Makin' the Switch

So, I've decided to switch blogging platforms from Blogspot to Wordpress. The reason being is that if I ever decide to go to a professional domain, it will be much easier to do from Wordpress than from Blogger. Plus, Wordpress has more widgets, plugins, and theme options to make my blog more professional and unique.

Head on over to the new pixiedustkitchen, and be sure to follow me on Bloglovin'!

Cake Batter Cookies

Also known as the best, most addictive, softest cookies ever.  



I made these a few weeks ago for my roommates and they were gone about five days later! I may or may not have had some for breakfast multiple times.

The recipe is from sallysbakingaddiction, so go on over there to make these cookies.

Like seriously, do it. you won't regret it.

The Perfect Pie Crust

That title doesn't lie. I have been using this same recipe since I was eight years old- that's over half my life! (Twelve years, to be exact.)

Of course, I've changed bits and pieces of it here and there over the years, but essentially, it remains the same. It's not my own recipe- if I was developing recipes at eight years old I can assure you I would not be a music major and in fact, be at pastry school. (Or already working full time at Disney, whatever.)

A bit of background: Every year as a child my family would take a fall trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is best in the fall because everyone else is trying to take last-minute beach trips and then there are the weird, slightly nerdy families like mine that go to a living history museum. I highly recommend it.

On one of those such trips, I purchased a book told from the perspective of a (real) eight year old girl at the time of the American Revolution. This book included a pie recipe, and as eight year old me often did, I dreamed of this recipe until I could go home and make it.

And now I am sharing it with all of you. (Sans photos, because pictures (and hardcore baking in general) are slightly impossible in my tiny dorm kitchen)

This pie crust has it all- flaky layers, golden brown edges, and goes perfectly with apple pie, a la mode.

Or just apple pie in general. Or just plain crust; pre-baked. I mean what. 

It stars your basic cast of pie crust characters: Flour, salt, an egg, and some sort of fat. Butter is my fat of choice.  It makes the crust flakier, fluffier, and melt-in-your-mouthier. Simply mix your flour and salt, and cut in your fat. I start with a pastry cutter (or two knives here in Florida) and then I mix with my hands. Once that's all crumbly and mixed, I drop in water until it's all together and mixed well.  I chill the dough to congeal the fat and make the dough easier to use, then I roll it and fill it and bake it.

Make this recipe. It will be the only pie crust recipe you will ever need. 

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 egg lightly beaten

1/2 cup very cold water

Combine flour and salt.  Add the shortening and cut the mixture with a knife or a pastry blender until it is mealy.  Add the beaten egg and 1/4 of the water.  Gradually add the remaining water, if necessary, to make a soft pastry.  Chill well.  On a floured surface, roll out two round crusts about 1/8 inch thick. 

Disney Life

So, if you don't know, I work at Walt Disney World! Specifically, I am here on a temporary internship as part of the Disney College Program and I work in Outdoor foods at Hollywood Studios!

Life at Disney is amazing. I love working here; I love being in the parks, I love making magic for people.  There are downsides, of course; such as people who expect everything to be handed to them hand and foot, and having to clean out the ice cream machines aren't that fun either.

But otherwise, things are great. I love it.

As far as housing, Disney provides housing for all of their College Program interns. I share an apartment with three other wonderful girls who I love dearly. One of them is my childhood best friend and college roommate.

Basically, I love it here. I love Florida. I love Disney. I love my job. I miss my puppies and my boyfriend though. :( But I'll be home in two months to see them!

Long time, no talk!

HELLO EVERYONE!

Long time, no talk! I'm sorry about that! School breaks make me so lazy, and then I moved temporarily for an internship at...

... wait for it...

WALT DISNEY WORLD!

I'm working at Hollywood Studios in Outdoor Foods, and it is wonderful. There are a lot of cranky adults who get mad at me, but the little pirates and princesses I get to create magic for every day make up for it. And yes, even in ODF magic moments are created.

Like a few days ago, when a little girl and her grandmother walked up to the ice cream stand I was at and ordered a mickey premium bar. (Vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate in the shape of mickey.) I gave the girl her ice cream, then told her grandmother the price. The grandmother instantly said "Oh, that's way too expensive! Put that back."  However, the girl had already opened the ice cream. Fortunately, I hadn't finished ringing up the order, so I just said "don't worry about it, it's on Mickey." The grandmother thanked me, and then told the girl "tell this nice lady thank you!", then made her thank me a second time because she didn't smile. The little girl turned to me with the ice cream bar in her mouth and a huge smile on her face and said thanks, and it was so wonderful.

There are so many moments when I hand a kid ice cream, and they get so excited about having ice cream that looks like Mickey Mouse! I get so many comments saying "this is so awesome. I'm going to eat this right now. I'm so excited." It's just as magical for me as it is for the guests.

In baking news,  well, it's rather difficult to bake in a half-furnished kitchen in Disney College Program housing. I'm doing my best though! I've started working on a new recipe, Nutella fudge mini pies! I have a bit more development to do to perfect the recipe, and then I will share it here with you all, hopefully in time for Valentines Day!

Until then, have a magical day!