6 Fantastic Podcasts To Cook To

Six of my favorite (non food-related) podcasts to cook to.

I had a recipe planned for today, but after much fiddling, the thing never quite came together. So rather than share a sub-par recipe on the blog, I’m writing about something else I love, podcasts!

I’m a total podcast and audio book junkie. I listen to them while I work out, while I drive, and thanks so a handy dandy water resistant bluetooth speaker (best Christmas present ever!), I even listen to them in the shower! Since I started Baking Mischief, I spend MANY more hours in the kitchen than I used to, so it was only natural that audio books (more on those another time) and podcasts would become one of my favorite ways to pass the time there too.

These are my favorite kitchen-listening podcasts. They’re mostly pop-culture related. (No political podcasts should be listened to in close proximity to knives, and I can’t process science or economics chatter and mentally third a recipe at the same time.) All are engaging, all come highly recommended, and all will make your time in the kitchen a thousand times more enjoyable!

The Podcasts…

With your pantry doors closed and in full daylight: The Black Tapes Podcast The Black Tapes podcast is like The X-files meets Serial , a genuinely scary storytelling podcast that explores a series of supernatural events, with a connected central mystery at its core. Episodes run 30-40 minutes, so it’s the perfect length for a quick batch of cookies or weeknight dinner. Also, Tanis (a Black Tapes sister podcast), Welcome To Nightvale, and The No Sleep Podcast

This spring, whilst chopping some sausages: A Cast of Kings & A Storm of Spoilers Smart insightful commentary on Game of Thrones from people who love the show but are willing to engage with it on a critical level. You’ll find great discussion on everything from the nature of adaptation to Jon Snow’s hair. Start with A Cast of Kings for non-spoilery discussion and then follow Joanna Robinson on over to A Storm of Spoilers for book/news spoilers and crazy-pants speculation. Also, every single one of Joanna Robinson’s other podcasts, especially The Station Agents (general TV), The Thought Bubble (comics), and both Justified podcasts

When Marathon baking: The /Filmcast Long-form podcast film reviews. Episodes routinely run close to two hours and go in depth reviewing a single film with a spoiler section at the end. So if you’re dying to discuss that twist in the movie none of your friends have seen yet, get it out of your system listening to these guys. Also, Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider

Preparing perfectly paired appetizers and mixed drinks: The Next Picture Show Some of my favorite critics from the dearly departed Dissolve compare and contrast a recent film release with an older classic. It’s a fantastic podcast for people who like smart criticism and maybe have some major holes in their film-related knowledge. Also, Filmspotting

While making some Sherlock Cookies or BB-8 Cupcakes : Overinvested This is a new weekly pop-culture podcast and already so great. It’s definitely a show for the overinvested among us, so give the Doctor Strange mini episode a listen, and you’ll immediately know if you’re in or out. Also, Fansplaining

While making a little bit of everything: Talking TV With Ryan and Ryan Some of the most thoughtful TV talk out there, on every show under the sun. Keep up with this one and not only will you be entertained, but you’ll always find something new to watch, and probably come away from each episode a slightly better person. I know I do. Also, The Vulture TV Podcast

Saturday Morning Snapshot

Photo shoot props/lunch…

State of the Blog

There was grilled cheese and Nutella all around on the blog this week. This was a fun one, but I had to send those cookies on to new homes, because I could not handle having them in my kitchen without eating them. 🙂

Next week, there’s another hot sandwich, a post on one of my favorite things, and I booze up a favorite childhood treat.

Recipes/posts released this week were:

Spicy Chicken Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich – A grown up grilled cheese sandwich loaded with bacon, avocado, chicken, and pepper jack cheese. Homemade Nutella Chips for Baking – A simple and easy method for making homemade Nutella chips for baking. Salted Pretzel and Nutella Chip Cookies – Delicious cookies with chunks of salty, crunchy pretzel and homemade Nutella chips in every bite.

Pop-culture Corner

Man, as a long-time fan of both Scarlet Johansson and Ghost in the Shell , this whole mess just bums me out.

In not bummer casting, I had a dream and a wish we’d get a Jonathan Tucker Low-Key Lyesmith on American Gods , and we did!

Moving on to another Neil Gaiman novel I love, it was announced this week that Good Omens is being adapted into a mini series. (I, uh, did not cry ugly tears reading the Terry Pratchett mentions in that article.) This is one of my very favorite books, so I’m excited to see how this one turns out.

Finally, we’ve reached the point in the insanely long Marvel Captain America press tour where all possible serious articles on the existing footage/trailers have been written, and we start getting posts like, “All the times Chris Evans has touched his left pec while laughing.” I love this point in Marvel press tours.

Meal Planning

Saturday: Burgers Sunday: Lomo Saltado Monday: Salsa Chicken Tuesday: Salad Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken Thursday: Carne Asada made into Burrito Bowls Friday: Chicken Noodle Soup

These Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes take classic tres leches cake and add a boozy Kahlua twist. An easy and delicious recipe that everyone (over the age of 21) will love!

Last month, I bought a bottle of Kahlua for a recipe and as I was “taste testing” it, I was overcome with the sudden urge to add some Kahlua deliciousness to everything (like maybe some Mini Kahlua Cheesecakes …). So fair warning, there are a few Kahlua recipes coming up in the next couple months. Might want to stock up now.

To start, allow me to introduce Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes.

Growing up in Southern California, Tres Leches Cake is something you’re going to run into frequently, but I’m not sure how well known it is in northern parts of the US.

If you’re not familiar with it, Tres Leches Cake is a sponge cake that is dowsed in a sweet mixture of three different types of milk. It sits overnight soaking up the liquid, and what you get the next day is this fantastically moist cake with a texture that’s really all its own.

Add a little Kahlua to that mix and you’re looking at my new favorite cupcake. The result is the same moist, tender cake, but with a kick of coffee and rum that just puts this cupcake over the top.

Top the Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes off with freshly whipped cream and maybe some chocolate shavings, a little cinnamon, dulce de leche , or even some homemade caramel or strawberries. It’s going to be delicious not matter what!

Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes Recipe Notes

• These Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes must be refrigerated for at least 3-4 hours, preferably over night, so make sure you have enough fridge space for two cupcake trays to sit fairly level. You can transfer the cupcakes to a smaller container, but it’s easier/less messy to keep them in the pans while they are still soaking up the milk.
• Because these cupcakes are so wet, you want to make sure to use grease-proof/heavy duty liners so they don’t fall apart on you. I like the cheap foil ones you can buy at the grocery store.
• Finally, the alcohol in these does not get cooked off, so they are not really kid-friendly, but I’ve also included non-alcoholic instructions in the recipe notes and it’s pretty simple to make half boozy/half not.

Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags.

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-1.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 19”>

Are you ready for the Sherlock winter special? We all have the shows we love, possibly beyond reason. Sherlock is one of mine. The problem with loving this show is that it airs a three-episode season and then goes away for YEARS. The delight of loving it is that every time it comes back, it feels like an event. We aren’t even getting three episodes this time around, just a single 90-minute episode, but it’s Sherlock , so it’s cause for celebration.

We’re celebrating around here by making these Sherlock -themed tea bag cookies. The cookie base is my favorite crumbly, buttery shortbread, covered with melted chocolate and adorned with custom tea tags for a perfect Sherlock dessert. As a bonus, I have a fun extra recipe to use up the scraps so nothing goes to waste! (Scroll down to see!)

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-2.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 20”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-2.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 21”>

I love this show so much, I broke out my dusty old wacom tablet and created three different tea tags for you to use. Click on each tag to download a printable sheet of the design. Number four will give you a mix of the three.

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-222b.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 22”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-222b.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 23”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-smiley-face.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 24”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-smiley-face.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 25”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-surprisingly-okay.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 26”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-surprisingly-okay.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 27”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-all-three.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 28”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-all-three.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 29”>

British Government/Silver Fox fans, I also made a special tag just for you. <3 <3

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-3.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 30”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://i2.wp.com/bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sherlock-tea-bag-cookies-with-printable-tea-tags-3.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Charming shortbread tea bag cookies, dipped in chocolate, with printable “Sherlock” tea tags from BakingMischief.com. - 31”>

Ingredients

Cookies

• ▢ 1 cup ( 8oz ) unsalted butter room temperature
• ▢ 1/2 cup ( 60g ) powdered sugar sifted
• ▢ 2 cups ( 280g ) all-purposflour
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 6-8 oz sweetened baking chocolate
• ▢ Chocolate sprinkles for bonus recipe only

Tags

• ▢ Thread or twine cut into 12-inch pieces
• ▢ Double sided tape or glue stick
• ▢ Printed tea tags downloads available above
• ▢ Printed tea bag stencil optional

Instructions

Cookies

• Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• Cream the butter and sugar. Stir in flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of your bowl.
• Dump dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap and smash into a 1-inch thick disk. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll dough out on a piece of floured parchment paper, to 1/4 inch thick. Make sure to flour the top of the dough before rolling it out, so your rolling pin doesn’t stick.
• Cut out rectangles of about 1.75 inches x 2.25 inches. A pizza cutter works great for this!
• Using the stencil or eyeballing it, cut the two top corners off of each cookie, then use a straw to punch a hole in the cookie for the string.
• Use a spatula to place cookies on a baking tray 1 inch apart. You can squish and re-roll the scraps to make more cookies, or you can save them and make the bonus recipe below.
• Refrigerate the cut out dough for 15 minutes. This will help them keep their shape in the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake the cookies for 7-9 minutes until lightly golden. If they have formed any air bubbles while baking, gently (and carefully) pat down while the cookies are still warm. Set aside to cool.
• Once cookies have cooled, in the microwave, melt chocolate in a mug or other deep container. Start with 30 seconds, stir, and continue to microwave and stir in 15-second increments until melted.
• Dust any stray crumbs from your first cookie and dip until chocolate covers about half of it. Continue with the remaining cookies. When your chocolate gets low, you can sweep the cookies back and forth in the chocolate to help scoop it up the sides of your cookies so that they look uniform. Place on parchment paper and allow to set.
• Thread string and cut out tea tags. Using double-stick tape or a glue stick, fold and stick sides of paper together. Trim corners if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional Information (Calories are for 30 cookies made with 7 oz chocolate) Cookies inspired by: As Easy as Apple Pie Shortbread adapted from: In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita

Bonus Recipe!

If you’re a Sherlock fan, I’m sure you’ve seen one-thousand-and-one of these Martin Freeman hedgehog memes. With your extra dough scraps, why not make your own little hedgehog?

Squish scraps together, divide into 1-ounce pieces and roll into balls (about 1.5 inches each). Shape into teardrops and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Bake 12-14 min at 350 degrees F, until the cookie is lightly golden brown. Holding the cookies upside down, dip back halves in chocolate and cover with sprinkles. Dot on eyes and nose with a toothpick. Instant John Watson.

Hedgehog Cookies inspired by: Taste of Home

Hey Sherlock, what do you think of the cookies?