Pink Week Archives – Page 2 of 2

I love the baking process, from the measuring to the mixing to the pouring or scooping of the dough. I enjoy each and every element from start to finish. But, I know there are others out there that would rather get to the final product sooner, rather than later. A lot of my friends are in the later crowd. So for all of you that would rather eat the hot cookies right out of the oven, rather than measure, beat and scoop I have the perfect cookie for you.

These cookies are simple, require less than 5 ingredients, and no mixer. Oh, and they are incredibly easy to make! Cake mix cookies. That’s right, cookies that are made from cake mix and a few other ingredients. The options are endless; flavors can be customized not only by changing the cake mix flavor but also the add-ins.

Strawberry anything is one of my favorites. Fresh, ripe strawberries, strawberry cookies, strawberry cake, roasted strawberry ice cream, strawberry frosting…the list goes on and on. So when I decided to start playing around with cake mix, I decided to go with my favorite; strawberry.

These cookies start with a strawberry cake mix, to that you add some applesauce, eggs and I tossed in some chocolate chips. Chocolate and strawberries; I mean those go together like peas and carrots (Forrest Gump moment!). But seriously, chocolate and strawberries are one of my favorite flavor combinations and it’s such a classic. To amp up that strawberry flavor, substitute regular applesauce with some strawberry applesauce, just make sure it’s finely pureed before you add it!

These strawberry chocolate chip cookies are delicious. They are light, fluffy and slightly sweet with bits of chocolate morsels scattered throughout. Another plus for all of you quick cooks, there is no rolling shaping or forming, simply scoop the dough and plop on the cookie sheet. While they’re baking pour you a tall glass of ice cold milk and enjoy these cookies fresh out of the oven!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Package strawberry cake mix

2 Eggs

1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp applesauce

1/3 Cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.

Combine cake mix, eggs, and applesauce in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Once the ingredients are incorporated add the mini chocolate chips and stir to incorporate.

Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet (I used a scoop that was about 1 1/2 tablespoons), leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Place in preheated oven and bake between 8-10 minutes. Remove cookies and allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

This week in Arkansas people are gearing up for Race for the Cure. People will be making their way from all over the state to the capitol city, Little Rock, to gather in the streets of downtown dawning all shades of pink from head to toe and make their way from the starting line to the finish. All this to help raise awareness for breast cancer and to help find a cure. This is a disease that I believe is near and dear to everyone’s heart; everyone has probably been affected by this disease whether directly or indirectly. I’m an avid supporter of breast cancer research; not only because we need to find a cure for this type of cancer and all types of cancer but in August of 2004 I lost my MaMaw to her battle with breast cancer. I hate, hate, hate the “C” word and I believe many of you have mutual feelings about this. So in honor of Race for the Cure coming to Arkansas I’ll be having a “Week of Pink”, featuring foods that are pink or have pink in them to get into spirit for the race. Along with the “Week of Pink” I’ll also be donating all of this month’s blog revenue to the Komen Race for the Cure. Thanks for your support and we will but an end to this horrible disease.

Me and My MaMaw, Thanksgiving 1999

To kick things off this week I thought a fun and festive pink cocktail would be a perfect start to get people in the racing spirit. I know there are tons of pink tinted cocktails out there but I really wanted to do something with strawberries. Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits and I love the addition of fruits in cocktails. I started searching to find the perfect cocktail and when I came across the strawberry-basil martini from Food & Wine I knew I had found the perfect drink!

The combination of strawberries and basil is a classic combination. The two compliment each other wonderfully. The earthy and refreshing mint compliment the sweetness of the juicy strawberries, making it the perfect combination for a cocktail; not too sweet and not to bitter.

This cocktail is so simple to make and uses the freshest of ingredients to make a tasty and refreshing martini. The strawberries, mint, and a splash of simple syrup are combined and then muddled (the flavors are extracted by using a solid, thick post-like object that smash the ingredients together). After the flavors and oils are released by the muddling, the alcohols and fresh lime juice are added and the cocktail is giving a shake and then strained into a martini glass.

This cocktail is a light pink color making it perfect for Race for the cure or any other girl’s occasion. These bring a festive and fun punch of color to any table and are just as fun to drink!

Strawberry-Basil Martini

Ingredients:

3 Strawberries, plus 1
3 Basil leaves
1/2 Oz simple syrup
Ice
1 Oz gin
1 Oz vodka
1/2 Oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

Add 3 strawberries, basil leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle* them. Add the ice, gin, vodka and lime juice and shake well to combine. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with additional strawberry. Serve.

Recipe source: Food & Wine

Don’t Miss a Thing!

Pink Week

Footer

Don’t Miss a Thing!