Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies

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Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies

chocolate salted caramel cookies

I always have to have something sweet in the house. Call it my vice or my weakness, but I just can't help myself. Cookies, cake, pudding, or chocolates, I'm not picky. It doesn't even have to be a big dessert; a small handful of chocolate chips will do.

Hello, my name is Kristin and I'm a sugarholic.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?

chocolate salted caramel cookies

Sometimes I'll clear the house of (aka completely devour) all of the chocolate and sugary snacks in an attempt to convince myself that I don't need them. I don't have to have a snack every single day. I don't need sugar to make me feel satisfied after a meal. Chocolate is not my best friend. These are the things I tell myself. But, really, who am I kidding? Chocolate is a woman's very best friend.

I usually make it a day or two (I think my record is three) before I cave and find myself in the candy aisle of the grocery store picking out sour gummy worms. I don't even like candy but, given a few days without my sugar fix, a girl tends to forget these things. If I still feel guilty about succumbing to the sugar cravings, I'll go to the baking aisle instead to buy important baking ingredients. You know, chocolate chips, toffee...

In my deepest, darkest, sugar deprived moment, I got out a spoon and a bag of brown sugar. Don't you dare judge me.

chocolate salted caramel cookies

These chocolate salted caramel cookies are sweet, salty, and oh so rich. The caramel melts into the cookie, bringing a soft caramel flavor to the chocolate, but it stays solid enough to form ooey gooey strings when you break a warm cookie in half. Decadent and delicious, these cookies will only leave you wanting more (and a tall glass of milk).

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Fleur de Sel Caramels

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Fleur de Sel Caramels

fleur de sel caramels

One of my new year's resolutions this year was to exercise more so this week I spent some quality time at the gym taking classes like Zumba and Power Tone. I also learned there is such a thing as overdoing it (note to self: just because you took two months off from the gym does not mean you can jump right back in like nothing happened).

The next morning I was a hurt bag of hurt. Muscles I didn't even know existed called out for help. I can't move without pain and agony. My legs don't bend, my arms have a range of motion of about 3 inches, and my chest feels like its going to fall off (just fall off). I crawl out of chairs with the speed and agility of a 90 year old woman. I even managed to strain my neck muscles. Who strains neck muscles doing sit-ups?

fleur de sel caramels

I almost wish I had a bruise the size of my fist so I could point to it as if to say look how tough I am—my own purple badge of courage. Instead, I get to whine and groan while moving around like a rusted machine. My advice to you this week is to start slow if you are just beginning an exercise regime and then build your way up. There is no sense in working yourself too hard, causing yourself enough pain that you will be wary to return. Trust me, it will be tough enough dragging my sorry butt back to the gym tomorrow (though these caramels have certainly cushioned the blow).

fleur de sel caramels

These fleur de sel caramels are soft, sticky, and divine. The salt adds just the right twist to keep these caramels from becoming too sweet—the perfect sweet and salty combination, if you will. By eating one or two, you can satisfy your sweet tooth without spoiling your diet. This recipe just begs to be shared.

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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

Today I learned the real difference between cupcakes and muffins. I can certainly tell the difference between cupcakes and muffins once I have one in my mouth (if there is any question to begin with), but I never took the time to actually define them individually. This is what I've learned.

Cupcakes are typically frosted and decorated, though this is not necessary. An unfrosted cupcake is still a cupcake. It does not equate to a muffin simply because it is naked. Cupcakes are also stuffed to the gills with butter and sugarsugarsugar (you know, like cake). Cupcakes are simply individual portions of cake and are typically eaten for dessert or a sweet treat and not breakfast (unless you happen to be me). Cupcakes have a high ratio of sugar and fat.

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

Muffins, on the other hand, are a form of quick bread, not cake. Muffins generally have a very small amount of butter (if any) and very little sugar. Although muffins can be topped with a glaze or crumble, this does not make them cupcakes, even if it may make them slightly more unhealthy. Muffins are typically eaten at breakfast or tea time. You would rarely find muffins being served at a birthday party or wedding (could you even imagine?). Muffins have a very low ratio of sugar and fat, making them healthier than cupcakes which is why it is okay to eat them for breakfast.

But, if you ask me, I think my local grocery stores could do with a bit of a lesson. Am I honestly supposed to believe a double chocolate chocolate chip muffin is really a muffin? Are rich and cakey banana nut muffins (with half a pound of buttery crumble topping) not cupcakes? Do they really have a low fat/sugar content? I have doubts. So my lesson for you is to be careful and watchful of the differences. Since few people are actually aware of the differences (most people believe that an unfrosted cupcake classifies as a muffin), you might be stuffing yourself with cupcakes for breakfast. Chances are that if you didn't make that muffin yourself, it may not be a muffin after all.

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

These cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes are a play on the concept of sweet and tart. The bitter cranberries are contrasted well against the sweetness of the chocolate chips. These have a texture similar to a muffin rather than a cake, but there is enough sugar and chocolate so you can't pretend they are terribly healthy. However, the cupcakes themselves are rather light and will leave you wanting just a little bit more.

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