Today’s post is sponsored by Macy’s and Martha Stewart through the Everywhere Society. 

Let’s just call a spade a spade. I don’t bake. In fact, it terrifies me whenever my kids want home made cookies, cupcakes or cakes. I am the first person to call in the reinforcements, or just call the local bakery. A blogger colleague hit the nail on the head for me- baking has to be exact. There is no room for error. I need flexibility and a bit of creativity, which is why I am not a great baker. I can’t hide my mistakes. On the other hand, I love to think that one of these days I will get it right, and my friend Martha Stewart will walk me right through how to make a perfect torte or a splendidly, moist two-layer chocolate cake like I am an old pro. If that doesn’t work out, then at least I have the pretty pictures to wish upon.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Living, Inc.

The latest recipe book to join the Martha Stewart Living collection is Martha Stewart’s Cakes. Her first-ever book of bundts, loaves, layers, coffee cakes and more is beautifully designed and photographed. The cakes almost pop off the pages and onto my cake plate. I actually really wish they would. The recipes are inspiring asking for ingredients like butter, chocolate, egg whites and ginger making me want to try every single one of them. There are even a few recipes adapted for vegan diets.

The first ice-box cake I ever had was made by my sister-in-law. I never knew what one was before. There is an entire chapter dedicated to them in Martha Stewart’s Cakes book. They look so good and not too challenging. Look at how yummy this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake looks.

Last week I was invited to meet Martha Stewart at the Macy’s Home Store in Las Vegas. I was sent a copy of her new Cakes book, and had the opportunity to have Martha sign my copy. She was quite pleasant, asking what I blogged about and how my day was going. She also mentioned that she enjoys Vegas- which is always nice to hear. Her elegant signature was done effortlessly and in the same amount of time I sign off on all my kid’s homework. I have to admit, it was pretty cool to experience. I mean, who hasn’t pined over her perfectly decorated wedding cakes in the past? Or brought a picture of the perfect baby shower cake to your local baker carefully scored from right out of her magazine? She’s the face that launched the DYI revolution. How could I not be excited to meet her!

The Martha Stewart’s Cakes book is available at amazon.com, but you can enter to win your own copy right here on RockStarMom Las Vegas. Just leave a comment below telling me your favorite type of bundts, loaves, layers, or coffee cakes– but make sure you enter through the Rafflecopter so your entry gets included in the drawing. See more from my day at Macy’s and meeting Martha in the video below, courtesy of Desiree Peeples of Mommy Reporter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Everywhere Society, Macy’s and Martha Stewart for sponsoring today’s post and give-away. As a member of the Everywhere Society, I was invited to the event, compensated for my time and story, and sent a copy of the Martha Stewart’s Cakes book. All words and opinions are my own.

It started a few years ago for me. My obsession with the infamous Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie. Back before Facebook and Twitter were anything but a sorority binder for Rush and a funny noise a bird made- you remember those emails that became Chain Emails? Particularly, the one about the secret recipe for the Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie in which a lady was duped into paying $250 for the recipe? I know I gave that recipe a go, and it came out rather un-exciting. After a few years of experimenting, and finally giving up on achieving perfection, I forgot all about the cookie. Well, the other day I was eating lunch at one of my new favorite spots on the Strip, the NM Cafe inside the Neiman Marcus at the Fashion Show in Las Vegas. And, lo and behold, what did my little eye spy? The cookie! Right there on display in an adorable little Neiman Marcus miniature shopping bag, with none other than the recipe card included in the packaging!

The manager gave me the go ahead to post the recipe on my site, and I’m taking him up on it. In fact, Neiman Marcus loves sharing the cookie recipe for free. Let me tell you, this cookie is delicious. Some people are cupcake fans, other dig pies and brownies. Me? I salivate over cookies. Like really good cookies. I will dole out some pretty impressive dough on a round piece of dough baked to perfection. The Neiman Marcus cookie is no exception. Just take a look at this masterpiece!

My fondness of cookies is credited to my mother, who, in my opinion, makes the best cookies. I’m quite picky when it comes to these sweet little delicacies. They have to have the right quality ingredients, the right amount of sweetness, and the right balance of firmness. I, myself, am not the best baker in the world. My cookies never seem to come out right, which makes me the best critic, right? I might not be able to bake ’em, but I sure can tell you if you have a winner. The Neiman Marcus cookie recipe is a sure winner in my book!

Just in time for the holidays, a cookie recipe to impress your friends and relatives with!

The Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients Call For:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds). Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. In a mixing bowl, shift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. Using a 1-ounce scoop or 2-tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2-inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned at the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie. Makes 2 dozen cookies.