cookie monster

The week I became Cookie Monster

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

Literally. I was Cookie Monster this week. I baked A LOT of cookies that I’d made before- Mexican Hot Chocolate and the Chipless Wonders. But the main headline is that I was actually Cookie Monster.

And trust me, it was a time.

Did I win the competition? Definitely not. Did I have a great time? I did indeed! Will I compete again? Possibly. As Cookie Monster? Probably not. But never say never.

I had the best time being slightly out of my comfort zone and performing with my Pole family at Pole Class. It’s hard to really put into words how much the pole community has meant to me. I’ve been poling for almost 20 years now (I’m not that good or strong- but we’ll leave that to the side for now). But it’s meant so much to have a supportive group of mostly women- but also of gays and theys, to surround myself with. And it’s meant a lot to see the same faces every week- for a lot of that time. Before I was married, before I was a Mom or a Mum, I was a pole dancer. It’s been one of the few constants since 2007! I mean, even my name has changed!

In fact, if not for pole, I would not be in my current cookie era. It was the Amsterdam cookies that kicked it all off and making people happy through baked goods is what keeps me doing it. I don’t DARE show up to pole sans cookies– I’m the Cookie lady!

So even though performing is at the very edge of my comfort zone, poling is definitely something I hope to do for another 20 years and baking is too!.

They’re called S’mores for a reason…

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

And actually, I’m starting to sound like a broken record- but once again, this week, THESE cookies might just be the best ones ever! I’m not speaking based on my opinion but on the reactions of everyone who has tried them! I can honestly say that these S’mores Cookies from Cookies & Crumbs (again) have gotten some of the best reactions ever! I mean, I’ve been baking cookies for nearly a year now– and these have gotten some of the strongest reactions ever! I mean, the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies are still right up there – but these are giving them a run for their money. And they’re pretty similar- dark chocolate cookies with marshmallows but the spice of the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies just makes them a little bit better (IMHO!)

I also made Wine Enthusiast’s Red Wine Chocolate Chocolate Cookies. They were big, chocolate, pillowy- but not worth using 2 cups of wine in. I had an open bottle but I had to open ANOTHER bottle to have enough for the recipe. They were ok…. but not amazing. It did give me the idea for maybe Mulled Wine Cookies in the future which could be fun!

I have so many cookie options that are on the list to make – I’m not even sure what to choose for this week! I’m thinking of bringing cookies for my pole show on Sunday when I’m dressing up as– wait for it, Cookie Monster. How fitting!

C is for Cookie…

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment


“Today, me will live in the moment, unless it is unpleasant. In which case me will eat a cookie.”

 – Cookie Monster

So I’ve been on a cookie baking binge over the past few weeks- or maybe even months. Actually, I can trace it back to July.

My friend, Jinx (not her actual real name, but her real pole name) went to Europe and brought back THE best cookie I’ve ever tasted in my life. It’s from Van Stapele, a bakery in Amsterdam, that only does one thing. These cookies. And they’re life changing. They’re also, unfortunately, only in Amsterdam. So, I did what any normal obsessed person would do and googled the recipe.

Of course, being a world famous cookie house, it wasn’t online. But there were loads of copycats which gave me plenty of fodder for my re-creation attempts.

Now, a smart, conscientious blogger would have made careful notes about what she baked, how it turned out and where the recipe came from. But that’s not me so please don’t ask which recipe was the best. (From memory, it was these or these but don’t quote me.).

I trialled a couple of different recipes before moving on to OTHER cookies. Chocolate Chip, Compost, Playdate, Snoop Dogg’s PB Chocolate Chip Cookies (Thomas was NOT a fan), Oatmeal raisin (by request), Mexican icebox, Coconut Sugar (bland!) and then I found them.

After weeks of searching, I’ve found the perfect cookie.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies from the NY Times.

I’m obsessed. I’ve made one batch this week, and because they are amazing I have a second bath ready to bake for tomorrow. These cookies are amazing.

I have to make a second batch, because I’ve gotten into a bit of a pattern. The people in my life now expect that I’ll turn up places with cookies. Tuesday at the gym, Wednesday nights at Pole Class. All of this cookie trialling has led to a lot of cookies. Far more than three people can eat, so I share them. And they must be better than ok, beacuse now people look forward to them, request flavours and are generally, a bit disappointed when I run out of cookies and they don’t get one. So, I’m making two batches of these- and also starting a list (or at least trying to be better) to record my cookie exploits.

So, join me on my baking journey!