Quote Of The Moment (12.31.23)

Yup. Although I’ll be more focused on writing my latest work-in-progress instead of the NYE festivities on TV tonight. A book can’t write itself, you know!
Happy New Years to you all! 🥳🍾

Baking Fiend

If you’ve been following me on my socials, you’ll notice the occasional post on what I’ve baked up lately. I’ve been making my own sweets for quite a while now, but since going low-carb a couple years ago, it was a bit tough trying to satisfy my sweet tooth. Sure, I could dunk bacon in almond butter, but it’s not the same as a cookie or pie. And my prepackaged options are not that vast. (Plus, the carb count on some of the so-called “low-carb” prepackaged stuff out there is deceitful!) Two years into living the low-carb lifestyle (which, by the way, I won’t be quitting anytime soon), and I’ve since mastered almost all sugar-free dessert recipes out there.

Some of my favorite homemade sweets:

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*Sugar-free/Keto Pecan Turtles* – Out of all the turtle recipes I’ve seen, this one was the easiest to make, and the caramel recipe from this is divine! Gooey and chewy!

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*Keto Oreos* – I’ve baked plenty of things from Sugar Free Londoner’s site, and her version of Oreos is my go-to. You’ll notice a couple of them covered in chocolate, which is not in the original recipe. To do that, all you do is melt one cup of sugar-free chocolate chips to a tablespoon of coconut oil. When it’s fully melted, take a regular Oreo (must be already baked and cooled down) and slather that baby in chocolate. Because it’s the holidays, I opted for a sugar-free peppermint candy garnish (you can get the candy at Dollar Tree).

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*Keto Cinnamon Rolls* – Who needs Cinnabon? These are everything. If you’re wondering where to get Carbquik, it can be found at Walmart Neighborhood Market.

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*Keto Fried Chicken* – I thought I couldn’t have fried savory foods until I saw a slew of low-carb alternatives. The recipe linked calls for chicken thighs, but it also works well for boneless and skinless chicken breasts (which I cooked up in the pic). Now I can make my own copycat Popeye’s chicken sandwich, with a lot less carbs!

While I’ve managed to make all my homemade goods taste good in the end, some don’t end up worthy of the IG Food Pageant. (In fairness, I don’t make food for show, but for my stomach.) Take all the times I used my Dash Mini Pie Maker…

Sad-looking but tasty pies.

I’ve made some apple and pecan pies from it so far, but taking them out of the maker is an effing CHORE. It’s already a chore to assemble the pie into the maker (bottom pie crust, filling, then top pie crust), but I’ve had to be careful when taking out the finished pie. For one, I’m dealing with a hot AF device, and I have to make sure the entire pie stays intact. It’s yet to happen. Despite my frustrations from taking out the pies, because I’m a sucker for making mini pies, I’ll keep on using the Dash for now (until I find some good mini pie pans).

Don’t be surprised that, as I write this, I got something baking right now. Creative writing requires good food for the brain, you know. What am I making right now? Hint: it doesn’t involve an oven, and it’s pretty minty.