Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet

 
Michelle Stern is the woman responsible for my child uttering these words,

"Will you call Dad and ask him to pick up some kale on his way home?"  

Yes. My child. Said. Those. Words.   All thanks to Michelle's Kale Chips.

So, when Michelle asked if I would like to try a recipe from her new book, The Whole Family Cookbook,  and share it with you on the blog, I said, "sure!"   (And flipped straight to the dessert section.)
 
The Whole Family Cookbook is perfect if you want to get your kids involved in the kitchen.  I think my favorite part of the book is how Michelle has each recipe's steps color coded for different aged helpers.

The book also contains lots of "green" tips, tips on eating healthy and local, and I'm guessing she probably wouldn't be happy to know I like canned frosting.  I think the kale chips balance that out.

But, anyhoo...

Michelle's Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet is super tangy and really refreshing in the warmer weather we've been having here in Texas.  Kiddo & I both love lemon...and the combination of the lemon and buttermilk really packs a tart punch!  And it couldn't be easier to make.

Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
{directions slightly adapted from The Whole Family Cookbook}

4 c. buttermilk
4 large lemons
1/2 c. sugar

Pour the buttermilk into a large bowl.

Zest the lemons and set the zest aside.  Juice the lemons to measure 1/2 cup.

Add the lemon juice and sugar to the buttermilk; whisk to combine.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill and let the sugar dissolve.

Pour the mixture into the (prepared/frozen) bowl of an ice cream maker.  Process according to the manufacturer's instructions.
 
5-10 minutes before the sherbet is finished, add the zest.

Once finished, pour into an airtight container and place in the freezer for 2 hours to firm up.  At the point the sherbet is scoopable and creamy.
 
(Kiddo & I loved it this way.  Goofy face optional.)

After several hours, or overnight, the sherbet becomes more like a sorbet....icier.  If sorbet is your favorite, you'll love it this way.  Take it out of the freezer and let sit for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to scoop.


Guess what?  Michelle was nice enough to offer a copy of her book to a Bake at 350 reader!  To enter, leave a comment answering the question, giveaway closed...congrats, Erica!!!

"What is your favorite warm weather sweet treat?"

And, PLEASE, please leave a way to contact you in your comment.  Make sure your name links to an email or blog where I can contact you, or leave your email in your comment.

***Oh! And since I've had a couple people ask....winners are emailed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.  Usually a week...or two...or FIVE....when I remember...I will update the original post with the winner's name.  Sometimes I forget.  I'm sorry!  I PROMISE I am not hoarding the giveaway prizes! ;) I'm just forgetful when it comes to updating those posts.***

Random winner will be chosen Thursday, April 21st at 8pm CST.  Good Luck!

Congrats, Erica!

Faces to Love

Here's a face I love...

...my next-door neighbor and friend, Kristen from We are THAT Family.  Do you know she has a book? {I might have mentioned it....and if you're a mom, I think you might need it. It's GOOOOOOD.}

Kristen had her first book signing this weekend and I was so happy to be able to go...and so happy to call her a friend.  Y'all, she's just as funny and sweet and good in person as she is on her blog and in her book. 

{I brought cookies.}

---

Now, Kristen doesn't need a photoshop makeover, but her neighbor (me) does.

Have you heard of the I Heart Faces:  

Faces to Love, Blogger Makeover Project?

I Heart Faces is a photography website with weekly photo challenges for all levels of photographers. Co-Founders, Amy & Angie make sure you'll find great photo editing tutorials, camera tutorials, photography tips and giveaways each week.

Well, at the Blissdom conference, I knew Angie and Amy, the founders of I Heart Faces, were up to something, but they wouldn't spill the beans.

Here's the deal... Amy & Angie took photos of bloggers to use as their profile image! The are calling it Faces to Love - Blogger Makeover Project. To make it even more fun... they want to give one of you and one of their readers a photo makeover as well!

My picture was taken by the fabulous Angie (if you live in Ohio, seriously look into Angie taking your family photos...she's amazing!):
 

{Look ma, no wrinkles!}

One lucky Bake at 350 reader will get themselves made over photoshop style! Amy & Angie will work their magic on a photo you provide them. They will then send you several images to use on your blog, Facebook profile or Twitter Avatar, or whatever.  Hmm....can I take this to the DMV?

To be entered to win a make-over for your photo. Just leave a comment below! 

To be entered for more chances to win:
•  Visit I Heart Faces and leave a comment on their site. 
 •  For even more chances to win, visit the other two bloggers' sites (Cheryl & Rachel) featured on I Heart Faces today as well...and leave a comment on their blogs.

Winner chosen and notified. Congrats to The Perfect Trio!

This contest ends on Wed. April. 13th at 10 pm. Good luck!

A Vacation from Vacation . . . and a little something for you. :)

The boys and I went on a little getaway to San Antonio and a few surrounding small towns for Spring Break.

{Side note: Gruene, TX...officially my new favorite city.}

Isn't coming home from vacation always the best part?  Or am I weird?

Here's how you know you need a vacation from your vacation.....

• a bird poops on your head in the first 15 minutes of strolling the RiverWalk,
• your child & pollen do not mix and you spent 3 days subjecting fellow tourists to a hacking cough and lots of snuffling,
• the hotel parking garage is full; driving around looking for another, your car overheats and smoke pours from under the hood (classy),
• AND,  your husband forgets to pack PANTS.  

All in all, though, aren't those the vacations you remember?  "Hey, remember that time we went on vacation and Dad forgot to pack any pants?"   Yes, yes I do.

One place with NO mishaps was the Williams-Sonoma OUTLET, yes outlet, in San Marcos.  I am serious when I say my heart was going pitter-patter and I thought I might faint.  Oh, y'all...it's FUN! 

And, I brought home a little something for you, too!

1. my beloved WS meringue powder,
2. a jar of yellow sanding sugar, 
3. and a darling little bunny spatula.

{Now here comes the infomercial part...} But WAIT, there's more!  I'm also including a $75 Williams-Sonoma gift card with your goodies.  

To enter:  tell me one of YOUR vacation stories (good or bad).

I'll draw a winner on April 1st (no foolin') at 8pm CST.  Giveaway CLOSED! Congrats, Samantha! 

{PS...this is not a sponsored post.  Just a little somethin' from me to you. :) Happy spring!}

Don't Make Me Come Up There (a very special book giveaway)

Remember my friend and real-life next door neighbor, Kristen?  

Well, she has a BOOK!!! 

{Yes, I live next door to a famous author...and sweet tea addict, but that's for another post.}

Let me tell you about the book....

Kristen's book is called Don't Make Me Come Up There: quiet moments for busy moms.  Moms, you are going to love this book.

If you read Kristen's blog, you already know that she can make you laugh and tug at your heartstrings all in the same post.  The book is the same.  In each short chapter, Kristen will have you laughing, crying or nodding along with her stories about family and faith.  Every chapter ends with a Bible verse and prayer....it's the perfect quiet escape in a busy mom's day.

 
{I keep a copy in my car and read a chapter or two while waiting for kiddo to come out of school.}

Oh!  And do you want to SEE sweet Kristen?  Here she is in her book promo video...isn't she adorable?!?

"Don't Make Me Come Up There" Blog Tour Promo from Derek Harvey on Vimeo.

I've talked before about what a GOOD person Kristen is.  Here's more proof: all proceeds from her book are going to the charity she and her husband started, The Mercy House.  The Mercy House is a maternity home in Kenya; you can read more about it here.

So, do you want a copy of Don't Make Me Come Up There?  
I think you do.  TWO Bake at 350 readers will win a copy.  Here's how to enter: Giveaway closed. Congrats to jennaseverythingblog & pam!

• Leave a comment here telling me if you would keep the book for yourself or give it to another mom.

For an extra entry (leave a separate comment):

• Visit The Mercy House website and leave a comment letting me know that you did.

Random winner will be chosen on Thursday, March 24st at 8pm CST. Giveaway closed. Congrats jennaseverythingblog & pam!

Make sure to include your email if your comment name doesn't link to one.  Good luck!

Modern Bird Studios (very cool giveaway!)

It may come as a shock, but occasionally I think of things other that food.  (Usually, these thoughts come while I'm snacking.)

Anyway....I ran across Modern Bird Studios over at Today's Creative Blog one day and was just blown away.

This husband and wife team take a photograph and TRANSFORM it into the coolest art piece using wood and paint.

{Not only do they produce these incredible works of art, but Gregg & Megan are just some of the funniest people around.  They even interviewed me for their blog....ever wondered who would win a cage match between powdered sugar and granulated sugar?  We discuss.}

To say that I love our piece from Modern Bird is an understatement.  Seeing it in person, my husband & I were just amazed by how cool it turned out.

We used this picture of kiddo:


And here is the finished product from Modern Bird:


Wow, right?  It's in our office and it makes me so happy every time I see it. 

SO.  Modern Bird Studios is offering one winner a $250 gift certificate!!!  Wow!


To enter (required):

• Go check out the Modern Bird Studios Portfolio and leave a comment with your favorite piece.

Want extra entries?  Yes, you do. (Leave a separate comment for each.):

• Follow Modern Bird on Twitter
• Like Modern Bird on Facebook
• Tweet it! Tweet

{Open to US and Canada. Previous winners not eligible. Winner will be chosen Thursday, February 24th, 8pm CST.}

Want to make a purchase now?  Enter code BAKEAT350 for a 15% discount.

Because I love you. . .

...and it's Valentine's Day....I saw this adorable little heart-shaped whisk and measuring spoon set on Saturday, and I bought one for me and one for YOU!!!

 {Naughty cat not included.}

Seriously, I think this ♥ whisk makes me more giddy than anything from Tiffany's could.
{But Mr. E, you are welcome to try.}

Through tomorrow at midnight, leave a comment here about something you LOVE and you'll be entered to win! giveaway closed. ♥

Spike says, "Happy Valentine's Day!"

Print YOUR Blog in Book Form! (Works for Me Wednesday)

Several months ago, I mentioned a great company called Blog2Print.  They actually print your blog in book form.

Whether you are a food blogger, or a craft blogger, or a mommy blogger, or a home blogger....or even if you aren't, but you know a blogger.....this is such a cool idea!

When my book came in the mail, I opened it and saw cookies and baking projects that I had already forgotten about.  And I LOVE that kiddo will be able to look back on it someday...and maybe even try some of the recipes!


 
Blog2Print and I are teaming up for the Blissdom blog conference.  I leave for the conference in Nashville tomorrow (and guess who is my roomie!), but while I'm there.....

Blog2Print is offering one of you a $40 credit to print your own book!

To enter:

• go take a look at Blog2Print's site...and then leave a comment here telling why you would love to print your blog....or maybe you would print someone else's blog as a gift for them.

Extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

• tweet it!Tweet
• follow Blog2Print on twitter

Blog2Print works for me!!!

{If you will be at Blissdom, please come say "hi!"  I'd love to meet you and I'll have my B2P book with me if you'd like to see one up close! And if you're not going, be sure to follow the fun on twitter using the #blissdom hashtag.}


{Drawing will be held Sunday, January 30th at noon, CST. Good luck!} giveaway now closed.

I *heart* Good Books! (a giveaway x 2)

I love a good book.  Just ask my local library, where my fines are currently....$11.70.

Since it's so close to Christmas, I'm giving away TWO fabulous books today. Both would make wonderful gifts for the holidays!

ONE:  The Reluctant Entertainer : Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality by Sandy Coughlin

You've probably heard of Sandy before.  She blogs over at, big surprise, Reluctant Entertainer. {Isn't she adorable?}

I needed this book.  I love the IDEA of entertaining.  I dream, I make plans....and then I think, "I don't like my kitchen curtains. The grout in the bathroom needs resealing. If only the backyard were landscaped. There's a red wine stain on the rug....and on and on...."  {Do you do this, too?}

Well, Sandy has made me a changed woman.  Entertaining is not about being Martha Stewart (love you, Martha); it's about hospitality.  It's about the people you'd like to invite into your home and get to know better. It's ok to entertain even if you don't have 8 matching soup bowls.

Reluctant Entertainer is filled with entertaining tips, advice and even easy recipes. You'll love it! And I think you will be inspired to open up your home and your heart. ♥

Two: 1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes by Sandra Salamony and Gina Brown

I had heard a lot about this book because so many of my favorite bloggy friends are featured in it: Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie, Amanda from i am baker and Marian from Sweetopia to name just a few.

Well, if you want some baking inspiration, this is the book for you!  It is PACKED with gorgeous, inventive cookies, cupcakes and cakes.  I was wowed on every page.

The book doesn't have step-by-step instructions, but in the back of the book, it does list the elements used, such as fondant, royal icing, etc.

This is another QUICK giveaway....the winners will be picked Thursday, December 16th at 8pm CST.

Giveaway closed.

To enter: tell me your current favorite entertaining or cookbook (...and whether or not you already have one of these books at home.)


Extra entry: tweet it! (Leave a separate comment, please.)  Tweet

***Giveaway now closed.***

C is for Cookie (a yummy giveaway)

While I love sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite.  One day, I received an email asking if I'd like to try the famous crispy chocolate chip cookies from Tate's Bake Shop.  I thought about it for all of about 1/4 of a millisecond and said, "YES!"

The cookies arrived along with a copy of the Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook.   The box of chocolate chip cookies lasted about 2 minutes.  My boys and I DEVOURED them!

Here's Mr. E's review, "These are the best crispy chocolate chip cookies I've ever eaten."

Here's what I like about them....

1. they're delicious...that's the most important thing,
2. they look homemade,
3. they're perfect to have on hand or give as a gift.

I'm not the only one who thinks so....take a look at this write up in Everyday with Rachel Ray:

And, the cookbook....the forward is by Ina Garten.  Right there, I'm sold.  Ina knows her stuff.  As a matter of fact, I'm thinking that moving to the Hamptons to be near Kathleen King (From Tate's) and Ina just might be my idea of heaven.


Here's a sampling of recipes from the book:

• Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies,
• Lemon Pound Cake
• Blueberry and White Chocolate Tart

Tate's has a treat for one of you, too!!!  One of you lucky ducks will win....

....a Cookie and Bar Tower (included 3 kinds of cookies, blondies and brownies!!!)

....and a Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook!!!

To enter (and this is a quickie, ends Sunday, Dec. 12th, 8pm CST): Giveaway closed

• visit Tate's website and leave a comment here with the the item you'd most like to try.

Extra entry: Tweet it (leave a separate comment letting me know you did)!  Tweet

THERE'S MORE!!!  Bake at 350 readers will receive 15% off any purchase from Tate's now through December 31st with the code: cookie 

***Giveaway now closed***

Bake at 350 turns 3! (That's 21 in blog years.)

Three years ago. Three years ago I started this blog with a riveting post.

{I was afraid to say anything.}

And then there was the next one, equally riveting.

{Thankfully I've gotten over my fear of expressing myself and now my post titles are longer than those first 2 posts combined.  Case in point...this title.}

I want to thank you.  Thank you for reading posts with 127 pictures of the same cookie.  Thank you for putting up with a post about "salad" containing Snickers.   Thank you for EVERYTHING!  Obviously, Bake at 350 wouldn't be the same without each and every one of you.
This blog wouldn't be here without something else.  My red KitchenAid stand mixer.  I bought it 13 years ago and I WISH I kept track of how many THOUSANDS of cookies that baby has help me make.

Not only does it make cookies, but it makes homemade bread dough and brownies and frosting, OH MY!  That red mixer is a fixture in my life!  I love what the KitchenAid website says, it "does everything but hug your kids."

 So, how would you like to celebrate with me?

Someone is going to win a KitchenAid Candy Apple Red Artisan Stand Mixer (with a glass bowl) *squee*!!!  

{I mean, is that the prettiest thing you've EVER seen?!? I'd rather have this than a new car. Promise to send me pictures!}

This is a brand new edition....not the anniversary edition...it just came out in October.  Not only can you use it to whip up a batch of cookies or knead bread dough....with the attachments, this baby can make ice cream, homemade pasta and even stuff sausage!

To enter (required)... (giveaway has ended)

1. Leave a comment with what you would name this little beauty (I'm thinking Ruby....or Betty).

For 2 extra entries...

1. Leave a separate comment with your favorite recipe or cookie design from Bake at 350 over the last 3 years,
2. Tweet it!
Tweet

{The mixer is very, very generously provided by KitchenAid. In case you're wondering, no, I didn't get one....the prize is ALL FOR YOU!}

The giveaway will run though November 26th.  GIVEAWAY CLOSED...jlj914 was the winner...congratulations!

BEAUTIFUL Hand-Painted Tiles & Trivets (a giveaway)

Have you met Renee of Kudos Kitchen before?  Maybe you remember Renee as a cookie maker (and University of Cookie professor), creating the most beautiful PAINTED cookies.  But earlier this year, Renee hung up her apron and started making art that wouldn't be, well, eaten.

Renee is an artist and she makes the prettiest, hand-painted tiles and trivets you've ever seen.  Check out the one she made for me:

*squee*  Can you believe she recreated my blog header?!?

Well, Renee was kind enough to offer one of her holiday tiles to one of you!!!

Whether for your own kitchen, or for a friend (Christmas is right around the corner, you know), you are going to be amazed by Renee's talent!  She truly does have a gift.


Here's what you need to do to enter the giveaway:

• Visit Kudos Kitchen holiday portfolio page and leave a comment here with your favorite,
• For an additional entry, tweet about giveaway and leave a separate comment here letting me know you did. Tweet

{Thank you, Renee, for the beautiful tile!  I just LOVE it!}

Winner will be selected, Tuesday, November 9th at 8pm CST.  Good Luck!