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| in the picture: chocolate, lavender, and coffee flavored ones |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
{Visit} Paris 66 Macarons
I just had to share a wonderful macaron experience I had on Tuesday. For all of you Pittsburgh people, you HAVE to head over to Penn Circle to Paris 66 Bistro. The head pastry chef there trained at Laduree, and the macarons are seriously the best I've ever had! My favorite: the white chocolate basil. Ah.maze.ing.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
{Bake} Blueberries & Cream Cookies
On Monday, I wrote about the cookbook Momofuku Milk Bar. (remember? awesome looking, but a little challenging?) Well, if you're not feeling in the mood to break out the ingredients and time to make one of the recipes from the book, you're in luck. Williams Sonoma started carrying the cookie mixes from Momofuku at the beginning of the year.
I picked one up when I was shopping last week--I chose the Blueberries and Cream version. Especially after writing the last post, I was amused to find that this was not your average boxed cookie mix. There's a few more steps than just dumping the ingredients in the bowl and mixing with some butter/liquids. They take a couple of hours to make, but man are they tasty!
Here's the official looking version:
And here's a couple of photos of my results. Excuse the photo quality--I had to take them at night with my husband's iphone because they were so good that he was NOT waiting for good light to eat them.
After making the cookies, I went back to the cookbook to review the original recipe. Outside of needing some milk powder, dried blueberries and glucose stocked in your pantry, they actual recipe looks like it would take about the same time to make. Since the price of the mix at Williams Sonoma is $16, I think I'll give the full-on recipe a try soon!
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| photo via |
I picked one up when I was shopping last week--I chose the Blueberries and Cream version. Especially after writing the last post, I was amused to find that this was not your average boxed cookie mix. There's a few more steps than just dumping the ingredients in the bowl and mixing with some butter/liquids. They take a couple of hours to make, but man are they tasty!
Here's the official looking version:
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| photo via |
And here's a couple of photos of my results. Excuse the photo quality--I had to take them at night with my husband's iphone because they were so good that he was NOT waiting for good light to eat them.
After making the cookies, I went back to the cookbook to review the original recipe. Outside of needing some milk powder, dried blueberries and glucose stocked in your pantry, they actual recipe looks like it would take about the same time to make. Since the price of the mix at Williams Sonoma is $16, I think I'll give the full-on recipe a try soon!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
{Inspiration} Milk Glass
At first I didn't understand the whole milk glass obsession. When it first started popping up, I said "What's with this stuff? Moms and Grandmas collect it!" It didn't take long, though and I was all over it. Let me tell you how awesome it looks against my Restoration Hardware Graphite painted walls. It looks awesome. White is so classic, but I even love that pink and mint green are popping up. For my daughter's Eloise party, I even made some of my own DIY Milk Glass to rapidly expand my dessert ware collection. I can't get enough (even though my husband says I already have too much. But seriously, for guys, 2 pieces are 2 too many, right?). One day, I'm sure I'll have a huge display, but for now I'll just keep pining over displays and additional pieces to purchase.
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| lovely white and aqua |
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| maybe a new one to add to my collection? love the green too. |
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| Didn't know it was DIY, did you? |
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| love the plates on the wall via martha stewart |
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| more than love this display in a hutch |
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| some serious creativity going on here. love it! |
Monday, March 26, 2012
{Cookbook} A Tasty Challenge
I've been waiting for a while to post about this cookbook. I got the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook by Christina Tosi just after Christmas, and I couldn't put it down. I have an addiction to cookbooks, and this one was just about perfect: a well-written and interesting story, some awesome photography, and some more-than-awesome looking desserts.
I haven't visited (it might be a good enough reason to make a special trip), but it gets rave reviews from visitors and critics alike. I mean, check out these pictures from around the blog world:
After you're done drooling, I have a bit of a confession. I haven't made anything out of the book yet. It's just that every time I look at it, it seems so daunting. I'm not one to shy away from a challenge (especially a tasty one), but I feel like some of the recipes would require an entire day to prepare! And I think you might need to stop by the Milk Bar online store to grab a couple of essentials to make the task slightly easier (or maybe just to buy some dessert goodness). So for now, it sits on my shelf taunting me with its pictures and recipes like "you need to make time to tackle one of my recipes." In the meantime, maybe I'll swing by Williams Sonoma and buy a boxed mix. Oh wait, I already did :) More to come on the results this week :)
Have any of you made a recipe from the book? I'm dying to know what you think!
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| Buy it on Amazon |
I haven't visited (it might be a good enough reason to make a special trip), but it gets rave reviews from visitors and critics alike. I mean, check out these pictures from around the blog world:
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| Candy Bar Pie |
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| Crack Pie |
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| Chocolate Chip Layer Cake (I love the presentation!) |
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| Crack Pie (doesn't it look SO good?) and Compost Cookie |
After you're done drooling, I have a bit of a confession. I haven't made anything out of the book yet. It's just that every time I look at it, it seems so daunting. I'm not one to shy away from a challenge (especially a tasty one), but I feel like some of the recipes would require an entire day to prepare! And I think you might need to stop by the Milk Bar online store to grab a couple of essentials to make the task slightly easier (or maybe just to buy some dessert goodness). So for now, it sits on my shelf taunting me with its pictures and recipes like "you need to make time to tackle one of my recipes." In the meantime, maybe I'll swing by Williams Sonoma and buy a boxed mix. Oh wait, I already did :) More to come on the results this week :)
Have any of you made a recipe from the book? I'm dying to know what you think!
Friday, March 23, 2012
{Recipe} Lemon Curd Raspberry Cupcakes
Happy Friday!
We are enjoying freak-ishly nice weather here in Pennsylvania, and everyone has had a huge jump start on spring activities like yard work, grilling, and yes, even outdoor entertaining (that's how oddly warm it's been here! I have a picture of my car thermometer that says 85 degrees, because no one would believe it!).
In the new issue of The Party Dress magazine, I created a super-easy semi-homemade cupcake recipe that would be perfect for a sunny afternoon dinner party, or even for your Easter festivities. All you need is a white cake mix, some raspberries, lemon curd (even store-bought is fine) and your favorite kind of icing!
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| photo property of Two Sugar Babies and The Party Dress |
Friday, March 9, 2012
{Cupcake Spy} Shreveport, LA
We're back today with one of my favorite party girls, Emily from Magnolia Creative Co. I have been working with her since almost he beginning of Two Sugar Babies, and always look forward to working with her!
Cupcake Spy - Shreveport, LA
My name is Emily from Magnolia Creative Co. When Charynn asked me to be a cupcake spy I knew exactly which bakery I wanted to visit, Buttercups. Buttercups is owned by Kim Wood. She has been on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars and now has two locations in Shreveport and Bossier City. My daughter has been allergic to eggs all her life and finally outgrew her allergy so I knew this would be the spot to take her for her first REAL cupcake.
On a rainy Sunday we ventured out before going to see the Nutcracker Ballet. The staff was so friendly and excited to be a part of Audrey's first real cupcake celebration. We selected 4 flavors for us to sample and two to take home to my husband, Chocolate, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Vanilla and Peanut Butter. They have a rotating schedule 21 flavors so anytime you go you're sure to be able to try something new.
Audrey loved the chocolate and the strawberry! They were all so moist and the frosting was absolutely delicious topped with their signature "flower" and sprinkles. I am not a huge Oreo fan (I know, gasp!) but I must say the Cookies and Cream cupcake was one of my favorites. The chocolate was rich but the icing was light and had a hint of Oreo. The peanut butter one got rave reviews from my husband as well.
They also offer delivery now for orders of 3 dozen or more cupcakes! I'm sure now that Audrey can eat there we'll make Buttercups a regular stop too. We enjoyed our very tasty mission, thank so much for having us participate in your guest blog post.
Note: The exterior picture of the store and the box of 6 cupcakes I took from the Buttercups Facebook page. Like I said it was raining when we went so I couldn't get an exterior pic and trying to keep a box of 6 cupcakes intact with a 3 year old was pretty much impossible.
Cupcake Spy - Shreveport, LA
My name is Emily from Magnolia Creative Co. When Charynn asked me to be a cupcake spy I knew exactly which bakery I wanted to visit, Buttercups. Buttercups is owned by Kim Wood. She has been on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars and now has two locations in Shreveport and Bossier City. My daughter has been allergic to eggs all her life and finally outgrew her allergy so I knew this would be the spot to take her for her first REAL cupcake.
On a rainy Sunday we ventured out before going to see the Nutcracker Ballet. The staff was so friendly and excited to be a part of Audrey's first real cupcake celebration. We selected 4 flavors for us to sample and two to take home to my husband, Chocolate, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Vanilla and Peanut Butter. They have a rotating schedule 21 flavors so anytime you go you're sure to be able to try something new.
Audrey loved the chocolate and the strawberry! They were all so moist and the frosting was absolutely delicious topped with their signature "flower" and sprinkles. I am not a huge Oreo fan (I know, gasp!) but I must say the Cookies and Cream cupcake was one of my favorites. The chocolate was rich but the icing was light and had a hint of Oreo. The peanut butter one got rave reviews from my husband as well.
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| All photos courtesy of Buttercups and Magnolia Creative Co. |
Note: The exterior picture of the store and the box of 6 cupcakes I took from the Buttercups Facebook page. Like I said it was raining when we went so I couldn't get an exterior pic and trying to keep a box of 6 cupcakes intact with a 3 year old was pretty much impossible.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
{Cupcake Spy} Worcester, MA
Hi! My name is Melody from Tea Party Designs.
I was so excited to sign up as a cupcake spy and then realized how few
cute bakeries were in my area. After I hit Google, I was thrilled to
find a cupcake shop in Worcester, MA just a few minutes away!
One Saturday morning, my daughter and I visited Sweet bakery. The bakery offered an amazing selection of cupcakes including some unique flavors that I knew I had to try.
Some of the flavors are staples and new ones are added each day. I was lucky enough to try six different flavors, but it was so hard to choose.
After my contemplation, I finally chose six flavors: Peanut Butter, Margarita, Red Velvet, White with Raspberry Frosting, Carmel Rum, and “Give me Samoa”. We brought them home and starting sampling immediately. I can’t say I have a favorite – each was more delicious than the next. The White with Raspberry frosting was simple and moist. My daughter claimed this as “her cupcake” since it was pink.
I must note that the Margarita cupcake was so unexpected. The frosting had just a hint of Margarita lime flavoring and the outer rim was coated in large sugar crystals to mimic the salt. Sweet is owned by Alina Eisenhauer, who has been featured on Cupcake Wars, The Phantom Gourmet, and the Food Network. I had the pleasure of meeting Alina while I was there. She was very friendly and even let my daughter decorate her pink cupcake with some extra toppings.
To my surprise, Sweet is a bakery and cocktail bar in one! During the day, the bakery is open for sweets and coffee. At night, there is a cocktail bar in another room that serves a creative menu of appetizers including Grilled Cheese Sliders and a Bacon, Brie & Apple Quesadilla. The bar even features over 35 different martinis. I just love the idea of having a few appetizers followed by a cupcake or cheesecake!
Needless to say, I am thrilled to find this hidden gem and will be visiting often. Thank you to Sweet for being so helpful and to Two Sugar Babies for allowing me the opportunity to participate on this guest blog post.
Some of the flavors are staples and new ones are added each day. I was lucky enough to try six different flavors, but it was so hard to choose.
After my contemplation, I finally chose six flavors: Peanut Butter, Margarita, Red Velvet, White with Raspberry Frosting, Carmel Rum, and “Give me Samoa”. We brought them home and starting sampling immediately. I can’t say I have a favorite – each was more delicious than the next. The White with Raspberry frosting was simple and moist. My daughter claimed this as “her cupcake” since it was pink.
I must note that the Margarita cupcake was so unexpected. The frosting had just a hint of Margarita lime flavoring and the outer rim was coated in large sugar crystals to mimic the salt. Sweet is owned by Alina Eisenhauer, who has been featured on Cupcake Wars, The Phantom Gourmet, and the Food Network. I had the pleasure of meeting Alina while I was there. She was very friendly and even let my daughter decorate her pink cupcake with some extra toppings.
To my surprise, Sweet is a bakery and cocktail bar in one! During the day, the bakery is open for sweets and coffee. At night, there is a cocktail bar in another room that serves a creative menu of appetizers including Grilled Cheese Sliders and a Bacon, Brie & Apple Quesadilla. The bar even features over 35 different martinis. I just love the idea of having a few appetizers followed by a cupcake or cheesecake!
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| All photos courtesy of Tea Party Designs |
Needless to say, I am thrilled to find this hidden gem and will be visiting often. Thank you to Sweet for being so helpful and to Two Sugar Babies for allowing me the opportunity to participate on this guest blog post.
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