One Smart Little Cookie is a collection of everything that brings inspiration, comfort and beauty into my life and home.
I love to create a beautiful home and enjoy it with my family.
It is sharing
what I love to do; baking and cooking in a healthier way without sacrificing flavor
, crafts,
party planning, activities, organization, and home decor.

Being a "Smart Little Cookie" is not about being perfect, it is about knowing how to enjoy life and family to it's fullest~to your fullest.
Due to my creative process, my home gets messy, my kids play in their jammies-all day sometimes (the terribly relaxed days tend to be my favorite),
and my hubby has become much more patient and supportive over the years with all of this.
In fact, he often has his own creative ideas and we both find ourselves anticipating our upcoming projects together~love him!
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a clean house, but I've rejected denial, and with a toddler who is a budding creative type herself,
I feel accomplished when the dishes are in the dishwasher before naptime (not mine, hers).
I've accepted the fact that "spotless" cannot mean what I have always
envisioned in my mind, at least not with kids,
and I would rather enjoy my kids and beautiful home, than a spotless, sterile home.
I have learned to take each day, one day at a time, and everyday should leave us feeling inspired and more contented.
The day should leave us, whispering in our ear, "the day has been as well as it could have been done, and it has been done well."

Go ahead and take a bite, indulge yourself and try my recipes and crafty creations in your own home.
I hope to inspire you to feel like the "Smart Little Cookie" you are!




Friday, October 1, 2010

Smart Little Cookie Tip-Cooking with Butter Substitute vs. Real Butter

I don't have anything against butter, if it's 100% Real Butter.  It definitely has it's place in cooking and baking and is a great flavor in many foods! 



I'm sharing with all of you my long time baking light secret-I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light Spread (ICBINB-Light Spread) in my baking recipes; Light being the keyword. I love using this spread, it already has the creamy consistency of softened butter, and it lightens up my recipes with only 5 grams of fat and 50 calories/T, as opposed to 11 grams of fat and 100 calories/T in butter. And if you've heard or read, like I have, that you shouldn't use butter substitute spreads in baking recipes, don't listen! They work great!
I use real butter when baking breads, rolls and occasionally when cooking; but I use half the amount called for in the recipe. When baking, I substitute all of the butter in the recipe with ICBINB-Light Spread. Sometimes, I like to substitute all of the butter minus 1 T with ICBINB-Light Spread and add 1 T Real Butter, melted. When used in cookie recipes, they come out dense and chewy-my favorite! 

You can have your cakes and cookies and eat them too!

No comments: