Archive for June, 2012
Foodie Penpals
***Don’t forget to enter my Sweetstakes for a copy of Heather Baird’s fabulous new cook, SprinkleBakes: Dessert Recipes to Inspire Your Inner Artist. The contest ends July 4th!***
I recently participated in a fun, monthly project called Foodie Penpals. Basically, you exchange fun, yummy food items with someone else within the U.S. I received a package from the super sweet Melaina at It Really Works! Check it out –
Pinwheel Cookies
***Don’t forget to enter my Sweetstakes for a copy of Heather Baird’s fabulous new cook, SprinkleBakes: Dessert Recipes to Inspire Your Inner Artist. The contest ends July 4th!***
I’m sure you have already noticed that I’m a fan of fun cookies without icing (like this and this). When I saw LilaLoa’s tutorial for her Father’s Day bowtie cookies, I was excited to try it. So, I made patriotic pinwheels!
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Sweetstakes: SprinkleBakes Cookbook {Closed}
And, the winner is…
Comment #100, which is…
Lanna K!! Congratulations, Lanna!
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Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcake
Shortcakes are special to me.
My grandmother was the consummate baker of my family. Every year, she made my birthday cake – always a layered strawberry shortcake. Beautiful, simple, and perfect.
She passed away the day before my 13th birthday.
Making this cake was bittersweet for me, but I know that she would have loved it. A light shortcake is smothered in strawberries and blueberries with a luscious, cinnamon-spiked whipped cream. The colors make this a perfect Fourth of July dessert – it is a crowd-pleaser!
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Firecracker Bark
Some holidays are way better when you’re a kid.
Most of my Independence Days growing up were spent swimming all day, munching on the infamous flag cake, and watching a makeshift fireworks display. We never went to see professional pyrotechnics, but it didn’t matter – sitting on the cold grass, with a beach towel around your shoulders, watching the sky light up…it was magical.
This candy brings back a little of that magic for me. White chocolate bark is covered with red and blue Pop Rocks for a surprising and tasty surprise. Perfect for your Fourth of July party!
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Firework Cookies
I hate sparklers.
It’s true.
Every time I hold one, I burn myself. Every time.
Fourth of July rolls around and I’m peer-pressured into holding a sparkler. I convince myself that it will be different this time and I will become a mighty master of the sparkler. I will twirl it around without fear for my exposed skin. It will be different this time. I believe it.
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Fourth of July Treats
Image from someecards.com
Ready to fire up the grill, get drunk outside, and purchase illegal fireworks from a roadside shack? Our country’s independence day is almost upon us and other than making fun treats for you fine people, I don’t have any plans. Plus, the 4th is a Wednesday this year – that puts a damper on the festivities for sure! We’ll probably just enjoy the day off from work and watch fireworks on TV. Because we’re lazy and anti-social. Did I mention lazy? Really lazy.
Get ready for lots of red, white, and blue for the next two weeks! Do you have plans for the 4th? Are you also anti-social and/or lazy? I want to know! Tell me in the comments.
The Night Circus Cookies
“There are very few people wandering through Le Cirque des Rêves with you in these predawn hours. Some are wearing red scarves that are particularly vibrant against the black and white…You spend your last moments at the circus as you wish, for it is your time and yours alone. But before long, it is time for Le Circque des Rêves to close, at least for the time being.” – The Night Circus
Our time with the circus has ended. Did you have fun? I know I did. But first, here is how to make your own The Night Circus cookie platter. I apologize for the lack of step-by-step pictures – this batch was done at night, and quite quickly! Some designs were inspired by The Night Circus online game.
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Chocolate Mice
“As he continues to walk around the circus, Bailey’s path leads back to the courtyard. He stops briefly to watch the sparkling bonfire and then at a vendor to purchase a bag of chocolates to make up for his mostly uneaten dinner. The chocolates are shaped like mice, with almond ears and licorice tails.” – The Night Circus
When I decided to create desserts for The Night Circus, this was the first one that came to mind. What a fun, unique, circus-y treat! These mice are delicious, with a soft cake center coated in creamy chocolate with a couple almonds to boot. The sunflower seeds create perfectly shaped eyes, completing the magical look.
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Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
Chocolate Caramel Popcorn…magical!
“After the circus departed, he wrote down every detail he could remember about it so it would not fade in his memory. The chocolate-covered popcorn. The tent full of people on circular raised platforms, performing tricks with bright white fire. The magical, transforming clock that sat across from the ticket booth, doing so much more than simply telling the time.”
There is something truly special about homemade caramel popcorn. Buttery and sweet, with an irresistible crunch and drizzled with milk and white chocolate. The best part? It’s easy. No, I swear. No candy thermometer needed! I think Widget and Poppet would have fought over this one…and then Celia would have given them both their own bag of this scrumptious treat.
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