Yay!  Look what one of my employees, Lucinda, got for me!!!

I arrived yesterday morning and found this adorable mat on my desk.

Some have asked “what’s up with the gnomes?  Does Kat have a weird obsession or something?”  The answer is no, I do not have a weird obsession.  I just like them; they’re cheerful, mischievous, and funny.  The gnome thing actually got started about 6 or 7 years ago when I impulse-bought a bunch of them at a garage sale.  The intent was to find more and then go “gnome” my brother Kip’s front yard,  but I never got enough for the project.  In the meantime, they’d made themselves at home at my place.  Then I started using them as the hosts for my Christmas parties… they even kidnapped Santa one year and the invitation was a ransom note from the gnomes. 

Anyway, the gnome mat is a fun addition to the shop’s decor- a big THANK YOU to Lucinda!!!

This is our cold case!  Look at all those puddings, cobblers, and PIES!!!

We currently have one position open.  Please read the qualifications and job description below and if you meet these criteria, please feel free to submit a resume to Amanda, the manager of the underground kitchen, at amanda(at)muddysbakeshop.com

Position: baker at underground kitchen in Midtown
-Shift is 6am-1pm Tuesday through Saturday

-This is a full-time position and we are ONLY accepting applications from candidates who are interested in working for us long term; absolutely no summer, seasonal, or other short-term applicants please.

-Applicants must be fully competent bakers and commercial baking experience is preferred.  Food service experience of any kind is also a plus.

-The pace in a professional kitchen is very different from baking as a hobby, so speed and efficiency are very important.  Candidate must be able to produce cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, etc in high volume while maintaining quality and consistency.

-Necessary characteristics include: punctuality, dependability, responsibility, maturity, ability to prioritize and efficiently organize tasks, baking skill, a strong work ethic, friendliness, professionalism, strength of character, desire to serve, great attitude and lots of energy

-Must be willing to not only work, but work extra hours, during peak bakery times, which happen to be when the rest of the population is taking time off (before all major holidays).  We close the bakery Thanksgiving weekend as well as a week after Christmas so employees can spend time with their families, but we do need all hands on deck right up until these holidays.  This is not negotiable.

If you are interested in making a career at Muddy’s Bake Shop, please send your resume and references to amanda(at)muddysbakeshop.com

THANKS!

Ok, so life didn’t really hand me Captain Crunch so much as I accidentally purchased Cap’n Crunch instead of Rice Krispies… the generic brands swap the colors of the two, so I just grabbed the blue box!  Zounds!

I had the butter and marshmallows already melted when I realized my grievous error and there was no way I was trekking out in the storm to get new cereal, so I thought I’d try my luck with the Rice Krispies recipe but using Cap’n Crunch.  I was going to make little rice krispy treats to dip in chocolate, but the Cap’n Crunch didn’t roll into balls very easily, so I improvised.  I shoved that sticky sugar-overload mixture into a bundt pan and pressed it into shape, then let it cool.

While the “cake” was cooling, I melted 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate on the stove.  When chocolate was melted, I turned out the “cake” onto the stand and then drizzled chocolate all ove the top, then added some sprinkles on top of the chocolate.

I’m not going to say this is the best dessert I’ve ever made, because it’s definitely not!  However, it’s really easy, has only five ingredients, tastes like sugar, and doesn’t involve much wait time so it’s probably a pretty good activity to do on a rainy day with kids.  I’m definitely going to keep this in the repertoire for when the nieces and nephews come visit, but I’ll probably use rice krispies… the Cap’n Crunch is just too much sugar to combine with marshmallows!

Ok, I’m veering into personal life adventures with this post, but just bear with me as I brag a little about my truly excellent taste in men.

Today is my 28th birthday.  For my birthday, Thomas arranged twelve items (mostly in envelopes) on our coffee table.  Each item had a large numeral on it; there were also dice.  So I got to play ‘birthday craps’ for my presents (actually, I got numbers 6 and 8 when I woke up this morning… chai latte and bagel).

I got to roll the dice and open the corresponding envelope.  He had arranged an assortment of ‘real presents’ (like a dinner date and Anthropologie gift card) and funnies (like a tickle attack and a ‘cougar’ postcard he made… I’m all of 28 days older).  He is so creative and I had so much fun.   Also, I highly recommend birthday craps to anyone; what a great way to open presents and celebrate a birthday!  Thanks  T!!!

Yippee skippee!

I got to go on Fox 13 WHBQ’s morning show this morning and chat with Valerie Calhoun about cupcakes as an alternative to wedding cakes. Huzzah!

Valerie is super-nice and the whole crew was really fun. I got to nosh some sweet baked goods for my morning sugar rush with Valerie, Curtis, and Leon and crew. The whole gang is so fun and I loved getting to see the news show in progress.

Check out the clip HERE!