Romantic Saccharine

Any man reading this post right now – grab a pen and take notes.

When you want to impress a woman, you don’t need to buy her fancy, expensive gifts.

You don’t need to plan an extravagant weekend getaway to be spontaneous.

You don’t need to spend $500 on a dinner to prove your love for her. 

I mean yes, those things are NICE. And we won’t say no. Noooo we definitely won’t say no.. but thoughtfulness goes further.

A LOT further.

Here is some advice.. We love chocolate. We love cake. We love flowers and roses. We love gifts that are thoughtful. We love unique things made ONLY for us. A single creation. A single copy.  Only one made in the whole world, made with only one person in mind.

So to all you gentlemen out there who are looking for a way into that special lady’s heart, get there the way my coworker recently did, with a custom, romantic cake.

I swear, I wouldn't lead you in the wrong direction.  I am not sure of a single woman in this world who would hate this gift of luscious chocolate cake iced in French vanilla butter cream roses.

So just show up after work, with this pale pink cake a pretty little box, and let it speak for itself.  Maybe include a card too..

It’s a win. This one certainly was. It’s guaranteed. I promise :)

-Elena 

Simple Chic Bridal Shower

Today I brightened another rainy day bridal shower with bright, springy cake pops!  My friend Becky is in a wedding this spring for a friend of hers, and I'm happy she asked me to make these for the shower!

These were simple and chic, not a whole lot to them in terms of complexity--the shower was meant to be simple but elegant and that is what I was going for here with scroll piping patters, fondant flowers and muted white/gray colors with pops of pink.

I went with the square plate for this one, as I think they are simple and allow the cakes to shine on their own without the distraction of ribbons and bows. 

Sixty little cakes, in red velvet, vanilla and chocolate flavors, sure to brighten anyone's day!

I hope the bride loves them!

-Elena

Mama and Baby

This weekend I put together a baby shower display for an old childhood friend.  Brittany and I grew up together, loving Britney Spears and Spice Girls, playing soccer and having sleepovers.  We spent hours singing into hairbrushes and dancing around her kitchen, doing our hair and make up and having an absolute blast. Here we are below--pre braces.  Check out the tattoo necklace.. soo hilarious!

Her and her fiancee are expecting a little girl, and I was so happy to create a display for her shower!

Brittany's shower was elegantly put together by her sisters and family, and had a "spring" theme with fresh flowers and vintage chalkboards, mason jars and white lanterns.  For the display, I went with the colors of the invitation -- tiffany blue, lavender, pale pink and mint green.  I wanted the display to be vintage, girly, and ultimately evoke the feeling of spring (I know we're all itching for it!)

I also recently picked up two new cookie cutters, a mama bird and baby bird, which I thought would be perfect for a baby shower (and I've been secretly dying to use them!!)  Definitely my favorite aspect of the display and was a perfect way to mix baby shower with spring! 

I actually use cookie cutters often when I create cake pops.  It's an easy way to get the perfect shape with cleaner lines as opposed to hand shaping them.


These paper flowers I picked up were so perfect, I swear they were made specifically for me, for this shower! I love when it all comes together perfectly!  I went with the round plates for this one, as the ribbon colors really pulled it together and I think they're nice and girly.

Finished product!

I had picked up this bird cage candle holder a few years ago, and it went with this theme perfectly!  It was like the mama was watching over her baby, waiting for it to come out of its cage! 

I wanted to stick to their mason jar theme as well, and adding another baby and mama bird in with the taste card was a nice accent.

I just loved the paper flowers!  

These were the little jars given to the guests to drink from with a candy binky! Such a creative idea!

Pretty table settings!

It was lovely seeing Brittany and I am happy everyone enjoyed the cakes!

On to the next project!! Busy Busy is the best way to be! :)

-Elena

Five Ingredient Protein Bars

Adulthood has taught me a lot of things... life isn't as fun as when you were a kid; the real world is expensive; there are bad days (weekdays) and good days (weekends); the littlest things will make your day (like a Reese's cup.. or a bottle of wine). I think the most important thing I've learned so far though, is in order to be successful you need the right tools for the job.  You can try your damn hardest at something and give it your all but without the correct tools, whether they be physical tools or metaphorical tools (support, confidence) it can't be done.

In the kitchen, I feel super prepared. I've accumulated so much stuff; been given lots of tools from grandparents and my mom and friends; I usually always have what I need.  Except for lately... When I moved, I didn't think of the most important tool I need to do ANYTHING related to my baking -- a mixer.  Ohhhhh it's been fun without one! I've been hand mixing cakes (I make 4-6 a week).  I've been whisking and mixing and using my little $19 smoothie mixer from Target to break things down and sort of mix them.  Meanwhile, I've been ferociously stalking any website that carries Kitchenaid stand mixers, waiting for them to go on sale.. and today was the day!!

My baby! God it's beautiful!  Yes, I dream for the 7qt, but that will be on my wedding shower registry ;) This baby will hold me over!

So naturally I rushed home, decided I'd go for a run, and use the mixer to motivate me to move my butt so I could get back and use it!  And that is what I did!

I made five ingredient protein bars! Delicious, so easy, and healthy!).  The thing about protein bars is most of the recipes call for some sort of flour other than gluten flour (rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour) which are all so drying and end up tasting awful, especially when mixed with protein powder (also drying!).  I am using oats instead!  I like this recipe because it omits flour (yay!), is low on sugar, and is still moist and yummy!

The first five ingredients are the base. The "Optional" ingredients are what make them yummier! Use whatever you'd like!

Five Ingredient Protein Bars

2 Cups of Oats (I had instant oatmeal on hand, worked great)
1 Cup Almond Butter, plus more for later (you can use PB if you want)
2 Scoops Protein Powder  (I used vanilla)
1/3 Cup Honey, plus more for later
1/4 Cup Almond Milk, plus more for later

Optional
1/4 Cup Chocolate or Butterscotch Chips
1/4 Cup Dried Fruit (cherries, cranberries)
Shredded Coconut

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a glass 8X8 baking dish with non-stick spray.  Combine oats, almond butter, protein powder, honey and almond milk in a mixer until combined.

It should not be soupy! You want minimal liquid, just enough so it all sticks together. Essentially you should be able to pick up the entire mixture as a "ball." 

Add in a little more almond butter and a little more honey if needed, until your mixture is sticking together.  If desired, toss in chocolate or butterscotch chips and/or dried fruit. Pour your mixture into the prepared baking dish.  

Press your mixture into the dish, covering the bottom.

If desired, drizzle honey on top and sprinkle coconut shavings on top.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool, cut up, and eat one a day in the AM to stave off those 10:00am hunger grumblings :)

I already ate one!

There's so many things you can do with this 5-ingredient base. Have fun with it!

Well this weekend is the start of my busy month!  Some really exciting projects to come, can't wait to share here on the blog! Stay tuned!

-Elena 

Under the [Sweet] Sea

I am going to cut right to the chase and say I just finished my absolute favorite cake pop display OF ALL TIME. 

Ok, now that that's over with... I have not posted in a while because of life. Life is busy! I moved, so that took an insane amount of energy and time. I am still recovering from the exhaustion but, moved in and it is starting to feel like home!

A few weeks ago my friend asked me to make this display and in my head I'm like "Elena how are you going to pull this off, you're moving. You're going to be in boxes, how are you going to make 40 cake pops (which turned into 60) in time!" Then I was told the theme--- The Little Mermaid.  After that there was no question.. this was happening!

Anyone who knows me at all knows my obsession with The Little Mermaid. Currently, if you walked into my parents' house and into my room you'd find a giant shelf filled with Ariel things. But that's not all.. she is basically everywhere in my life--coffee mugs at work, produce shopping bags, my keychain, my cell phone case, my socks, window sticker on my car... she is even on the bedspread currently on my bed in the apartment until I find one I like! She is everywhere.. Ariel is a part of me! I grew up with the movie and watched it so much I think I killed the tape.  It's the part of me that will never grow up.

So, needless to say I was quite passionate about this project.  I wanted the characters to come alive so I played a lot with fondant, even tinting it myself which I haven't done too much of.  The fondant "sea life" tray I picked up was perfect, even the conch that Ursula steals Ariel's voice with worked out perfectly! I am not a great sculptor so I knew I couldn't make the characters from scratch, so I printed them in colored paper and then built the lower half of their bodies onto cake pops!

So happy with this one! I really hope everyone enjoys them as much as I loved making them!

Next up: Valentine's Day Dinos.. yes.. Dinos :)

-Elena

Sweet Holiday Cheer

Good morning and Merry Christmas everyone!

The day has come and I am relishing in the quiet before the storm. I have so much to prepare before everyone comes today, never mind spending my last Christmas morning in Ellington with my parents and brother before I move out next month! It will be a memorable and hectic day of gifts, food, desserts, music and laughter and I am excited!

On the table today will be these little babies--chocolate bars! These are not hard at all, anyone can do them and they make a great gift idea for coworkers or neighbors.  All you need is chocolate, candies or pretzels or dried fruit for the inside and a mold! If you don't have a mold, spread the chocolate out on parchment paper in a baking tray but it will be messy to break apart later! 

I went with peppermint bark and salted caramel bark with pretzels!  Here is how I made the peppermint bark:

First break up your candy canes.

Then melt your chocolate!

I added a little bit of extract for extra flavor!

Then pour into molds, add your candy and throw in the freezer for 10 minutes! 

I loves this mold because of the imprint it leaves... words like giving, merry and thankful. 

Easy gifts for all! And did I mention delicious!?

I hope everyone has a joyful and safe Christmas! Eat up and savor the moments! 

-Elena 

A Cake in Uniform

A friend from culinary school approached me and asked if I would make a sampler for her brother and his fiancé.  They are having a military wedding and she thought it would be fun if she brought them cake pops styled for the Marines. It hit close to home, since my boyfriend is a former Marine and Veteran. I wanted to make them extra special.

So with the proud colors of the USA, I created these!

But I really wanted to make these special, I wanted them to symbolize the couple and the strength it takes to endure a military relationship. So I created what I envisioned would be their wedding day! 

The good buttons and red stripe of the Marine uniform and the glitzy pearls of a wedding dress, all edible and ready for admiration! 

Pretty good right? Louis and I won't have a military wedding someday, but we did get to dress snazzy for the marine ball a couple years ago! Gotta love a guy in uniform!

Anyways, the happy couple loved the treats and I will be making more for them soon!

Happy Monday! Take the week one sweet bite at a time! 

-Elena