Three words… Begin with the cutest mini cupcakes wrappers ever by Meri Meri. They are part of the give-away I’m hosting that ends on Friday. Fill them with your favorite vanilla cupcake batter. My recipe is at the end of this post, hot stuff. While the cupcakes baked I made Julia Child’s recipe for pastry cream. And just like Julia, I made it thicker and added a little cream after it completely cooled to thin it out. As Julia said,… [Read More]
Recently, I took a cupcake class at Sur la Table in Newport Beach. One can always learn something new. For example, did you know there is a higher level of whipping cream other than heavy whipping cream? It’s called manufacturer’s cream. Restaurants use it. It’s 48% butter fat compared to heavy whipping cream’s 38%. When I saw the nice helper pour some into my coffee I didn’t stop her. I actually told her to keep on going! That one cup… [Read More]
Originally this was going to be a post on a Valentine’s Day cookie with a familiar look but I decided to share my heart bokeh find with you. You know what bokeh is, right? ~the little glittery out of focus lights on your photo. Cookie Note~I created this decorated cookie design for my niece’s nautical themed wedding this past September but with pink hearts they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day too. Nautical Wedding Part 1Nautical Wedding Part 2Nautical Wedding Part 3… [Read More]
This past weekend I was making some sample Valentine’s Day cookies and I needed very straight lines to create a dotted Swiss look. First, I thought to use a ruler marking the cookie with an edible pen but using a ruler is cumbersome and I didn’t want hard contact on the cookie. I decided to place a string over the cookie and secure the ends with tape on my pastry board. The string acted as my guideline. For every new… [Read More]
Are kids ever too big to receive some Valentine’s Day fun from home? Afterall, “nuthin’ says lovin’ like something from mom’s oven!” So they wouldn’t miss anything among the packing, I made a big Valentine on one side then on the flip I printed out an inventory list.Caution: You are about to enter the corny zone! 🙂 Each Care Package contains: 1. One personal Valentine from Mom & Dad, (and cat). 2. Rice Krispy “Bear Hugs” Treats 3. Custom… [Read More]
“Who’s there?” “Valentine’s Week and do come in!!” I am in full Martha-mode today, making Tyler Florence’s Roasted Tomato Soup, and finishing up some special Valentine Fortune Cookies for special friends but before another storm front rolls in I went out outside today to show you welcoming love into my home starts at the front door. The door decorations were very easy to make out of 2 styrofoam heart shapes, a bunch of silk flowers, ribbon, heart picks and a… [Read More]
“The Best Ever – Blue Ribbon Winning – Chocolate Layer Cake – In All The Land”!
How To Host a Shabu-Shabu Party – An Interactive Dining Experience for a Group: Part 1
Nautical Wedding Cookies
A Holiday Cocktail ~ Carrot Cake Martinis
Make-Ahead Frozen Buttercream Cake Decorations
USC Trojan Cupcakes! Fight On!
Pretty Painted Pie Crusts
Ladybugs and Sunflower Cookies
