#just bake 1 or 2 minutes longer. cookies

[everythingspokenfor]

ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʟᴅ, ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴏʀɪɢᴀᴍɪ.

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Baker!Reader

Summary: Nanami-san scoring a date with his baking instructor...

Part 1

Nanami doesn't need to take baking classes, infact he is skilled enough to be teaching here, he is still here tho, learning how to make sourdough bread (another one of his expertise).

He doesn't like going out anymore, Shibuya altered that in him, no longer likes walking around the city searching for best sandwiches.

Shoko had recommended these classes, shoved a pamphlet into his hand, rambling something about not wanting him to rot away in his office. It's a gesture of kindness, he knows she doesn't pity him, that doesn't mean his mind won't make up twisted scenarios.

His face is burnt, the scars following till his fingertips, left eye gouged out leaving behind a shallow socket and a drawer full of patches that the kid's got him.

He doesn't care about his appearance, at least that what he tells himself, tho sometimes it's hard for him to believe. Especially when kids point at him, their parents hurriedly grabbing their arms and apologising.

People displaying pity towards him when they bump into him. The 'I am sorry's' haunting him as he tries to go about his day.

He would have spend the remainder of his life cooped up inside, had his friends not intervened.

That's what led him here, baking classes. He spends his evenings here, a decent size studio where you, teach how to bake. The place is set rather nicely, 6 counters lined, equipped with an oven and a sink, pantry in the back along with a fridge.

You do a great job at teaching, always making sure everyone understood the instructions. He didn't interact with you first, feeling too shy, too intimidated, too ugly, to talk to someone as pretty as you, even if it was under the guise of asking for a recipe.

Nanami wouldn't lie, he did continue with the baking classes because of you, even if he knows the bitter truth, that he isn't someone desirable, he still chose to admire you from afar.

So, he should up to the classes, sharp 4 p.m. daily, picked his apron, always looking over to see what colour you wore so he could subtly match. He goes to his assigned spot, and prepares for the day. He does however sneaks glances at you, especially when you are focused on something, when he is sure he won't be caught.

Rarely ever does he talk to anyone, and seldom does anyone approaches him too fearful of his scars and the vast build.

It was you, who approached him, hands behind your back as you moved swiftly around different countertops, observing everyone's work.

You came to stand beside him, watching him mix cookie batter, you stared at him work for few minutes, before looking towards him, he was already looking at you, nervousness evident when he darted his eyes away the moment your eyes locked. Giggling you moved on to the next table, giving input and advices to make help improve the baking.

He noticed your pattern immediately, you spend the longest hovering over him, but never do you say anything, no critiques, no compliments, just observing his baking and him before you move one to next person.

The knowledge that you observe him alot doesn't really make it easy for him, in fact that's the cause of majority of his mishaps. He could be baking for hours with meticulous precision, but once you come around to see, he fumbles, and he fumbles hard.

There have been so many incidents, where he had dropped bowls, spoons and other cutlery just because you showed up next to him.

On his own, he had never been a clumsy man, so these accidents did keep him awake at night, hoping that you didn't think he was some clumsy guy that couldn't coordinate properly.

It's been almost 2 months since he joined the classes, today the class was about baking sourdough bread, one of his favourite baked goods.

He may have gotten too lost in his baking, kneading the dough with perfection, separating it and adding chocolate chips to one batch, leaving other plain, to make savory sandwiches.

He put both in the oven, grabbing a cloth, to clean the counter, when he noticed you leaning against it. Startled a bit at how you sneaked up on him, he drops the cloth, before he could reach for it, you leaned down to pick it, passing it to him.

"Thank you for that." He take the cloth, moving back creating some distance between you both, flustered by the initial proximity.

"You don't really need these classes, do you?"

"What do you mean?" Nanami questions, wondering what exactly you meant.

"These classes, I have noticed from the beginning, you are far too skilled to be here." You explained, gesturing your co-workers to help others, before moving to stand near Nanami, and peer into the oven.

"You are perfect at eye-balling ingredients, never over or under bake goods, always clean up and list goes on." You lean back, arms crossed as you look at him, he is an attractive man, despite the scars, infact they add to his appeal.

"I don't, it's just I needed to do something with all the free time I have." He admitted earnestly, suddenly feeling too exposed under your gaze, he turns around averting his gaze, choosing to wipe already clean counter.

"If you are so free, Mr. Nanami, why not have dinner with me?" You queried, he stood still, too shocked, wondering if he heard you right.

"I am sorry, what?!" He couldn't really understand what you meant, surely you did not mean what he assumed you meant, you probably aren't asking him out.

"I said, would you like to have dinner with me, Mr. Nanami?" You repeated, cheeky grin spreading on your plump lips, "I am asking you out, as a date." You clarified the obvious, making sure he understood what you meant.

"Are you sure?" He blurted, "I mean, we have never really talked before, and to go on a date suddenly." He explained, blush spread on his cheeks, tips of ears turning rosy too. It's always a delight to watch grown man fumble his words.

"That's why a date, so we," You moved closer, hand moving between you both and gesture him and you, "could talk, get to know each other more." You explanation was reasonable, what Nanami didn't understand was, why him, of all the guys you could get why someone like him.

"We can go, I think,"He says, finally fully turning towards you and meeting your eyes. He watched as your grin widened, you pulled out a napkin from the stand, clicking a pen you wrote down your number with a winky face.

"So, Mr. Nanami, I'll be taking you out for dinner, this Saturday if that's alright." You hand him the napkin, turning around and going back to work, leaving behind a flustered, somewhat baffled but mostly elated Mr. Nanami.

[cashmoneyyysstuff]

shouto’s masterlist ♡ !

lil blurbs ! ( i'm just talkin'):

staring

baking cookies with shoto

shoto after you get surgery

his seat (or the one where shoto likes his seat next to you the best)

spacey

hair washing

11:11

streamer!sho thoughts

photo album (or the one where shouto looks a lot like his mom)

lil fics ! ( i ramble a little longer) :

boyfriend for sale ! (or the one where your boyfriend forgets to ask you to be his valentine) feat. katsuki bakugou !

he does too (or the one where you wonder how todoroki shoto is doing)

to the moon and back (or the one in which shoto finds out space smells like seared stake and footprints on the moon last forever)

looking at the rain to keep from crying (or sitting on the bus with your ex boyfriend)

weirdo ! (or the one where touya deals with his little brother's bully)

weirdos ! (or the one where you deal with your best friend's bully)

longer fics / series ! ( get comfy 'cuz this one's a multi-parter !) :

to keep from crying 1 2 : sitting in the bus with your fifteen minute now ex boyfriend was not something you expected to happen when you’d gotten ready for your date this morning.

the more the merrier : you're finally on break from work and plan to spend it lazing around at home, there isn't that much to do in your small beach town anyway. however, your plans are disrupted when you find a mysterious mute man washed up on the shore during a beachside walk. well, who said you had to spend your vacation alone? especially since he seems strangely familiar with you.. see storybook event masterlist !

weirdo ! weirdo's ! married for real ! the best big brother ! shouto's a little weird, but that's okay, because you are too.

[infamous-light]

The Witch's Game Ch. 2 (End)

Agatha Harkness x Maximoff! Reader

Ch. 1

AO3: The Witch's Game

Summary: Life in Westview had always been dull and uneventful until Agnes, a charming and mysterious woman, arrived.

Her presence brought a spark to your otherwise monotonous world, and you quickly found yourself drawn to her, developing an undeniable crush. But as you grew closer to Agnes, you began to realize that there was much more to her than meets the eye.

Word Count: 4.9K

Warnings: Manipulation, smut, strap-on use, oral, fingering, loss of virginity, mind manipulation

You stood before Agnes’s door, your heart fluttering with nervous energy.

The tin of cookies in your hands suddenly felt heavier, your palms clammy against the metal as you raised a fist to knock. The sound of your knuckles rapping against the front door was sharper than you intended.

The door swung open a moment later, revealing Agnes, her smile as radiant as ever. She stood framed in the doorway, her figure draped in a lavender sundress with a white belt cinched around her waist. You couldn't help but think she looked beautiful.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite neighbor!” Agnes greeted, her voice warm and full of cheer, as though your arrival had made her day a little better. “What brings you here, hon?”

You held up the cookie tin, a sheepish smile tugging at your lips. “My mom baked these and she thought you might enjoy them.”

Agnes’s gaze flickered to the cookie tin, her eyes widening with delight.

“Why, aren’t you two just the sweetest!” She exclaimed. As she reached for the cookie tin, her fingers brushed against yours – a fleeting touch that sent a subtle tingle up your arm, the warmth lingering longer than it should. “Well, don’t just stand out there like a stranger – come on in!”

Agnes stepped back, her hand sweeping in a welcoming gesture that urged you inside.

Her house seemed to embrace you the moment you entered, a warmth in the air that clung to your skin. The walls were adorned with a collection of antiques, each piece more unique than the last, while odd little trinkets sat scattered atop shelves and tables. There was a coziness to the space, the kind that made you feel welcome, yet there was an edge to it. It was as though every object had been carefully placed for reasons you couldn’t quite understand.

“Why don’t you take a seat, sugar plum?” Agnes’s voice brought you back to the moment, sweet and easy. She gestured toward the couch. “I’ll make us some chamomile tea.”

You nodded and sank onto the couch, the cushions giving slightly under your weight. Only a few minutes had passed before Agnes reappeared, gliding into the living room with a silver tray in hand, steam rising from the teacups resting atop it.

“Here we go.” She said with a small smile, placing the tray carefully onto the coffee table.

Agnes adjusted her skirt as she lowered herself onto the seat next to you, far closer than you had expected.

“So,” she began, her voice gentle but probing. “How are things? Is everyone doing alright?”

Agnes's gaze lingered on you, and it felt as though she were reading you more deeply than you would like. Before you could respond, Agnes reached for the teacups on the tray, picking up her cup and yours.

“Here,” she said with an easy grace. “You must be thirsty.”

You took the delicate teacup from her outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

Lifting the cup to your lips, you took a tentative sip, feeling the warmth unfurl through your chest and settle low in your stomach. Beside you, Agnes shifted in her seat and leaned back with an air of relaxed ease, crossing one leg over the other. The movement caused the hem of her dress to ride up, revealing more of her bare thighs. Heat rushed to your cheeks, and you quickly averted your gaze, focusing on the tea.

“Ah, where are my manners!” Agnes blurted out with a theatrical wave of her hand. “I apologize for cutting you off earlier, sweetheart,” she said, her mouth curling to an almost coy smile. “So, tell me – how have you been? Not stirring up any trouble for your dear old mother, are you?” Her tone carried a teasing edge.

She raised her cup and took a slow sip of her tea, her eyes still fixed on you. The intensity of her gaze made the air feel heavier, and you found yourself suppressing a nervous chuckle at her playful words.

“I’m doing fine,” you replied, setting your teacup down on the coffee table with a soft clink. “I've just been reading and watching TV mostly.”

Agnes’s smile stayed perfectly in place as she set her teacup down as well.

“Reading and watching TV, hm? Sounds rather... dull.” She leaned forward, her fingers grazing the top of your left thigh, the featherlight touch sending a jolt of warmth throughout your body. “Perhaps I can spice things up for you.”

Your breath hitched, catching in your throat.

“I – uh, A-Agnes – what are you –” You stammered.

Your mind went on a fritz, struggling to make sense of what was happening.

Agnes reached up, her fingers brushing your cheek with a tenderness that felt anything but innocent. Her blue eyes bore into yours, half-lidded, smoldering with an intensity that made the space between you shrink.

“You’re not fooling anyone, you know,” she murmured, her voice husky. “I see it in the way you look at me. You’re attracted to me, aren’t you, darling?”

Her words struck like a sudden storm, and heat flared in your cheeks, burning your skin with embarrassment. The way Agnes caught onto your crush so easily made your heart stutter and falter in its rhythm. It left you speechless.

As Agnes leaned in closer, the air between you seemed to thin, your throat going dry under the weight of her gaze. Her lips hovered mere inches from yours, soft and inviting, stealing the breath from your lungs.

“You’re so... innocent,” Agnes purred, her breath tickling against your cheek. “So easy to read.”

And then, before you could even process what was happening, her lips were on yours – warm, insistent, and utterly consuming. For a moment, you were frozen, shock flooding your body. But her lips were impossibly soft, coaxing you into something deeper, something that made your mind spin, and you found yourself melting into the kiss.

Agnes gently guided you back onto the couch as she moved to straddle you. Her lips broke away from yours and found the sensitive skin of your throat, peppering long, tender kisses that turned into firm sucks, each one leaving behind a burning mark. Meanwhile, her hands roamed with purpose, tracing the dip of your waist, and the curve of your hips until her fingers worked their way to your jeans. Slowly, she undid the button before tugging down the zipper.

Suddenly, you stiffened, your nerves rising to the surface in a way that was impossible to hide. Agnes noticed immediately and pulled back just enough to study you. Then, her lips quirked into a sly, predatory smirk.

“Do you need me to slow down?”

You shook your head. “No, it's just –” You paused, your chest tightening with a mix of anxiety and longing. The thought of losing your virginity to a much older woman, your neighbor – especially your mother's friend, felt surreal, almost forbidden, but at the same time thrilling. Deep down, you knew you wanted this. You wanted her. You were just... scared. “I’ve never done anything like this before.” You finally admitted.

Agnes chuckled softly as her fingers brushed against your jaw.

“I can tell,” she said, tilting your chin to meet her gaze. Her smile softened, her teasing tone giving way to something more reassuring. “But that's okay. I'll take care of you. I won’t do anything that you don’t want me to.”

Her words eased some of the tension in your chest, making it easier to draw your next breath.

“O-Okay, you can keep going.” You managed to say, your voice trembling but resolute.

Her lips curved, a flicker of pride in her expression. “Good girl.”

Your cheeks warmed at the praise, a flutter of unexpected shyness overcoming you. Agnes’s eyes twinkled in delight at your reaction before she refocused her attention back to your unzipped jeans.

Her hands inched their way toward the top of your pants and with a firm grip, she hooked her fingers into the waistband and pulled them down. A satisfied smile played on her lips as the fabric pooled around your ankles. Next, she turned her attention to your underwear and slid it off, leaving you exposed and vulnerable before her.

“There we go,” Agnes cooed as she tossed the garments aside. “Much better.”

With gentle pressure, Agnes spread your legs, her touch soft yet insistent. Ever so slowly, she lowered her head, allowing her warm breath to ghost over your clit, making you gasp a little. Then, the tip of her tongue flicked out, teasingly light at first, tracing the tiny nub before circling it slowly. Your hips bucked involuntarily, and Agnes chuckled, the vibration sending another sharp wave of pleasure through you.

“So responsive.” She crooned.

Her tongue continued its rhythmic dance, swirling around your clit with increasing intensity. Each pass brought you closer to the edge, the pressure building like a dam inside of you. Your body tensed, every muscle tightening as anticipation coiled within. However, nothing could have prepared you for when Agnes wrapped her lips around your clit and gave it a harsh suck. Stars burst behind your eyelids, hips jerking violently as a loud moan broke past your lips.

The feeling was made even better when one of her fingers slipped between your wet folds, sliding into you slow and steady. Your walls clenched around her, so tight from the onslaught of sensations that you felt almost full, even with just one finger inside. Your hips continued to move, bucking against her mouth, seeking more, needing more. Agnes matched your rhythm, her tongue and finger working tirelessly, relentlessly in their pursuit of your pleasure.

The dual stimulation was almost too much to bear – her finger plunging deep inside of you while her mouth worked magic on your clit. You squeezed your eyes shut, gripping onto the couch for support as you cried out, your voice breaking as you finally came over the edge.

Agnes’s mouth never left your clit, her tongue working furiously to prolong your release, drawing out each spasm until you thought you might shatter into a million pieces. When the intensity finally began to subside, Agnes eased off, her tongue moving with lighter, comforting strokes. Your body felt boneless, completely spent. She pulled away and licked her lips, savoring your essence.

“How was that?” Agnes asked, her voice laced with satisfaction.

You could barely form any words, your mind still reeling from the experience.

“Amazing.” You panted.

Agnes flashed you a devilish smirk as she pushed herself off the couch.

“I believe it’s your turn to make a girl feel good,” she said playfully. “What do you say?”

You nodded eagerly, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness at the thought of being able to please Agnes in return.

“Yes.” You breathed out.

With a mischievous smile, Agnes reached behind her back and began to unzip her dress. It fell to the floor in a pool of fabric, leaving her adorned in nothing but black lace lingerie that clung to her figure. She reached up to unclasp her bra, revealing the soft curve of her breasts. She let the straps slide down her arms before allowing it to drop by her feet. Her fingers then slipped beneath the waistband of her panties, slowly pulling them down her smooth legs before she gracefully kicked them away. You couldn't help but stare as you took in the sight of Agnes, standing tall, naked, confidence oozing from every pore.

Closing the distance between you, Agnes reached out, grabbing the collar of your shirt with a firm grip. She pulled you toward her with a quiet but commanding force.

“Take the rest of your clothes off.” She demanded in a low tone.

You didn’t need to be told twice. Once done, Agnes hummed in appreciation as her gaze swept over your naked form, a slow, satisfied smile curling at the corners of her lips. Without warning, she shoved you back onto the couch and swung her right leg over your head as she settled herself on top of you. Agnes gazed down at you, her piercing eyes gleaming with wicked delight as she drank in the sight of your flushed cheeks and wide eyes, clearly relishing your reaction to this new position. It was quite adorable, really.

“Oh, this is precious,” Agnes purred. “I think I’m going to make you beg for it.” Her fingers threaded through your hair, the motion slow and deliberate, before her grip tightened sharply. “Go on,” she ordered. “Beg.”

Your scalp tingled under the strain.

“Please, Agnes,” you gasped. “Please, let me taste you!”

Agnes tilted her head and hummed, pretending to think. The sound lingered, low and taunting, before she finally chuckled.

“Alright, hon,” she said, her tone dripping with mock leniency. “You may. I'll go easy on you, just this once – since it's your first time and all.”

You licked your lips in anticipation as Agnes finally lowered herself onto your face. Your hands immediately wrapped around her thighs, the smooth skin feeling warm and alive under your fingertips. As the tip of your tongue made contact with her slick folds, she let out a low moan and shifted her hips, urging you on. You tried your best to explore every inch of her, your tongue tracing sloppily over sensitive spots but she still gasped and trembled above you.

Agnes’s fingers weaved through your hair again, tugging you closer as she adjusted her position. Her hips rolled forward, grinding down onto your mouth insistently, demanding more. You obliged, your hands sliding up to grip her ass, squeezing the flesh as you shoved your tongue deeper into her folds. Your mouth opened wider, taking in as much of her as you could. You alternated between long, languid licks and quick, darting flicks.

Agnes's breath faltered, a wanton moan escaping her lips as she arched her back, pressing herself even harder against your face.

“F-Fuck!”

You felt a surge of pride at her reaction, knowing you were doing something right.

Your tongue curled around Agnes’s clit, sucking gently as you continued to lap at her wetness. Her slickness flowed freely now, coating half of your face as she rode your mouth. Her hips moved faster; the rhythm erratic as she chased her high.

“I'm so close,” Agnes said breathlessly. “Keep going.”

Encouraged by her words, you redoubled your efforts, your tongue flat as you pressed it hard against her clit, circling it rapidly. Your hands moved back to her hips, guiding her movements as you worked to bring her over the edge. Agnes responded immediately, her body shuddering, her hips bucking wildly as her release crashed over her.

Agnes moaned uncontrollably, her nails digging painfully into your scalp as she held you in place, grinding her cunt against your face. Her juices flooded your mouth, the flavor overwhelming as she came hard. You drank her down, swallowing every bit of her as her body shook with the aftershocks. Agnes finally collapsed forward, her weight pressing you deeper into the couch as she hovered over you, her chest heaving with each ragged breath.

“Well done,” Agnes murmured. “You did pretty good for your first time.”

A small smile touched your lips as her fingers slid through your hair again, softer this time. She exhaled deeply, her breaths gradually evening out. With a smooth, almost feline grace, Agnes eased herself off you.

“But we’re not done yet,” she said, her voice laced with mischief. “I've got a surprise for you. Go ahead and close your eyes, and don’t even think about peeking until I say so.”

Your curiosity grew as you wondered what it could be.

Still, you complied, letting your lashes flutter shut. The faint rustle of fabric reached your ears, followed by an odd series of muffled sounds – a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate in the stillness, paired with a soft whoosh, like air displaced in an instant. The combination was strange, almost unnatural, and you furrowed your brows.

“Alright,” Agnes finally said, her voice carrying a sense of anticipation. “Open your eyes.”

You followed her instruction, and your gaze immediately locked onto her. The sight before you made the breath freeze in your throat. Agnes stood by the coffee table, a harness wrapped securely around her hips, its dark leather straps hugging her form while a purple dildo jutted out between her legs.

How did she get it on so fast?

Your mind grappled with the new visual stimulation. Yet, beneath the initial wave of surprise, an undercurrent of nervousness rippled through you. “Oh wow…”

Agnes tilted her head slightly, her expression calm but observant as she arched a single eyebrow. “Are you okay with this? If it's too much, we can stop.”

Her concern stirred something reassuring within you, and you shook your head, swallowing hard. “No, it's fine,” you said quickly. “I’m okay with this.”

Her smile widened, stretching just a touch too far.

“Good,” Agnes soothed. “Now, just relax.”

You inhaled deeply, her words grounding you, steadying the racing beat of your heart. The tension in your muscles gradually dissipated, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity and eagerness.

Agnes moved closer and shifted slightly, positioning the toy at the entrance of your arousal. You felt its cool surface press against you, sending goosebumps across your flesh. Her hand guided it gently, not pushing, just teasing. The friction built, your body responding positively, betraying your earlier nervousness.

“That’s it,” Agnes whispered. “Feel it.”

The sensations were overwhelming – the pressure, the coolness, the wetness. It made your back arch a little as she began to move forward, the toy sliding into you inch by inch. Her lips curled into a satisfied, almost predatory smile as her gaze lingered on your expression, savoring the way your features contorted with unrestrained pleasure.

“I hope you're ready, doll,” she husked. “Because I intend to take my time with you.”

You bit your lower lip as Agnes finally bottomed out inside of you, sending a sharp thrill through your body. She started slow, testing the rhythm, but soon her movements quickened, each thrust purposeful and precise. Agnes seemed determined to bring you to the edge, to make every second of this moment feel intense.

“You’re taking me so well.” Agnes praised, sounding slightly breathless.

Her purple cock shone with your wetness, sliding in and out of you with a slick sound that drove your arousal higher.

The pressure inside of you grew, coiling tighter and tighter, searching for release. Agnes leaned forward, her body pressing against yours, the soft swell of her breasts brushing along your chest as she quickened her pace. In one fluid motion, Agnes reached for your wrists, her fingers wrapping around them with a firm, almost possessive grip. She pinned them beside your head, the weight of her touch leaving no room for resistance or escape.

“Agnes,” you moaned, your voice sounding shaky. “Please...”

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing along your earlobe. “Please what?” She taunted. “Tell me what you want, honey.”

Your heart raced, pulse quickening as you struggled to find the words. “I need... I need to come.”

Agnes grinned, her eyes glinting with a dangerous, playful light.

“Oh, do you?” She said mockingly.

Agnes’s grip on your wrists tightened, her fingernails digging into your skin as she continued to hold you down.

“Please.” You begged, your voice on the verge of cracking.

It was becoming too much to handle – each ridge, every subtle curve of the toy, felt impossibly good as it plunged deeper into you. Your body quivered, each breath a struggle against the rising pressure between your legs. Finally, Agnes relented, her pace quickening, force intensifying with each thrust, driving you closer to the edge.

“Come for me.” Agnes demanded.

Her words acted like a trigger, releasing the pent-up pressure. With a cry that echoed throughout the living room, you came undone, your body trembling underneath her. As the tremors began to subside, you lay spent and sated, your chest heaving with exertion.

“You’re such a good girl.” Agnes cooed, reaching out to smooth away the stray strands of hair that clung to your damp forehead. Her fingers lingered, tender and affectionate as they caressed your skin.

“I try to be.” You joked, a faint smile tugging at your lips.

Agnes smirked in response.

“So,” she began, drawing out the word, “how was your first time with me? Be honest – I’m dying to know if I lived up to all your wildest dreams.”

Agnes’s expression was mockingly sweet, but there was an unmistakable edge of humor in her voice that made it impossible to tell if she was genuinely curious or just enjoying making you squirm.

You felt your cheeks warm, but you managed a small, sincere smile. “I… enjoyed it. More than I expected, honestly.”

Her grin widened, and she let out a soft chuckle. “Oh, I knew you'd enjoy it,” Then, with a dramatic sigh, she withdrew from you. “But we both look like we've been through hell. Come on – we need to freshen up. I’ll be upstairs. The other bathroom is down the hall, first door on the right.”

“Okay.” You replied.

Agnes cast you one last lingering look, her eyes holding yours for a moment longer than necessary. Then, she rose from the couch and turned toward the staircase. The quiet sound of her footsteps gradually faded as she disappeared from view. Alone now, you took a deep breath, allowing yourself to process the moment before eventually rising to tend to yourself. You gathered your clothes and made your way toward the bathroom to clean up.

***

Once dressed, you step out of the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind you.

As you made your way back to the living room, something caught your eye – a flash of purple light, sudden and sharp, flickered in your peripheral vision. It was fleeting, gone in the blink of an eye, but it drew your attention. Turning toward the source, your eyes caught sight of a door you hadn’t noticed before. It stood slightly ajar, a faint purple glow slipping through the crack.

Your brow furrowed, curiosity and unease prickling at the back of your mind. What could that be?

After a moment’s hesitation, you pulled the door open, its hinges groaning in protest, and stepped cautiously into the narrow passageway. Along the walls, faint purple markings, intricate and almost alive, snaked along the surface, glowing dimly as though they held some kind of hidden power. At the far end of the basement, an ancient-looking book rested on a pedestal, its cover cracked and worn with age.

You couldn’t help but wonder: Who was Agnes, really?

Goosebumps rose across your skin as the question lingered in your mind, unease coiling tighter with each passing second. Something about all of this felt wrong – deeply, irrevocably wrong.

Turning to leave, you froze mid-step, your breath stuttering as you spotted Agnes standing at the base of the stairs. She now wore a form-fitting purple sweater paired with sleek black pants. Her piercing gaze locked onto you, sharp and unrelenting, while a sardonic smirk appeared on her lips.

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to go snooping around in places where you don’t belong?” Agnes drawled, her voice oozing with a mixture of amusement and scorn.

The air around you grew heavy, humming with a charged energy that raised the fine hairs on the nape of your neck. Before you could react, an unseen force wrapped around you like a pair of vines, snaring your wrists behind your back and anchoring your ankles together. Your feet left the ground, the sensation both jarring and disorienting as you were lifted a full foot into the air. A strangled gasp escaped your lips, your throat tightening with panic.

Agnes' laughter rang through the air. “What's wrong? Afraid of a little height?”

It was then that the full weight of what was happening hit you. You weren't just dealing with some regular old nosy neighbor – Agnes was a witch. The thought sent a chill down your spine, every nerve alight with unease. She had hidden it so well.

But now, the questions gnawed at you: Who is she? And what does she want?

You blinked rapidly, trying to steady the wave of dread that threatened to choke off your breath.

“W-Who are you?” You managed to force the words out, your voice quivering with uncertainty. “What do you want?”

Agnes's eyes gleamed with a cold, unsettling amusement, as if she had been savoring this exact moment. She took a few deliberate steps closer, her heels clicking ominously against the concrete floor.

“The name’s Agatha Harkness,” she said, each word dripping with quiet menace. “As for what I want,” she tilted her head slightly, a shadow of a grin playing at the corners of her mouth. “I want your mother’s powers.”

Your breath hitched, and your eyes widened in disbelief. Why would she want your mother’s powers?

Agatha cast you a knowing glance, as if she could read your thoughts as clearly as an open book.

“Your mother has something I’ve been seeking for years. Her powers are unique, rare... and I intend to take them,” she paused, tapping a finger thoughtfully against her lips. “Though, I must admit, you’re making this far easier than I anticipated.”

A flicker of confusion crossed your face. “What do you mean?”

You tried to struggle against the magical restraints, but they held firm.

“Do you recall last week?” she asked, her voice dropping into something almost conspiratorial. “When I mentioned a certain little secret I knew about you?”

Your stomach twisted uneasily as the memory resurfaced. You gave her a hesitant nod. Agatha leaned in, her face hovering inches from yours. Slowly, a cruel smirk appeared on her face, as if savoring the discomfort she was about to provoke.

“You have no powers.”

A cold rush of dread slammed into you, raw and suffocating. She… she knew. Agatha knew that fact about you, a truth you hadn’t even dared to fully understand yourself. Why? Why did your mother, father, and even your two brothers possess powers, but not you?

Agatha pulled back, her eyes never leaving yours.

“I have to say, I was surprised when I sensed that about you. The daughter of the Scarlet Witch – powerless.” Her voice was mocking, but there was an odd, almost amused edge to it, as if she found some strange satisfaction in the irony.

What? The Scarlet Witch? Your mind raced, confusion gnawing at you. What was she talking about?

Agatha began to circle around you.

“I don’t know what Wanda was thinking, making you so… ordinary,” Agatha mused, more to herself than to you. But then, her eyes glinted with something far darker as she rounded on you. “Do you want to know something interesting? Your mother kept a secret from you all. A big one too.”

Horror flickered across your face as her words sank in, but Agatha was far from finished.

“Westview isn’t a normal town,” she began. “Your mother’s no innocent little housewife. She created you and your brothers in this so-called hex. A twisted, pathetic little world, shaped by her grief. She couldn’t bear to face the loss of your father, so she trapped the entire town in her delusion. She just couldn’t let him go, so she built this cage. A cage of her own making, and you… you are nothing more than a product of that sorrow.”

Her words hit like a slap to the face, leaving a sting that lingered long afterwards. This was not possible… and yet, it would explain the strange behaviors you had witnessed from all the people living here.

“My mom… created all of this? Trapped us?” You said, your voice frail, barely audible over the blood rushing in your ears. “And me? Are you saying I’m not even real? That I’m just… some manifestation of my mom’s grief?”

Agatha’s cruel smirk deepened.

“Yes,” she purred. “It’s ironic, really. Your mother wanted to keep you safe, to hold on to something, but instead, she trapped you inside a hex where you can’t exist beyond its borders. It won’t be stable forever.”

You swallowed hard, your throat dry as you tried to make sense of it all. “But… but why tell me this? What do you want from me?”

Agatha tilted her head, feigning innocence as her eyes glittered with malice. “Oh, darling, I don’t want anything from you. You’re just a simple little target, something to wield against your mother,” her grin stretched wider. “And that’s precisely why you’ll make this so easy for me. To answer your earlier question.”

Agatha stepped closer, her presence overwhelming as she raised two fingers near your temple. A low chuckle rumbled from her chest, deep and unsettling. “But that’s enough for now. It’s time to put you down for a little nap.”

“No! Wait!”

Agatha’s eyes gleamed with an eerie purple glow, and the world around you began to warp, blurring at the edges. Your thoughts became a tangled mess, slipping further out of focus with each passing second.

“And by the way,” she added, her voice dripping with dark amusement. “I can’t wait to see the look on mommy dearest’s face when she finds out I popped her daughter’s cherry.”

Agatha’s cackle bounced off the basement walls as your memories twisted and faded into nothingness.

“Sweet dreams, pet.”

The words lingered in the air like poison, a final kiss before the darkness fully consumed you.

[angelmush]

oh my god molly those cookies look so delicious!!!! did you ever share the recipe? i'd love to give those a try! and make them for the kids i babysit🩵🩵🩵🩵

here’s the updated recipe (i just copied and pasted this from when i sent it some friends so lol):

brown butter miso choccy chip cookies

i usually double the recipe and keep some of the dough balls in the freezer to make emergency cookies :-)

toffee pretzel variation (my fave):

i made my own dark chocolate pretzel toffee to add into the dough. i used this toffee recipe and topped it with pretzels instead of nuts. you will have to make toffee a few hours ahead of time to make sure it is set for the cookies. instead of using chopped chocolate in the base cookie recipe, i used 1/2 chopped chocolate and 1/2 chopped toffee. when the cookies came out of the oven, i also pressed a little pretzel into the top of each cookie and topped w a pinch of salt while they were still hot.

EXTRA INGREDIENTS FOR TOFFEE PRETZEL VARIATION:

bag of pretzels

2 cups unsalted butter

2 cups white sugar

¼ teaspoon salt, and flaky sea salt die topping

2 cups chopped dark chocolate

BASE COOKIE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
9 tablespoon (128 g) unsalted butter
¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoon (40 g) white miso
1 large egg
½ teaspoon (3 g) vanilla extract
1 ½ cup (200 g) all purpose flour
½ teaspoon (3 g) baking soda
¼ teaspoon (2 g) salt
1 ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped 
Flaky Sea Salt for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

* Brown the butter. Brown butter in a saucepan on medium heat, swirl the butter around the saucepan, until butter foams and starts to turn brown and has a nutty aroma. there’s a billion videos about browning butter you can watch if you have never done it before too! I like a pretty dark brown butter tbh because you can really taste it that way once it bakes, but follow your heart <3 Transfer butter to a liquid measuring cup and see how much water content you lost. You want to have 1/2 cup of liquid, so stir in 1 tablespoon of butter if you need it. Set aside to cool, sometimes i have to put it in the freezer LOL. you want it to be not warm at all but you don’t want it to resolidify either so don’t forget about it. You can also just make it a few hours ahead of time and leave it in the counter 🤷 i think i usually make it while im making the toffee since that also needs to be made a few hours ahead of time


* Mix wet ingredients. When the butter is melted and slightly cool, in a large mixing bowl, whisk the butter with the brown and white sugars until incorporated with no lumps remain. Add in the egg, miso, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.


* Whisk the remaining dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, fold in half the dry ingredients into wet ingredients until everything comes together. Slowly add in the remaining flour and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate (or 1/2 chocolate & 1/2 toffee if using). Chill dough in ziploc bag in fridge for 2 hours.


* Scoop then chill the cookie dough a second time. Use a 1 oz cookie scoop and scoop out into balls placing them parchment paper (i will use my kitchen scale to make sure they weigh the same, 1.5oz each for even baking). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours (the longer the better—trust me). After this point, I will move whatever dough balls i want to freeze into the freezer. 


* Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the dough 2 inches apart until golden brown and firm around the edges, 13-16 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown and the center is puffed up and gooey. While still hot, i’ll do this little trick to made them all perfectly round using a cup because I am a perfectionist freak LOL. Then I will sprinkle with flaky sea salt/pretzels if using, and cool completely on the baking sheets. 


[najia-cooks]

Lemon balm shortbread cookies

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a commonly foraged plant in the mint family, gives a lightly herbacious, bright lemon flavor to these shortbread cookies. They have a classic, crisp, sandy shortbread texture; optional poppy seeds add crunch and a mild nutty flavor. The lemon balm and poppy seeds may be swapped out for any combination of herbs, spices, or citrus zest that your heart desires.

These cookies are subtly sweet and very dunkable, making them perfect companions to a cup of tea or coffee.

Recipe under the cut!

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Lemon balm has square stems and opposite leaves (two leaves per node on opposite sides of the stem). Leaves are simple (one leaf blade with no leaflets); ovate and slightly heart-shaped, with scalloped edges; slightly glossy; thin, soft, and hairy; and deeply veined. They are emerald green on the top, and a lighter greyish green on the underside. They have a lemony scent and an oily texture when crushed. Stems and petioles (leaf stalks) are covered in small standing hairs.

Ingredients:

120g (1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp) salted non-dairy margarine, softened

60g (1/3 cup) caster or granulated sugar

180g (1 1/2 cups) AP flour

1/4 cup (8.5g) minced lemon balm

1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

Like most traditional shortbread, this recipe follows a 1:2:3 ratio of sugar:butter:flour (by weight). Any herbs, spices, citrus zest, etc. of your choosing may be added to that base.

You could replace the caster sugar with powdered sugar if you want a melt-in-your-mouth texture, rather than a typical crumbly shortbread texture.

Instructions:

Cream margarine with an electric beater for 30 seconds, until it has a whipped texture. Add lemon balm and sugar and beat for another 3 minutes or so, until a couple shades lighter in color (this means that you have incorporated enough air).

Add the flour and mix well with a wooden spoon; then press with your hands to form into a ball.

Roll the dough out into a cylinder. You can make the cylinder more regular by placing it on a piece of wax or parchment paper, then folding the parchment paper over; use a ruler or the flat of a knife to force the cylinder of dough back into the folded edge of the paper.

Wrap the dough by twisting the ends of the parchment paper around, like a candy wrapper. Chill the dough for at least an hour, to keep the cookies from spreading in the oven by allowing the flour to absorb liquid.

Using a sharp paring knife, cut the cylinder of dough into slices about 1/4" thick. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, about 1/2" apart.

Bake at 350 °F (180 °C), in the top third of your oven, for 8 to 10 minutes. For chewier cookies, bake just until the center of the top and bottom of the cookie is no longer wet-looking; for crisper ones, bake until the edges are just starting to turn a light golden color.

[tisguinho69]

Today was my birthday, and since i simply love Cookie Run Kingdom i decided to make my own thematic cake!

RECIPE BELOW!!!!!!

I absolutely love Shadow Milk and Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the lore to the designs, so I wanted to put my love into a cake!

Here's the recipe:

CAKE DOUGH

ingredients

300g of sugar

6 eggs

200g vegetable oil (sunflower, canola, corn or soy)

380ml of milk

15ml vanilla essence/extract

2 tablespoons baking powder(30g)

4 cups of wheat flour (500g)

In the bowl of your mixer, place the sugar and eggs and mix for approximately 2 minutes (or until it becomes slightly airy, if you don't have a mixer). When you have finished mixing, add the oil, milk and vanilla essence, mix again, next, add the baking powder and flour and then mix everything until it is homogeneous and smooth

Now, since this recipe is for a themed cake, we will dye part of the dough! separate half of the dough into another bowl, and take your food coloring of choice put the amount of food coloring needed in this new bowl, and mix well

When pouring the dough into the pan, you can alternate between the dough without food coloring and the dough with food coloring, you can try to make designs or other patterns

In the oven already preheated to 180 degrees Celsius, place the pan with the dough and leave it there, to know if the cake is ready just stick a toothpick or knife in the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean or with very little dough, it is ready! mine took 1h30 to bake

The filling is white brigadeiro, which can be made as follows:

1 can of condensed milk

3 tablespoons of powdered milk of your choice

1 tablespoon of melted butter

(optional) 1 can of cream

You need to mix all of these things very well before putting them on the heat. It is recommended to use a not very large pan and a silicone spatula. You need to stir everything until small bubbles appear on the edges, when the brigadeiro no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan or until the texture seems creamy. Let it cool in a clean container. After it cools, put it in the refrigerator to firm up (it is recommended to make it a day before if you're using it as a filling).

The chocolate syrup was the easiest part, you just need to make a ganache (melted chocolate with cream, usually made in a bain-marie, but it can be made in the microwave) and wait for it to cool before using it

I used 50% dark chocolate to break up the extreme sweetness of the cake (and added black food coloring), and in the end it all turned out really tasty!

[feyburner]

im the sponge cake/baking amateur anon and omg thank you so much for your words and recipes!!! i will definitely start making little things and try not to freak out and instead embrace this new hobby with all its fluctuations…i will definitely keep coming back here for questions and recipes if you don’t mind 🫡🫡🫡

Of course, anytime. Don’t worry, just start with the basics and build from there. It gets easier and more intuitive every time you do it—and there are SO many types of things you can bake, you’ll never get bored. Don’t like baking cookies? Pivot to cake, pastry, pies, bread. Think about what flavors you like and find recipes that highlight those flavors.

Oh a couple more pieces of advice:

1. ALWAYS read through the ENTIRE recipe at least 2x before starting.

2. Mise en place! Gather all the ingredients together before you begin—so you don’t get halfway through only to realize you’re out of baking powder.

Here’s my recipe for Chocolate Velvet Cake. It’s a deep, dark, rich chocolate cake. Pictured here with Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting, one of the only frostings I have ever liked.

CHOCOLATE VELVET CAKE

makes 2 x 8-9” cake layers

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (240g) AP flour

1 cup (200g) white sugar

1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar, packed

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp kosher salt

1 cup (227g) buttermilk* or sour cream

1 Tbsp white vinegar

1 cup (200g) neutral oil

2 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 cup (240g) freshly brewed steaming hot coffee (or 1 cup boiling water + 1 Tbsp instant coffee/espresso powder)

3/4 cup (60g) Dutch-process cocoa powder

*To make buttermilk: 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir together and let sit 10 min to curdle and thicken.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 2 x 8-9” cake pans and line with parchment paper rounds.

2. Bloom cocoa: Measure cocoa into a large liquid measuring cup (for easy pouring later). Add 1 cup (pre-measured or by weight) hot coffee in increments, whisking in between, until mixture is smooth. **If you add coffee all at once you’ll get lumps. Add a little, whisk to a smooth paste, then add rest.

3. Mix dry ingredients: Sift flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl (or bowl of stand mixer). Whisk thoroughly to combine. **Sifting really matters here. The final batter is very thin and if you don’t sift you will get lumps of flour.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vinegar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. While whisking, pour in coffee-cocoa mixture. Whisk until smooth.

5. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix with a rubber spatula until just combined, scraping bottom and sides of bowl as needed to catch any dry pockets. Do not overmix. Batter will be thin.

6. Divide batter evenly between cake pans. Bake 30-40 minutes until a paring knife inserted in the center comes out moist but clean. Start checking at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.

7. Cool in pans 15 minutes (no longer), then turn onto a wire rack to finish cooling. Let cool completely (1-2 hours) before frosting.

NOTES

- Cocoa: Dutch-process cocoa powder = the ultimate dark-as-night chocolate cake, but natural (regular) cocoa powder works just as well.

- Usually you can sub greek yogurt for buttermilk/sour cream, but not here. It doesn’t have enough fat.

- Buttermilk/sour cream + a little added vinegar react with the baking soda and cocoa powder to make a fluffy but velvety soft crumb. (Think baking soda volcano, but cake.) You cannot taste the vinegar at all.

[thefearedashantis]

Part Time Cupid (pt.1)

pt.2

Pairing: Roommate! Sirius Black x Fem! Reader

Summary: When Reader's attempts at finding love fall short, she turns to her roommate, Sirius Black, for assistance. As Sirius offers his unique perspective and charm to help her navigate the complexities of romance, unexpected feelings begin to emerge between them, blurring the lines between friendship and something more.

Word count: 2.2K

Warnings: possibly body shaming

It’s freezing outside.  Meandering somewhere below twenty, but not enough bite to be single digits. Despite the frosty breeze that slithers through your coat, you’re sweating. Feet cemented to the worn welcome mat in front of your apartment door. Forehead smushed against said doors wooden surface, hand still raised and poised to slot your key into the lock.

That was before your remaining dregs of energy sputtered out, forcing you to stop and take a quick moment to collect yourself. Allow the sweaty sheen glistening over every inch of your skin to dry before going inside where you could make out the muddled noises of your roommate and his friends in the kitchen. Well, they were your friends as well you suppose. But they’ll always be more so his.

If you went in the way you were now they’d be quick to realize you’d walked home. A good twenty minutes scurrying along streets in the part of town you were least familiar with. Looking over your shoulder at every little noise.

When you went inside, you’d have to relinquish your sadness. Split it up and dole it out in sizeable portions for each to carry for you. Which seemed sweet in theory, that the boys would be so willing to shoulder your burdens with you, but not this time. You wanted to hoard this particular melancholy to yourself. Just stew in it for a few minutes longer as if your walk hadn’t allowed for enough self-pity.

You’d never regarded yourself as a particularly interesting person. Not exceptionally pretty nor smart nor charming. You enjoyed staying home on weekends with a good book. Brewing pots of tea around the clock. Binge watching shows with entirely too many seasons and napping when the weather was poorly. You collected special additions of Oscar Wilde' works. Liked baking cookies at three in the morning when the city was asleep. Disliked doctors’ appointments. Unremarkable people get used to fading into the background. It’s how you went nearly your entire school career without much complaint on your lack of new relationships. Platonic and romantic alike.

The only reason you knew the people you did were through childhood connections. Being neighbours’ way back when. Having your parents arrange playdates for you despite knowing you’d scare the other children off. Brandishing bugs from your garden, showing off your double joints or ignoring them entirely. Only one had stood the test of your disposition and had rung you into his circle ever since. You never felt inclined to leave it. Why sit alone every day when you could plop quietly between people who shone brighter than you could ever hope for. Though you didn’t earn them yourself you cherished them as if you had. Prayed even a smidge of their polish would rub off on you in some way. To prove yourself deserving. And here you were six years after graduation living with that steadfast friend. Two next door and another only a block away. Still utterly dull.

This had been your first date in ages. Not for lack of trying. You just simply had no natural gravitation when it came to people. It took five times the average effort on your part to catch someone’s attention let alone keep it. You’d even taken a word of advice and downloaded a few dating apps. Conversations were so much easier to start and carry online, people in the comments vowed. You made your first match. A guy named Frank. Talked with him for a few weeks. Allowed your stomach to flip when he finally asked you on a date. A date you took great care in preparing for. Buying a new dress, religiously watching makeup tutorials, shaving, plucking, buffing. Practicing questions in case conversation slowed. Even eating less the days leading up to save your appetite.

All for it to turn out like this.

You should’ve known better when he was an hour late. The shame you’d felt sitting there waiting while the server cast you pitiful looks still had you clinching your jaw 'til you tasted copper. When he came bustling in wearing attire far too casual for the lavish restaurant he had been adamant on going to. No apology or excuse given.

Still, you smiled it off. At least he’d shown up at all. You’ve been stood up on numerous occasions. Everything was fine for a while after that. Nice even. When he made you laugh with a clever quip or had your heart skipping a beat when his leg brushed yours under the table.

Until it was time to order and he was placing one in your stead before you could even pick up the menu. A salad, dressing on the side, with lemon water. A well-done steak for him, rum and coke. If he wasn’t texting, he was talking about himself. A completely one-sided rant you had no space to interject. When he did rope you in it was to comment on your appearance. You didn’t look how he was expecting, profile photo a tad misleading.

Sure, the picture was a year old. Your hair was dyed but that was the only change as far as you could tell. It was your favourite picture of yourself. One of very few. 

You’d picked at your salad. Ordered no dessert despite desperately wanting to. Fished out your card when asked to split the bill. He’d tried to kiss you on the way out, lead you to his car, but you’d breezed by him and started your trek home.

Could that have possibly been the same person you’ve been texting? The one who would send you photos of his cat and reply attentively while you talked about your day even if you’d done absolutely nothing.

Now here you were, frozen to the door. Enjoying your sorrow to the staticky crackle of the overhead lighting. Fighting back the burn in your throat when your heeled feet begin to ache. The style of your hair yanking on your nerves. Dress constricting, makeup like cake smeared on your face.

You’re so hungry.

“Oh, you’re back earlier than expected!”

Without missing a beat you’re straightening up, shoving down your blues and twirling around with a smile.

It’s James, ambling up the stairs with pizza boxes under his arm. Apparently, he’d run out to grab them not too long ago because it’s faster than delivery.

He’s crowding you immediately. Squeezing you in a quick side hug as was his customary greeting, no matter how little time you’d been apart. All height and curls and warmth. He doesn’t seem to notice anything amiss and makes use of your key abandoned in the lock. Shoving the door open and ushering you inside. “Look who I found!”

You were half right at least. Remus and Sirius are in the kitchen, seated at the table with bits of a puzzle strewn out before them.

Remus looks up with a grin “Little early for you, no?”

The clock above the fridge reads half past nine. How long were they expecting you to be out?

“What did you guys get up to?” you ask, evading the question. You step out of your heels and almost whine at the feeling of cool tile.

Your roommate, Sirius, drags his attention from the pastime then. His wavy pitch hair is pulled up into a tuff on top of his head.  His chin nestled into the palm of his hand while long pale fingers tap away aimlessly at a lightly freckled cheek. Nails neatly trimmed and painted a shimmery black polish.

He crinkles his nose at you “Well, I wanted to do a puzzle, but Moonie and Prongs were against it.”

James steps around you to put the pizzas on the kitchen counter and fish out some plates. “We’re doing your stupid puzzle are we not?”

“Yet you’ve spent more time complaining than actually finding pieces.”

Remus shakes his head with a heavy sigh “You always get annoyed if we don’t start with the edges.”

 Sirius ignores this, “How was your date? What was his name again?”

“Francis?” Remus supplies.

 “No, no, I think it was Farley.”

You’ve hung up your coat, moving to the table. There are no more seats and you don’t want to steal James’ so you hop up onto the cabinet behind Sirius instead. Still close enough for you to press your squashed toes into the base of his spine. Also strategically chosen so he couldn’t see your face throughout their interrogation. “Frank, his name was Frank. And it was good. He was really nice.”

“When’s the next?”

There would be no next.

You force a breezy laugh, “I don’t wanna get too ahead of myself.”

“Ahead of yourself. Did you look in the mirror before walking out that door?” Sirius chides, rummaging through some flipped pieces.

“You did look beautiful.” Remus has gotten up to inspect the pizzas. One Hawaiian, one Meat lovers from the looks of it. He opts for meat lovers, taking a plate from James’ extended hand and unabashedly piling on slices. “I wouldn’t have been able to wait till the end of the date before asking when I could see you again.” 

“You okay?”

You hadn’t noticed when Sirius turned around. But here he is. Face mere inches from your bare thighs as he gazes up at you with a notch between his brows. Did you not look okay?

You smooth the wrinkle out with your thumb “Yeah just a little tired.”

He relaxes a tad, but the concern is still evident at the edges of the dazzling smile he bestows you with “You can tell us about it tomorrow if you want. We’ll be quiet so you can sleep”

James glances over with a look that screams ‘no promises’, red sauce rimming his lips.

“No, its fine. I want to sit with you all for a while.”

“You sure?” And it’s only when he takes your hand and lowers his voice to barely a whisper that you realize you are shaking a little. A minute tremble that racks your entire form “Your hands are cold.”

“Sorry” You don’t know what you’re apologizing for.

Sirius is frowning now. Alarm bells probably ringing off in his head despite your best effort to act normal. You were never a very good liar. “Do you want a slice love?” he asks. The question echoes where he speaks it into your cupped hands. Blowing warm breath onto them and rubbing furiously 'til they tingle.

You do, but the mere idea of having to bite, chew and swallow is exhausting. You just want to curl up in your bed and sleep. The faster you shut your eyes the sooner Franks voice would stop swirling around in your head. 

Misleading.

“No thank you.”

Sirius opens his mouth to speak again when your bubble of quiet is suddenly broken by James’ excited cheer “Corner piece!” He all but slams the bit into its slot.

Remus reminds the other boy to use his inside voice with a fond chuckle. Then his attention is back on you “Where’d he take you?”

You pull your hands away from Sirius, pointedly avoiding his gaze until he turned back to the table “That fancy place in the square where all the waiters have the same haircut.” 

“No way, they’re so expensive! Lily and I have been wanting to go for ages.” James again, speaking as if you weren’t mere inches away from him.

“You guys would enjoy it. They have a four-page dessert menu”

It takes two hours to finish the puzzle. James and Remus more so joking around while you and Sirius pour over it. They grill you for more details on your outing to which you reply with the vaguest yet most upbeat answers you could manage.  The boys stick around for a little while longer discussing some horror movie they wanted to see in theatres before returning to their own apartment unit slightly after midnight. A feeling of relief floods your chest when you shut and lock the door behind them. Finally free to retire from this day after you help Sirius clean up. The two of you make quick work. Wiping the counters. Packing away the puzzle. Washing the dishes and dumping the empty pizza boxes.

You turn to go to your room with a mumbled goodnight but your roommate has other ideas. Tears prickle your eyes when a firm grasp wraps around your wrist, stopping you in your tracks.  Sirius guides you back gently into his body, trapping your head under his chin when you shudder. His skin is scolding against yours, rubbing clumsily up and down your spine.

“I’ve known you before you could pronounce your r’s properly,” he mutters into your hair “I’m sorry it didn’t go how you wanted.”

You try to pull away but he won’t allow it. Exasperated by his persistence you grab hold of his sides, gripping them tighter than necessary “It was fine Siri.”

“Alright.”

He holds you hostage there in the dark kitchen until your heartrate begins to slow and your eyes begin to droop, slouching more of your weight onto him with every passing second. He guides you to your bedroom and leaves you to your own devices with another quick squeeze.

You slump into bed without changing or removing your makeup. Something you’ll probably regret later. Sleep evades you however. Instead, you lay there staring at your profile photo. Analysing it. Looking for the differences. When the sun begins to peek through your blinds come morning you finally reach the conclusion that maybe you’ve put on a little weight.

[emmys-baking-adventures]

Oatmeal lace cookies are one of my favorites! Crunchy, chewy, and the perfect amount of sweet - I'm already looking forward to making these again + better. Recipe below!

Ingredients:

- 1 stick salted butter

- 1 cup light brown sugar, tightly packed (will try dark brown next time to see how it affects flavor)

- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 1 tablespoon + 1 ½ teaspoons all-purpose flour

- 1 egg, room temperature

- 1 cup old-fashioned oats

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. This recipe makes 24 cookies and I fit 6 on each baking sheet, so I lined 4 baking sheets with parchment paper. If you don't have that many it's fine; just make sure your sheets cool off between batches. Set prepared baking sheets aside.

2. Melt the butter and brown sugar in a small pot over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture becomes smooth and no clumps of sugar remain - it should resemble a thick paste.

3. Remove from heat. Add the flour and vanilla, and mix to combine. Set aside to cool; I waited for about 10 minutes.

4. When the mixture is warm, but no longer piping hot, you can add the egg. (If it's too hot, the egg will begin to scramble when added!) Then add the oats and stir until well-distrubuted throughout.

5. Each cookie will use 1 tablespoon of batter. Drop them onto the sheets, spaced at least 2 inches apart. Then use the back of a spoon to spread them into very thin circles. (Mine were not as thin as they could have been, so they didn't look as "lacey".)

6. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the edges begin to darken. I like mine on the crispier side, so I left them until the edges were nicely golden-browned.

7. Let the cookies cool for about 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. They should peel right off the parchment. Occasionally one will stick; an offset spatula should easily do the trick. Store in an air-tight container at room temp!

[commandermeg]

Meg's Jelly Things??? Recipe

Look, I am not a cooking blog. I'm here to tell Paramount Plus to go eat sand and talk about Star Trek.

BUT.

I was trying to make a fun, 'April Fools' recipe for my family's breakfast tomorrow. My goal was to make a fruit roll of some kind that looked like a sausage pigs-in-a-blanket.

I threw this recipe together on the fly and it turned out so good I ended up having to dash here and write it down.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or 190 Celsius.

For the dough:

3 cups bisquick mix

2 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons white granulated sugar 3/4 cup goat milk

(Yes. Specifically goat milk. It's what I was raised on and what I've always used for milk applications. I'm sure cow milk works fine if you use one with a higher fat content, whole milk or cream.) For the Filling:

Any fruit-based jam, but I used lingonberry.

For the Egg Glaze:

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1/2 teaspoon sugar (this just gets whisked together and set aside until you need it)

Start off by mixing together the dry ingredients with a whisk. Then slowly mix in the milk - I don't have a stand mixer, so this was done with a silicone spatula.

You may need to add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. This is a recipe I made by the seat of my floury pants, so I was frantically adding more and more flour until I got a decent, semi-sticky dough.

While you want the dough to be *slightly* sticky so that it becomes airy and light while it bakes, you still want to be able to roll it out with a rolling pin and spread the jam on top.

When spreading it out, I recommend dusting the top with a tiny bit of flour to keep your rolling pin from sticking to it and reversing your progress. You'll want it to be fairly thin, as it will poof up immensely. Aim for slightly thinner than a finger. Not unlike a cookie-thickness.

Once it's rolled out, spread the jam across it with the back of a large spoon. Measure the jam with your heart. Don't bother being neat, because we're going for 'delicious' here. When you're done with this step, it will vaguely resemble a pizza. A large circle-ish shape covered in jam.

Now that the jam is applied, you'll want to cut this into 2" wide strips (I used three finger widths to measure this) . I didn't bother making them uniform lengths, but they averaged out to about the length of my hand, or a little longer.

Now, make like a transformer and "Roll out" - or in this case, Roll up the lengths of dough into little spiral logs. Or little jelly filled sleeping bags, if you will.

Once rolled, place them on the baking sheet. Do NOT use a silicone baking sheet for this - it'll make them spread thinner than my budget for this week - just set them directly on the metal pan. If you want to keep a clean sheet, you can use oven-safe wax paper.

Bake these for exactly ten minutes - when that time is over, you'll apply the egg wash over them and bake for 3-4 minutes longer or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Fair warning - the Jam will have the consistency and temperature of the earth's core, so I recommend waiting for them to cool unless you want to wind up like Smeagol at the end of 'Return of the King'.

I honestly don't know what to call these things, but they turned out spectacular.

[lyralit]

4.1.24 - the importance of learning new things

As much as I think academic & work focus is incredibly important going into the new year, one of my other goals is to practice doing more: to learn all of the things I want to do, in addition to work, in addition to writing. I want to know how to do thousands of little things, and I think the longer we wait, the less likely we are to do them.

Picking up a new hobby doesn't have to be buying a dozen textbooks and spending hundreds of dollars on lessons because you might have the slightest interest: it can be from whatever you have here, now, and you'll never learn if you don't get started.

Some of the things I've been getting into (as I've mentioned before) are baking & crocheting. it just feels so cozy and nice & I love the idea of comfort.

here is a list of things I want to / you should try that's new!

learning a new language. fifteen minutes a day, I kid you not. I'm learning latin on duolingo and I don't ever think about it, but when I do it (25 day streak 💪🏻), I'm starting to notice my improvements

consuming good media. and that's not scrolling for half an hour on tumblr. it's books—deep ones and silly ones and ones about romance and dragons and apocalypses. it's movies! I watched keira knightley's pride and prejudice twice in the last few months, and also three men and a baby which is something I never thought I would watch, but it was quite funny I think. and I learn from it: I cannot write humour or romance for the life of me, so it's basically studying to write (is the self-gaslighting too evident?)

learning to crochet. I made a silly little headband today, after scrolling through pinterest and desperately wanting one. I started crocheting in december to give as gifts (I completed none of my wips, much like when I write) and used the tools I had around me: an old rainbow loom hook and whatever string I could find. now I'm proud to say I can read somewhat fluently crochet acronyms.

baking. I keep saying this. I know. but when I tell you a two years ago I was exploding cupcakes in the oven and last month I made bakery-style cookies...I made bread! a loaf of bread! (in a bread machine, but it's so good and I instantly made another. there is one in the bread machine right now). honestly it just made me feel that much better about improvement, and trying new things, and that is the mindset I want for the new year.

learning to code. in all honesty, I never thought I was a compsci - engineer kind of person. then this year, out of sudden (masterminded) urges, I joined a bunch of tech and robotics initiatives, and maybe it's the sense of community (I can rejoice in finding another nerdy group) but now I am happily chauffeuring myself to these meetings 4h a week. I'm looking into pursuing more into the fields of eng and science. and I'm learning some code from one of the friends I've made!

starting a blog. ...I know most of the people who linger around my blog stay for the writing content (the last posts have turned this writerblr into a digital diary, and I'm only half sorry for that). but since I've joined tumblr (almost three years ago now!) I've got to meet so many wonderful people (including you!) and want to try so many things.

and I get it. it's overwhelming. so here are some starting goals that maybe I'll try also.

start doing art. -> make a card for someone as a gift.

learn a new sport & start exercising. (I'm trying out track & field in the spring, so stay tuned to figure out how that goes) -> see if someone will come play ball with you. do 1 or 2 youtube workout videos a week.

film videos of your daily life. it doesn't need to be for posting! -> edit together clips you've taken for a last year recape.

start a scrapbook. -> print out photos and dig up construction paper. decorate a page.

make a poetry journal. -> go on pinterest to read poetry! pin styles you like and set fifteen minutes to writing.

make a regular journal! -> write once a day. just try: goals for the day in the morning, or a recap at night.

try your hand at gardening. -> research plants that grow well in your region. see if any of the seeds you may have at home are useful. water your lawn. buy a plant and try to keep it alive (set reminders, leave it in front of your sink)

learn to make candles. -> watch a youtube tutorial. see if you can play around with candles you already have.

play chess. -> see if someone will play chess with you. no? chess.com is right there. go make an account. go find a stranger.

learn to play an instrument off youtube. -> maybe you have a piano sitting around, or a guitar you've never touched. you don't even need to master it. pick a song you like and google that. no instrument? maybe there's a way to play drums with home items.

go for a run. -> once a week. a set time. just shoes and the outdoors. too cold? go to a gym and use a treadmill. maybe that's not possible? skip rope.

start / join a book club. -> just you, or some close friends, or people online. a book a month. talk about it.

** on that note, would anyone like to join a tumblr book club? slide into my asks and maybe we can get a blog list!

thank you for reading again <3 until next time.

k.

[legendary-defender-of-fandoms]

The Lost Snickerdoodle/Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients (makes 72 cookies)

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter, room temp (leave out overnight to soften, DO NOT MICROWAVE)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

3 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Granulated sugar

Cinnamon

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream the sugar & the butter. Make sure the two are thoroughly blended.

Add the eggs & the vanilla and mix well.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour. Measure out 1/3 of the sifted flour and sift it again as you add it to the wet mixture. Mix thoroughly

Add half of the milk to the main mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.

Measure another third of the sifted flour, add the baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and sift as you add it to the wet mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Add the rest of the milk. Mix thoroughly.

Sift the remaining third of the flour as you add it to the mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

On ungreased cookie sheets, place about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough for each cookie. The cookies don’t spread once the dough is placed, so I usually do rows of 3 and vary the columns depending on the tray size. Make sure there’s about 1/2 inch of space between each cookie.

In a small mixing bowl, combine two parts sugar with one part cinnamon to make the cinnamon sugar topping. Sprinkle the topping on each unbaked cookie. Not enough to thoroughly cover - just a light dusting.

Bake the cookies for about 12-16 minutes. The edge should just barely begin to turn brown.

After the cookies come out of the oven, remove them with a small flat spatula & set them on a cookie rack to cool.

When baked & cooled, the cookies should be light & fluffy. Like eating a cinnamon sugar cloud. But they can be a bit dry, so have plenty of milk or other cookie-appropriate beverages on standby to wash them down!

Story Time

I was in some extracurricular baking class or cooking class or something in elementary school. I don’t remember all the details - I think at some point we learned how to serve English Tea? But during that class I received a stapled packet of recipes that included a recipe for snickerdoodles. I loved making these cookies, even though they took forever with all the sifting. But the recipe disappeared some time within the last few years. I scoured the Internet looking for it, but every recipe that called itself a “snickerdoodle” involved cream of tartar and/or called for the dough to be rolled into balls & coated in cinnamon sugar, and I knew that wasn’t part of my recipe. I finally got the idea to search for “cinnamon sugar cookie,” which led me to a thread on Reddit that had a picture of the cookies I used to bake! That recipe called for sour cream instead of milk, but I never used sour cream when I made them. I tried the recipe at 375 degrees for 10-11 minutes as it suggested, but they came out a bit crunchier than I remembered. I think the key was longer baking on a lower temperature. The centers should have a little bit of spring to them when they first come out of the oven.

If you have a free weekend, give these a try! Let me know if you try them at different temperatures.

[youdoyoucooking]

Calm Down and Cook Oatmeal Cookies

If I asked you to make me some oatmeal cookies right now would you look under the lid of your Quaker Oatmeal container for the recipe? That’s where I’d get mine. I think it’s always been there (in reality it’s been there since the 1950s). It’s a classic and reliable source. My recipe is an adaptation of that one.

There are 2 kinds of sugar in this cookie dough. Let’s play with that a little. Here’s an opportunity to stretch your wings and do your own thing. If you choose all white sugar it will be a lighter crispier cookie. It also produces thinner cookies because it absorbs less moisture from the dough, allowing the cookies to spread more during baking. All brown sugar will be a denser chewier cookie. It contains molasses and adds moisture to the dough. A combination of both as written in the recipe will result in a happy medium, but the choice is yours.

The flour will also affect your finished cookie too. Another chance to customize. All Purpose flour is a blend of hard and soft wheat that's lower in gluten-forming proteins than bread flour. It is a good choice for these cookies and probably what you have in your cupboard. Cake flour will give you a finer texture and bread flour will give you a chewier texture. The choices are yours. You do you. There’s no wrong or right choice between these. If you feel compelled to do whole wheat flour, just don’t use it 100% in the recipe. Maybe 50% whole wheat and 50% all-purpose flour.

Make your cookie dough with 1½  to 2 cups of adornments. Dress it up, dress it down, day to night kind of thing. You could go with traditional raisins and walnuts or try something no one has thought of like peanut butter chips, banana chips, and crumbled bacon (OK, maybe Elvis thought of this). Did you know Oatmeal cookies always count as breakfast food, especially if you load them up with fruit and nuts? You don’t need 20 different Oatmeal Cookie recipes to make 20 different kinds of oatmeal cookies. It can be anything you want and will make your cookie yours. What are you going to put in your cookie?

Oatmeal cookies, 

Makes about 2 dozen

2 ½  Cups Quaker Oats (quick, old-fashioned, uncooked)

⅓ cup of milk (any kind)

1 Cup butter, softened (unsalted, but if you only have salted, that’s cool)

1/2 Cup light brown sugar (firmly packed into your measuring cup)

3/4 Cup granulated white sugar

1 Egg (room temperature)

1 tablespoon vanilla or bourbon

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon salt (skip if you use salted butter)

1 ½ - 2 cups of the mix-in you desire

Place the oatmeal in a bowl and sprinkle the milk on top. Give it a good stir until all the oatmeal has a light coating of milk. Let sit for 15-30 minutes, the oats will absorb the milk. This is a good time to get the rest of the dough going.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and creamy. This can be done with a mixer or lots of enthusiasm and a wooden spoon. Add egg and vanilla (or bourbon); beat well. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and which together. Then add that to the butter mixture and stir until well combined, you should see no more dry flour. Add oats and whatever mix-in you have chosen; mix well. Stir until everything is evenly distributed. Chill for an hour or up to overnight. If you decide to chill overnight you will need some muscle to scoop out. You can skip arm day.

Drop dough in 2-tablespoonful amounts onto a greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. If you want a nicer shape, you can wet your hands with water and roll each cookie until smooth, and press down lightly on them. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes (depending on how crunchy or chewy you want them, the longer the cook, the more the crunch). The cookies will be soft right out of the oven but will firm up as they cool. Cool for 10 minutes on cookie sheets, then remove to wire rack. I line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with a non-stick spray for easier cleanup.

Or…..

Press all of the dough onto the bottom of a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Cookie Adornments, show your cookie who’s boss. Add as much as you want but don’t go over 2 cups in total.

Raisin

Walnut

Pumpkin Puree (½ cup puree added to batter, cook an extra 2 minutes)

Crumbled Bacon

Toasted Coconut

Dried Cranberries

Chocolate Chips

White Chocolate Chips

Chopped Apple 

Pumpkin Seeds 

Chopped Dates

Chopped dried Figs

Toffee Bits (my fav)

Butterscotch Chips

Orange Zest (about 1 tablespoon)

Chai Spices

Candied Ginger

Banana Chips

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Grated carrots

Chopped Apricots

Play with flavors and textures in your Oatmeal cookie. It will soon rival the chocolate chip cookie in every way.

[dango-daikazoku]

final result! @lokh i need you to see this! :^D

they taste so good and lemony!! they did harden up quite a bit like a shortbread cookie should be, i was worried because they were so soft out of the oven but it's good to know i didn't underbake them

i used 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup of butter), 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp lemon extract, 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, and 1/4 tsp of lemon drink mix (added last, not actually in recipe i followed)

kneaded until a dough formed, at first i used a wooden spoon but that did nothing so i used my hand instead and it was much easier, although it definitely felt like i was playing with the flour because of how long it took the dough to form

baked at 325 for about 16 minutes

toothpick test, no dough stuck and the underside was slightly golden brown, so i took it out and let it cool for 15 minutes on a cookie cooling rack

and then i got a tiny bowl and added powdered sugar and then added a few cookies in at a time and coated them well, any left over sugar i poured on top of the whole batch

a lot of comments i read said they're way better the next day, so i'm going to let them sit in an airtight container until tomorrow and then i'll see if it's true

p.s. i'm super happy that they didn't expand which meant i was able to use the entire cookie sheet and bake a lot at once, i have an oven that's like only a bit longer than twice the length of my hand across so that's just an added bonus that they don't expand or stick to each other when baking

original recipe link:

https://onesweetappetite.com/savannah-smiles-recipe/

[robbybirdy]

Genshin Baking Therapy - Matcha Power Cookies

Hello, every birdy. Nice to see all of you. I can’t wait to share this recipe with you. 

Now onto the character and the recipe.

The Character - Yelan. 

Yelan is a character that I like the look of, but I don’t think I am every going to get her. She would be great with Yoiymiya or even Dehya but I just dont think that I would get her. When I first say her I thought she reminded me of Yor Forger from Spy x Family. Just the vibes she was giving off in the Chasm. 

The Recipe - Matcha Powder Cookies.

My sister has always loved green tea. One day we found matcha tea, and we knew that it would be on the shelf for a very long time if we didn’t grab it. And she was like “Robyn, can you make me some Matcha cookies?” 

As many of you know I don’t back down from a baking challenge. I do my research. I usually try and find a recipe that won’t break that bank. So I found this recipe, and it was the simplest recipe that I could find. And say that with all sincerity. When it comes to baking I love simple recipes that I don’t have to rewrite just to understand it. And yes I have done that before. 

About 30 minutes before you are about to bake place your butter/margerine and eggs on the counter so it can get to room temperature. Trust me, you want to do this step. I know that in the past I might have told you that this step is not that important. Oh but it is. If you don’t do this step you are going to have to mix a lot longer. And the consistency just isn’t there. 

The first thing that you are going to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You can either line the baking sheet with parchment paper or you can spray it with non-stick spray. 

The ingredients that you will are:

1 Stick unsalted butter which is ½ cup (also if you don’t have butter, you can always use margarine. And I will give you a little hint, I only use margarine. And I haven’t heard any complaints yet.)

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

⅛ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt 

2 room temperature eggs 

3 tbsp matcha (if I made this recipe again I probably would reduce the amount. Always look at the notes bakers have on their blogs. They are usually helpful. I read them afterwards and I am just look “OOOH that is why xyz failed.” So always read the notes.)

And then for the rolling of the cookies you are going to need 

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup powdered sugar 

And if you want an additional 1 teaspoon of matcha

You are going to cream together your stick  of butter with  sugar. To this mixture you are going to add in your baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add in the eggs and mix until it all comes together. I like adding in my eggs one at a time so that I know what is going on with the texture. 

Now you are going to want to sift the matcha into the flour and pour it into mixing bowl. Sowly mixing so that all of the ingredients are incorporated. And so you don’t have a major green mess you have to clean up. 

If you want the extra teaspoon of matcha add it to a plate of powdered sugar and set it to the side. 

Using a cookie scoop, or two normal teaspoon spoons scoop the balls into about 1 and ½ tablespoon balls of dough. This measurement relative. Just go with how you are feeling. But let me remind of something important. Matcha has caffeine. 

Roll the balls in the granulated sugar and then the match and powdered sugar. 

Place them on the baking sheet and bake the for about 11 minutes, or so the recipe says. I am sorry, it is nothing against the recipe author or anything. But when making cookies I always start with 8 minutes, and add time if needed. Because like my mom has said for many years and I am starting to say “ You can always add time you can’t take it away.”

If you like green tea, these cookies are for you. If you had a Shrek themed party you had to make something for real quick this recipe would be perfect. Also you have to remember that Matcha is tea. And it has caffeine! DO NOT EAT THIS AFTER DINNER! I speak fro experience. My gosh, having seven people not being able to sleep because of something you made feels bad. 

The results of these cookies is a little half and half. Some people liked them and some of us didn’t like it. It all depends on your thoughts on green tea and the flavor. 

Do you like seeing the list of measurements in the post like this? Or doesn’t it make the post longer? Let me know your feedback. 

I hope that you liked this recipe.  Feel free to check it out for yourself. See you in the next post. Thank you.

[scientistswishingwell]

Thoughts about lichens, extraterrestrial fertilization, and my “leftovers” cookies.

Leftovers Cookies, without the leftovers. Originally made because I had leftover cookie batter from two types of cookies. Now I do it on purpose. Tastes like not being able to decide between cookies and brownies and getting both.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 c. butter

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. packed dark brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups chocolate chips (I find I like to do 1 c. Mini and 1 c. Regular or chocolate chunks but I’m not gonna tell you what to do)

1/2 c. Dutch process cocoa.

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients except the cocoa. Split the dough in half and refrigerate one half. Add the cocoa to the remaining half. Refrigerate the cocoa half. Sorry, but the refrigeration is important. No slacking here. You can make the dough and refrigerate overnight, or make it in the afternoon and have fresh cookies after dinner. But you do gotta wait.

Once the cookie dough has cooled enough to be firm, preheat the oven to 375F. take some of each type of dough and mush them together a little bit into a ball about 1 inch in diameter. Don’t totally mix them. Place on a baking sheet with parchment or some other nonstick element. Bake for 9-11 minutes, depending on how gooey or crispy you like.

If you’re feeling really fancy, dust them with any of the following: coarse ground sea salt, flaked finishing salt, cocoa powder, coarse sugar for sprinkling, etc. If you are someone who likes nuts in your cookies, first of all, why, and second of all, you can use 1 cup of chopped nuts.

Okay, onto my baking thoughts. Hear me out.

Extraterrestrial fertilization, the idea that life originated in some other place in the universe, and was carried to earth by some kind of comet or something, is a really fun idea, but my least favorite theory for a few basic reasons. One, it seems so incredibly unlikely. And two, it really just passes the buck to another planet. How did they get life to pass on to us? It has to have originate somewhere.

That being said, my latest obsession with lichens led me to this hypothesis. It’s a little gushier than the average hypothesis, but I’m hoping you forgive a girl for putting poetry in her science now and then.

Bear with me, and imagine this:

A lichenous body is transported from unfathomable distances away via a meteor, comet, or a bit of exploded planet. It survives this voyage by being nice and cozy within its intergalactic shuttle, just enough so that the following things occur:

1. The organism is *mostly* but not entirely protected by the rocky body it is carried on

2. Since no self-respecting organism would attempt to do anything but keep the metaphorical lights on in this situation, the lichenous body goes into hibernation. This will have to involve an abrupt stop of cellular function, made possible by the freezing vacuum of space, for most of the critter, but enough time for a portion of the organism to create endospores. The endospores function as essentially a little package of nucleic genetic information wrapped up in as much of a bunker as the cell can build before it dies. Best case, the cell body remains intact, making an extra layer of protection for our little nucleic acid package.

2.a. The endospores formed by the cells are bare-bones. Basically, they ONLY have enough information to keep the lights on.

3. The rocky body, by some miracle, crashes into earth. It is solid enough so that it does not burn up entirely on entry, but small enough that it does break up a bit, freeing our extraterrestrial samples. Best case, it lands in the ocean, or some other deep body of water, so that it can cool down a bit.

4. The endospores “hatch” upon reaching a vaguely habitable environment. The endospores develop into bare-bones cells. They no longer know how to cooperate with another organism, but if they could be, they would be grateful for the sacrifice of their interstellar crewmate. Possessing essentially only nucleic acids (probably ssRNA or a precursor), all these cells know is Eat Hot Chip and Replicate.

5. A couple million years later, we have a bunch of cells that have figured out how to do things other than replicate. They have adapted to many environments and now want to start doing cool shit but don’t know how yet. One of the cells engulfs a smaller cells and saves it for later, in a membrane pocket. The big cell forgets about the tiny cell, and the tiny cell continues doing its own thing. The tiny cell realizes this is kind of cool, being protected, and starts sharing with the big cell. The big cell appreciates this, and decides not to eat the little cell. It even gives the little cell some extra generic information, just to hold on to. An ancient, evolutionary memory is unlocked of cooperation for the sake of not just surviving, but thriving.

6. The world’s first eukaryotic cell replicates. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are born, and those without them figure out other ways to cooperate to build micro communities. Micro communities become organisms, or blobs of goo, or microbial mats, or gardens. The cells all remember what they used to be before they got here.