a taste of king cake

King Cake 2013 - not bad for my first time!

Happy Mardi Gras!  Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and is very well celebrated in the US in New Orleans with festive parades, rich foods, lively music and of course, colorful beads (they even have a mobile app!).  Mardi Gras does however have a rich, Christian cultural meaning, referring to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.  A tradition of Mardi Gras is the King Cake, a cinnamon-roll style cake, with various fillings, with a sweet or cream cheese style icing in purple, green and gold.  When I was working at Martha Stewart TV I remember sampling my fair share of King Cakes each year as Mardi Gras rolled around.  King Cake season officially starts on Twelfth Night (January 6th) and ends on Mardi Gras day.  That's a lot of King Cake!  Different bakeries would send their cakes over to the studio for sampling and we even had New Orleans native Lenora Costa on the show to share her recipe.  The video is great because Lenora talks a bit about the Carnival Season and how it is indeed celebrated all around the world.  There is also the tradition of placing a "baby", or some other bean, toy or trinket, inside the King Cake.  Whoever gets the baby or trinket in their slice of cake will then have various privileges or obligations.  Perhaps that person will have to bake the next King Cake or throw the next King Cake party!  The icing colors on the cake each have a meaning as well.  Purple = Justice, Green = Faith, Gold = Power. You can read the history of King Cakes in many places on the Internet...but why not make your own!  Now, I did not try Lenora's yeast recipe.  I decided to go for what I call the "cheaters" version.  During the holidays I made monkey bread with a similar "cheaters" recipe and it was delicious!  Now if you have the time and ambition....go for the yeast.  If not, try this "cheaters" recipe and let me know what you think!  I used purple, green and gold sanding sugar so I didn't have to mix 3 different colors of icing...but I think it would have looked just as sweet with tinted icings!  Now....who will find get the lucky piece?

fresh out of the oven...let cool before you ice!

ooey, gooey, goodness!  approved!

"cheaters" monkey bread made over the holidays!

still baking...

I've been in the kitchen for most of the day today.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I love to bake and had so many ideas for the cookie swap, that I had to just keep baking knowing I still had people I wanted to gift some home baked goodies to and also have places to bring my goodies to this weekend for Christmas!  I started with a dough that needed to chill so it could sit in the fridge for a few hours while I worked on other goods...the Linzer Tart.  My husband claims his mom made this cookie when he was young and I asked my mother in law for her recipe, unfortunately it is one of those recipes that comes without any measurements.  I decided I will wait for her to come over and watch her make them so I can create a recipe to work from.  For this batch, I found a recipe on the internet that seemed tasty and followed that.  I did however use the "infamous" grape jam my husband grew up with in place of raspberry the folks at Epicurious suggested.  I will caution you, this dough is very delicate, but if you have experience with rolled/cut cookies, you should be good.

linzer dough rolled out & cut

making the "sandwiches"!

finishing touches...sprinkle with confectioners sugar

The next two cookies I made were from the 2010 Martha Stewart Holiday Cookies Special Issue.  I love these special issues and never throw them away.  They always have so many good ideas!  The first one is an Italian cookie called Ciambelle (Lemon Wreaths).  They actually look like little doughnuts!  You have to roll the dough out and shape them into wreaths.  It was just like rolling coils in ceramics, very cool.  The best part was dipping them in the lemon glaze and sprinkling on the nonpareils...a very fun cookie to make.  If you have kids they would love to help with this part.

wreaths baked & waiting to be glazed

glazed & drying...mini doughnut anyone?

The next one is bar cookie and was a bit of a challenge at first, but surprisingly easy.  My husband loves eggnog, so when I saw the Eggnog Cheesecake Bars, I thought they would be perfect.  It wasn't until I read I had to bake them in a hot water bath that I got very nervous.  I usually shy away from cheesecake or any recipe that has a "bath" process...but honestly, it was very easy and they came out perfect (I haven't cut them yet, they are still chilling, but they do look perfect!)  

bars in water bath ready to go in oven...I used my turkey roasting pan!

While the bars were baking I was onto a special cookie for my dad.  My grandmother (his mother) used to make a soft raisin cookie, similar to a soft chocolate chip cookie (with raisins instead), but no one in the family has the recipe.  My mother did find a dog-eared recipe card that is "thought" to be the recipe, so I decided to give it a try.  I think they look pretty darn close, however I will have to wait until Sunday for the taste tester to give them a try! 

Dad's raisin cookies cooling

One last item on deck, not really a cookie, but something I remember my other grandmother making and sending my way, Festive Chocolate Pretzels.  I recently thought about these pretzels since M&M introduced the chocolate covered pretzels, of which I can not be left alone with a bag of!  These festive pretzels are so easy to make I even enlisted the help of my husband and we were done in no time.  This is another one kids could easily have a ball with!  I couldn't find the exact recipe I wanted, but with the one I used, I substituted the Hershey's Hugs or Kisses for the Candy Melts you can buy to make your own candies out of.  They are those colored disks they sell many times at stores like Michael's Arts & Crafts.  I bought red ones and then used the holiday red and green M&M's in the center.  I love sweet and salty together so these festive pretzel treats are just perfect.  I plan to make up little cello bags for everyone, and of course keep a few for myself!

Tom placing M&Ms in the melted chocolates

cooled & set...don't forget to save a few for Santa!

I still plan to make a banana pudding for dessert Christmas Eve and bread pudding for Christmas Day!  

What have you been baking?

holiday baking & sharing

packaged and ready to go!

I love to bake.  So when we were invited to my bff's this past weekend for a holiday party and was asked to bring some festive cookies for a "cookie swap", I was super excited to partake. I was however overwhelmed with choices of what to bake!  There are always so many recipes to choose from, and during the holidays especially, so many fun, festive, and delicious ones!  After a few sifts through my recipe "pile" (I have yet to find the best way to organize my recipes...some are in a folder, others in a binder, some are on my computer, and the others are scattered throughout the internet, friends and family)...I decided to make 2 of my favorites.  I made one of the more challenging "cookies" that I only attempt every few years when I really have the time and patience, petit fours (I used this basic recipe but filled mine with raspberry jam, tinted my frosting green and decorated with red hearts, red flowers and sugar gingermen).  After working at Martha Stewart TV for so many years, I really learned the tricks of these by watching John Barricelli, one of the master chefs in the prep kitchen there, (really I would eat the "scrap bowl" while he was making the beautiful creations!)  They are definitely labor intensive and I have to be honest, I did lose about 1/2 of them in the making...but the 1/2 I "lost", were just not as "pretty" for the swap and they stayed home for my husband and I to enjoy.  The other "cookie" I chose to make was not really a cookie either.  It is one of my favorite recipes from a good friend I used to work with at Martha, the worlds best Gingerbread Cake from Gramercy Tavern!  If you love gingerbread the way I do, I really recommend trying this recipe.  The original one is made in a bundt pan, however I decided to make individual cakes (reducing the baking time accordingly) and package them in cello bags with a cute tag.  Again, this way I could contribute to the swap with a smaller, take away portion.  With so many cookies, I felt the cakes were a great addition at the end of the night for the guests to bring home and eat the next morning, perhaps with their coffee, or share with other family members.  Another great thing about this gingerbread cake recipe is that it just gets better after a day or two!  Making these individual cakes also reminded me of the small loaves of zucchini and banana bread my mom, husband and I made as part of our wedding favors.  We made the breads to go along with jars of currant jam my mom made from the berries my dad grew in his garden.  Small home baked gifts of breads, cakes and cookies are always loved by just about anyone and what better way to spread the love and give thanks to someone during the holidays?  Maybe you have someone on your list you too can bake for.....the dog walker, babysitter, postman, kid's teachers, house keeper, doorman? Kids love to bake too!  Really, who doesn't love homemade AND home baked?  What is your favorite holiday cookie recipe?

individual gingerbreads baked, cooling and waiting for packaging

this years petit fours!

my cookie swap box to come home!  

note the festive gingerbread owl peering out made by my bff (and the host) Sweet Dani B!

Whooos ready for the holidays now?

happy birthday mel

Our dog Mel had a birthday this week.

Since we adopted/rescued Mel, we are not sure of his exact age or birthday, so we decided to make the day we brought him home his official "I Gotcha Birthday".

Last Thanksgiving weekend we visited the Yonkers Animal Shelter in Yonkers, NY.  They have over 100 dogs (and some cats too) and after speaking with an adoption coordinator and trainer, they introduced us to several dogs.  Once we met Mel however...the rest was history.

For his birthday I made Mel tuna cupcakes!  He LOVED them.  I adapted the recipe from several I found on the internet.  For those of you who have picky eaters like me, I suggest giving them a try.

Mel's Tuna Cuppies

3 Eggs

1 Can Tuna (I used the kind packed in water, drained)

1 C Flour (I used white, but whole wheat would be great too)

Mix together in a bowl

Pour into 3 ramekins - I used Pam to make sure they came out

Put in microwave on high for about 3-5 minutes

- They will expand like a souffle!

Let cook on wire rack, you can remove from ramekins after a few minutes

Once cool, ice with cream cheese

♥ ENJOY ♥

learn something sweet and new

My bff & cookie decorating extraordinaire is at it again!  She is offering another one of her cookie decorating parties next weekend in Hoboken, NJ.  This Spring themed workshop not only includes the "sweet" cookies and decorating supplies...you also get one Sweet Dani B Class Kit....How sweet is that?

Dani will share all of her expert tips, techniques and advise while you get to ice away on your fabulous cookie creations.  Of course you get to take home whatever you don't eat :) 

Don't worry, Dani will also have some of her own pre-packaged cookies for sale which make perfect gifts and favors!

To register go to http://sweetdanib.wordpress.com/events/

What a unique Mother's Day gift or just the perfect opportunity to learn something fun and new!

To find out more about Dani's others products and services such as event design, paper goods, online videos, and cookie favors...check out her entire website here http://sweetdanib.com/

Oh...and I'll be there joining in on the sweet day as well.  Mel's Peanut Butter Bisquits are making their sale debut and part of the proceeds will be donated to the Yonkers Animal Shelter to help with the day to day needs of the dogs in the shelter.  To read more about the story of "Mel's Bisquits" check out my blog post from February.

Hope to see you Saturday, May 14 at City Bistro in Hoboken, NJ for one SWEET afternoon!

for the dogs...

February is filled with notable holidays such as Groundhog Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and President's Day.  Today however, is the less recognized holiday of International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day!  My husband and I adopted Mel from the Yonkers Animal Shelter this past December and have been smiling every day since.  So when I heard about this fun holiday, I thought it would be the perfect time to make some delicious homemade dog biscuits and bring them over to the shelter to share with the rest of the dogs who are still waiting to be adopted.  Hopefully the treats will brighten their day and soon they too will find warm and loving forever homes like Mel's.

Peanut butter dough rolled & cut...

I used this recipe from all-natural-dog-treat.com, 

I left out about 1/4 c flour because my dough seemed a little dry,

so just add your flour slowly to see how much you need.

I doubled the recipe

and made almost 200 cookies...that's a lot of bones!

Mel "helping"...baking can get very tiring...

Bones all packaged and ready to go

I made tags w/ Mel's photo so everyone at YAS

could see how well he is doing :)

Mel making final packaging inspections

Taste test...Approved!

If you are looking to add a new pet to your family...why not think about adopting, rescuing or even fostering a furry friend?  

Mel & I highly recommend it ♥

holiday happiness

the tree at rockeller center, 2010

With Christmas only 2 days away, I thought it only appropriate to make a holiday happiness list. Things can definitely get crazy and hectic around the holidays, but there are still an abundance of things I am thankful for and they all just make me so happy...


1. Going to see the tree at Rockefeller Center in NYC.  I go almost every year...it never gets old :)
2. Freelancing for the past 2 weeks with my old (and some new) friends and colleagues at The Martha Stewart Show.  What a great bunch of super talented people.  
3. The yummy smells of baking.  Finally got a chance to bake today and made my friend Molly's trusted gingerbread cake.  She uses this recipe from Gramercy Tavern...it is delicious!
4. Fresh cut Christmas trees... nothing beats the smell of a fresh cut tree...especially when you cut it yourself!
5. Christmas music...really, I can't get enough of it!
6. Gift opening with my nieces and nephews...I love watching the kid's faces and seeing them tear into packages.
8. Being warm by a roaring fire.
9. Knowing I will be celebrating the holidays with my family and friends.
10. Giving our new dog Mel a warm and loving home.  My husband and I adopted Mel about 3 weeks ago from the Yonkers Animal Shelter.  He is an amazing guy, adjusting so well and really is just a wonderful dog.  We are so happy to have him in our family.

Mel ♥

What makes you happy this holiday season?

Acorns, Acorns, and more Acorns!

acorn cookies by Sweet Dani B

While I am busy collecting and crafting with acorns, my BFF Daniele (Sweet Dani B, as she is known in "the business") is busy, well, making edible acorns!  She is among other things, a cookie decorator extraordinaire!  Check out her latest blog post about making these adorable acorn cookies.  There are step by step instructions.  Let me know if you give it a try.  Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away!  

Wouldn't these make sweet placecards, favors, or even look just fabulous on your dessert table?!  

Acorn caps drying from my last walk in the reservation...

might as well eat a cookie while I wait :)

Enjoy ♥

happy birthday to me!

i made myself one of my favorite treats... 
if i could pick one "meal" to eat a day, i would choose dessert ♥

confetti squares from martha stewart

...and i got a nifty new camera!

diana mini from lomography

what else could a girl ask for?
a pretty sweet husband, amazing family & friends, and good health doesn't hurt either ♥

xoxo

so i prop styled my first cookbook...

Like I said in my first blog post, now almost 2 months ago, my worlds are forever overlapping.  This past week the first cookbook I have ever prop styled for was released, The Divvies Bakery Cookbook.  Back in October of 2009 I was asked to work on a cookbook, while I was still in graduate school.  Now this wasn't just any cookbook, and this wasn't just any random job that just fell into my lap.  Let me see if I can explain.  


Lori Sandler, (the author), and her family, are owners of Divvies Bakery. Lori, and her son Benjamin, (who has food allergies), were past guests on the Martha show.  The bakery specializes in foods made without peanuts, tree nuts, milk, or eggs.  Lori, and her producer Lenore from the Martha Show, stayed in touch after the shoot.  As it turned out, Lenore has a daughter who also shares similar food allergies as Benjamin, and they became a huge fans of the Divvies products and vision.  When Lori was looking for a photographer in the area to shoot her book, Lenore recommended my husband Tom, who is a professional photographer.  So the chain began.  Lori and Tom asked me to do the prop and set styling for the book.  When Lori and Benjamin were on the Martha show, I was actually their tv prop stylist then as well!  Since the shoot was close to home, we worked the schedule around my class schedule and it became do-able.    The food styling was done by another friend and colleague of ours, Justine Poldino.  She worked with Lori to perfect her vision in the kitchen on each one the recipes; making them picture perfect for the camera.  Together as a team, we were able to create some pretty beautiful images.  Next time you are browsing through the bookstore, stop by the cooking section and take a look!  The book is also available for purchase online.

Some prop options for fudge and lemon squares as presented to my client...

What some of the final shot looks like!

Recipes: Lemon Squares (p. 34) & Oh Fudge! (p. 39) 

Some behind the scenes photos I found on my i-phone below!

set mascot, every set needs one ♥