a sweet start

This past year has been huge for one of my besties, the now Mrs Odette Annable. Not only did she say 'yes' to her real life leading man Dave Annable {that talented stud from tv show Brothers and Sisters, who were hitched in October} she also said 'yes' to FOX when they asked her to be one of their leading ladies on the new soon to be hit tv show, "Breaking In", premiering in April {also staring Christian Slater}.

So when she asked me if I would prepare something sweet for the cast and crew to celebrate the beginning of this new work chapter I said, "can't you go to Sprinkles"? Kidding! I said of course, of course!

This is another reason why I love my friend so much. Rather than being concerned with caloric consumption and one of the Atkins, Zone, sugar free, fun free diets that's out there, she's all about enjoying a balanced life style that includes the sweet stuff in life.

I put together a collection of my infamous Chocolate Chip cookies, Caramel Slice {the ones, The Mentalist Simon Baker loves}, Lemon Melts and some Coconut Madeleines.

Coconut Madeleines
1 stick of melted butter, now at room temperature
3 eggs at room temperature
2/3 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
1 cup of all purpose flour
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of sweetened coconut flakes

Preheat Oven to 375
Beat sugar, eggs and vanilla paste until light and fluffy {see above mixer pic for an idea of color and texture}. Once it's reached desired consistency and color, add butter.  In separate bowl sift together dry ingredients bar coconut flakes. Fold in dry ingredients and once even, add coconut and continue to mix until evenly incorporated.

Spoon around 1 tablespoon of batter into Madeleine pan {shell should be almost full}. Rap baking sheet on tabletop to remove any air bubbles. Bake for around 10 minutes {depending on the size of your shell} or until batter springs back to the touch, turning half way through. Place on drying rack and allow to cool. Dust with confectioners sugar.

If you put these little shells up to your ear, you might think you can hear the rumbling of the ocean, but you'd be mistaken. It's actually your tummy waiting to devour this sweet little treasure and you'd be crazy not to do so! Hope you enjoy these as much as we did :)

xo t