Can you believe it? The days are getting shorter and even here in Texas we are having cool mornings.  I love autumn…

Here is the Baking Delights Buzz for the last month….

My favorite image for August was Kyrie’s escargot…LOL!

My favorite recipe was Walnut Genoise

My Favorite comment was from Katherine on How to Make Your own Wedding Cake.  She said, “I just wanted to say thank you for all the helpful wedding cake information you have on this blog. For my mom and dad’s 25th wedding anniversary, I decided to bake a mini wedding-type cake. I had no idea where to begin, and I stumbled across this blog. It was so VERY helpful–I used your golden cake and icing recipe–it turned out wonderfully! Thank you for sharing with us…you were an answer to prayer.”

Sigh..I just love happy endings…and that is really why I blog, right there.  It makes up for all of the criticism about the poor images quality and recipes that people can’t make work.  Sometimes it is my fault,sometime  theirs.

The winner of the mixer poll was of course, Kitchen Aid..that is a no brainer.  I have decided to do something outrageous and treat myself to both a KA AND a Bosch.  I will have the money when I get my first check for the book and, as an added bonus it will come off the taxes..so it is win win.  That way I will have the power for bread as well as the desserts..  Yay me.

The new poll is going to be up today.. and the question is “How are you dealing with rising food costs”

The top ten articles for August, from most popular to least popular, were:

1. The 50 Best Cookies on the Internet -this is a no brainer…after several days on the first page of Digg and links all over the internet this has been the top post since I posted it last August.  DO ya think I will every have another that is this wildly popular?
2. How to Make Your Own Wedding Cake Part 1
3. Foil Wrapped Beef Brisket
4. Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake- who knew that people would be looking for an upside down cake recipe?
5. How to Make Wedding Cakes 6, Tops and Tricks
6. Molasses Crinkles- this is the best recipe ever. Good molasses cookies are hard to find and these are crispy and chewy.
7. Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies, this is easy to figure out!
8. The 40 Best Cookies for Shipping.  I compiled this list when Chris was in Irag the first time.
9. Wedding Cakes, Shapes.
10. Homemade HotDog and Hamburger Buns. If you have been looking for homemade hamburger buns that are soft like storbought these will make you very happy!

Now…Some of my favorite posts  from last August:

1. Cinnamon Rolls…Big and fluffy.
2. Veggie Wraps with Olive Tapenade
3. Praline Shortbread Bars
4. Blueberry Bran Muffins
5. Chocolate Sheet Cake.  Lousy image, great cake.

Now, coming up in September? I am working on a new give away…and some other cool things…I should have the cookbook out of the way soon so things can get back to (ab)normal.

Have a great Labor Day, and enjoy the unofficial last day of summer!
Images:Marye Audet

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Talk about your dog days….wow. It is hot and muggy. Even at night it is in the 90’s. Everything is sticky and soggy and I am ready for cooler weather. I know that when it is freezing in here I will complain about that.

Please promise to love me anyway.

August is here. Last month I pointed out the top posts for July and it was fun to look back at the month. So, I will copycat myself and do it again.

From the MOST popular on down….

1. 50 Best Cookie Recipes -I don’t think I will EVER top this one
2. Pineapple Upside Down Cake-This one always surprises me.
3. Make Your Own Wedding Cake Part One- This didn’t surprise me. There are lots of talented baker-istras out there.
4. Homemade Pizza-This was not much of a surprise either. Surely we can’t be the only ones that can’t afford pizza unless it is homemade?
5. Brisket Done in Foil- When you don’t have a smoker this is awesome.
6. Homemade Hamburger/Hot Dog Bun- You can’t miss with these, quick, easy, and delicious.
7. Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies- Who can resist THAT combo? Not me.
8. How to Make a Wedding Cake #6-Tips and helps so that you don;t have to make the same mistakes…uh…others of us have made.
9. Wedding Cakes #3, Shapes- This was a surprise to me as well. Who knew?
10. Wedding Cakes; Stands, Stacks, or Tiers- This is probably the most stressful part of doing a cake!

So, there it is. The most popular posts for July. Now, I dont; always think the most popular posts are necessarily the best posts. My favorite recipes for July were:

1. Orzo Salad with Ginger Dressing
   
2. Plum and White Tea Scones
3. Butterfinger Cake
4. Rosemary Cracked Pepper Bread
5. Coconut Ice Cream

In the Battle of Kitchen Aid or Bosch on the poll, Kitchen Aid won 5/1. Not surprising. I think I am going to get one of each when I get paid for the cookbook because I don’t like how kitchaide does on bread.

So…are you ready for a new month? A new Daring Bakers Challenge, and yes I will probably wait until the last minute even though I say I won’t. I new poll later today…and who knows what else to expect? I mean, ask Marc…even after 28 years every day is an adventure.

Image:Marye Audet 

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Well the results of the poll are in..can you guess what the number one thing you guys want more recipes for is? Can ya?

What types of recipes would you like to see more of on Baking Delights?

• cookies

  13 38% of all votes

• cakes

  8 24% of all votes

• main dishes/casseroles

  7 21% of all votes

• yeast breads

  3 9% of all votes

• pies

  1 3% of all votes

• quick breads

  1 3% of all votes

• More product reviews and tips

  1 3% of all votes

I cannot believe you guys want MORE cookies. Now, every time I read comments I am going to be picturing:

So…
I will be making an effort to do more cookies in the coming months. Cakes came in second, and main dishes thiird. I admit that I have not done many main dishes here, and I will try to remedy that as well.

Thanks for your input!

Images:Marye Audet

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