Specialty Treats

Mar 14, 2012

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Frangelico and Crème de Cacao Buttercream Icing

As if my favorite espresso martinis weren’t decadent enough I made espresso martini cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day with buttercream icing made with Bailey’s Irish Cream and a few of its flavorful, sweet, high octane friends. These friends play together beautifully and are three of the five ingredients in the espresso martinis that I love. Bailey’s is creamy goodness. Frangelico is hazelnut-flavored liqueur and Crème de Cacao has a light chocolate flavor. For the cupcakes, I substituted the liquid ingredients… [Read More]

Filed Under: Cupcakes & Party Cakes, DIY Treats, Seasonal, Specialty Treats Tagged With: baileys irish cream, boozy cupcakes, creme de cacao, cupcakes, Frangelico, st. patrick's day, st. patrick's day cupcakes, st. patrick's day treats

Feb 13, 2012

Seattle (Macaron) Space Needle Cupcake Topper

This past weekend my family had two occasions to celebrate so I decided the requested chocolate cake would incorporate both upcoming events – a Valentine’s Day birthday of my brother and the departure of my nephew, his wife, and baby-to-be who leave this week to make Seattle their new home. When I thought of Seattle, it was obvious to me what I had to make – the space needle! I made a batch of lemon macarons without color tinting… [Read More]

Filed Under: Birthday Cookies, Cupcakes & Party Cakes, Decorated Cookies, Fun Ideas, Specialty Treats Tagged With: birthday, birthday party, cake, celebrations, chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate icing, coffee, cupcakes, decorating ideas, Dessert, dessert decorations, family, valentine's day

Dec 13, 2011

The Best Giant Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Ever!

This spectacular cinnamon roll is the centerpiece of our Christmas morning breakfast and is greeted with the same anticipation at our holiday table as the Cratchit’s plum pudding is at theirs. The recipe relies on using store-bought frozen bread dough, thawed, and an overnight rise in the fridge while Santa makes his rounds. Pop it in the oven while opening presents and the scent of warm cinnamon throughout the house is what a holiday morning is all about. Of course,… [Read More]

Filed Under: DIY Treats, Musings, Seasonal, Specialty Treats, Uncategorized Tagged With: baking, cinnamon roll, family, holiday baking, holiday entertaining, holidays, recipes

Nov 7, 2011

Mini Cupcake Spiral Tower (Autumn, Fall)

Mini chocolate cupcakes decorated with over-sized dragees and fall themed fondant cut-outs literally reached new heights in my kitchen for a fall open house party this past weekend. We’ll get ‘up close and personal’ so I can show how you how I made this. It’s not as complicated as it looks. Trust me. They’re just a bunch of little ol’ chocolate cupcakes dressed up all fancy like. The number of cupcakes needed depends on the size styrofoam cone that is… [Read More]

Filed Under: Cupcakes & Party Cakes, Decorations, DIY Crafts & Decorations, DIY Treats, Specialty Treats Tagged With: autumn, baking, cakes, cupcake tree, cupcakes, diy crafts, DIY Treats, entertaining, fall, mini cupcake tower, mini cupcakes, parties, party cakes, party decorations, party ideas, special occasion treats

Sep 27, 2011

USC Collegiate Cake Pops

I love tailgate parties and cake pops are a perfect treat to bring along. I guess it’s pretty obvious where my allegiance lies. There are so many recipes and instructions for cake pops on other blogs and websites and of course there is the Queen of all Cake Pops, Angie at Bakerella so I’ll just show you what I came up with for my decorations. I made my pops a little larger so I could have a… [Read More]

Filed Under: Cupcakes & Party Cakes, Party Favors, Specialty Treats Tagged With: cake, cake pops, college, collegiate cake pops, tailgate, usc

Mar 29, 2011

Marshmallow Bunny Pops!

These bunny marshmallow pops are perfect to find in an Easter basket, for spring time bake sales, as a friendship gift or to make with the kids! Here’s how and what You’ll Need: 3 extra-large marshmallows 2 regular (large) sized marshmallows (the kind you find in the store) 1 mini marshmallow 1 twisty marshmallow candy writer in white. This is not frosting but candy coating. pan of hot water, not boiling 12″ long lollipop sticks, 1 for each bunny pink… [Read More]

Filed Under: DIY Treats, Party Favors, Specialty Treats, Spring & Easter Cookies Tagged With: bunny marshmallow pops, decorating ideas, Dessert, Easter, easter treats, marshmallow pops, parties, spring

Dec 28, 2010

Decorating Desserts For New Year’s Eve

I have an easy dessert decoration to share with you for New Year’s Eve.You can make any round dessert look like a clock by using candy coating chips. I made individual Kahlua cheesecakes with an Oreo cookie crust in fluted tart pans with removable bottoms but any dessert will do.Turning over the coating chip to the bottom side gives a nice flat surface to pipe Roman numerals on. The hands of the clock were made by piping coating chocolate onto… [Read More]

Filed Under: Cupcakes & Party Cakes, Specialty Treats Tagged With: cheesecake, Dessert, dessert decorations, Kahula, mini cheesecakes, New Year’s Eve

Dec 13, 2010

Meringue Mushrooms

Meringue Mushrooms are a special treat at Christmas time. I’ve usedthem to decorate Buche du Noels but I like to make them to give as gifts because they’re different from the regular holiday cookies. They present nicely in a small decorative basket, a mushroom basket from the store or even wrapped up in a cello bag tied with a festive ribbon. Things needed~1/2 c. egg whites, room temp. (3 to 4 large eggs)1/8 tsp. table salt1/4 tsp. cream of tarter1… [Read More]

Filed Under: DIY Treats, Specialty Treats, Winter and Christmas Cookies Tagged With: baking, buche de noel, cookies, Decorated Cookies, dessert decorations, diy, DIY Treats, holiday baking, Holiday Cookies, meringue cookies, meringues

May 4, 2010

Molded Sugar Roses and Leaves

Molded sugar makes for a very pretty presentation at tea time and they’re very easy and quick to make.This project took me less than 20 minutes from start to finish.Things you will need: Superfine or regular Sugar Food Coloring Water Plastic Candy Mold Cardboard Baking Sheet (optional) Select your candy mold. I think roses and leaves are nice for spring and Mother’s Day. 🙂 I have used hearts for Valentine’s Day and for wedding showers.Place about 3/4 c. of… [Read More]

Filed Under: DIY Treats, Fun Ideas, Specialty Treats Tagged With: confections, DIY Treats, entertaining, molded sugar, parties, party decorations, recipes, sugar for high tea

Feb 10, 2010

Collegiate Valentine Care Packages

Collegiate Valentine Care Package DIY Cupcakes

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]