Rich, Chocolate-y, and Oh, So, Delicious...

Mud Brownies

When it comes to brownies, the world is full of people who love 'em, including us!  We believe that the perfect brownie should be intense, chewy and thick with a light crisp that touches the edges.   But most importantly, the brownie should be chocolatey.  

Mud brownies pack all of that, plus more.  The brownies are not only rich and moist, but they are slathered in marshmallow.  That's right, we said Marshmallow.  After that, we drizzle a decadent chocolate ganache to create the perfect combination chewy and crunchy.  

Enjoy at your own risk.  You may never want to stop eating them!  Don't say we didn't warn you.   

(Even better, these can be made dairy free!)

So Much Goodness: Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Coconut

How could we possibly go wrong?  With such great flavors, you can be sure these cupcakes would leave you wanting nothing more...except maybe more cupcakes.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry Mousse
These vegan vanilla cupcakes are moist and heavenly.  The strawberry mousse, sweetened only slightly with fresh-squeezed fruit juice, is the perfect topping.  They are decadent but light, rich but not too sweet.

We may have made them in December, but they are screaming April showers and May flowers.  Late in the springtime, we use fresh strawberries and top them with slivers of local, organic berries.  They are so beautiful we can hardly bring ourselves to take that first bite.  (We said hardly.  They are even more delicious than they are beautiful.)

Chocolate Coconut
Mmmm, did someone say coconut? And chocolate?  These two treats paired together make the world a better place. We like it because the chocolate makes us feel warm and comfortable.  The coconut adds a little panache, and we like that combination.  Imagine if your favorite fancy dress were actually comfortable.  This is the culinary equivalent.

The vegan chocolate cupcake made with just a hint of coconut is complimented by the creamy coconut frosting.  Just the right amount of toasted coconut tops it off.  A perfect combination of decadence and class.

Now that your mouth is watering and you are dying to indulge, email us at thegreatergoodies@gmail.com, or check out our Facebook page: facebook.com/TheGreaterGoodies.  You can inquire about these and other delicious treats, place an order, or give us feedback.

~A & M

Guiness and Bailey's Cupcakes

The Irish have a saying for this type of cupcake:  Anam Cara.

Made with a combination of Guiness and chocolate, this cupcake is best described as dark, rich, and decadent.  As you bite into this bold cupcake, the unmistakeable taste of Guiness will carry you back to the old country.  A larger bite with reveal the smooth, dark chocolate ganache flavored with hint of Bailey's.  Harmoniously paired, and sweet as the cupcake is dark, the icing is a dulcet rendition of Bailey's Irish Creme liquor.  Nothing pairs this cupcake better than coffee, except for maybe a Notre Dame game.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Cookie Season!

Last week we had too many cupcake options.  This week, we are overloaded with cookie choices.

On Sunday, we are baking 8 dozen cookies for some students at a local high school.  There are oh-so-many wonderful choices, and (as with our cupcakes), we are a bit too biased to decide on our own.  We think they are all tasty as can be, which does not help us narrow down the choices.  So, do us a favor.  Take a look at our cookies, and tell us which ones you think sound so delicious that you could eat an entire dozen all by yourself.  Or, tell us another favorite you have.  Just don't add too many choices.  We already have more than we can handle!

Are you a fan of the classics?
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Coconut Macaroons
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Snickerdoodles

Are you looking for a new flavor to rock your taste buds?
Date & Cashew Truffles (okay, it's not really a cookie, but we just can't leave it out)
Pie Crust Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

Let us know.  Post in the comments here or on Facebook.  We can't carry this burden on our own.

Local: A Definition

We'd like to take a moment to talk about the word "local".  We want to support local businesses, land and farmers, organizations and people.  Here's what we mean by that.

Local businesses
 We are proud to shop for ingredients at local, family-owned and small businesses.  We buy lots of our organic, all natural and vegan products at Rhubarb's Market.  Not to worry, they carry more than just rhubarb.  Rhubarb's Market is a great, family-owned  business on Lititz Pike in Lancaster.  The staff is friendly and they really know their stuff.  Visit their website for more information, and then stop in to see for yourself. 

When we can't find what we need at Rhubarb's Market or some of the markets we've mentioned below, we like to check out Darrenkamp's, a family-owned supermarket in Lancaster County.

We buy chocolate from Wilbur Chocolate.  If you're from Lancaster County, Wilbur needs no introduction.  If you're not, well then, you'll just have to stop by Lititz for a tour.  You won't be able to resist clearing their shelves of all kinds of great chocolate on your way out.  


Local farms
We like eating fresh fruits and veggies.  We also like baking with fresh fruits and veggies.  They make our goodies even yummier.  So, we rely on places like Rhubarb's Market, Lemon Street Market, sure.  But we also need the local farmers' markets (Millersville Community Market, Central Market, Mount Joy Market, Eastern Market, and maybe even the York Central Market). Dietz Produce at York Central Market and Green Circle Organics and Farm Fresh Cooperative at Lancaster Central Market have tons of fresh fruits and veggies to choose from, many of them local and in season.  Dietz Produce and Green Circle Organics also carry fresh and organic eggs and dairy products.  Who could ask for anything more? 

Local organizations and people
We like people.  And we like serving people.  The thing is, though, that we don't really have a whole lot of time or money to contribute the way our hearts might like.  So, we bake.  It is something we are good at, something we love.  It is also something that other people love...that we bake, that is. We believe that baked goods can make people happy, so we donate our delicious goodies to good causes.  We are working to partner with two local nonprofit organizations in the very near future to provide their staff and their consumers with baked deliciousness.  Check back later for updates and pictures.

There's more
 The reality is, though, that there is more to "local" than just buying local ingredients and donating to local charities.  It is also about patronizing local businesses and supporting our fellow entrepreneurs when we take off the business hat and put on the consumer hat.  As individuals, there are so many places we love, and we couldn't begin to name them all, but here are a few.
Prince Street Café 
Chestnut Hill Café 
Square One Coffee
Art & Glassworks
Building Character
Neato Burrito 
Mio Studio 
Chocolate Café
On Orange
Fork N Spoon Café
Rice and Noodles
Lancaster Creative Reuse
Carmen and David's Creamery
The Green Market
La cocina mexicana  
BellaBoo 
Woof N Tails
Higher Grounds Coffee Shop
Cross Keys Coffee Shop
Gallery Row and other Lancaster art galleries



So, if you are in the Lancaster area, check them out.  You won't regret it.  We promise.  And if you still have some holiday shopping to wrap up, consider stopping by one of these places and buying your last gifts.  Buy local to support local businesses and your community!

The Cupcake Conundrum

Today, we're going to discuss cupcakes.  Lots and lots of cupcakes.

Oh, and parties.  The fun kind, with lots of free food and fantastic people.  In fact, we are trying to plan a  delicious taste-testing party for our closest friends, family, and colleagues.  The sad fact is that we have too many cupcake ideas.  We love all the cupcakes listed below equally and would hate to choose favorites, but it's simply too much for two ladies to bake.  Check them out and let us know which you would be the most interested in tasting!

(Yes, we're asking you to do our dirty work).

And, now to the main course:

• Vanilla Cupcakes with Blueberry Mousse Icing
• Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing
• Vanilla Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
• Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
• Chocolate Cupcake with Nutella Icing
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Icing
• Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate and Mint Icing
• S'more Cupcakes
• Grasshopper Cupcakes
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Sugar Free Cupcakes
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
• Heath Bar Cupcakes
• Guiness and Bailey's Cupcake
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate Coconut

Post on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheGreaterGoodies) or in the comments below.  We look forward to hearing from you.  ~A&M

Our first gig

Well, it's official.  We've fulfilled our first order.  How exciting!  We've spent the evening baking a cake and two dozen cupcakes for a 16th birthday party. 

Amber made an amazing chocolate cake with buttercream icing.  The birthday girl loves chocolate, and we're sure this cake will not let her down.  The teal accent icing was also Amber's idea, and we think it looks great.

(Made with organic ingredients)

Megan made two dozen cookies & cream cupcakes.  Made with Newman's Own organic cookies, we feel pretty confident that these cupcakes will taste as great as they look.

(Made with organic and vegan ingredients)



 Email thegreatergoodies@gmail.com for details on our catering or to learn more about our bakery.

The Greater Goodies, Photos

 Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcake (vegan & organic ingredients)

 Mint Chocolate Bundt Cake (vegan and organic ingredients)

 S'mores Pops (local ingredients)

 Vanilla Blackberry Cupcakes (vegan and organic ingredients)

Mocha Coconut Ingredients (vegan and organic ingredients)

 Chocolicious Cake (local chocolate and organic ingredients)

 Guiness and Bailey's Cupcakes (local chocolate and organic ingredients)

The Greater Goodies, Baked Goods with a Conscience

We are a Lancaster County, PA, bakery offering a variety of baked goods made with local and organic ingredients, and we also specialize in vegan treats.

Please email thegreatergoodies@gmail.com for more information or to order some of our delicious baked goods. 

(This site is currently under construction.  Please check back soon!)