artists do not equal bakers.

I know my statement is broad, but it's true.

Artists are not good bakers. I, having a BA in Art, accept this fact freely and gladly.

I do not read instructions, I do not take time to measure out proportions, and I like to put a "little of this" and a "little of that" to taste just right. This doesn't work with baking, and that's why I'm not good at it.

Sure, I can whip up brownies from a box but up until recently, I could NOT master chocolate chip cookies. Let me start from the beginning.

Why am I even baking, and if you've noticed I've updated what I'm currently reading, it's allergy-free. My lil friend Erikka has a gluten intolerance. She just discovered this fact last year, and it has changed her life! This is the girl I used to go through boxes of brownie mix and kraft mac & cheese with in college, and you are telling me she can't eat gluten!? When we were out at their house this fall, I got a little glimpse into her gluten-free world. It seemed yummy enough, but alas, not for me.

Then my friends Rachael & Steve started to look into the world of allergy-free baking & cooking for their kids, and started to tell me about the effects of preservatives, dyes, gluten, dairy,  you name it!

I started to wonder why I eat that stuff so carelessly - until I went to the doctor this month. I have been having some stomach stuff for the past 6+ months now. And the long and short of it is - I have a dairy intolerance. Wahhhhh my bottom lip is starting to quiver.

No more ice cream?
No more milk?
No more butter? 
No more glorious cheese board?!
No more BREYERS ROCKY ROAD?! I worked at an ice cream shop for 5 years...and you're telling me I can't touch that stuff without a stomach ache and then some in the horizon?

Ok: as I was leaving the doctor’s office I kept thinking maybe this doc is just trying to get me to go dairy-free because "I should...everyone should". I immediately pick up Andrew and drive to my favorite gelato joint. I am not going down without a fight. I eat gelato...3 different flavors. Then another great idea- let's get pizza. Cheese pizza. And give me a big old brownie while you're at it.

Fast forward two days later- I. Am. Miserable.

Okay...I get it, and I'm done. I stop eating dairy and it's like boom...I can sit throughout dinner without doubling over in pain from the party going on in my intestine. So that's how I found my way to this recipe-it's more something I feel like I want to make for others since there are a bunch of ingredients...but if you want to invest $30 in the basics that you don't have in your kitchen..it'll be worth it.