nutella vs. cookie butter

Instagram has become the modern-day billboard.

For one, most celebrities and everyone who follows them almost always check on the social networking sites such as facebook, twitter and instagram to get an update as to what's happening around the metro.

Heck, even I no longer subscribe to a newspaper (although my dad still does!). But to keep me up-to-date on things, I just browse through twitter and I’m updated! Its because I follow newsites like Inquirer, ANC, CNN, Rappler, telecommunication like Globe Telecom, showbiz sites like Pep, TMZ, Eonline, even sites for government agencies and tons of celebrities…Ha!

Every morning I check on twitter feeds for news to see what’s out there! Hehehe If something interests me, I google it for more info. (Darn, I’m becoming tech-dependent! Yikes!) 

Anyhow, earlier this year, its has been rampant on instagram the Speculoos Cookie Butter spread. As in every celebs have it and sorta became a semi-“status” symbol since only a few have tasted it. If you’re cool and fab and in the “in-crowd”, you certainly have posted a pic on instagram. They swore by it…even compared it to (my beloved) nutella! 

Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter

So naturally, the curious kid in me had to try it…right?!? I scouted the malls and groceries—to no avail. Then I went online, but they are all pre-ordered kind of thing…and it will take atleast 2months for the product because of the demands and bulk orders. Until  early April, I found someone online selling which was pretty darn near our house, and theirs are on-hand stocks—no need to wait! Ha! So I bought 2 bottles (kahiya kasi if one lang bilhin ko!) 

I tasted it, so did my mom. 

My verdict? It was okay, I guess. Nothing spectacular.

I like gingerbread and cookie butter tasted like one. Although I must confess I’m not really a “butter” person—peanut butter and alike. I didn’t like it as a spread. I liked it straight from the spoon! Its not something I will crave for. I can live with or without it. But it’s a good conversation piece though, most guys I (heard) loved the cookie butter! 

I am still a fan of and ever-loyal to Nutella. I love it…I crave it…I hoard it…and I look forward having it! Hehe Because I am a certified chocoholic! I can eat it with bread or from spoon. I can make a cookie or cake out of it. Its so versatile! (can you just imagine my happiness?!?) hehehe

yum! 3 is definitely not a crowd! :)

Over all I’m still for the nutella over cookie butter. But I wont turn down a cookie butter if given a chance! Hehehehehe

prettytwisted(critic-wannabe)chick

point-shoot-exposed!!!! (Singapore 2012 Trip Day 3)

SG Day 3: The third and final installment of my happy travel with happy friends earlier this year. :)


We decided to ride those double-decker buses and explore. Its our last day so we tried to do everything all at once haha

view from above

We ate lunch first in one of the malls and these are what we ordered. Unlike here, beverages are sold separately in SG. There are stalls specifically for drinks alone and if you're in a food court there are ladies strolling by with carts that sell various drinks!

dunno what this is but it was Kee's order

noodles for Tots

fried dori with sweet and sour sauce

the famous Barly 

aba, may scramble din pala dun! hahahaha

Then we walk around and see the stores. We even went to H&M shop and told Tots and Kee to shop around, while Posh and I sneaked out and went inside the Abercrombie shop. We even had our photo taken with one of the Abercrombie guys...hee hee hee

Things we saw/do along the way:

colorful street decor

yep, we had fun!

Japan? Huh?

interesting stuff

Some interesting store signs.

cropped! haha

fierce!

di ata papasang gorgeous

di rin pwedeng naughty! haha

interesting signs

not a store sign but cool nonetheless

Then we head to Lucky Plaza and had a coffee. It was Sunday and the place was packed...mostly with Filipinos. Crazy!

LUCKY PLAZA

donut

Posh's hat

Posh's coffee

Tots Coffee

my iced coffee

Off we went to airport.

On our way, there is a sort of dragon street festival...

It was bitter-sweet to say goodbye. Leaving a friend behind and going back to your old life. Haaaay

our effort to have a group shot! :)

Last meal in SG McDonald's Grilled Chicken Burger

time to say goodbye

CHANGI AIRPORT- one of the best airports in the world 

are we angry enough for yah?

fish-face

Au revoir SG... no goodbyes, only see you later!

prettytwistedchick

chewy chocolate chip cookies

Today I've made some cookies...

Remember the nursery game that goes…

“Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? I think (supply name here) stole the cookie from the cookie jar. Who me? Yes, You! Not, me. Then who? I think (supply name here) stole the cookie from the cookie jar.” (and the cycle continues…until someone gets uber exhausted!) Yep, that's me!

I think I’ve been repeating this while I make my cookies to the annoyance of anyone within hearing distance. Hehehe

array of cookies...aren't they beauties?

So this afternoon I’ve decided to make some chewy chocolate chip cookies! (my first time ever!) Why? Because I like variety—of things I make…I just finished “perfecting” Brazo de Mercedes last night (my mom calls it brazo ni pitie—translation:my arms! Tsk tsk)

Anyhow, as I’ve said I’ve made some chewy chocolate chip cookies. I like my cookies chewy! I don’t like those crispy and challenging to the teeth kind of cookies! I wanted to experiment on my "baking" skills!

So here’s how I made did. (by the way, my mom—my taste tester—said that my cookies, for a first-timer was perfection! Cool right? I loveeeet!)

Got this recipe from Martha Stewart. Thanks Martha, hehehe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (about 12 ounces) semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

2. In another bowl (where we will use electric mixer), combine the butter with both sugars. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

3. Reduce speed to low and add the salt, vanilla, and eggs (I like to do this gradually, one at at time). Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute.

4. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.

5. Stir in the chocolate chips. FOLD IT IN! Until chocolate chips are well-blended.

6. Drop tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

7. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes.

8. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes.

9. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

finish product :D

my number 1 fan...delighted to eat a cookie

still on a sugar high,

prettytwistedchip--err chick :P

my first chocolate fudge brownie

Today I baked! *giddy*

I’ve always considered myself as oven-phobic kinda gal that’s why most of the pastries that I did in the past were all no-bake kind of cakes or used the bain-marie method (for the flan).

I am actually (and still is) contemplating on taking that Baking for Oven-phobics course but I just don’t have the time…yet! But I will, one of these days!

But today, I decided to be bold and conquer my fear of the oven.

Armed with a recipe list for a dark chocolate cake, I headed towards the nearest grocery. However, when my shopping cart is almost half-way filled, I began my search for Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa (the main ingredient for my cake) I found out that it was out of stock. To my dismay, I began putting all the baking soda, baking powder, all-purpose flour that was already in my cart. Then I came across this ready-mixed chocolate fudge brownie and I’ve decided to try it out.

I consider it as a baby-step to conquering my fear.

And here’s what happened…

yum, right?!?

..tadaaaa! it actually turned out great. Of course, I added a few stuff of my own to the mix. But people actually loved it. I put it in the container and my cousin asked me where I bought it, and she was shocked to hear that I actually baked it!

Yesssss! The brownie was moist (thank God! I hate those dry brownies) and chocolate-y. :D I can actually taste the chocolate chips. My oven-fear was forgotten!

packed and ready to be eaten haha

On to my next baking adventure! :D

baker-wanna-be

prettytwistedchick