Banana Chocolate Death Star Waffles

Today’s the day. We’ve all been waiting for what seems like forever. Star Wars: Episode VII is finally in theaters! Admittedly, today I woke up on the dark side of the bed after very little sleep and the realization sinking in that I have to scale back on my geeky recipes. Luckily, I soon discovered that I could Awaken the Force and my day with a generous stack of Banana Chocolate Death Star Waffles. They’re quick, they’re easy, they’re a real crowd-pleaser, AND they’re made from scratch! Say what?

Just like that, I was back in celebration mode. New Star Wars, themed waffles, and my first blogging anniversary?  Suddenly I’m bursting with energy and enthusiasm! Or is that the banana slices and chocolate chips?

Ready? Let’s go!

LEVEL UP! Skill Up Skillet is 1 year old: A Look Back

Can you believe it? Today is the first anniversary of Skill Up Skillet’s first post. Geeks, we’ve come so far together in a mere 365 days. Skill Up Skillet was created to share new and interesting recipes based off of video games, anime, movies, and geek culture. However, because I’ve always hated cookbooks I was determined to be candid about my culinary adventures. (Spoiler alert: Sometimes ‘candid’ is synonymous with ‘brutally honest’.)

For those loyal readers who have been with us since the beginning, thank you. For our newer readers, welcome! I’m so freaking stoked to have you all here.

Just in case no one’s told you today, you are THE BEST person in the world. Seriously, you’re my favorite.

Fun fact: I hate the color pink.

Each of you gets me one step closer to world domination. Well, not exactly world domination per se, but close enough. Slowly but surely, we’re getting there. For the visually inclined, I’ve compiled this handy infographic:

I own America. Muahahaha.

I still can’t get over it. Today let’s discuss progress, recipes, bests, worsts, and plans for the future. And, of course, stay tuned for the giveaway results. Can you handle it?

(Honey badger don’t care; let’s go.)

Hunger Games Chocolate Cherry Custard

First: I’m dreadfully sorry about last week. Unfortunately I was unable to publish a new recipe due to some pretty wicked gastrointestinal issues. On a related note, who the actual fuck washes their dishes with straight bleach? I ask you.

I have a  special treat for you this week: Chocolate custard dotted with cherries from the Hunger Games. Though only mentioned in passing, this dessert sounded so good it demanded to be made. That, and do you have any idea how much lamb costs?! I was not about to make the lamb-and-plum stew. We’ll talk about that when I get a raise or three. Good?  Good.

As of now I’m making two batches of each recipe weekly; one for the blog and house, and one for a friend to take to work. Now that’s what I call job security! Stay tuned at the end of the post for the actual test message conversation about just how well the custard was received.

Ready? Let’s go.

Pumpkin King Pumpkin Pie

Because making pie crust is freakin’ HARD.

You’ve partied with Oogie Boogie Meringue Cookies. You’ve sipped tea and nibbled Nightmare Before Christmas Sugar Cookies with your pinky out. You guiltily crammed an entire Jack Skellington Whoopie Pie in your mouth (though you might have redeemed your social graces enough with this fandom tea, courtesy of CuppaGeek). You socialized with Sally’s Blueberry Scones.The time has finally come for Pumpkin King Pumpkin Pie.

So it has finally come down to this: Halloween Week. The final Nightmare Before Christmas tea party recipe. Today I present you with the king of all pies: Pumpkin King Pumpkin Pie! Did you think you would make it out of here without encountering pumpkin spice?! This recipe combines the ‘tried and true’ (my grandmother’s spicy pumpkin pie filling recipe) with the ‘fresh and innovative’ (a buttery, flaky pie crust recipe developed by a friend in culinary school). I must confess: This is the best pumpkin pie I have ever tasted. I do not say such things lightly. A couple of talking points before you read about me cursing at baking supplies:

First order of business: Have you voted for November’s Featured Recipe yet? You are eligible to vote once every 7 days and the poll will be running until November 1st at dawn. Make your vote count now.

Second order of business: This pie crust recipe was gifted to me by a good friend of mine, Luna. She’s absolutely fantastic and deserves full credit for getting me through this with minimal issues. She is also thus far the only person who will give me shit for weird culinary stuff I do and gives great feedback. Stay tuned for a quick interview with her. I promise it’s interesting and funny and she totally fits in here.

Ready? Let’s go.

Nightmare Before Christmas: Sally’s Blueberry Scones

What could be more iconic than scones and tea at a tea party? How about my recipe for Sally’s Blueberry Scones? These scones are delicious with bursts of intense blueberry flavor and a sweet-tart lemon glaze that just won’t quit. The best part? Break one of these scones apart and take a look at that drop-dead gorgeous blue crumb. It’s irresistible. I confess, I ate one scone before I even started on the stitching, burning my tongue on the hot blueberry juices in the process. I had two more scones this morning.

Number of regrets: 0

This is your new go-to scone recipe. End of discussion. Hell, I’m making a second batch and destroying my kitchen later this afternoon. They’re seriously the easiest thing in the world and require zero decorating skill. Ready? Let’s go.

Nightmare Before Christmas Sugar Cookies

This *might* be due to patience required for optimal icing.

And we’re back with another installment of the Nightmare Before Christmas Tea Party series! This week we’re featuring a sugar cookie recipe with charmingly ornate royal icing Zero and nightscape designs. If these cookies make you half as happy as they make me, I’ve done my job. But why another Friday update? Allow me to answer you in verse:

What’s this? What’s this?
There’s flour everywhere
What’s this?
Baking smells in the air
What’s this?
A table laid with cookies
There’s so much icing
Get this black goop out of my hair!
What’s this?

Yes, I managed to get icing in my damn hair.

But seriously, these are quite possibly the best homemade sugar cookies you’ll ever make in the history of ever. Your little ones will love you, your demented teenager will come out of their room for five minutes, your Nightmare Before Christmas-loving significant other will make shrill happy sounds before tackling you, your coworkers will hail you as the food-bringing office hero.. it’s a win:win:win:win situation.

Ready? Let’s go.

Oogie Boogie Meringue Cookies

Yes, I see what I did there. October is here and the Halloween season is upon us. While this may make some run for the pumpkin spice (ahem, basic), there are those of us who get to work making devilishly delicious treats. This month Skill Up Skillet will be hosting a Nightmare Before Christmas tea party of sorts with CuppaGeek! Stay tuned for a stellar tea review and pairing later this month. Seriously, though, did you know there was such a thing as geeky teas? No? You’ve gotta get in on that. Give a girl a click.

This week we’re starting off with the villain, Oogie Boogie. This meringue cookie recipe is positively to die for. There’s a little bit of chewiness, a little bit of crunchiness, and a whole lot of flavor. As an added bonus, they’re so light they practically fly off the plate. Simply diabolical!

Boys and girls of every age, are you ready? Let’s go.

Vote for November’s Featured Recipe NOW!

It’s about that time again, geeks. Time to vote! And no, I don’t mean casting a ballot for the lesser of two evils to run a country or some equally depressing thing; I’m talking about voting for November’s Featured Recipe on Skill Up Skillet! Are you feeling some Legend of Zelda? I’m feeling some Legend of Zelda.

Like last time, I’m giving you three choices: Chocolate Peanut Butter Deku Nuts, Deku Shield Brownies, or Bombchu Lemon Bars. They all sound pretty amazing, right? Voting will be held starting today through the month of October. You can vote once a week, so make it count, yeah? Tell all your friends! Try to rig the vote! I want to see as many votes cast as possible.

Whaaaaat?! You can’t wait for Zelda treats? Well, you could always check out my Triforce Stained Sugar Glass or Strawberry Soup Health Potion…

STAY TUNED FOR A MONTH-LONG NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS TEA PARTY COLLABORATION WITH NICHOLE OF CUPPAGEEK!

Cheers,

Leisel

Remember, cooking IRL doesn’t have to be a Feat of Strength!

Poké Ball Candy Piñatas

I don’t know about you but I’ve been on a big Pokémon kick lately. Also, I’ve been beyond-inundated with work lately (as I’m sure you’ve noticed with my late posts) and needed something fun. What could be easier or more fun than making Poké Ball Candy Piñatas? This recipe (if you can even call it that) is as easy as it gets: Candy shell, decoration, filling. Best of all, no actual cooking required! If you’d like, you could even get creative and use decorating icing to create other types of Poké Balls: Great, Ultra, Master… have fun with it! These would be perfect party favors at any Pokémon-themed birthday party or event.

Just… don’t throw these at people. Or animals. Or anything living, really. Non-gaming violence is bad, mmkay?

I decided to fill my piñatas with a playful combination of Nerds candies and Everlasting Gobstoppers, with a few of my favorite Gym Badges and The Boy’s Pikachu Amiibo. Because Pikachu, that’s why. You either love Pikachu or you’re lying.

Ready to catch your first Pokémon? Let’s go.

September’s Featured Recipe: Powdered Donut Pancake Surprise

You spoke; we listened! September’s Featured Recipe is Mrs. Cartman’s Powdered Donut Pancake Surprise! Recently, Skill Up Skillet received a donation to the Bakeware Fund. Part of this donation went towards purchasing a small deep fryer which was used to make the donuts used in today’s recipe. Thanks for your donation!

Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This recipe is pure diabetes on a plate. Expect one plate to feed 3-4 adults!

As you may have noticed, there’s no poll for October’s Featured Recipe. “But why, Leisel? Don’t you care about your readers?” You bet your ass I do. That’s why this October Skill Up Skillet will be collaborating with CuppaGeek throughout the month of October to throw a smashing Nightmare Before Christmas Tea Party! Details to come, but it’s sure to be a fun-filled month of “What in Zeus’ name did we get ourselves into?”

I digress. South Park. Powdered Donut Pancake Surprise. Ready? Let’s go.