Hydrangea Cake Tutorial

This tutorial is done by "I Am Baker".  The cake is gorgeous and would be a great addition to any party.

http://iambaker.net/hydrangea-cake-tutorial/

Happy Baking!

4th Of July Cherry Blueberry Pie

Take this beautiful pie to your 4th of July picnic!  Everyone will love it.  The recipe is available at myrecipes.com.  Below is a link:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/old-glory-cherry-blueberry-pie-10000000600641/

Perfect Cupcakes for a Cookout!

 

Ingredients and Supplies:

Standard size cupcakes in foil liners (any flavor)
Vanilla buttercream frosting (2-3 cups)
Black icing gel color
Orange sanding sugar
Pastry bag fitted with small round tip (Wilton #2)
Unwrapped Tootsie Rolls
Black edible marker
Gummy bears
Toothpicks
Hot Tamale candies
Soft caramel candies, unwrapped
White jimmies

Directions:

Make cupcakes according to the recipe of your choosing.  Be sure to cool completely.

If necessary, level the tops of the cupcakes with a knife to create a flat decorating surface.  Divide frosting into two bowls, with three quarters in one bowl and the remainder in the other.  Tint the large portion dark black using the gel icing color.  Using just a few drops of black at a time, tint the smaller portion a light gray color.

Spread a flat layer of the black frosting on top of each cupcake.  Sprinkle a pinch of orange sanding sugar in the center of each cupcake to look like coals.  Transfer the gray frosting to the pastry bag and pipe parallel lines over the top of each cupcake to mimic the gates of a grill.

Prepare the "food" for the grill.  Slice rounds of the Tootsie Rolls and shape into burger patties.  Use the edible marker (you can use a Sharpie as they are non-toxic) to create grill marks on the patties.  Use kitchen shears to snip off small pieces of gummy bears.  Skewer the gummy pieces in alternative color patterns onto the toothpicks to look like kabobs.  Draw grill marks onto the Hot Tamales to mimic hot dogs.  Slice of pieces of the caramel candies and shape into drumstick shapes.  (If necessary, soften briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds).  Stick a jimmy into the end of each drumstick and draw on grill marks.  Place all pieces of food on top of the grill. 

Enjoy!

Mini Berry Coblers

Ingredients

18 ounces mixed fresh berries (4 cups)
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons minced crystalized ginger
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup buttermilk
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400.  Toss together first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl.

Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl.  Cut cold butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly.  Add buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3 to 4 times.  Pat into a 6 x 4 inch (1 inch thick) rectangle.  Cut into 6 squares diagonally into 12 triangles.

Arrange 12 (3 1/2 inch) lightly greased miniature cast iron skillets on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.  Divide berry mixture among skillets.  Place 1 dough triangle over berry mixture in each skillet.

Bake at 400 for 20 to 24 minutes or until fruit bubbles and crust is golden brown.  Cool 15 minutes before sserving.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Mini Minions Tutorial by Bakerella

These are about the cutest cake pops that I've ever seen.  You can make these plus other characters as well.  Just check out the tutorial on Bakerella's web site. 


http://www.bakerella.com/mini-minions/

Your Cup of Cake

The tantalizing scent of warm cupcakes wraps you in nostalgia, transporting you to the coziness of your childhood kitchen. Now, in a modern twist thats sure to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth, the treats of your youth will once again tempt your taste buds as you embrace the cupcake craze in your own kitchen cupcakery. Food writer and photographer Lizzy Early taps into America s love affair with then everending flavor combinations of this tasty treat from the comforting classics of vanilla, German chocolate, and carrot cake to the fanciful flavors of maple and bacon, churro, and root beer float. Complete with delectable photographs and handy hints for the cupcake novice, Your Cup of Cake is your ultimate guide to America s favorite gourmet goodies.

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If you haven't had the opportunity to take a look at this book, do so soon.  Most recipes begin with a simple cake mix.  This book is available at book stores and Amazon.com. 

Heavenly Meringues by Stroble Farms

I recently discovered something wonderful on ETSY...flavored meringues!  Stroble Farms offers many wonderful baked goods but I had the great fortune of being able to taste several of the meringue flavors.  The pink champagne, the violet and the honeysuckle flavors were my personal favorites.  These would be great for weddings or to serve along side other desserts. 

 

 

Swirled,honeysuckle-scented meringues are made with organic cane sugar, fresh egg whites from farm-fresh free-range eggs, and flavored with honeysuckle flowers.

 

 

Meringue-of-the-Month Club is a great gift to give someone you love (including yourself!) a fun way to sample their wonderful meringues. These are not 'Miss Meringue' meringues! We have unique and unusual meringues that you're not going to find anywhere else; these are all our very own recipes that we invented. Only the best-tasting flavors made the cut and we are proud to offer the following varieties:
Chocolate Swirl
Pistachio
Persian Saffron
Date-Walnut
Coconut Delight
Chocolate Cherry Chunk
Lavender
Rose
Pomegranate
Honeysuckle
Cherry Blossom
Violet Candy
Sparking Pink Champagne
Pecan Praline
Maple Walnut
Brown Sugar
Green Tea
Christmas Candy Cane

You can visit Stroble Farms at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrobleFarms?ref=seller_info