Blogs
I will be keeping up with my progress through blogs and explaining what I am doing.
|
Week One
Planning: During my first week of the genius hour, I decided to go ahead and dive into cooking. I decided to get in the fall spirit and make pumpkin cookies. So I mostly had all the ingredients, so I decided to just go ahead and get to cooking!
In the Kitchen:This week I decided to make oatmeal chocolate chunk pumpkin spice cookies. In order to make this recipe, I started off by laying out my ingredients so that I could stay organized. Then I go my mixer out and began. I started off by adding the mixture of oatmeal, flour, sugar, and salt into the mixer. Then I added one stick of softened butter and began to mix. Next, I cracked one egg into the bowl and added two tablespoons of water. Then I started up the mixer again and mixed until I had a dough-like consistency. Then I took my bowl off the mixer and began to roll medium-sized balls, then place them on the pan. After I was finished with that I placed them in the oven at 350' degrees for twelve minutes.
Aftermath: When the cookies came out of the oven they looked and smelled good, but I guess looks can be deceiving. The cookies were very... Um, I guess you could say spicey. My friends and I all believe that they have way too much pumpkin spice. So, to wrap this up I believe that next time I make cookies I will put less spice and maybe bake them for less time. So to add this baking experience gets a solid 5/10!
In the Kitchen:This week I decided to make oatmeal chocolate chunk pumpkin spice cookies. In order to make this recipe, I started off by laying out my ingredients so that I could stay organized. Then I go my mixer out and began. I started off by adding the mixture of oatmeal, flour, sugar, and salt into the mixer. Then I added one stick of softened butter and began to mix. Next, I cracked one egg into the bowl and added two tablespoons of water. Then I started up the mixer again and mixed until I had a dough-like consistency. Then I took my bowl off the mixer and began to roll medium-sized balls, then place them on the pan. After I was finished with that I placed them in the oven at 350' degrees for twelve minutes.
Aftermath: When the cookies came out of the oven they looked and smelled good, but I guess looks can be deceiving. The cookies were very... Um, I guess you could say spicey. My friends and I all believe that they have way too much pumpkin spice. So, to wrap this up I believe that next time I make cookies I will put less spice and maybe bake them for less time. So to add this baking experience gets a solid 5/10!
Week Two
Planning: For the second week of Genius Hour, I decided to make Cinnamon Roll Blonde bars. I already had all of the ingredients, so I got to get right to cooking.
In the Kitchen: This week I decided to make Cinnamon Roll Blonde Bars. So, I started off by organizing all of my ingredients, so that I would not get frustrated and have a mess. After I got all of my ingredients laid out I got my bowl and got started. So to start with I Added my flour, sugar, and baking powder mixture. Then, I added three tablespoons of softened butter and cracked two eggs into my bowl, then began to mix the ingredients together. After that, I added half a cup of melted butter and mixed that in. Then I put my mixture into a square pan and evened that out. Then In a separate bowl, I mixed together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and then added three tablespoons of softened butter. After that, I took the sugar mixture and added it on top of my swirling it in. Then, I put the blond bars into the oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. While my blond bars were baking I started to make my icing by mixing together powdered sugar and water. Lastly, I pulled out the blond bars and added the icing topping. Done!
Aftermath: When I took the Blond bars out of the oven they smelled AMAZING! They also tasted really good as well. The only bad thing was I think I added a little too much sugar, but overall they were really good. So overall I rate it an 8/10.
In the Kitchen: This week I decided to make Cinnamon Roll Blonde Bars. So, I started off by organizing all of my ingredients, so that I would not get frustrated and have a mess. After I got all of my ingredients laid out I got my bowl and got started. So to start with I Added my flour, sugar, and baking powder mixture. Then, I added three tablespoons of softened butter and cracked two eggs into my bowl, then began to mix the ingredients together. After that, I added half a cup of melted butter and mixed that in. Then I put my mixture into a square pan and evened that out. Then In a separate bowl, I mixed together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and then added three tablespoons of softened butter. After that, I took the sugar mixture and added it on top of my swirling it in. Then, I put the blond bars into the oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. While my blond bars were baking I started to make my icing by mixing together powdered sugar and water. Lastly, I pulled out the blond bars and added the icing topping. Done!
Aftermath: When I took the Blond bars out of the oven they smelled AMAZING! They also tasted really good as well. The only bad thing was I think I added a little too much sugar, but overall they were really good. So overall I rate it an 8/10.
Week Three
Planning: For the third week of Genius Hour I decided to make Oreo balls, but with a fall twist. I decided to make them look like pumpkins! To do this I had to go by the store and grab a few ingredients. Then I got right to cooking.
In the Kitchen: So, once I go into the kitchen I started off by organizing the ingredients and getting the correct measurements for everything. After I did this I go into the fun part, Cooking! So to start I took a whole package of Oreo, placed them in a zip lock bag, and then crushed them up with a rolling pin. After I did this I combined the crushed Oreo crumbs and a block of cream cheese into a bowl. Then after completely combining the two things I used an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture then I rolled it into medium-sized balls. After I finished rolling the mixture into balls I popped them into the freezer for 15 minutes to chill. Then, I melted my melting chocolate and mixed it in orange food coloring. After the chocolate was melted I dipped the balls in and added half a pretzel stick and an m&m to the top to get the pumpkin look.
Aftermath: Overall this is definitely my favorite recipe yet and I definitely recommend that you try to make it too. Overall, I rate this recipe a solid 8/10.
In the Kitchen: So, once I go into the kitchen I started off by organizing the ingredients and getting the correct measurements for everything. After I did this I go into the fun part, Cooking! So to start I took a whole package of Oreo, placed them in a zip lock bag, and then crushed them up with a rolling pin. After I did this I combined the crushed Oreo crumbs and a block of cream cheese into a bowl. Then after completely combining the two things I used an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture then I rolled it into medium-sized balls. After I finished rolling the mixture into balls I popped them into the freezer for 15 minutes to chill. Then, I melted my melting chocolate and mixed it in orange food coloring. After the chocolate was melted I dipped the balls in and added half a pretzel stick and an m&m to the top to get the pumpkin look.
Aftermath: Overall this is definitely my favorite recipe yet and I definitely recommend that you try to make it too. Overall, I rate this recipe a solid 8/10.
Week 4
Planning: For today's recipe, I decided to switch it up from sweets and do something a little different. I decided to make sausage balls and I didn't have all the ingredients needed. So, you know what that means, I had to go to the grocery store. After I got my ingredients I headed home and got right to cooking.
In the Kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my bowl and first added three cups of Bisquick one pound of shredded cheese, then I added one pound of sausage. Then I mixed all of those ingredients together and after it was all mixed I started to roll the mixture into little balls. Lastly, I popped the balls into the oven at three hundred degrees for twenty-five minutes.
Aftermath: When the Sausage balls came out of the oven they smelled amazing and looked amazing too. They were also just as good as they tasted. In conclusion, I rate this recipe a solid 9/10.
In the Kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my bowl and first added three cups of Bisquick one pound of shredded cheese, then I added one pound of sausage. Then I mixed all of those ingredients together and after it was all mixed I started to roll the mixture into little balls. Lastly, I popped the balls into the oven at three hundred degrees for twenty-five minutes.
Aftermath: When the Sausage balls came out of the oven they smelled amazing and looked amazing too. They were also just as good as they tasted. In conclusion, I rate this recipe a solid 9/10.
Week 5
Planning: For today's recipe, I decided to make S'more cookies. I found this recipe on pinterest and decided I would give it a try. I did however have to go to the grocery store and get some ingredients. So, I took a quick trip to the grocery store and then got home and got to cooking.
In the kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my mixer and added in my butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. I then mixed that until it became a fluffy texture. Then I added the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and cornstarch. I mixed this until I got a dough like consistency and lastly added in the chocolate chips and marshmallows. Then I poped the cookies in the oven for eleven minuets at 350 degrees. Then the cookies were done!
Aftermath:The cookies looked and smelled amazing when I pulled them out of the oven. They were AMAZING and melted in my mouth. I rate this a solid 9.5/10!
In the kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my mixer and added in my butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. I then mixed that until it became a fluffy texture. Then I added the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and cornstarch. I mixed this until I got a dough like consistency and lastly added in the chocolate chips and marshmallows. Then I poped the cookies in the oven for eleven minuets at 350 degrees. Then the cookies were done!
Aftermath:The cookies looked and smelled amazing when I pulled them out of the oven. They were AMAZING and melted in my mouth. I rate this a solid 9.5/10!
Week 6
Planning: For today's recipe, I decided to make pumpkin muffins as kind of like a tribute to thanksgiving. I luckily had all of the ingredients already at my house. So, I got right into cooking!
In the kitchen: So, to start, I always set my ingredients out first and get my supplies all organized. This is to help me stay organized and to prevent me from becoming frustrated. Then I got a bowl out and started to bake. I started off by adding in 1 and 2/3 a cup of flower, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 a teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt, and then I mixed all of those dry ingredients together. Next, I added in some wet ingredients starting with, 2 eggs, 3/4 a cup of sugar, 1/2 a cup brown sugar, 1/2 a cup of oil, 1 and 1/4 cup of pumpkin pure, then 1/4 cup of milk. I mixed all of those ingredients together until combined and then I scooped ice cream scoop sized amounts of dough into the muffin pans. Then I put it into the oven at 350 degrees for 16 minutes until done. Then I pulled them out of the oven and they smelled amazing.
After math: They tasted really good but, had a little too much spice in them. I rate this a 7/10 and think I could definitely do better. So i'm going to try and work on watching how much spice I put in the future.
In the kitchen: So, to start, I always set my ingredients out first and get my supplies all organized. This is to help me stay organized and to prevent me from becoming frustrated. Then I got a bowl out and started to bake. I started off by adding in 1 and 2/3 a cup of flower, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 a teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt, and then I mixed all of those dry ingredients together. Next, I added in some wet ingredients starting with, 2 eggs, 3/4 a cup of sugar, 1/2 a cup brown sugar, 1/2 a cup of oil, 1 and 1/4 cup of pumpkin pure, then 1/4 cup of milk. I mixed all of those ingredients together until combined and then I scooped ice cream scoop sized amounts of dough into the muffin pans. Then I put it into the oven at 350 degrees for 16 minutes until done. Then I pulled them out of the oven and they smelled amazing.
After math: They tasted really good but, had a little too much spice in them. I rate this a 7/10 and think I could definitely do better. So i'm going to try and work on watching how much spice I put in the future.
Week 7
Planning: This week I was kind of stumped on what to make but I was thinking of my favorite ice cream, Cookies and Cream! So I decided to make it into a cookie. I didn't have all the ingredients, so I decided to take a trip to the grocery store.
In the Kitchen: When I got back from the store I laid out all of my ingredients and got the kitchen all organized. So, after that I got right into cooking. To start with I added in 2 and 3/4 cups of flour, then 1 tsp of baking soda, 1/2 tsp of salt. That was all of my dry ingredients and then mixed it together. Next I Added in 3/4 cups of brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and two large eggs. I mixed all of that together and then one cup of unsalted butter. Lastly, I added in two cups of chopped oreos and then one cup of chocolate chips. I mixed all of those ingredients together and then started scooping out dough and rolling it into balls. Then, I put the pans in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Aftermath: When I pulled the cookies out they smelled amazing, and they also tasted amazing. All my friends loved them and gave them a 9.5/10. Personally I give them a 9/10. I would most definitely recommend these cookies.
In the Kitchen: When I got back from the store I laid out all of my ingredients and got the kitchen all organized. So, after that I got right into cooking. To start with I added in 2 and 3/4 cups of flour, then 1 tsp of baking soda, 1/2 tsp of salt. That was all of my dry ingredients and then mixed it together. Next I Added in 3/4 cups of brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and two large eggs. I mixed all of that together and then one cup of unsalted butter. Lastly, I added in two cups of chopped oreos and then one cup of chocolate chips. I mixed all of those ingredients together and then started scooping out dough and rolling it into balls. Then, I put the pans in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Aftermath: When I pulled the cookies out they smelled amazing, and they also tasted amazing. All my friends loved them and gave them a 9.5/10. Personally I give them a 9/10. I would most definitely recommend these cookies.
Week 8
Planning: This week I was low on time and needed something easy and quick. So I decided to make peppermint bark, so I could get into the holiday spirit. I didn't have the Ingredients so I had to take a quick trip to Lowes foods.
In the kitchen: I got back to the kitchen and I laid my ingredients out and got started. I started off by getting a bowl out and melting the milk chocolate melts for 30 seconds, but something went wrong within 2 seconds because my bowl started sparking ALOT! The bowl I had put my chocolates in had a gold decorative line around the top that was sparkable. So I switched bowls. After the chocolate was melted i poured it evenly into a tray and chilled it for 5 minutes, then melted my white chocolate for 30 seconds. Then I mixed in a drop of peppermint extract and peppermint crumbles into the white chocolate. After that I put an even layer of the white chocolate mixture on top of the milk chocolate, then put peppermint crumbles on top. Lastly I placed the tray in the fridge for 15 minutes and then broke it apart.
Aftermath: The peppermint bark didn't look perfect but it tasted really good. I think next time I should add less peppermint oil, but over all it was really good for my first time making peppermint bark. I give this week a 7/10!
In the kitchen: I got back to the kitchen and I laid my ingredients out and got started. I started off by getting a bowl out and melting the milk chocolate melts for 30 seconds, but something went wrong within 2 seconds because my bowl started sparking ALOT! The bowl I had put my chocolates in had a gold decorative line around the top that was sparkable. So I switched bowls. After the chocolate was melted i poured it evenly into a tray and chilled it for 5 minutes, then melted my white chocolate for 30 seconds. Then I mixed in a drop of peppermint extract and peppermint crumbles into the white chocolate. After that I put an even layer of the white chocolate mixture on top of the milk chocolate, then put peppermint crumbles on top. Lastly I placed the tray in the fridge for 15 minutes and then broke it apart.
Aftermath: The peppermint bark didn't look perfect but it tasted really good. I think next time I should add less peppermint oil, but over all it was really good for my first time making peppermint bark. I give this week a 7/10!
Week 9
Planning: This week I was craving some sort of dip with chips. So, I decided to make a Corn Dip that my grandma always makes me when I go to her house. I already had all of the ingredients, so I got right to cooking!
In the Kitchen: As soon as I got into the kitchen I laid all of my ingredients out,so that I could stay organized. Then I started with my dish that I was going to bake the dip in and I added in One can of canned corn, and four ounces of cream cheese. I put this into the microwave for about a minute or until the creme cheese was softened. I then Mix those two things together and add in 1-2 diced up jalapenos and I mix that in. Then lastly I add in one cup of cheese mix that then add some shredded cheese on top of the dip. I then placed the dip into the oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes.
Aftermath: I took the dip out of the oven and it looked and smelled amazing. Me and my mom then tried the dip and we both loved it! The dip was really good with tortilla chips and I rate this recipe a 10/10.
In the Kitchen: As soon as I got into the kitchen I laid all of my ingredients out,so that I could stay organized. Then I started with my dish that I was going to bake the dip in and I added in One can of canned corn, and four ounces of cream cheese. I put this into the microwave for about a minute or until the creme cheese was softened. I then Mix those two things together and add in 1-2 diced up jalapenos and I mix that in. Then lastly I add in one cup of cheese mix that then add some shredded cheese on top of the dip. I then placed the dip into the oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes.
Aftermath: I took the dip out of the oven and it looked and smelled amazing. Me and my mom then tried the dip and we both loved it! The dip was really good with tortilla chips and I rate this recipe a 10/10.
Week 10
Planning: This week I was thinking of what to make and then I thought back to when I made sausage balls a little while back. Well I never really was super happy with how they turned out so I thought to myself, How could I make this better? Well SPICY SAUSAGE! So, that's exactly what I decided to use! I needed to go to the grocery store to get some ingredients first though. So I got all of my ingredients and got right to cooking.
In the Kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my bowl and first added three cups of Bisquick one pound of shredded cheese, then I added one pound of spicy sausage. Then I mixed all of those ingredients together and after it was all mixed I started to roll the mixture into little balls. Lastly, I popped the balls into the oven at three hundred degrees for twenty-five minutes.
Aftermath: The sausage balls of course smelled amazing and so me and my dad tried them. They were so good and the spicy sausage really made a difference. I was most definitely happy with the results this time and they had lots of flavour. I rate this a 9.5/10.
In the Kitchen: So, to start off with I gathered all the ingredients and organized them, so I would not get frustrated or make a big mess. Then, I grabbed my bowl and first added three cups of Bisquick one pound of shredded cheese, then I added one pound of spicy sausage. Then I mixed all of those ingredients together and after it was all mixed I started to roll the mixture into little balls. Lastly, I popped the balls into the oven at three hundred degrees for twenty-five minutes.
Aftermath: The sausage balls of course smelled amazing and so me and my dad tried them. They were so good and the spicy sausage really made a difference. I was most definitely happy with the results this time and they had lots of flavour. I rate this a 9.5/10.
Week 11
Planning:
This week I was scrolling through my Tik Tok feed like everyone dose whenever they have nothing else better to do, and I stumbled across a video of some people making these very interesting brownies. So I decided to make them. They are a Oreo and chocolate chip brownie and I didn't have all the ingredients so I had to take a trip to the store. In the kitchen: So, after I got home with all of my ingredients, I started to organizing all my mixing tools, and get a bowl out. First I made the brownie component by adding in the brownie mix, two eggs, 1/4 a cup of water, and 1/2 cup of oil, then mixing it all together. Then, I took my chocolate chip cookie dough and evenly spread it out across the bottom of the rectangle pan, then added the brownie mix on top, and lastly a couple of Oreos. I then placed it into the oven for thirty minuets at three hundred fifty degrees. After math: When I pulled the brownies out they smelled amazing and looked really good. Although looks can be deceiving because as you can see in the picture above the brownies were a little gooey. They were still really good but it wouldn't have hurt for them to have cooked a little longer. Overall I rate this week a 7/10. |
Week 12
Planning:
This week since it was so close to Christmas, me and my family decided to continue our tradition of making Christmas treats with my grandma. Since we were baking at her house all I had to do was show up at her house. In the Kitchen: When we arrived at my grandmas house everything was already set out, organized, and ready to go. We decided to make hay stacks and rollo pretzel candies. To make the rollo candies I first laid out square pretzels onto a baking pan and then started to place one rollo candy on each pretzel. Then I placed the pan in the oven for 2 minuets, then lastly I took them out of the oven, and placed one m&m on top of each rollo. Then I left them cool for an hour. Next we made the hay stacks and I started off by melting the butterscotch. Then I mixed the chow main noodle, peanuts, and butterscotch together. Then I plopped little blobs of the hay stack mixture on to parchment paper and let them dry for an hour. Aftermath: These candies were very good and my whole family loved them. I rate this a 10/10. |