla Pastry Cream (Tip #4: How to fill a pastry bag).


One of the items on this year's list is madeleines.  I've seen them on several cooking competition shows and they have always intrigued me.  There is nothing worse than following all the steps of a recipe and then when you go to turn the item out of the pan, nothing happens.  Proper pan preparation is key, esp…